Beginners in AI

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Welcome to this week's edition of Beginners in AI, where we explore the latest trends, tools, and news in the world of AI and the tech that surrounds it. Like all editions, this is human curated and published with the intention of making AI news and technology more accessible to everyone. 

This week, Sam Altman introduces a pocket-sized biometric device that could change how we prove we're human online — and stir up some serious privacy debates. Meanwhile, AI makes waves across industries: Natasha Lyonne backs an eerie sci-fi series, Aurora’s autonomous truck makes its first solo delivery, and researchers accuse top AI labs of gaming the system. Lyft debuts an AI-powered earnings assistant for drivers, Yelp rolls out a voice AI to handle restaurant calls, and UPS considers using humanoid robots in its warehouse

AI TOP STORY
Sam Altman’s “World App” Introduces a Handheld Biometric Scanner

What Happened
Sam Altman's Worldcoin project has just released a new device called the “World App Companion,” a small hardware gadget designed to verify human identity through fingerprint and facial scanning — no more giant orbs needed. Built for portability and mass adoption, the device resembles a small puck and connects to smartphones to authenticate users via biometrics. It's part of the broader mission to verify individuals online in a world increasingly filled with bots and AI-generated content.

What It Means
The shift from the intimidating eye-scanning Orb to a compact, affordable biometric reader could be a turning point for Worldcoin’s ambitions. The device streamlines the verification process, making it easier for everyday users and businesses to engage in identity-confirmed interactions, whether for finance, voting, or accessing restricted digital services. This release could soften the project’s past criticisms around privacy and accessibility while expanding its footprint.

What to Take Away
Whether you're eager to prove you're human or wary of handing over your biometrics, this device marks a turning point in digital identity. As platforms get saturated with synthetic media and fake accounts, these verification tools might quietly become as normal as two-factor logins. But there’s a flip side: critics argue that the convenience comes with real risk. As former Worldcoin advisor Elizabeth Renieris put it, “This is a solution in search of a problem… Biometric data is not something you can reset like a password.” In the race to build a trusted internet, we may be locking ourselves into systems we can’t walk away from.

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LAST WEEK IN AI AND TECH

Uncanny Talent

Natasha Lyonne Produces AI-Themed Sci-Fi “Uncanny Valley” for Asteria
Known for roles in Russian Doll and Poker Face, Natasha Lyonne is now behind the camera, producing Uncanny Valley, a new sci-fi series that explores AI, memory, and consciousness. The project’s narrative leans into eerie psychological drama, where cloned minds are stored digitally. Streaming on Asteria later this year, this series promises to be a sharp, thought-provoking entry into the growing wave of AI entertainment.
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Trucking On Its Own

Aurora Makes First Fully Autonomous Freight Delivery in Texas
Autonomous trucking firm Aurora hit a major milestone by completing its first fully driverless freight delivery on a Texas highway. No safety driver. No remote operator. Just sensors, software, and a lot of cautious optimism. This test run may pave the way for commercial launches later this year, with Aurora eyeing partnerships for long-haul freight routes in the southern U.S.
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Benchmark Bending

Study Claims LM Arena Let AI Labs Game the System
A new study accuses LM Arena — a key platform for testing AI performance — of enabling large labs to manipulate benchmark scores. The researchers allege that several AI companies gained early or privileged access to test materials, potentially inflating results and misleading the public about true capabilities. The findings could lead to a reshaping of how AI evaluations are handled moving forward.
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Lyfted Spirits

Lyft Rolls Out AI Earnings Assistant for Drivers
Lyft is giving its drivers a helping hand — or rather, a smart assistant. The rideshare company has launched an AI tool that helps drivers plan routes, shift schedules, and income targets. Think of it like a virtual coach that tells you when and where to drive to make the most money. It’s still early days, but drivers are already reporting more control and clarity around their earnings.
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Yelp, But Smarter

Yelp Now Uses AI to Answer Restaurant Phone Calls
Yelp is deploying a new AI service that will take phone calls on behalf of restaurants — answering questions, making reservations, and even handling waitlist updates. For busy eateries, this could mean fewer missed calls and smoother operations. The rollout begins in select markets, and Yelp says the AI will only kick in when humans aren’t available.
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TECH TERMS TO KNOW

Adversarial Example is a tiny tweak to an input that totally confuses an AI — even if humans don’t notice it. Add a few pixels to an image of a stop sign, and suddenly the AI thinks it's a toaster. It’s like optical illusions for machines, and it’s a big challenge in AI safety.

TOOL SPOTLIGHT (non-sponsored)

Overchat AI is an all-in-one AI platform that integrates multiple leading AI models—such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more—into a single, user-friendly interface. Designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows, it offers a range of tools for writing, chatting, image generation, and task automation.

• Multi-Model Integration: Seamlessly switch between top AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to find the best fit for your specific task.

• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design that caters to both beginners and professionals, making AI tools more accessible.

• Versatile Functionality: Supports a wide range of tasks, from content creation and editing to language translation and image generation.

• Productivity Enhancement: Automates routine tasks, allowing users to focus on more strategic activities.

• Cost-Effective: Offers a free plan with essential features and a premium plan at $7 per month for advanced tools and capabilities.

• Security and Privacy: Prioritizes user data protection with encryption and compliance with privacy standards.

ROBOTICS AND AI
UPS Eyes Humanoids from Figure AI for Warehouse Work

UPS is in early talks with Figure AI to potentially deploy humanoid robots in warehouses and distribution centers. Figure’s robots are designed to perform general-purpose labor — lifting, sorting, and moving packages — and would fit into UPS’s vision for more automated logistics. While no deals have been finalized, this signals growing corporate appetite for humanoid robotics in industrial work.

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TRY THIS PROMPT (copy and paste into ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, Gemini)

Daily Clarity Companion

Every morning, act as my personal clarity coach. Ask me three short but powerful questions that will help me: (1) focus on what truly matters today, (2) spot any distractions or mental clutter, and (3) reconnect with my bigger goals. Then give me a one-paragraph reflection based on my answers — concise, thoughtful, and a little bit challenging.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first voice-activated assistant wasn’t Siri or Alexa — it was built in 1961. IBM's "Shoebox" could understand just 16 spoken English words and the digits 0 through 9. It used analog circuits and a microphone to recognize voice patterns and perform basic arithmetic by voice command. While it never made it to consumers, it laid the foundation for the speech recognition tech that powers today’s AI assistants — over half a century ago.

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AI-ASSISTED IMAGE OF THE WEEK

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Thank you for reading. We’re all beginners in something. With that in mind, your questions and feedback are always welcome and I read every single email!

-James

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