You've probably been told that people make their own luck, but you've never seen it accomplished like this: A Japanese man spent 12 years cross-pollinating clovers, blowing way past the standard luck of a four-leaf clover to produce a record 63-leaf clover. Every lottery commissioner on the planet just shuddered with fear.
In today's email:
AI: Disempowering humans in more ways than one.
Weird patents: Before the Wright brothers, there was this guy.
Digits: A $535k+ EV and other newsy numbers.
Around the web: An anti-checklist, botched predictions, and more.
👇 Listen: Can AI make in-person shopping better? Target sure hopes so.
The Big Idea
We've got to talk about the environment when we talk about AI
The biggest trend in tech could have serious consequences.
2024-06-24T00:00:00Z
Sara Friedman
At this point, the "A" and "I" keys on our keyboards are wearing thin from how much we've covered the topic.
But most headlines focus on what AI can make better, not what it might destroy along the way. And, it turns out, there's something very important at stake: the earth.
As the tech ramps up, some concerning data has emerged:
Google's new AI Overview uses 10x the amount of power as a traditional Google search, perThe Lever. Adding AI snapshot answers to all Google searches could use the same amount of electricity needed to power all of Ireland.
Using AI to generate a single image can gobble up as much energy as fully charging your smartphone.
The global data centers that power AI platforms account for 2.5% to 3.7% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions — surpassing the aviation sector.
AI's water usage is projected to hit 6.6B cubic meters by 2027. In 2018, before its AI development amped up, Google alone was already using 15.8B liters of water to cool its data centers.
The Electric Power Research Institute predicts that AI will use as much as 9.1% of the country's energy by 2030.
And it's not exactly a great time to be burning through natural resources: Earth has gotten progressively hotter, with 2023 being the warmest year on record — for now (2024 is expected to supplant it soon).
With great power…
Since the AI explosion is still new, organizations like the US Energy Information Administration aren't tracking data centers as they do other industries, and big tech companies offer little transparency.
Plus, corporations like Shell are working to accelerate AI development, knowing it would lead to further fossil fuel use — another environmental risk.
Hold out some hope, though: It's not all bad news when it comes to AI and the earth. Some startups are using the tech to preserve the world's oceans, monitor emissions, and manage recycling.
Free Resource
Stop loafing, start completing projects
"Let's get a rundown on this important project you've been working on."
Don't panic — that was practice.
But the next time we inquire, please don't be huffing and bluffing. Just pull up this project management doc, where we've already tidied up targets and tasks for everyone's convenience. Wow.
A simple, three-part PM template for:
Preplanning
Getting shit done
Analyzing afterward
Another freebie by us, for increased organization.
The software hack that brought 15k North American car dealers to a standstill is resolving. CDK Global has reportedly been negotiating with the hackers on their ransom demands, with the auto sales software expected to be restored in "several days," per CDK.
SNIPPETS
Frenemies? Apple and Meta have discussed teaming up on AI, perWSJ. No money would exchange hands, but Apple is reportedly seeking additional AI partners (it's already teamed with OpenAI), wanting to offer consumers a choice of models to use.
Meanwhile… Applewon't release Apple Intelligence in the EU this year, citing regulatory concerns. The new AI offering is still expected to release elsewhere across the globe this fall.
The Internet Archive is appealing a decision that saw the online library remove ~500k books. It argues that its lending practice qualifies as fair use and doesn't harm the ebook industry.
Dell told its employees to return to office in March, but nearly half have still refused to do so — even if it means they won't be promoted.
Inside Out 2 is now the top-grossing movie of 2024 with a domestic take of $285.7m, besting Dune: Part Two's $282m.
A family in Naples, Florida, is suing NASA for $80k in damages after debris from the International Space Station fell to Earth and through their roof.
The USDA is resuming inspections of avocados and mangoes at a packing plant in Michoacan, Mexico, a week after they were paused following the assault of two US inspectors.
Krispy Kreme is celebrating the 30th anniversary of iconic NYC-set sitcom "Friends" with donuts that won't be sold there — or anywhere in the US — at all. The special launch will only be found in the UK and Ireland, much to fans' dismay.
Don't miss this...
After products like Juul and Elf Bars hooked a generation on vaping, a startup called Blip is now dead set on getting them all to quit. Their secret weapon? Branding.
Weird Patents
Head in the clouds: Before the Wright brothers smashed it out of the park with the whole flying thing, other inventors tried their hands. Take, for example, Reuben Jasper Spalding of Colorado who patented a "flying-machine" in 1889. The invention included a jacket with two feathered, flapping wings, a tail, and a balloon for suspension. The spring-loaded wings and movable tail rudder let the aeronaut propel forward and steer while taking in the bird's eye view. If you make it there alive, it would make for quite an entrance to brunch.
Fit the bill
There are thousands of companies valued at $1B+. How many clues do you need to identify today's billion-dollar brand?
Clue 1: This company's whole brand is about high-end optics, yet it has an understated logo, its colors are black and white, and it's known for often using a most basic shape: the triangle.
Clue 2: It had a pretty impressive 1910s: In 1913, it had just opened up as a singular Milan shop selling bags, trunks, and travel accessories. By 1919, it was an official supplier of the Italian Royal House.
Clue 3: This company's name came up often during the 2007 Oscars thanks to Meryl Streep, who was nominated for her most devilish role.
👇 Scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇
By the Numbers
Digits: Angry birds, a pricy EV, and more newsy numbers
Loyal customers are actually fickle, a bunch of violations for Amazon, and more.
2024-06-24T00:00:00Z
Juliet Bennett Rylah
300+:People who want to adopt Pepper, a foul-mouthed white-fronted amazon parrot. Pepper's previous owner surrendered him to a New York shelter in order to care for a relative, meaning the bird is now looking for a forever home. Pepper likes to repeat phrases such as, "Do you want me to kick your ass?" Whoever takes him home should probably know he'll likely live — and loudly swear — for another 25 years.
$535k+: The price of Ferrari's first EV, due late next year, not including any bonus features. This is significantly more than Porsche's EV, which starts at $107.5k. Ferrari built a new factory in Maranello, Italy, to produce petrol, hybrid, and electric vehicles. When fully operational, it's expected to annually produce ~20k vehicles (the company currently makes only ~14k cars per year).
59,017: Number of alleged violations that the California Labor Commissioner found across two Amazon distribution warehouses in the state. All violations pertain to the Warehouse Quotas law, which requires companies to provide workers with written documentation of any quotas they're meant to meet. Each violation results in a $100 fine, or, in this case, ~$6m total. Amazon plans to appeal, arguing that it doesn't have any fixed quotes, instead comparing workers' performance to their teammates.
15: Number of loyalty programs to which the average American is subscribed, per Mastercard's latest Signals report, though the average consumer regularly uses less than half of the programs they're enrolled in. Top rewards programs can increase revenue from repeat customers by 25%, but loyalty has its limits: Two-thirds of consumers say they'd switch to a different loyalty program if another brand offered a better deal.
AROUND THE WEB
🎥 On this day: In 1916, Mary Pickford became the first actress to score a $1m movie contract.
🔮 That's interesting:Looking back at journalist Walter Cronkite's 1967 predictions for the year 2000.
