5 Data Science & AI Career Paths 0 like April 18, 2025 Share this post Last Updated on April 18, 2025 by Editorial Team Author(s): Claudia Ng Originally published on Towards AI. A practical guide to understanding the responsibilities, skills, and day-to-day work of the top data science roles. I often get questions on what the different types of data science roles are from readers looking to break into the field. The truth is that data science is a broad term that covers a wide range of roles, from analyzing business metrics to building machine learning models to deploying AI systems. If you’re considering moving into data science or transitioning between different roles, it’s important to understand their differences so you can find the best fit for your skills and career goals. In this post, I’ll break down 5 common roles in data science and AI, covering the key responsibilities, day-to-day tasks, required skill sets, and career paths. I’ve ordered them from more business-oriented roles to more engineering-heavy roles. Image generated by 1. Product Data Scientist Overview Product data scientists (sometimes called data analysts) focus on defining business metrics, recommending actionable insights, and running experiments to drive product strategy. These roles are common in tech companies in consumer apps, marketplace platforms, and SaaS companies. Key Responsibilities Define and track business metrics like conversion, retention, churn, and engagement.Design and analyze A/B tests to evaluate product features.Build dashboards and reports for product managers and business leaders.Conduct deep-dive analysis to inform strategic decisions. Day-to-Day Tasks Writing SQL queries to extract data and test hypotheses… Read the full blog for free on Medium. Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming a sponsor. Published via Towards AI Towards AI - Medium Share this post

Easily the biggest news to come out of Star Wars Celebration 2025 was the reveal that Deadpool & Wolverine’s Shawn Levy is directing Star Wars: Starfighter, a new standalone, live-action film starring Ryan Gosling. Starfighter is shaping up to be the next Star Wars film released after 2026’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, with production starting this fall for a May 28, 2027 release.But beyond those basics, we know very little about the plot of Starfighter right now. Lucasfilm only revealed one crucial detail - the film is set about five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. That places Starfighter further down the Star Wars timeline than any Star Wars movie or series to date. What do we know about this period of Star Wars lore? Not a whole lot, frankly. That said, we can certainly speculate based on how The Rise of Skywalker ends and how the pre-Disney Legends universe handled this era. Let’s take a closer look at the big questions that linger after The Rise of Skywalker and how Starfighter may address them.Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV ShowThe Star Wars: Starfighter GamesFirst, we’d be remiss if we didn’t touch on the fact that Star Wars: Starfighter shares its name with a short-lived series of games from the PS2/Xbox era. The original Star Wars: Starfighter was released in 2001, followed by the sequel Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter in 2002.The new movie might share a name with these two games, but we wouldn’t expect it to borrow much, if at all, from the games in terms of plot. The original Starfighter game is set during Episode I, showcasing some of the other heroic pilots before and during the Battle of Naboo. Jedi Starfighter, meanwhile, takes place during Episode II, focusing on Jedi Master Adi Gallia and Nym, a pirate character introduced in the first game. The new movie is set many decades after the two games, making it very unlikely it’ll adapt plot points from either one.That being said, it’s always possible that the Starfighter movie could take a page from Jedi Starfighter in terms of its ship-to-ship combat. Jedi Starfighter was notable for introducing Force powers into the mix, allowing Adi to supplement her ship’s traditional weapons with abilities like a Force shield, lightning, and a shockwave. Could the movie do something similar? Is Gosling’s character a Jedi and a hotshot pilot? It’s certainly possible, and it would be one way of spicing up the fight scenes in the movie.The Fate of the New RepublicThe Rise of Skywalker may end with a final victory over Emperor Palpatine and his Sith Eternal, but the movie doesn’t really give us much insight into the state of the galaxy after the Battle of Exegol. The fate of the New Republic after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens remains unclear. In the first chapter of the Sequel Trilogy, we see the First Order unleash its Starkiller Base superweapon, destroying Hosnian Prime and killing off the heads of the New Republic in one fell swoop. Most of the Sequel-era Star Wars projects have focused specifically on the conflict between Leia’s Resistance and the First Order, meaning we don’t have much insight into what became of the New Republic after its leadership was lost. It’s possible that the New Republic still exists in the time of Star Wars: Starfighter, but we’d imagine it’s been greatly weakened. As it is, the Republic was already struggling prior to the rise of the First Order. As seen in the novel Star Wars: Bloodline, the New Republic government is eventually racked by conflict between Populists (who believe individual member planets should remain sovereign) and Centrists (who favor a stronger government and a larger military). That conflict may well carry over as the New Republic struggles to regroup and rebuild. It also remains to be seen if some remnants of the First Order still persist five years after Palpatine’s defeat. Certainly, it’s not as if the Empire was wiped away after the Battle of Endor. It took years of fighting until the Rebellion finally conquered the Empire, and even then, they had the Imperial Remnant and Grand Admiral Thrawn to worry about. We may find that some traces of the First Order remain and have rallied around a surviving figurehead following Supreme Leader Kylo Ren’s death.All of this is to say that there’s likely to be a power struggle in the galaxy during the era of Star Wars: Starfighter, leaving ample room for the sort of epic space battles fans have come to expect.