Good morning readers. Netflix is kicking off its live sports venture with a touchdown, announcing it will stream NFL games on Christmas Day for the next three years. Marking its first foray into live sports, the streaming giant aims to capture the excitement of the gridiron alongside its acclaimed lineup. With potentially 28.68 million viewers up for grabs, Netflix is aiming to score big with advertisers and subscribers alike.

Maybe this is the company’s way of hinting at future plays in the sports arena. 👀 

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Uber wants to be the one app to rule them all

• Headline Hustle: Biden and Trump have agreed to participate in two upcoming debates, inflation cools off in the month of April, LA Dodgers owner Frank McCourt announces latest bid to buy TikTok

• Senate leaders want to regulate AI, while investing billions in it

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

TECH

Uber's new ride options: From shuttles to Costco groceries

Uber is shaking things up again, and this time, they’re going beyond just getting you from A to B. With a fresh lineup of ride options, including “Uber Shuttle” and “Uber Caregiver,” and a new grocery delivery service from Costco, Uber aims to cater to a broader audience and tackle its ongoing challenges.

The company’s annual "Go-Get" release day unveiled several new features designed to enhance user experience and expand its service range. Here’s what’s new:

1. Uber Shuttle: Need a ride to the airport, a concert, or a big game? Uber Shuttle lets you reserve up to five seats in advance. It promises to be "a fraction of the price of an UberX" with no surge pricing. Perfect for planning ahead without breaking the bank.

2. UberX Share: For the eco-conscious commuter, UberX Share offers a shared ride option at an average of 25% less than UberX. Ideal for cities with high return-to-office rates like New York, L.A., and Chicago, it’s a win-win for your wallet and the environment.

3. Uber Caregiver: Rolling out this summer, Uber Caregiver allows caregivers to book rides for elderly loved ones to doctor appointments, grocery stores, and more. Covered by Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial insurance, this service aims to make life easier for both caregivers and their charges.

4. Costco on Uber Eats: Uber’s partnership with Costco now lets you order groceries from the retail giant via Uber Eats. Whether you're a Costco member or not, you can get your hands on those beloved rotisserie chickens. Members, however, will save 15-20% more than non-members.

Uber’s new features come as the company faces challenges like high prices leading to lower ride demand and mounting legal bills affecting their earnings. The Go-Get release is a strategic move to keep customers engaged and edge out rivals like Lyft.

Zoom out: The company’s latest offerings are a bold play to dominate the rideshare and delivery markets. Whether it’s getting to the airport on a budget, sharing a ride to work, or ordering groceries from Costco, Uber is looking to make everyday tasks a breeze.

IN THE KNOW

Headline Hustle

🤝 Biden and Trump agree on a date to debate. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two upcoming debates, bypassing the traditional Commission on Presidential Debates. The first debate, hosted by CNN in Atlanta with no audience, is scheduled for June 27, followed by a second on September 10 on ABC News. This decision follows a public exchange between the two, with Biden challenging Trump and emphasizing the need for a new debate format including strict time limits and microphone control. The arrangement comes amid broader criticisms of the commission's handling of debates and is part of both campaigns' strategy to appeal directly to voters ahead of the critical election.

📉 Inflation cooled off in the month of April. In April, U.S. inflation slightly eased, offering relief as the consumer price index rose 3.4% year-over-year, the softest increase since April 2021 for core prices excluding food and energy. This report boosted major U.S. stock indexes and supports the Federal Reserve's cautious approach to potentially lowering interest rates later this year. Despite the slowdown, high living costs continue to pressure Americans, particularly with persistent high prices for gasoline and housing, maintaining economic and public sentiment challenges.

📱 Dodgers owner Frank McCourt announces “peoples bid” to buy TikTok. Frank McCourt, a real estate billionaire and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, announced plans to bid for TikTok in response to a new law requiring the platform to find a new owner or face a U.S. ban. McCourt proposes transforming TikTok into an open-source, decentralized platform where users control their own data. He is collaborating with Guggenheim Securities and Kirkland & Ellis, backed by web inventor Tim Berners-Lee. Meanwhile, TikTok is challenging the law, arguing it's infeasible and unconstitutional.

AI

Senate leaders unveil ambitious blueprint to regulate AI in the future

Artificial Intelligence is about to get a new rulebook. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, alongside a bipartisan team, unveiled a comprehensive plan to govern AI, marking a significant step towards federal legislation in the U.S. The 31-page roadmap, announced Wednesday, outlines billions in government spending for AI research and aims to address the technology's biggest risks.

A new era of AI regulation

The plan calls for $32 billion annually to accelerate AI research and development, prioritizing U.S. innovation. “Harnessing the potential of AI demands an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Schumer emphasized, underlining the collaborative effort behind the blueprint.

The roadmap directs Senate committees to establish guidelines to mitigate AI risks such as discrimination, job displacement, and election interference. It echoes longstanding goals like a national data privacy law to give consumers control over personal information, drawing inspiration from the European Union’s regulatory models.

Key proposals include:

• Export controls on powerful AI systems and classifying certain AI models for national security.

• The roadmap also suggests banning AI for social scoring systems, reflecting concerns over privacy and misuse.

Challenges lie ahead. Despite the ambitious plans, some policy analysts doubt whether significant AI legislation can pass in an election year. The European Union has already taken the lead with its landmark EU AI Act, which imposes strict regulations on AI applications.

Bottom line: As the U.S. edges closer to comprehensive AI legislation, the Senate’s new roadmap lays the groundwork for a future where AI is innovatively regulated and responsibly developed. Whether Congress can pass significant AI laws swiftly remains to be seen, but this blueprint is a crucial first step.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Long read: Google and Harvard unveil most detailed ever map of human brain.

• Tesla shareholders will vote on June 13 on whether to reinstate stock options valued at $46 billion to CEO Elon Musk, following a judge's annulment of the award in January.

• Netflix announced it is launching its own advertising technology platform, entering into competition with industry giants like Google, Amazon, and Comcast, just a year and a half after venturing into the advertising business.

• Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in critical condition after being shot multiple times in a likely politically motivated attack, officials reported.

• The WNBA season opener featuring Caitlin Clark attracted 2.1 million viewers across ESPN2, ESPN+, and Disney+, marking it the most watched WNBA game in over two decades.

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