Byte Points #124

This week’s episode explores the growing divide between AI adoption and public trust. New research shows that nearly half of American adults now use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot, with many relying on them for work, research, and everyday tasks. Yet despite record adoption, skepticism remains high, as most Americans worry about privacy, data security, and whether governments and technology companies can responsibly manage the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. We also dive into the next battle in consumer technology as Snap unveils its new AR-powered SPECS smartglasses, aiming to replace smartphones with wearable computing experiences. Meanwhile, Norway has announced a sweeping ban on generative AI tools for elementary school students, arguing that children need to focus on foundational skills like reading, writing, and mathematics before relying on AI assistants. China is taking the opposite approach, eliminating thousands of arts and humanities programs while dramatically expanding AI and technology-focused education as part of its long-term economic strategy. This episode also examines the risks of AI moving into critical decision-making systems. A tragic case in Brazil has sparked controversy after a hospital bed allocation system allegedly delayed access to intensive care treatment due to an AI-generated severity score. We also discuss Midjourney’s surprising expansion beyond image generation with plans for futuristic AI-powered body scanning spas that aim to collect detailed health data using advanced ultrasonic imaging technology. Plus: Waymo recalls nearly 4,000 robotaxis after incidents in freeway construction zones, Microsoft expands privacy protections that prevent Copilot and other AI services from accessing highly sensitive corporate files, India temporarily blocks Telegram to combat exam fraud, Google launches Android 17 alongside new Gemini AI features, OpenAI’s latest financial disclosures reveal the staggering cost of building and operating frontier AI systems, and SpaceX continues its post-IPO expansion with a blockbuster acquisition of AI coding platform Cursor. We also cover Apple’s planned price increases, Fox’s $22 billion acquisition of Roku, Qualcomm’s next-generation mixed reality platform, and why the future of AI may depend as much on economics and regulation as it does on technology itself.