The Comunicano for Monday September 30th 2024

Ah, welcome. Please, take a seat. Today’s mission, if you choose to accept it, involves navigating the ever-changing landscape of technology, innovation, and—dare I say—adventure.

Let’s begin with a story of resilience, shall we? There’s a place called Hunters Point, in Cortez, Florida. This development, designed to withstand hurricanes, recently showed its mettle during Hurricane Helene. While most places in Florida were plunged into darkness, Hunters Point kept the lights on, thanks to steel-reinforced concrete homes, solar panels with battery backups, and sophisticated flood management systems. Quite the fortress, wouldn’t you agree? As climate change continues to wreak havoc, these homes—though costly—are actually insurable, making them a beacon of hope in stormy seas.

Now, speaking of gambles, let’s shift our focus to California. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1047, a bill that would’ve put strict safety protocols on artificial intelligence. Some say he’s preventing progress from being stifled; others argue he’s leaving the door open for something potentially dangerous. It’s much like defusing a bomb—you either make a precise cut or you blow everything sky-high. Newsom promises future legislation with more targeted guardrails, but until then, we’ll need to keep our eyes wide open.

Over in the UK, Amazon and Microsoft have made some rather bold moves, acquiring AI companies without raising much fuss from regulators. Amazon dropped $4 billion on Anthropic, an AI firm, and British authorities waved them through without a second glance. It seems their concern for monopolies is less than ours across the pond. But we’ve all seen how easily power can consolidate—like a well-placed villain in the shadows—so it’s far from over.

Then there’s the future of communication. T-Mobile, in collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink, is rolling out satellite-to-cellular service, meaning no more dead zones, no matter where you are. Whether you're on a desert island or in the mountains, the signal will find you. Convenient? Perhaps. But it also means there’s no escaping those calls from HQ, no matter how remote your location.

Ah, before I forget—the App of the Day: WiseStamp. It’s not exactly an Aston Martin with all the gadgets, but it’s close. WiseStamp helps you manage email signatures, ensuring you look as polished as your best suit. It’s all about appearances, after all, and a well-crafted email signature can make all the difference in our digital world.

So, as we close out this briefing, remember—our world is changing faster than ever. With AI, climate resilience, and technological advancements, the future is both thrilling and dangerous. Stay vigilant, stay sharp, and—above all—always be prepared for the unexpected. And now, with that, onto the news, all here, just for you, all in today’s “Comunicano.”

Andy Abramson

Housing Watch

They Kept The Lights On—As seen today in Fast Company, Comunicano client, Hunters Point, a hurricane-resilient housing development in Cortez, Florida stayed powered during Hurricane Helene thanks to elevated homes, solar panels with battery backups, and flood management systems. Each home is built with steel-reinforced concrete, energy-efficient insulation, and raised structures to withstand storms and flooding. Although costly, these sustainable features make the homes insurable, a critical advantage as climate change impacts insurance availability in Florida.

AI Watch

Let’s Pass—California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a landmark AI safety bill, SB 1047, which sought to impose strict safety testing on large AI models before deployment. Newsom argued that the bill’s broad application would stifle innovation, affecting even basic AI functions. The decision faced opposition from proponents who saw the bill as crucial to managing AI risks, while critics, including major tech firms, argued it would burden developers. Newsom instead committed to future legislation with targeted guardrails, working alongside experts and industry stakeholders to ensure responsible AI regulation. Read more from NPR

It’s A Digital World—AI-powered digital agents are set to revolutionize the workforce by automating tasks and enhancing productivity. While AI agents currently serve as assistants, helping with tasks like data analysis, writing, and customer service, they are expected to evolve into autonomous agents performing more complex, multi-step tasks by 2025. This shift will allow AI to offload substantial workloads from humans, transforming how businesses operate. However, for now, human oversight is still essential as these agents are not yet fully capable of independent operation in complex scenarios.

Such A Deal—Using ChatGPT as a personal shopping assistant can help you save money on purchases. Users can find deals on big-ticket items and valid coupons by experimenting with ChatGPT’s custom GPTs, like Shopping GPT. For instance, ChatGPT found refurbished models significantly cheaper than new ones when looking for a MacBook Pro. It also suggested searching Best Buy’s open-box deals, saving up to $295. Additionally, ChatGPT recommended extensions like Honey for automated coupon applications, leading to cashback and discounts. While ChatGPT is helpful for bargain-hunting, always verify the deals and prices before purchasing.

No Anti-Trust in UK for AI—The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently cleared significant AI deals involving Amazon and Microsoft, marking a key stage in the evolving antitrust scrutiny of AI investments. These moves, such as Amazon’s $4 billion stake in Anthropic, have raised concerns about Big Tech’s growing control over AI startups. Despite these concerns, UK regulators determined these deals do not significantly impact competition, though U.S. regulators continue to investigate. As AI’s influence grows, regulatory oversight will likely intensify.

