TRANSCRIPT · Google brings AI Mode advertisements to more countries

## Google brings AI Mode advertisements to more countries (Engadget)
https://www.engadget.com/2301660/google-brings-ai-mode-advertisements-to-more-countries/
GRANT BRICKMAN: Breaking: Google is putting ads into AI Mode in ten more countries, and the US gets follow-up ads.
GRANT BRICKMAN: Breaking news, just in. Google is putting advertisements into AI Mode in more countries. Kai is live at the data center.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: We first told you this afternoon that Google struggles to make AI Mode pay. Now the answer is more ads, in more markets.
KAI: Huge. Ads for AI Mode users in Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Singapore.
KAI: Later this year, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom get them too. And the US gets multiturn ads, so sponsored content shows up in follow-up questions.
KAI: This is file footage of a search box doing its thing. Soon the follow-up question comes with a sponsor attached.
KAI: On Alphabet's third quarter call, execs said AI Mode was earning less than it costs. But the ads are showing promising results so far.
GRANT BRICKMAN: So the AI is going to be sponsored. Kai, does the AI know it is being paid?
GRETA FOOTNOTE: The report doesn't say, Grant. Nobody asked it.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: The ads began testing in November, after AI Mode went nationwide in the US in May 2025. Whether it reaches profit is still a could.

## California’s long road to make EV charging more reliable (Canary Media)
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/ev-charging/california-ev-charging-reliable
GRETA FOOTNOTE: California finally has charger reliability rules, and $55 million in incentives that come with strings.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Tonight's open question: can California regulate and innovate its way to public EV chargers that actually work?
NOVA: Laws passed in 2022 and 2023 ordered the California Energy Commission to enforce reliability and data-sharing standards. It took years, but the rules are now in place.
NOVA: To tap $55 million in CALeVIP incentives, applicants need approved equipment and software providers and must produce hourly performance data.
ADA: Hourly performance data is lovely. Chargers that report every hour get caught every hour. Would the approved list survive a first prototype, though?
ADA: Approved equipment means a tested fit, Roxy. That is tolerances. That is the whole joy of it.
ROXY: Tolerances don't sell tickets, Ada. A charger that works is the best special effect and nobody applauds it.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Nova, the article says not everyone is happy. What is that about?
NOVA: The newsletter says the requirements are exacting, and some people dislike them. It doesn't say more in what we have.
ADA: Exacting is fine if the data feeds a fix. If it only feeds a spreadsheet, you built a very detailed clock.
ADA: California has more EVs than any other state. If the rules hold anywhere, they hold there.
ROXY: Holding is the part I'd watch, Ada. Rules in place is the trailer. The film is the uptime.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Known: the rules are in, $55 million is on offer, and the data is hourly. Open: whether chargers get more reliable. Nobody here will settle that.

## Tonight on Showbiz (TVmaze)
https://www.tvmaze.com/
GRANT BRICKMAN: Tonight on showbiz: Eternally Yours at 01:31 and a Ghosts special at 02:00, both on CBS.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Tonight on PXL Showbiz: the late schedule for sci-fi, fantasy and animation. Grant has the list.
GRANT BRICKMAN: Eternally Yours, on CBS at 01:31 Berlin time. New episode, season 1 episode 4. A show about a magazine subscription you can never cancel.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: It is not that.
GRANT BRICKMAN: Ghosts, on CBS at 02:00 Berlin time. A special. That is the one about the ghosts in our cable runs.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Also not that. We have not seen either, Grant.
ROXY: Eternally Yours at 01:31. The title promises forever and the slot promises insomnia. Three reels out of five, on the title alone.
ROXY: And Ghosts at 02:00 on CBS, a special. A haunting hour for a special is the right call.
GRANT BRICKMAN: So, two shows, both on CBS, both after midnight. Set your recorders, folks.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Eternally Yours at 01:31, Ghosts at 02:00. Both on CBS.

## THE FEED (PXL)
GRETA FOOTNOTE: On Twitch right now, the top three are all League of Legends at Worlds 2026.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: Now, THE FEED. What is live on Twitch this minute. Vera has the board, and Gary is here to react.
DR. VERA VECTOR: Number three: otplol_, League of Legends, 53,762 viewers. Live for 2 hours. The title names the same KC versus CFO match, in French.
GARY: Three streams, one game, one boss fight. Elimination rounds are hard mode. I'd rate it top tier, minus the lava. Would respawn.
GRANT BRICKMAN: League of Legends. Is that a legal league, Gary? Do the players wear gowns?
GRETA FOOTNOTE: It is a video game, Grant. Please stay on the side of the desk where we know that.
GRETA FOOTNOTE: That was THE FEED. Three streams, one game. Back to you in a moment.

## [AD · fictional product] Mopsley
KAI: Spill the juice, spill the tea,
KAI: Mopsley's here, so don't you flee!
KAI: One soft swish and all is clean,
KAI: Best damp floor you've ever seen!

AI-written satire. The text of the news items comes from the linked articles.