“And that’s not even getting into the galaxy’s pirate problem. As seen in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, piracy is a real threat in the chaotic years after the Empire’s fall. As the New Republic struggles to establish a foothold, many pirates and smugglers take advantage of the lawlessness on the fringes of the galaxy. We have to assume that this problem has only grown in scope after The Force Awakens. All of this is to say that there’s likely to be a power struggle in the galaxy during the era of Star Wars: Starfighter, leaving ample room for the sort of epic space battles fans have come to expect. Gosling could be playing a New Republic pilot fighting to restore law and order to a chaotic galaxy. In that sense, Starfighter could potentially be a replacement for Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron movie. Gosling’s character could also be a homegrown defender of a world trying to defend itself without the Republic’s protection. For all we know, he could be an ex-First Order trooper like John Boyega’s Finn.Given that Starfighter is being billed as a standalone movie, we don’t necessarily see it being the one to establish the next overarching Rebels vs. Empire or Resistance vs. First Order-style conflict for the franchise. More likely, it’ll explore the lingering fallout of the conflict in The Rise of Skywalker, centering around a villain taking advantage of the current power vacuum in the galaxy.PlayRebuilding the Jedi OrderLuke Skywalker began the New Republic era with high hopes, seeking to rebuild the Jedi Order that Palpatine destroyed and mentor a new generation of Force-sensitive pupils. For a while, his plans worked. We see Luke building his new Jedi Temple in The Book of Boba Fett, and we know from various books and comics that Luke established a decent-sized school over the years. Unfortunately, it all went to hell when the Skywalker family curse struck. Corrupted by Supreme Leader Snoke/Palpatine and spurred on by Uncle Luke himself, Ben Solo lashed out and destroyed Luke’s temple, killing many students in the process. He then joined up with the Knights of Ren and became Kylo Ren, chief enforcer of Snoke’s First Order. His Jedi Order in shambles, Luke retreated to Ahch-To to live out the last of his days as a cranky, milk-guzzling hermit. So what’s become of the Jedi? Many died in Ben’s attack on the Temple, but we can’t imagine all of them were killed, any more than Order 66 successfully purged every last Clone Wars-era Jedi. There’s still the question of what’s up with Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano and if she’s alive and active during the Sequel era. Don't forget, her voice is heard among the Force ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, but Dave Filoni has also hinted that Ahsoka isn’t dead.We know that Daisy Ridley’s Rey Skywalker is setting out to rebuild the Jedi Order (again) and carry on Luke’s legacy. That’s going to be the focus of the New Jedi Order movie directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. However, that film is set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, putting it a full decade after the events of Starfighter. It remains to be seen whether Starfighter will address the current state of the Jedi at all. It may depend largely on whether Gosling’s character is Force-sensitive or not. If he is, we could see Ridley playing a small role in the film as Rey reaches out to this promising pilot. But if not, it may be that Starfighter is like Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story - the rare Star Wars film that mostly ignores the Jedi in favor of ordinary heroes.Are the Sith Still Around?Just as we’re waiting to see what the state of the Jedi Order is post-The Rise of Skywalker, there’s also the question of whether there are any Sith characters still active in the galaxy. That movie cemented Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine as the central villain of the entire Skywalker Saga, revealing he cheated his apparent death aboard the Death Star and was the secret hand pulling Supreme Leader Snoke’s strings. But with Palpatine dead and gone for real now (presumably), is there anything left of the Sith? Or did this ancient order finally die out along with him?If the classic Expanded Universe is any indication, Palpatine won’t be the last Sith Lord. The various Star Wars Legends novels chronicled many conflicts in the years and decades after Return of the Jedi. Meanwhile, Dark Horse’s Star Wars: Legacy comic dealt with the rise of Darth Krayt and his army of Sith loyalists more than a hundred years after the events of the movies. There are always those hungry for power and ready to be seduced by the Dark Side. This is definitely not the last time the galaxy will be threatened by a villain skilled in the ways of the Dark Side, whether or not they specifically call themselves Sith. As much as the Prequel movies hammer home the idea that the Sith follow the Rule of Two, the Clone Wars animated series showed us that Palpatine had multiple Dark Side rivals, including the Nightsisters of Dathomir and his former apprentice, Maul. It stands to reason that there are other players out there who might see an opportunity now that Palpatine is gone. Maybe he had another apprentice. Maybe there are surviving members of the Knights of Ren. Maybe another of Luke’s pupils has turned to