The Download: An inspiring toy robot arm, and why AM radio matters

“Every tech company is doing similar things but we were open about it.”

—Luis von Ahn, chief executive of the language-learning app Duolingo, tells the Financial Times that his company is far from the only one adopting an AI-first strategy. 

One more thing

How to break free of Spotify’s algorithm

Since the heyday of radio, the branding of sound has evolved from broad genres like rock and hip-hop to “paranormal dark cabaret afternoon” and “synth space,” and streaming has become the default.

Meanwhile, the ritual of discovering something new is now neatly packaged in a 30-song playlist. The only rule in music streaming is personalization.

What we’ve gained in convenience, we’ve lost in curiosity. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Read the full story.

—Tiffany Ng

We can still have nice things

A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)

+ Happy birthday to Michael J Fox, who turns 64 today!
+ Whenever you need to play the world’s smallest violin, these scientists can help you out 🎻
+ An early JMW Turner oil painting has been rediscovered.
+ Watching robots attempt to kickbox is pretty amusing.