With the astonishing advances in AI in the last three years, it might be a good time to reassess the importance of the human touch in customer service. I am amazed at what the latest wave of generative AI can do, on top of the tremendous advances we’ve been living with for a while already. A new horizon is coming into view of infinite ways to apply these new technologies. People are discovering ways to combine them with other technologies that already exist or are now being developed. We are only at the beginning of learning what works and what doesn’t. Nearly any repetitive task can be automated. But some customer relations functions are better performed by people.

All computer tasks are part of larger systems…

If your travel plans include venturing across state borders or collecting passport stamps, it’s essential to know what your health insurance will cover while you’re far from home. Facing an illness or injury abroad can be more than just unpleasant—it could lead to hefty out-of-pocket costs, even if you're enrolled in Medicare. Many standard health insurance policies also do not cover international travel.

Medicare isn’t universally accepted outside the United States, and coverage can vary domestically as well. The extent of your coverage depends on your Medicare configuration: whether you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), plus Part D, or a Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) policy, or perhaps a Medicare Advantage plan. Almost certainly, purchasing extra supplementary coverage like travel insurance is a wise course…