the Dark Side. Again, though, the real question is whether Star Wars: Starfighter is going to dive into any of this. If Gosling isn’t playing a Jedi character, there may be no reason to touch on the current state of the Sith in Starfighter. We may have to wait for the New Jedi Order movie or Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars trilogy instead.PlayCould Poe Dameron or Other Sequel Trilogy Characters Return?Star Wars: Starfighter features a brand new lead character and is set in a period we haven’t seen in the movies or shows yet. It’s also a standalone movie, meaning we shouldn’t necessarily expect tons of familiar faces to show up and fight alongside or against Gosling’s character. Still, this is Star Wars. The movies rarely waste an opportunity to throw in cameos and callbacks. If we got a Darth Maul cameo of all things in Solo: A Star Wars Story, then surely someone from the Sequels is bound to show up in Starfighter, right?Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron seems like the most likely candidate. He’s probably the best pilot in the galaxy now that Han Solo is dead, and he’s a decorated hero who survived many run-ins with the First Order. We have to assume Poe has some part to play in rebuilding the galaxy and restoring the New Republic, meaning he’s in a great position to lend a helping hand in whatever predicament Gosling’s character finds himself.We could also see everyone’s favorite Wookiee making a return appearance. What is Chewbacca up to these days? Is he still Rey’s copilot, or have they parted ways now that she’s focused on rebuilding the Jedi? What if Gosling’s character, through a twist of fate, finds himself piloting the Millennium Falcon alongside Chewbacca? It would certainly be comforting to have that tether to the Skywalker Saga movies.There’s also room for Boyega to return as Finn, especially if the film specifically deals with a conflict involving remnants of the First Order. Finn was frustratingly underutilized in The Rise of Skywalker, but that film did hint that he’s become a bit of a folk hero to those Stormtroopers deserting their posts and rebelling against the First Order. Has Finn continued to seek out like-minded soldiers and help them overcome their conditioning like he did? What if Gosling’s character is one of those troopers?And then there’s Rey. As we’ve already discussed, whether or not she appears in Starfighter may largely depend on whether Gosling’s character is revealed to be a Jedi or not. Lucasfilm clearly has plans for Rey going forward, but Starfighter may not be part of those plans.Which surviving character from The Rise of Skywalker would you most like to see in Star Wars: Starfighter? Cast your vote in our poll and let us know in the comments below.For more on the future of the Star Wars franchise, find out why Lucasfilm needs to stop announcing movies and just make them, and brush up on every Star Wars movie and series in development. Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket byfollowing @jschedeen on BlueSky.

Courtesy Ralph LaurenOnly one man could swing into the heart of Milan with a confident American swagger: Ralph Lauren. At this most recent design week, that’s exactly what he did. At the Ralph Lauren Palazzo, he showcased the greatest hits of his home collections from over the years (think NYC penthouse to Jamaican retreat to English country estate) alongside a brand new one, Canyon Road. As the name implies, it’s an homage to Lauren’s beloved American West, with ranch-ready motifs throughout. Materials like hand-worked saddle leather, brass nails, and sturdy oak are included in such pieces as an impressive dining table and chair and wing-backed armchairs. A showstopping triple-tier chandelier is crafted from naturally-shed antlers. And an end table takes inspiration from traditional steamer trunks, complete with saddle-leather belt buckles. Courtesy Ralph LaurenRalph Lauren’s Canyon Road collection. The fabrics were made in collaboration with Polo Ralph Lauren Artist in Residence Naiomi Glasses and her brother Tyler. “The Canyon Road Collection speaks to my longtime love of the American West—the heroic beauty of its landscapes, its unique heritage and the Indigenous people who have been part of preserving its lands and traditions for centuries,” says Lauren. “Bringing the most authentic expression of the West to life means working with the artisans practicing these traditions and sharing their stories with the world.” This year marks the third time that Ralph Lauren has collaborated with Polo Ralph Lauren Artist in Residence Naiomi Glasses. This time, she recruited her brother, Tyler, and together with Lauren they created fabrics, floor coverings, bed linens, and even pewter entertaining accessories such as trays, napkin rings, and salt-and-pepper shakers. Courtesy Ralph LaurenThe Canyon Road fabrics, in a home office setting. The Glasses’ work includes neutral, red, black, and indigo tones, which reference Navajo traditional hues. The siblings were taught to weave by their grandmother, and they employ motifs that she also used, including horizontal diamonds and four-directional crosses. The latter signifies the four directions of the Earth, while the Spider Woman crosses, which appear on a blanket, throw pillow, and entertaining pieces, reference the creator and protector of the Navajo tradition. One pattern is even named Peppy’s Blanket after a family horse from the Glasses ranch, and features butterfly diamonds after an original saddle blanket by Tyler Glasses. “Navajo weaving is a craft that has carried on through my family for seven generations and preserving these traditions in new ways has been so inspiring to me as an artist,” said Glasses when first iteration of the collaboration was introduced. “To now be able to share it with people around the world, as seen through my eyes and brought to life, is a dream come true.”

