AI
AI is changing the style and substance of human writing, study finds
"Teams from Google and leading universities found that large-language models change the voice, tone and intended meaning of human authors."
Ben Werdmuller
Ben Werdmuller helps leaders at newsrooms, non-profits, and mission-driven organizations to navigate their biggest technology challenges.
Democracy
Democratic Backsliding Reaches Western Democracies, with U.S. Decline “Unprecedented”
"Democratic backsliding is now happening in well-established democracies. Democracy in the USA is deteriorating at unprecedented speed, and media and journalists are increasingly targeted across the world."
Notable links
Notable links: March 20, 2026
Agentic engineering and burnout.
Technology
Four things about Yahoo News that may surprise you
It's one of the most popular news sites in the country, and it's wildly profitable. It might be the right time for Yahoo to bounce back.
Technology
The Last Quiet Thing
"That guilt was manufactured. It was placed inside you by an industry that profits from your participation and a wellness culture that profits from your shame."
AI
Agentic Engineering Patterns
Simon Willison is building a great, ongoing, work-in-progress guide for understanding agentic engineering.
AI
Businesses rush to rehire staff after regretted AI-driven cuts
"Two in three employers that reduced headcount because of artificial intelligence are already rehiring laid off staff, as most express regret over how they handled the AI-led retrenchments."
Democracy
FCC Chair Threatens to Revoke Broadcasters’ Licenses Over Iran War Coverage
Critics say Brendan Carr is positioning himself as a national censor. His threats to broadcasters covering Iran fit the bill.
Democracy
Trump is using immigration policy to suppress speech, lawsuit claims
Researchers who study online safety are being censored and denied entry to the United States. It's having an unconstitutional chilling effect on independent research and advocacy that a lawsuit aims to correct.
AI
When Using AI Leads to “Brain Fry”
AI use can lead to burnout - but how you use it really matters.
AI
BuzzFeed Nearing Bankruptcy After Disastrous Turn Toward AI
Buzzfeed pivoted to AI - and now finds itself circling the drain.
Notable links
Notable links: March 13, 2026
Bluesky's new CEO, Proton Mail de-anonymization, and promoting safety at work.