The Latest News in AI's Evolution: 6 Recent Stories or Announcements You Need to Stay Up To Date...

Like every week, there has been a torrent of AI news, reflecting the rapid progress and growing implications of this transformative technology. While many updates represent incremental advancements, some developments carry profound future implications, and a few are simply downright bizarre and amusing.

The AI Landscape's Overwhelming Complexity

An infographic from First Mark Capital vividly illustrates the staggering complexity of the current AI landscape. Dubbed the "2024 ML/AI/Data Landscape," the image depicts the sheer number of companies involved in this space, encompassing both established giants and numerous smaller players. This visual representation serves as a stark reminder of just how monumental and widespread the AI revolution has become.

Microsoft and OpenAI's Ambitious Data Center Plans

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Microsoft and OpenAI are planning a $100 billion data center project, which would be a staggering 100 times more costly than some of the largest existing data centers. The proposed facility would house an artificial intelligence supercomputer dubbed "Stargate." If realized, this endeavor could propel OpenAI and Microsoft to an unprecedented lead, making it challenging for other companies or open-source models to catch up.

OpenAI's Synthetic Voice Capabilities

OpenAI has unveiled its ability to generate realistic synthetic voices from a single 15-second audio sample. The quality of these AI-generated voices surpasses even the impressive capabilities of tools like Elevenlabs. However, while showcasing this remarkable feat, OpenAI has refrained from making the technology publicly available due to potential misuse concerns. The company is advocating for measures to protect individuals' voices, educate the public about AI-generated content, and develop techniques to track the origin of audiovisual media.

Advancements in AI Art and Music Generation

Several developments in AI-powered art and music generation have emerged. OpenAI has introduced an inpainting feature for its DALL-E model, allowing users to selectively modify specific areas of generated images. Stability AI has unveiled Stable Audio 2.0, enabling the generation of three-minute songs and audio-to-audio generation based on hummed or instrument sounds. However, the quality of AI-generated music remains a subject of debate, with a group of musicians, including Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, signing a letter expressing concerns about the irresponsible use of AI in music.

Anthropic's Research and Apple's AI Ambitions

Anthropic researchers have discovered that repeatedly asking harmless questions to large language models can eventually lead them to provide potentially harmful information, a phenomenon they are actively investigating. Meanwhile, Apple appears to be deepening its involvement in AI, revealing the "Realm" language model designed to enhance voice assistants like Siri by improving context understanding and reference resolution.

Ethical Concerns and Regulatory Developments

Ethical and regulatory issues surrounding AI continue to surface. A court in Washington has banned the use of AI-enhanced video evidence, citing concerns about the potential for inaccuracies introduced by upscaling algorithms. Additionally, the company behind the AI-generated George Carlin standup comedy set has agreed to remove all related audio and video content following a settlement with Carlin's estate.

Bizarre and Amusing AI Applications

Among the more unusual AI developments, an autonomous electric scooter called the Ola Solo has been introduced in India, claiming to be the first fully self-driving scooter. In Phoenix, Waymo vehicles are now delivering Uber Eats orders, allowing customers to retrieve their food from self-driving cars. Furthermore, an upcoming season of the Netflix reality show "The Circle" will feature an AI catfish participant, adding an intriguing twist to the dating-focused premise.

As the AI news cycle continues to accelerate, it becomes increasingly evident that we are witnessing a technological revolution of unprecedented scale and impact. Stay tuned for more developments, insights, and discussions as we collectively navigate the challenges and opportunities of this "next wave" of innovation.


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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Apple Introduces All New Security Measures to Protect User Data When a Phone is Stolen...

Apple has introduced a new safety feature in their latest iPhone software update to help protect your personal information if your iPhone is ever stolen. It's called Stolen Device Protection.

What it does:

If your iPhone is stolen, this feature makes it harder for someone else to access your private stuff on the phone, like your bank details, saved passwords, or Apple ID.

It works by requiring Face ID or Touch ID instead of just a passcode to take certain actions on the phone. For example, if your iPhone is in an unfamiliar location, the thief would need to use Face ID or Touch ID to make payments with your saved cards or log into your accounts. This helps ensure only you can access your private info, even if a thief knows your passcode.