Gemini Watch

Those Unpolished Gems—Google's new "Gems" feature for it’s AI service, Gemini, allows users to create personalized AI "teammates" to assist in various aspects of life, from meal planning to fitness coaching. While the AI-generated advice is generally helpful, it often mirrors basic Google search results and lacks the depth of specialized services. For tasks like marathon training or cooking, the output can be somewhat generic. However, Gems show promise for simplifying repetitive tasks, like checking for errors in text, making it a practical tool for some everyday activities.

Blockchain Watch

They Took a Gamble—Sorare, the blockchain-based fantasy sports platform, is facing legal scrutiny from the UK Gambling Commission for offering unlicensed gambling services. The platform's model, which involves buying, selling, and trading digital player cards, has raised concerns over whether it constitutes gambling under UK law. This investigation could impact the regulation of similar platforms in the future.

T-Mobile Watch

Look Up In The Sky—T-Mobile’s satellite-to-cellular service, developed in collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink, appears to be in early public testing. Some users in the U.S. have reported seeing "satellite" displayed on their devices, indicating limited access to the service. One user claimed to have successfully sent texts via satellite on iOS 18 from a moving car. This technology aims to eliminate dead zones by providing near-complete coverage across the U.S., especially in remote areas, using SpaceX's Starlink satellites. The service is still in its beta phase with limited access.

Transportation Watch

Come Fly With Me—Joby Aviation is developing a 200 mph all-electric air taxi designed to transform urban commuting. Capable of vertical takeoff and landing, it promises emission-free, quiet flights over congested cities. The aircraft combines battery and hydrogen technologies, offering a range of 100 miles for short commutes, with plans for longer distances using hydrogen fuel cells. Initially aimed at high-end customers, Joby’s goal is to make air taxis more accessible over time, potentially launching in cities like Los Angeles by 2028.

Sorry, I Ran Out—Lyft and Smartcar have introduced the "Rides in Range" feature to address range anxiety for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. This tool ensures that Lyft drivers only receive ride requests within their EV's battery range and sends alerts when the battery falls below 20%. It helps drivers avoid interrupting trips for charging, benefiting both drivers and passengers by ensuring a smoother ride experience. The feature is part of Lyft's goal to support EV adoption and reach 100 million EV rides by 2025.

Education Watch

Life After College—In the age of AI, high schoolers can prepare for future careers by focusing on skills that AI can't easily replicate, such as critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning. Understanding AI tools while honing human-centric skills will be crucial. Developing real-world connections through networking and experiences is also vital. Despite AI's increasing role in various industries, pursuing education that emphasizes human strengths and adaptability can help students navigate a rapidly changing job market.

Health Watch

Time to Get Emotional—AI chatbots are playing an increasingly important role in reshaping mental health support by providing accessible, non-judgmental assistance. These tools can offer real-time emotional support, especially for people hesitant to seek traditional therapy. Although AI cannot replace human therapists, it can help users manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges by offering coping strategies and guidance. As AI technology advances, its role in mental health services continues to expand, offering more personalized and immediate assistance.

Security Watch

What’s The Password—NIST has released new draft guidelines to overhaul outdated password practices, notably eliminating forced periodic password changes and restrictive composition rules. These changes come after research showed these requirements often led to weaker, easily guessable passwords. The guidelines now focus on creating more secure, private, and accessible identity systems, emphasizing risk management rather than arbitrary password rules. This shift reflects a growing understanding that these old methods often undermine security rather than enhance it.

McDonalds Watch

Number of Burgers Served—McDonald's sells an estimated 6.5 million burgers each day globally, adding up to billions annually. This astounding volume highlights the fast-food giant's immense scale and continued popularity worldwide. Despite changing consumer trends and a push towards healthier options, McDonald’s burger sales remain a cornerstone of its business.

Music Video of the Day

Trailer of the Day

The App of the Day

WiseStamp

WiseStamp is a powerful email signature management platform designed for individuals and organizations. It allows users to create professional, visually appealing email signatures that reinforce personal or corporate branding and act as an effective marketing tool.

For individual users, WiseStamp offers a free basic option that allows you to generate a signature with your name, job title, contact information, and a link to your social media or website. Suppose you want more advanced features like custom templates, logos, and social media icons. In that case, the Solo Pro plan (starting at $5.80 per month) includes premium design options and no WiseStamp branding, making your emails look more polished and professional.

WiseStamp shines with its centralized email signature management capabilities for businesses and organizations. This is particularly useful for companies looking to maintain consistency across all outgoing emails. You can create signatures for different departments, control branding across teams, and even integrate marketing campaigns into the email signatures. Features like analytics to track the impact of signature-based campaigns and easy integration with popular platforms like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, and Salesforce make it ideal for enterprises.

WiseStamp’s marketing features also help businesses turn email signatures into engagement tools. You can include banners, call-to-action buttons, and social media icons to boost clicks and conversions. It's a great way to promote events, content, or social media directly from your team’s emails.

WiseStamp can be used across various platforms, including Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail, and it supports both desktop and mobile devices. This flexibility ensures that your signatures remain consistent regardless of where emails are sent from.

To get started, you can visit WiseStamp's website and try the free or paid options based on your needs.