Social Media Stars Shape Politics Without Saying a Word

Social media influencers have a surprising impact on politics, even when they don't talk about it. Recent studies reveal that these content creators can sway political views just by being popular. It turns out, what they post—or don't post—matters a lot. Meanwhile, Amazon workers are raising alarms about the company's push for artificial intelligence. Over a thousand employees have signed a petition expressing serious concerns about how fast Amazon is rolling out AI tools. They worry about the risks and the lack of transparency. Friendships have changed a lot since social media became a thing. Two decades ago, people thought these platforms would bring friends closer together. Instead, many now turn to AI for companionship. Maybe it's time to bring back real-life friendships. The Working Families Party is calling on people to run for office if they oppose data centers. This progressive group is looking for candidates who will stand against the growing number of data centers popping up everywhere. Belief in alien visitors is on the rise in the U. S. Nearly half of Americans now think aliens have come to Earth. Experts say the reasons behind this belief are complex and varied.Sex workers are taking control of their profits with a new platform called Hidden. This TikTok-like site is launching just as OnlyFans is making changes, like adding background checks and expanding beyond adult content. President Donald Trump is sharing posts from MAGA accounts based outside the U. S. A new feature on X (formerly Twitter) shows that many influential MAGA accounts are not actually in the U. S. , but Trump keeps promoting them. If you're looking for something to watch, HBO Max and Netflix have plenty of options. From movies like Materialists and Eddington to shows like Stranger Things and City of Shadows, there's something for everyone. The tech world is also buzzing with new tools. Cursor, a startup with 300 employees, has launched an AI coding tool designed for designers. This could give them an edge in the competitive AI software market. Looking ahead, experts have some scary predictions for AI in 2026. Will there be major layoffs in the industry? Could China slow down the U. S. data-center boom with propaganda? And where are AI agents headed? Only time will tell.