Prototyping is an important stage in the development of a new app. And to make life even easier for developers, prototyping platform Play recently introduced Play to Xcode, which essentially turns mockups into real app projects. Prototype your apps with Play Play is a really cool platform for prototyping new app ideas. You can easily create interactive mockups to imagine how your app’s interface will look. The app has many of the core iOS interface elements, such as the date and time picker, buttons, text fields, sliders, and indicators. All you need to do is drag and drop them onto the canvas. Changing the aspects of elements such as size and color is also super easy. You can also easily add a WebView, MapView, or CameraView to your mockup. As you would expect from a prototyping platform, users can create interactions for their mockups, imagining what happens when someone touches or presses a button, for example. But the best part is Play to Xcode, a recently introduced feature that, as the name suggests, turns mockups into Xcode projects. It generates Swift code based on the elements you’ve chosen and even adds support for the right APIs such as for camera access, location services, gestures, and haptics. Play also integrates with popular third-party APIs such as Spotify and OpenAI. The final export package includes an Xcode project with a MainApp pre-configured to render your Play Designs using a single build-and-run command. It contains a custom Swift Package, available in UIKit or SwiftUI, that includes fonts, assets, colors, variables, Components and Pages saved in Play. Additionally, the package includes the PlaySDK, which enables your Play designs to be rendered as native code. I tried Play on my Mac and it’s really impressive to see a mockup being exported as an Xcode app project. Play can also be used to create live mockups through App Clips – as you probably saw in a recent iOS 19 concept we shared. Anyone can try Play for free. However, if you want to unlock unlimited projects and remove the watermark from prototypes, you need to opt for one of the paid tiers. More details can be found on the Play website. Gadgets I recommend: Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta just made a huge mistake.Or more accurately, a bunch of huge mistakes, which have drawn the wrath of lawyers for Meta's peers Apple, Google, and Snapchat.The issue is that during the latest phase of its massive antitrust trial, Meta lawyers presented slides revealing information it held about other companies. Though technically redacted, third party details compiled by Meta were accessible by anyone with the file — because the redactions were easily reversible.Luckily, the information revealed wasn't exactly nuclear secrets — one slide notes hat iPhone users prefer Apple's messaging app to Meta's, per The Verge — but the other companies' lawyers say that's not the point: it's that a company the size of Meta shouldn't be treating sensitive court documents, nevermind the entire proceedings, with such utter disregard.Snapchat's lawyer slammed Meta's "cavalier approach and casual disregard," according to The Verge, and questioned if Meta "would have applied meaningful redactions if it were its own information that was at stake." Counselors for Apple, meanwhile, implied they might not trust its internal documents with Meta going forward.Meta has previously been caught trying to leverage user data to spy on rival platform Snapchat, a strategy the company called "Operation Ghostbusters." It was also hit with a massive data breach back in 2019, leaking personal information from some 533 million Facebook users after attackers discovered a flaw in the platform's internal security.The company's most recent privacy debacle comes in the middle of a landmark antitrust case filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which argues that Meta has made a habit of buying out competitors like Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, and Oculus rather than competing with them in earnest.Among other things, the FTC is trying to prove that Meta's attempted purchase of Snapchat — a bid Snap rejected back in 2013, to Zuckerberg's dismay — represents a standard procedure for the social media giant.In a recent PR disclosure, Meta raged that the "FTC's weak case against Meta ignores reality," arguing that the company's social media rivals extend far beyond Snapchat, therefore its attempted purchase is no big deal."The evidence at trial will show what every 17-year-old in the world knows," Meta's report read, that "Instagram competes with TikTok (and YouTube and X and many other apps)."Meta's not alone in facing scrutiny for monopolistic practices.A federal judge recently sided with the Justice Department in a suit alleging that Google was operating a web advertising monopoly, a judgment that could shake up the web in a major way. The FTC is likewise taking Amazon to task on antitrust grounds, though that trial could be delayed now that DOGE has cancelled the leases on some trade commission offices.Share This Article