It also makes you wait 1 hour before changing critical security settings like your Apple ID password if your phone is not in a familiar location. This gives you time to mark your device as lost and secure your account if it's stolen.

What it doesn't protect:

If a thief knows your passcode, they can still access your email and info in unprotected apps. Apple Pay will also still work with just the passcode.

How to turn it on:

First, update your iPhone to the latest software (iOS 17.3 or higher). Go to Settings > General > About to check your current iOS version.

Then go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. You may need to enter your passcode. Look for "Stolen Device Protection" and turn on the switch so it turns green. This enables the feature.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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AI Companies Are Breaking Their Promises - Public Safety an "Afterthought" in Race To Build More Powerful AI Models...

A new report finds that big tech companies are falling short when it comes to keeping their promises around developing artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly. Researchers at Stanford University looked into how companies that have published ethics rules and hired experts are putting those principles into practice.

What they found is concerning. Even with all the talk of "AI ethics," many companies still prioritize performance and profits over safety and responsibility when building new AI products.

The Stanford Team Interviewed 25 People Working Inside the Current Top AI Companies...

These employees said they lack support and are isolated from other teams. Product managers often see them as hurting productivity or slowing down product releases. One person said "being very loud about putting more brakes on [AI development] was a risky thing to do."

Governments, academics and the public have raised worries about issues like privacy, bias, and AI's impacts on jobs and society. Tools like chatbots are advancing very quickly, with new releases from companies like Google and OpenAI.

Promises to Develop AI Responsibly Seems to Have Been Empty Words, Meant To Calm Public Concern...

Employees within the AI companies say ethical considerations are an afterthought, happening "too late, if at all" - instead, they're told to focus on the numbers, such as user engagement and AI performance. These are the metrics that dominate decision-making, rather than equally important measures around fairness or social good.

In short, despite public commitments to ethics, tech companies are deprioritizing real accountability as they race to build the latest, most advanced artificial intelligence.

Companies Focus on Winning the Race to Release the 'Most Powerful AI' of the Moment, then Learn What it Is Capable Of...

Instead, AI development should be guided by a clear understanding of what the AI their building can and should be able to do, rather than focusing solely on maximizing profits or building the most powerful version. 

There's no downplaying the massive challenge for-profit AI companies face as they need to consider innovation, profitability, and ethics - falling short in any of these categories greatly increases the odds that a company will not survive.

It is vital that the AI industry understands it must function differently than any other segment of the tech industry, with investor satisfaction no longer the top priority. This may actually be a fairly simple change to implement, they just need to educate their investors.  Informed investors will actually demand that public safety come first, as all would regret funding a company that, for example, triggered a global forced internet shut-down because that was the only way to stop their creation from self-replicating and spreading, or worse.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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The DARK SIDE Of Quantum Computing...

A mini-documentary covering the 'dark side' of quantum computing, "Things the tech industry and scientists developing quantum computers won't speak about publicly".

Video via Podlink International.

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AI Continues To Advance At Rapid Pace - The Top Stories from the World of AI...

The world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ever-evolving, and this week has been particularly groundbreaking, especially in the realm of AI art. From new features in image generation platforms to legal battles over AI-generated art, there's a lot to unpack. Here's a comprehensive update on what you need to know.

Mid-Journey's In-Painting Feature

Mid-Journey, a prominent player in the AI art space, recently rolled out its in-painting feature. This feature allows users to selectively modify specific regions of an image. For instance, you can change a character's hairstyle or clothing by simply selecting the area and inputting a prompt. The feature has been praised for its ability to produce higher quality and more detailed images when the entire image is selected with the same prompt.

What's Coming Next? According to David, the founder of Mid-Journey, the company is focusing on enhancing the in-painting features and is also prioritizing the development of version 6. This new version aims to offer more control, better text understanding, and improved resolution. However, there's no estimated release date yet.

Ideogram AI: Text to Image Revolution

Ideogram AI, developed by a team from Google Brain, UC Berkeley, CMU, and the University of Toronto, has introduced a standout feature: adding text to AI-generated images. The platform allows users to generate images based on text prompts, offering a level of quality and detail that surpasses other platforms.

Actually, we used it for this article's header image!

Leonardo AI's Anime Pastel Dream

Leonardo AI has added a new model called Anime Pastel Dream, which allows users to generate anime-style images. The model is accessible through the Leonardo app and has been praised for the quality of images it produces.

