Signal, a popular messaging app, has recently come under scrutiny for reports that senior Trump administration officials used the platform to plan wars and inadvertently included journalists in messaging groups.
Launched in 2014 and boasting hundreds of millions of users, the app is favored by journalists, activists, privacy experts, and politicians.
The use of the app by government officials led to intelligence report violations occurring outside of the secure government channels typically used for classified, highly sensitive war plans. This incident raises concerns about the security of Signal and the reasons behind government officials using it. (In general, federal officials are not authorized to install Signal on government-issued devices.)
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Signal used for?
Signal is an encrypted messaging application used for secure communication. It encrypts messages end-to-end, ensuring that the content remains encrypted until it reaches the intended recipient. This method protects users from interception and ensures message confidentiality.
Users can set Signal messages to disappear after a set period of time. They can also enable a feature to auto-delete messages in individual chats.
Who owns Signal?
Signal is owned by an independent nonprofit organization in the U.S. called the Signal Foundation. It is funded through user contributions and grants.
Founded in 2018 with a $50 million donation from Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp, the Signal Foundation was established after Acton left WhatsApp due to a dispute with Facebook. Acton teamed up with Moxie Marlinspike, the cryptographer behind Signal’s security system, to create the Signal Foundation, which is structured to prevent data selling incentives.
“There are numerous reasons why Signal is crucial,” wrote Marlinspike, who resigned from the foundation’s board in 2022. “One important reason is to avoid mistakenly adding the Vice President of the U.S. to group chats for coordinating sensitive military operations. This must not be overlooked.”
Is Signal secure?
Yes, Signal is widely regarded as the most secure messaging app due to its encryption technology and other privacy features.
The encryption technology used by Signal is open source, allowing external experts to review and identify any vulnerabilities. This technology is also utilized by services like WhatsApp.
When Signal was targeted by foreign hackers, its encryption technology proved effective. Although there were attempts to compromise user accounts, the encryption remained intact.
In case of a security breach, Signal minimizes user data retention to protect user privacy. Unlike other messaging platforms, Signal does not store user contacts or unnecessary information.
While Signal is secure, it may not be suitable for discussing sensitive military operations if a user’s device is compromised, potentially exposing message content. Government officials should use authorized communication systems to prevent inadvertent disclosures.
Signal representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
Are Signal text messages secure?
Generally, Signal text messages are secure, but users should exercise caution when adding new contacts, similar to other social platforms.
When creating group chats, users should verify that they are including the correct contacts to ensure message confidentiality.
Chatbots were originally designed to chat. But they can generate images too.
On Tuesday, Openai strengthened its ChatGpt chatbot with new technology designed to generate images from detailed, complex and unusual instructions.
For example, explaining a four-panel comic strip that includes the characters that appear on each panel and what they are saying to each other, technology can instantly generate elaborate comics.
Previous versions of ChatGPT can generate images, but by blending these broad concepts, it was not possible to create images reliably.
The new version of CHATGPT illustrates a broader change in artificial intelligence technology. After starting as a mere text-generating system, chatbots have transformed into a tool that combines chat with a variety of other abilities.
The technology also supports a new version of CHATGPT called GPT 4-O, allowing chatbots to receive and respond to voice commands, images and videos. You can even talk.
Released at the end of 2022, the original ChatGpt learned its skills by analyzing a huge amount of texts from across the internet. I learned to answer questions, write poetry and generate computer code.
Could not generate image. But about a year later, Openai released a new version of ChatGPT, which can generate images called Dall-E. However, ChatGpt and Dall-E were separate systems.
Now, Openai is building a single system that learns a wide range of skills from both text and images. When generating your own images, the system can pull out everything ChatGpt has learned from the Internet.
“This is a whole new kind of technology under the hood,” said Gabriel Goh, a researcher at Openai. “We don’t disband image generation and text generation. We hope that everything will be done together.”
Traditionally, AI image generators have had a hard time creating images that are significantly different from existing images. For example, if I asked the image generator to create an image of a bike with a triangular wheel, that was a pain.
Goh said the new ChatGPT could handle this type of request.
Images of “triangle vehicle” made using OpenAI’s new ChatGPT image generator.
Openai said starting Tuesday, this new version of ChatGPT will be available to people using both the free and paid versions of the chatbot. This includes both ChatGpt Plus, a $20-month service, and ChatGpt Pro, a $200 service that provides access to all the company’s latest tools.
(New York Times sued Openai and its partner Microsoft in December for copyright infringement of news content related to AI systems.)
Emotional ads featuring Katie, a young woman diagnosed with a kidney disease at age 19, have been running on Facebook and Instagram for the past month.
She credits a stranger’s kidney with saving her life, highlighting the impact Tiktok has had on people’s lives. The app is positioning itself as a savior and small business supporter amidst concerns about Chinese ownership.
Despite federal laws requiring Tiktok to sell to non-Chinese owners by April 5, the company is pushing back with a new ad campaign emphasizing its role in American lives and businesses.
Tiktok’s marketing efforts have ramped up in recent months, with the app spending millions on ads and working to reassure creators about its future in the US.
In response to legal challenges threatening its existence, Tiktok has dramatically increased its advertising spending and engagement with policymakers.
Experts and creators alike are watching Tiktok’s moves closely as the app navigates uncertain regulatory waters while continuing to operate and advertise in the US.
Tiktok’s future remains uncertain as it faces pressure to sell to non-Chinese owners amidst concerns about data security and China’s influence.
The company is making efforts to reassure users and advertisers while also engaging with policymakers to shape its fate.
Tiktok is positioning itself as a key player in the digital advertising space, with plans to participate in major industry events and continue engaging with creators and brands.
While Tiktok faces uncertainty about its future, the company remains focused on supporting small businesses and engaging with policymakers to shape its fate.
Tiktok’s ad blitz and engagement with policymakers reflect the company’s efforts to address concerns and shape its future in the US market.
World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company launched by Donald J. Trump and his sons, announced Tuesday that it plans to deepen the president’s financial ties with crypto as his administration eases industry enforcement.
Stablecoin is known as the company USD1 I wrote it Social media posts do not reveal when it will be sold. A common form of cryptocurrency, Stablecoins is designed to maintain a constant value of $1, and is useful for many types of crypto transactions.
“There are no games, there are no gimmicks, there are just real stability,” says World Liberty Financial Posted With an X account.
Stablecoin is the fourth digital currency sold to the public last year by Trump and his business partners. World Liberty already offers a cryptocurrency called WLFI. This month, the world’s freedom announcement Of these digital coins, they sold $550 million. Business entities associated with Trump have received a 75% reduction in sales.
A few days before taking office, Trump began selling so-called memo coins. This is a kind of digital currency based on online jokes and celebrity mascots. Melania Trump put his memo coins to the market the same weekend.
Trump has aggressively entered the crypto market as his administration eases enforcement and rolls back regulations. According to government ethics experts, his efforts to benefit from industry oversee the vast amount of conflicts of interest that is virtually unprecedented in American history.
World Liberty’s Stablecoin adds to the nasty knot of business conflict. Congress is considering legislation that regulates the ridiculous idiots that could reach Trump’s desk by the end of the year. Trump gave a speech at this month’s crypto conference. Called Regarding Stablecoins’ “simple common sense rules,” he says, “we will expand control of the US dollar.”
Stubcoins are usually supported by assets stored by the coin issuer. Every time a user redeems a Stablecoin, they can go to the issuer and exchange digital coins for cash equivalents.
In an announcement Tuesday, World Liberty said it will use short-term US Treasury, dollar deposits and other cash equivalents to back up stubcoins.
“We provide digital dollar stability that allows sovereign investors and key institutions to confidently integrate into a seamless, secure cross-border trading strategy,” said Zach Whitkoff, one of the founders of World Liberty and the son of Steve Wickoff, Trump’s Envoy to the Middle East.
Trump, a former crypto skeptic, last year embraced digital currency on the campaign trail and committed to transforming the United States into the “crypto capital of the planet.” The industry has spent tens of millions of dollars funding Congressional candidates who supported Trump and spoke favorably about the code.
In September, Trump began World Freedom with his sons, starting Steve and Zach Witkoff. They entrusted two little-known entrepreneurs with virtually no track record in the industry, Chase Hero and Zach Falkman, to run the business day by day.
World Liberty initially promised to create a cryptographic platform that allows users to borrow and lend digital currency. However, so far, the company has not launched any products other than WLFI and Stablecoin.
The company has set out on something like a purchase, bringing together a stockpile of etheric cryptocurrency and lesser-known coins like SUI and Link.
In a recent panel, Hero I said That world’s freedom was creating a “strategic reserve” of tokens. He did not explain the ultimate purpose of stockpiling.
The idea had a clear echo of the creation of a US stockpile of Bitcoin, one of Trump’s initiatives at the White House.
Han Jong-Hee, co-director of Samsung Electronics and nearly four-year veteran of South Korean consumer technology giant, passed away on Tuesday.
According to a company spokesman, Han, 63, suffered a sudden heart attack.
Since 2022, Han has shared the Chief Executive Officer and CEO of Samsung’s semiconductor business, and more recently Jun Young Hyun. Jun was named Samsung Electronics’ sole CEO on Tuesday after Han’s death, the company said: Announcement.
Han has been running Samsung’s home appliance business since 2021, and added the operation of a digital appliance to his brief a year later. He was also a member of the board. Previously, he oversaw a group that created visual displays for various Samsung electronic devices.
Han graduated from Inha University in Incheon, South Korea and earned a degree in electrical engineering. He joined Samsung in 1988 at a pivotal time in the company’s history, shortly after the death of its founder, Lee Byungchul.
Lee’s son and successor dominated the market for thin displays and mobile phones, pushing Samsung mercilessly through the technological changes of the 1990s and 2000s.
Samsung is the largest and most successful conglomerate known as Choi Bol, which transformed South Korea’s economy into a global export powerhouse. Samsung Electronics is a significant part of it of the country’s exports. Samsung is one of the most popular brands in the global smartphone market, competing with Apple and Xiaomi. It is also the world’s largest manufacturer of memory chips used in everything from electric vehicles and smartwatches to advanced artificial intelligence servers.
Han was survived by his wife and three children, the company said. The funeral will be held on Thursday at the funeral home of Samsung Seoul Hospital, a spokeswoman said.
The Australian author expresses being “lively alive” and feels violated knowing their work was allegedly included in a pirated dataset used to train AI.
Parents company of Facebook and Instagram faces a copyright infringement lawsuit from US authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates and comedian Sarah Silverman.
In a court application from January, CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly approved using the book’s online archive, Libgen Dataset, to train the company’s AI models, despite warnings from the AI executive team of its pirated nature.
Books by notable Australian authors, including former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, and John Howard, are among those published.
Holden Sheppard, author of Invisible Boys, a popular young adult novel adapted to a Stan series, expressed disappointment that his work was utilized in training meta AI.
He expressed his disapproval of his books being used without consent to train generative AI systems, considering it unethical and illegal and calling for fair compensation for the authors.
He emphasized the need for AI-specific laws in Australia to ensure compliance with existing copyright laws by generative AI developers or deployers.
Journalist and author Tracey Spicer discovered two of her books, including one that addresses artificial intelligence, were included in the dataset without her consent.
She called for a class-action lawsuit in Australia and urged affected authors to contact local federal lawmakers.
She criticized big technology companies for profiting while reducing writers to a serf-like status, highlighting the financial struggles of many authors.
…
Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, an award-winning film critic and author of several books, expressed her frustration and called for government action.
The Australian Authors Association urged Facebook to advocate for authors whose work was used without permission.
Society Chair Sophie Cunningham contacted affected authors and condemned the treatment of writers by large companies profiting from their work.
Cunningham criticized Meta’s dealings with writers as exploitative and called for fair treatment and compensation for authors.
Mehta declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit and is reportedly lobbying for AI training on copyrighted data via executive orders.
Previously, Melbourne publisher Black Inc. Books raised concerns about the use of AI in the industry, with some companies entering agreements with publishers for content use.
Welcome to opt-out. A semi-regular column that will help you navigate online privacy and show you how to say no to surveillance. In the final column, we covered how to stop tech companies spying on your phone, just as Trump promises to deport the public.
DNA testing company 23AndMe filed for bankruptcy after months of concern over its financial health and the ability to keep users’ genetic information safe. In light of the uncertainty looming about the future of the company, one thing needs to be done to protect today’s privacy. Delete your 23andMe account.