Data Solutions works with new customers to set up their data in Subscript and verify everything is correct!Exciting update: We just closed our Series A a couple months ago (see more details here). It's a really fun + empowering time to be joining our Subbie team!The basicsThe product ✨: We're building the premier metrics-first finance and billing platform that empowers B2B SaaS leaders to invoice their customers, tell their ARR story, and track accounting revenue, all in one place—regardless of how complex their customers' contracts areThe role you'll play on our team: You'll be the first point of contact for new customers after they've signed on to Subscript 🙌🏽, and will work with them through complex, data-intensive implementations 🤔. You'll hook our new customers up to their source data, help them clean and validate their data in Subscript, and help do the types of analysis that give them the most value 👍🏽.Over the course of each implementation, you'll work to get ARR metrics, invoices, and accounting revenue clean and complete, referencing clients' CRMs (e.g. Hubspot, Salesforce), general ledgers (e.g. Quickbooks, Xero), billing tools (e.g. Stripe, Maxio, Chargebee), and spreadsheets. The Subscript app acts as our de-facto ETL pipeline, but is highly customizable, which means working with an in-house transformation layer (built off of this NPM package) to configure our ingestion rules. You can expect to split your time across four main tools:1. Spreadsheets - Transforming and cleaning clients' past data to be ingested into Subscript, as well as validating results2. Internal configuration JSON files - The transformation rules described above, used for hooking up to external data sources3. SQL - To understand internal data, e.g. after ingestion4. Postman/APIs - To fetch and explore external data (e.g. Hubspot deals or Quickbooks invoices) that will be ingested into Subscript(Bonus) Python - This isn't strictly required, but we occasionally make use of Colab notebooks to do data fetching and/or transformation that would be too challenging via other methodsYou'll be the seventh member of the Data Solutions team, and will help define what the role becomes as we grow! You'll work closely with the whole company, including our co-founders Sidharth Kakkar and Michelle Lee. They formerly built and successfully exited a B2B SaaS company called Freckle Education, and this is their second start-up.We're a young company with a lean team (current under 30 people, but growing quickly!), so you'll have a huge say in how we shape and build all parts of our organization 👯‍♂️. You'll have a ton of autonomy in defining + iterating on best practices and processes to really help both our customers AND our teammates reach the moon!You'll not only work directly with the new clients you take on, but also support other team members as they encounter new challenges and could learn from your experience and insight.The way we work: We are an asynchronous 🕛 teamWe don't do scheduled internal meetings, so the vast majority of communication is available to anybody at any time in written documentation, whole-company Slack channels, and video documentation. If you're sick of pointless meetings, this is the place for you!Sounds a little nuts, right? But it works! And it's one of our secret sauces for why our team is so high-performing (and happy!). You can hear more about working in our Async culture in this podcast episode featuring our CEO.We operate completely autonomously 💃🏿No one will tell you what to do; everyone gets transparent context and details about the company goals and you will figure out how to work towards them with the rest of the team!This is a remote job 🌎 - work anywhere you wantAlthough we are fully remote and asynchronous internally, our clients are all over the world; you'll be taking live calls most days of the week with customers in California, Australia, or US-East, so a substantial overlap in your working hours is a must! You can expect to be working US-Pacific hoursWe're a team that loves working togetherWe love playing board games 🎲 (these we do synchronously 🙂). Full-time team members meet up multiple times per year for live off-sites around the world (expenses paid!)Our interview processWe like to be really transparent and communicative about everything at Subscript, including our interview process:Our interview process is designed to focus on your intuition with analytics, and your ability to communicate clearly (both written and in video calls). We default to asynchronous communication internally, so the majority of the interview process follows suite 🙂.The interview will focus around your ability to understand, support, and engage our awesome customers 🤝First, we'll ask you to work on spreadsheet task similar to the type of data work you'll be doing with our customers! As part of this simulation, you'll get a chance to ask clarification questions about the data 🔢. We'll then have a short live call to talk through your background, career goals, and working style, which will also offer you the chance to talk through questions you may have about the role, the product, the team, or whatever else is on your mind.The second asynchronous task will be a SQL exercise (postgres) to show your ability in working with databases. We'll provide the data and details on the required output, and you'll provide the query to get there.Next, you'll have a chance to show off your customer communication, as you prepare for and lead a live kick-off call with a brand new Subscript customer (who we will be taking on the role of for the purposes of the interview 🥸).Finally, you'll have a chance to meet and talk with one of our cofounders. This isn't graded or used in evaluation, but is an opportunity for you to go to know us better