TikTok Ban, Microsoft, AI Agents, Nintendo Switch 2, and Pompeii
Weekly Review of News in Technology, UX and AI
Here’s the latest news, resources, and use cases from the world of product, UX, AI and technology. Let’s go:
🖼️ Digital Landscape
📱 TikTok Ban
🪟 Microsoft
🙏 AI Agents
🧑🏫 AI Tutors
🎮 Nintendo Switch
🏛️ Pompeii
Podcast
Redefining the Digital Landscape: JB Benjamin on Privacy, Blockchain, and the Future of Technology
In this episode of Product by Design, host Kyle sits down with JB Benjamin, the CEO and founder of multiple tech companies under the Akuma Engineering umbrella. JB shares his innovative journey in building products designed for a more equitable, decentralized, and privacy-focused digital future. From post-quantum encrypted messaging tools to Vox Alive's ad-free social media platform, JB dives deep into the philosophies and technologies driving his work. We discuss everything from post-quantum encryption to blockchain to Universal Basic Income. You won't want to miss this one.
News and Useful Reads
TikTok goes dark as US ban takes effect
The TikTok ban arrived on Saturday night. Though it seems we can expect something from President Trump. Hopefully, it will be a short-lived ban.
The company’s app was removed Saturday evening from prominent app stores, including the ones operated by Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available. The blackout began just hours before the law took effect.
US Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban Law
Unsurprisingly, another group of very old people in power decided to preserve their power and influence (and gifts and bribes) by upholding the ban of the biggest town square in America, TikTok.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court's unanimous opinion reads. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”
Microsoft triples down on AI
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft sees the future as AI. And 2025 will show more of that.
Microsoft made a trio of announcements this week that are going to be very important for how the company approaches its big AI bet in 2025. It started off by creating a new AI engineering group to focus its developers on building an AI platform and tools for both Microsoft and its customers. Microsoft then announced pay-as-you-go agents for its relaunched Copilot Chat for businesses, and it finished the week by bundling Office AI features into Microsoft 365 for consumers and raising the subscription price.
Will Your AI Agent Be Your Friend or Lover Too?
Instead of the classic agentic use cases like booking travel or filling out forms, Replika’s application of the technology may include a bot watching a movie with you, seeing that you’ve spent lots of time on social media and encouraging a break, or nudging you to call a friend. The idea is to connect the app to your other online services and help you live a better life, all while deepening your relationship with the virtual companion.
From chalkboards to chatbots: Transforming learning in Nigeria, one prompt at a time
A study in Nigeria has shown that having AI tutors can dramatically improve learning outcomes for students.
The learning improvements were striking—about 0.3 standard deviations. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to nearly two years of typical learning in just six weeks. When we compared these results to a database of education interventions studied through randomized controlled trials in the developing world, our program outperformed 80% of them, including some of the most cost-effective strategies like structured pedagogy and teaching at the right level. This achievement is particularly remarkable given the short duration of the program and the likelihood that our evaluation design underestimated the true impact.
Nintendo Switch 2 is official, with more details coming on April 2, 2025
The much anticipated update to the Nintendo Switch is real. We got some details this week, with more to come in the spring.
The long wait is finally over. In a YouTube video with little fanfare, Nintendo officially introduced the long-awaited Switch 2. The first true next-gen follow-up to the original Switch includes backwards-compatibility for owners of existing Switch games. We'll learn more about the console in a Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2, 2025.
Other Interesting Finds
'Once-in-a-century' discovery reveals spectacular luxury of Pompeii
My wife and I were fortunate enough to visit Pompeii a few years ago, and it sticks out as one of the most fascinating places we saw. We both wish we could have spent several days there. The amount of detail that is preserved is astonishing. And we just keep uncovering more.
Archaeologists have discovered a sumptuous private bathhouse - potentially the largest ever found there - complete with hot, warm and cold rooms, exquisite artwork, and a huge plunge pool.
The spa-like complex sits at the heart of a grand residence uncovered over the last two years during a major excavation.