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Matt Levin

Senior Reporter

SHORT BIO

Matt covers AI for Marketplace, where he tries to be as polite as he can to every chatbot he meets … because, well, he’s seen sci-fi movies. Matt also covers some crypto and housing, with a taste for stories that make you say: "huh, that's kinda weird.”

Before joining Marketplace Matt was a data and housing reporter for CalMatters, focused on California politics and policy. Before that he was a statistics jockey for a think tank, focused on poverty and inequality. And long before that Matt was a really terrible teenage cashier for Toys R Us.

Matt’s previous honors include awards from the Online News Association and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and SPJ awards.

Latest Stories (301)

How a weak Japanese yen affects the U.S. economy

by Matt Levin
Mar 27, 2024
Japanese autos have not dropped in price and U.S. exports now become more expensive.
Until recently, Japan’s central bank has kept interest rates low to spur growth.
Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images
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Should the U.S. raise the retirement age?

by Matt Levin
Mar 26, 2024
Larry Fink, head of the largest money manager in the world, suggested in an investor letter that the retirement age should be higher because of longer life expectancies. But is that realistic?
Larry Fink, the head of BlackRock — the largest money lender in the world — suggested in an investor letter Monday that we should maybe consider pushing up the retirement age.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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First stop on the road to regulating AI? Finding humans to do the job.

by Matt Levin
Mar 25, 2024
Passing AI regulations wasn't easy for the EU. Finding people to enforce it may be even harder.
Because generative AI is so young, there isn’t a huge talent pool for regulatory offices to draw from. And big tech companies can pay way more than governments.
Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images
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How the Realtors' legal settlement could change the buyer-agent relationship

by Matt Levin
Mar 18, 2024
More agents might start charging buyers hourly rates or working on retainer.
In the traditional model, home sellers pay the buyer’s agent. The NAR settlement could mean more buyers directly paying their Realtors.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Need to get a grip on AI? There are classes for that.

by Matt Levin
Mar 14, 2024
"In 2023, someone enrolled on Coursera in [generative] AI content every minute," the company's chief content officer says.
Jules White, an AI instructor with Coursera, says most of his courses are designed to get users excited about how to amplify their own creativity with AI, not just how to automate tedious tasks.
Josep Lago/AFP via Getty Images
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How independent are Fed officials from the politicians who appoint them?

by Matt Levin
Mar 6, 2024
Biden has mostly shied away from publicly criticizing the Fed chair, while Trump tweeted about the Fed hundreds of times while in office.
It’s a mistake to think the Federal Reserve is completely immune from politics, says Sarah Binder at George Washington University. Above, Fed Chair Jerome Powell testifies at a House Financial Services Committee hearing.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
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The art of the private label brand

by Matt Levin
Mar 5, 2024
And why Target considers them key to keeping customers spending.
Private label sales reached an all-time high in 2023. Target has over 45 of its own private label brands.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Bitcoin devotees are rejoicing after the latest crypto thaw

by Matt Levin
Mar 1, 2024
The cryptocurrency's price is up about 40 percent this year, inching closer to its pandemic-era high of nearly $69,000 per coin, and vindicating those who held on through recent lows.
Chesnot/Getty Images
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Are we finished with starter homes?

by Matt Levin and Amy Scott
Feb 27, 2024
A staple of the American housing market, starter homes still exist. But these lower-priced residences look different and cost more now.
Starter homes are characterized by their lower cost, smaller scale and fun-size trappings, like a dining alcove instead of a dining room.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Inflation falls, but not as much as expected

by Matt Levin
Feb 13, 2024
The CPI rose 3.1% in January compared to a year ago.
A major factor in core inflation is shelter costs. But the way the CPI calculates rent lags a bit behind current rent prices.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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