Legal Challenges in AI Art

A U.S. federal judge recently ruled that AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted if it is produced without human intervention. This decision has sparked debates and discussions about the nuances of copyright laws concerning AI-generated art.

AI in Marketing: A Partnership with HubSpot

In collaboration with HubSpot, we're offering a free report on how AI is revolutionizing marketing. The report, "AI Trends for Marketers in 2023," provides insights into how AI tools are being used to create content faster, analyze data instantly, and increase ROI.

YouTube and AI in Music

YouTube has announced a partnership with Universal Music Group to explore the ethical and responsible use of AI in the music industry. They aim to ensure fair compensation for artists and record labels.

YouTube is also testing a new feature that allows users to hum a song to search for it. Built on a machine-learning model, this feature can identify a song based on its "fingerprint" or signature melody.

Advances in Healthcare

Microsoft and Epic are collaborating to use generative AI in healthcare. They aim to improve clinician productivity, reduce manual labor-intensive processes, and advance medicine for better patient outcomes. AI is also helping paralyzed individuals communicate through brain implants, marking a significant advancement in healthcare technology.

Conclusion

AI is not just a technological marvel; it's a tool that's shaping various industries, from art and marketing to healthcare. Despite some legal and ethical challenges, the future of AI looks promising. Companies are investing heavily in AI, and it's clear that we're just scratching the surface of its potential.


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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Canada PM Justin Trudeau's DELUSIONAL Internet Power-Grab: Wants NON-CANADIAN Sites to PAY to LINK To Canadian Sites...

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's government has begun to push two bills intended to regulate tech from around the world. These laws could potentially shake the very core of our democracy and the freedom of the internet, and cause countless Canadian online businesses to fail.

First up:

Bill C-18, or the 'Online News Act', requires the tech giants to cough up cash to show links to Canadian news. Google argues that it’s not fair to risk “uncapped financial liability” just for giving Canadians access to news from local publishers.

Google’s solution? Once Bill C-18 kicks in, it'll remove all Canadian links from its Search, News, and Discover services. And Meta (the artist formerly known as Facebook) will follow suit, killing off news content on Facebook and Instagram for users in Canada. Looks like Trudeau's government might've shot itself in the foot with this one.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez says that tech giants need to pay their “fair share” for news.

Seems like they’re missing the point. The digital ecosystem is a complex beast, and platforms like Google and Meta often drive huge traffic (and therefore ad revenue) to these news sites. It feels like the administration has it all wrong – instead of helping, they're hurting the very people they’re trying to protect.

The next bill:

Bill C-11, the 'Online Streaming Act', shows yet another clumsy attempt by Trudeau's government to control digital content. It demands that streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, and Spotify must “prominently promote and recommend Canadian programming,” in all official and Indigenous languages.

This puts American companies in a spot, forcing them to pick up the slack for Canadian media's unpopularity, while also having to meet diversity, equity, and inclusion targets that even the Trudeau government isn't hitting. It's a little unsettling that the government seems to think that merely talking about virtues equates to having them.

But these laws aren't about saving Canadian news, they're about controlling it. Bill C-11 lets the government regulate content across the board - TV, radio, websites, and streaming platforms. And just look at the numbers: between 2020 and 2023, federal staff requested content removal over 200 times. If that doesn't scream 'control', I don't know what does.

Most people don't head straight to news websites. They click links shared by friends, find stories through Google searches, or stumble across catchy headlines on Instagram or Facebook. These platforms direct users to lesser-known local news outlets, providing priceless visibility.

Between 2021 and 2022, Facebook reportedly drove more than 1.9 billion clicks to Canadian publishers – that's about $230M worth of free marketing. Sure, Facebook profits from this setup, but that doesn’t mean it should be targeted for extra payouts.

Trudeau and his team often complain about the loss of “independent, nonpartisan newsrooms,” blaming big tech for it. Yet, these same politicians are very active on social media, and if nonpartisan news publishes fair criticism of Trudeau, he'll label is biased with disputing any of the claims made.

Has the response caused Trudeau to rethink his strategy?

Surprisingly, not at all. His government remains stubborn, even stopping ads on Facebook rather than seeking a compromise. Trudeau needs to reevaluate his game plan. Rather than shunning big tech, he should be working towards a balanced regulatory framework that protects the internet's freedom while encouraging economic growth and innovation.

