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☆ Opinion | If You’re Reading This, You’re Probably ‘WEIRD’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( The Ezra Klein Show | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +83 min

You’re probably very weird, and not just for all the obvious reasons you’re thinking of. Because, obviously, there’s going to be some overlap in the curve here. How you’re going to behave with your professor is quite different than how you’re going to behave with your friends. But it’s really kind of faceless, and you’re not really helping anybody you know. I think things are dynamic, and directions are changing, and that sort of thing.

For now, tech companies seem to view both trust and safety and AI ethics as cost centers. That included all but one member of the company's 17-person AI ethics team, according to Rumman Chowdhury, who served as director of Twitter's machine learning ethics, transparency and accountability team. Chowdhury referenced an initiative in July 2021, when Twitter's AI ethics team led what was billed as the industry's first-ever algorithmic bias bounty competition. Still, sources familiar with the matter said that following the layoffs, the company has fewer people working on misinformation issues. watch nowFor those who've gained expertise in AI ethics, trust and safety and related content moderation, the employment picture looks grim.

☆ Twitter debuts a mid-tier data access plan, to almost immediate backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Twitter unveiled a new data access tier on Thursday aimed at attracting startups, after its decision to erect a paywall for developers and researchers prompted widespread backlash. An enterprise plan starts at $42,000 a month and can cost as much as $210,000 a month. Public institutions such as New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority have made headlines for pulling their real-time service alerts from Twitter over the paywall. The replies to Twitter’s announcement are filled with complaints that “the jump to 5k is too much,” as one user responded. “That’s cool, but you already killed most Twitter apps by now,” another user said.

☆ Elon Musk's brain implant company Neuralink announces FDA approval of in-human clinical study
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Neuralink, the neurotech startup co-founded by Elon Musk, announced Thursday it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to conduct its first in-human clinical study. A BCI is a system that deciphers brain signals and translates them into commands for external technologies. But receiving FDA approval for a commercial medical device is no small task — it requires companies to successfully conduct several extremely thorough rounds of testing and data safety collection. But by receiving the go-ahead for a study with human patients, Neuralink is one step closer to market. The FDA's approval for an in-human study is a significant win for Neuralink after a series of recent hurdles at the company.

☆ A paralyzed man can walk again using a groundbreaking mind-reading brain implant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-24 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A paralyzed man has regained the ability to walk using spinal cord stimulation he controls with his mind. He emerged alive, but unable to use his legs due to a spinal cord injury. "He's able to pause, he's able to traverse more complex terrain, he's able to climb stairs." Two have spinal cord injuries, and two will be hoping to "move their hands and arms again," he said. Other BCI companies, including Elon Musk's Neuralink, have really only used BCI technology to control things, like keyboards, or computer mice.

☆ Google just revealed what its new generative AI ads will look like as it races to keep up with Microsoft and Amazon in the AI gold rush
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Google is introducing generative AI to its adtech products as it races against Amazon and Microsoft. Revenues from generative AI software will surge to $81 billion by 2027, per a TD Cowen report. The value of generative AI software is primed to explode, and a recent TD Cowen report projected that generative AI software revenues will surge to $81 billion by 2027, from under $1 billion in 2022. Google's generative AI can automatically create image variants GoogleGoogle had previously said at its I/O conference that there would be new search formats from generative AI. Dischler said the move to bring generative AI, which automatically creates content, to Google's ad products was the natural next step of Google's AI evolution.

☆ I drove the $180,000 Lucid Air and experienced the stunningly fast, screen-filled future of luxury cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

I drove the Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance, a $180,000 electric car. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance. The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance.

☆ Twitter accuses Microsoft of refusing to pay for tweets and abusing its data access
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —Twitter is accusing Microsoft of abusing its data access privileges to its platform, in the latest sign of the social network’s owner Elon Musk igniting a feud between the two tech companies. Microsoft refused to pay Twitter to maintain its data access through Twitter’s application programming interface (API) after Twitter erected a paywall seeking to charge for data, according to the letter. The letter called on Microsoft to provide information about its past two years of Twitter API usage, setting a deadline of June 7. “We heard from a law firm representing Twitter with some questions about our previous use of the free Twitter API. Musk’s targeting of Microsoft over its AI investments appears closely linked to his overall criticisms of existing AI models.

☆ This company wants to be the ‘Booking.com for rocket launches’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Cargo-carrying space missions can often take years to get off the ground, and cost millions of dollars. Precious Payload wants to be the “Booking.com for rocket launches,” says Andrey Maksimov, the company’s Russian-born CEO and founder. “Similar to looking at the search results of a booking engine, you can view all the commercially available rocket launches around the planet,” says Maksimov. Precious Payload streamlines the process by gathering data from space agencies and rocket launches across the globe. He plans to make the company a one-stop-shop for space missions by expanding to include ground services and even satellite development.

