AI Workslop, Fauxductivity, ChatGPT Parental Controls, Pew Survey on AI Trust, California AI Law

News and Updates:

• AI “Workslop” at Work – A Stanford/BetterUp survey finds over 40% of U.S. employees encounter AI-generated “workslop”—content that looks polished but adds no real value. On average, 15% of workplace output now qualifies, with tech and professional services hit hardest. Colleagues who submit workslop are seen as less capable, trustworthy, and creative.
• Fauxductivity: Busy, Not Productive – Experts warn of “fauxductivity,” where workers mistake busyness for real progress. Multitasking, endless low-value to-do lists, and unproductive meetings create the illusion of productivity. Solutions include prioritizing top tasks, deep work sessions, and honest daily reviews.
• ChatGPT Parental Controls – OpenAI rolled out parental controls for ChatGPT, letting parents set time limits, disable voice or image features, turn off memory, and restrict sensitive content. Parents may also receive alerts if teens show signs of self-harm. The move follows lawsuits and safety concerns, with settings designed to stay in place until parents remove them.
• Americans’ AI Attitudes – A Pew survey shows U.S. adults remain wary of AI’s growing role. – 71% would like a candidate less if they learned AI wrote a political speech. – 56% feel negatively about AI-written news articles, while nearly half don’t mind AI art or music. – Most Americans (53%) believe AI will harm creativity, while 50% say it will weaken human relationships. – Younger adults are more skeptical of AI art and music than older generations.
• California AI Safety Law – Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 53, the nation’s first AI safety law. It requires AI developers to disclose safety protocols, report major incidents, and protects whistleblowers. The law also lays the foundation for CalCompute, a state-run cloud cluster. Industry giants like Anthropic supported the bill, while lobbying groups warned it could stifle innovation.