— The top two baby names in America last year…and the three years prior. What’s in a name? Consistency, apparently.
Eyes On
OpenAI
The story
Lawmakers want to have a chat with OpenAI.
Fill me in.
On Tuesday, OpenAI (which, reminder, is the company behind ChatGPT) CEO Sam Altman will testify before Congress for the first time. He’ll appear at a hearing hosted by a Senate Judiciary subcommittee and is expected to discuss efforts to keep AI in check. It’s the first step the subcommittee is taking to explore “sensible standards and principles” that’ll help with navigating AI’s “uncharted territory.” And it comes as concerns about the dangers of AI (think: data security, misinformation, and massive job losses) continue to grow. Particularly since the powerful technology continues to spread. All of which has lawmakers urgently trying to figure out if and how to regulate the industry.
What’s the latest?
Earlier this month, the Biden admin met with Altman and other tech CEOs and announced it would invest $140 million in cache, err, cash to help launch seven research centers focused on promoting “responsible” innovation in AI. Also, the Office of Management and Budget said it would soon release draft policy guidance on the use of AI by the gov. Not to mention that many of those in attendance committed to letting thousands of hackers put their products to the test during a mass hacking event this summer. Then there’s the flurry of ideas floating around Capitol Hill: Last month, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced a bill that would create an AI Task Force responsible for identifying regulatory shortfalls within the gov and recommending reforms. That followed a similar initiative brought in the House, led by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA). And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has been working behind the scenes to craft a legislative proposal that would help “prevent potentially catastrophic damage” without hindering the “transformative technology.”
In Turkey, millions of voters are expected to cast ballots in pivotal parliamentary and presidential elections, which could be the biggest challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s power. Back home, President Biden and top congressional leaders abruptly postponed their follow-up meeting on the debt ceiling — but apparently that might not be a bad thing. Now, the group is preparing to meet this week. Meanwhile, the EPA hopes to clear the air with a proposal that would place the first-ever limits on pollution from existing power plants. And the Supreme Court issued decisions in cases involving public corruption and pigs (yup, you read that right). It comes as the justices still have student loan forgiveness, affirmative action, and federal election laws to check off their to-do list. Also, the US Postal Service may have found the key to reducing mail theft and gave Chief Standing Bear, a Native American civil rights leader, the ultimate stamp of honor.
📊 In business...
Inflation eased again in April, dropping to the lowest level in two years. That might explain why your grocery bills haven’t been as offensive. But the same can’t be said for the cost of other things, like rent, car repairs, and child care. Meanwhile, if you’re part of the nearly 40% of US workers who aren’t satisfied with their jobs, perhaps it’s because you’re spending too much time on emails and meetings. Or, maybe it’s messing with your REM cycle. Or, you might just be bad at work-life balance. In consumer news, Disney is combining Hulu and Disney+ into a single streaming app. Adidas is planning to sell its stock of unsold Yeezy merch and will donate the proceeds to charity. And dining at fast food restaurants may soon be a thing of the past, apparently.
🧸 In parenting...
Got a kiddo with a peanut allergy? Believe it or nut, a skin patch is showing promise as a potential treatment. In other good news, early signs indicate that the youth mental health crisis may be slightly improving. Though, surprise, surprise, no one has an answer for what to do about the phone problem: The American Psychological Association is calling for teens to get some training before joining social media (good luck with that), while a growing number of schools are cracking down on phone bans. Speaking of schools, after some initial backlash, the US News & World Report finally released its annual rankings of the top law and medical schools. Oh and a report found that caregiving costs women nearly $300,000 in lost pay over their lifetimes. No wonder we all need wellness vacations.
Bookmark'd
Here’s a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. The secret to beating boredom.
Apple Arcade lets you play over 200 ad-free games across alllll of your Apple devices, whether you have wifi or not.† Plus, you can now add five extra family members to your subscription at no extra cost.*
We get it, you're just trying to get some shut-eye. From a soothing humidifier to a better alarm clock, here's what will help you achieve your best sleep yet.
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Sunday Scaries, Who?
Here’s one tip for a better start to your week.
Today is the first day of National Women’s Health Week — an annual reminder to make time for yourself and, as the name suggests, your health. Now, we know: That’s sometimes easier said than done. So here are some easy ways to get started today...
Get moving. Research shows a little activity can go a long way, both mentally and physically. But exercising doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym. You could take a quick jog through a nearby park, go on a walk around the neighborhood, or even have an at-home dance party.
Take a breather. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, dedicate a few minutes to quieting your mind. That could mean slowing down with some meditation or unplugging for a bit. Or, if you prefer to talk everything out, you might find it helpful to phone a friend — even a professional.
Add some color to your meals. Spring has sprung — and with that comes all sorts of seasonal fruits and veggies. Meaning, the time is ripe for heading to your local farmers market (or grocery store) and stocking up on things like asparagus, rhubarb, peas, and strawberries. If you’re not sure what to do with your bounty, here are 53 fresh ideas for making the most of the season.
Listen to your body. You know yourself best. So prioritizing your health can be as simple as taking stock of how you feel and going from there. Thirsty? Try increasing your water intake, with or without a fun bottle. Tired? Try going to bed a little earlier. Just feeling meh? Consider scheduling a check-up with your doctor. Oh and if your body is telling you it’s time to watch the latest ep of your fave show, you know the drill.
Save the Date
Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...
The end of Mercury in retrograde. Phew.
The PGA Championship begins. May the course be with you — ahem, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler.
PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.
News Quiz
Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here’s the answer.
