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Showing posts from January, 2023

AI can lead to employment discrimination. What to do about it is up for debate

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AI can lead to employment discrimination. What to do about it is up for debate https://ift.tt/GT1FP6w The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says artificial intelligence-based hiring tools may be creating discriminatory barriers to jobs. The agency is seeking input on how to prevent harm. (Image credit: Carol Yepes/Getty Images)

Tesla’s Self-Driving Technology Comes Under Justice Dept. Scrutiny

Tesla’s Self-Driving Technology Comes Under Justice Dept. Scrutiny https://ift.tt/0iE8G9b A regulatory filing says officials have asked about software that Elon Musk, the chief executive, has said would allow cars to operate autonomously.

Regulators Find Apple’s Secrecy Violates Workers Rights

Regulators Find Apple’s Secrecy Violates Workers Rights https://ift.tt/0iE8G9b Following a yearlong investigation, a federal labor board determined that the tech giant’s rules interfere with employees’ right to organize.

The CEO of TikTok will testify before Congress amid security concerns about the app

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The CEO of TikTok will testify before Congress amid security concerns about the app https://ift.tt/ZjS41MC TikTok has been under scrutiny in recent years about its privacy and security practices and its effect on young people's mental health. Various bans of the app have been enacted across the country. (Image credit: Kiichiro Sato/AP)

AI is predicting the world is likely to hit a key warming threshold in 10-12 years

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AI is predicting the world is likely to hit a key warming threshold in 10-12 years https://ift.tt/2rkRFKO The world will likely breach the internationally agreed-upon climate change threshold in about a decade, artificial intelligence predicts in a new study that's more pessimistic than previous modeling. (Image credit: Peter Dejong/AP)

The Last Boeing 747 Leaves the Factory

The Last Boeing 747 Leaves the Factory https://ift.tt/OWVJcnA The plane known as “Queen of the Skies” helped make air travel more affordable, but it has been supplanted by smaller, more efficient aircraft.

Thrive Capital Said to Lead Potential Investment in Stripe

Thrive Capital Said to Lead Potential Investment in Stripe https://ift.tt/OWVJcnA Thrive has committed $1 billion, which would value the payments provider Stripe at about $55 billion to $60 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Congress tightens U.S. manufacturing rules after battery technology ends up in China

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Congress tightens U.S. manufacturing rules after battery technology ends up in China https://ift.tt/J6xHYgU The Department of Energy allowed a taxpayer-funded breakthrough in batteries to transfer overseas with little oversight (Image credit: Andrea Starr/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Ford Follows Tesla in Cutting Electric Vehicle Prices

Ford Follows Tesla in Cutting Electric Vehicle Prices https://ift.tt/OWVJcnA The automaker reduced the price of the Mustang Mach-E by up to $5,900 after Tesla slashed prices of its cars by as much as 20 percent.

‘Recession Resilient’ Climate Start-Ups Shine in Tech Downturn

‘Recession Resilient’ Climate Start-Ups Shine in Tech Downturn https://ift.tt/OWVJcnA Tech workers and investors are flocking to start-ups that aim to combat climate change.

Trump, Meta and misinformation

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Trump, Meta and misinformation https://ift.tt/JR5zhAd NPR's Michel Martin talks to Vivian Schiller, executive director of Aspen Digital, about Meta's decision to reinstate Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Prosecutors Ask Judge to Tighten Bail Conditions

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Prosecutors Ask Judge to Tighten Bail Conditions https://ift.tt/GVJytRf The move followed the disgraced cryptocurrency executive’s attempt to contact a potential witness in his criminal case, prosecutors said.

Anthropic Said to Be Closing In on $300 Million in New A.I. Funding

Anthropic Said to Be Closing In on $300 Million in New A.I. Funding https://ift.tt/rgoQUaj Anthropic specializes in generative artificial intelligence, a hot investment in Silicon Valley. The new funding could value the company at roughly $5 billion.