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Author: Alex Benningram
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Google Goes All-In On AI - Watch a 10 Minute Summary of the Google IO Event...

Google debuts multiple new AI products at this year's Google IO event - here's the important parts of the 2 hour event, cut down to 10 minutes.

Video courtesy of Google

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'Godfather of AI' on AI's Potential Risk To Society...

Geoffrey Hinton is one of the leading voices in the field of AI,  he quit his job at Google over concerns about what AI could eventually lead to if unchecked.

Video courtesy of PBS Newshour

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Apple Will Soon Halt Support for Older iPad Models...

According to recent reports, Apple has decided to discontinue technical support for the first and fifth generation iPads. This means that owners of these iPad models will no longer be able to receive assistance from Apple's technical support team, either over the phone or at an Apple Store.

This move is not uncommon for Apple, as they often phase out support for older devices in order to focus on their newer products. This decision may come as a disappointment to some iPad owners, but it is important to note that Apple will still continue to provide support for newer iPad models.

Video courtesy of ABC News

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19 of The World's Largest Tech Companies ORDERED to REVEAL Algorithms Behind Their Latest AI Developments....

The European Commission is making 19 tech giants, including Amazon, Google, TikTok, and YouTube, reveal their AI algorithms under the Digital Services Act. This is a significant step towards making AI more transparent and accountable, and ultimately, improving our lives.

As we know, AI is expected to impact every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to education, to even how well we write. However, it also generates fear, such as concerns about machines becoming smarter than us or causing harm inadvertently. To avoid these risks, transparency and accountability will be crucial for AI to benefit us positively.

The EU Artificial Intelligence Act aims to achieve this goal. By sharing commercial information with regulators before using AI for sensitive practices such as hiring, companies can be held accountable for the outcomes of their algorithms. EU rules could quickly become the global standard, making this a significant development in AI regulation.

However, there's always a balance to strike when it comes to regulation. The major tech companies view AI as the next big thing, and innovation in this field is now a geopolitical race. Too much regulation could stifle progress, but at the same time, we need to make sure that companies are accountable for their algorithms' outcomes.

Companies will also need to answer any questions the commission members have about their AI projects.

\This is a significant development for AI regulation that will benefit everyone. By making AI more transparent and accountable, we can ensure that it improves our lives and avoids the potential risks.

Will They Even Have The Answers?

Interestingly, AI researchers are increasingly devoting time to understanding what AI is doing. Sometimes they can dig into the data and identify particular parameters on which the AI relies heavily. However, explaining why AI did or said something can be like explaining a magic trick without knowing the secret. 

This may be the most alarming revelation from these hearings – the creators don't always understand their creations.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Banking App PAYS YOU To Try It Out - Stars Leonardo DeCaprio and Robert Downey Jr Fund New 'Green' Banking Startup...

From Hollywood to finance? This banking app is backed by stars Leonardo DeCaprio and Robert Downey Jr - they're entering the financial sector, and keeping their involvement 'behind the scenes' for this one.  

With DiCaprio's Investment This "Environmentally Cconscious" Banking App is PAYING People to Try It...

Yes, the rumors are confirmed that a "green digital banking" solution that just launched is backed by the funds of DiCaprio himself.

With these funds they can afford the expensive but effective marketing strategy of  paying people to try it out - you can claim $50 once you setup the app and your first transaction.

DiCaprio is going all in on his 'stop global warming' campaign, so this is part of multiple earth-friendly investments, others include the climate technology fund with Princeville Capital, and new adviser role with green start-up Bluon Energy. 

The app is called Aspiration, which NerdWallet described as "the only socially conscious bank on their list" caught his eye. Now it's caught ours, so lets get right in to this Aspiration Review!

"Each year, $100 billion worth of pipelines, drilling and other fossil fuel-extraction projects are funded with money deposited at traditional banks. To bring about long-term solutions for our planet, we need alternatives that empower everyday consumers to take action against climate change…" is how DiCaprio decided to invest in the new app, he tells us.

With this, the Aspiration Banking App has $100 Million in venture capital to play with, and they're spending it.

This graphic shows some of the new things they're bringing to banking....:

A look at some features.

