Three News Stories to Know for Monday, November 24

Location, Location, Location

Robotaxi company Waymo is expanding across California. Already active in SF, Silicon Valley, and LA, it now has a green light from California regulators to cruise into Napa, Sacramento, San Diego, and many of the bedroom communities surrounding those areas. 

It’s easy to see how Google Maps and Waze, both owned by Alphabet, will fit into the plans of a self-driving car company also owned by Alphabet. But as self-driving cars take off and vehicles become something of a third space, how might app usage change for passengers? 

Will you still want to listen to a podcast if your hands are freed up? Would you rather have apps built into the center console? Or will it just be more of the same: scrolling Instagram and checking email on your phone until you arrive?

My Real Name Is Chris P. Bacon

For years, Facebook has required people to use their legal names. But with its revamp of Facebook Groups, it’s finally letting people use nicknames, meaning they can effectively post anonymously like they might on Reddit or Discord. There’s a catch: Not all groups have to use the feature — and moderators, admins, and Facebook itself will still know their real identity. Moreover, you can’t slide into someone’s DMs if you’re using your nickname. 

The largest Facebook group has over 8 million members, while the largest Subreddit has over 67 million…though many of these could be bots. Do you think the addition of anonymity will change the scale and vibe of Facebook Groups?

Need a Human? There’s an App for That

A study by youth charity OnSide found that nearly two out of five 11-18 year olds in England had “turned to AI chatbots for advice, company or guidance, from schoolwork to help with feelings, emotions and mental health — often because it feels quicker and easier than talking to someone in person.”

Are chatbots best left to adults who grew up learning how to talk to real humans? And if there are AI applications for kids, what should the guardrails be?