☆ Twitter alleges "unauthorized" data usage by Microsoft
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 18 (Reuters) - Twitter Inc has alleged that Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) violated an agreement over using the social media company's data, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday. Twitter owner Elon Musk's lawyer leveled accusations of "unauthorized" usage of Twitter's data by Microsoft, including sharing data with government agencies without permission in some cases. A Microsoft spokesperson said the company on Thursday heard from a law firm representing Twitter with some questions about its previous use of the free Twitter APIs. Twitter's accusations come at a time when Elon Musk is at odds with Microsoft over its artificial intelligence platform. Musk said in April he will launch AI platform "TruthGPT" to challenge the offerings from Microsoft and Google.

☆ OpenAI launches ChatGPT app for iOS, Android coming soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

OpenAI launched a ChatGPT iPhone app on Thursday, its CTO Mira Murati said on Twitter. In screenshots on Apple's App Store, OpenAI says that the app can answer questions such as, "what are unique custom birthday gifts ideas for my coffee-loving mom" or how to politely decline an invite to a concert. ChatGPT was previously available online on OpenAI's website, as well as through an application interface used to build third-party apps. Apple's App Store has previously hosted several apps that use OpenAI's software, but none were from OpenAI itself. The app is free, although it includes a $20 per month in-app purchase through Apple for ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI's subscription that offers additional features.

☆ Buy this under-the-radar chip stock, which can see upside of more than 20%, Jefferies says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An under-the-radar chipmaker could yield more than 21% upside as the company takes a broader share of the market, according to Jefferies. Rambus stock closed at $53.55 on Wednesday, and shares have gained a staggering 64% from the start of the year. In Jefferies' bull case, the stock could jump by about 50%, but it could fall about 32% in the firm's bear scenario. Lipacis thinks that the DDR5 segment of Rambus' business could drive revenue over the next four years by 15%. RMBS YTD mountain Rambus stock.

Twitter is accusing Microsoft of using the social media company's data in ways that were unauthorized and never disclosed. However, for one of the Microsoft services using Twitter data, "account information outright states that it intends to allow its customers to 'go around throttling limits,'" Spiro wrote. A Microsoft spokesperson acknowledged receipt of the letter and told CNBC the company will review it and "respond appropriately." "Today we heard from a law firm representing Twitter with some questions about our previous use of the free Twitter API," the spokesperson said in an email. Read the full letter from Twitter to Microsoft, here.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Amazon, Netflix, Walmart, Nvidia, FedEx, Meta & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Citi names Meta top pick Citi said Meta is its new top pick pick based on the strength of its ad platforms. Jefferies reiterates Amazon as buy Jefferies said it sees a "strong AI opportunity" for the e-commerce giant. " "We believe upcoming results from FedEx next month can be a meaningful positive catalyst for shares. Citi reiterates Tesla as neutral Citi said its recent survey checks show Tesla has an "impressive loyalty lead." Jefferies reiterates Walmart as buy Jefferies said the big box giant is still a top pick after its robust earnings report on Thursday morning. "

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☆ Neuralink competitor Paradromics gets one step closer to FDA approval for its brain implant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Paradromics, founded in 2015, is developing a brain implant that could help patients with severe paralysis regain their ability to communicate by deciphering their neural signals. A BCI is a system that deciphers brain signals and translates them into commands for external technologies. As of May, no BCI company has managed to clinch the FDA's final seal of approval. Paradromics' BCI, the Connexus Direct Data Interface, is an assistive communication device that translates neural signals into text or synthesized speech. An array of tiny electrodes is implanted directly into the brain tissue, where it measures and deciphers brain signals that are ultimately emitted to external devices through a transceiver that sits under the skin in the chest.

☆ ChatGPT and Generative AI in Search: The Biggest Digital Ad Format Is Ripe for Revolution
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Insider Intelligence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Microsoft and Google are racing to develop the best AI-assisted search experience, leaving advertisers on the precipice of major disruption in the largest and most mature digital advertising channel. Monetization of AI-assisted search answers isn't as straightforward as that of conventional search engine results pages. Despite the hype, consumers are dubious about AI-assisted search. But Ipsos found that only about a quarter (27%) trust search results generated by AI. Want to learn more about ChatGPT and Generative AI in Search?

☆ I built a website that brings in 6 figures in passive income. Here are my best tips on getting started, from using Google AdSense to growing organic traffic.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

He says getting advertisements onto his site was simple, and now he gets payouts every month. That motivated me to add some new features and optimize the site for search engines. I couldn't find any good resources on the web or in the Google search results with the information I sought. This is where an ad network came in — using a network to sell ad space keeps the entire process passive. For a small web publishing business, monthly net profit can be as simple as ad revenue minus hosting costs.