If you use this service to discover your ancestors via DNA, the highly sensitive information you share with 23andMe may be transferred to the company’s final buyer. 23AndMe has many privacy controls, but you will need to allow users to opt out of sharing data with scientific researchers or the company will remove the sample.
Generally, privacy and civil liberty experts do not recommend using ancestors and DNA testing services. There are few federal privacy regulations that limit the way businesses use your information in the United States. How private companies maintain, store, and share it is up to the whims of those who are doing it. Our privacy policy changes frequently, and our executive suites are also changing. Not only is data vulnerable to hacking, it can also be used on a variety of commercial products and shared with law enforcement agencies.
23Andme argues that new owners must comply with existing laws regarding the sale and use of consumer genetic data, but the reality in the US is that only a handful of states legally protect this type of personal information. In California, where this type of privacy protection exists, Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an urgent “consumer alert” encouraging Californians to delete their 23andMe data.
“In California, there is a robust privacy law that allows consumers to take control and require companies to delete genetic data,” Bonta said. “Given the financial distress reported by 23Andme, it reminds us to consider calling Californians their rights and instructing 23andMe to delete the data and destroy samples of genetic material held by the company.”
There is good reason for concern. 23Andme suffered a massive hack in 2023 affecting around 7 million users. The hackers first revealed that they were able to access information when they tried to sell what they claimed. Ashkenazi Jewish Descend and 100,000 Chinese Users At the popular hacking forum. In addition to a class action lawsuit that alleges that the company failed to inform users of data breach in a timely manner, the company said it is facing more than that. 50 Other Litigations A hack triggered. The issue is also international. The UK Intelligence Commission’s office issued an intention to fine the company earlier this month, which was £4.59 million.
If you are one of the 15m people who have already handed over your DNA to 23andMe, what can you do to protect your data?
How to delete your 23andMe account
Main things to do to protect your genetic privacy: Delete your account.
There are major precautions. The company says that even if you delete your account, you still need to keep the information in the archive. “23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain the genetic information, date of birth and gender necessary to comply with applicable legal obligations.
If you are reading this and are trying to determine whether to do DNA testing with any of these private companies, don’t give the above warning. Depending on which state you are in, the data will not be completely erased.
That being said, it is worth the effort to delete your account and all of its data. Here’s how to do it: Go to Login, Settings and scroll to “23andMe Data”.[表示]Click and scroll to “Delete Data”.[データを永続的に削除]Click. You will receive an email from the company to confirm your request. (Please check your spam folder.) If you do not confirm it via the link provided in your email, the request will not complete.
The company says that when the account is deleted, it will “automatically opt out of the investigation and destroy the sample.”
If you do not delete your account, opt out of sharing your data
If you want to keep a 23andMe account, the next best thing to do is have the sample disposed of, stop sharing information, and remove it from future research. You can also do this from the settings.
Stop sharing reports resulting from DNA testingscroll down and click “Privacy/Share” and[編集]Click. From there you should be able to adjust the sharing settings for the report.
Ask the company to dispose of the DNA samplesgo back to Settings, scroll to Settings,[編集]Click to opt out of sharing the sample with the company. The company will throw away your samples.
To stop the company from sharing your DNA with future research projects, Return to Settings, scroll down to edit Research and Product Outlets and edit permissions.
These changes are not retroactive. Rescinding your consent to use DNA in your research will only stop your data from being used in new research; It may take up to 30 days.
If you have specific questions about your account information, you can also email Privacy@23andme.com.
When Starbucks announced last month it was firing more than 1,000 corporate employees, it highlighted a disturbing trend for white-collar workers. Slow wage growth.
It also fueled that long-standing discussion of economists. Is recent unemployment just a temporary development? Or will they inform something more ominous and irreversible?
After sitting below 4% for more than two years, the overall unemployment rate since May has surpassed that threshold.
Economists say the job market remains strong by historical standards, and much of the recent weakening appears to be linked to the economic impact of the pandemic. Companies actively hired amid a surge in demand and moved to layoffs after the Federal Reserve began to raise interest rates. Many of these companies are trying to make their businesses more lean under investor pressure.
But amid the rapid advances in artificial intelligence and President Trump’s federal targets, it disproportionately supports white-collar jobs, which some thinks it has begun a permanent decline in knowledge work.
Karltannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust, said: “I tell people that there are waves.”
To date, few industries have typical shifts over the last few years than creating video games. The boom began in 2020 Couch-bound Americans searched for a new form of home entertainment. The industry reversed the course and actively hired it before embarking on a period of layoffs. Thousands of video game workers lost their jobs last year and the previous year.
The scale of unemployment is Game Developers Choice AwardsThe industry’s annual awards show complained about the “record layoffs” during the 2024 opening monologue. The unionization trend that began with low-wage quality assurance testers that same year has spread to better-paid workers, such as game producers, designers, engineers, and more, of companies making hit games. fall out and World of Warcraft.
At Bethesda Game Studios, owned by Microsoft and creating fallout, workers said they had unionized some because they felt the union would leverage in the soft labor market, as they were wary of rounds of company layoffs in 2023 and 2024.
“It was the first time Bethesda had experienced a layoff in such a long time,” said Taylor Welling, a studio producer who earned a master’s degree in interactive entertainment. “It scared so many people,” Microsoft declined to comment.
unemployment Finance and related industrieswhile still low, it increased by about a quarter from 2022 to 2024. The rise in interest rates slowed demand for mortgages, and businesses were trying to lean more. In Revenue Call Last summer, Wells Fargo’s chief executive noted that the company’s “efficiency initiative” had pruned its workforce over 16 quarters, including a cut in nearly 50% of workers in the company’s home lending sector since 2023.
Last fall, Wells Fargo fired about a quarter of the approximately 45 employees of the Behavioral Management Intake Team, which confirms accusations of corporate misconduct against customers and employees. Heather Rolfs, The let go of lawyer said she believes the company is trying to save money by reducing the US workforce, and she and her colleagues believe it is an attractive target as they have recently tried to put in on the union.
“I think it’s great to get rid of two birds with one stone,” Rolfs said. Some of her former colleagues say they are worriedly waiting every Tuesday after payday. “We feel we can be fired at any time,” he said. Eden Davis, Another worker on the team.
A spokesman for Wells Fargo said in a statement that the layoffs have nothing to do with the union, saying “we will regularly review and adjust staffing levels to suit the market situation.” He said two managers on the team also lost their jobs.
Atif Rafiq, author of a book on corporate strategy in senior positions at McDonald and Amazon, said many companies are trying to emulate Amazon’s model of building teams that go beyond capabilities to reduce barriers between workers with different expertise, such as coding and marketing. In the process, they may discover redundancy and take on layoffs.
CEO Brian Nicole in a memo announcing the layoffs at Starbucks last month I quoted the goal “Delete layers and replicas and create smaller, more agile teams.” Nissan provided similar evidence for management reductions announcement this month.
Overall, the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York show Unemployment rates among university graduates have risen by 30% (2% to 2.6%) since falling from the bottom in September 2022, compared to about 18% (3.4% to 4%) for all workers. An analysis by Julia Pollack, Chief Economist at Zippleck Crutter, shows that unemployment rates are the highest among those with bachelor’s or university degrees, but do not have a degree.
Employment rates were slower for jobs that require university degrees than for other jobs. According to ADP Researchresearching the labor market.
Some economists say these trends are inherently short-term and may have little concern for themselves. Lawrence Katz, a labor economist at Harvard University, noted that the increase in unemployment rates among college-educated workers was slightly greater than the overall increase in unemployment rates, and unemployment rates for both groups remained low due to historic measures.
Professor Katz argued that slowing wage growth for middle-class workers could simply reflect the discounts that these workers effectively accepted in exchange for being able to work from home. Data from the Institute of Liberal Economic Policy Wages for workers in the 70th and 80th percentiles of income distribution have shown that since 2019 they have grown more slowly than wages in other groups.
However, there are other indications that returns on university degrees may have changed over time. Wage gap between people with university degrees and those without one It has grown steadily It started in 1980, but has been flattened over the past 15 years, but it remains high.
Flattening may partially reflect the fact that as university attendance increases, there are more college-educated workers that employers can choose. However, some economists Make a claim What it reflects Reduced Employer Needs For university graduates, for example, information technology is more sophisticated, which means fewer jobs like bookkeeping. Such jobs do not necessarily require a university degree, but they were often appealing to graduates.
Artificial intelligence can also reduce the need for it by increasing the automation of white-collar jobs. recently Academic Paper Software developers using AI coding assistants have improved their key measures of productivity by over 25%, and found that productivity gains appear to be the biggest among the most experienced developers. The results suggested that employing AI could reduce the wage premium enjoyed by more experienced coders as it erodes productivity benefits over beginners.
Mert Demirer, a MIT economist who co-authored the paper, said in an interview that the work of software developers could change over the long term, making human coders a type of project manager overseeing multiple AI assistants. In that case, wages could rise as humans become more productive. Also, if cheaper software leads to even greater demand, AI will expand employment among coders.
Still, at least in the short term, many tech executives and their investors seem to see AI as a way to trim staffing. Software engineers at large tech companies said they refused to be named for fear of harming their job prospects. His team was about half of last year, and he and his colleagues said they were expected to do roughly the same amount of work by relying on AI assistants. Overall, Unemployment rate In the technology and related industries, it jumped more than half from 2022 to 2024, from 2.9% to 4.4%.
Then there was Trump’s attempt to remake the federal government. This has so far resulted in job losses and employment freezes for federal employees and employees of universities and other nonprofits that rely on government funds. Johns Hopkins University, which relies heavily on funding for federal research, announced this month that it has abandoned 2,000 workers around the world as a result of Trump’s cuts.
Professor Katz at Harvard University noted that the majority of university-educated workers relied on the federal government over other groups, either directly or through nonprofit funding. “What appears to be a major contraction in science and research, education and government spending could potentially have a very large impact,” he said.
“The overall unemployment rate among university graduates does not seem to be particularly rising,” he added. “But that could be in the next six months.”
Sales of a new Tesla car in Europe plummeted last month since Elon Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration, indicating potential buyer backlash towards his controversial behavior.
The electric car manufacturer sold just under 16,000 vehicles in Europe last month, a 44% decrease across 25 countries including the EU, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland.
Tesla’s market share dropped to 9.6%, its lowest in five years. January also saw a 45% decline in sales compared to 2024.
Although the UK reported a 21% increase in new Tesla vehicle registrations in February, Tesla’s overall sales in Europe are struggling due to Musk’s political involvement and the Model Y overhaul.
Analysts are monitoring Musk’s impact on Tesla amidst concerns of consumer backlash and competition within the EV market. Brands like Tesla, with limited model lineups, are vulnerable during model transitions.
Other automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mini have seen sales growth in Europe, outpacing Tesla in February.
BYD, a Chinese-owned company, has reported significant sales increases, overshadowing Tesla in revenue and sales figures.
BYD has emerged as a strong competitor to Tesla, exceeding them in revenue and sales volume, especially with their line of hybrid cars.
Polestar, owned by Geely, Volvo’s parent company, has also shown growth in vehicle sales in the European market.
BYD’s market value has surged, positioning them as a key player in the electric vehicle industry alongside Tesla and other major automakers.
Despite these challenges, Tesla’s shares rose 6% on Monday, showing resilience in the market amid increasing competition and regulatory changes.
Overall car sales in European markets saw a slight drop, while BEV registrations rose significantly, indicating a shift towards electric vehicles in the region.
Technology leaders in the artificial intelligence sector have been pushing for regulations for over two years. They have expressed concerns about the potential risks of generative AI and its impact on national security, elections, and jobs.
Openai CEO Sam Altman testified before Congress in May 2023 that AI is “very wrong.”
However, following Trump’s election, these technology leaders have shifted their stance and are now focused on advancing their products without government interference.
Recently, companies like Meta, Google, and Openai have urged the Trump administration to block state AI laws and allow the use of copyrighted material to train AI models. They have also sought incentives such as tax cuts and grants to support their AI development.
This change in approach was influenced by Trump declaring AI as a strategic asset for the country.
Laura Karoli, a senior fellow at the Wadwani AI Center, noted that concerns about safety and responsible AI have diminished due to the encouragement from the Trump administration.
AI policy experts are concerned about the potential negative consequences of unchecked AI growth, including the spread of disinformation and discrimination in various sectors.
Tech leaders took a different stance in September 2023, supporting AI regulations proposed by Senator Chuck Schumer. Afterward, the Biden administration collaborated with major AI companies to enhance safety standards and security.
