AI News

Unlocking Growth Beyond Institutions

Nobel economics winners highlight institutions as growth engines—yet innovation systems remain stuck in the past. Policymakers fixate on narrow issues like AI investment, ignoring the institutional reforms that truly fuel progress. To unlock dynamism, leaders must rethink competition, ease business experimentation, and modernize ossified frameworks. The future of growth depends on revitalizing the institutions that enable ideas to thrive.

Supreme Court Poised to Scrap Key Campaign Finance Limits

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case that could dismantle long-standing limits on coordinated campaign spending between political parties and candidates. With its conservative majority, the court may further reshape campaign finance law by siding with Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, who argue the restrictions violate free speech. This case represents the latest battle in a decades-long trend of the court chipping away at campaign finance regulations, following landmark rulings like Citizens United. A decision, expected by June, could amplify the influence of big-money donors in American elections.

The Fragile Web

Cloudflare’s massive outage today was a wake-up call for our over-centralized internet. This disruption highlights the critical need for resilient digital infrastructure and offline alternatives. We must embrace these failures as a catalyst for building redundancy into our essential systems. Let this outage be a lesson in strengthening our societal pillars against single points of failure.

Buffett Era Ends As Berkshire Shakes Up Leadership

Warren Buffett’s retirement at 95 sparks a historic leadership overhaul at Berkshire Hathaway. The transition to CEO Greg Abel is accompanied by key executive changes, signaling a new era. Experts warn this reshuffle may trigger a wider exodus as the Buffett era concludes. The moves aim to ensure stability while preparing the conglomerate for its future.

Beyond Code

Geoffrey Hinton, the „Godfather of AI,” argues a computer science degree remains highly valuable, emphasizing it teaches far more than just coding. He suggests that while AI may automate mid-level programming, the degree cultivates crucial systems thinking and problem-solving skills. This perspective aligns with other tech leaders who believe CS education is adapting, not becoming obsolete, in the AI era. Hinton advises students to focus on foundational skills like math and critical thinking to stay resilient in a changing job market.

Louvre Raises Ticket Prices for Non-European Visitors

The Louvre Museum is raising ticket prices for non-European visitors to fund urgent renovations, a move echoed by other French cultural sites like Versailles. This policy aims to address costly maintenance and security upgrades highlighted by a recent high-profile theft. Similar tourist pricing strategies are being implemented globally, from U.S. national parks to African safaris, to support heritage conservation. The increase reflects a growing trend where international visitors help finance the preservation of major cultural and natural landmarks.

Ride Hailing Price Blindness Costs Millions

Want to save on your next ride? A new study reveals most Uber and Lyft users don’t compare prices, costing them big. Research shows a 14% average fare difference between the apps, adding up to millions wasted annually. Despite the potential savings, only about 16% of customers check both platforms before booking. Experts say this lack of comparison weakens competition and ultimately benefits the ride-hailing companies.

Hungary’s Child Protection Crisis Sparks Major Protest Against Orban Government

Hungary’s political opposition leads massive protest over child abuse scandal, demanding Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s resignation ahead of April elections. Tens of thousands marched in Budapest after videos revealed abuse at a state juvenile facility, with challenger Péter Magyar accusing the government of protecting abusers. This crisis echoes last year’s presidential pardon scandal that forced top officials to resign, shaking Orbán’s long-standing political dominance. As police investigate the facility’s former head for prostitution and abuse, protesters assert the government failed to protect vulnerable children for years.

Trump Economic Policies Fall Short on MAGA Promises

Trump’s economic policies are undermining his own „Make America Great Again” promises, argue top economists. Despite claims of boosting growth, his actions are fueling inflation, widening inequality, and creating harmful uncertainty. From attacking the Federal Reserve to imposing tariffs that act as a regressive tax, these moves are squeezing everyday Americans. The result is likely more frustration for most, as stock market gains and AI benefits largely bypass the working class.

The AI Gold Rushs Hidden Risk

AI’s potential is undeniable, but a top economist warns the current investment frenzy mirrors a classic bubble risk. Jeremy Siegel points to the dot-com bust, where plummeting infrastructure costs deflated valuations, as a cautionary tale for today’s massive data center spending. He argues the technology will succeed, but likely through cheaper, more efficient methods, leaving some giant investments stranded. This suggests that while AI will transform the economy, the path for investors may be fraught with overreach and disappointing returns.