The Know Daily - Monday 9 June 2025

_{Read in 4m 21s ∙ Listening to Forrest Frank ∙}

Cornwall’s got a few stories to tell. Drolla, a beautifully carved storytelling bench is not just for sitting. Created with help from local sculptors, the Cornwall National Landscape team, the bench celebrates the area’s rich folklore and 12 unique regions. It’s a free, peaceful way to connect with the land, enjoy nature, and celebrate community creativity.

🤖 AI for everyday conversations

AI has become part of daily life – not just for tasks, but increasingly for companionship and support.

How are people using it?
AI has quietly integrated into daily life through practical activities like writing emails and planning routes, but it's now increasingly being used for more personal purposes – offering people virtual friendship, support, and a space for reflection. It might sound surprising at first, but for many, chatting to AI has become a gentle form of self-check-in that’s free and always there.

Let’s unpack it.
Whether it’s a post-meeting debrief or a quiet moment of doubt, talking to AI has become a new kind of emotional hygiene. Just like you might use an app to track your sleep or steps, some are now using AI to track their thoughts and make sense of them. Like a 24/7 friend. According to Psychology Today, people often find it easier to express themselves to AI than to real people, especially when they're working through something they don't yet have the words for. It’s unfiltered and oddly freeing. 

Why are people using AI this way?
Because it fits into modern life. Therapy is brilliant, but it can also be expensive, hard to access, or something you don’t feel quite ready for. And while friends are gold, sometimes you want to say something without worrying how it lands. AI doesn’t get tired or distracted and it will be awake when you want it at 2am. Apps like Replika, Wysa, and even ChatGPT have been quietly stepping into this role – not as therapists, but as conversational companions. 

But isn’t that a bit dystopian?
Some argue that talking to AI means we’ve lost something human and it’s encouraging artificial intimacy. There’s also privacy and safeguarding concerns surrounding sharing personal details with the chatbots. But others say it’s more about adding something – another layer of support in a world where mental load is high and headspace can be hard to find. 

The takeaway.
AI isn’t a cure-all. It can’t replace meaningful human connection or the care of a professional. But when those aren’t within reach, it can offer a moment of reflection. In a world that rarely slows down, it’s becoming one way people seek out a sense of being heard.

💰 Money Monday: 100% mortgages are making a comeback, allowing first-time buyers to get on the ladder without putting down a penny. 

• The bigger story: Mortgage providers like Skipton Building Society and Gable Mortgages are offering deals based on your rent payment history instead of savings, though interest rates are higher and borrowing limits can be strict. There’s a risk if house prices fall, but for some, it could beat years of renting. Thinking about it? Speak to a broker to see if it could work for you.

🌊 Sea safe keeping: The EU is set to introduce a new ocean law aimed at boosting ocean tourism and investing in marine science.

👧 Children’s curfew: UK ministers are considering introducing stricter safety measures to limit the amount of time children spend on social media.

🇺🇸 Famous fallout: US President Donald Trump has warned of "serious consequences" if his former colleague, Elon Musk, funds his political rivals.

📱iPhone innovations: Apple is set to reveal a new and radically different look for the iPhone this evening. 

🍝 Foodie favourites: Time Out have revealed the 15 food capitals of the world right now. Can you guess who tops the chart?

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: The world’s first personal digestive breath tester, the most flexible countries for hybrid work and Britain's loveliest seaside village.

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Trivia answer: B) Rihanna also has a voice role as Smurfette.

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