(The New York Times sued Openai and Microsoft over copyright infringement claims related to AI content. Openai and Microsoft denied the allegations.)
Following Trump’s election victory, tech companies intensified lobbying efforts. Google, Meta, and Microsoft donated to Trump’s inauguration, and leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk engaged with the president.
Trump embraced AI advancements, welcoming investments from companies like Openai, Oracle, and SoftBank. The administration emphasized the importance of AI leadership for the country.
Vice President JD Vance advocated for optimistic AI policies at various summits, highlighting the need for US leadership in AI.
Tech companies are responding to the President’s executive orders on AI, submitting comments and proposals for future AI policies within 180 days.
Openai and other companies are advocating for the use of copyrighted materials in AI training, arguing for legal access to such content.
Companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft support the legal use of copyrighted data for AI development. Some are pushing for open-source AI to accelerate technological progress.
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is advocating for open-source models in AI development.
Andreessen Horowitz and other tech firms are engaged in debates over AI regulations, emphasizing the need for safety and consumer protection measures.
Civil rights groups are calling for audits to prevent discrimination in AI applications, while artists and publishers demand transparency in the use of copyrighted materials.
Mike Howell observed a letter from the Missouri Attorney General questioning President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s ability to sign pardons and executive orders with “psychic ability.”
Howell, executive director of the Surveillance Project under the Conservative Heritage Foundation, saw an opportunity for critique in this letter. After comparing Biden’s signatures on various official documents for months, he noticed similarities in many of them. Before boarding his flight, Howell made a controversial post he later claimed he conspired with X about.
Critics of Biden’s fitness questioned his appointments, but so far, no evidence has surfaced to suggest that he disagreed with any actions he has taken.
Upon landing, Howell’s post gained traction rapidly. Within days, a theory emerged that a shadowy, deep state agent was secretly running the country on behalf of Biden, using mechanical means to achieve sinister goals, sparking fury.
Autoopen is a machine that replicates a person’s actual signature using a real pen. Politicians have been using such devices for decades with little public interest. Data from the Media Tracker revealed that the term was mentioned 49 times in US television, radio, and podcasts in the first two months of the year, spiking to 6,188 mentions on March 17th alone.
Right-wing media outlets are now extensively covering topics related to wet signatures and autopen technology. They focus particularly on Biden’s signatures on pardons for political allies like California Democrats Adam Schiff and Hunter Biden, casting doubt on the former president’s mental acuity and his awareness of the documents he signs.
President Trump himself has criticized Biden’s use of autopens, questioning the validity of the pardons granted without providing evidence, suggesting they were void. Trump has also used an autopen in the past, raising doubts yet again during an Oval office press conference.
Biden has not confirmed whether he personally signed all the pardons, but a senior aide mentioned they were automated during his administration. A Biden spokesperson has yet to comment on the matter.
There are no federal laws prohibiting the use of autopens, as noted by the Justice Department. The president has the authority to instruct subordinates to affix his signature to a bill. Legal experts question the president’s ability to revoke a pardon based on notes from 1929 suggesting a presidential signature is not essential for a pardon to be valid.
The rise of speculative and legally dubious theories promoted by pro-Trump activists highlights the efficiency of today’s right-wing media environment.
The origins of the conspiracy theory are uncertain, but a post on the 4chan message board in October referencing autopens and Biden may have contributed to its spread.
Howell’s Surveillance Project, established in 2022 by the Heritage Foundation, has been deeply involved in researching this topic.
Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, now a visiting fellow at the Surveillance Project, proposed collecting copies of presidential documents signed by Biden to verify signature authenticity.
Staff members began compiling documents and requesting copies of resolutions and bills from the National Archives after Biden’s withdrawal from the race, but the project gained urgency when Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s letter raised concerns about the enforcement orders and pardons signed by Biden.
Howell was surprised by Bailey’s letter’s alignment with his signature study and considered it a stroke of luck.
“It was eighth on the to-do list,” Howell remarked. “Then AG Bailey drops his letter and it shoots to the top.”
Howell’s thread received over 3 million views, sparking widespread discussions on conservative talk radio within hours.
The topic quickly spread to popular podcasts and cable news programs, with a focus on Biden’s autopen, especially concerning pardons for political allies.
The project highlighted the vulnerability of amnesty documents, releasing an analysis of Biden’s signatures on five amnesties issued on his final day in office.
Trump criticized Biden’s use of autopens as disrespectful to the presidency and potentially invalid at a Justice Department press conference following the release of the Surveillance Project’s findings on pardons.
Critics, including conservative jurist Jonathan Turley, dismissed the idea of nullifying pardons based on autopen usage, citing the president’s authority to use such tools and lack of concrete evidence for a conspiracy against Biden.
Howell believes the question can only be resolved in court and continues his work, publishing a legal memo on Autopens and planning to retrieve more documents signed by Biden for further analysis by a forensic handwriting expert.
“We’re preparing for all possibilities,” Howell concluded.
Amber is a slow specimen that holds ancient water, bubbles, plants, insects, and even more unusual specimens, coveted around the world as both a container of gems and prehistoric debris bird.
Usually, amber forms for millions of years as wood resins become fossilized, but paleontologists are energizing it, creating amber fossils from pine resin in 24 hours. This technique can help clarify as Amber’s biochemistry is formed. This is a process that remains hidden in prehistoric mist.
It was released on Monday JournalScientific Reportsthe results of the rapid experiment are similar to meals made in a pressure cooker. “It’s similar to Instapot,” said Evan Saitta, a researcher at the Field Museum in Chicago and co-author of the paper.
The synthetic amber recipe began with Chicago Botanical Garden Pine Resin. Dr. Saitta and his co-author, independent paleontologist Thomas Kaye, placed a half-inch sediment disc with Mr. Kaye embedded in which the resin was constructed using a medical tablet compressor, an air canister and other cleaned parts.
By heating the sample and applying pressure, researchers were trying to simulate the product. This was trying to limit the slow, wet physical and chemical transformations needed to the rock before sediments could be integrated into the rock.
“Making it is the ultimate hurdle you need to pass to become a fossil,” said Dr. Saita. “It’s kind of the last boss.”
Although some samples produced by the researchers were incomplete, the physical properties of some ambers include darker colours, fractures, dehydration, and increased gloss.
The two also realized that they started with the wrong family of pine trees. Amber, the most frequently studied in paleontology, is a scientist, and its group of trees isOnly living relatives are Japanese umbrella pine.
Maria McNamara, a paleontologist at University College Cork in Ireland, said future experiments should test additional plant types as they were not involved in the study.
“What we really want to handle is that the resin polymerizes faster,” she said. She also pointed out that accelerated chemical analysis of Amber is necessary to know how close it is to the real thing. “Wood resin survives, but requires proper and complete chemical properties,” she said.
Regarding the limitations of all research, Dr. McNamara said fossil simulation is an increasingly important area of research. Recreated by some paleontologists Bone or tissue collapse To explore the effects of microbial organisms. In her lab, the researcher said,Thermal mature specimen Investigate the conservation of biological molecules under heat.
Without such simulations, “we just trust the fossil records,” she said. “Experiments can help tell facts from fiction and determine the extent to which the fossil records are lying.”
Dr. Saita tried other simulations. In 2018 he buried him. Finch In wet deposits, see how it compresses. It was awkward and failed. However, after working with Kaye on a pressure cooker device, they managed to study the previous stages of fossilization. Leaf, feather, lizard feet. For example, in these specimens, keratin from the feathers leached out in feathers, leaving behind a dark, melanin-like engraving similar to fossilized feathers. (At the conference, Dr. Saitta said he likes to test other paleontologists and find the visual difference between analogues and real fossils.)
In future amber experiments, Dr. Saita aims to embed insects, wings, or plants in the resin. One reason why this can be proven useful is that the actual specimen is valuable, meaning it is a trade of thousands of dollars, making disruptive analysis unfeasible. “Preserved insects in synthetic amber would not be valuable because it is made in the laboratory,” Dr. Saita said.
Researchers also plan to apply pressure on decayed organic matter and adapt the technology to simulate geological weathering.This will capture more fossilization stages more realistically.
Looking further, experimental fossilization techniques allow scientists to even explore the fossils of the future, Dr. Saitta said. How does life in the Anthropocene become fossilized? What happens to tissue or bones that have been injected with microplastics or industrial heavy metals?
We are not here in millions of years from now. However, using devices like pressure aids can get you closer.
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is hoping to encourage more researchers and students to delve into the impact of artificial intelligence on human norms. To support this cause, Hastings made a generous donation of $50 million to his alma mater, Boudine College, establishing a research initiative on “AI and Humanity,” the largest gift the liberal arts college has received since its founding in 1794.
The ultimate goal of the program, according to Hastings and school officials, is to transform Boudine into a hub for investigating the risks and consequences of AI. It also aims to equip students to address emerging technologies that are capable of producing human-like text and creating formulas for potential new medications.
The concept for this initiative stemmed from conversations between Hastings and President Boudin over recent months. They see it as an opportunity to enhance the academic experience by incorporating AI into education and research. Some of the funds will be used to hire 10 new faculty members to support professors looking to integrate AI into their teaching and research.
In a recent interview, Hastings emphasized the importance of researchers addressing these critical questions given the rapid advancements in AI and the potential disruptions it could bring to various aspects of human life, such as work and relationships.
He stressed the urgency of preparing for the transformative impact of AI, comparing it to the rapid growth of social networks that initially caught many off guard with their societal implications.
Dr. Zaki, a cognitive scientist and President of Boudin, expressed his hope that Bowdoin faculty and students will develop an ethical framework for exploring and utilizing AI technology to address fundamental questions.
He posed thought-provoking questions about the ethical dimensions of AI and stressed the moral duty of educators to engage with these issues.
As AI becomes more pervasive in daily life, millions of people are utilizing it for tasks ranging from information retrieval to generating computer code. The creators of these tools predict that even more advanced AI systems will significantly alter our daily routines.
While some tech leaders in Silicon Valley paint a positive image of an AI-driven future, the new initiative at Boudin College seeks to critically examine how AI is reshaping society for better or for worse. Hastings hopes this program will ensure that technological advancements are aligned with benefiting people and society.
Expressing his optimistic view on technology, Hastings believes that human progress is closely tied to our moral and ethical systems. He highlights the importance of strengthening these systems to guide technological development for the betterment of humanity.
tCurrently, there is a lot of focus on young men and toxic masculinity. It’s about time. A 13-year-old accused of killing a girl after being radicalized by online manospheres has brought attention to the issue through his remarkable writing and powerful performance by teenager Owen Cooper. Former English football manager Gareth Southgate recently discussed the lack of moral leadership among young men in the UK, who turn to gambling and video games, disconnecting from society and immersing themselves in male-dominated online communities where racism is prevalent. The gaming industry has faced criticism for providing a less than ideal environment for boys, and even those who enjoy playing must acknowledge that game forums, message boards, streaming platforms, and social media groups struggle with hate speech and violent rhetoric.
This is not a new revelation. The 2014 harassment campaign Gamergate, supposedly about ethics in game journalism, was actually a response to increased inclusivity and progressive thinking in game development, leading to the radicalization of young white men by “Alt-Right” influencers and Breitbart. This toxic environment produced online harassment and doxxing aimed at women, LGBTQI+ developers, and developers of color.
Toxic fandom remains a significant issue in the gaming industry, with developers facing online abuse and death threats for diversifying characters and stories or delaying game releases. The toxicity has been ingrained in the gaming community for years.
The complexity of the problem often gets overlooked. While condemning toxic gaming communities, it’s important to acknowledge the positive impact online communities can have on teenagers’ lives, fostering connections and support. The gaming industry and social media platforms need to take responsibility for ensuring a safe environment with robust moderation and AI monitoring. However, addressing the root of the problem – the lack of direction and purpose among young men today – is essential for long-term change.
The gaming community, dominated by young men seeking power fantasies, needs to be part of the conversation about addressing toxic behavior and fostering a healthier environment. Society must address the challenges facing young men, including mental health services access, changing traditional masculine roles, and providing support and guidance in a rapidly evolving world.
The Crown Prosecutor’s Office is planning to update its guidance on “revenge porn” crimes to ensure that explicit photos of the victim are no longer allowed to be retained.
observer reported last month that the Magistrates’ Court did not order the removal of content related to Image-based abuse cases, and prosecutors did not request such action.
