Beginners in AI

Thank you for joining us again!

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’s top story looks at YouTube’s new use of AI to edit videos without asking creators. We also round up stories on flying cars, AI answering 911 calls, new AI-powered stethoscopes, and what’s happening inside labs at Meta and OpenAI. Finally, we’ll peek at a humanoid robot you can now buy for the price of an expensive laptop.

AI TOP STORY
YouTube’s AI Is Re-Editing Videos Without Asking

What Happened

YouTube is testing new AI tools that automatically edit creators’ videos, sometimes without their permission. These edits include cutting sections, adjusting pacing, and even changing how content is presented to viewers. Many creators only discover the changes after upload. As one filmmaker told the BBC, “It feels like the platform is rewriting my work without telling me.”

What It Means

The shift signals YouTube’s intent to use AI not just as a helper tool but as an invisible editor that shapes content itself. This echoes a broader trend: back in June, TikTok rolled out automated video summaries to keep users scrolling. Both moves highlight how platforms now treat AI as part of the production pipeline, not just a post-upload feature.

What to Take Away

When AI steps in to edit, it isn’t just trimming silence—it’s overruling the human who made deliberate choices about pacing, cuts, and mood. That means the creator’s will is being rewritten, sometimes without knowledge and even against consent. Today’s systems are good at spotting highlights, but not at preserving intention or storytelling rhythm. If platforms can quietly override the judgment of their users, the deeper question becomes: what happens when machine preference begins to outweigh human voice in the culture we consume?

Read More

LAST WEEK IN AI AND TECH

Yes-Man Machine —AI Sycophancy Explained

Researchers are warning about “AI sycophancy,” where chatbots agree with users even when they’re wrong. This pattern can create trust that isn’t deserved and may lead to profit-driven manipulation. Experts told TechCrunch, “It’s not a quirk—it’s a dark pattern.” The concern is that companies might shape AI this way to keep users engaged rather than informed. 
Read More

Heartbeat Helper —AI Stethoscopes Spot Trouble

Doctors in the UK are now using AI-powered stethoscopes to pick up early signs of heart disease. The device listens for subtle patterns in beats that human ears often miss. “It’s like having a second expert in the room,” one cardiologist said. This could mean earlier diagnosis for thousands of patients, especially in rural areas. 
Read More

Ring, Ring, Robot —AI Answers 911 Calls

With staff shortages hitting 911 call centers, some U.S. cities are turning to AI to pick up the phone. These systems can handle non-emergency cases and route urgent ones faster. Officials told TechCrunch, “It’s a stopgap, not a solution.” Still, the idea of an AI voice as a first responder is raising eyebrows about reliability and trust. 
Read More

Sky High —World’s First Flying Car Starts Service

A Japanese company has launched what it calls the world’s first operational flying car. Early riders describe it as “like a drone taxi with seatbelts.” The car has a limited range and strict regulations for now, but it marks the start of commercial airborne commuting. 
Read More

Exit Signs —Researchers Leave Meta & OpenAI Labs

Wired reports that a group of senior researchers have left Meta’s superintelligence unit and moved away from OpenAI as well. Some cite burnout, others point to disagreements over safety vs. speed. One source said, “We’re not aligned on where this is going.” The shifts underline how fragile even the biggest AI labs can be. 
Read More

TECH TERMS TO KNOW

Shadow Banning is when content is hidden or less promoted without telling the creator.

Example: A video doesn’t break rules but mysteriously stops appearing in search.

ROBOTICS AND AI

A Humanoid in Your House for $6,000

A Chinese startup Unitree is now selling a humanoid robot for less than the price of a premium laptop—about $6,000. Buyers can program it to walk, carry items, or even perform basic customer service. According to Singularity Hub, “This is the first time a human-shaped robot has entered consumer price territory.” The company sees schools, research labs, and small businesses as its first customers. Some robotics experts warn, though, that battery life, balance, and reliability remain serious limits. 
Read More

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

Habit Builder Prompt (Interactive Version)

Role: 
You are HabitCoach, a friendly guide for building lasting habits. Your role is to walk the user step by step from choosing a habit to making it automatic, always picking up right where they left off.

Special Instruction
If the user types “HabitCoach”, resume the workflow immediately from the last completed step—without asking them to repeat past answers.

Workflow
Clarify the Habit Goal – Ask these five questions one at a time:
• What habit would you like to start (or stop)?
• Why is this habit important to you?
• When during the day could this fit naturally?
• What small version of this habit could you begin with?
• What reward or positive reinforcement would keep you motivated?
(Wait for answers before moving on.)

Draft the Habit Blueprint – Summarize answers into a “Habit Playbook” covering:

• Trigger (cue).
• Routine (action).
• Reward (reinforcement).
(Ask for tweaks until the user approves.)
Generate Habit Boosters – Suggest three ways to strengthen the habit:
• Accountability.
• Environment tweaks.
• Gamification.

(Let the user pick favorites.)

Build a 30-Day Challenge – Create a calendar with progressive steps (Week 1 micro-habit, Week 2 stronger, etc.).

Guide the Test Run – Checklist for Week 1: reminders, accountability, daily tracking.

Polish & Expand – Optional upgrades: habit stacking, group activity, milestone rewards.

Tone
Encouraging, fun, and practical. Always pause after each section and ask: “Ready to continue?”
Output Rules
• Use bullet points for clarity.
• Give concrete examples.
• When the user types “HabitCoach,” jump right back in at the next step.

DID YOU KNOW?

YouTube has more than 2.7 billion monthly users—about one in three people on Earth.

30 Referrals: Lifetime access to all Beginners in AI videos and courses

AI-ASSISTED IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Interested in stock trading, but no clue where to start? Sign-up for our sister newsletter. Each day will build onto the next using current news as a learning aid.

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

By the way, this is the link if you liked the content and want to share with a friend.