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☆ Google's viral AI podcast tool just got more useful
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google's NotebookLM Audio Overview feature went viral for its podcast-like AI discussions. Shortly after the AI tool's Audio Overview feature went viral, Google's product lead for NotebookLM, Raiza Martin, shared plans to release more features. Google's AI product made a splash in the tech world with its human-sounding "Deep Dive" conversation between two AI hosts, powered by the company's Gemini 1.5 large language model. The NotebookLM tool allows users to generate a roughly 10-minute AI Overview — basically an AI-generated podcast discussion — based on the material you upload. Additionally, with millions of people using the product, NotebookLM has officially removed the "Experimental" label for the product.

Persons: Google's, It's, —, Raiza Martin, Martin, NotebookLM, Donald Trump's Organizations: Service, Business Locations: NotebookLM

Meta terminated employees who used $25 Grubhub credits meant for office meals on non-food items. Meta employees reacted to the news on the company's Blind channel. The Grubhub meal perk is meant to support Meta employees at locations where free meals aren't provided by a cafeteria, or when employees work into the evening. "They violated a 'follow this rule or you will be terminated' policy, and they were terminated. Another Meta employee referenced Mark Zuckerberg's "year of efficiency" strategy in assessing the recent firings.

Persons: —, Grubgate, Read, Mark Zuckerberg's Organizations: Service, Meta, Business, Grubgate, Reality Labs Locations: Meta

Meta terminated some employees who abused a Grubhub perk, a source confirmed to BI. AdvertisementMeta recently fired some employees for misusing a Grubhub meal perk, according to a person familiar with the situation. Roughly two dozen employees were terminated for abusing the company's meal credit system, this person said. This episode has been discussed at length in recent days by some Meta employees on Blind, an online workforce forum. Business Insider reviewed these Blind discussions, including screenshots of some discussions that took place in a section of the app only accessible to Meta employees.

Persons: Meta, — Organizations: BI, Service, Meta, FT, Business, Reality Labs Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Google Shopping just got an AI makeover
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Google Shopping has added a number of new features in recent years. Google Shopping now has AI Overviews-like briefing to provide more context to users on what they're looking to buy. The shopping feed considers inputs from Google surfaces including your shopping activity on Chrome, Search, YouTube and Discover, a Google spokesperson told Business Insider. "We can show you the best of what Gemini and the Google shopping graph have a recommendation for you." Google previously introduced a virtual try-on feature to Google Shopping and recently extended the tool to dresses.

Persons: —, Lilian Rincon, Rincon Organizations: Google, Service, YouTube, Google Google Locations: Seattle, Pinterest

☆ Yes, there were humans controlling Tesla's bartending robots behind the scenes
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Jaures Yip | Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Tesla's robots serving drinks and talking to guests at the "We Robot" were partly controlled by humans. Please be nice to the Optimus robots. Tesla's Optimus robots walked into the spotlight at the company's "We, Robot" event. Videos of guests' interactions with the Optimus robots posted online underscored that humans were involved. Tesla has said it's already deployed two Optimus robots on its factory floor, though it is unclear what tasks they are completing.

Persons: Tesla, —, Elon Musk, Optimus, Musk, you'll, livestream Morgan Stanley, I'm, Jeremy Judkins, Josh Wolfe, it's Organizations: Service, Optimus, Lux Capital, Tesla

☆ Elon Musk reveals the 'Art Deco' design inspiration behind Tesla's Robovan
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk surprised viewers with the unveiling of Tesla's Robovan at the 'We Robot' event Thursday. Musk shared on X that the Robovan's design was inspired by Art Deco trains. But the Robovan's exterior aesthetic appears to be inspired by the early 20th century Art Deco design period. In response to a user who asked about what inspired the design, Musk replied, "Art Deco trains." Art Deco trains were a product of the Art Deco era, which took place in the 1920s and 1930s.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla's Robovan, Musk, —, Tesla, — Tesla, Robovan, 🎯, ike Organizations: Art Deco, Service, Art Locations: lon, usk, ehicles

☆ Elon Musk reveals Tesla's Robotaxi and Robovan
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Ana Altchek | Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Elon Musk just unveiled Tesla's Robotaxi at the company's "We, Robot" event in Los Angeles. Elon Musk showed off Tesla's upcoming driverless taxi at its "We, Robot" on Thursday evening. Musk walked into the event and entered a sleek-looking silver Robotaxi, a two-door vehicle that opened upward with butterfly-style doors. The unveiling of Tesla's latest vehicle is a major milestone for the company and has been highly anticipated for years. In 2016, Musk said during a press call that a Tesla vehicle would autonomously drive from Los Angeles to New York City by 2017.

