Google says it has updated Gemini to better direct users to get mental health resources during moments of crisis. The change comes as the tech giant faces a wrongful death lawsuit alleging its chatbot “coached” a man to die by suicide, the latest in a string of lawsuits alleging tangible harm from AI products.

When a conversation indicates a user is in a potential crisis related to suicide or self-harm, Gemini already launches a “Help is available” module that directs users to mental health crisis resources, like a suicide hotline or crisis text line. Google says the update — really more of a redesign — will streamline this into a “one-touch” interface that will make it easier for users to get help quickly.

The help module also contains more empathetic responses designed “to encourage people to seek help,” Google says. Once activated, “the option to reach out for professional help will remain clearly available” for the remainder of the conversation.

Google says it engaged with clinical experts for the redesign and is committed to supporting users in crisis. It also announced $30 million in funding globally over the next three years “to help global hotlines.”

Like other leading chatbot providers, Google stressed that Gemini “is not a substitute for professional clinical care, therapy, or crisis support,” but acknowledged many people are using it for health information, including during moments of crisis.

The update comes amid broader scrutiny over how adequate the industry’s safeguards actually are. Reports and investigations, including our probe into the provision of crisis resources, frequently flag cases where chatbots fail vulnerable users, by helping them hide eating disorders or plan shootings. Google often fares better than many rivals in these tests, but is not perfect. Other AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have also taken steps to improve their detection and support of vulnerable users.

If your office cranks up the AC on a hot afternoon, you are part of a much bigger story. Energy demand is climbing fast. Data centers and AI systems are using more electricity than ever. At the same time, extreme weather is putting added stress on the grid. That pressure has utilities looking for relief in an unexpected place. Not a new plant. Not a massive battery installation. Instead, they are turning to buildings that already exist. A Seattle startup called Edo is betting your office can help keep the lights on.

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A BASIC MONTHLY BILL AMERICANS CAN’T DODGE IS BECOMING A MIDTERM FLASH POINT
 

What is a virtual power plant?

A virtual power plant, often called a VPP, connects many buildings and devices so they can act like one coordinated energy resource. Instead of generating new electricity, these systems adjust when and how energy gets used.

Here is the idea in plain terms. When demand spikes, a building can temporarily reduce non-essential power use. That might mean cooling a space earlier in the day or delaying equipment that does not need to run right away. Across thousands of buildings, those small shifts add up quickly.

How Edo turns buildings into grid assets

Edo focuses on commercial buildings, which make up a large share of U.S. electricity use. The company installs technology that connects to existing building systems like HVAC, batteries, solar and EV charging. It links these systems through standard communication protocols and manages them from a central platform. That allows everything to work together instead of operating in silos. Edo then maps out where energy is being used and when. From there, building operators get a clearer picture of what can be adjusted without disrupting daily operations.

For example:

• Pre-cooling or pre-heating before peak pricing kicks in
• Charging electric vehicles when electricity is cheaper
• Shifting flexible tasks to off-peak hours
• Sending stored solar energy back to the grid

These changes happen with coordination, not guesswork. Utilities can then tap into that flexibility when demand spikes.

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Why utilities are paying attention now

This approach solves a real problem. When demand surges, utilities usually face tough choices. They can build new power plants, install large-scale batteries or reduce power through blackouts. All of those options come with high costs or major disruptions. Virtual power plants offer another path. They reduce strain on the grid without building new infrastructure. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, VPPs could provide up to 160 gigawatts of flexible capacity by 2030 if adoption ramps up.

The shift from niche idea to mainstream solution

Virtual power plants have been around for years, mostly in residential settings. Companies like Tesla, Sunrun and EnergyHub already connect home batteries and smart devices.

At the same time, firms like Voltus and CPower Energy focus on large industrial users. Commercial buildings, however, have been largely overlooked. That is where Edo sees opportunity.

Why this matters as AI demand grows

AI is not just a software story. It is an energy story. Massive data centers require huge amounts of electricity. As more companies adopt AI tools, demand will continue to rise.

That makes flexible energy strategies more important than ever. Instead of racing to build new plants, utilities are rethinking how existing power gets used. Virtual power plants are becoming part of that solution.

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OIL CEO URGES NEWSOM TO DO THE ‘MATH’ AS CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR VOWS TO STOP OFFSHORE DRILLING
 

Kurt’s key takeaways

Office buildings are already being used to support the grid. Companies like Edo are working with thousands of properties to adjust energy use in real time when demand spikes. What makes this shift important is how quickly it can scale. Instead of waiting years for new infrastructure, utilities can tap into systems that already exist. As AI demand grows and energy pressure builds, that flexibility could become one of the most practical tools available.

As AI drives up electricity demand, who should take the lead in keeping the grid stable: utilities or the companies using the most power? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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You get a text message. It says Amazon is hiring. The pay sounds great. The work is easy. It feels like a lucky break. Then you read it again. That is when things start to feel off, and you realize it could be a scam. Let’s break down the exact text message scammers are sending and call out every red flag so you know what to watch for next time.

