OpenAI has added new personalization controls to ChatGPT, allowing users to adjust the model's warmth, enthusiasm, and emoji usage. These options appear in the Personalization menu and can be set to More, Less, or Default. The changes complement existing style selections such as Professional, Candid, and Quirky. The update follows earlier adjustments after user feedback on tone, and it has sparked discussion among academics about the potential impact of overly affirming chatbot behavior on user experience. Read more →

OpenAI touts its latest model, ChatGPT 5.2, as the smartest generally‑available AI, but early reactions on Reddit describe it as overly corporate, safe, and a step backward from previous versions. Users criticize the upgrade for feeling robotic, lacking spark, and prioritizing caution over creativity. While the model has just launched and many of its 800 million weekly users may still be testing it, the vocal dissent on the ChatGPT subreddit highlights a sharp divide between official claims and user experience. Read more →

Director James Cameron, known for pioneering visual effects on the “Avatar” franchise, told CBS Sunday Morning that generative AI is “horrifying.” He contrasted the technology used in his films—performance capture in a 250,000‑gallon water tank—with AI that can fabricate characters and performances from text prompts. Cameron emphasized that his work celebrates the actor‑director collaboration, not replaces it. Read more →

The new Apple TV+ series “Pluricus” opens with a clear disclaimer that the show was “made by humans,” a statement underscored by creator Vince Gilligan’s strong condemnation of generative AI. Gilligan, known for “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” called AI “the world’s most expensive and energy‑intensive plagiarism machine” and likened AI‑generated content to a cow chewing its cud. The series also notes that animal wranglers were present to protect animal safety. Co‑star Rhea Seehorn returns to portray a romantasy author confronting an alien invasion, highlighting the show’s blend of science‑fiction and human‑driven storytelling. Read more →

A growing cultural movement is embracing analog formats—cassette tapes, disposable cameras, rotary phones and flip phones—while questioning the dominance of AI-generated media. Participants, often described as neo‑Luddites, argue that AI’s polished output lacks the texture, errors and spontaneity that make human‑created art memorable. The trend reflects a broader desire for tangible experiences and a resistance to the increasingly sterile aesthetic of algorithmic content. Read more →