☆ Your iPhone will soon be able to replicate your voice after 15 minutes of training
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Apple on Tuesday announced a series of new accessibility tools for the iPhone and iPad, including a feature that promises to replicate a user’s voice for phone calls after only 15 minutes of training. With an upcoming tool called Personal Voice, users will be able to read text prompts to record audio and have the technology learn their voice. A related feature called Live Speech will then use the “synthesized voice” to read the user’s typed text aloud during phone calls, FaceTime conversations and in-person conversations. In the blog post, Apple said the Personal Voice feature uses “on-device machine learning to keep users’ information private and secure.”Other tech companies have experimented with using AI to replicate a voice. In addition to the voice features, Apple announced Assistive Access, which combines some of the most popular iOS apps, such as FaceTime, Messages, Camera, Photos, Music and Phone, into one Calls app.

☆ An outsider's take on finding success on Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

At first glance, Kristofer Baxter doesn't seem like an ideal candidate for offering tips about succeeding on Wall Street. His outside perspective offers a unique look at what it takes to find success on the Street. Too often, people explaining how they found success on Wall Street, or anywhere, amounts to them bragging about how hard they worked. Read more on key lessons from a top engineer at Citadel about finding success. The famous VC firm is going to launch a fund of funds for backing other VCs focused on finding early-stage startups.

Garmin's Forerunner fitness trackers have long been one of the brand's most popular among serious runners. After dozens of technological generations and improvements over the years, the latest is the Forerunner 935. To truly put this advanced running watch to the test, we had competitive distance runner, Ted Westbrook, put the 935 through 1,000 cumulative miles of running. A mid-size watch with premium featuresThe Forerunner 935 is a mid-sized watch for the average man and a large watch for the average woman. Whether you're a competitive runner or just want to improve your fitness and cardio, the Garmin Forerunner 935 is a worthwhile investment.

☆ I'm a UI engineer at Citadel who's worked at Netflix and Google. Here are 7 important lessons that have been critical to my rise at Ken Griffin's $57 billion hedge fund.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Kristofer Baxter leads a team of about 20 UI engineers at Citadel, a $57 billion hedge fund. I started my career at a golf tee-time reservation company, then worked in roles at Netlflix, LinkedIn, and Google. But it's really important to be quick. We work really closely with front-office partners and investment professionals so we know what to build. The really important thing there is that you can't be afraid of scale, or even failure.

☆ DeepMind cofounder says Google should be 'pretty worried' because old school search engines will be gone in a decade. 'That moment is done.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Alistair Barr | Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman has a chilling warning for Google, his former employer: The internet as we know it will fundamentally change and "old school" Search will be gone in a decade. During his final period at Google, Suleyman worked on LaMDA, a large language model. With or without Google, the search experience will evolve to be conversational and interactive, Suleyman said on the No Priors podcast. There will be business AIs, government AIs, nonprofit AIs, political AIs, influencer AIs, brand AIs. Now, that's going to become much more dynamic, and interactive.

The number of Twitter mobile app downloads actually declined 18% in February to 14.05 million from 17.2 million in January. Meanwhile, Twitter had 14.9 million app downloads in April, which is a 2% increase from the 14.6 million downloads it accumulated in March. Musk's Twitter makeover has sparked new interest in decentralized social networks. Elon Musk's Twitter is facing new competition from a rival called Bluesky, a so-called decentralized communications app that is backed by Twitter co-founder and twice-former CEO, Jack Dorsey. The front-end apps built atop these decentralized platforms are often clunky, not professional-looking or easy to use.

☆ Google Says Search Enters New Era With Conversational AI Features
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Miles Kruppa | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Google’s new AI chatbot Bard is more restricted than OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing. Google’s Sissie Hsiao discusses it all with WSJ’s Joanna Stern. Photo illustration: Preston Jessee for The Wall Street JournalGoogle unveiled conversational features for its search engine and made its chatbot Bard widely available for English speakers, a show of force as it races Microsoft and a growing number of startups to win over consumers with artificial-intelligence products. Calling the moment a new era in search, Google introduced a set of features—called Search Generative Experience—that use AI programs to provide lengthier summaries in response to a range of queries. The features invite follow-up questions, opening a new interface allowing users to hold conversations with the search engine.

☆ Exclusive: NEA and Pear VC just led a $4.5 million seed investment in Orby, the AI that has thoughts about your job performance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Darius Rafieyan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Stealth AI startup Orby recently closed a $4.5 million seed round led by NEA and Pear VC. The scramble into AI startups continues apace as NEA and Pear VC lead a $4.5 million seed investment into stealth startup Orby, which seeks to leverage the power of surveillance to automate away life's most tedious tasks. It identifies wasted energy and inefficiencies, repetitive tasks that can be automated and handed off to the computer. They say Orby can identify this repetition and write code to automate it. Eventually, they say, Orby may start to know your job better than you do, and find solutions you never thought of.

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