A Thai court sentences an activist to 28 years for online posts about the monarchy

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A Thai court sentences an activist to 28 years for online posts about the monarchy https://ift.tt/k0ZvOGg A court in Thailand sentenced a 27-year-old political activist to 28 years in prison on for posting messages on Facebook that it said defamed the country's monarchy. (Image credit: AP)

On Trump’s Truth Social: Ads for Miracle Cures, Scams and Fake Merchandise

On Trump’s Truth Social: Ads for Miracle Cures, Scams and Fake Merchandise https://ift.tt/rgoQUaj Truth Social, the social network started by former President Donald J. Trump, has struggled to attract large brands.

Meta’s Trump Calculus and Regime Change at Netflix

Meta’s Trump Calculus and Regime Change at Netflix https://ift.tt/rgoQUaj Plus, we play the Bored Ape Yacht Club’s video game “Dookey Dash.”

In 'Season: A letter to the future,' scrapbooking is your doomsday prep

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In 'Season: A letter to the future,' scrapbooking is your doomsday prep https://ift.tt/Z2ouFxJ Scrapbook and bike your way through a beautiful world in the face of a foretold cataclysm.

A Federal Court Blocks California’s New Medical Misinformation Law

A Federal Court Blocks California’s New Medical Misinformation Law https://ift.tt/rgoQUaj California’s law sought to punish doctors who give patients false information about Covid-19.

Social media's role in Jan. 6 was left out of the final report

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Social media's role in Jan. 6 was left out of the final report https://ift.tt/iDWerx3 Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell says the unpublished report shows that tech companies didn't respond to employees' warnings about violent rhetoric on their platforms.

Review: 'Dead Space' remake gives a new voice to a recurring nightmare

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Review: 'Dead Space' remake gives a new voice to a recurring nightmare https://ift.tt/vlUu4QW This year's tastefully refurbished Dead Space provides plenty of reasons to revisit the sci-fi horror classic. (Image credit: Electronic Arts)

5 takeaways from the massive layoffs hitting Big Tech right now

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5 takeaways from the massive layoffs hitting Big Tech right now https://ift.tt/eyL5IXp Some 200,000 tech jobs have been lost in what is seen as one of the sharpest downturns in the tech industry's history. Here is what you need to know about the mass layoffs in Silicon Valley. (Image credit: Jeff Chiu/AP)

Former President Donald Trump can return to Facebook. Will he?

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Former President Donald Trump can return to Facebook. Will he? https://ift.tt/TD3QkPw Facebook parent company Meta is letting a two-year ban on Donald Trump, imposed after the then-president's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, expire.

Meta allows Donald Trump back on Facebook and Instagram

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Meta allows Donald Trump back on Facebook and Instagram https://ift.tt/9OlS2FW The social media company is letting a two-year ban, imposed after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, expire. (Image credit: Alon Skuy/AFP via Getty Images)

Meta to Reinstate Trump’s Facebook and Instagram Accounts

Meta to Reinstate Trump’s Facebook and Instagram Accounts https://ift.tt/iYG4Qau Donald Trump had been barred from the social media platforms after the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol. Twitter reinstated him last year.

Tesla’s Profit Jumped 12% in Fourth Quarter

Tesla’s Profit Jumped 12% in Fourth Quarter https://ift.tt/iYG4Qau The electric car company is facing intensifying competition, supply chain disruptions and concerns about the behavior of Elon Musk.

A TikTok star who was functionally illiterate finds a community on BookTok

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A TikTok star who was functionally illiterate finds a community on BookTok https://ift.tt/vYJUzt0 Oliver James is a TikTok star who pledged to read 100 books this year. He has had a lot of difficulty with reading since he was a child and is now teaching himself at age 34. (Image credit: Courtesy of Oliver James)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart https://ift.tt/bkqwG5P Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a leading Austrian composer of the late eighteen century. He was only five years old when he wrote his first minuet, six when he performed before royalty, and eight when he wrote his first symphony. […]

How to stop worrying and love (or at least live with) ChatGPT

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How to stop worrying and love (or at least live with) ChatGPT https://ift.tt/Qr0TWY7 NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Wharton professor Ethan Mollick about his decision to embrace artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT in the classroom.