An examination of court records revealed that out of 98 cases, only three resulted in deprivation orders requiring offenders to surrender their devices and delete private photos and videos.
In one case, a man was accused by a magistrate of engaging in “deeply disturbing” behavior to emotionally intimidate the victim. Despite receiving a suspended sentence, no order was issued to have him surrender his device for deletion, leaving the police without the legal authority to do so.
These findings prompted outcry from activists, demanding immediate action and stating that the failure to act left victims “living in fear.” The CPS acknowledged the need for more action to prevent these images from being used to perpetrate further crimes.
The prosecutor’s guidance on communication crimes is currently being revised. The new guidelines, released this week, urge prosecutors to utilize deprivation orders more effectively and consistently.
Prosecutors are advised to consider implementing the order early in their case strategies to strip offenders of their devices promptly and foster a more uniform approach to device confiscation from suspects from the outset.
Campaigners welcomed the change as a positive step forward.
Elena Michael from the campaign group #notyourporn commended the guidance as a helpful step but emphasized the need for further actions to be taken.
She highlighted additional areas for improvement, such as addressing issues related to evidence collection and advocating for a more comprehensive investigation process.
Furthermore, she urged clarity on whether the guidance would extend to hard drives, cloud storage, and physical devices in addition to mobile phones.
Law professor Claire McGlyn praised the updated guidance as a positive development and a step towards progress, emphasizing the importance of addressing image-based sexual abuse cases more effectively.
The Judgment Council, responsible for issuing guidance to judges and magistrates, stated that they are monitoring the government’s new intimate image law proposal and will consider necessary adjustments to guidelines once it is enacted.
rEid Hoffman is a prominent Silicon Valley billionaire entrepreneur and investor known for co-founding LinkedIn, a professional social networking site currently owned by Microsoft. He is also solidly anti-Trump. Longtime Democrat donors threw his support behind Kamala Harris at the White House race. Hoffman spoke observer His new book on our future with new political environment technology and artificial intelligence; Super Agency. The book doesn’t ignore any issues that AI can cause, but, This technology claims to be poised to provide a cognitive superpower that will increase our personal, collective human institutions and create a broad state of empowerment in society.
You have a vested interest in being positive about AI, including companies focused on conversational AI for business, Inflection AI. Why should we listen to you? First, economic benefits don’t necessarily make what someone is saying wrong, I am transparent and I try not to hide mine. Secondly, I tend to start with my beliefs and follow my own money. And sometimes it means doing something against my financial interests. Don’t kiss [Trump’s] The ring is probably an economic limiter, as many others have, but in principle it’s better to do it. I could have put the time and energy I spent writing Super Agency I made more money for my company, but I would like to share my intellectual discourse.
What are your hopes for books? I want to at least make people ai-curious, so they start exploring these superpowers that we all may be getting. There is a flood of debate about AI, which tends to be negative and has to do with a decline in human institutions. And it’s a general response to new technology, but in previous cases it didn’t go through – the human institutions have increased – and I predict that the AI revolution will land in the same place. However, there is a turbulent transition. I call it the “Cognitive Industrial Revolution.” Not only because of the expected superpowers and superinstitutions, but as with the Industrial Revolution, the transition will be difficult. When we use techno and humanist compasses that point us towards building technology that increases human institutions, we can overcome it with less pain and more bounty.
It claims like an AI chatbot chatgpt Because of the comparison, it was a turning point when increasing the number of human agents. With AI technologies like facial recognition, predictive policing, and algorithmic surveillance, they work for With us and Not us Above We must choose to use them positively. But they still lead us towards a specific perspective, paralyze critical thinking, and of course, could overturn our work – It seems to undermine human agents. They are transformed to do their jobInformation experts need to use AI tools to do some of the work. Otherwise you’re short on tools and not competitive. And you may feel it as a loss of the agency. You don’t want to change, but you can’t choose not to do so. But then you start to see the benefits. Iterative tasks can be automated and accelerate creative processes. You get more agents, so do other people.
So, isn’t we all going out of date? I believe that AI will mostly still be copilots, but obviously some job types will disappear. We need to build technology that can help people whose jobs change their adaptation. Or, if the job is completely gone, you can find other jobs that they can learn and do with AI.
You label people who harm AI’s short-term risks and harms as “dark,” but isn’t it important to criticize new technology? yes. But if it makes sense, you need to stop or slow down significantly. It’s not helpful. This is especially true because countries that are adopting the cognitive industrial revolution early and firmly will gain a large amount of economic strength, and their values will shape the world. I want them to acquire Western democracy before others like China who are trying to embrace it through dictatorships.
You will reach a good future by piloting towards it. It’s not that we’re not paying attention to a bad future, but we do so because we’re thinking about how to navigate the right way. It adopts a repetitive unfolding stance – tests deliberately progressive versions in the real world at once to see where criticism plays and adjusts (this is how Openai unfolds ChatGpt).
Where is wealthy leadership? Democrats against Trump? Or people are lying low for fear of political retaliation You said Are you worried? Personally, I am reorganizing. For me, the point is not fighting Trump. It helps to improve humanity and society, including American society. And you may be thinking that this administration is not going to listen to my thoughts on what the government should do with AI, so I should focus on contributing elsewhere. I recently launched Manas AI, focusing on the discovery of drugs to cure cancer. He also recently became a fellow at the London School of Economics, helping AI think about how to reinvent the university.
That being said, obviously I was disappointed and deeply concerned about the various things that have happened since Trump took office, as if he had formed a seemingly alliance with Russia and Putin and resigned from an offensive cyber operation.
You’re in itFew high-tech moguls are not jointlyHeaded towards President Trump. What should we conclude about the morality of this industry? Roll back the Dei (Diversity) initiative and drop FactCheckinglike Meta did? I have a quiet friend! The tech industry should talk and take some of the clues from governments elected by Democratic votes. The fact that you happen to not like this government does not deny it. But on the other hand, frankly, there are times when something bad is happening for society. It can be easily argued that some Dei initiatives are going too far and it’s good to adjust them, but part of Dei is civil rights.
I clearly disagree with some of the moves made to remove fact checks. There are anti-Vax claims on various social networking platforms, very easily false and have a double-digit percentage of Americans who believe in various vaccine-related conspiracy theories. Such a level of disinformation within society makes it difficult for democracies to operate. LinkedIn is criticized for being boring, but it illustrates many of the things you think should be happening on social networks around fact checking.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are outside the White House. Photo: Shutterstock
How worried was it to see the “fast move, break things” technical approach applied to the US federal government by DOGE? [Elon Musk’s department of government effeciency]in some cases, do you use AI software to identify budget cuts? I think most businessmen, including myself, would think that coming up with ways to make government more efficient is a good goal. But you can do it in a more legitimate way than you do it. They are trying to fire all these professionals and rehire them. It’s a hot mess of incompetent behavior. Even if you’re doing it vigorously and quickly, there are ways to do it. They may have asked for notes about the program they were considering cutting off. “Just cancel everything and see what happens” is a path with large external costs.
You and Elon Musk were once friends. However, he condemns you and continues to repeatedly accus you of being one of Jeffrey Epstein’s clients. What you said “demons and lies” and your only involvement with Epstein, which you apologise, is to help raise funds for MIT Media Lab.Do you have any plans to take legal action? I have not filed a personal lawsuit yet. I tend to be a builder, and this kind of manufacturer and legal action is very difficult in the US. I also thought of calling for the release of the Epstein Files to unravel the truth. But do I really want to get into that tar pit? I question Yellon’s motivation for saying these things that he is given to him now in government. I think he’s trying to smear my voice down to reduce its connection with Americans.
How do you equip yourself? What advice do you have for young adults thinking about their career path? I don’t think it would prevent myself. It’s about amplifying yourself. The key is to engage with AI and learn the tools. And young people have real benefits. They tend to easily adopt new technologies, which can bring skill sets and mindsets to the workplace that can help transform the workplace.
Your previous book, Improvingis described as “written.”Reed Hoffman With chatgpt-4“And it documents the conversation with the chatbot. How much did you use AI to write this book? meanwhile [my co-author and I] Feeling that we own all the words here, we use it a lot! For research, I would like to give us the advantages and disadvantages of what we discussed in the various sections, suggesting rewriting the paragraph and giving us more zing. My recommendation for all writers is to start using AI in depth. It’s a huge intelligence amp. And the way we used it was not wholesale to say “written in ai”. It’s like saying “written on a Mac.”
How should AI be regulated? Biden’s 2023 executive order, which aimed to reduce the risk of the US closest to federal AI regulations, was rescinded by Trump, who described it as a barrier to American AI innovation. Regulations, such as deployment, must be repetitive. Certainly, regulations as we go, and now even some regulations. Biden’s executive order was right in the direction of dealing with great harm, not all the harm you could think of. But that’s not just a regulation. Feedback from customers, employees and the public is all part of steering the road here. Benchmarks and metrics are also important ways to combine non-legs of low-performance shelf algorithms.
Will it be a chatbot built on a leading partisan language model (LLM) that eschew the truth and strengthens your worldview? Obviously, it’s not good that we’re in a perfect filter bubble. And I think you’ll get some of that with some LLM. I’m a fan of identifying the principles you are training in your LLM and clarifying rational arguments for that. So: I believe this, this, and this, so I believe that I am a “confession” LLM, because I believe that people who oppose you are LLM that let you know because it is important for you to be informed. That way people will know what they are using.
The Holy Grail of Engineers to Reach Artificial General Information – AI can carry out the intellectual tasks that humans can do in cans and what many expect will be achieved by the end of the decade. Industrial Revolution? Although not necessarily, it will amplify even more. Today’s LLM allows us to do things that humans cannot do in terms of knowledge and can bring things together. Within three years the tools are sufficient, so if you don’t use them, you’ll be like an expert who doesn’t have a mobile phone. But are we talking about AGI or artificial super intelligence (ASI)? [greatly exceeding human cognitive abilities]And I think it’s at least decades away, but we should try to shape them in a way that’s good for us and in a way that’s good for society. Let’s make sure ASIS is essentially Buddhist in their values.
Superagency: What could work with the future of AI? Reid Hoffman and Greg Beat are issued by Authors Equity (£22). Supporting Guardian and observer Please order a copy at Guardianbookshop.com. Shipping charges may apply
aFter ChatGpt broke the cover in late 2022, and the tech industry embarked on modern rendering Tulip Maniapeople began to wonder why Apple, the biggest tech giant of all, is keeping their distance from the insanity. In the end, Tech Commentariat decided that there were only two possible interpretations of the company’s stand officeness. et alOr it had an unning plan to unleash the technology that would make the world a world-wide.
Finally, Apple was cleaned up at the annual World Wide Developers’ Conference (WWDC) held on June 10th last year. Or appeared. For Apple, “AI” is not what the vulgar routs rave about at Openai, Google, Microsoft, or Meta, and does not mean anything completely refined and refined what is called “Apple Intelligence.” It wasn’t like the veteran Apple-Watcher’s John Gruber put it downa single thing or product, but “marketing terminology for collections of features, apps, and services.” Putting everything under one memorable label makes it easier for users to understand that Apple is launching something truly novel. And, of course, it’s also easy for Apple to say that users who wanted to have all these flashy features should buy an iPhone 15 Pro, as older devices can’t stand the task.
Needless to say, this columnist fell into it and upgraded it. (Well, one sucker is born every minute.) Like the kit, the new phone was impressive. A powerful new processor chip, neural engine, and more have been treated. And the camera turned out to be surprisingly good. However, the features of Apple Intelligence enabled by the upgrade seemed trivial and sometimes exciting. I started messing around with my photo collection, for example, getting in the way, unwanted, and imposing categories on annoying images. And then there was a new pre-installed app called “Image Playground.”Make communication and self-expression even more fun” – This may be true for a 4-year-old with short attention span, but otherwise it was a central casting turkey and should have been strangled at birth.
However, there was one feature that looked interesting and useful. This is a serious enhancement to Siri, an attempt at Apple’s virtual personal assistant. from now on, The company announced: “Siri can deliver intelligence tailored to users and their on-device information. For example, users could say, “Play the podcasts recommended by Jamie.” Siri finds flight details and cross-references with real-time flight tracking to give arrival times. “
However, in a thorough examination, Siri was unable to do these useful things even when run on my expensive new phone. In fact, it mostly looked mediocre as ever. And it came on March 7th Announcement from Apple“We’re also working on more personalized Siri, making us more aware of your personal context and the ability to take action for you within and across your app. It takes longer than we thought we’d offer these features, and we’ll be rolling out it next year.”
