The AI Mirage

Economy

The AI Mirage 

What’s going on: The US economy had a supposed secret weapon last year: AI. Some economists argued that Big Tech’s AI splurge fueled half or more of US growth in 2025. It sounded tidy. It sounded futuristic. It sounded inevitable. But now, a growing number of forecasters are pushing back — and even those who believed the hype are reconsidering. Goldman Sachs recently calculated that AI spending made “basically zero” difference to US economic growth last year, according to The Washington Post. Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase have landed roughly in the same place. Which would explain a lot, actually, for anyone who hasn’t felt this so-called boom.

What it means: The AI economy still sits in the “trust the process” phase. It could spark a golden age. It could carve up the labor market. Right now, no one can prove either case. Part of the problem: Earlier estimates missed where the money actually goes. Roughly three-quarters of data center costs are for chips and hardware made overseas, according to the Post. That boosts factories abroad more than it helps Main Street. Add in a tariff-driven import surge early in 2025, and AI may have looked more important than it was. One Goldman Sachs economist said the intuitive outlook “maybe prevented or limited the need to actually dig deeper into what was happening.” Someone let the rest of Wall Street know, since it went into a full-on spiral over this hypothetical AI doomsday report.

Related: One Wearable Just Got Way Smarter About Women's Health (TechCrunch)

The News in 5

🗞️ President Donald Trump delivered a record-breaking State of the Union address, declaring the US is “winning so much” on the economy and immigration. There was a shouting match, an ejection, and this surprising duo scrapped their plans to sit together. So much for bipartisanship.

🗞️ Cartel violence has upended travel plans across Mexico — here’s what to know before you board that flight.

🗞️ The Guthrie family is now offering a $1 million reward for their mother’s recovery, sharing a new message as the search continues nearly a month later. 

🗞️ One of the top budget airlines will slash flights as part of its “exit” from its second bankruptcy. 

🗞️ Waymo just expanded its driverless taxis to four more cities. Whether that’s good news depends entirely on your last Uber driver.

Health

The Internet Is Obsessed With "Trimester Zero"

What's going on: The internet — in its trademark terrorizing-yet-intriguing way — has given hopeful parents one more thing to worry about: “trimester zero.” The idea? Treat the three-plus months before conception like marathon training for your uterus. Wellness influencers, companies, and some fertility doctors now argue you should optimize your body for pregnancy. Some advice tracks with science, but other tips veer into snake oil territory. Think supplements that claim to boost a baby’s IQ before there’s even a positive pregnancy test. Hovering over all of it: a marketplace that knows pre-pregnancy anxiety sells. From products that promise to curb morning sickness to plans that claim to prevent miscarriage, the pitch often sounds less like medicine and more like insurance against uncertainty.

What it means: Critics worry the trend adds new pressure to an already fraught season of life. Especially since much of the discourse puts the onus on women — a problem, and not just because emerging research shows sperm health matters, too. Experts also warn that this prep mindset can deepen self-blame if something goes wrong. (If you haven't read the famous “Dear Sugar” column about guilt after pregnancy loss, it’s so worth your time.) The bottom line: Your health pre-pregnancy matters, but most of it comes down to basics: Get enough folic acid, avoid tobacco, move your body, and, when in doubt, talk to a medical professional you trust. You don’t need to optimize yourself into exhaustion.

Related: What’s Up With Alabama’s Controversial Plan for Maternity Robots? (KFF Health News)

Tech

What's the Password?

What's going on: As Zenon taught us eons ago, it ain’t easy being a girl of the 21st century. But one of the most annoying-if-minute facets of this life is managing a bajillion passwords for every app, bank, and store you’ve ever interacted with. That’s why so many security experts recommend password managers to help you store and generate more secure passwords (well, at least ones better than the Louvre’s). But everything is fallible in the scammer economy. Now, a new study challenges the core promise of many password managers — that they encrypt your data so thoroughly even they can’t read it. Researchers found that, under certain conditions, a skilled hacker could still access parts of your information, even with the most secure tools.

What it means: Before you panic and revert to “Password123,” breathe. Experts say password managers beat the alternatives by a wide margin. The study just highlights how little scrutiny the companies face when they market airtight encryption. They’re still preferable to leaning on these bad habits, like reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts or falling back on common formulas. Good password managers generate strong credentials and store them securely, and The New York Times vetted some of the top options. But if you’re hesitant about the managers, follow strong-password basics: Use long, unique phrases. Turn on two-factor authentication. Don’t repeat passwords, and store any written backups somewhere truly secure (no, not in a Note on your phone titled “passwords lol”).

Related: So, About Those 2.7 Billion Social Security Numbers at Risk… (Wired)

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Scrubs is back on TV after 16 years. What will JD and Turk do now? 

🗓️ The Memphis Grizzlies take on the Golden State Warriors at 7:30 pm ET. And the news isn’t great for fans of the Curry brothers.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

Coffee lovers rejoice? Dunkin' is testing out a bucket size — how big is it?

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, Marina Carver, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.