How neural engines redefined creativity in chess, leading to some top players engaging in deception, misdirection, and other psychological techniques (Matteo Wong/The Atlantic)

Derek Thompson / The Atlantic:
A look at some implications for generative AI: “answer engines” replacing search engines, AI mastering cognitive tasks by surveilling how experts work, and more  —  This is Work in Progress, a newsletter by Derek Thompson about work, technology, and how to solve some of America’s biggest problems.

VentureBeat:
Vectara, founded by former Google staffers, emerges from stealth with $20M in seed funding and the launch of its neural search-as-a-service technology  —  Is there a better way to build a search tool that produces more highly relevant results than just using keyword-based techniques?

Adam Serwer / The Atlantic:
How conservatives redefined free speech in the social media era, using the First Amendment to claim a “Right to Post” on platforms run by private companies  —  Early December might have marked the first time anyone ever asserted a First Amendment right to see the president’s son’s penis …

Jordan Pearson / VICE:
As chess explodes on Twitch, a look at Chess.com’s Global Championship, its first in-person event since 2018, and “fair play” measures amid a cheating scandal  —  Cheating allegations have changed how chess is played, just as the game is shifting into looking a lot more like esports.

Pew Research Center:
A survey of US teens on social media: 80% feel closer to friends and 71% like showing creativity; 59% are neutral on its overall impact; girls report more drama  —  Majorities of teens credit social media with strengthening their friendships and providing support while also noting the emotionally charged side of these platforms

Scott Stein / CNET:
A look inside Meta’s Reality Labs, with demos of its neural input wristband, 3D audio, photorealistic avatars with Codec Avatars 2.0, and 3D object scanning  —  My visit to a future that isn’t quite here yet: neural wristbands, ghostly 3D audio and lifelike avatars.  Plus, the new Meta Quest Pro.