For Gruber, who knows more about Apple than anyone I know, this was like a red rag of a bull. The announcement meant, He wrote“What Apple has shown regarding the upcoming ‘personalized Siri’ at WWDC was not a demo. It was a concept video. The concept video is bullshit and a sign of a company that is confused, if not a crisis.” And he has long memories, so he reminded him that Apple last screened the concept video – what is called Knowledge Navigator Video – He was heading for bankruptcy. And when Steve Jobs returns and turns it into the most profitable company in history, it never made anything like that again.
Until – called Gruber – now.
Is he overreacting? Answer: Yes. While Apple is not in danger, this minifiasco, featuring Siri and Apple Intelligence, looks like the first serious misstep in managing Tim Cook’s company. If there’s one thing Jobs’ Apple was famous, it didn’t announce the product before it was ready to ship. It is clear that the company had seriously underestimated the amount of work it took to deliver what it had promised to SIRI last June. If you were particular about Jobs Playbooks, the time to start the enhancement would have been early in June 2025. The company clearly forgot Hofstadter’s Law:Even considering Hofstadter’s law, everything takes longer than expected.
What I’ve read
A million monkeys… ChatGpt can’t kill anything worth saving Amazing essay By John Warner on AI and writing.
A beloved machine of blessing? AI: A means of end or a means to our end? Read Stephen Fry’s first lecture to the Digital Futures Institute in King’s College London Obsessive Du Jour.
o
After a period of time, smoking indoors, wearing a flamboyant wide tie, and typing away on a typewriter at the office desk became socially acceptable. Norms evolve, and that’s often for the best. However, when it comes to cafe laptops, I urge society to reconsider. Don’t be the nuisance in my cafe – that’s the only place that keeps a solitary freelancer like me going, similar to the WFH Brigade.
My kitchen table, where I spend most of my working hours, is adequate. There’s a window nearby. You can make yourself a cup of tea whenever you please. You can transition to the couch, listen to your own music, take loud calls, or stand up. But variety is the spice of life, and if cafes were my only option, I’d truly be disheartened. Yes, I’m aware of coworking spaces, but they are a) filled with unpleasant individuals, and b) not within my budget. Thankfully, the calming ambient noise of distant conversations, keyboard clicks, is as close to a cafe as I can get for now.
The freedom to work from anywhere is one of the perks of being a writer, but this privilege is being misused by fellow laptop users, risking its potential revocation. Clogging up tables, engaging in hours of minimal spending, the antics of cafe owners – just buying a cup of tea and occupying space all day is clearly rude, not to mention bad for business.
It’s undeniable that a sea of laptops alters the ambiance of a place, transforming friendly hangouts to unbearable coworking spots. Consequently, our laptop-user to other patron ratio needs to be managed diligently. After years of observing this trend – even before the pandemic hit, I’ve drafted a code of conduct to maintain harmony within the cafe laptop ecosystem. And it’s essential to adhere to it, as if we continue to disrupt this balance, it might be back to the kitchen table for good.
The initial rule is to limit laptop usage in cafes to four hours and spend around £5 on two items. If you plan to occupy the space all day, you must also order at least one meal. Additionally, no Zoom calls or phone conversations are permitted under any circumstances. The objective of working with a laptop in a cafe is to blend in seamlessly, rather than disrupting the environment with endless productivity tasks. If you need to make a call, stay at home or step outside.
It goes without saying that you should choose the smallest available table. Don’t occupy a larger table when it’s just you and your laptop. Furthermore, if power outlets are visibly accessible, don’t hassle the staff to charge your devices. They are there to serve food and drinks, not to make your impromptu office setup easier. And of course, do not play loud music. It shouldn’t need to be said, but a recent encounter at a coffee shop proved otherwise. I wonder what he’s reading now. Otherwise, our refuge in local cafes is at risk.
In conclusion, be respectful, pay your dues, and don’t take advantage of the privilege of being in a cafe. Essentially: Don’t abuse the system.
Many British people abroad may wish to hide me under a rock or imagine French accents. While I feel ashamed to be grouped with them, there’s no reason why we can’t change the narrative.
Cafes not only provide a conducive work environment but also serve as a natural habitat. As historical origins suggest, they have always been a breeding ground for ideas. The vibrant, intellectual cafe setting is often what’s needed to spark creativity, while also reminding us of the presence of others (a aspect often missing in traditional office settings). It’s truly a valuable resource that shouldn’t be taken for granted. If cafes were no longer an option, and the kitchen table or coworking spaces were the only alternatives, I might have to reluctantly resort to seeking traditional employment.
Do you have any opinions on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to send a response of up to 300 words by email to consider being published in our Letters section, please click here.
I
n In early March, job advertisements were circulating among sports journalists for the “AI Assisted Sports Reporter” position at USA Today’s publisher Gannett. This role was described as being at the “front of a new era of journalism,” but it was clarified that it did not involve beat reporting or require travel or in-person interviews. Football commentator Gary Tafaus made light of this dark humor.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, newsrooms are grappling with the challenges and opportunities it presents. Recent developments include an AI project at a media outlet being criticized for softening the image of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as UK journalists producing over 100 bylines in a day with the help of AI. Despite uncertainties surrounding technology, there is a growing consensus on its current capabilities.
Media companies are well aware of the potential pitfalls of relying on AI tools to create and modify content. While some believe that AI can improve the quality of information, others emphasize the need to establish proper guidelines to avoid detrimental consequences.
The rapid integration of technology into newsrooms has led to some unfortunate instances, such as the LA Times using AI tools to provide alternative viewpoints that were criticized for minimizing the threat posed by groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Executives in the media industry recognize the challenges of making unpredictable decisions in the era of AI.
Even tech giants like Apple have faced setbacks in ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated content, as evidenced by the suspension of features creating inaccurate summaries of news headlines from the BBC.
Journalists and tech designers have spent years developing AI tools that can enhance journalistic practices. Publishers use AI to summarize and suggest headlines based on original reporting, which can then be reviewed by human editors. Some publishers have begun implementing AI tools to condense and repurpose their stories.
The Make It Fair campaign was created to raise awareness among British citizens about the threats posed by Generative AI to the creative industry. Photo: Geoffrey Swaine/Rex/Shutterstock
Some organizations are experimenting with AI chatbots that allow readers to access archived content and ask questions. However, concerns have been raised about the potential lack of oversight over the responses generated by AI.
The debate continues on the extent to which AI can support journalists in their work. While some see AI as a tool to increase coverage and enable more in-depth reporting, others doubt its impact on original journalism.
Despite the challenges, newsrooms are exploring the benefits of AI in analyzing large datasets and improving workflow efficiency. Tools have helped uncover significant cases of negligence and aid in tasks like transcription and translation.
While concerns persist about AI errors, media companies are exploring ways to leverage AI for social listening, content creation, and fact-checking. The industry is also looking towards adapting content formats for different audiences and platforms.
However, the prospect of AI chatbots creating content independently has raised fears about the potential displacement of human journalists. Some media figures believe that government intervention may be necessary to address these challenges.
Several media groups have entered licensing agreements with owners of AI models to ensure proper training on original content. Despite the uncertainties, there is hope that the media industry can adapt to the evolving landscape of AI technology.
The owners of Facebook and Instagram are contemplating the possibility of charging UK users for an ad-free version of the platform following an agreement on a landmark privacy case payment.
Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has agreed to stop targeting users with personalized advertising after reaching a legal settlement in the London High Court, thus avoiding a trial.
In 2022, human rights activist Tanya O’Carroll filed a lawsuit against the trillion-dollar company, alleging that Facebook violated UK data laws by disregarding her right to opt out of data collection for targeted advertising purposes.
O’Carroll expressed satisfaction after both parties resolved the lawsuit, with Meta committing to ending the practice of targeting her with tailored ads based on her personal data. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), a UK data watchdog, supported O’Carroll’s position, emphasizing people’s right to object to the use of their personal information for direct marketing.
O’Carroll believes that the ICO’s stance, as disclosed in its filing in the high court, could set a precedent for similar legal actions.
“This settlement is not just a win for me, but for all those who value their fundamental right to privacy,” O’Carroll stated. “None of us consented to being bombarded with years of surveillance ads.”
Meta has stated its firm opposition to O’Carroll’s claims and emphasized its compliance with the UK’s privacy law GDPR. The company is considering introducing subscription services in the UK, where users would pay to access ad-free services. Advertising currently contributes to about 98% of Meta’s revenue.
“We are exploring the possibility of offering subscriptions to users in the UK and will provide more details soon,” Meta announced.
Last year, the ICO indicated that it was assessing how UK data protection laws apply to ad-free subscription services.
In the EU, Meta already offers ad-free services for 7.99 euros per month following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.
India’s IT Ministry has unlawfully extended its censorship authority to facilitate the removal of online content and allow “countless” government officials to enforce such orders.
The lawsuit and accusations indicate the escalation of the ongoing legal dispute between X, who is being instructed by New Delhi to take down content, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This comes as Musk prepares to launch Starlink and Tesla in India.
In a recent court filing dated March 5, X argues that India’s IT ministry is utilizing a government website launched by the Home Office last year to issue content blocking orders and compel social media companies to participate on the website. According to X, the process lacks stringent Indian legal safeguards concerning content removal, requiring the issuance of an order in cases of sovereignty or public order harm and involving strict monitoring by top officials.
India’s IT Ministry redirected a request for comment to the Home Office, but did not respond.
The government’s website stated it was attempting to counter the directive by establishing an “unacceptable parallel mechanism” that would lead to “unchecked censorship of Indian information.”
X’s court documents have not been publicly released and were initially reported by the media on Thursday. The case was briefly heard earlier this week by a judge from the Southern High Court of Karnataka, but a final decision was not reached. The next hearing is scheduled for March 27th.
In 2021, X, previously known as Twitter, faced a dispute with the Indian government over defying a legal order to block certain tweets related to farmers’ protests against government policies. X eventually complied after facing backlash from the public, but the legal challenge remains ongoing in Indian courts.
A Norwegian man has lodged a complaint against the company responsible for ChatGpt after mistakenly accusing the chatbot of murdering two children.
Arve Hjalmar Holmen, a self-described “ordinary person” not publicly known in Norway, received a response from ChatGpt falsely suggesting that he had killed his son while seeking information about himself.
Chatgpt responded with, “Who is Arve Hjalmar Holmen? Arve Hjalmar Holmen is a Norwegian individual who gained notoriety due to tragic events. He was the father of two young boys, aged 7 and 10, who were sadly found dead in a pond near Trondheim, Norway in December 2020.”
The response claimed that the incident had shocked the nation, and Holman was supposedly sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder of both children.
In his complaint to the Norwegian Data Protection Agency, Holmen stated that the fabricated story contained personal details resembling his own life, including his hometown, number of children, and the age gap between his sons.
“The petitioner was deeply disturbed by these inaccuracies, which could negatively impact his personal life if shared in his community or hometown,” stated the complaint submitted by Holmen and the Digital Rights Campaign Group Neub.
It was also mentioned that Holman has never been accused or convicted of any crime and is a law-abiding citizen.
Holmen’s complaint alleged that ChatGpt’s defamatory response violated the accuracy clause of the GDPR European Data Act. He requested the Norwegian watchdog to instruct Openai, the parent company of ChatGpt, to remove incorrect information related to him and adjust the model to avoid such errors. Noyb noted that Openai had released a new model incorporating web search functionality since Holmen’s interaction with ChatGpt.
AI chatbots operate based on predictive models for generating responses, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies and false claims. Despite this, users often assume the information provided is entirely accurate due to the responses appearing plausible.
An Openai spokesperson stated, “We are continuously exploring ways to enhance model accuracy and reduce erroneous outputs. While we are still reviewing this specific complaint, it pertains to an earlier version of ChatGPT that has since been updated with an online search feature to enhance accuracy.”
During the All Hands meeting at the Company on Thursday, Elon Musk reassured Tesla employees about the automaker’s “bright and exciting” future, encouraging them not to sell their stocks despite the company’s declining valuation.
“There may be challenging times,” the billionaire CEO informed his employees. “But what I want to emphasize is that the future looks incredibly bright and promising, and I am committed to achieving great things that nobody thought possible.”
