Good morning readers. If you've been to a party lately and haven't encountered someone sipping on a BORG, you're probably not mingling with college crowds. The BORG, short for "blackout rage gallon," isn't just your average mixed drink—it's a concoction of vodka, water, flavorings, and electrolytes brewed up in a gallon-sized jug. What started as a college craze has trickled down to high schoolers, with TikTok fueling its popularity. But as the allure of naming and sharing BORGs spreads, so do the risks, making it a sobering reminder of the dangers of excessive drinking in any age group.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Microsoft unveils its AI-powered PC lineup

• Headline Hustle: Trump campaign will now accept crypto donations, Peloton will no longer play Diddy’s music during its workout classes, Disney announces it will lay off 14% of its workforce

• North Korea IT workers are gaming U.S. hiring practices

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

TECH

Microsoft's AI-powered leap at reviving the PC market

Ever feel like your computer just doesn’t get you? Microsoft’s latest innovation aims to change that, promising to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and potentially resuscitate the sluggish PC market.

On Monday, Microsoft unveiled its bold move to integrate advanced artificial intelligence directly into its Windows operating system. This leap includes the debut of new AI-powered computers designed to boost the company’s flagging PC sales. CEO Satya Nadella, at the company’s annual developer conference, highlighted the goal to “build computers that understand us versus us having to understand computers.” He confidently stated, “I feel like we’re really close to that real breakthrough.”

Bringing AI to the masses

These new AI-enhanced machines, branded under the Copilot+ line, include updated Surface Pro tablets and Surface laptops equipped with cutting-edge processors that handle AI tasks directly on the device, sans an internet connection. Leveraging OpenAI’s new GPT-4o technology, these devices can transform ChatGPT into a versatile digital assistant, engaging in real-time conversations and interpreting various media types.

The Copilot+ PCs are not just about flashy hardware.

• They integrate deeply with Microsoft’s existing Copilot AI, enhancing tools across Bing and Microsoft 365. From drafting emails in Outlook to creating presentations in PowerPoint, Copilot promises to streamline productivity.

• Noteworthy features include Recall, a tool that acts like a personal “time machine” to swiftly retrieve documents and images, and real-time translation capabilities for over 40 languages.

In a collaborative setting, the new Team Copilot can facilitate meetings, create agendas, and take comprehensive notes, boosting efficiency for entire teams. This suite of features positions Microsoft as a formidable player in the emerging AI-first PC market, a space that competitors like Dell and Lenovo are also eyeing with their own Copilot+ devices.

Looking ahead…Apple, too, is expected to join the AI frenzy next month with new tools for iPhone and Mac, hinting at an industry-wide pivot towards AI integration. According to Geoff Blaber, CEO of CCS Insight, while AI’s ubiquity in computing is inevitable, Microsoft’s advancements mark a significant starting point. “This is a much-needed catalyst,” he noted, emphasizing the potential for AI to redefine the PC landscape.

IN THE KNOW

Headline Hustle

🪙 Trump will accept campaign funding in the form of crypto, vows to make a ‘crypto army’. The Trump campaign has announced that it will begin accepting cryptocurrency donations, positioning this decision as a stand against perceived government overreach in U.S. financial markets. The campaign will accept any cryptocurrency available through the Coinbase Commerce product, highlighting the initiative as a response to anti-crypto sentiments from key Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren. This new fundraising strategy aims to mobilize MAGA supporters and bolster Trump's campaign finances as it trails Biden in cash reserves.

🎵 Peloton drops Diddy’s music from their catalogue and workout classes. Peloton has announced the suspension of using music by Sean “Diddy” Combs in its workout classes. This decision also includes the removal of the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series from its platform, following Combs' appearance in a 2016 surveillance video showing him engaging in violent behavior towards his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Combs has acknowledged his actions in the video, describing them as "inexcusable" and taking full responsibility. This move by Peloton mirrors its earlier action in 2022 when it paused the use of Kanye West’s music following his controversial remarks.

👋 Disney lays of 14% of its workforce, shifts focus to more theatrical releases. Pixar Animation Studios is set to lay off approximately 175 employees, representing about 14% of its workforce, according to a spokesperson from its parent company, Walt Disney. This move is part of CEO Bob Iger's broader strategy to emphasize content quality over quantity at Disney. The layoffs had been postponed due to Pixar's production schedules, despite broader cuts across other Disney divisions last year. Under Bob Iger’s leadership, Pixar will shift its focus back to theatrical releases, moving away from the short-form series for Disney+.

LABOR

North Korean IT workers are getting good at tricking U.S. companies

Imagine hiring what you think is a top-notch American IT professional, only to find out they’re secretly working for North Korea. Sound far-fetched? Think again.

North Korean IT workers are exploiting remote hiring practices to secure lucrative tech jobs in the U.S., funneling their salaries into the country’s missile program. With the ease of remote work, these workers have successfully deceived hiring managers who once relied on face-to-face interviews to weed out imposters.

A growing concern

Federal prosecutors recently charged an Arizona woman and four others with helping North Korean IT workers pose as U.S. citizens. These workers secured positions at over 300 U.S. companies, including an aerospace manufacturer and a Silicon Valley tech giant, using the identities of more than 60 Americans. They disguised their locations with VPNs, generating at least $6.8 million in revenue for North Korea’s Munitions Industry Department.

Generative AI tools have made it easier for these workers to create convincing resumes. One executive highlighted a case where a North Korean worker claimed experience at Amazon and Meta, aced the interview, but showed a suspicious lag in responses during virtual meetings.

The bigger picture: Industry experts warn “This is just the tip of the iceberg.” The scale of this issue is likely much larger than we realize, with North Korean IT workers seeking freelance contracts across North America, Europe, and East Asia. Many operate as expats in China and Russia, complicating detection efforts.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

• Microsoft is collaborating with Khan Academy to offer a generative AI assistant to all U.S. teachers at no cost.

• Nestlé is launching a new line of meals tailored for people using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for weight loss, featuring brands like Stouffer’s and DiGiorno.

• One person died and 30 were injured on a Singapore Airlines flight that experienced severe turbulence and made an emergency landing in Thailand, according to the airline.

• TikTok is fighting a potential U.S. ban by suing the government and launching the TikTok Change Makers Program, which highlights 50 creators making a positive impact both on and off the platform.

• "60 Minutes" concluded its 50th season as the top television news program, according to recent Nielsen ratings.

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