Google is giving website owners a new choice: they can now tell Google's AI not to use their content when answering questions, while still appearing normally in regular search results. For anyone who's written online over decades—whether you've built a business website, shared a blog, or contributed to forums—this means your work won't automatically feed AI systems unless you decide it should. Worth knowing: if you manage a website or online business, check your hosting settings in the coming months, as you may want to decide whether you're comfortable with AI systems learning from your content.
A university professor in Sydney wrote an opinion article telling students not to use AI as a shortcut—but the twist is, she used AI to write the article itself, which the newspaper found inappropriate and removed. The situation highlights a real tension many organizations are grappling with: how do you set honest rules about AI use when it's becoming so easy to use without realizing it? Worth knowing: if you're reading opinion pieces or advice online, it's increasingly fair to wonder whether an AI had a hand in writing it, so consider the credibility and consistency of what you're being told.
Nearly two-fifths of the time people spend on their phones involves mindless scrolling with no particular goal in mind, according to a recent survey. Many of us find ourselves lost in apps and feeds without realizing how much time has slipped away, which can eat into activities that actually matter to us like reading, hobbies, or time with family. Worth knowing: if you catch yourself picking up your phone out of habit rather than need, try setting a specific task before you unlock it—like checking one message or looking up one thing—then putting it away.
People are building their own small, personalized computers by hand—sometimes solar-powered—as a creative way to escape from big tech companies that track their online activity. For someone who values privacy and enjoys tinkering, this movement offers a refreshing alternative to relying on smartphones and tablets controlled by corporations that profit from your data. Worth knowing: if you're interested in learning more, search "cyberdeck" on social media platforms like YouTube or Reddit, where enthusiasts share their colorful homemade creations and explain how they work.
Everand is launching a subscription service that combines e-books, audiobooks, and online book clubs all in one place—giving readers more choice beyond Amazon's Kindle. For people who enjoy reading in different formats or like discussing books with others, this bundled approach could save money and create a more complete reading experience. Worth knowing: if you're already paying separately for audiobooks, e-books, or book club memberships, comparing Everand's all-in-one price to what you currently spend might reveal some savings.
Martin Scorsese, the legendary filmmaker known for his masterpieces like *Taxi Driver* and *Goodfellas*, has started using artificial intelligence as a tool to help plan his shots and scenes before filming begins. For someone who's spent decades perfecting the craft of filmmaking through traditional methods, this adoption shows that even skeptical creative minds are finding practical uses for AI in their work. Worth knowing: if you've worried that AI might completely replace human creativity in entertainment, Scorsese's approach—using it as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement—suggests the technology works best when paired with genuine artistic talent and experience.
Google is updating Android phones to automatically detect when someone is trying to scam you by faking a call from a friend, family member, or bank—using AI-generated voice copies that sound remarkably real. Scammers lost people nearly $3 billion in 2024 using these deepfake tricks, and the technology keeps getting better at fooling people, so having your phone act as a guard against these calls is genuinely useful protection. Worth knowing: make sure you're using Google's own apps (like Google Phone) to get this protection, and if you ever do receive a suspicious call asking for money urgently, hang up and call the person back directly using a number you know is real.
Google is adding a clever safety feature to its Phone app that warns you when a scammer is pretending to call from someone you know—the app will flag these fake calls so you can spot them and hang up. This matters because scammers increasingly use AI to spoof familiar phone numbers, and catching these calls before you answer could save you from falling for an impersonation trick. Worth knowing: keep your phone updated to get this protection, and remember that legitimate contacts won't mind if you hang up and call them back directly to verify any urgent requests.
Google is adding a new safety feature to its phone app that can spot when a caller is using fake AI voice technology to impersonate someone you know or trust. Scammers are getting bolder about using deepfake voices to trick people into handing over money or personal information, so having your phone help identify these calls is like having a second set of ears listening for something off. You can enable this protection in your Google Phone app settings, and it's worth knowing that even if the caller ID shows a familiar name, you should still hang up and call back directly if something feels unusual about the conversation.
Amazon's Ring doorbell cameras have been sued because the company allegedly stores photos of people's faces—including neighbors and delivery workers—without asking permission first. If you have a Ring doorbell or live near someone who does, this matters because your face could be scanned and saved in a database you never agreed to. Worth knowing: check your Ring settings to see what features are active, and talk to neighbors about their camera placement if privacy concerns you.
Dashlane, a popular password manager used by millions, recently discovered that hackers found a way to break through its security system and steal some customers' stored passwords. For anyone relying on a password manager to keep their login information safe, this breach is concerning because those stolen passwords could potentially be used to access your email, banking, or other important accounts. Worth knowing: if you use Dashlane, check your email for official notifications from the company about whether your account was affected, and consider changing your master password and reviewing your accounts for any suspicious activity.
Artificial intelligence tools are now helping people get faster treatment for muscle and bone problems by letting them skip unnecessary doctor visits and go straight to the right specialist or therapist. For someone over 50 dealing with arthritis, a bad knee, or back pain, this means shorter waits and less time bouncing between different healthcare providers. Worth knowing: if your doctor mentions AI-assisted assessments for joint or muscle issues, it's actually a sign you might get helped more quickly than the traditional route.
