On today's show, we're lifting the veil on a little-known profession in the legal field: private judges. These are judges that businesses or individuals resort to when traditional courts are too slow, too expensive, or too time-consuming. But first, AI is helping out with our holiday shopping. Adobe Analytics says traffic to retail websites that originated from AI tools like chatbots was up 805% compared to last year.

Despite wavering confidence, Adobe says consumer spending broke records on Black Friday, clocking in at more than $11 billion. Shoppers were enticed by bargains, buying up TVs, computers, clothes, furniture, and toys. And Salesforce expects Cyber Week sales to also hit an all-time high of $78 billion. Also: signs of a continuously struggling housing market and, from Marketplace's "How We Survive," a look at how solar power can aid agriculture.

From the BBC World Service: Factories in China have long been an engine of economic growth, so it's worrying for leaders in Beijing that a new survey shows activity unexpectedly contracted in November. It's the eighth straight month that production has shrunk. What's it telling us about the world's second biggest economy? And later, Iran is experiencing an unprecedented drought, with rainfall at record lows and reservoirs nearly empty. Officials are pleading with citizens to conserve water.

But for years now, Russia has gotten around some of these sanctions through its so-called "shadow fleet" — unidentified tankers sailing with no flag or fake flags. These boats are also often uninsured, and European naval officials say the shadow fleet is growing. Are the rules of the sea now in rough waters? Also on the program: frank reflections on the uneasiness that can come with interacting with AI slop.

Black Friday still brings more shoppers into stores than any other day of the year. For many, it’s the official kick-off to the holiday shopping season. And while Black Friday may be dominated by the Targets and Walmarts of the world, millions of shoppers will go to mom-and-pop retailers on Small Business Saturday. We'll preview this weekend's retail extravaganza. Also, Social Security benefits can act as a financial buoy for the children and spouses of deceased individuals.

From the BBC World Service: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has struck a deal for a 700-mile pipeline carrying 1 million barrels of oil a day to Canada's West Coast in an attempt to pivot away from reliance on the U.S. economy. The project is likely to face multiple legal challenges, however. Plus, Kenyan farmers have won a case over food sovereignty and a Russian "shadow fleet" is suspected of covertly generating billions for Moscow.

It's been almost three years since ChatGPT went live to the world, and it quickly became a helper or shortcut for students. (Ora tool to cheat.) Like it or not, artificial intelligence is with us. Today, we hear the story of one educator who's trying to prepare her students to use AI responsibly. Plus, professional soccer in Britain has long attracted foreign investment — increasingly from folks Stateside. We'll learn how Americans' involvement is shaping the game.

Can a new CEO help turn things around? It’s a rocky time for regional theme parks that aren’t major travel destinations, as they compete for visitors and their discretionary income. Six Flags is hoping new CEO John Reilly, a veteran theme park operator, will help boost ticket sales and revenue. Plus, the future of the CDFI fund and community lender support remains uncertain, and we hear how Social Security offers a lifeline to some grandparents raising grandkids.

From the BBC World Service: The U.K. government's economic outlook response document was accidentally published a half hour early on Wednesday, before Finance Minister Rachel Reeves began her 2025 budget speech. Reeves set out a string of tax hikes, which will bring the country's tax take to an all-time high of 38% of GDP in the coming years. Plus, we take a look at why U.S. investors have soccer in their sights.

New research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland finds that earning a college degree can still help you keep a job and get higher wages, but it’s less of an advantage than it used to be. The unemployment gap between college graduates and those with just a high school diploma is narrowing. Also: a handful of stocks driving economic growth, a potential trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan, and life as a 67-year-old retiree.