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YOUTUBE JOB SCAM TEXT: HOW TO SPOT IT FAST
 

The biggest red flags in this Amazon job text

Here is what stands out right away in this message.

1) It starts with a generic greeting

The message opens with “Hi” and does not include your name. Legitimate recruiters usually personalize outreach, especially for a job opportunity. A generic greeting suggests this message was sent to many people at once.

2) You did not apply for this job

The message shows up out of nowhere, which should immediately raise concern. In this case, there was no application submitted and no prior contact with a recruiter. Because of that, the outreach feels unexpected and unverified. Legitimate companies do not randomly text people with job offers, especially without any previous interaction.

3) The sender does not match the company

The message comes from a random Hotmail email address, not an official Amazon domain. Real recruiters from Amazon use corporate email accounts tied to Amazon. They do not text you from a generic email or personal number. That alone should stop you in your tracks.

4) The job offer is vague

The role description sounds broad and generic. “Supporting Amazon sellers” and “online tasks” could mean anything. There are no clear responsibilities, no team, no department. Scammers keep things vague on purpose. It helps them reach more people.

5) The pay makes no sense

The message promises $100 to $600 per day for about an hour of work. That is not how legitimate jobs work. When you see high pay for very little effort, that is often bait designed to pull you in fast.

6) The numbers do not add up

It mentions a base pay of $1,000 for every four working days. That conflicts with the daily rate listed earlier. Inconsistent details are a common scam signal. Real job offers are clear and consistent.

7) They push you to respond quickly

The message asks you to text “Interested” to a phone number instead of applying through a formal process. There is no application, no interview and no verification. Because of that, the urgency is intentional and designed to get a fast response before you have time to think it through.

8) The phone number looks unusual or international

The message tells you to text a number like +14482009251. At first glance, it may look like a U.S. number because of the +1 country code. But scammers often use internet-based numbers that can be routed from anywhere. Legitimate recruiters rarely ask you to move a job conversation to a random phone number. If the number feels off, trust that instinct. 

9) The age requirement is unusual

It says, “If you are 25 or older.” That is not a standard hiring requirement for most roles. Random restrictions like this are another sign that something is off.

10) No official hiring process

There is no mention of:

• A job listing
• A company’s careers page
• A recruiter profile
• An interview

Legitimate companies follow structured hiring steps. They do not skip straight to texting.

SSA IMPERSONATION SCAMS ARE GETTING MORE PERSONAL
 

Why this scam works so well

These messages hit a sweet spot for many people. They promise flexible work while also offering remote roles and quick income. As a result, that combination is hard to ignore, especially if you are job hunting. Because of this, scammers design messages that feel like an opportunity rather than a risk.

What this means to you

You are likely to see more messages like this. Job scams have moved from email to text because people respond faster on their phones. That means you need to slow down and question anything that feels too easy or too good. A real opportunity will still be there tomorrow. A scam depends on speed.

We reached out to Amazon about this text message scam, and a spokesperson told us:

“Scammers that attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk. We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.”

Ways to stay safe from job text scams

Start with a quick gut check. Then take these steps. 

1) Verify the company directly

Go to the official website of Amazon and check their careers page. If the job is real, it will be listed there. 

2) Do not respond to unknown job texts

Instead, ignore the message completely. Do not text back, click any links or call the number. Even a quick reply can confirm your number is active, which may lead to more scam attempts.

3) Remove your data from broker sites

Scammers often find your number through data broker websites that collect and sell personal information. Using a trusted data removal service can help reduce your exposure by removing your information from hundreds of these sites and lowering the chances of being targeted. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

4) Use strong antivirus protection

If a scam message leads you to a link, your device could be exposed. Strong antivirus software helps block malicious downloads before they cause harm. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

5) Watch for unrealistic pay

High pay for minimal work is one of the biggest warning signs. If it sounds easy, assume there is a catch.

TECH GIANTS UNITE TO FIGHT ONLINE SCAMS
 

6) Check the sender carefully

Look at the email or phone number. If it is not tied to the company, treat it as suspicious.

7) Protect your personal information

Never share sensitive details like your Social Security number, banking information or ID through text. Real employers use secure systems, not text messages. 

8) Delete and report the message

After you spot the red flags, delete the message right away. In addition, use your phone’s “Report Spam” option to flag it. This helps your carrier and messaging apps identify similar scams and block them for others. Also, Amazon recommends visiting its help pages to find additional information on how to identify scams and report them at amazon.com/ReportAScam.

Kurt’s key takeaways

At first, the message looks polished. It uses a name and references a well-known company while laying out pay and benefits. However, once you slow down, the problems become clear. For example, the greeting is generic, and you never applied. In addition, the sender does not match the company, and the phone number feels off. On top of that, the pay is unrealistic, and the hiring process is missing entirely. This is how most scams work. They depend on speed instead of accuracy.

Have you ever received a job text like this, and what tipped you off that it was a scam? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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