and answer any lingering questions you might have. It's important for us that our company and working style is a good fit for you and that you have everything you need to make the right decision.RequirementsOur ideal candidate loves data 🥰 (analyzing it, talking about it, advising our customers using it). You'll be acting as a key strategic advisor to our customers using that data!We're looking for...serious spreadsheet skillsexperience requesting and reading JSON data from APIs satisfaction in getting to perfectly clean dataSQL masteryfamiliarity with B2B SaaS business modelsability to work US-Pacific time5+ years relevant experienceWe're also happy to see (but don't require)...comfort in Pythonexperience with general ledgers used in SaaS finance (e.g. Quickbooks, Xero, and and Netsuite)exposure to CRM software (Hubspot and Salesforce)You're kind, empathetic, and communicative 😄. Both externally, as you'll be collaborating closely with customers, as well as internally, as you'll be supporting with the broader team in written docs 📄 + recorded videos.BenefitsUnlimited vacationFlexible work schedule - work anytime and anywhere you want (as long as you are available to work with clients during their business hours and join live calls with them)Benefits appropriate to your location (health/dental/vision in the USA)Company-wide retreats multiple times per year, all expenses paidLike all start-ups we're scrappy, but not scrappy on compensation: Subscript is committed to paying our awesome team members at market-rate, including benefits. Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Meet JobCopilot: Your Personal AI Job HunterAutomatically Apply to Remote All Other Remote JobsJust set your preferences and Job Copilot will do the rest-finding, filtering, and applying while you focus on what matters. Activate JobCopilot

The lifestyle legend quoted Katy Perry's song "Firework" as she shared video of her own 2007 zero-gravity flight.

April 17, 2025How the THC in Weed Affects Your BrainMost people know weed gets you high—but do you know how THC actually does it?Marijuana contains more than 500 active compounds. But most people focus on two: There’s cannabidiol, or CBD, which reduces inflammation.And then there’s THC, which is the main psychoactive component—it’s the reason weed gives you the relaxed and “euphoric” sensation of being high.THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s a compound that comes from the flowers of female cannabis plants, though there’s some in other parts of the plant, too.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.In raw cannabis, most THC is in the form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA. That means the molecules contain an extra acid group.THCA won’t get you high. But you convert THCA to THC by heating weed, vaporizing it or exposing it to sunlight.When you consume cannabis by smoking, vaping, dabbing or eating “edibles”, THC enters your bloodstream.From there, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to cannabinoid receptorsin brain regions that control memory, appetite, fear and motor control.The compound blocks short-term memory, altering your perception of time.It tells your brain you’re hungry, and makes food smell and taste better. It also triggers the release of dopamine, creating intense feelings of pleasure.Ancient Chinese and South Asian people used cannabis as medicine for thousands of years.Ancient Romans used it to cure earaches. In Africa, it was used to alleviate childbirth pain and treat malaria.The plant was also used to make paper in China and the Middle East, and Muslims introduced the process to Europe.Over several centuries, this led to two different versions of the same plant: one that was bred for high THC and one that was bred for industrial purposes.In the 1830s Irish doctor William O'Shaughnessy learned about medicinal cannabis while teaching in India.O'Shaughnessy started using it to treat muscle spasms and cholera, and he reported his success to Western researchers who quickly began using it on everything from coughing to pain to gonorrhea.By the early 1900s, Americans were familiar with cannabis.But in the mid-1800s, the Mexican press started reporting on “marihuana” (spelled with an “h” or a “g”), a drug that was allegedly making people become mentally ill and violent.It’s unclear what actually caused the highly publicized incidents.But Mexico outlawed the drug in 1920. In the U.S. Congress followed suit, effectively making marihuana illegal in 1937 by imposing huge taxes on it, and states criminalized selling or possessing it.In 1970 the Controlled Substances Act designated “marijuana” (which had come to be spelled with a “j” in the U.S.) as a Schedule I illegal drug, alongside heroin.That designation has always been controversial.As early as 1972, experts recommended decriminalizing marijuana based on new studies that showed it wasn’t addictive, harmful or a stepping stone to worse drugs.But President Richard Nixon refused.THC does have some risks.As a psychoactive compound, high doses of THC can fuel panic attacks and paranoid thoughts.It can worsen mental health issues for people with a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia. And because THC impairs motor function, driving while high is dangerous.But for most people, a moderate amount of THC is safe and often helpful. It can relieve nausea.It can also help with anxiety, insomnia, pain, and