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You might be yelling at a toaster

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Quick question: When’s the last time you really knew if you were chatting with a real human on a customer-service call? Turns out, in more places than you think, it’s not a person at all. It’s AI.

That might be fine when you’re asking a dumb question like, “What time do you close?” But what about when you’re dealing with a bank, insurance company or police report? Yeah, it matters.

👨🏽‍⚖️ Laws incoming

Utah and California rolled out new rules that say companies have to tell you if you’re talking to a chatbot instead of a real person. And in California, cops have to fess up if they used AI to write up part of a report.

That little disclosure is about trust, transparency and knowing who’s really calling the shots. If a bot’s behind the scenes making decisions that affect your money, your medical care or your legal rights, don’t you want to know? I do.

🕵️ Here’s what to watch for

Next time you hop into a customer service chat, pay attention. If there’s no mention that you’re talking to AI, ask: “Are you a real person?” You’re not being rude, you’re being smart.

AI doesn’t always get it right. It might deny a claim, mess up a bill, make crap up or give you incorrect info. And if it feels like you’re stuck in a loop? You probably are. Push to talk to a human.

Oh, and don’t assume this is only happening at big companies. AI tools are cheap, and everyone from your gym to your doctor’s office could be using them.

Look, I love tech. You know that. But I also think you have a right to know when you’re talking to a machine that’s pretending to be a human.

So tell me what you think: Should we have laws that force every company to disclose when AI is in use? Do you have a funny AI customer service story? Let me know when you rate the newsletter at the end. I read every single note there. Include your email address if you’d like to talk about it on the show.

Kids’ books made wonderfully easy

ChatGPT

Nicole from Washington, D.C., recently wrote, “Hi, Kim, I love your shows on WTOP. I read your article about how to use AI to write a book. I want to write a children’s book. But I’m no artist!”

Nicole, I love this idea. But you absolutely don’t need to be an artist to pull this off. Thanks to AI, you’ve got everything you need to create a gorgeous, meaningful children’s book from scratch.

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Healthy without the pricey

Ready to upgrade your body like it’s your phone? Start here.

😌 Facial glow-up: Red light therapy mask (31% off)

Forget the salon price tag. Pop this on for 20 minutes, tap the massage mode and relax. Stick with it and you should start seeing smoother, brighter skin after about a month.

⌚ Save $80: Wowza, snag a new Fitbit Versa 4 (40% off) while this deal is still hot. Sync it with your iPhone or Android and see your progress instead of guessing.

Feeling sore? Wrap this heating pad (53% off) around your back, shoulders, waist or wherever you need soothing relief. Bonus: FSA eligible. Here’s how to use it.

🏃‍♀️ Go the extra mile: Build strength with a weighted vest (50% off). Great if you’re training, doing cardio or adding “oomph” to your strolls around the block.

Little luxuries: From moms to besties, she’ll love this gift set (33% off) that’s got a candle, diffuser and room spray in one box. Comes prewrapped with a bow. Chic and easy.

🎁 Skip the boring stocking stuffers: Check out my holiday gift guide. The “I put thought into this” present takes only two clicks.

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An ex-Russian sex spy’s warning for Silicon Valley

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Seduction, love bombing and stolen trade secrets. Former Russian sex spy Aliia Roza reveals the dark playbook foreign operatives use to turn Silicon Valley tech executives into assets. Now she warns your new romance could be a state-sponsored plot to steal everything.

Walking the walk: You’ve gotta see this. People with paralysis are walking again thanks to a self-balancing robotic suit. No walker, no cables, just pure movement. One guy stood up and hugged his daughter for the first time in three years. Watch the video; it’s the kind of hope you feel. I love when tech actually helps in such an amazing way.

The loyalty trap: That free coffee cost you everything

ChatGPT

Let me tell you something that’ll make you look at your “loyalty perks” apps and programs a lot differently.

You think you’re getting a deal along with points, rewards, a freebie here and there. But what you’re really signing up for is a machine that’s collecting, analyzing and monetizing you.

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AI jobs that pay $200K or more

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I know that many of you are afraid that AI is going to take your job. And you might be right.

The 2025 Global State of AI at Work report just confirmed what we’re all sensing. AI isn’t the future. It is now. But before you panic, let me offer a new way to look at this.

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💅 Your ‘feel-good’ tool kit

Here are your shortcuts to looking alive again (you’re welcome).

🪞 Magic mirror on the go: Travel makeup mirror ($10, 38% off)

Your makeup’s only as good as your lighting. That’s why I love a portable, rechargeable LED vanity mirror. Perfect for dingy hotel rooms or when you’re rushing before a Zoom call.

😌 Drop the dullness: TruSkin’s Vitamin C serum ($39, 20% off) handles dark spots and fine lines. You’ll look like you actually got eight hours of sleep.

