Stories from New York · United States

A telecom company is implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures by deploying artificial intelligence across its operations. This AI integration has led to reductions in operating expenses, which are now contributing to cash flow growth. The company is also exercising more discipline in its promotional activities, particularly by reducing aggressive handset promotions.

Verizon reported earnings that exceeded investor expectations, driven by phone subscriber gains. This marks the first time the company has achieved net positive phone subscriber additions in a first quarter since 2013. The results were released during a busy earnings season, following AT&T's report last week.

Robert F. discussed his approach to addressing black maternal fatalities during childbirth.

Finn, an AI agent for customer service, is reported to solve up to 90% of business queries. It reportedly tops performance benchmarks on the G2 leaderboard. The service comes with a million-dollar guarantee. FIN.ai is the platform where this AI agent can be accessed.

The Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates this year due to persistent inflation pressures. Higher energy prices are expected to impact core inflation, limiting the Fed's options. Analysts suggest focusing on investments in the three to five-year range. As of March 31, 2026, the average interest rate for Treasury Bonds was recorded at 3.392%.

There are many questions regarding the use of AI in healthcare. One report mentioned AI might replace the FDA with human judgment. This specific point was not reported on by one correspondent, who suggested referring to an FDA reporter for details. This year, over 55,000 cancer cases will be diagnosed, leading to more than 55,000 deaths. The integration of AI in medical diagnostics and treatment is a subject of ongoing discussion and scrutiny. There are questions surrounding the application of artificial intelligence within the healthcare sector.

Apple and Microsoft stocks experienced substantial growth, rising nearly a thousandfold. One anecdote describes a woman in the 1960s who opened an account with Morgan Stanley and forgot about her shares, which then grew immensely. Microsoft's stock, trading under the ticker MSFT, is down approximately two-tenths of 1%, paring earlier losses of over 1%. This movement follows an announcement related to OpenAI. Analysts at TF International Securities anticipate an OpenAI-powered phone by the end of the year or early next year, but this has not sustained Qualcomm's initial gains. Apple stock rose more than 3 percent on Friday. The company has avoided memory cost issues experienced by other PC makers by locking down supply. The stock increase was insufficient to prevent the Dow Jones Industrial Average from slipping 150 points.

Microsoft is allowing OpenAI, a leading AI company, to sell its products to other entities. Previously, Microsoft had exclusive access and distribution rights to OpenAI's technology. This change signifies a shift in their partnership, enabling OpenAI to broaden its market reach beyond Microsoft's platforms.

Artificial intelligence may one day replace the FDA's role in developing personalized treatments, potentially curing cancer. AI holds the capacity to bring great advancements to humanity, particularly in human health. While AI is potentially dangerous, its benefits in medicine are highly anticipated.

A New Yorker article traced the history of violence in the United States back to the American Revolution, noting its cruelty and repression. This history has led to a constitutional amendment allowing any American to bear arms. The discussion questions whether violence is a systemic failure or an inherent trait in the US.