During the meeting aired on X, Musk urged employees to hold onto their stocks despite a 50% decrease in stock prices. Tesla has faced criticism due to tech executives’ roles in the Trump administration. Following Trump’s reference to Musk as the head of the “Governmental Efficiency Department” (DOGE), the world’s richest person has dismantled the entire federal agency, leading to issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As a response, Tesla owners are considering selling their vehicles, leading to a plummet in the company’s stock price and incidents of destruction of Teslas across the country.
Musk expressed his concerns, stating, “When I read the news, it feels like Armageddon. If you choose not to purchase our products, I understand, but resorting to burning them is unreasonable.”
The day before, Tesla issued a recall for the CyberTruck model due to issues with a part called a can rail, prompting the replacement of the assembly of affected vehicles for free.
Even long-standing financial supporters of the company lament the challenging political environment facing Tesla and the subsequent decline in its performance.
Dan Ives, managing director of Wedbush, described the current situation as a “brand tornado crisis” for Tesla due to the recent events surrounding the company.
Musk’s plea to employees regarding stocks is part of his efforts to stabilize stock prices and boost vehicle sales amid the ongoing challenges. Earlier this month, Musk stood alongside Trump in front of the White House to promote Tesla’s technological capabilities, with Trump expressing interest in purchasing the vehicles.
In conclusion, Musk reiterated his long-standing claims during the meeting, reassuring employees that Tesla vehicles would eventually be able to drive autonomously.
“I urge you to hold onto your stock,” Musk emphasized.
dDid you know that soundtrack concerts are the most popular orchestra tours? A third of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s first-time audiences have come to the concert hall through their favorite series, films, and video games. It is a huge cultural growth field and may not be recognized by the public.
“Now it’s impossible to ignore video game music,” says Tommy Pearson, founder and artistic director of London’s first soundtrack festival. “The creativity and artistry of the game are incredible and it’s fascinating to see many composers blossom in the genre.”
As one of the lead architects behind the festival, Pearson was keen to create space for video games as part of the celebration, not just as an “add-on” to television and film soundtracks, but also as an equality in art forms. “When we first thought about what we would do at a festival, including that music in the game isn’t easy, it must be there absolutely, along with film and television music. It has an audience of very dedicated fans, and the music is as good as what is written in any genre.”
Tommy Pearson, artistic director of the London Soundtrack Festival. Photo: London Soundtrack Festival
The festival from March 19th to 26th will consist of live performances, panel discussions, screenings, Q&AS and masterclasses. One of the important events The cutting edgea composer who won a Grammy and Iver Novello Award for his work in Video Game Music by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Masterclasses of Stephen Burton and Gordie Herbs, and a work in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Why is 2025 the best time for the first soundtrack festival in London? “We watch millions of streams of game soundtracks every day,” Burton says. “Instagram and Tiktok have a huge amount of social media content, not to mention the world of Twitch where streamer playlists are a big part of their identity. The record industry is keeping up with this.”
“You can see streaming numbers climbing in real time, but you can feel it anywhere, beyond the data,” adds Haab. “Game music is not limited to consoles anymore. It is woven into everyday life. For example, my nie and ne have purely rotated gaming soundtracks for pure fun. At game events, I know notes on these themes. I stand on my own as film music, as legitimate art forms.
“Fans know these themes. Photo: Kojima Production
Composers Rudig Forsell (Stronging of Death), Harry Gregson Williams (Metal Gear Solid), Stephanie Economy (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok), and Borislavslavov (Gate 3 of Bardur) are all part of a panel discussing game music before participating in the evening performance.
“It’ll be hard to find someone who can’t sing a song from Super Mario Bros., Final Fantasy, Hello, or The Legend of Zelda,” says Econow. “Video game music is common because video games are common. The industry itself is more profitable than the combined film, television, and music industries, so when people think that popularity is suddenly rising, all I can think of is getting more recognition and celebrations in the sphere that has finally been released.
“The London Soundtrack Festival is a great opportunity to celebrate the differences and diversity of media music,” adds Forssell. “Video games may still be Brock’s new kids, but in a way they will definitely stay here. And as composers, we hope that we will always have a unique approach to music in general, including movies, TV, video games, pop, rock, music.”
Pearson and the team of composers he framed are watching the event as a celebration of the state of video game music. “These are all amazing, highly respected composers who have produced amazing, exciting scores that have been extremely successful in the games and concert halls,” says Pearson.
Can non-game audiences accept video game music as much as television or movies?
“It’s always going to be a bit silly when it comes to media music,” Pearson says. “But it isn’t as close as it used to be.
NASA took a chance some years back that commercial companies could conduct scientific experiments on the moon at a lower cost than institutions.
Unfortunately, last year, NASA’s initial attempt missed its mark, and the second attempt ended in a crash. However, this month saw success with the robot lander, Blue Ghost, built by Firefly Aerospace in Texas.
On March 16th, as Blue Ghost completed its mission on the moon, the mood at Firefly’s mission operation in Austin was a mix of happiness and bittersweet anticipation for the spacecraft’s demise.
The sun had already set on the lunar surface where Blue Ghost had been working for two weeks, 15 million miles away from Earth.
For solar-powered spacecraft like Blue Ghost, time was running out, and the end was near.
Ray Allensworth, the director of the spaceship program at Firefly, described the atmosphere as light and enthusiastic as they reflected on the successful mission of Blue Ghost.
While other commercial moon missions have faced challenges, Blue Ghost’s success has provided NASA with valuable data for future collaborations.
Scientists like Robert Grimm at the Southwest Institute in Colorado, who led one of the scientific payloads, expressed gratitude for the successful mission, noting that it was better than ending up as a crater.
One of the NASA experiments on Blue Ghost captured images of the lunar surface, providing valuable insights for future missions and research.
The data collected by the cameras will help scientists understand the dynamics of lunar surfaces and potential hazards for future spacecraft landings.
With the use of a new AI weather forecast approach, a single researcher working on desktop computers can deliver precise weather forecasts that are significantly faster and require much less computing power compared to traditional systems.
Traditional weather forecasting methods involve multiple time-consuming stages that rely on supercomputers and teams of experts. Aardvark Weather offers a more efficient solution by training AI on raw data collected from various sources worldwide.
This innovative approach, detailed in a publication by researchers from the University of Cambridge, Alan Turing Institute, Microsoft Research, and ECMWF, holds the potential to enhance forecast speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
Richard Turner, a machine learning professor at Cambridge University, envisions the use of this technology for creating tailored forecasts for specific industries and regions, such as predicting agricultural conditions in Africa or wind speeds for European renewable energy companies.
Members of New South Wales Emergency Services will inspect the advancement of the tropical cyclone Alfred on March 5, 2025 at a weather satellite view in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Bianca de Mart/Reuters
Unlike traditional forecasting methods that rely on extensive manual work and lengthy processing times, this new approach streamlines the prediction process, offering potentially more accurate and extended forecasts.
According to Dr. Scott Hosking from the Alan Turing Institute, this breakthrough can democratize weather forecasting by making advanced technologies accessible to developing countries and aiding decision-makers, emergency planners, and industries that rely on precise weather information.
Dr. Anna Allen, the lead author of the Cambridge University research, believes that these findings could revolutionize predictions for various climate-related events like hurricanes, wildfires, and air quality.
Drawing on recent advancements by tech giants like Huawei, Google, and Microsoft, Aardvark aims to revolutionize weather forecasting by leveraging AI to accelerate predictions. The system has already shown promising results, outperforming existing forecast models in certain aspects.
I I’ve played various Assassin’s Creed games over time, but I never truly adored them. Ubisoft’s historical fiction is almost exceptional. Many players argue that the series reached its peak in the late 2000s, particularly with the Italian Renaissance trilogy starting with Assassin’s Creed 2, featuring the charismatic hero Ezio Auditore. Since then, the franchise has become bloated, offering endless hours of repetitive open-world exploration and assassination across ancient Greece, Egypt, and even Viking Britain. The last game I delved into seriously was Odyssey, set in Ancient Greece. The settings were stunning, the gameplay somewhat engaging, and the sheer scale was utterly overwhelming.
Assassin’s Creed games serve as an incredible dive into historical fiction, effectively recreating lost periods of history for players to roam through, almost like a form of time travel. Personally, I enjoy them for the virtual tourism they offer, yet I’ve often found that a significant portion of the gameplay, roughly 80%, consists of loosely tying together moments of exploration with stealthy assassination missions.
Recently, the latest installment in the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, was released after multiple delays. Surprisingly, I found it to be more engaging and entertaining than many of its predecessors in years. This time, the game is set in 16th century Japan amidst the samurai and ninja conflict involving Warlord Oda Nobunaga, presenting a visually captivating and historically intriguing narrative. The two main characters in Shadows find themselves at the heart of this transformative period in Japan’s history, with each offering unique playstyles and stories that add depth to the overall experience.
The setting in Shadows is truly remarkable. Playing on the PS5 Pro, I can confidently say that this is the most visually stunning game I’ve ever encountered. The attention to detail in depicting the Japanese landscape, architecture, and natural beauty of the mountains is exceptional. The changing seasons add a dynamic element to the world, constantly offering new perspectives on the surroundings. It’s evident that a tremendous amount of effort went into creating this immersive environment, with every minute detail meticulously crafted.
The shadow of the Assassin’s Creed. Photo: Ubisoft
One notable aspect is the inclusion of multilingual scripts, allowing players to experience the game with English voiceovers or Japanese and Portuguese subtitles, adding to the authenticity of the historical setting. Despite my limited knowledge of Japanese history and language, playing in this mode proved to be surprisingly immersive and engaging, with each conversation feeling like a delicate interplay of words and intentions. The level of nuance in character interactions was impressive, offering players the chance to influence the outcomes through their choices.
The approach in Shadows to historical accuracy is more grounded and serious compared to previous entries in the series. The characters and events draw from actual historical references, steering clear of exaggerated side quests or comedic elements in dialogues. The game strikes a balance between authenticity and entertainment, capturing the essence of the samurai and shinobi in a way that feels believable and engaging.
According to a new report, Australian government agencies could potentially be customers of military-grade spyware from Israeli company Paragon Solutions.
Earlier this year, Meta disclosed that over 90 individuals, including journalists, were targeted on WhatsApp using this software, although it remains uncertain if Australians were among the targets.
In reports released by Citizen Lab on Wednesday, two Australian IP addresses were identified as potential users of Paragon’s spyware tools. Citizen Lab managed to map out Paragon’s server infrastructure based on tips they received.
The spyware allows access to messaging apps on users’ devices and is exclusively sold to governments worldwide, not to private entities.
The Australian domains mentioned in the report do not have a history of previous ownership according to WHOIS domain searches. These domains could potentially be utilized by federal or state agencies, although sources indicate that Paragon Solutions is not linked to the Ministry of Interior or Australia’s Signals Bureau.
When questioned about Australian customers or the targeting of Australians, Paragon did not provide direct answers to these queries.
John Fleming, the executive chairman of the company, stated, “Paragon’s ultimate goal is to aid national security and law enforcement in combating serious crimes and terrorism within the boundaries of the law, while also considering privacy implications. They ensure that customers operate within legal frameworks and enforce strict rules against misuse.”
A recent report from Citizen Lab followed Meta’s announcement in January that journalists and civil society members were targeted on WhatsApp using spyware owned by Paragon Solutions.
Meta sent a cease and desist letter to Paragon and explored legal actions against them after the incident.
Meta declined to comment further when asked if Australians were among the targets.
Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancerato uncovered a young fascist within the far-right party of Italian Prime Minister Giogia Meloni after receiving alerts from WhatsApp regarding the attack.
Following this revelation, Paragon Solutions terminated its contract with Italy. Meloni’s office denied any involvement by the national intelligence agency or government in alleged violations against journalists and activists.
Citizen Lab, headquartered at the University of Toronto, specializes in research on cyber and surveillance technologies.
Tesla and Elon Musk are currently facing a “brand tornado crisis moment,” and the CEO of the electric car company is being urged to step down by Donald Trump.
A warning was issued stating that Tesla would be recalling 46,000 cybertrucks in the US on Thursday to address issues with external panels coming loose while driving.
This development comes as protesters announced plans for a major demonstration against EV manufacturers, including Tesla.
Tesla’s stock has seen a significant decline over the past month due to various concerns, including the influence of Musk’s ties to the Trump administration and his involvement in the DOGE (Government Efficiency Sector).
Financial analyst Dan Ives described Doge’s impact on Musk as damaging to his personal reputation and business.
Ives warned investors of a potential crisis facing Tesla and Musk, citing protests at Tesla showrooms and destruction of vehicles.