muscle spasms, though CBD is more effective for some of those issues.There’s a lot we still don’t know about weed, though, because of restrictions on studying it.Starting in 1974, to study marijuana, researchers had to obtain it through the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, which has mostly supported studies focused on the drug’s harms.Also, NIDA’s marijuana is low in THC and often low-quality, making it ineffective for studying what’s actually on the market.But we’re about to get much more research on the drug.In 2022 President Joe Biden signed a bill allowing more institutions and private companies to grow and handle cannabis for research purposes.Among the things scientists hope to study are different types of THC.While they’ve historically focused on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, isomers of the compound have recently started hitting the market—essentially, these are versions of THC with subtle differences in their chemical structures.Delta-8-THC and delta-10-THC, for instance, are milder cannabinoids found in hemp cannabis. But research on them is very preliminary, and some states have already taken moves to ban them.Researchers hope that fewer restrictions will allow them to bring science on marijuana up to speed with the way people are actually using it.And it should give us all a much better idea of THC’s specific medical benefits—and how to find more applications for its use.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner (jot the date May 11 down somewhere!), which means it’s time to start thinking about the best Mother’s Day gifts. Turns out that personal, thoughtful gifts can be hard to select year in, year out—so we’re coming through with some keepsake-level inspiration. There’s something for everyone on this list—not just mothers, but mothers-in-law, grandmothers, and anyone who has had a hand (and heart) in bringing you up.Ahead, discover our perfect Mother’s Day gifts for every type of mom, including design-forward decor, luxurious linens, delicious fragrances, accents for the outdoors, and even a few last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas (After all, a gift box goes a long way).Our Top Picks for the Best Mother’s Day Gifts:Best Decor Gift: Napping Brown Tabby Poster by Lara Lee Meintjes, $10Best Kitchen & Tabletop Gift: SMEG 50's Style Retro Blender, $300Best Fashion & Beauty Gift: Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eyemask, $22Best Outdoor & Gardening Gift: Solo Stove Bonfire, $250Shop By Category:DecorNapping Brown Tabby Poster by Lara Lee MeintjesIf mom’s favorite child is four-legged and furry, this stylish art print of a sweet cat nap will surely be beloved.The Citizenry Marisol Alpaca ThrowEncourage mom to kick her feet up with a luxe, two-toned alpaca blanket that’s as much a pleasure to display as it is to curl up under.Urband Stems Orchid GardenTrade a traditional Mother’s Day gift bouquet for a miniature garden, featuring fuchsia orchids in a wide ceramic vessel. Looking to spoil her further? Urban Stems offers the option to add a little something extra to each delivery: Supplementary gift ideas include chocolate, bath salts, a scented candle, and more.West Elm Donut Trinket TrayOften, the best Mother’s Day gifts represent a blend of beauty and practicality. Case in point: a hand-polished marble catchall offers busy moms a way to keep items that are easily lost—think keys, jewelry, or ear buds—in one impressively chic place.FAZEEK Orange Pearl PlatterA great gift for the consummate host, this statement-making platter brings a plentiful helping of pizzazz—yes, those are tiny, handcrafted glass pearls—to the table.Bollenglass Hand-Blown Glass Large JugChances are, mom doesn’t need another reusable water bottle, so why not elevate her hydration routine with this borosilicate glass pitcher instead? With its whimsical handle and sea glass green hue, it’s a guaranteed mood-booster that’s centerpiece-worthy to boot.AERIN Wave Gallery FrameYou can never go wrong with a gorgeous photo frame and a cherished picture of kids or grandkids.Pickled Stamps Personalized Book EmbosserFor the mom who’s been feeding you book recommendations since you learned to read, a personalized library stamp makes an incredibly thoughtful present. This is one of Etsy’s bestsellers; you can customize the design, name, and choose from an embosser or an ink stamp.Personalized Vintage Hotel Cards by Morgan KendallDoes mom love chic stationery? Give her desk a five-star upgrade with a custom set inspired by vintage hotel cards. Designed by artist Morgan Kendall, this gift can be personalized with your choice of color, format, and silhouette.Kitchen, Table, and TechSMEG 50's Style Retro BlenderHere's a beauty of a blender with a retro-inspired look that’s stylish enough to leave out on the countertop all the time. It’ll be able to whip up mom's favorite summer beverages like fruit-filled smoothies and frozen margaritas.Osulloc Premium Matcha PowderMake mom a personalized gift basket featuring a few of her favorite things: a new bottle of her favorite perfume, some cozy slippers, and a couple canisters of her favorite matcha.Brightland The Artist CapsuleThere are two gift opportunities here: If she loves cooking, she’ll be really into this gift set. If she wishes you cooked more often, she’ll love that you bought this, made dinner, and treated her to some next-level olive