Feeling congested? Grab a pack of Beekeeper’s Naturals nasal spray ($18, 30% off). Propolis, saline and xylitol tag-team to clear your head.

💦 Floss like a boss: Dentists swear by Operan’s water flosser ($23, 19% off). Four nozzles and modes blast away gunk, even on your tongue.

Porcelain throne upgrade: Once you hook up a bidet attachment ($53, 45% off), you’ll wonder how you ever cleaned up without a warm, self-cleaning wash.

🛍️ Because you deserve it: Treat yourself (without emptying your wallet) and browse today’s top steals, all four stars and up.

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Check out the fall leaves

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Who doesn’t love the crisp fall air? Check real-time foliage maps to find the best autumn colors and scenic road trips near you.

Love, loss & lies: Here’s your daily dose of “aww … ouch.” Larry, a 71-year-old from California, loses his wife, gets a wrong-number text and somehow ends up falling for “Tina,” a woman who claimed to trade crypto and sip Napa wine. Three months later? His $1 million life savings was gone. Turns out “Tina” was really good at pretending to care.

Creeps love their Meta Ray-Ban glasses

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Weird guys are using them to record their pickup attempts on college women. Plus, YouTuber Ian Runkle joins me to talk about a lock company that sued an influencer and got roasted. Also: AI in real estate, smart fridge ads, and what’s new with GPT-5.

Scammers targeting retirement math: Alright, if you’re over 50 and maxing out that 401(k), heads up, starting in 2026, those “catch-up” contributions won’t be tax-deferred anymore if you make over $145K. You’ll pay taxes up-front, like a Roth. Not the end of the world, but here’s the sneaky part: Scammers love changes like this. Expect fake “plan updates” and “IRS” calls any day now. Don’t fall for them.

Hold the phone: Do you love talking to robots on the phone? Have I got good news for you! Yelp’s rolling out two talking bots. A Host AI for restaurant bookings and Receptionist for business calls. They’ll handle everything from wait lists to “do you take dogs?” for about $99 a month per restaurant. Next up, a suggested 25% tip.

🔑 Bet you never tried this! So a Montana woman’s car key stopped working, battery fine, dealership stumped. She asked ChatGPT, which told her to hold the fob under her chin. Yes, really. She did, and her truck unlocked instantly. Turns out your body’s 60% water, and radio waves love that. Congratulations, you’re part car antenna.

📞 Saved in the nick of FaceTime: Woah. A 3-year-old Michigan boy saved his mom after she collapsed from a seizure by unlocking her phone with Face ID and FaceTiming a family friend, who called 911. Little Cody’s now an honorary junior deputy, complete with badge and swag. The sheriff joked that “we’re hiring,” but maybe let him finish preschool first. Love this.

💸 Starlink wants you back: If you dumped Starlink, SpaceX is sliding back into your inbox with a “We’d love to have you back ❤️” and a 50% off deal. That’s $60 a month instead of $120, for two years. Basically the Wi-Fi version of “I’ve changed.” Loyal customers like me, meanwhile, are getting nothing but billing reminders.

🤖 Tough love: Do you coddle your AI chatbot? New research says being polite actually makes them dumber. Penn State researchers found that “rude” prompts got answers right 85% of the time vs. 81% for polite ones. So go ahead, skip the “please.” Your AI doesn’t have feelings … yet.

Be mean to AI for better results (really)

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Maybe a little tough love is what your chatbot needs to shape up. Here’s why being a little mean to ChatGPT or your other fave chatbot might actually help.

🏗️ North Korea’s new side hustle: North Korean operatives aren’t just scamming crypto, they’ve graduated to architecture. Researchers found fake résumés, stolen seals and CAD files for U.S. homes and businesses. Scammers made plans for restaurants, pools and homes, then sent the cash straight back to Kim Jong Un’s nuclear fund. Now that’s one HGTV episode I’d love to see.

Everyday essentials to save your sanity

Your secret weapons to help you feel better and cleaner.

🌡️ No-touch thermometer (16% off): Wave, beep, and boom, instant readings for squirmy toddlers and even half-asleep adults.

Cetaphil ceramide serum (44% off): Sensitive skin? This one’s packed with dermatologist-tested ingredients for deep hydration.

🧴 Arm & Hammer hand soap (10% off, six-pack): Tough on dirt, gentle on skin and comes in four scents you’ll love.

Bamboo cotton swabs (16% off): One box = 1,000 fixes. These double-tipped buds are as soft as they are tough.

💅 Nail polish remover (42% off): A kinder way to clean up gel, dip and acrylic while moisturizing your nails.

Promo code of the day: Use code 9D7CMAWZ for 50% off this travel-size polish remover until Oct. 30. Don’t wait, supplies won’t last.

💰 Full price is optional: Head to Amazon’s deal page to catch today’s markdowns before they disappear.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.