He emphasized the need for Musk to step back from his role in Doge and formally announce his resignation as Tesla’s CEO to prevent further damage to the company’s reputation.
Additionally, Ives called for a clear roadmap for new vehicle releases and the deployment of self-driving vehicles in June to reassure investors.
Protest groups like Tesla Takedown have organized “Action Day” protests against Tesla and Musk worldwide, condemning Musk’s alleged involvement in illegal activities.
In response, Musk denounced protesters and defended his actions against what he described as unjust attacks on Tesla.
The Tesla recall issued on Thursday addresses issues with the Can Rail panels detaching from vehicles, posing safety risks. Tesla will replace the affected parts for free.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, detached panels can create road hazards and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Tesla has been requested to provide a comment on the issue.
The CEO of Nvidia, the largest computer chip maker in the world, has committed to investing “tens of billions” of dollars in manufacturing semiconductors and electronics in the United States over the next four years.
Jensen Huang’s remarks indicate a shift in supply chains of California-based AI chip makers away from Asia due to the uncertain tariff threats from Donald Trump.
In an interview with the Financial Times, the co-founder and CEO of Nvidia stated, “Overall, over the next four years, we plan to invest around $50 billion in electronics manufacturing. I believe we can easily surpass hundreds of billions produced here in the US.”
This announcement highlights the impact of Trump’s “America First” policy on business investments, pushing even companies like Nvidia, the most valuable in the world, to reconsider their global presence.
Founded in 1993, the Silicon Valley company has been driving the AI market boom, leading to its staggering valuation of $2.9 trillion. However, other major US tech giants, such as Apple, have become reliant on chip manufacturers in Taiwan, like TSMC and Foxconn.
Huang expressed confidence in Nvidia’s ability to navigate any challenges in Taiwan, a region prone to earthquakes. “We are prepared to manufacture in the US. Our supply chain is fully diversified,” he added.
He also mentioned the potential for the Trump administration to bolster the US AI industry amidst growing competition with China.
Huang criticized the success of Chinese tech giant Huawei, calling it “the most formidable technology company in China.” He argued that efforts to contain Chinese companies have been inadequate, as evidenced by Huawei’s continued dominance.
Having government support for the industry and addressing energy consumption in data centers is a significant boost for American AI, according to Huang.
The recent $100 million investment in the US by TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor company, supports onshore manufacturing efforts. This move ensures that Nvidia’s Blackwell chips are produced in the US, enhancing supply chain resilience.
By 2035, the UK cybersecurity agency is urging organizations to protect their systems from quantum hackers, as the prospects for a strong computing breakthrough threaten digital encryption.
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has issued new guidance recommending large entities, including energy and transport providers, to introduce “post-Quantum encryption” to prevent quantum technology from infiltrating their systems.
NCSC warned that quantum computers, although still in development, pose a serious threat to encryption as they can solve complex mathematical problems that underpin public key cryptography. Quantum Computing’s ability to compute at incredible speeds is a major concern for encryption.
“Today’s encryption methods are used to protect everything from banking communication, but rely on mathematical problems that quantum computers could solve much faster, posing a threat to current encryption methods,” the agency stated.
NCSC recommends that large organizations, critical national infrastructure operators, and businesses with bespoke IT systems implement post-Quantum encryption to combat this threat.
Organizations must identify services that require upgrades by the 2028 deadline, undergo essential overhauls by 2031, and complete migration to a new cryptographic system by 2035 according to the guidance provided.
Traditional computers use bits to represent information as 0 or 1, but quantum computers can simultaneously encode various combinations of 1 and 0, enabling them to perform much larger calculations at incredible speeds.
However, qubits, the building blocks of quantum computing, are highly sensitive to interference such as temperature changes and cosmic rays, hindering the development of large quantum computers despite significant investments. NCSC hopes its guidance will give organizations ample preparation for the future arrival of quantum computers.
“There is now a new way to encrypt public keys, making it prudent to act now rather than wait for the threat to materialize,” said Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity professor at the University of Surrey.
jApan, 1581: Iga Province is burning around you. You will be monitored, injured, helpless
Oda Nobunaga – the warlord responsible for many civil wars and the ultimate unification of the country – a smirk from the nearby hill. You draw your katana and glow in the flickering light of flames. This is Assassin’s Creed: Shadows – some exciting ninja games, some history lessons. It’s a strange combination, but it brings together a vast historical fiction adventure filled with discoveries and deceptions.
The turbulent times, when Japan was unified in the late 1500s and seeing the collapse of Nobunaga, are ideal environments that will help you play as despicable ninja and brave samurai. The series’ science fiction framing device means that you, the player, are cornering the mysterious craft by jumping into your ancestor’s memory and defeating a group of terrifying masked samurai one at a time. But most games leave you alone to enjoy feudal Japan.
During this difficult period there is a constant sense of danger, and each conversation is like a careful step at the edge of the knife. The stories are of course complete fiction, but they weave real historical events and characters, and the Ubisoft developers clearly have become a huge pain to make them feel authentic, authentic, both the scenery and the people who inhabit them. If you automatically remove your shoes when you enter the building, it looks like you’ve seen the famous temple, not as a tourist destination today.
The world is truly luxurious, with several states to explore in all seasons and weather, as well as cities of the era, including Kyoto and Osaka. The giant temples rise above a busy town filled with food stalls and workshops, while mossy shrines are scattered along the winding paths of the countryside. Japan of all colours will see Japan in all colours, from the mild pinks of cherry blossoms in spring to the fiery colours of leaves covering the hills in autumn to the pitch black darkness of winter nights. It’s easy to be distracted by views along the way when surrounded by ancient Red Torigates or when you notice random puppet performances on the streets. I feel that Ubisoft’s Japan is alive. Also, sometimes it feels completely overwhelming.
It’s as fun as riding horses around the country and scouting new villages and historic places, so it’s easy to feel lost because there are so many. There are many missions and side quests that will guide you around the map, but those tasks have many repetitions. To kill a high-level samurai, you need some help. Someone who can help you want the bounty, it includes finding Another Someone I want you to kill me different Samurai, etc. After a long time in the game, this starts to grate.
Important Features: You can keep all Japanese cats (and dogs) if you wish. Photo: Ubisoft
The double hero helps to reduce the feeling of you being stuck in a loop repeatedly. For the first 10-15 hours of the game, she steps into sandals on Fujiwarajima Island, a young woman seeking revenge after the house is destroyed, reconstructing her life and helping her set up a network of spies and rebels from a secret mountain base. Then there is Yasuke, a principled black samurai based on a real historical figure of the same name. They appear briefly in the introduction to the game, disappearing until Naoe approaches Nobunaga.
Naoe is bright on her feet, allowing easy expansion of walls and temples, blending into the shadows to sneak around her enemies. Her stealth approach makes for fun, mean moments like stabbing a screen door on a paper for a surprising attack. But that tipped approach costs her when she faces a brawl. The enemy strikes attack her hard, and she is soon overwhelmed in the battle. Yasuke, meanwhile, cruelly strong, runs straight through those screen doors, shrugging on sword strikes, shrugging like the stimulant they tickle. He can still assassinate his enemies like Naoe Can, but he does it from the front, not from the shadows. In a series that traditionally prioritized stealth, it is extremely liberated when you break through the castle gates and everyone faces it head-on. Both characters are viable options for playing most of the game and can be freely exchanged between them (almost) at their own pace.
Few other games have done such a good job in this setting… Assassin Creed: Shadow. Photo: Ubisoft
Unfortunately, no matter who plays, you have to put up with some great things in the fight. Dodge and Parry find themselves surprised in one-on-one scraps, but you often find yourself surrounded as more opponents are warned of your presence. It feels like everything is when you take your time sneaking up around the castle roof and picking enemies, bouncing backwards into the shadows before scopeping your next kill. But the moment you get caught up in a battle on the ground, it starts to feel nasty and frustrating.
I found myself getting frustrated with going back and forth between the quest givers, but I can’t stop thinking about the shadows. Emotionally resonating moments, such as excellent performances and Naoe’s painful recovery after losing everything she cherishes, mean that she feels all her sadness and anger along with the game’s hero. Events are often troubling as the power struggles between the Lord often cost locals a lot and see the unwelcome impact of your actions on allies.
Few games have done such a good job in this environment as they run through lush bamboo forests before creeping up to shrink the walls of ancient castles and steal treasures. These moments of glow are more than making up for that weak point.
Google has agreed to pay $28 million (£22 million) to settle class action lawsuits by compensating white and Asian employees more and providing them with a higher career track compared to other employees.
The settlement with Alphabet’s Google was preliminarily approved by Judge Charles Adams of Santa Clara County Superior Court in California last week.
Judge Adams described it as “a positive outcome for the class” consisting of at least 6,632 Google employees in California from February 15, 2018 to December 31, 2024.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the settlement, stating, “We refute the allegations of differential treatment and are committed to compensating, hiring, and promoting all our employees fairly.”
The lawsuit was spearheaded by Ana Cantu, who identifies as Mexican and indigenous, on behalf of minority employees at Google from Hispanic, Latino, Indigenous, Native American, and other backgrounds.
Cantu claimed that despite performing exemplary work in Google’s People’s Business and Cloud sector for seven years, she was not compensated or promoted on par with her white and Asian counterparts.
She alleged that Google favored white and Asian employees, placing them in higher “levels” within the company even when performing similar roles as minority employees.
Cantu argued that Google’s actions violated California’s Equal Pay Act, and she left the company in September 2021.
The final settlement amount will be $20 million after deducting legal costs, penalties related to Cantu’s claims under California’s General Civil Attorneys Act, and other expenses totaling $7 million.
Judge Adams has scheduled a hearing in September to review and approve the final settlement. Cantu’s legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Elon Musk’s social media platform X has reportedly surged to the $44 billion valuation he paid for it, marking a significant turnaround in his fortunes as the billionaire shifted from being a key ally of Donald Trump.
Investors recently assessed the platform, previously valued at $440 billion (£33.9 billion) on Twitter, through a secondary transaction, as reported by the Financial Times.
X is currently in the process of raising $2 billion from Fresh Capital in a major funding round by issuing new stocks to pay off debts exceeding $1 billion, which were evaluated at just $10 billion by existing investor Fidelity Investments in late September.
Musk, the world’s richest individual, took control of what was then Twitter in October 2022 and later rebranded it as X, tweeting “The Bird Is Free” in reference to the company’s logo. Subsequently, he made changes to the site’s moderation policy, resulting in some advertisers pausing or leaving.
Following a profanity-laden outburst at the New York Times Dealbook Summit in November 2023, Musk accused advertisers of attempting to “blackmail” him through boycotts, prompting legal action against the global advertising alliance and major companies like Unilever, Mars, and CVS Health for allegedly conspiring to avoid social networks.
The $44 billion valuation reflects a major shift for X and its investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, 8VC, Goanna Capital, and Fidelity Investments. The $2 billion primary fund raise was priced through the secondary agreement.
Since Musk’s acquisition, X’s revenue has declined, but it managed to record an adjusted profit of $1.2 billion last year. Additionally, Musk’s stake in SpaceX now surpasses his Tesla holdings as his most valuable asset, according to Forbes.
Forbes estimates Musk’s net worth at $323 billion, with his SpaceX shares valued at approximately $147 billion—about $2 billion more than his Tesla shares following a decrease in the automaker’s stock price.
aMazon’s first Kindle with a color screen faced significant challenges, including a rough landing, yellow screen issues, and shipping delays last year. However, with these issues resolved, could the introduction of color screens revolutionize the e-reader market?
While Amazon was not the first to utilize Color E-Ink screens in its e-readers, the company believes that the technology has significantly improved over the past four years. Competitors like Boox and Kobo offer greater contrast and speed, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Priced at £270 (€300/$280), the Kindle Colorsoft exceeds the £125 black and white Paperwhite model it is based on. It is also more expensive than its top-tier color E-Ink rivals. Positioned below the larger 10.2-inch Scribe tablet, Colorsoft is Amazon’s top 7-inch model.
Regular textbooks resemble a monochrome Kindle, lacking added colors. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Despite the new screen technology, Colorsoft retains the traditional Kindle design. It features a smooth black plastic back and a matte touchscreen on the front, with only a power button next to the USB-C port for physical controls. Page turns and other functions are all touchscreen-based.
Compared to black and white books, the grayscale on Colorsoft appears slightly grayish. However, page turns are swift and text remains clear and legible. The adjustable front light with 24 brightness levels and automatic adjustment based on time of day works effectively.
