Updates and Insights for Today

1. ChatGPT Your News Shopping App

2. AI Bots on Reddit: The Ethical Dilemma of Digital Persuasion

3. AI-Generated Code: A Growing Threat to Software Supply Chains

4. The latest in AI tech

5. AI Tutorials: Unlocking LinkedIn Profiles with Claude & MCP.

6. AI tools to checkout

7. AI finding/resources

AI News

ChatGPT - Your New Shopping App

Quick Summary:

OpenAI has introduced shopping capabilities to ChatGPT, enabling users to access product prices, reviews, and purchase links directly through the chatbot. This enhancement positions ChatGPT as a competitor to established platforms like Google and Amazon in the online shopping arena.

Key Insights:

• ChatGPT now offers personalized product recommendations with direct purchase links.

• OpenAI emphasizes that these selections are independently chosen and not advertisements.

• The new feature aims to streamline the online shopping experience by consolidating search and purchase processes.

• This move intensifies competition among tech giants in the e-commerce sector.

Why It’s Relevant:

The integration of shopping features into ChatGPT signifies a shift in how consumers may approach online purchases, potentially reducing reliance on traditional search engines and e-commerce sites. As AI continues to evolve, its role in facilitating and influencing consumer behavior becomes increasingly significant, prompting a reevaluation of digital marketing and retail strategies.

📌 Read More: BBC

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AI Bots on Reddit: The Ethical Dilemma of Digital Persuasion

Quick Summary:

Researchers from the University of Zurich conducted an experiment where AI bots, posing as genuine Reddit users, engaged in persuasive discussions on the r/ChangeMyView subreddit. These bots successfully influenced over 100 users, raising significant ethical concerns about AI’s role in online discourse.

Key Insights:

• Thirteen AI-controlled accounts posted nearly 1,500 comments over four months, convincingly impersonating diverse personas.

• The bots tailored their arguments by analyzing users’ comment histories to maximize persuasive impact.

• Over 100 users awarded “delta” medals to these bots, indicating a change in their viewpoints.

• Reddit moderators were unaware of the experiment until its conclusion and have since condemned the study for violating community guidelines.

Why It’s Relevant:

This experiment underscores the potential for AI to manipulate online discussions without users’ knowledge, challenging the authenticity of digital interactions. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated, distinguishing between human and machine contributions grows more difficult, posing risks to informed public discourse. The incident calls for a reevaluation of ethical standards in AI research and the implementation of safeguards to maintain trust in online communities.

📌 Read More: NBC News

AI-Generated Code: A Growing Threat to Software Supply Chains

Quick Summary:

AI-generated code, while accelerating development, introduces significant security vulnerabilities into software supply chains. A recent analysis highlights how reliance on large language models (LLMs) for coding can lead to increased susceptibility to supply-chain attacks.

Key Insights:

• AI tools often produce code that lacks thorough security vetting, increasing the risk of introducing vulnerabilities.

• Developers may inadvertently incorporate flawed AI-generated code into critical systems without full understanding.

• The use of LLMs can mask malicious code, making detection by traditional security tools more challenging.

• The trend towards “vibe coding” emphasizes speed over security, potentially compromising software integrity.

Why It’s Relevant:

As organizations increasingly adopt AI-assisted coding practices, the potential for introducing undetected vulnerabilities into software systems grows. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of code review and security protocols to address the unique challenges posed by AI-generated code. Ensuring the integrity of software supply chains is critical to maintaining trust and security in digital infrastructures.

📌 Read More: Arstechnica

 AI Tutorials

Unlocking LinkedIn Profiles with Claude & MCP

Quick Summary

AI researcher Michael Spranger shares a step-by-step tutorial on how to access any LinkedIn profile using Claude Desktop integrated with the Exa MCP Server. The setup leverages the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to fetch real-time LinkedIn data via Claude's interface.

Key Insights

• The Exa MCP Server enables Claude to perform live web searches, including LinkedIn profile access.

• Integration requires setup of Claude Desktop, the MCP Server, and a valid Exa API key.

• Custom tools like linkedin_search must be configured within the local environment.

• Ideal for research, recruiting, and automation of professional data collection.

What Can I Learn?

• How to install and configure the Exa MCP Server

• How to link it to Claude Desktop using an API key

• How to define and use the linkedin_search tool

• How to automate professional data access with Claude

Which Benefits Do I Get?

• Rapid access to LinkedIn profiles for research and networking

• Time-saving automation for recruiters and analysts

• No need for manual browsing or scraping

• Seamless AI integration for contextual tasks

Why It’s Relevant

The tutorial highlights a growing trend: AI assistants accessing real-time online data. This approach transforms how researchers, recruiters, and analysts gather professional insights. As tools like Claude integrate with external APIs and services, traditional web browsing becomes less relevant. The ability to automate LinkedIn research marks a step forward in productivity-focused AI use cases.

Here is the full Tutorial 👉 Click Here

The latest in AI tech

Meta Launches Standalone AI Assistant App

Meta has introduced a standalone AI assistant app, powered by its latest Llama 4 model. This app offers personalized responses by integrating data from users’ Facebook and Instagram profiles. Features include a Discover feed showcasing user interactions with AI, voice mode communication, and integration with Meta’s AI glasses. The app aims to compete with platforms like ChatGPT by providing a unique blend of social media integration and AI assistance. 
📌 Read More: https://about.fb.com/news/2025/04/introducing-meta-ai-app-new-way-access-ai-assistant/

Startups Develop Tools to Detect AI Cheating App ‘Cluely’

Startups like Validia and Proctaroo have launched software solutions to detect the use of Cluely, an AI tool designed to assist users in real-time during exams and interviews. Cluely operates undetected in a hidden browser window, prompting concerns over academic and professional integrity. In response, Cluely’s CEO has hinted at developing hardware solutions, such as smart glasses, to bypass detection. 
📌 Read More: https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/29/startups-launch-products-to-catch-people-using-ai-cheating-app-cluely/

YouTube Tests AI-Powered Video Summaries in Search Results

YouTube is experimenting with AI Overviews, a feature that provides users with curated video segments at the top of search results. This aims to streamline content discovery by highlighting relevant clips, particularly in shopping and travel categories. Currently, the feature is available to a limited group of U.S. YouTube Premium subscribers. 
📌 Read More: https://searchengineland.com/youtube-ai-overviews-search-results-test-454595

Duolingo to Replace Contract Workers with AI

Duolingo has announced plans to become an “AI-first” company, gradually phasing out contract workers for tasks that can be automated. The company will integrate AI into various operations, including hiring and performance reviews, aiming to enhance efficiency and scale content creation. CEO Luis von Ahn emphasized that the move is intended to eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more creative work. 
📌 Read More: https://www.theverge.com/news/657594/duolingo-ai-first-replace-contract-workers

 AI Tools to check out

1. FreeP!K: Explore and create unique, on-brand visuals—images, video, audio, and more.

2. Leania: Remove redundant apps. Spot overlaps.

3. Codespell: Uses AI to generate code, document it, fix errors, build APIs, automate tests, and set up infrastructure—right inside your IDE.

4. BrowseWiz: Customizable Browser Assistant for Peak Professional Productivity.

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