Get Your Piece of the $100 Million Pie…

Now you can get those good feelings Leo got, by getting the app, getting a $50 'welcome' deposit from then, and then choosing a charity you'd like them to donate another $25 to.

At a price tag of $75 spent on every new user it's the biggest mobile banking app bonus we've seen so far.

…and that's not even everything, lastly, being a user comes with cell phone insurance up to $600 included for free!

I have to admit, it feels good getting some perks from a bank, that's something I only heard of as a 'back in my day' story from parents and grandparents.

Is It Actually Worth Using?

It actually is! They refund your ATM charges (not just the ones your bank charges, they literally pay you $3 if an ATM charged you $3!)

The app is free, with the option to donate if you like it, or not.

They pay you interest on the funds you save with them, and those profits won't be made by investing in companies that pollute.

So do some good for the world, and claim your $50 by joining the free app now.

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Author: Don Kennedy
Austin Newsdesk | Aspiration Review

Like Free Money? You like this app too: Cash Back on Gas!

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After Exclusively Targeting PCs For YEARS, RANSOMWARE Targeting MAC Users Being Developed By Known Cyber-Criminal Group...

Mac users - you're no longer immune. After years with of dozens of versions plaguing the PC world, Mac may soon join them as targets of Ransomware attacks.

In short, Ransomware renders a computer unusable, and all its data inaccessible, until a 'ransom' is paid to the criminals who created it.

Behind it is the group behind the infamous LockBit ransomware, setting their sights on macOS for the first time with the goal of becoming the first major ransomware operation to target the platform...

According to cybersecurity researcher MalwareHunterTeam, the LockBit gang has developed new ransomware encryptors for macOS, ARM, FreeBSD, MIPS, and SPARC CPUs, all of which were discovered in a ZIP archive on VirusTotal.

Among the encryptors found in the archive is the 'locker_Apple_M1_64', which is designed to target newer Macs running on Apple Silicon, as well as PowerPC CPUs, which older Macs use. The archive was also found to contain previously unknown encryptors for ARM, FreeBSD, MIPS, and SPARC CPUs.

While these encryptors are still in development, cybersecurity experts warn that they could pose a significant threat to consumers and small businesses, especially those targeted by LockBit affiliates. However, according to Cisco Talos researcher Azim Khodjibaev, the encryptors were meant as a test and were never intended for deployment in live cyberattacks.

MacOS cybersecurity expert Patrick Wardle also confirmed that the encryptor is far from complete and missing the required functionality to encrypt Macs properly. In fact, the LockBit developer must first figure out how to bypass TCC and get notarized before becoming a functional encryptor.

But the fact a group has decided to focus on the previously-safe Mac shouldn't be downplayed - there's a good chance they'll figure it out. 

Now Experts are Wondering: Are Mac Users Prime Targets Specifically Because They're *NOT* Expecting It?

Because they haven't been targeted before, Mac users may have their guard down.

Mac users need to begin doing the things PC users had to be vigilante about for years. Keep your operating system updated, avoid opening unknown attachments and executables, generate offline backups, and use strong and unique passwords at every site you visit. Stay safe out there, folks!

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Popular Misconceptions about ChatGPT, and the Truth About Them...

As ChatGPT gains popularity, misconceptions about this AI-powered conversational agent abound. As a reporter, it's important to set the record straight on some of the most common misunderstandings surrounding this tool. Let's take a closer look at three of them.

-  Firstly, many people assume that ChatGPT is a human-like chatbot. While it's true that ChatGPT simulates human-like conversation, it's important to clarify that this is an artificial intelligence system, not a real person. Its responses are based on patterns learned from vast amounts of text data, and it doesn't possess emotions or consciousness like a human would.

-  Secondly, there's a belief that ChatGPT always provides accurate and reliable responses. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Although ChatGPT is impressive at generating responses, it's a machine learning model, meaning its responses can be influenced by the quality and bias of the data it was trained on. Additionally, there may be cases where it generates inappropriate or offensive responses.

