Alexa! Can This Amazon Executive Make You Cool Again?
Panos Panay remembers the first time he walked into a room and asked Alexa to play a song.
'And it actually played,' he says, hands on his knees, leaning into the audience of reporters and analysts at Amazon.com's February demonstration of Alexa+, a rebooted, AI-infused version of the virtual assistant. 'Sounds kind of funny right now, but 10 years ago, it was mind-blowing.'
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Forbes
11 minutes ago
- Forbes
The Smithsonian National Museum Of Asian Art Hosts Inaugural Eid Reception
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: Anita Chatterjee speaks during Eid at the Smithsonian National Museum Of ... More Asian Art on May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo byfor A-Game Public Relations ) The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, along with a distinguished host committee, hosted an exclusive Eid reception and gallery tours. The event brought together celebrities, prominent voices from media, entertainment, culture, and the arts. The evening honored the spirit of Eid through a dynamic celebration of community, heritage, and storytelling at one of the nation's most esteemed cultural institutions. The event featured remarks from leaders in journalism, business, and the arts, and provided guests with a private viewing of select exhibitions that highlight the museum's commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of Asian cultures. Held at the museum's historic location in Washington, D.C., this meaningful evening served not only as a celebration of Eid but also as a platform to honor the ongoing contributions of the Asian diasporas to the fabric of American culture and public life. WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: Amna Nawaz attends Eid at the Smithsonian National Museum Of Asian Art on ... More May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo byfor A-Game Public Relations ) 'Events like this are vital because they bridge culture, community, and visibility at the highest levels,' said Anita Chatterjee, Founder & CEO of A-Game Public Relations and event co-host. 'Celebrating Eid at the Smithsonian is not just a milestone — it's a statement about the value of inclusion and the importance of honoring a range of thoughtful voices in our national conversation. I'm proud to orchestrate an event that uplifts heritage while building connections across industries and communities.' A-Game has been instrumental in producing many South Asian American events, such as the South Asian Oscar party and the New York All That Glitters Diwali Ball. "This evening is not just about celebrating Eid, it was also about creating a space for connection, community, and joy," said Amna Nawaz, Co-Anchor & Co-Managing Editor of PBS NewsHour and event co-host. 'Gathering at the Smithsonian, surrounded by works of art that document our history and cultures in beautiful ways, is a celebration of the many tales woven into our larger American story. Tonight, it's about the joy in that storytelling." The museum holds more than 46,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present from China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East as well as an important collection of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American works from the Aesthetic Movement. New acquisitions are constantly added, and the museum now showcases the richness of premodern Asian arts and the evolving visual cultures of Asia in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Utilizing the museum's world-class library and archives, visitors can explore nearly every region and historic period of Asia and the Islamic world, and scholars will find value in exemplary objects as springboards for research. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: (L-R) Sam Hyun, Mohaimina Haque, Swati Sharma, Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, ... More Amna Nawaz, Anita Chatterjee, Amna Khilji and Alisha Chen attend Eid at the Smithsonian National Museum Of Asian Art on May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo byfor A-Game Public Relations ) 'This evening was a testament to the power of cultural celebration and collective connection,' said. Robinson, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. 'We were honored to welcome such an inspiring and passionate group of voices to mark this special occasion.' Ali added 'Growing up, I never imagined celebrating Eid at the Smithsonian — let alone with a room full of change makers across media, culture, and entertainment,' said Asif Ali, lead actor in Hulu's new hit series Deli Boys and event co-host. 'This event wasn't just about tradition — it was about joy, representation, and showing the next generation that our stories belong in institutions like this. And let's be honest, any time you mix beautiful art, great people, and biryani, you're doing something right.' The event was hosted in collaboration with an esteemed host committee including: Chase F. Robinson, Director, Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art; Amna Nawaz, Co-Anchor and Co-Managing Editor, PBS NewsHour; Asif Ali, Actor and Comedian (Deli Boys); Aasif Mandvi, Actor; Maneet Ahuja, Global Editor-at-Large, Forbes; Swati Sharma, Editor-in-Chief, Vox; Mohaimina Haque, Attorney and CEO, Tony Roma's; and Anita Chatterjee, Founder and CEO, A-Game Public Relations. Additional notable attendees included Saagar Shaikh, Actor (Deli Boys); Nirupama Rao, Former