💥 Exploding briefcases, anyone?

👋 Good afternoon! As we close out the week, we’re exploring surprising scandals behind AI’s glossy facade, Jack Ma’s vision of human-centered tech, and tips for navigating shifting career and economic landscapes. Plus, exploding briefcases and the reality behind digital relationships. Let’s jump in! 🚀

DOJ charges Nate app founder for faking AI with human labor – In a wild twist, DOJ charged Albert Saniger, founder of shopping app Nate, with fraud for claiming it was AI-driven when actually powered by humans. Investigators found up to 100% of Nate’s “automated” checkouts were secretly done manually. For young tech enthusiasts, it’s a stark reminder: not all “AI” is genuine, so approach tech hype with caution—and founders, transparency matters.

OpenAI reportedly launching GPT-4.1. Next week might bring an upgrade to your AI chat buddy. TechRadar reports that OpenAI could release GPT-4.1 as soon as next week – and not just one model, but also smaller “GPT-4.1 mini” and “nano” versions. The new system is said to be a souped-up version of GPT-4 that will make ChatGPT even more powerful.

Record AI Funding: Ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s new AI startup is reportedly seeking a colossal $2 billion seed funding round—one of the largest ever—which would value the company at over $10 billion.

Siri’s Big Upgrade: Apple is gearing up to launch a significantly upgraded Siri this fall. The AI-enhanced assistant will handle advanced tasks (like editing and sending photos via voice command) as part of Apple’s delayed “Apple Intelligence” rollout.

Survey: 6 in 10 employers fired recent Gen Z hires shortly after onboarding – Landing your first job might not end your worries. A new Fortune survey finds 6 in 10 employers have fired at least one recent Gen Z hire within months. Managers cite poor motivation, professionalism, and communication. For young workers, it’s a clear signal: quickly adapt to workplace expectations if you want to keep your job—and for managers, consider better support systems for new talent.

Marketing Hiring Surges in Early 2025: The marketing industry saw a strong hiring uptick—active job listings jumped 9.1% in Q1 2025 (90,951 openings) compared to late 2024. This surge signals robust demand for marketing talent and more opportunities (including senior roles).

Novartis to Add Thousands of Biotech Jobs: Swiss pharma giant Novartis announced a $1.1 billion research hub in San Diego as part of a $23 billion U.S. expansion plan. The project will create nearly 1,000 jobs in California and about 4,000 nationwide, highlighting booming opportunities in biotech R&D.

U.S. banks report strong Q1 profits but warn tariffs pose risks – Wall Street banks kicked off the year with strong Q1 profits, beating expectations thanks to booming trade revenues. But Reuters notes bank CEOs warn President Trump’s escalating tariffs and the U.S.-China trade war could stall economic recovery. For young professionals, today’s stability may soon face turbulence—affecting jobs, prices, and financial security—highlighting the need to prepare for potential economic shifts.

China’s Growth to Slow Amid Trade War: A Reuters poll forecasts China’s Q1 GDP growth at 5.1% (down from 5.4% in Q4) and further slowing to 4.5% for 2025, as U.S. President Trump’s latest “eye-watering” tariffs on Chinese goods put the brakes on momentum and ramp up pressure for Beijing to stimulate its economy.

Researchers warn of ethical risks in romantic relationships with AI bots – Thinking of dating a robot? TechXplore highlights a new study cautioning against forming romantic relationships with AI chatbots. Some people have even “married” AI companions, and tragically, a few have harmed themselves after taking chatbot advice. Psychologists fear these digital romances could dangerously distort expectations for real relationships. Bottom line: companionship from people, not bots, matters most.

TikTok’s “April Theory” is the latest TikTok wellness fad encouraging people to reset their routines in spring. The trend claims April’s longer, sunnier days make it the perfect time to improve sleep habits and kickstart personal goals.

Jack Ma delivered a rare public speech at Alibaba Cloud’s Hangzhou campus this week during the division’s fiscal year kickoff event, sharing a human-centered vision for artificial intelligence (AI). The 60-year-old Alibaba founder – who once likened AI to love – emphasized that AI’s ultimate purpose is to help people live better lives, not to replace them. This appeal comes amid growing public concern over the rapid progress of AI. Ma told employees that technology should protect livelihoods and bring dignity to everyday people, not pursue grand ambitions at humanity’s expense. It was a notable comeback for Ma, who had largely retreated from public view in recent years.

In his speech, Ma stressed that Alibaba isn’t aiming to build machines that mimic humans, but to make machines that understand humans. “We’re not trying to make machines more like humans. We’re trying to make them understand humans, think like us and do things we can’t,” he said. The responsibility of technologists, according to Ma, is to ensure AI “knows and supports humankind.” He urged colleagues to work toward a “benevolent high-tech era” where AI liberates people rather than renders them obsolete. As Ma put it, “technology isn’t just about conquering the stars and the oceans—it’s about preserving the spark among all of us.”

Ma’s stance comes as Alibaba doubles down on AI development amid global debates over AI risks and regulation. His comments echo the philosophy he voiced years earlier – that technology should empower, not disable, humanity. While companies race toward advanced AI, Ma’s message serves as a reminder that innovation should be guided by human values. It aligns with growing calls for responsible AI, highlighting that even as AI becomes more powerful, its mission is to serve the human good.

Have a role to share? Post it here (just set it to “Global”!) — we will highlight community jobs each week.

Marketing Design Intern | Part-time | Brentwood, TN: BluWave is the business builders’ network for service providers.

Rev-Ops Manager | Full-time | Remote: SafelyYou — Empower safer, more person-centered care across senior living.

Generative AI Engineer | Full-time | NYC/East-coast: Dataiku is enabling data and domain experts to work together to build AI into their daily operations.

A newborn giant panda weighs just 1/900 the weight of its mother—the most extreme size difference of any placental mammal.

💥 Exploding briefcases, anyone? In 1963, inventor John H.T. Rinfret debuted a spring-loaded “anti-bandit bag” that flung its contents into the air when snatched—clever in theory, chaos on a windy day…