-  Lastly, some people think that ChatGPT is a problem-solving superhero, capable of solving any issue thrown its way. While ChatGPT is an incredibly useful tool, it's not a replacement for human expertise, creativity, and intuition. There are certain types of problems that require human intelligence to solve, and ChatGPT may not be able to provide meaningful solutions in these cases.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for generating responses and providing insights. However, it's essential to understand its limitations. By having a realistic understanding of ChatGPT's capabilities, users can take full advantage of its strengths while avoiding potential pitfalls. As a reporter, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction and ensure that readers have the most accurate information available.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Twitter Founder and Current 'Block' CEO Jack Dorsey Loses a HALF BILLION Dollors In a Just ONE Day...

Block Inc, a payments company owned by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has experienced a significant decline in value following the release of a report by Hindenburg report . The report alleged that the company ignored widespread fraud, and as a result, Dorsey's personal fortune has been negatively impacted. On Thursday, his net worth dropped by $526 million, marking his worst single-day decline since May. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dorsey's current net worth stands at $4.4 billion after an 11% drop in value.

The Hindenburg report claimed that Block had inflated user metrics and predicted a 65% to 75% downside risk "on a purely fundamental basis." However, Block has denied the allegations and plans to pursue legal action against the short-seller. The company's stock fell as much as 22% on Thursday before eventually closing down 15%.

Dorsey, whose personal fortune is largely invested in Block, holds an estimated stake in the firm worth $3 billion, according to the Bloomberg wealth index. His position in Elon Musk's social media company is valued at $388 million.

Block Inc is reportedly looking in to taking legal actions against Hindenburg, which implies they can disprove some of their claims. Keep in mind that just threatening legal action requires nothing and may just be an attempt to stop some of the damage.

Hindenburg Research is known for its controversial reports...

Which often result in the decline of targeted companies' stock prices. Earlier this year, the firm released an investigation into Gautam Adani and his empire, causing his companies' stocks to plummet and erasing tens of billions of dollars from his net worth.

Similarly, in September 2020, Hindenburg targeted electric carmaker Nikola Corp., which led to a significant drop in its stock price and a fraud conviction against its founder Trevor Milton in October.

While Dorsey is unlikely to face a similar downfall, the temporary pain caused by the recent decline in value is undoubtedly being felt.
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Alex Benningram
TechNews.CITY / New York Newsroom

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Google's Response To OpenAI and ChatGPT is Coming, And They've Named It...

The increasing number of users of ChatGPT made it necessary for other tech giants, such as Google, to develop their very own conversational AI tools in order to maintain their position as leaders in the AI race, and keep their investors interested.

We now have the first details on the product Google refers to as "Bard" and will offer in the near future.

It's Official - Google Bard Does Exist...

In a post on the company's official blog, Google's CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that the Language Model for Dialogue Applications, abbreviated as LaMDA, from which Bard is derived is a more lightweight version than the original.

This is done to ensure that it does not demand a significant amount of computational power in order to allow for a greater number of people to use it. Pichai also claims that work on Bard started quite some time ago, and that the company is now making the application available to "trusted testers" so that they can evaluate it.

As Google describes it, Bard is an experimental conversational AI tool that, similar to Google Search, may be used to obtain information on a wide variety of subjects. The distinction is that rather than just providing a list of article links, more nuanced answers are anticipated. This is extremely similar to the way in which Microsoft intends to include ChatGPT into Bing.

The Bard AI tool will pull material from the internet and then, by utilizing the LaMDA powers, it will give 'new, high-quality responses.' They may also include explanatory articles on more complicated subjects. "Bard can be an outlet for creativity and a launchpad for curiosity," said Google executive Sundar Pichai. "It can help you explain new discoveries from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to a 9-year-old, or learn more about the best strikers in football right now, and then get drills to build your skills."

Much is still unknown...

Google also hints that it will offer AI-powered features in Search (most likely by integrating Bard into Search), which would enable access to information about the question in a format that is easy to comprehend and will also contain multiple points of view. In the blog post, there is a screenshot that demonstrates how the artificial intelligence responds to the question "which is easier to learn, a guitar or piano?" by providing thorough information of its own before listing articles.

We don't know very lot about Bard at this point, and we are waiting for Google to provide us with accurate details. In the following weeks, it is anticipated that it will reach a greater number of people, and until that happens, Google will use feedback from both the outside and inside to make sure that Bard is a safe and high-quality product.

It is yet unknown how effectively it will compete with ChatGPT and how the availability component will operate. A commercial version of ChatGPT with additional functionality is also available in addition to the free version.


