It's tech (and tip) Tuesday. I'm Diamond Naga Siu, and I definitely feel "tipping fatigue." I always pay at least 20%, but this extra cost is a big deterring factor for eating or going out.
Now, tipping is haunting people at self-checkout kiosks too: cafes, sports stadiums, and other places. It's reportedly frustrating customers who are prompted to add a tip when they haven't interacted with the people they're tipping.
Before I begin discussing eradicating tipping culture (and replacing it with a living wage for workers), let's dive into today's tech.
If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.
1. Silicon Valley's last hope to avoid a stock market wipeout is AI. The largest players in tech are financially flailing. But the hype cycle around generative AI — that started with ChatGPT — threw them a lifeline. It's a perfect distraction for investors and customers until their balance sheets (hopefully) bounce back.
- To be clear, AI products aren't bringing in big bucks yet — the concept is what's pumping valuations.
- This isn't to say that AI isn't or won't be useful. It's simply that everyone from researchers to developers are still learning in real time about what generative AI technology can do.
- My colleague Linette Lopez warns that AI is currently the tech industry's "Hail Mary" and gives us a raw view of the technology beyond its hype.
In other news:
2. This map shows all the vacant office buildings in San Francisco. More than 18 million square feet of office space reportedly sits open. Explore the bare buildings here.
3. AI tools — besides ChatGPT — to boost your productivity. Building slideshows. Writing emails. Summarizing texts. Staying focused. My colleagues Sarah Jackson and Aaron Mok found 10 tools that can help make your work easier. Check out the full list here.
4. 'Succession' fans eye which characters have Androids v. iPhones. Apple reportedly doesn't let "bad guys" use iPhones on screen. So fans are paying attention to which devices characters are using to guess how the show will end. Pick up the phone theory here.
5. A $175 check signed by Steve Jobs is up for sale. The Apple cofounder infamously hated giving his signature. So this check (which remains in pristine condition, by the way) is going for top dollar. The auction bid is already over $35,000. Check it here.
6. Google might get rid of passwords. The search giant is upping its security game by introducing passkeys. This will decrease the likelihood of getting hacked and won't require users to remember a password anymore. Secure the details here.
7. Jobs that pay more than $80,000 without a college degree. Nuclear technicians, commercial pilots, and detectives are among the top jobs on the list. Check out all 26 of them here.
8. Video shows police yelling at a driverless taxi to stop. "It doesn't know what to do," one of them yelled. The police were trying to prevent the vehicle from running over an active fire hose. Watch the body-cam footage here.
Odds and ends:
9. Ukrainians with cellphones and machine guns are forcing Russia to restrategize. Ukraine is getting the public involved to fight Russia's drone attacks. It's the latest evolution of each side's war tactics. Fly over for the full story here.
10. Drop some money: The countries swapping USD for the Chinese Yuan. The de-dollarization trend is gradually gaining traction. Countries like Russia and Brazil are turning to the yuan for trade instead. Cash in for the full list here.
What we're watching today:
- IBM Think starts today in Orlando, Florida. Speakers include leaders from Meta, AWS, Salesforce, NASA, and other major companies.
- The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists is kicking off its anti-money laundering conference in Hollywood, Florida.
- Quarterly earnings for Airbnb, WeWork, Twilio, and other companies. Keep up with earnings here.
- Happy birthday, Ghostface Killah. Hope it's a "Triumph."
Curated by Diamond Naga Siu in San Diego. (Feedback or tips? Email dsiu@insider.com or tweet @diamondnagasiu) Edited by Hallam Bullock (tweet @hallam_bullock) in London.