Elon Musk Said Tesla Buyout Plan Didn’t Involve ‘a Specific Number’

Elon Musk Said Tesla Buyout Plan Didn’t Involve ‘a Specific Number’ https://ift.tt/bkqwG5P Under questioning, Mr. Musk said he hadn’t discussed how much money investors would put in to help him take his car company private.

Microsoft Revenue Up 2 Percent, but Profit Drops 12 Percent

Microsoft Revenue Up 2 Percent, but Profit Drops 12 Percent https://ift.tt/bkqwG5P The company, which announced plans to lay off 10,000 workers last week, had warned that it was facing a significant slowdown in the growth of its sales.

DOJ files second antitrust suit against Google, seeks to break up its ad business

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DOJ files second antitrust suit against Google, seeks to break up its ad business https://ift.tt/RPgrDFf 'The Justice Department and eight states have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. (Image credit: NOAH BERGER/AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. Accuses Google of Abusing Monopoly in Ad Technology

U.S. Accuses Google of Abusing Monopoly in Ad Technology https://ift.tt/bkqwG5P The Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit, which a group of states joined, was the fifth against the company since 2020.

Emailing Your Doctor May Carry a Fee

Emailing Your Doctor May Carry a Fee https://ift.tt/glCR2Dj More hospitals and medical practices have begun charging for doctors’ responses to patient queries, depending on the level of medical advice.

Elon Musk Says Saudi Fund Wanted to Take Tesla Private

Elon Musk Says Saudi Fund Wanted to Take Tesla Private https://ift.tt/glCR2Dj Mr. Musk is testifying in a lawsuit filed by investors who claim that his statements about a plan to take Tesla private in 2018 caused them to lose billions of dollars.

Supreme Court Puts Off Considering State Laws Curbing Internet Platforms

Supreme Court Puts Off Considering State Laws Curbing Internet Platforms https://ift.tt/glCR2Dj The laws, enacted by Florida and Texas in response to conservative complaints about censorship, have been challenged under the First Amendment.

'Forspoken' Review: A portal into a world without wonder or heart

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'Forspoken' Review: A portal into a world without wonder or heart https://ift.tt/F2UjhSV Forspoken boasts 'key members' of the Final Fantasy XV team, but feels outdated and at times resentful of its Black protagonist. (Image credit: Square Enix)

Spotify to Lay Off 6% of Its Work Force

Spotify to Lay Off 6% of Its Work Force https://ift.tt/glCR2Dj The audio streaming platform becomes the latest big technology company to cut costs over worries about the economy.

For Tech Companies, Years of Easy Money Yield to Hard Times

For Tech Companies, Years of Easy Money Yield to Hard Times https://ift.tt/glCR2Dj Rock-bottom rates were the secret engine fueling $1 billion start-ups and virtual attempts to conquer the physical world. But in 2023, reality bites.

Gas stoves became part of the culture war in less than a week. Here's why

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Gas stoves became part of the culture war in less than a week. Here's why https://ift.tt/947Rlx8 An interview with a federal safety regulator quickly became fodder for outrage, viral social media content and political fundraising. (Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

She was denied entry to a Rockettes show — then the facial recognition debate ignited

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She was denied entry to a Rockettes show — then the facial recognition debate ignited https://ift.tt/RTaAUPI When a lawyer was denied entry to a Rockettes show, it became a flashpoint in the debate over facial recognition technology. Does it keep people safe, or risk further harm? (Image credit: Jesse Zhang for NPR)

T-Mobile says breach exposed personal data of 37 million customers

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T-Mobile says breach exposed personal data of 37 million customers https://ift.tt/mkLoU5P T-Mobile said data exposed to theft — based on its investigation to date — did not include passwords or PINs, bank account or credit card information, Social Security numbers or other government IDs. (Image credit: Michael Dwyer/AP)

Google is cutting 12,000 jobs, adding to a series of Big Tech layoffs in January

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Google is cutting 12,000 jobs, adding to a series of Big Tech layoffs in January https://ift.tt/gZWdQmr The layoffs at Google follow similarly huge cuts at Microsoft, Amazon and Salesforce. Tech companies who hired rapidly during the pandemic now face fears of recession. (Image credit: John Locher/AP)

The Chatbots Can’t Outsmart You. Yet.

