My main newsletter, Complex Machinery, includes a section called "In Other News..."  It's where I list one-liners about interesting articles that didn't fit into any segments.

You can think of this list as a version of In Other News, but with a wider remit than Complex Machinery's "risk, AI, and related topics."

Above the fold

1. You and your spouse don't share a common language? AI-backed translator apps can help, though you'll also need solid communication skills. (New York Times)
2. The prospect of genAI-created software is wrecking financial deals for software firms. (Financial Times)
3. Would you spend $65k for your kid to sit in an "AI-powered" school that monitors their every move? Yes? Perhaps read this article and have another think? (404 Media)
4. Business and politics have always been a messy mix. And as it gets messier, CEOs have gotten quieter. (Bloomberg)
5. A new video game lets you repatriate African artifacts stolen by colonizers. (Le Monde 🇫🇷, The Verge)
6. At Airbnb, genAI handles an increasing volume of customer service. (TechCrunch)
7. Applying complexity economics and simulation to the climate crisis. (The Guardian)

The rest of the best

• Google parent Alphabet issues a 100-year bond to fund its AI plans. (WSJ, CNBC)
• Using conversations with a genAI bot as a first step in a dating app. (The Guardian)
• Need a human being to assist AI-based systems? DoorDash beats RentAHuman, apparently. (Ars Technica and Wired, respectively)
• Online betting sites Kalshi and Polymarket are turning everything into a wager. (Vanity Fair)
• Companies will soon feel the bite of GPU depreciation costs. And they may pass that pain on to employees. (Sherwood News)
• Yet another maker of AI-backed toys exposes personal data. (NBC News)
• AI and surgery, thus far, make for a bad mix. (Reuters)
• One study says that reading this newsletter – OK, reading anything – can reduce your dementia risks. (The Guardian)
• Discord expands AI-based age verification checks. (Le Monde, PC Gamer)
• Ars Technica published AI-generated quotes in a story about … a genAI bot allegedly writing an angry blog post about someone. (404 Media)

Did I miss anything?

Have something I should read? Send the link my way.