“America’s legal system is already grappling with cases where chatbots acted as lawyers and witnesses, generated the evidence, or helped plan a mass shooting. Who will be liable now that some AI agents are doing crimes all on their own?”
artificial intelligence
What Happens When a Kid’s Robot Best Friend Dies?
“AI companion toys for neurodivergent children promise connection and therapy, but can they deliver for the long haul?”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
In this edition: Bad medicine, imperfect sound forever, know when to fold ’em, brainiacs, and a call of the wild.
What if America Went Completely Dark?
“The power grid relies on thousands of aging, hand-built transformers. If enough fail, the blackout could last years.”
Skill Nostalgia
“Is all the beekeeping, baking and leatherwork just escapist fantasy or the start of a radically human approach to work?”
Nobody Here Wants the Data Center: An Oral History
“We’ve gathered stories from all across the country detailing what happens when Big Tech’s latest monstrosities come to town.”
The Mom Who Runs a Household With a Staff of AI Agents
“Jesse Genet’s time was scarce. So she hired Claire, Sylvie, Clark, Dan, and Chloe.”
Brave New World: A Reading List About the Dark Future
Five stories that make Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel feel like nonfiction.