The Chatbots Can’t Outsmart You. Yet. https://ift.tt/p6s3EFk The Turing test used to be the gold standard for proving machine intelligence. This generation of bots is racing past it. We need to stay calm — and develop a new test.

A rocky past haunts the mysterious company behind the Lensa AI photo app

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A rocky past haunts the mysterious company behind the Lensa AI photo app https://ift.tt/Efmbpij Little was previously known about the artificial intelligence company founded by five Russian tech workers who for years have been quietly developing AI tools from its homebase of Cyprus. (Image credit: Catie Dull/NPR)

T-Mobile Says Hacker Got Data From 37 Million Customer Accounts

T-Mobile Says Hacker Got Data From 37 Million Customer Accounts https://ift.tt/p6s3EFk The breach exposed information like names, addresses and phone numbers and lasted more than a month, the company reported in a securities filing.

The hit horror movie 'M3gan' taps into our fears around artificial intelligence

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The hit horror movie 'M3gan' taps into our fears around artificial intelligence https://ift.tt/ELhzFxR The sci-fi thriller M3gan about a doll that turns deadly has reignited conversations about the potential perils of AI — from ChatGPT to avatar creators to bots being developed to argue court cases.

Amazon ends its charity donation program following other cost-cutting efforts

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Amazon ends its charity donation program following other cost-cutting efforts https://ift.tt/TB3ZXoW The company says the AmazonSmile program didn't have enough financial impact. But some charities say the support "made a huge difference," and shoppers have expressed disapproval on social media. (Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon for AFP via Getty Images)

Therapy by chatbot? The promise and challenges in using AI for mental health

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Therapy by chatbot? The promise and challenges in using AI for mental health https://ift.tt/cuf5REs Some companies and researchers think smart computers might eventually help with provider shortages in mental health, and some consumers are already turning to chatbots to build "emotional resilience." (Image credit: Ariel Davis for NPR)

Microsoft is the latest in a wave of tech companies to announce layoffs

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Microsoft is the latest in a wave of tech companies to announce layoffs https://ift.tt/Kgl6bq4 Microsoft is cutting 10,000 jobs, or about 5% of its workforce. It says a looming recession has forced customers to cut back on spending.

Supreme Court Poised to Reconsider Key Tenets of Online Speech

Supreme Court Poised to Reconsider Key Tenets of Online Speech https://ift.tt/p6s3EFk The cases could significantly affect the power and responsibilities of social media platforms.

Encore: A new tool helps teachers detect if AI wrote an assignment

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Encore: A new tool helps teachers detect if AI wrote an assignment https://ift.tt/1YArVKN Several big school districts like New York and Los Angeles have blocked access to a new chat bot that uses artificial intelligence to produce essays and poetry that seem like a human wrote them.

Customers report problems with Zelle transactions on their Bank of America accounts

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Customers report problems with Zelle transactions on their Bank of America accounts https://ift.tt/febs9FO The website Downdetector reported spikes in outages involving Bank of America and payment platform Zelle starting Wednesday morning. Some users are even saying money is missing from their accounts. (Image credit: Matt Rourke/AP)

Microsoft slashes 10,000 jobs, the latest in a wave of layoffs

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Microsoft slashes 10,000 jobs, the latest in a wave of layoffs https://ift.tt/qJxd2hE Amazon, Salesforce and Goldman Sachs have also announced cuts during a brutal January for corporate workers. (Image credit: Michel Euler/AP)

Cryptocurrency turmoil affects crypto miners

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Cryptocurrency turmoil affects crypto miners https://ift.tt/Jjd2XRC Cryptocurrency turmoil is affecting crypto miners, who require lots of electricity to operate. Energy costs are up, and demand is down.

3 events that will determine the fate of cryptocurrencies

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3 events that will determine the fate of cryptocurrencies https://ift.tt/efCjYtl Cryptocurrencies are reeling after a miserable year that saw the collapse of companies such as FTX. A look at what lies ahead. (Image credit: Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)