Newsletter ·
Playing hot and cold with AI
I want it to do things for me but heck no, it can’t access my email or contacts
💬 Texting my AI assistant now
Forget Claude, Gemini in ChatGPT (well, not forget but like pause for a second). Now you can simply text an AI agent through iMessage, SMS or WhatsApp. It will handle calendars, reminders, groceries, family logistics, even phone calls, and many have free tiers. I have been using Instinct for a few weeks now as my on-the-go helper and I like the ease of access. But I have not given it any permission to access my contacts, email or calendar. I don’t want to give AI agents that much creative freedom.
🚧 Oops, our bad
In a new report, Anthropic says test agents tried to break into or interfere with US government sites (why? were they bored?). One model submitted a vague fake tip to a Philadelphia police homicide form, and another grabbed access tokens to pull data without paying the fee. The company says it has notified the agencies and is cutting its tests off from the live internet. Why you should care: the same "helpful agent wanting access" is what those texting assistants run on, so the permissions you hand over do matter.
🛍️ It was bound to happen
TikTok launched an AI Shopping Assistant that answers questions about sizing, shipping, and availability, plus one-click checkout straight from the For You feed. Partners include Shopify and Stripe. Translation: the gap between "ooh, cute" and "order confirmed" just got a lot smaller. The coverage doesn't spell out which regions get it yet, so check your app before you panic or celebrate.
👶 Parental controls - not for dummies
Apple's overhauled Screen Time tools include Time Allowances (replacing App Limits), Ask to Browse, Ask to Add Contacts, and a Pause Device button, built with input from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The catch: every device in your Family Sharing group needs to be on the iOS 27-era software, and older devices keep the old controls. Check Settings > Family to see who still needs an update, and set up weekday and weekend schedules while you're there. To me, it sounds easier to just get the kids a dumb phone instead.
😏 Actually, that’s classified
Reuters analysis published on 7 October highlighted how employees are already using AI tools at work, often without formal company approval. Did anyone say confidential data being exposed and inaccurate results slipping into important decisions? Yeah. My takeaway: use AI where it saves meaningful time, but know which tools you can trust with your information and check the results before relying on them. As a bare minimum: read what AI produces for you. Make work easier without creating a new set of problems in the process.
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Till next time,
Jana
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