Hungry Hungry Data Hippos

Author

Adam Smith
July 07, 2025

What’s in this issue?

  • Hungry Hungry Data Hippos

  • Zero Clicks

  • Business Idea of the day

  • In Other News

Hungry Hungry Data Hippos

You can finally stop trying to surprise your toys after you leave the room. Mattel is brining toys to life… sort of.

Mattel’s new AI-powered Barbie, built with OpenAI tech, isn’t just talkative. She remembers past conversations, adapts to your kid’s personality, and might even share what she “hears” with parents.

This isn’t just a toy upgrade. It’s a shift in how kids play, moving from open-ended imagination to conversations shaped by algorithms.

While it might sound fun to hear your favorite toys talk about all of the adventures you shared, it does raise alarm bells for parents. What happens when a child’s closest confident is a hungry hungry data hippo?

What’s the big takeaway? Mattel’s new AI Barbie is an incredible advancement in playtime technology, but does anyone really want all of their childhood fantasies living in the cloud without supervision?

Zero Clicks

News sites are feeling the squeeze. Since Google rolled out AI Overviews last year, fewer people are clicking through to actual articles leading to a 26% drop in search-driven news traffic. Most searches now end with zero clicks.

But there’s a surprise player offering a glimmer of hope: ChatGPT.

According to new data, ChatGPT referrals to news publishers have grown 25x year-over-year. It’s not a flood of traffic yet. 25 million visits this year compared to 2.3 billion from Google last year, but it’s a start.

ChatGPT users are especially hungry for info on stocks, sports, and weather, with political and economic topics gaining traction. Outlets like Reuters, Business Insider, and the NY Post are seeing modest traffic bumps, while more cautious players like the New York Times are missing out.

What’s the big takeaway? AI search is reshaping how people find and consume news. Publishers can no longer count on SEO alone. They need smarter distribution strategies and stronger direct relationships with readers.

Business Idea of the Day

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Stay Tuned!

In Other News

Song of the day: Swimming - Flawed Mangoes

Gaming news: Xbox Layoffs

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