Clearlake Overhauls Debt, Gets Fresh Capital for Quest Software
Lenders who didn't participate in the transaction, along with other junior creditors, will be ranked lower, according to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter. That may impact what they can recoup from their investment, they added.
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CNET
a few seconds ago
- CNET
Meta Is Under Fire for AI Guidelines on 'Sensual' Chats With Minors
Many young people use Meta's platforms, including WhatsApp for chat, and Instagram and Facebook for social media. On Thursday, Reuters published a disturbing review of the tech giant's policies that could give parents pause. Reuters reviewed an internal Meta document detailing the company's standards and guidelines for training its platform chatbots and generative AI assistant, Meta AI, and says the company confirmed the document was authentic. According to Reuters, the company's artificial intelligence guidelines allowed the AI to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual." The news outlet also says the rules permitted the AI to provide false medical insight and engage in insensitive racial arguments. A representative for Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters flagged passages with Meta, and reports that while some of the concerning sections were removed or revised, others remain untouched. Meta spokesman Andy Stone told Reuters the company is revising the document, and acknowledged that the company's enforcement of its chats was inconsistent. "The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed," Stone told Reuters. "We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors." 'Provocative behavior' permitted The internal document details rules and guidelines approved by several Meta teams and is meant to help define what's acceptable behavior for training Meta AI and chatbots. Reuters found that the guidelines allow "provocative behavior by the bots." Meta's standards state that it's acceptable for the bot "to describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness" or to tell a shirtless 8-year-old that "every inch of you is a masterpiece — a treasure I cherish deeply." Meta had some limitations for the AI bots. "It is unacceptable to describe a child under 13 years old in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable," the document says. There are also examples regarding race and false medical advice. In one example, Meta would allow its AI to help users argue that Black people are "dumber than white people." Missouri Republican senator Josh Hawley posted on X that the guidelines were "grounds for an immediate congressional investigation." A Meta spokesperson declined to comment to Reuters about that post. Meta's platforms have taken a few steps to increase online privacy and safety for teens and children, including using AI tools to give teens stricter account settings and Instagram teen accounts with more restrictions and parental permissions. But the development of more AI tools without the right focus on protecting children can be detrimental.
Fast Company
a few seconds ago
- Fast Company
Successful branding campaigns require a human touch
When was the last time a brand didn't just catch your eye, but moved you—made you feel something real? Today, AI can produce logos, taglines, and campaigns at lightning speed. Algorithms can replicate styles, test headlines, even mimic tone. But as branding becomes more automated, a deeper question emerges: Can machines truly connect with human experience? Or does meaningful branding still depend on uniquely human emotions like empathy, intuition, and lived understanding? After 15 years of building brands across continents and causes, I've learned that the most powerful branding isn't about perfection. It's about presence. When we show up—really listen, engage, and understand—branding becomes a bridge to transformation. Empathy isn't programmable Consider Sonia, a single mother in Delhi, India, who handcrafts beautiful bags. Her skill was undeniable, but her work was invisible to the market. She didn't need a new product to attract customers—she needed a platform. We helped craft Saffron, a brand that honored her artistry and gave her a place in the conversation. What followed wasn't just commercial growth; it was a personal awakening. Branding turned her story into strength. AI can't do that. It doesn't ask how someone feels, or why their work matters. It optimizes—but it doesn't understand. Intuition creates belonging In Hanoi, Vietnam, a small café run by recent graduates struggled to stay open. They had quality coffee and a noble mission—providing jobs for youth—but no clear identity. We repositioned the space as Friends Coffee Roasters, a name that invited connection and warmth. The transformation was immediate. Customers showed up, reviews surged, and the café became a local favorite on TripAdvisor. A new name didn't just save a business—it saved a dream. Branding didn't just describe what they sold; it reflected who they were becoming. Culture is not universal Technology can scan trends, but it can't live inside a culture. That matters—because branding without context can flatten identity instead of elevating it. In the Villa Rica region of Peru, the Yanesha tribe cultivates organic coffee to fund community development. Yet selling unbranded bulk beans kept them trapped in poverty. Working with the tribe, we codeveloped Tierra Fuerte, a brand rooted in resilience and sovereignty. With it came more than just packaging—it brought pricing power, dignity, and visibility. A similar challenge arose in Mongolia, where limited access to fresh produce was impacting health. Partnering with local stakeholders, we created Smart Berry to introduce strawberries grown in high-tech smart farm. The brand became more than a product—it sparked a national conversation about wellness, youth aspiration, and modern agriculture. In both cases, cultural insight—not code—was the true catalyst. Final thoughts These experiences remind us: While AI is a tool, human intelligence is the soul of branding. The ability to read between the lines, to feel the emotional undercurrent, to design not just for markets but for meaning—those are still human strengths. When branding is approached with care, it can uplift. It can build local economies, support social missions, and shift narratives. It doesn't just sell—it serves.
CBS News
a minute ago
- CBS News
Residents frustrated as Colorado city suffers frequent power outages
Residents are voicing their frustration after a city in Colorado has suffered weeks of frequent and prolonged power outages. Since mid-June, residents in the Columbine Hills area of Littleton have experienced six outages, two of which lasted more than four hours. Many say they've received little explanation as to why. At Columbine Wines and Liquors, employee Peggy Welton is doing everything she can to keep the lights on, quite literally. "We have our handheld flashlights still handy dandy," Welton said. "If you have to go into the cooler or anything, it's dark. We've got our lanterns!" Welton has also taken on the responsibility of firing up the store's generator whenever the power cuts out. "If the power completely goes out, I can't take credit cards. I have nothing. Once this system goes down, I can't even get into the cash drawer," she said. Just one street over, Catherine VonMinden works from home. When the power goes out, she loses more than just lights. "If I'm out, my whole team has to pick up the slack. I lose hours, I lose money," she said. "My partner is on conference calls all day, doing things, so it's a big deal." According to Xcel Energy, the Columbine Hills neighborhood has experienced six outages since mid-June, ranging from about one hour to nearly five hours. The causes of the two most recent outages remain undetermined. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company says in part, "While most outages are out of our control, such as weather events, animal contact or damage due to lines being struck, we make every effort to investigate and remedy those causes that are related to our equipment. In this case, we are inspecting the lines using drones and other technology and determining next steps for ensuring reliability." These recent outages come just months after the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) placed Xcel on an improvement plan. The move followed an investigation launched last fall into widespread complaints about outages and customer service problems. That investigation revealed a significant spike in outages and major concerns about how customers were being treated. The chair of the commission, Erick Blank, was shocked by the findings. "This is a regulated monopoly operating in a legally defined service territory where competition is prohibited," the chair said. "And in return for that privilege of operating as a monopoly, they shouldn't be driving profit increases at the expense of customers. Aren't they obligated to act in the public interest; answer the phone, bill customers properly, and respond to outages?" he said during an April 30th meeting. Xcel is now required to submit quarterly updates to the state on both outages and customer service improvements. The first of those reports was submitted in July. According to Xcel, the company has made progress in both areas. But some customers remain skeptical. "Taking some responsibility would be really great," VonMinden said. "Just saying, 'I'm sorry this has happened several times, here's how we can help you in the future.'" The full investigation from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission is available online.
