Pen pal programs have evolved, but old-fashioned letter writing could be coming back
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A recent trip to New Zealand to visit her pen pal of 40 years made an Associated Press reporter from New Hampshire wonder about the history of programs that bring strangers together to write letters. While the program that matched them as teenagers folded years ago, others are still going strong. And even though the government postal service in Denmark recently stopped delivering letters altogether, some see signs of a letter-writing resurgence. More than 15,000 people signed up for a pen pal program created by a writer for The New Yorker during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, an app called Slowly that mimics the anticipation of receiving a letter by delaying digital message deliveries has 10 million users.
Associated Press global investigation into government surveillance efforts wins Pulitzer Prize
NEW YORK (AP) — The Associated Press has won a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for stories on the expansion of government surveillance efforts in China and the role that U.S. tech firms played in it. The Pulitzer board recognized AP staffers Dake Kang, Garance Burke, Byron Tau and Aniruddha Ghosal, along with contributor and independent journalist Yael Grauer for what it called “an astonishing global investigation into state-of-the-art tools of mass surveillance." Also included was a story about the expansion of license plate surveillance of drivers in the United States.
Roomba pioneer aims to crack the household market again with an AI-powered pet robot
The robotics pioneer who helped unleash the Roomba vacuum is now betting that you might one day replace your beloved dog or cat with a plush robot that follows you around your home and adapts to your daily habits. Colin Angle unveiled a four-legged prototype of that artificial pet, called a Familiar, on Monday. Imagine a creature the size of a bulldog with doe-like eyes and bear cub ears and paws, extending itself into a greeting stretch that invites you to pat its touch-sensitive fake fur. The lifelike machine, powered by the latest artificial intelligence technology, would not have been possible when Angle co-founded iRobot in 1990.
OpenAI president discloses his stake in the company is worth $30B
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and CEO Sam Altman’s top lieutenant, disclosed in court Monday that his stake in the artificial intelligence company is worth nearly $30 billion. Brockman, who also said he did not invest in OpenAI, took the witness stand Monday in the landmark trial that centers on the 2015 birth of ChatGPT maker OpenAI as a nonprofit startup primarily funded by Musk before evolving into a capitalistic venture now valued at $852 billion.
New Mexico seeks child safety restrictions on Meta apps and algorithms in trial's 2nd phase
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico state prosecutors are seeking fundamental changes to Meta’s social media apps and algorithms to safeguard children in the second phase of a landmark trial on allegations that platforms such as Instagram have created a public safety hazard. Attorneys made opening statements Monday in the three-week bench trial. Meta has warned that it could eliminate service in the state if forced to comply with impractical mandates. Recent jury verdicts have validated long-standing concerns about the dangers of social media for young people. New Mexico prosecutors say Meta's platforms pose a public nuisance under state law and want improvements aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation.
States across the wildfire-prone Western US are using AI for early detection
Another severe wildfire season is forecast for the Western U.S. due to record-breaking heat and an abysmal snowpack. Some states and utilities are trying to get ahead of that threat using AI. In Arizona, the state’s largest electric utility is installing AI-monitored cameras across its service region. The technology identifies possible smoke and notifies human analysts for quick verification. Fire management officials say the technology spots more fires than humans, and alerts authorities more quickly, allowing for faster and more efficient action to extinguish wildfires. Similar technology is being rolled out in Colorado, California and other wildfire prone states, as well as in Canada and Australia.
Shares of eBay take off on a $56 billion buyout bid from GameStop's Ryan Cohen
Shares of eBay are soaring before the opening bell after Ryan Cohen's GameStop announced an attempt to take over the company for about $56 billion, seeing it as a vehicle to compete with online retail giant Amazon. GameStop said that its approximately 1,600 U.S. stores could become drop-off and shipping locations. One proposal includes live sales broadcasts from GameStop locations featuring eBay products. GameStop said that it started accumulating shares in eBay beginning in February and currently has a 5% stake.
US military reaches deals with 7 tech companies to use their AI on classified systems
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says it has reached deals with seven tech companies to use their artificial intelligence in its classified computer networks This will allow the military to tap into AI-powered capabilities to help it fight wars. The Pentagon said Friday that Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX will provide their resources to help “augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments.” Notably absent from the list is Anthropic, after its legal fight with the Trump administration over the ethics of AI usage in war. The Defense Department has been rapidly accelerating its use of AI. But AI has already raised concerns that its use could invade Americans’ privacy or allow machines to choose targets on the battlefield.
Trump likes the idea of the government owning some US companies but took a pass on Spirit Airlines
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has taken a shine to the government taking stakes in the private sector. But his administration took a pass on bailing out troubled Spirit Airlines. The discount carrier ceased operations Saturday. Trump had said the government was interested in a stake in the carrier “if it's a good deal.” Under Trump, the government earlier invested in Intel and U.S. Steel and had made other deals that go against the traditional Republican position about Washington picking winners and losers. Critics say Trump's deals reflect his transactional nature. Others see some logic in competing against heavily subsidized Chinese manufacturers.
What to Stream: 'The Drama,' MUNA, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens and 'The Other Bennet Sister'
“The Drama,” a rom-com that goes bad starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson and the synth-pop group MUNA releasing their fourth studio album are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of May 4 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Sam Raimi’s movie “Send Help” starring Rachel McAdams, a TV series based on the unassuming, oft-forgotten Jane Austen sister Mary leads “The Other Bennet Sister” and country star Ashley McBryde heading into the “Wild” on her latest album.
