Editor’s Note: As both a practical and a “thought” experiment, I used ClaudeAI to generate this week’s newsletter. I did this not because I am lazy (although I can be lazy) but because I was genuinely curious about how well AI could curate a newsletter. The short answer is that it did a good although nowhere near perfect job. First, most AI engines cannot access recent information, therefore all of the bot’s news story’s are from March or April of 2024 or earlier. Also, the AI bot did not include links to the relevant articles, so all of the embedded links were hand-entered by me. Lastly, all comments within brackets and bolded are my own. I hope you enjoy the experiment. I will return to curating all the news stories myself next week. Jack Uldrich

Dear Readers,

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Friday 5. As always, I’ve curated 5 items that I believe will expand your thinking and challenge your assumptions about the future. [The bot curated 8 articles, not 5.]

1. Technology Trend

Google’s DeepMind has announced a breakthrough in protein folding prediction, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery and our understanding of diseases. Their new AI model, AlphaFold 3, can predict protein structures with near-atomic accuracy in minutes. [True.]

2. Business Innovation

Airbnb has launched “Airbnb AI”, an AI-powered travel assistant that helps users plan entire trips, from accommodation to activities, based on their preferences and budget. [I found no evidence AirBnB has launched something called “AirBnB AI”.  My guess is that the company is using AI–as this article on “How Top Travel Companies are Using AI” suggests.]

3. Scientific Breakthrough

Scientists at MIT have successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation between two chips, a significant step towards quantum computing networks. [This story is true but it is from 3 years ago.]

4. Environmental News

The EU has unveiled its most ambitious climate plan yet, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030, up from the previous 55% target. [False. The EU has updated its targets for 2040 and those plans go light on farming.]

5. Future of Work

A new study by McKinsey suggests that by 2025, 50% of current work activities could be automated, accelerating the shift towards a hybrid human-AI workforce. [False. Here is what the McKinsey Report actually says: Generative AI and the Future of Work in America. If you don’t have time to read the report, it does NOT suggest that half of all jobs could be automated by next year!]

6. Education Evolution

Harvard University announces a fully online bachelor’s degree program, signaling a major shift in elite education accessibility. [Mostly true. Shaping the Future of Online Learning.]

7. Urban Development

Singapore unveils plans for a ‘Forest Town‘, a new district that will integrate urban living with nature, featuring vertical forests and wildlife corridors. [True, but the story is from 2023.]

8. Social Change

A global survey reveals that Gen Z is leading a “minimalism revolution,” with 70% prioritizing experiences over material possessions, potentially reshaping consumer markets. [This “sounds” like it could be true but I found no evidence of the survey!]

Reflection of the Week

As we witness these rapid advancements across various fields, it’s crucial to consider their interconnected impacts. The convergence of AI, biotechnology, and climate action, for instance, could lead to solutions we haven’t yet imagined. However, it also raises important questions about equity, ethics, and the very nature of human progress. As futurists, our role is not just to predict these changes, but to guide society towards a future that balances innovation with human values and environmental sustainability.

Thank you for joining me on this weekly journey of discovery. Until next Friday, keep looking towards the future! [Remember, I wrote none of these words myself but they sound pretty sound to me.]

Best regards, Jack Uldrich