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Author: Alex Benningram
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Text To MUSIC? Google Creates AI Bot That Writes Music Based on Text Descriptions...

Google's AI technology has the potential to compose original music. The release of OpenAI's ChatGPT to the public last year sparked widespread interest in AI's capabilities; the tool has proven its great potential in content creation when given only brief instructions. Google's AI chief recently stated that his company had similar tools to Meta's, and Meta's AI head confirmed this when asked about ChatGPT.

A musical composition bot

Now, Google seems to be developing a robot that uses AI to compose "original" songs in response to written and aural cues. Business Insider reports that the bot could take into account different musical styles and even compose music from a hummed or whistled theme. The name "MusicLM" has been given to this potential future app.

Google's AI bot was detailed in a research report published on January 26. The paper referred to MusicLM as a "model generating high-fidelity music from text descriptions" that "generates music at 24 kHz that remains consistent over several minutes."

Google, for instance, provides an example of a musically-inspired prompt with elaborate textual detail: "The game's main theme song. It has a catchy electric guitar riff and a quick tempo. The tunes are catchy and simple to memorize, but they also feature some unusual elements, like sudden cymbal crashes or drum rolls."

It was suggested in another prompt that - "A rising synth plays an arpeggio with lots of reverb. Pads, a deep bass line, and gentle drumming provide the accompaniment. The synthesized tones in this tune make for a relaxing and exciting listen. Two songs at a festival might be used to set the stage for it." You may listen to the demos on Google's GitHub.

Google's artificial intelligence music maker doesn't appear to be coming out for public use anytime soon. Before such tools can be released in their full glory, there are a lot of problems that need to be addressed, including the ethics of such AI and the harm to human artistry.

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Author: Don Kennedy
Austin Newsdesk 

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Sony & Honda Team Up and Target TESLA with an Electric Vehicle of Their Own...

 

We're learning more about the concept behind Sony and Honda forming an alliance to launch a new Electric Vehicle, called "Mobility".

The focus: Entertaining those inside the vehicle, while the car handles the driving...

Cars will soon feel like hanging out in a room on wheels, as automated driving will remove the need for a driver to be focused on the road, as well as the need for passengers to not distract the driver. 

As a child, you may have had a parent raise their voice once or twice with a lecture about how "important it is not to distract the driver" as you and a sibling or friend forgot you were in the back seat of a car and began to get a little too rowdy "so sit still, we'll be there soon" the adult would end with.

But soon, rowdy kids in the back seat of car will transition from a potential danger to everyone on the road, to nothing more than 'annoying' to the adults who have to share a vehicle with them.  Parents will demand the family "sit still, we'll be there soon" but can now skip the lecture about distracting the driver - they'll be annoyed that the kids are making it hard to watch their movie or something.

Sony and Honda have made it clear they imagine a very similar future...

We learned this week they are considering integrating the Playstation 5 into its upcoming EVs, which are due to be released under their new joint venture.

The president of Sony Honda Mobility, Izumi Kawanishi, says that Sony’s strength in the entertainment and gaming industry is something the company plans to use to its advantage.

"Sony has content, services and entertainment technologies that move people ...this is our strength against Tesla" said Kawanishi.

When could we seen these on the road? Well, the project is open about the very early phase they are currently in, saying they "will have to evolve considerably" until the ideas become a functional vehicle ready for the public roads.

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Author: Takashi Iccho
Tokyo Newsroom | TechNewsCITY

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Apple’s Reasoning Behind their Decisions on USB-C Charging Ports and Privacy Issues...

 

Apple is currently at the center of two things in tech that are facing some changes: privacy rights that have shaken the digital ad market, and Europe’s move toward a standard charging method for devices.

From WSJ’s Tech Live conference, Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak answer questions on these topics.


Video courtesy of the Wall Street Journal

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Beyond Hard Drives: The New Ways We're Storing MASSIVE Amounts Of Data...

We’re storing more data than ever before - but as the hard disk drives we rely on are reach their physical limits, new innovation is taking their place. 

Take a look at how scientists are working on methods to increase capacity and find new ways to house our data, as we examine these new methods and see how they all compare.

Video Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

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Your Life is Saved in Your Smartphone - Are you Doing Enough to Secure it?

