Technology

With the launch of its new, artificial intelligence-powered iPhone 16, Apple is hoping to boost smartphone sales, which have been sluggish lately.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A commuter train that emits only water vapor will start carrying SoCal passengers in early 2025. State officials have already ordered 10 more.

from KCRW Features

Marina Del Rey Middle School went phone-free a year ahead of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2025 mandate. It changed everything.

Ahead of cell bans, this phone-free school is thriving

Marina Del Rey Middle School went phone-free a year ahead of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s 2025 mandate. It changed everything.

from KCRW Features

AI could make human college counselors obsolete. But it may help students and families who can’t afford a higher education coach.

AI could upend $3 billion college application industry

AI could make human college counselors obsolete. But it may help students and families who can’t afford a higher education coach.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are hoping to mobilize youth support online through fan videos, candid clips, memes, and the language of TikTok.

TikTok ‘meme armies’ are energizing the 2024 campaign

Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are hoping to mobilize youth support online through fan videos, candid clips, memes, and the language of TikTok.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams piloted the maiden voyage of Boeing’s Starliner spaceship. Now they're stuck at the ISS and might have to hitch a ride home with SpaceX.

Two NASA astronauts possibly stuck in space until 2025

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams piloted the maiden voyage of Boeing’s Starliner spaceship. Now they're stuck at the ISS and might have to hitch a ride home with SpaceX.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Department of Justice sued TikTok, claiming the popular app allowed children under 13 to create and use accounts, illegally gathered data from them, and ignored parents’ requests…

Justice Department sues TikTok for illegally collecting children’s data

The Department of Justice sued TikTok, claiming the popular app allowed children under 13 to create and use accounts, illegally gathered data from them, and ignored parents’ requests…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and author Charles Duhigg delves into the art of effective communication and the innate human desire for connection.

The art of conversation: Charles Duhigg on how to be a super communicator

Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and author Charles Duhigg delves into the art of effective communication and the innate human desire for connection.

from Life Examined

Video game performers have gone on strike after two years of negotiations around AI and the use of performers’ digital likeness.

Video game voice actors go on strike. Yes, it’s because of AI

Video game performers have gone on strike after two years of negotiations around AI and the use of performers’ digital likeness.

from KCRW Features

Joe Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in. What is next for Harris as she contends for the White House? Plus, how might age verification laws change online privacy?

Will the excitement about Kamala Harris be enough against Trump?

Joe Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in. What is next for Harris as she contends for the White House? Plus, how might age verification laws change online privacy?

from Left, Right & Center

Air traffic is picking up at LAX after a global technology outage grounded three major airlines. Travelers should check their flights online before heading to airports.

LAX says air traffic is picking up after global IT outage

Air traffic is picking up at LAX after a global technology outage grounded three major airlines. Travelers should check their flights online before heading to airports.

from KCRW Features

Waymo robotaxis have been cruising LA for about three months.

Waymo leads in the race for perfecting the robotaxi

Waymo robotaxis have been cruising LA for about three months.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LAUSD leaders recently voted yes on a cellphone ban for students. Board member Nick Melvoin explains how this would work and what safety concerns might rise.

LAUSD sorts through the rules of a cellphone ban coming in January

LAUSD leaders recently voted yes on a cellphone ban for students. Board member Nick Melvoin explains how this would work and what safety concerns might rise.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The surgeon general wants health warnings on social media platforms, similar to tobacco products. A psychologist explains how the platforms can harm teen mental health.

Should social media platforms have a public health warning?

The surgeon general wants health warnings on social media platforms, similar to tobacco products. A psychologist explains how the platforms can harm teen mental health.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Apple is the latest tech company to unveil AI tools for its most popular products. Will this be truly helpful, or is it another ploy to sell more iPhones?

Apple gives Siri an AI makeover. At what possible cost?

Apple is the latest tech company to unveil AI tools for its most popular products. Will this be truly helpful, or is it another ploy to sell more iPhones?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A series of recent rule changes in the LDS Church have made missionary work more appealing to young members, but many still face mental health challenges.

Mormon missionaries take to social media to spread their faith

A series of recent rule changes in the LDS Church have made missionary work more appealing to young members, but many still face mental health challenges.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How much could AI and deepfakes threaten election integrity? Is round two of the border bill dead on arrival?

How will AI and deepfakes affect this year’s elections?

How much could AI and deepfakes threaten election integrity? Is round two of the border bill dead on arrival?

from Left, Right & Center

Scarlett Johansson says ChatGPT’s new AI assistant “Sky” sounds alarmingly like her. She previously declined a request from OpenAI to be its voice.

Amid Johansson-OpenAI tiff, do consumers want what tech companies are selling?

Scarlett Johansson says ChatGPT’s new AI assistant “Sky” sounds alarmingly like her. She previously declined a request from OpenAI to be its voice.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Google will start putting AI-generated answers at the top of search results. Content creators and media outlets say this will cost them clicks.

AI is coming to Google search. It could radically change your experience

Google will start putting AI-generated answers at the top of search results. Content creators and media outlets say this will cost them clicks.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Biden’s new legislation is forcing TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social giant to a U.S. company. TikTok plans to challenge this in court.

TikTok moves a step closer to being sold, or else face US ban

Biden’s new legislation is forcing TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social giant to a U.S. company. TikTok plans to challenge this in court.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand