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☆ 2 bankers leave firm after investigation into their conduct with a cleaning contractor
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Two Stifel employees have left following an investigation into their conduct. Stifel told The Times of London it had "investigated and have taken appropriate action." AdvertisementTwo employees of Stifel have left the investment bank following an investigation into their conduct with a cleaning contractor. The Times of London first reported the story involving workers at the US bank's offices in the City of London, near St Paul's Cathedral. Stifel opened an investigation following allegations about improper relationships between employees and a "member of the external cleaning contractor," a Stifel representative told Bloomberg.

Persons: Stifel, — Organizations: St, Times, Service, Stifel, City of, Bloomberg, Business Locations: London, Louis, City, City of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Stifel

☆ Elon Musk gives some advice to J.K. Rowling, suggesting she post 'interesting and positive content' on X
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewElon Musk thinks J.K. Rowling should stop focusing on transgender issues. In the comments of a lengthy X post by Rowling, the billionaire suggested the "Harry Potter" author could write more "interesting and positive content." Musk wrote: "While I heartily agree with your points regarding sex/gender, may I suggest also posting interesting and positive content on other matters?" This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Representatives for Musk and Rowling did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Persons: —, Elon, Rowling, Harry Potter, Musk, I'm, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne Organizations: Service, Business, Sunday Times, Musk

☆ The next iPhone will probably feature AI — but Tim Cook still keeps us guessing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Tim Cook has said major AI announcements are coming. Analysts are hoping Apple's AI strategy can boost slumping iPhone sales. Wedbush's Dan Ives said Apple's AI efforts are set to drive a "supercycle" starting with the iPhone 16. Analysts pushed the Apple CEO to talk about its upcoming generative AI announcements on Thursday's earnings call — with very little success. Cook continued to keep a tight lid on all things AI, merely teasing big AI announcements in the "coming weeks."

Persons: Tim Cook, Wedbush's Dan Ives, —, Cook Organizations: Service, Apple, Business

☆ First Tim Cook, now Satya Nadella is also wooing Indonesia — the world's 4th most populous nation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Microsoft plans to invest $1.7 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure in Indonesia. CEO Satya Nadella visited Indonesia this week The investment is the largest in Microsoft's 29-year history in the country. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. This week the company said it would invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in cloud and AI infrastructure in Indonesia. "This new generation of AI is reshaping how people live and work everywhere, including in Indonesia," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said on Tuesday.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, — Organizations: Service, Microsoft, Business Locations: Indonesia

☆ Sam Altman says we probably won't need a new device for the AI future
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Sam Altman told MIT Technology Review we may not need hardware to engage with AI in the future. The OpenAI CEO has been rumored to be developing his own AI device. Recent AI hardware launches have been met with mixed reviews. AdvertisementSam Altman isn't sure our AI future requires new hardware. Despite a flurry of new devices hitting the market, the OpenAI CEO told MIT Technology Review that we may not need to buy a separate device to engage with AI in the future.

Persons: Sam Altman, —, Sam Altman isn't Organizations: MIT Technology, Service, Harvard University, Business Locations: Cambridge, Xfund

☆ Read the email to Satya Nadella and Bill Gates that shows Microsoft's CTO was 'very worried' about Google's AI progress in 2019
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jyoti Mann | Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft's OpenAI investment may have been prompted by concerns over Google's AI progress. In a 2019 email, a Microsoft exec said he was "very, very worried" about Google's AI capabilities. AdvertisementIn 2019, Microsoft became "very, very worried" about Google's AI capabilities, newly unearthed emails show, and that may have been what spurred it to invest in OpenAI. In one lengthy email, Microsoft's chief technology officer Kevin Scott told Satya Nadella and Bill Gates that Google's AI-powered "auto-complete in Gmail" was "getting scarily good." Related storiesIn 2019, Microsoft made an initial $1 billion investment into its now multi-billion partnership with OpenAI.

Persons: —, Kevin Scott, Satya Nadella, Bill Gates, Nadella, Amy Hood, Bard, Scott, OpenAI, BERT Organizations: Microsoft, Google, Service, Department, Business, OpenAI, Bing Locations: OpenAI

☆ Google layoffs continue as cuts hit Flutter, Dart, and Python teams
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Layoffs at Google have reportedly hit Flutter, Dart, and Python teams. A Google representative confirmed layoffs to TechCrunch but did not disclose the specifics. One product manager working on Flutter and Dart said the layoffs "affected a LOT of teams." Flutter, Dart, and Python are among those affected by the latest layoffs, according to media reports and employee social media posts. Google confirmed the layoffs to TechCrunch but did not specify which teams, roles, or how many employees were let go.

Persons: Dart, — Organizations: Google, Python, TechCrunch, Service, Business

☆ Student protests at Columbia University escalate with Hamilton Hall occupation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewStudent protesters at Columbia University have barricaded Hamilton Hall, one of the main buildings on the campus in New York City, with several reportedly inside. CNN reported that about 200 student protesters had barricaded the building's entrance, with about a dozen people inside. John Towfighi, a CNN staffer and Columbia student, told the outlet there was no visible police presence. Related storiesThe group posted a video on X that appeared to show student protesters forming a human chain to protect those occuping Hamilton Hall. Columbia University did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Persons: —, John Towfighi, Nemat Minouche Shafik, Shafik, It's, Rabbi Elie Buechler Organizations: Service, Columbia University, Hamilton, Hamilton Hall, Palestinian, NBC, Business, CNN, Columbia, NYPD, Columbia Spectator, Columbia Students, Justice, Protesters, The New York Times Locations: New York City, Palestine, Israel, Columbia, Gaza

☆ Saudi Arabia is desperately trying to convince everyone that Neom megaproject is going just fine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia insists its Neom megacity project is on track. The Saudi economy minister told CNBC there was "no change in scale" for the project. The kingdom's been battling reports that its ambitious desert city has suffered setbacks. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSaudi Arabia says its Neom megacity project is going ahead as planned.

Persons: — Organizations: CNBC, Service, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia will 'downscale' some Vision 2030 projects amid 'challenges,' minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia's Neom project secured a $2.7 billion credit line from local lenders. The Saudi finance minister said the kingdom was "very pleased" with progress on Vision 203 goals. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSaudi Arabia is trying to counter reports that its Neom project is struggling.

Persons: —, Mohammed Al Jadaan Organizations: Saudi, Service, Business Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Sunday

☆ Meta's Oversight Board is reportedly planning to cut staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewMeta's Oversight Board is preparing to make some job cuts, The Washington Post reported. Mark Zuckerberg announced the Oversight Board, which operates independently from Meta, in late 2018, and it began operating in October 2020. AdvertisementIn a statement sent to Business Insider, Stephen Neal, the Oversight Board Trust's chair, confirmed it was making "targeted cuts." AdvertisementA Meta representative told BI that the company "remains committed to the Oversight Board, which operates independently from the company, and continues to strongly support its work." Meta recently announced it would begin labeling a wider variety of content with its "Made with AI" label after an Oversight Board recommendation.

Persons: —, Mark Zuckerberg, Stephen Neal, Neal, Meta Organizations: Service, Washington Post, Facebook, Business, Meta, Financial Times, Big Tech

☆ Elon Musk comes out fighting as China throws Tesla a lifeline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk made a surprise visit to China, meeting officials and striking a deal with Baidu. The deal brings Tesla a step closer to introducing its self-driving features in cars sold in China. AdvertisementElon Musk's surprise visit to China appears to have paid off. Elon Musk was taken by minibus to his private jet at Beijing airport on Monday after a surprise visit to China. Musk's battle planMusk's China visit came amid tough times for Tesla.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, —, Elon Musk's, Narendra Modi, Musk, Li Qiang, Greg Baker, Dan Ives, Wall, Telsa, Musk's, he's Organizations: Baidu, Service, Tesla, Bloomberg, EVs, Getty, Bloomberg TV, Business Locations: China, Beijing, India, AFP

☆ Saudi Arabia wants big spenders for the first part of its Neom megaproject
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia plans to open the first part of its Neom megaproject this year. Saudi Arabia is pushing to distinguish itself in the high-end luxury market to compete with Dubai. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia plans to open the first region of its Neom megacity by the end of the year. Neom recently ended investor roadshows in China by confirming the luxury island resort would open this year, Arab News reported. A rendering of The Line, part of the Neom project planned by Saudi Arabia.

Persons: —, Neom, roadshows, It's, Marriott Bonvoy, Chadi, MDLBEAST, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Ulrichsen, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Organizations: Dubai, Service, Arab News, Marriott, United, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Emirates, Saudi, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Sindalah, China, Saudi, Vives, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Crown, Gulf Kingdom

☆ Sundar Pichai just showed the doubters he's the right general for Google's AI battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThere's an AI battle raging, and Sundar Pichai appears to be Google's wartime general. With Pichai at the helm, Alphabet just reported blockbuster first-quarter earnings that surpassed analysts' estimates and sent the stock soaring. The CEO told analysts that Google was well "positioned for the next wave of AI innovation and the opportunity ahead," reminding them the company had been "AI-first" since 2016. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Persons: —, Sundar Pichai, Pichai, Googlers, He's Organizations: Service, Google, Business, Microsoft

☆ Mark Zuckerberg thinks AI is Meta's future. Not everyone is convinced.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementNot everyone is on board with Mark Zuckerberg's AI enthusiasm. Related storiesThat slide shows that investors' tolerance for huge AI spending without clear revenue gains might be beginning to wane. Zuckerberg's also been praised for some of his strategies around Meta's AI development, including the decision to open-source models and stockpile GPUs. While Meta's AI products, including Llama 3, have been generally well received, the company is not selling any version of its newest AI model, which is largely open source. Zuckerberg's newest AI model even received a nod of approval from old rival Elon Musk.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, —, Mark, Zuckerberg, he'd, Zuckerberg's, we've, Meta, OpenAI, Elon Musk, It's, he's Organizations: Service, Big Tech, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Facebook, Business

☆ Sundar Pichai admits the generative AI boom took Google by surprise
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Google's CEO Sundar Pichai says the sudden public interest in AI surprised the company. During an event at Stanford University, Pichai said he had a "different sense of the trajectory." download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai has admitted that the generative AI boom caught Google by surprise. During an event at Stanford University earlier this month, the tech boss said his company was "surprised" by the sudden public interest in AI.

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Pichai, — Organizations: Stanford University, Google, Service, Business

☆ Elon Musk is waging war on multiple fronts — and now Australia is in the firing line
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Musk has been in public spats with Brazil's Supreme Court and the Australian government this year. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Musk said on Friday: "The Australian censorship commissar is demanding global content bans." Musk said on X the content had been "censored" for Australia, "pending legal appeal, and it is stored only on servers in the USA." Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Persons: Elon, Musk, —, That's, he's, Mar Mari Emmanuel, Australia's, Tanya Plibersek, Alexandre de Moraes, de Moraes, Brazil's, De Moraes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy's, Donald Trump Jr Organizations: Twitter, Brazil's, Service, Reuters, Australia's eSafety, BBC News, SpaceX, Getty, Business Locations: Sydney, Australian, Australia's, Australia, USA, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Crimea, Ireland, Dublin

☆ Apple sinks to 3rd place in China as iPhone sales slide
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A slide in iPhone sales has left Apple in third place in China, per Counterpoint Research estimates. Chinese-based rivals Vivo and Honor outpaced Apple's sales in the first quarter of the year, per Counterpoint data. AdvertisementIn stark contrast with Apple's slide, Huawei sales soared by almost 70% compared with the first three months of 2023. Counterpoint research analyst Ivan Lam said in a note that Huawei's surge had directly affected iPhone sales in China. NurPhoto/Getty ImagesDespite the stiff competition, Lam said iPhone sales could still reverse their downward slide.

Persons: —, Apple's, Ivan Lam, Apple, Tim Cook, Cook, Lam Organizations: Apple, Service, Counterpoint Research, Vivo, Huawei, China, Forum, Publishing, Getty, European Commission, Department of Justice, Business Locations: China, Huawei's, Shanghai, Beijing, Europe

☆ Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia just took its Neom roadshow to China. Neom officials visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong in an attempt to court Chinese investors. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSaudi Arabia took its Neom roadshow to China amid ongoing speculation about the scope of the project and its finances. Neom officials visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong last week in an attempt to court Chinese investors and shed more light on the mysterious megacity.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, AFP, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, China, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong

☆ Someone added a beard to a photo of Zuck. People liked it so much that they want him to grow one for real.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An edited image showing Mark Zuckerberg with a beard has raised a lot of eyebrows. The picture has been shared widely, with some users failing to notice Zuck's new beard was fake. An edited image of Zuckerberg with a fake beard has been going viral on social media. AdvertisementMe: Bearded Zuck you have to stop. Some users even took the opportunity to encourage the Meta CEO to grow some real facial hair.

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, —, Zuckerberg, Mike Rundle, Kate Middleton's, Varun Mayya Organizations: Service Locations: @flyosity, Kensington

☆ The Tesla strikes in Sweden are dragging on and unions have doubled down, but Elon Musk thinks the 'storm has passed'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Swedish Tesla workers say they are still on strike, contradicting Elon Musk's statements. The strike, led by the IF Metall union, has attracted solidarity from unions across Scandinavia. AdvertisementSwedish Tesla workers say they're still very much on strike — despite Elon Musk's claims to the contrary. The Swedish workers want to force a collective agreement on Tesla, which would allow workers to negotiate things like compensation. AdvertisementAfter the IF Metall union walked out last year, several other unions, including labor groups in nearby countries like Denmark, Norway, and Finland, joined in solidarity.

Persons: Elon, Musk, —, Elon Musk's, Jesper Pettersson, Tesla, Pettersson, Danish dockworkers Organizations: IF Metall, Service, Reuters, Tesla, Danish, Business Locations: Scandinavia, Swedish, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland

☆ Take a closer look at the main regions of Neom, Saudi's epic megacity project
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia is plowing on with its ambitious Neom project, despite reported setbacks. Here's a closer look at the main regions that officials plan to build as part of the project. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia's futuristic Neom project is one of the most ambitious in the world. According to Neom, the city will have no roads, cars, or emissions and run on 100% renewable energy. SindalahThe island of Sindalah, a yachting resort and part of the Neom project, will be open in 2024, say planners.

Persons: Here's, —, Neom, Denis Hickey, " Hickey, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, NEOM Organizations: Service, Street Journal, Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia's Crown Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Tabuk, Kingdom, Neom, Sindalah, Aqaba, Tabak Province

☆ OpenAI and Meta are on the verge of releasing AI models capable of reasoning like humans, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

OpenAI and Meta are close to unveiling AI models that can reason and plan, the FT reported. AdvertisementOpenAI and Meta are reportedly preparing to release more advanced AI models that would be able to help problem-solve and take on more complex tasks. Representatives for Meta and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours. Getting AI models to reason and plan is an important step toward achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), which both Meta and OpenAI have claimed to be aiming for. Elon Musk, a longtime AI skeptic, recently estimated that AI would outsmart humans within two years.

Persons: —, Brad Lightcap, Joelle Pineau, OpenAI, John Carmack, Bengio, Geoffrey Hinton, Elon Musk, Musk Organizations: Meta, Service, Financial Times, Business

☆ The reality of spending $500 billion to build a city in the desert is starting to hit home for Saudi officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Amid alarm about costs, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund has yet to approve Neom's 2024 budget. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSaudi Arabia's plan for its $500 billion futuristic city, Neom, is as ambitious as it gets. It seems the project's finances may prove to be a sticking point, however, since the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund has yet to approve Neom's budget for 2024, Bloomberg reported. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Business Locations: Saudi, Neom, Gulf Kingdom

☆ Meta's AI image generator can't seem to grasp the idea that interracial couples exist
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Meta's AI image-generation tool is struggling to create images of interracial couples. Meta launched the standalone image tool, Imagine with Meta, late last year. The tool failed to correctly generate a Black man with a white wife when prompted by Business Insider. The same happened when BI asked it to produce an image of an Asian man with a white wife — only pictures of Asian couples were shown. However, the generator was able to successfully depict an interracial couple with a Black woman and a white husband.

Persons: Meta, — Organizations: Meta, Service, Business, BI

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