More from Brent Jabbour
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With home insurance premiums through the roof, some homeowners go ‘naked’
When the worst happens to your home, a common consolation is, “That is what insurance is for.” But with the price of homeowners’ insurance going through the roof, more people are opting to go without. About 12% of homeowners do not carry homeowners’ insurance, according to a recent Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) analysis. Nearly half… -
The Netflix DVD era is over after 25 years. Here are the 5 most-rented discs
Friday, Sept. 29, marks the end of Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service after 25 years and the delivery of more than 5 billion disks. At its peak, customers were inundating the United States Postal Service by returning more than 1.6 million disks daily. It’s the end of an era; let’s take a trip down memory lane with… -
Why more insurers are refusing to provide homeowners’ insurance
It’s not anecdotal: Extreme natural disasters are happening more often and causing way more damage. Insurance is supposed to be there to safeguard homeowners in case the worst happens to their property. However, in disaster-prone areas, some insurers are declaring that it’s too risky to keep doing business there. “The last few years, insurers have… -
Congress risks another government shutdown. The cost of 5 prior shutdowns.
Congress has until the end of September to fund the government. With about a week to spare, here are the options: Meet the deadline, pass a stopgap bill, or shut down. But when budget showdowns reach shutdowns, there is a significant taxpayer cost. Here are five times politicians shut down the government in this week’s… -
ChatGPT launched an AI revolution. Here’s where we stand nearly 1 year on.
Artificial intelligence hit the mainstream like a firestorm following the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Technology companies scrambled to join the AI arms race, led by Microsoft’s $10 billion investment in OpenAI. At the same time, Capitol Hill sprang into action, holding hearing after hearing over safety and regulation. The overnight sensation of generative AI is… -
AI is coming for 300 million jobs. Is the future work optional?
Will generative artificial intelligence enhance the way professionals work or replace them altogether? While it is still in its early stages, generative AI is expanding automation into a much wider set of the workforce. Goldman Sachs predicted that AI could automate the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs between the U.S. and Europe. “Some sort of luxury… -
The race to regulate AI hits snag; politicians don’t understand the tech
Should government have a role in regulating artificial intelligence? When asked in a closed-door meeting with tech executives, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “every single person raised their hands, even though they had diverse views.” The overnight sensation of ChatGPT put a timer on government oversight, as politicians scrambled to convene hearings on Capitol… -
Is it alive? How AI’s uncanny valley could threaten human interaction
The uncanny valley as a concept has been around for decades. But as artificial intelligence develops, technology is several steps closer to tricking human brains and manipulating emotions. The term uncanny valley is used to describe the emotional response from humans when encountering robots that appear human-like. AI expert and philosopher Aleksandra Przegalińska said humans… -
Why we fear AI, from a PhD in philosophy of artificial intelligence
Conversations around artificial intelligence are often filled with fear and threat. Much of it can be traced back to movies, news stories, and even comments by those developing the technology, according to a Harvard senior research associate with a Ph.D. in the philosophy of artificial intelligence. “Instead of focusing on things that are to be… -
UAW strike could cost billions. See the price of these 5 strikes in history.
United Auto Workers are striking against Detroit’s Big Three automakers at the same time for the first time. The impact could be financially devastating. Economists estimate 10 days on the picket lines against General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler-parent Stellantis could cost the U.S. economy $5.6 billion and push Michigan into a recession. Strikes can… -
Americans say media bias divides the nation. This chart shows most polarizing.
For the first time in recorded history, more Americans report having no trust in mass media reporting the news fully, accurately and fairly than those who trust media a fair or great amount. The results from the most recent Gallup poll on the topic show overall trust in media remains near a record low. Meanwhile,… -
With college spending sprees, students and taxpayers foot much of the bill
Student loan debt is again accruing interest without much reform following a 3.5-year payment pause. Meanwhile, millions of current college students will soon join the existing indebted borrowers that have racked up around $1.8 trillion in debt to date. University spending sprees are far outpacing enrollment and inflation, fueling the student debt crisis. As colleges… -
‘Crazy’ auto loan payments of $1,000 or more: When will car market cool down?
Will those looking to buy a car ever catch a break? With interest rates around 7% and average monthly payments above $700, it has never been more expensive to buy and finance a new car while affordable used cars remain hard to find. A glimmer of hope has arrived for hopeful buyers: According to a…