Today’s topics

• $167 billion in student loans forgiven

• The line between sci-fi and reality is blurring

• ChatGPT's voice controversy

• Unused vacation days: the American dilemma

  and more…

In a Wall Street waltz, U.S. stocks took a dip on Wednesday as concerns over ongoing inflation danced into investors' minds. The Federal Reserve's May meeting minutes hinted at a reluctance to pull the interest rate trigger anytime soon, adding a dash of uncertainty to the mix. The Dow Jones stumbled by 201.95 points, marking its gloomiest May performance yet.

Biden’s big break: $167 billion in student loans forgiven. More than 160,000 student loan borrowers are now set to have their balances canceled, the Education Department announced on Wednesday, bringing total debt forgiveness under the Biden administration to a staggering $167 billion. With election season looming, President Biden is proudly touting this relief, which has benefitted nearly 4.8 million people through a mix of existing programs and new policies. Meanwhile, Republicans are crying foul, labeling the initiative as a taxpayer money pit and unfair to those who never attended college. The debate over this massive debt relief underscores the sharp political divide on the issue, but for millions of borrowers, the news is a welcome financial reprieve.

OpenAI Channels “Her”

New chatbot technology that can talk, laugh, and sing like a human leaves everyone guessing what's next. This lifelike AI, with its smooth, alluring voice, charms users by flirting, telling jokes, and fulfilling their desires. It sounds like the plot of the 2013 movie "Her," where Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls for a virtual assistant voiced by Scarlett Johansson. But it also describes Monday’s scene in San Francisco, where OpenAI unveiled the latest version of its ChatGPT voice assistant. The line between sci-fi and reality is blurring as these AI companions become increasingly sophisticated and engaging.

OpenAI vs. Scarlett Johansson: ChatGPT's voice controversy. In September, OpenAI introduced a new ChatGPT voice that sounded like Scarlett Johansson but claimed it wasn't meant to resemble her. Last week, they reiterated this stance with an updated version, even as CEO Sam Altman cryptically referenced Johansson's role in the movie “Her.” On Monday, Johansson fired back, accusing OpenAI of ignoring her refusal to voice their chatbot and instead using an "eerily similar" voice without her consent. OpenAI maintained that their chatbot's voice was cast "before any outreach" to Johansson and was never intended to mimic her. This mishap has sparked controversy, with Altman's nod to "Her" contradicting the company’s claims. The incident raises questions about the wisdom of tech companies' decisions and their handling of celebrity likenesses.

Unearthing a mystical stone sculpture. Three villagers exploring the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary stumbled upon a mysterious stone sculpture, possibly portraying the Buddha's mother. Their find, shared online, sparked an official investigation, intriguing officials with its ancient origins. Depicting a woman emerging from a boulder, the sculpture beckons further exploration.

Unused vacation days: the American dilemma. A Harris Poll finds that 78% of American workers, especially younger generations, struggle to take all their PTO due to deadline pressures and fear of appearing unproductive. This reveals a culture of workaround and highlights the need for transparent PTO policies and leadership support. While unlimited PTO is promoted, it may result in fewer days off, suggesting innovative approaches and legislative changes to foster better work-life balance, akin to European norms.

TikTok of the day: watch here