oil.Anthropologie Robin Bottle HolderWine storage or a work of art? This handcrafted marble bottle holder functions beautifully as both—and makes a unique gift for oenophiles, who will appreciate that the entire piece can be chilled to keep selected vintages cold.Nankei Pottery Kyusu TeapotBig enough for serving up five cups of tea, this beautiful tool can be the beginning of a beautiful ritual: morning tea with Mom.Our Place Always PanThe Always pan is a great gift—just ask our readers: It’s one of the top products purchased year after year on Architectural Digest. The do-it-all pan is designed to replace eight pieces of cookware and comes with a stainless steel steamer basket and spatula. It’s even got a spoon rest. Plus the space-saving wonder is available in more than 10 colors, so you can get Mom’s favorite shade.Diptyque Baies Classic CandleDiptyque’s candles are the epitome of luxury (and they take a top spot on our best candles list). We spotted the brand’s Ambre candle in Nina Dobrev’s home a while back, but we think Baies is a classic scent she can enjoy while soaking in the tub or binging her favorite series.Apple AirTagThis is one of our favorite gadgets. Attach it to your key ring, purse, wallet, etc., and then you can find it instantly with your iPhone or iPad. It’s a particularly perfect gift for new moms who have a ton on their plate and might find themselves misplacing their keys from time to time!Anthropologie Annie MugSometimes the most thoughtful present is an incredibly practical gift. Help Mama caffeinate by upgrading her travel-mug situation. Anthropologie's Annie mug quite literally screams mom (but in a subtle way) with a textured feel that is meant to resemble cross-stitch.Pottery & Poetry Cake StandShe’ll be proud to display her confections on this hand-glazed beauty. When it’s not in use, she can keep it on the table as a centerpiece.iRobot Roomba 692 Robot VacuumThis is a gift that will keep on giving. Save your mom the hassle of vacuuming with a handy dandy robo vac that will leave all her surfaces dirt- and debris-free.Goldbelly Dubai Chocolate Mille Crêpes CakeDoes your mother or mother-in-law have a sweet tooth? Then she’ll absolutely love this dessert that reimagines the viral Dubai chocolate bar as a decadent crepe cake. Just don’t forget to order some vanilla ice cream for a perfect pairing!Fashion & BeautyBrooklinen Mulberry Silk EyemaskA silk sleep mask can help keep crow’s feet away with their frictionless surface, and will help her avoid bedhead in the morning. This one’s a favorite of our commerce editor Audrey Lee, who appreciates its cooling, breathable feel. “I always keep one rolled up in my travel kit for flights and it doesn’t irritate my skin like others have in the past,” says Lee.Byredo Tulipmania Hand LotionA longer-lasting alternative to flowers, this decadent hand cream from perennially cool brand Byredo pays homage to the seductive appeal of springtime blooms.Omnilux Contour FaceIf Mom loves taking the time for skin-care and facial appointments, give the gift of a high-tech skin-care tool that will have her feeling A++. This flexible LED treatment mask delivers a boost in just 10 minutes.Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush StickIf some of her make up is running low, Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to stock mom up on her everyday glam—like this compact blush from Westman Atelier that also doubles as her lipstick.Adidas SL 72 OG ShoesA cool pair of sneakers will help mom take on her errand list with style. We like that this specific colorway reminds us of pistachio ice cream, though it’s available in 25 options across the board—one of which she’s bound to love.Yield Sandalwood IncenseA set of bright, botanical-inspired incense sticks will keep mom’s home feeling like her sacred space. Throw in one of the brand’s minimalist glass incense holders for two gifts in one.

A TikTok video featuring a ChatGPT response has gone viral after it declared President Donald Trump's reported physical results "virtually impossible," and compared them to those of elite-level bodybuilders.In a viral TikTok video posted by @coughbuddy, ChatGPT is shown analyzing Trump's alleged physical stats—specifically, a 215-pound weight at 6'3"—and responding that such figures are "virtually impossible" for someone of his build and age."That combination creates a bit of a biological paradox: a sedentary 78-year-old man with average age-related muscle loss and 4.8% body fat is virtually impossible," ChatGPT's response read.The TikTok user was prompted to ask ChatGPT about his results after the AI program provided an image of a muscular man when asked to create a "physical image" based on Trump's numbers. @coughbuddyReplying to @Psygonic ♬ sonido original - 𒉭Un usuario oscuro𒉭 The AI assistant noted that those proportions are "usually only seen in elite bodybuilders at peak conditioning," prompting a wave of skepticism and humor online.Trump's physical fitness and medical records have often been a source of public speculation. The president underwent his latest physical on April 11, sparking rumors and ridicule after users questioned some results. Aside from Trump's fat percentage and weight, the president's height particularly drew questions online after Trump reportedly grew an inch.© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Tags: ChatGPT, AI, Donald Trump, Social media, TikTok, Viral