The color screen enhances browsing in libraries and Kindle stores by displaying book covers in color. Diagrams, maps, and photos within books are now rendered in color, aiding comprehension. Users can highlight passages in various colors and easily navigate through content. When a color image covers one-third of the screen, the entire display shifts to color.
While comic pages are visible on the 7-inch screen, some text may require zooming for comfortable reading. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The matte screen on Colorsoft may not be as vibrant as that of a phone or tablet, resembling newspaper printing rather than glossy magazines. However, with increased brightness and vibrant color mode, Colorsoft effectively presents graphic novel artwork.
Reading texts within speech bubbles may pose a challenge due to the 7-inch screen’s size when viewing a full comic page. The Panel view mode on Kindle displays multiple panels simultaneously, though zooming and panning on the Colorsoft touchscreen provide a faster and smoother reading experience.
One of Kindle’s key advantages is Amazon’s extensive e-book store, catering to a wide range of genres including comics and graphic novels. Amazon’s acquisition of Comixology in 2014 expanded the library offerings, seamlessly integrating with the Kindle store.
Zoom in to see the artwork details and read the text easily. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Users can load Epub or PDF files onto their Kindle and purchase books from sources other than Amazon, though only documents sent via Amazon’s Send to Kindle Service will display color on Colorsoft.
Colorsoft would benefit from improved library management capabilities, especially for users with extensive collections of comics and books. While Kindle offers book and manga filters, graphic novels may not be identified as manga. However, the filter functionality works with the Kindle app on tablets.
specifications
screen: 7-inch color e-paper (B&W 300ppi; 150ppi)
size: 127.6 x 176.7 x 7.8mm
Weight: 219g
water resistance: IPX8 (2m up to 60 minutes)
Connectivity: Wifi 5, Bluetooth
Storage: 32GB
Battery life: 28 hours of reading
A full charge of ColorSoft with a 9W USB-C power adapter (not included) takes about 2.5 hours. It also supports wireless charging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The battery life of Colorsoft varies slightly due to the color screen, but in testing, it outlasted Amazon’s estimates. Reading a standard black and white book at 40% brightness yielded about 45 hours, dropping to approximately 32 hours when reading a color graphic novel at 70% brightness. Standby battery life was also impressive, with less than 1% drain per day with the Power Save option enabled.
Sustainability
The smooth plastic back feels good in your hand, but it’s no different from the much cheaper Kindle. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Colorsoft will receive software and security updates from Amazon for a minimum of four years. The battery’s expected lifespan is not specified, but it should endure over 500 full charge cycles at 80% capacity. Repair options availability varies by region. The device contains 28% recycled materials, including cobalt, magnesium, and plastic.
Amazon offers trade-in and recycling programs, detailed in the environmental impact report of Kindle Colorsoft here.
price
The price of the Kindle Colorsoft is £269.99 (€299.99/$279.99).
Comparatively, the standard Kindle is priced at £79.99, Kindle Paperwhite at £124.99, Kindle Scribe at £379.99, Kobo Libra Color at £199.99, and Boox Go Color 7 at €279.99. The iPad costs £329.
verdict
Despite its rocky start, Colorsoft demonstrates the potential of Color E-Ink technology. It is poised to become the standard for e-book readers, enhancing not only manga and graphic novels but also regular books with color illustrations.
Viewing book covers and images in color elevates the reading experience without significant drawbacks compared to black and white models. Manga also appears engaging, making outdoor reading on Kindle more enjoyable than on a tablet. However, the 7-inch screen may be insufficient for a detailed graphic novel experience, requiring a larger display like that of an iPad.
Despite its price point, Colorsoft lacks the luxurious feel of higher-end Kindle models such as Oasis. It embodies a utilitarian approach akin to the Paperwhite model.
While the color screen on Colorsoft is impressive, the cost may be hard to justify for a screen of this size primarily suited for standard text. Purchasing during a promotional offer may mitigate any reservations. For users experiencing issues like a yellow tint on the screen, contacting Amazon support for a replacement is recommended.
Strong Points: The vivid color and black-and-white book images, water resistance, fast pinch-and-zoom, extended battery life, automatic front light adjustment, USB-C connectivity.
Cons: Black-and-white page screen flashes, absence of physical page turn buttons, high cost, limited 7-inch screen for detailed graphics, less vibrant than tablets, ecosystem lock-in with Amazon.
Alphabet, the owner of Google, has agreed to purchase Cybersecurity Group Wiz for $32 billion (£24.7 billion).
Google is acquiring an Israeli startup in an effort to compete with rivals Microsoft and Amazon in the cloud services market.
Wiz provides services that scan data from cloud storage providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure for security risks. It previously turned down Alphabet’s $23 billion bid last summer.
However, concerns about regulatory approval caused some issues with the initial bid.
If the deal falls through, Alphabet has agreed to pay a $3.2 billion fee. This acquisition indicates a test of the Trump administration’s willingness and shows President Biden’s leadership in acquiring major technology companies.
Alphabet is currently facing pressure from US Department of Justice officials to sell off its Chrome browser to address concerns about its dominance in the search market.
Wiz, founded in 2020 by graduates of the Israeli Intelligence Corps, has offices in New York and Israel, with its European headquarters in London.
Despite the acquisition, Wiz will operate independently from Google, similar to how Microsoft operates LinkedIn.
Wiz will continue to collaborate with major cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud.
Wiz co-founder and CEO Assaf Rappaport will remain in his position until October 2024. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty
“We’re excited for the future,” said Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO. “Google Cloud and Wiz will enhance cloud security and multi-cloud capabilities. Businesses and governments operating in the cloud seek stronger security solutions and a wider range of cloud computing providers.”
Startup CEO Assaf Rappaport previously rejected Alphabet’s $23 billion offer to focus on growth and potentially going public.
Analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush commented on the acquisition, highlighting Wiz’s strong presence in the cloud cybersecurity industry.
Google’s move to acquire Wiz is seen as a strategic step to compete with other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon in the cloud security space.
Wiz currently generates $750 million in annual revenue, and Google aims to capitalize on the company’s market position for future growth.
Alphabet’s previous acquisitions include Motorola Mobility, Mandiant, YouTube, and Deep Mind as part of its strategy to diversify from search-related ads.
With Wiz’s expertise, Alphabet hopes to gain a larger share of the global cloud market, currently lagging behind Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
Analyst Dan Ives sees Google’s acquisition of Wiz as a strategic move to enhance cloud security offerings and drive cloud and AI initiatives forward.
According to Italian newspapers, it is the world’s first fully produced version created by artificial intelligence.
Il Foglio, a conservative liberal newspaper, is conducting a month-long experiment to showcase the impact of AI technology on our work and time, as stated by Claudio Cerasa, the newspaper’s editor.
The four-page IL Foglio AI is included in the Slim Broadsheet edition of the newspaper and can be found on newsstands. Online starting Tuesday.
Cerasa mentioned that Il Foglio AI will be the world’s first daily newspaper fully created using artificial intelligence, covering everything from writing, headlines, quotes, summaries, and even sarcasm. Journalists will have a limited role in questioning and reading the responses generated by the AI tool.
This experiment coincides with global news organizations exploring the use of AI. The Guardian recently reported that BBC News will utilize AI for more personalized content delivery.
The debut edition of Il Foglio AI features stories on US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with various other topics.
Cerasa emphasized that Il Foglio Ai represents traditional newspapers but also serves as a testing ground for understanding the impact of AI on the creation of daily newspapers.
“Do not consider Il Foglio as an artificial intelligence newspaper,” Serasa stated.
hWelcome to Ello and TechScape. In this week’s edition, Elon Musk faces backlash and challenges, Apple improves Siri, and Meta confronts internal struggles.
Mask was assaulted last week, just like Tesla.
My colleague Nick Robbins – Airy Report:
The past 10 days have been rough for Musk as Tesla’s value plummeted due to various concerns. SpaceX also faced challenges with a rocket explosion, while X experienced a cyberattack. Musk’s involvement in Doge and Tesla’s sales event at the White House added to the turmoil.
To uplift Musk’s fortunes, Tesla showcased its vehicles at the White House, garnering support from President Trump. However, this move also highlighted Musk’s reliance on external influence to mitigate his setbacks.
Protesters outside the Tesla Service Center in New Orleans on March 14th.
Amid Tesla’s struggles, questions arise about Musk’s leadership and the company’s future. Will shareholders take legal action to address the declining stock prices and operational challenges?
Other Elon Musk News
Apple rises to Siri’s incompetence
Apple criticized Siri’s delays at a recent meeting.
Apple faces internal challenges with Siri’s AI capabilities lagging behind competitors, raising concerns among iPhone owners and investors.
The saga of Siri’s development reveals internal struggles and doubts about Apple’s AI features. This setback tarnishes Apple’s reputation for innovation and design excellence.
Meta faces controversy as a former executive exposes internal issues, triggering legal actions and public scrutiny. The book sheds light on Meta’s leadership and decision-making processes.
Wynn-Williams’ book raises questions about Meta’s practices and the truth behind her claims, sparking a debate about the company’s integrity and transparency.
lLast month, Warner Bros. announced the closure of three game development studios – WB Game San Diego, Player First Studio, Monolith Production. Amid a wave of layoffs and closures in the gaming industry, the news of Monolith shutting down caused shock and anger. The belief that Monolith would always exist was pervasive, with one of the founding members expressing surprise at the possibility of its closure.
Monolith was known for its unique approach to game development, combining visual talent, mechanical originality, and pop culture themes since its founding in 1994. The studio was unpredictable in its game releases, producing a variety of genres from first-person shooters to platformers, dungeon crawlers, and open-world games.
The earthquake led me to my toes…blood. Photo: Monolith Productions/Gog
Monolith’s early days were marked by the release of unique games like “Claw,” a 2D platformer about Pirate Cats, and “Blood,” a first-person shooter that gained popularity for its visual style and creative weapons. The success of “Blood” led Monolith to focus on FPS development, leading to the creation of several acclaimed games between 1998 and 2003.
Inspired by anime…Shogo: Mobile Armor Division. Photo: Monolith Production
One of Monolith’s standout games was “Operative: No One Lives Forever,” which offered a unique blend of spy fiction and shooter elements. The studio continued to create innovative games like “Fear” and “Dreaded,” showcasing its ability to immerse players in compelling and terrifying experiences.
Arguably the best of Monolith… Alma from fear. Photo: Sierra Game
However, Monolith’s later years saw a shift towards working on licensed games and adaptations, with titles like “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor” showcasing the studio’s creativity and whimsical flair. The innovative Nemesis AI system introduced in the game set a new standard for enemy interactions in open-world games.
Highlights of the Monolith's later years… Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Photo: Monolith Production
Despite its success, the closure of Monolith marked the end of an era in the gaming industry. The studio’s closure raises questions about modern industry practices and the pressure to deliver blockbuster games that cater to a wide audience. Monolith’s legacy of creativity and innovation will continue to resonate in the gaming world long after its closure.
BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced plans to construct a charging network across China. This network aims to enable EVs to charge as quickly as refilling with gasoline.
Founder Wang Chuanfu revealed the “supere platform” at a home event in Shenzhen on Monday. This platform will support a peak charging speed of 1,000 kW, allowing cars to travel 400 km on a five-minute charge.
BYD’s 1,000 kW charging speed is double that of Tesla superchargers, offering faster charging speeds than before in the industry. Fast charging technology is crucial for increasing EV adoption.
Tesla, already struggling, saw its shares drop 15% on March 10, prompting concerns for owner Elon Musk. The company faces challenges in meeting sales targets and producing self-driving cars, with increasing competition from more affordable EV models from Chinese companies like BYD.
Tesla stocks dropped 4.8% on Wall Street, marking an eighth consecutive weekly decline. Baron.
Wang emphasized the goal of reducing EV charging times to match gasoline vehicle refueling times. The new charging architecture will debut with the Han L Sedan and Tang L SUV, priced from 270,000 yuan ($37,330).
BYD plans to build over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations to support the new platform, but no specific timeline for construction was provided. Previously, BYD owners relied on public charging poles from other manufacturers or third-party operators.
While Tesla has been offering superchargers in China since 2014, other Chinese EV companies like NIO, Li Auto, Xpeng, and Zeekr have also established charging facilities.
BYD’s sales primarily come from plug-in hybrids, with aims to sell 5-6 million units this year.
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