⚔️ Altman vs. Musk: The super app showdown begins

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☀️ On this day: On May 5, 1961, NASA launched Freedom 7, carrying astronaut Alan Shepard, who became the first American in space. His 15-minute suborbital flight was a critical milestone in the U.S. space program and in the evolution of computer-guided spaceflight.

What’s happening:

• ⚔️ Altman vs. Musk: The super app showdown begins

• ⚠️ AI layoffs surge as big firms automate jobs

• 🤖 Duolingo replaces contractors, doubles content with AI

• 🏭 $21B push: Hyundai ramps up US robot automation

• 🧠 AI therapy gets serious scientific backing

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

⚔️ Altman vs. Musk: The super app showdown begins ↗️LINK

• What: Sam Altman and Elon Musk are both developing all-in-one “super apps” combining finance, social media, and AI. Altman’s World App, tied to his crypto project Worldcoin, now boasts 26 million users and integrates identity, payments, and messaging. Musk’s X, meanwhile, is adding money tools and partnering with Visa.

• Why: These apps aim to solve digital identity (via World IDs) and bot problems, while also consolidating digital life into a single platform. Both teams are pursuing Visa partnerships and exploring social-AI synergies.

• Impact: The race could redefine how we interact with the internet, blending AI, money, and identity in centralized apps — with major implications for privacy, power, and global tech control.

⚠️ AI layoffs surge as big firms automate jobs ↗️LINK

• What: Major companies like Klarna, UPS, Duolingo, Intuit, and Cisco are replacing laid-off employees with AI and automation tools to streamline operations and reduce costs amid economic pressures.

• Why: With inflation, stock volatility, and competitive demands, firms are adopting AI to boost productivity and satisfy investors. AI mentions often lead to share price gains, incentivizing more automation.

• Impact: This trend signals a shift in workforce dynamics, raising fears over long-term job security. As AI adoption grows, more roles may be eliminated, reshaping the labor market and amplifying calls for reskilling initiatives.

🤖 Duolingo replaces contractors, doubles content with AI ↗️LINK

• What: Duolingo launched 148 new language courses created with generative AI, doubling its total offerings in the platform’s largest-ever content expansion. This follows internal plans to replace contractors and move toward becoming an "AI-first" company.

• Why: CEO Luis von Ahn says AI allows Duolingo to scale quickly, creating in one year what previously took over a decade. The company argues this shift helps meet growing demand more efficiently.

• Impact: While the expansion showcases AI’s speed and scalability, users have criticized the move, citing concerns over content quality and job displacement. The backlash highlights growing tensions around automation in creative and educational work.

🏭 $21B push: Hyundai ramps up US robot automation ↗️LINK

• What: Hyundai is integrating Atlas humanoid robots from Boston Dynamics into its Georgia Metaplant to automate 40% of vehicle assembly by year’s end. The move is part of a $21B U.S. investment, including $6B for automation and innovation.

• Why: Facing tariff pressures and rising labor costs, Hyundai aims to cut expenses and boost output through automation. Tasks like door installation and heavy lifting will shift from humans to robots, enhancing factory efficiency.

• Impact: This marks a major leap in factory robotics, with potential to reshape automotive manufacturing. Hyundai’s bet on robots could also give it a cost edge in the competitive EV and hybrid markets in North America.

🧠 AI therapy gets serious scientific backing ↗️LINK

• What: Dartmouth researchers have developed Therabot, an AI-powered digital therapist, aiming to provide reliable, science-backed mental health care. Their clinical trial shows it helps with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, with a new study comparing it to human therapy in the works.

• Why: With a severe shortage of mental health professionals, researchers argue scalable AI solutions are urgently needed. Therabot was built over six years, prioritizing safety and ethics, unlike many for-profit apps on the market.

• Impact: If proven effective, Therabot could offer affordable, trustworthy care to millions, reshaping digital mental health and pushing standards for ethical AI therapy.

🧠 Keep your mind sharp with these newsletters!

Want to stay on top of the latest trends and discover new resources? Here are a few of my favorite newsletters that I think you'll find valuable:

Today’s Poll:

Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Poll Result:

Would you talk to an AI when feeling lonely?

• A) Yes – Sometimes it’s easier than talking to people - 37%

• B) No – I’d rather reach out to a real person - 63% 🏆

Reader’s opinions:

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