Smart phones are an important part of our lives. We use them to stay connected with friends and family, to get work done, and to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends. As such, it is important to take steps to protect our phones from hackers and other cyber-attacks.

Here are a few simple steps that you can take to keep your phone safe and secure:

1) Use a strong password that is not easy to guess.

2) Install a reputable security app such as Norton or McAfee.

3) Only download apps from official app stores, such as Google Play or the App Store.

4) Be careful when clicking on links or opening attachments in emails.

5) Regularly back up your data so that if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you will still have your information safe and secure.

By following these simple steps, you can help to keep your phone safe from hackers and other online threats.

Why Do You Need to Secure Your Smart Phone?

Smartphones contain a wealth of personal information, from contacts and emails to bank details and passwords. As such, it is important to take steps to secure them from hackers and thieves.

One way to do this is to password protect your phone. This will make it more difficult for anyone else to access your data.

Another important step is to only download apps from reputable sources. Malicious apps can steal your data or even install spyware on your phone.

Finally, it is important to back up your data regularly. This will ensure that if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you will not lose all your information.

What Are the Risks of Not Securing Your Smart Phone?

Smart phones are like mini-computers and are just as vulnerable to cyber attacks as desktop or laptop computers. In fact, a smart phone may be even more vulnerable because it is carried around with you everywhere you go.

That's why it's so important to take the necessary steps to secure your phone and protect your data. Follow these simple steps to keep your phone safe and secure:

1. Install a good security app and make sure it is always up-to-date.

2. Set a strong password and don't use the same password for all your accounts.

3. Don't install apps from unknown sources.

4. Be careful what information you share online.

5. Regularly back up your data.

How to Set a Secure Passcode for Your Smart Phone:

Now that we know how easy it is to set a secure passcode for our smart phone, let's do it!

Your passcode is your first line of defense against hackers and thieves, so it's important to make sure it is strong and unique. You can set a passcode on your mobile device by going to the App list, tapping Settings, tapping Lock Screen, and setting your password.

Make sure your password is a combination of letters and numbers, and that it is at least six characters long. And don't use the same password for all of your accounts - that's just asking for trouble!

How to Encrypt Your Smart Phone

Smart phone security is more important than you think. In fact, your personal data may be at risk if you don't take steps to protect it.

One way to safeguard your data is to encrypt your phone. This can be done on Android devices by going to Settings > Security > Encrypt Device. Another way to encrypt your Android device is to go to Settings, then tap "Security" or "Security & location." Select "encryption & credentials" and/or "encrypt phone."

Encrypting your Android device will help keep sensitive data and photos private. So if you're not already doing so, be sure to encrypt your phone today!

How to Use Two Factor Authentication for Your Smart Phone

Your smart phone is a valuable piece of equipment, and it's important to keep it safe and secure. One way to do that is by using two-factor authentication. This security feature requires you to enter your account password and a verification code that is sent to your phone.

You can turn on two-factor authentication on your phone by going to Settings > Accounts > Google, and signing in. Or, on macOS, go to System Preferences > iCloud, sign in, click Account Details > Security > Turn on Two-Factor Authentication. With 2-Step Verification, you can add an extra layer of security to your account in case your password is stolen.

Pro Tips for Keeping Your Smart Phone Secure

Here are a few pro tips for keeping your smartphone secure:

First, to avoid giving out personal information, be sure to disable location services and Bluetooth when you're not using them. Also, make sure to use a strong password, pin or pattern to lock your phone.

Second, be careful about the apps you download. Only download apps from reputable sources, and be wary of apps that require too much access to your data.

Lastly, back up your data regularly. This way, if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you'll still have all your information backed up and safe.

Things to remember...

Just as you protect your computer with antivirus software and your house with a security system, you need to protect your phone with security measures. Why? Because your phone has a lot of personal information on it—information that could be used to steal your identity or access your bank accounts.

Here are a few tips to help keep your phone safe:

1. Install a security app.

2. Use a strong password.

3. Set up remote wipe in case your phone is lost or stolen.

4. Don't store sensitive information on your phone.

5. Be careful what you download and install.

6. Keep your OS and apps up-to-date.

7. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks.

8. Use a privacy screen protector..

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Author: Preston Summers
Tech News CITY // Austin Newsroom

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