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While I focus on Technology, Innovation, and Publishing, because I have a platform, I also flag items that I think are important. I also try to include some resources & opportunities. Please let me know what you think.
Important Items
‘Hidden’ Provision in Trump’s Big Bill Could Disarm US Supreme Court
This would make Trump a king, which is his aim, and was in Project 2025 – their end goal is to have the Executive Branch in charge of everything – no separation of powers – Trump will not have to worry about being in contempt with this provision: A provision “hidden” in the sweeping budget bill that passed the U.S. House on Thursday seeks to limit the ability of courts—including the U.S. Supreme Court—from enforcing their orders. “No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued,” the provision in the bill, which is more than 1,000 pages long, says.
https://www.newsweek.com/hidden-provision-trump-bill-court-2075769
Diseases are spreading. The CDC isn’t warning the public like it was months ago
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/nx-s1-5387723/cdc-communications-cuts-social-media-public-health
Republicans Made Their Politically “Suicidal” Medicaid Cuts Even Worse
“This bill’s intent is to drown Americans in paperwork in order to make it harder to get on and stay on coverage.”
Treating Online Abuse Like Spam
How platforms can reduce exposure to abuse while protecting free expression
https://pen.org/report/treating-online-abuse-like-spam/
Innovation
Scientists turn lead into gold for 1st time, but only for a split second
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/scientists-turn-lead-gold-1st-time-split/story?id=121762241
Technology
You won’t find these on the shelf. Newspapers print an AI-generated reading list with fake books.
AI revolt: New ChatGPT model refuses to shut down when instructed
OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT model ignores basic instructions to turn itself off, and even sabotaging a shutdown mechanism in order to keep itself running, artificial intelligence researchers have warned. AI safety firm Palisade Research discovered the potentially dangerous tendency for self-preservation in a series of experiments on OpenAI’s new o3 model. The tests involved presenting AI models with math problems, with a shutdown instruction appearing after the third problem. By rewriting the shutdown script, the o3 model was able to prevent itself from being switched off.
https://www.the-independent.com/tech/ai-safety-new-chatgpt-o3-openai-b2757814.html
If your teams aren’t ready for AI, then your tools won’t matter
AI alone won’t transform your company — your people will.
https://martech.org/if-your-teams-arent-ready-for-ai-then-your-tools-wont-matter/
Google Enters Deals to Push AI in Hollywood
Google is working with several filmmakers to use new AI tools as part of an effort to popularize the fast-moving tech.
Google will let you ‘try on’ clothes with AI
There’s also a new way to find products you’re looking for in AI Mode.
https://www.theverge.com/news/670346/google-try-on-clothes-ai-shopping-io-2025
Google made an AI coding tool specifically for UI design
Stitch turns prompts and reference images into functional, ready-to-export UI designs
https://www.theverge.com/news/670773/google-labs-stitch-ui-coding-design-tool
Google is stuffing even more ads into its AI results
Google says it will start testing ads in AI Mode, the new AI-powered search feature that just rolled out in the US
https://www.theverge.com/news/671514/google-ai-mode-overviews-ads-expansion
Google I/O 2025: Everything announced at this year’s developer conference
There were product announcements for Android, Chrome, Google Search, YouTube, and the AI chatbot, Gemini. Most notably:
- Agentic projects Project Mariner and Project Astra aim to enhance user interaction with AI through website automation and low-latency multimodal experiences.
- Google is rolling out AI Mode in Search for complex inquiries
- Beam, a 3D teleconferencing solution
- Numerous AI features for Gmail and Google Docs
- A new design language called Material 3 Expressive
- The introduction of Gemini Ultra, a premium subscription service offering access to advanced AI tools like the Veo 3 video generator and the Gemini 2.5 Pro’s Deep Think mode. The Veo 3 model can create videos with sound effects and dialogue
- Imagen 4, an upgraded image generator, promises faster performance and detailed rendering capabilities
- Gemini’s app updates include enhanced camera and screen-sharing features, integration with Google Maps and Calendar, and the introduction of Stitch, an AI tool for generating app UI designs
- Wear OS 6 introduces a unified font and dynamic theming
- The Play Store for Android developers gains new tools for subscription management and app testing
- Android Studio is set to integrate advanced AI capabilities to improve development processes.
- Google announced the mobile release of its conversational AI application, Notebook LM, previously available only on the web. The app allows users to upload documents and generate AI-driven audio summaries, now with offline playback and multitasking features. Designed for enterprise use, Notebook LM includes collaboration tools and expanded capacity, making it suitable for knowledge management across organizations. Early adopters have begun using it as a replacement for traditional CRMs, highlighting its growing relevance for team productivity.
Microsoft just taught its AI agents to talk to each other—and it could transform how we work
Microsoft’s new tool lets developers add AI chatbots to websites
GitHub Copilot evolves into autonomous agent with asynchronous code testing
Shopify launches an AI-powered store builder as part of its latest update
Shopify launches an AI-powered store builder as part of its latest update
Amazon rolls out short-form AI-powered audio product summaries for select items
Amazon rolls out short-form AI-powered audio product summaries for select items
Shape-changing Apple Pencil would work like a paintbrush
https://www.cultofmac.com/news/apple-pencil-paintbrush
Publishing & Media
Social media is influencing how authors promote their books. Here’s how
Spotify and Findaway Voices change up audiobook distribution
HT @JaneFriedman Authors distributing thru Findaway or Spotify: For distribution to retailers other than Spotify, a new company—INaudio—will be used. Findaway Voices will become Voices by INaudio
https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-findaway-voices-splits/
Connecticut Passes Library E-Book Legislation
The bill prevents publishers from using licenses that impose both lending limits & time restrictions. Publishers w metered licenses must offer option for perpetual/pay-per-use on “commercially reasonable” terms
https://www.wordsandmoney.com/connecticut-legislature-passes-library-e-book-legislation/
‘New York Journal of Books’ Shutters
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=5370
Strand Bookstore to Take Over Last Shakespeare & Co. Location in NYC
Shakespeare & Co. will transfer ownership of its last New York storefront, located on the Upper West Side, to Strand Book Store on June 1, marking the end of an era for the beloved bookseller.
Navy reverses course on DEI book ban after Pentagon review
Resources & Opportunities
Exclusive Book Talk and NYBG Library Tour
WMG Members only, FREE 6/13 10-12pm, space limited – almost sold out. Join Penguin Random House’s Library Marketing team for an exclusive morning at the New York Botanical Garden’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library, featuring a conversation with the award-winning chef and author Amy Chaplin, free book, free admission and parking, and a book signing.
https://womensmediagroup.org/event-6183358
Pitch Calls for Freelance Writers and Journalists
MT @job_writers Threading a bunch of pitch calls & writing opportunities! Pay rates, deadlines, details and all that jazz linked below
https://x.com/job_writers/status/1923119915277451330
Page One Media will offer one pro bono book publicity campaign
Deadline 6/15.
https://page1m.com/page-one-pro-bono-campaign/
Summer Reading Adventure
MT @nationalbook The Summer Reading Adventure is coming back for a second year! On Tuesday, May 27, we’re launching our free, prize-filled adventure for readers of all ages across the country.
https://www.nationalbook.org/adventure/
Donate to my PRH Fundraiser for Behind the Book
https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/6395883
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