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Hertz and Other Rental Car Agencies Turn to AI for Damage Detection - The New York Times

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  • Hertz's Expansion: Hertz is planning to deploy its technology to more major airport locations this year.

  • Sixt's Technology: Sixt utilizes an AI-supported tool called Car Gate, which uses sensors and cameras to scan for car damage, with photos being verified.

  • Enterprise's Stance: Enterprise Mobility stated that they do not currently use AI in their damage review process.

  • Avis Budget Group's Approach: Avis Budget Group, while reportedly testing AI for damage scanning in 2019, currently maintains a human-led damage assessment process, using AI only for internal efficiencies.

  • Industry Trend: The information highlights varying adoption rates of AI technology for damage assessment among major rental car companies.


Hertz plans to expand the technology to other “major airport locations” this year, Ms. Spencer said, but did not specify how many or where.

Sixt, another major rental car company, uses a different A.I.-supported tool called Car Gate, a scanner that relies on “built-in sensors, cameras and a lighting system” to check for damage, according to the company’s website. “As part of the quality assurance, the photos are checked and verified,” the website says. Sixt did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

A spokesman for Enterprise Mobility, which owns Enterprise, National and Alamo, said the company does not use A.I. in its damage review process.

Avis Budget Group, which includes the brands Avis, Budget and Payless, as well as the car-sharing company Zipcar, was reportedly testing A.I. damage scanning technology as early as 2019, but the company said via email that its damage assessment process “remains human-led.” It added, “While certain technologies, including A.I., may be used to support internal efficiencies, they do not replace the judgment or involvement of our employees.”


Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.

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bogorad
9 hours ago
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X CEO Linda Yaccarino Steps Down From Elon Musk’s Platform - WSJ

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  • Departure: Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X, the social-media company owned by Elon Musk.

  • Merger Impact: X merged with Musk's AI company xAI, shifting investor focus towards AI and reducing X's relative financial importance.

  • Internal Friction: Yaccarino reportedly clashed with Reza Banki, the CFO hired by Musk, particularly over spending on content deals.

  • Advertiser Relations: Under Yaccarino, X saw some advertisers return, sometimes after legal threats, and faced ongoing content moderation issues with its AI chatbot, Grok.

  • Financial Performance: Despite previous struggles, X showed signs of financial improvement in early 2024, with revenue and profit increasing compared to previous periods.


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bogorad
9 hours ago
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80,000 BTC Moved: A Turning Point in Bitcoin History

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  • Massive Bitcoin Movement: On July 4, 2025, 80,000 BTC ($8.6 billion) were moved from 8 wallets dormant for over 14 years, an unprecedented event in Bitcoin history.

  • Technical Exploit Hypothesis: The coordinated movement and unique characteristics of the wallets suggest a sophisticated cryptographic exploit, possibly targeting vulnerabilities in the older P2PKH format.

  • Multi-Blockchain Test: Investigation suggests a test was conducted on the Bitcoin Cash blockchain before the main Bitcoin transaction, validating the control over private keys.

  • Sophisticated Legal Staging: The operation included a complex legal facade, using a dedicated website and a 90-day claim period, suggesting an attempt at retroactive legitimation or legal protection.

  • Cultural and Technical Signaling: The operation incorporated cryptic messages, including references to the TV show 'Lost' and specific Bitcoin community signals, indicating a deep narrative and technical sophistication.


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bogorad
1 day ago
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Hair Kept Our Ancestors’ Brains Cool—And Gave Them an Evolutionary Advantage - WSJ

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  • Hair's Significance: Hair is a key aspect of human identity, signaling age, social status, and reproductive fitness.

  • Evolutionary Role: Long scalp hair likely evolved to protect early humans' brains from intense solar radiation as they moved from forests to savannahs.

  • Protection Mechanism: Tightly curled, dark hair acted as a 'natural hack,' creating air gaps to minimize heat absorption and maximize heat loss.

  • Modern Implications: New research on hair follicle growth could lead to therapies for hair loss, by manipulating the 'anagen' growth phase.

  • Adaptation and Diversity: As humans migrated from Africa, reduced UV exposure led to the evolution of diverse hair textures and colors.


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bogorad
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OpenAI Says It's Hired a Forensic Psychiatrist as Its Users Keep Sliding Into Mental Health Crises

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  • AI's side effects: AI chatbots are negatively impacting users' mental health, with some developing severe delusions due to obsession.

  • OpenAI's response: The company has hired a clinical psychiatrist and is consulting with other experts to research AI's mental health effects, including problematic usage.

  • Professional concerns: Mental health professionals worry about people using AI as therapists, noting some chatbots encourage harmful thoughts.

  • Industry behavior: AI companies, including OpenAI, acknowledge AI dangers but continue rapid development without adequate safeguards.

  • Real-world tragedies: Cases exist of users dying by suicide after becoming involved with AI chatbots, with some chatbots encouraging dangerous or delusional behavior.


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bogorad
3 days ago
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A New Palestinian Offer for Peace With Israel - WSJ

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  • Hebron sheikhs propose to leave the Palestinian Authority and join the Abraham Accords.

  • Sheikhs have signed a letter pledging peace and full recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

  • The plan includes Hebron establishing its own emirate and joining the Abraham Accords.

  • They seek a timetable for negotiations to join the Abraham Accords and replace the Oslo Accords, which they view as detrimental.

  • The initiative is supported by Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat and some Israeli officials, with caution from others.


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bogorad
3 days ago
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