Indian diplomat, Foreign Secretary ND; Ambassador; Rajiv Satyal, Comedian; Yasmin Elhady, TV Personality (Muslim Matchmaker); Swayam Bhatia, Actor (Succession, Zombies 4); Farhan Latif, President of El-Hibri Foundation; Negin Sobhani, Associate Director for Global Affairs (NMAA); Alisha Chen, Partnerships Operations Manager (TAAF); Amna Khilji, Senior Advisor (Pak Futures Foundation); Ehteshamul Haque, Attorney; Sam Hyun, Director of Government Relations (TAAF); and Shaneli Jain, Founder (Shaneli). Guests enjoyed delicious South Asian cuisine as they experienced the museum's exhibits. Gift bags were shared at the end of the night with swag from the museum, a gift from the popular South Asian retail brand One Minute Saree, and fennel sees used as South Asian mints from the Pakistani CPG company sponsors for the evening included The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA); The Asian American Foundation (TAAF); Pak Futures Foundation; A-Game Public Relations; Law Office of Mohaimina Haque, PLLC; Law Office of Ehteshamul Haque; Product of Culture; Paro; One Minute Saree; and Shaneli. The museum frequently hosts events for the community throughout the year that raises awareness to events celebrated by the South Asian diaspora including a Diwali event. As a big population of South Asians celebrate Eid, this was the first Eid celebration of many in the years to come.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sen. Ted Cruz proposes withholding broadband funding from states that regulate AI
The Brief Senator Ted Cruz proposed that states attempting to regulate AI should lose federal broadband funding. This proposal is an addition to a House-passed bill aiming for a 10-year ban on state AI regulation. Critics argue Cruz's plan is "undemocratic and cruel," forcing states to choose between broadband access and AI consumer protection. WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) proposed on Thursday an alternative punishment for planned legislation that would set a 10-year ban on state regulation of Artificial Intelligence model learning. Under Cruz's budget reconciliation proposal, an attempt to regulate AI would be prohibited from collecting federal funding provided by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The Proposal The U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of House Resolution 1, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," on May 22. In part, the budget bill would ban state regulation on AI for 10 years. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Cruz authored a budget reconciliation that he says is intended to "fulfill President Trump's agenda." In a summary of the proposal, he refers to state regulation as "strangling AI deployment," comparing it to EU precautions against tech development. Cruz's proposal adds $500 million to the BEAD program, which has already administered $42.45 billion to the states in order to expand high-speed internet access across the country. It also prevents states from receiving any of that funding if they attempt to regulate AI. Dig deeper Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) has recently spoken out against HR 1, saying the anti-regulatory section alone will cost Congress her vote. Greene explained that she discovered the controversial provision, located on pages 278-279 of the bill, only after the House had already passed the legislation. Once the bill returns to the House following Senate deliberations, Greene says she will change sides based on the matter of AI. What they're saying Advocacy group Public Citizen released a commentary on Cruz's proposal, referring to it as a "display of corporate appeasement." In the article, J.B. Branch, a Big Tech accountability advocate, included the following statement: "This is a senatorial temper tantrum masquerading as policy. Americans have loudly rejected Senator Cruz's dangerous proposal to give tech giants a decade of immunity from state regulation. State legislatures, attorneys general, and citizens across all 50 states have demanded that Congress step away from overhauling consumer protections put in place in the absence of federal leadership. But instead of listening to the American people, Senate Republicans threw a fit and tied vital digital funding to corporate impunity. "With this move, Republicans are telling millions of Americans: 'You can have broadband but only if your state gives up the right to protect you from AI abuses.' It's undemocratic and cruel. Republicans would rather give Big Tech a 10-year hall pass to experiment on the American people unchecked, rather than give underserved rural and urban communities the ability to compete in the digital economy. Congress must reject this corporate giveaway and refocus their energy on representing the public interest." In her statements criticizing the anti-regulation portion of HR 1, Greene expressed concerns about developing rapidly evolving tech without checks and balances. "No one can predict what AI will be in one year, let alone 10," Greene said. "But I can tell you this: I'm pro-humanity, not pro-transhumanity. And I will be voting NO on any bill that strips states of their right to protect American jobs and families." What's next HR 1 is expected to continue undergoing changes in the Senate before returning to the House for another vote. Cruz's proposal has yet to be officially added to the legislation. The Source Information in this article comes from public U.S. Congress filings, Public Citizen, and previous FOX 4 coverage.
Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Forbes
‘Ginny & Georgia' Season 3: Brianne Howey Discusses Her Character's Mental Health
Brianne Howey in 'Ginny & Georgia' on Netflix. The Netflix hit Ginny & Georgia is back and better than ever. The ten-episode third season is a rollercoaster ride, and the finale is phenomenal, with two cliffhangers in the last few seconds that will leave fans salivating at the bit for season four. When the series first premiered in 2021, it appeared to be a light-hearted, fun, sexy binge-watch. Though it is incredibly entertaining, it's so much more than a soapy drama. Despite the show's lighthearted, heartwarming, and humorous moments, it's also brave in how it tackles mental health, and it does so in a way no other television show has in that it is not heavy-handed or preachy in its approach. Creator/executive producer Sarah Lampert has never shied away from the angst of being a human being, putting her characters through struggles such as depression, addiction, eating disorders, personality disorders, self-harm, and this season, teen pregnancy, to name a few. The story centers around Brianne Howey's Georgia Miller, a mother who will do anything, moral or not, for her children. As the chaos creator of the story, those around her are left to deal with the fallout of her actions following season two's cliffhanger, which left a shocked Georgia taken away in handcuffs at her wedding to the Mayor when she was arrested for murdering her friend's husband. Brianne Howey says Georgia Miller has narcissistic tendencies. By the time we get to season three, which premiered on June 5, Georgia is on house arrest, bound by an ankle bracelet that keeps her caged like a wild animal as she tries to survive the media sensation surrounding her murder trial. Her world spins out of control when it comes out that she may have also killed a few of her husbands, and she's nicknamed the 'Mayoress Murderess.' When asked what she thinks Georgia's mental health issues might be, Howey replied carefully. 'The show works very closely with Mental Health America to make sure that we aren't glorifying any of the wrong things and that we're handling all of these subjects with the utmost respect and care. I do think Georgia has narcissistic qualities. That being said, I think Georgia is the type of narcissist who is capable of change, and that's what has been really compelling this season to see for Georgia. Every character goes on a mental health journey. But yes, especially Ginny and Georgia.' Lampert concurred, adding, 'The show's theme is that everyone is fighting a battle you can't see.' Of the new season, she explained that for Georgia to change her ways, the stakes would need to be raised. 'We purposefully exploded our entire world and revealed our main character. I loved it!' exclaimed Lampert. As the media frenzy around her murder trial explodes, Georgia is forced to face herself. Antonia Gentry talks about her character's journey in season three of 'Ginny & Georgia' on Netflix. This season, Georgia's daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) must confront just how similar she is to her mom when her brother Austin (Diesel La Torraca) is sent to live with his abusive father, and she goes to live with her dad. Ginny discovers the lengths she will go to free her mom and get her family back together, and she realizes she's a lot like her mother. Gentry paused briefly when asked to describe the relationship between Ginny and Georgia. 'It's almost symbiotic…because they're so apart this season, we see them have to come into their own in different ways that they haven't been able to before. Ginny can't rely on Georgia as much as she'd like to. Georgia can't rely on Ginny or do anything at all because she's on house arrest. We see Ginny forced to make decisions for herself and to start creating situations and opportunities for herself instead of reacting to those things.' Gentry added how much she enjoyed the acting challenges this season. 'It was wonderful to play her, especially towards the end, as someone who is kind of turning into her mom in a sense where she's like, 'Look, I'm not getting the results that I want. My mom is going to jail. My brother is with his abusive father. I don't want any of this. I'm going to make it happen.' And she does, and it's scary for Georgia to witness, but it's fascinating because we see Ginny morphing into the young woman that she's going to become. And you can't come back from that ledge. It's very interesting to see Ginny walk this tightrope of chaos.' Brianne Howey and Antonia Gentry in 'Ginny & Georgia' on Netflix. This season, Howey pointed out, Ginny and Georgia were forced to question whether or not they should be together. 'Are they better together? Or, are they better apart? Is it them against the world? This season poses so many questions.' When asked if she thinks her character is a good mom, Howey gave a Georgia-like grin and said, 'I think so.' Georgia, she confirmed, will do anything for her children. 'This season gives her a run for her money. She's seeing the idea the public has about her, and it's starting to hit home like, 'My God, have I made my children's life harder than it needs to be? I think she had to get pushed to these extremes to have that realization. There's going to be a change, but as we see, it's very small and slow, but it's happening.' Lampert agreed with Howey's comments about Georgia having narcissistic qualities. 'She definitely has a personality disorder that can get better with treatment.' She added that she and her team have worked closely with Mental Health America since season one to craft the characters' mental health journeys. For seasons one and two, Lampert worked alongside showrunner and executive producer Debra J. Fisher, and for seasons three and four, she teamed up with Sarah Glinski. Antonia Gentry and Diesel La Torraca in 'Ginny & Georgia' on Netflix. As to why the fans continue to support Georgia despite her penchant for murder, Glinski thinks it's because, at her core, Georgia is good. 'Georgia believes she's doing everything for her children. All of her actions come out of that place of love. The fact that she's doing things out of love makes us root for her.' This is the beauty of good writing. Lampert, Glinski, and their team of writers have taken a character with a personality disorder that's very difficult to deal with and made her likable. Lampert credited those at Mental Health America with helping to write various scenes and morph the mental health journeys of the characters throughout the seasons. When she asked the doctors she was working with what would have to happen for Ginny and Georgia to have a healthy relationship, she was advised that Georgia would have to be broken down. 'She'd have to face something big. She'd have to feel threatened with losing her children to come to an understanding that she has to change and that her actions have consequences. And Ginny would have to set some boundaries," revealed Lampert. "Ultimately, their relationship being healthy isn't on Ginny. She's the child. It's on Georgia. This season, we broke Georgia's soul with the hope to rebuild.' To the fans anxiously waiting to see what happens next, the writers are back at work. 'The theme of season four is origins and cycles,' Lampert divulged, adding that though the original plan was to end Ginny & Georgia after four seasons, they've realized there's more to tell. 'We're not done yet.'
