Big AI, Meet Big Brother

Technology 

Big AI, Meet Big Brother

What’s going on: So far, President Donald Trump’s been pretty lax about vetting AI in the private sector — but that may change. The New York Times reports that there could soon be more government oversight over new AI models. As a first step, Trump is apparently considering appointing an expert panel to create a review process, similar to what the UK already has in place (though that program is completely voluntary). This would be a sharp reversal for Trump — a man who once called AI a “beautiful baby” that could not be disciplined with “stupid rules.” But the timing makes sense. Beyond obvious concerns about AI’s effect on... well, everything, officials really want to get on top of AI-enabled cyberattacks. 

Does this have anything to do with Mythos?: Not no. Last month, Anthropic announced that its new Mythos AI model was so good at spotting and exploiting software flaws that its release would prompt a cybersecurity “reckoning.” Apparently, that caught the White House’s attention. This news has analysts wondering how the government would keep bias out of its vetting of AI models, especially after the Pentagon’s messy situationship breakup with Anthropic. Still, many technology experts have called for more regulation for years. Maybe in this case, some oversight is better than none.

Related: A Censorship Conference Just Got… Censored (404 Media)

The News in 5

🗞️ Indiana primary voters ousted five GOP state senators who stood in the way of President Donald Trump’s redistricting plans for the state — a key test of his influence before the midterms. 

🗞️ On social media, Trump said he has paused “Project Freedom,” a US military operation to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz, to see if a deal with Iran can be “finalized and signed.”

🗞️ Three Republican lawmakers promised to hold their colleagues accused of sexual misconduct accountable — here’s how it’s going.

🗞️ The Education Department is investigating a storied women’s college for admitting trans students, claiming this could violate Title IX.  

🗞️ Trump promised “not one penny” of taxpayer funds would go towards the White House ballroom. Now, Republicans have a $1 billion idea.

Technology

AI Is Learning How To “Read the Room”

What's going on: AI can draft your emails and transcribe your voice notes, but it still struggles with basic human connection (and, apparently, mile times). Despite having access to countless self-help books and all 50 seasons of Survivor, AI’s emotional intelligence (EQ) is still a bit… lacking. Researchers say chatbots are overly agreeable or sycophantic — which explains the rise of AI “companions.” But those of us who are skeptical of the “yes-bots” may soon encounter AI models that are even better at interpreting feelings, gauging tone of voice, and reading facial expressions. As ChatGPT might put it: It’s not just empathetic; it really gets you. 

This sounds like the Her movie: We aren’t quite there (yet). After brushing off emotions as “relatively simple,” AI companies now face a tougher reality: EQ is hard, but it sells. OpenAI calls its latest ChatGPT “warmer” and “more conversational,” while Anthropic suggests Claude may have a “functional version” of feelings. Researchers are split on whether AI can actually learn emotional intelligence, and some say that better EQ comes with more factual inaccuracies. We can only hope that one day, human tech bros will put as much effort into learning empathy as they do trying to program it.

Related: This Beloved 2010s App Is Back, and It Promises AI-Free Memes (The Guardian)

Relationships

F Is for Friends Who Do Stuff Together 

What’s going on: Let’s be real — making friends in adulthood can be hard. We move to new places, focus on work, and there’s no real “playground” for us to bump into potential besties. Finding “groups” is a popular fix: Whether it’s a mom group or a running group, millions of adult women seek structured social connection based on shared hobbies and experiences. But if that’s not working for you, The Washington Post offers expert tips. 

Easier said than done: Friendships take time. Give yourself room to build small, everyday connections with people you see often. Chat with your barista about the weather (yes, you have permission to commit this small-talk sin). It may not lead to matching BFF necklaces, but it does matter: Studies show friendly encounters boost your mood and sense of belonging. Consistency helps those connections grow, too. When you see the same people at a class or club, familiarity does some of the work for you. For those who miss the closeness you had with childhood or college friends, don’t let anxiety stop you from reaching out. And if you love swiping, the dating app era brought us Bumble BFF and Timeleft, so we can swipe right and meet when the feeling is mutual. No matter your method, remember that you’re not in this alone.

Related: Apparently, Friendship Apps Aren’t Created Equally (Fodor’s Travel)

Quick Hits

🛒 A new month means new Costco drops. We’ve spotted two new frozen summer treats. 

🏋️ This much-maligned millennial gym class staple is back for Gen Alpha (sorry, kids). We’re having flashbacks to the trunk lift…

🧠 Your brain fog might come from somewhere else in your body entirely. This explains so much. 

😲 This packed-lunch mainstay seems super healthy, but some varieties might spike your blood sugar.

❤️‍🩹 Dolly Parton shared a health update, including when she might return to the stage.

👀 Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared her Mount Rushmore of women in comedy with us. We’re grabbing our chisels. 

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

Things to jot down today…

🗓️ It’s National Nurses Week — a moment to recognize the people who keep healthcare (and the rest of us) going.

🗓️ The Other Bennet Sister premieres in the States on BritBox. The often-overlooked sister, Mary Bennet, takes center stage.

🗓️ On National Bike & Ride to School Day, how can we get this viral Bike Bus to come to our neighborhood?

🗓️ About 1 in 5 experience a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD), so on World Maternal Mental Health Day, remember to check in — for real.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

TOGETHER WITH RULA

Emotional Support

It’s easy to reach for a sweet little treat when you’re going through it. But taking the first step toward real mental health support? That can feel a lot harder.

Rula helps close that gap by connecting you to licensed therapists and psychiatrists with sessions either virtually or in person in as little as 24 hours, at an average cost of $15/session with insurance.^†

Because prioritizing your mental health should feel just as doable as reaching for that emotional support pint of ice cream — especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. Start here.

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Kate Preziosi, Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.