Good morning readers. In the corporate world's latest twist, "coffee badging" is the new buzzword. Employees are clocking into the office just long enough to be noticed, then swiftly making their exit. While it might seem like a clever way to navigate the return-to-office mandates, there's a catch. Favoritism still leans towards those who put in face time. So, before you badge and dash, remember: in the game of office politics, presence might just be your winning move.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• The economy is keeping strong and moving on

• Headline Hustle: Alaskan Airlines pilot tries to shut off engines mid flight, Netflix teams up with Lebron and Peyton Manning, FCC takes on AI robocalls

• The rise of responsible AI

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

ECONOMY

The economy takes a bow, not a blow

Who said a little adversity could slow down the U.S. economy? Despite whispers of a slowdown, recent trends are serving up a generous helping of humble pie to naysayers. Bucking expectations, the economy isn't just humming; it's belting out an opera. Goldman Sachs and High Frequency Economics, known for their finger-on-the-pulse insights, are now painting a rosier picture, all thanks to a job creation spree in September and consumers who've turned spending into a sport. And here's the kicker: inflation, the usual party pooper, is laying low, giving the Federal Reserve some room to play it cool on further rate hikes.

This isn't just some flash in the pan economic uptick. We're talking about a resilience that's turning heads. Remember the savings tucked away during those endless days of pandemic lockdowns? They're back in action, fueling a spending bonanza as if we're making up for lost time. Even after the stumbles of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the economy is standing tall, brushing off the Fed's rate hikes like dandruff on a dark suit.

So what's on the horizon? Economists, peering into their crystal balls, foresee a trio of possibilities. There's the fleeting boom, a victim of dipping wages. Or the economy could overheat, sending inflation through the roof and the Fed scrambling. But the real prize is the perfect equilibrium: solid growth without inflation's vice-like grip. It's a delicate dance, and the U.S. economy is center stage. The question hanging in the air is whether this momentum is a new normal or a prelude to an inflation backlash.

Headline Hustle

✈️ Alaskan Airlines pilot tries to shut off engines mid flight. In an unsettling episode, an Alaska Airlines subsidiary flight was forced to divert to Portland International Airport due to an off-duty Alaska pilot's attempt to interfere with the engines. The incident unfolded during Alaska Airlines Flight 2059's journey from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. Fortunately, the Horizon Air Captain and First Officer swiftly intervened, ensuring engine power remained intact, and the aircraft was secured safely. A LiveATC recording captured the pilot's concern as they requested law enforcement upon landing. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the FBI affirmed no ongoing threat. The off-duty pilot, Joseph David Emerson, faces serious charges, while passengers were accommodated on later flights.

📽️ Netflix teams up with LeBron James and Peyton Manning for pro athlete series. In a crossover we didn't know we needed: basketball legend LeBron James and NFL superstar Peyton Manning are mulling over a collab in Tinseltown. The duo's entertainment companies are in chitchat mode, plotting a Netflix series inspired by the hit “Quarterback”, diving into the lives of pro basketballers. Oh, and the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions and the NBA are in the huddle too. While Netflix has traditionally played coy with live sports, they're cashing in big on sports-centric content.

📞 FCC to investigate the risks of AI enhanced robocalls. The FCC is gearing up to tackle the growing menace of AI-powered robocalls with a proposed Notice of Inquiry. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel aims to investigate how the Telephone Consumer Protection Act can be leveraged to combat scammers and spammers utilizing AI technology. While recognizing AI's potential for enhancing phone-based interactions and accessibility, Rosenworcel underscores the need to address the challenges it presents. The inquiry will explore AI's integration into regulatory frameworks, its impact on policy formulation, and the verification of AI-generated content.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The art of content diplomacy

As generative AI takes the business world by storm, it's dragging along a suitcase of social media-esque problems: the dark art of spawning toxic content. Companies diving into AI, like those using GPT-4 for mass content creation, are staring down the barrel of a big question: How do we keep AI from going rogue with dangerous content, given its diet of the good, the bad, and the ugly from the internet?

Enter the era of AI guardrails

…where firms are mixing tech with human touch to keep AI on the straight and narrow. Take Intuit, the brain behind TurboTax. Their new kid on the block, Intuit Assist, is all about dishing out financial wisdom through AI. But here's the catch: they've got human moderators playing watchdog, making sure the AI doesn't spill secrets or go off the rails. It's a tough task, especially when dealing with money matters where one wrong word could spell disaster.

This isn't just an Intuit thing; it's an everyone thing. The tech world is waking up to the fact that AI, left unsupervised, could turn into a PR nightmare, legal headache, or worse. So, they're bringing in the pros, setting up safety nets, and making "responsible AI" the catchphrase of the day. It's a whole new job market, with companies betting big on blending human wisdom with AI's horsepower to steer clear of the content landmines. This is uncharted territory, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

Tinder is launching a feature called Tinder Matchmaker that allows users to invite friends, even those who aren't on Tinder, to help them view and suggest potential matches.

The Federal Trade Commission intends to hire child psychologists to assess the mental health impacts of children and young people's online activities, with details about the number of hires and timing still being explored.

The White House has unveiled plans to designate 31 technology hubs aimed at enhancing American competitiveness in the technology sector, with each hub eligible to compete for grants ranging from $40 million to $75 million.

SpaceX has secured a contract to launch as many as four European navigation satellites into orbit, strengthening its presence in the region while competitors face launch challenges.

Pepsi just opened a $50 per person diner experience for its 125th anniversary—take a look inside.

McDonald’s is giving away free fries every Friday for the rest of the year—here’s how to order.

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