Persons: Elon Musk, —, Robotaxi, Tesla, Musk, Optimus, Uber Organizations: Service, Warner Bros, Elon, Twitter, Traffic, Administration Locations: Los Angeles, Burbank , California, California, Texas, York, New York City

☆ Elon Musk is about to reveal Tesla's Robotaxi. Uber and Lyft should be nervous.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Tesla is expected to unveil a new service at its Robotaxi event that will impact Uber and Lyft. The ride-hailing industry has so far been dominated by two major players — Uber and Lyft — and Gawrelski said Tesla's Robotaxi could mark a new challenger jockeying for market share. Uber, Lyft, and Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ives said Tesla's Robotaxi event will be a historical day for the auto industry — and it will pressure Uber to seek out more partnerships. In September, Waymo announced that its Waymo One ride-hailing service would be available to users in Austin and Atlanta exclusively through the Uber app.

Persons: Tesla, Uber, —, Elon Musk's, Musk, There's, Wells, Ken Gawrelski, Gawrelski, there's, Morgan Stanley, — Uber, Lyft, Tesla's, jockeying, he's, Wolfe, Shweta Khajuria, Robotaxis, Khajuria, Waymo, Dan Ives, Ives, FSD, Cruise, Dara Khosrowshahi, Khosrowshahi Organizations: Service, Hollywood, Elon, Wolfe Research, EV, Los Angeles, Starbucks Locations: Austin, Atlanta, San Francisco, Phoenix, Los

☆ Cybertruck owners share their likes and dislikes as Tesla's pickup approaches its first birthday
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Business Insider interviewed 10 Cybertruck owners to hear what they thought of the vehicle. Business Insider spoke to 10 Cybertruck owners about their experience with the EV and the most notable parts of owning it. Several also owners told BI that the company could improve its customer support — whether it was being more transparent about delays or communicating updates. Cybertruck owners feel like celebrities — but you might get the finger while drivingWhile it doesn't happen often, getting flipped off seems to be a right of passage of sorts for most Cybertruck owners. Most of the interactions tend to be positive though, many of the owners told BI.

Persons: Tesla, —, It's, Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Elon, Anthony Ardizzone, Royce —, Ardizzone, Jeremy Judkins, Lamar, Tommy Huynh, Austin, Stephen Kapusta, Jason Burtman, Jay O'Brien, he's, Joe Fay, Cybertruck, Getty, John Keeble Charlie Redmond, he's Elon Musk's, Lamar MK, O'Brien, Kapusta Organizations: Business, Service, EV, Honda, Royce, Getty, BI, Orlando Locations: Jupiter , Florida, North Carolina, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Kansas City , Missouri, Austin, Piermont , New York

☆ Elon Musk's childhood fascination with sci-fi motivates his desire to lead the AI race, biographer Walter Isaacson says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Walter Isaacson said Elon Musk's AI motives likely stem from early ambitions inspired by sci-fi themes. Isaacson said Musk told him he wanted to start an AI company because he didn't trust Sam Altman. "He's telling me, 'I'm gonna start from scratch an AI company 'cause I don't trust Sam Altman,'" Isaacson recalled in an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box published Friday. The AI company competes directly with OpenAI, which he helped found and fund before a reported falling out. Isaacson, Musk, and xAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: Walter Isaacson, Elon, Isaacson, Musk, Sam Altman, —, Elon Musk, lounging, CNBC's, he's, Isaac Asimov, He's, Isaac Asimov's, Douglas Adams, Altman, OpenAI, they're, xAI Organizations: Service, Twitter, SpaceX, Yorker, Business Locations: Austin

☆ I tried Google's viral new tool that creates an AI podcast about topics you feed it. It's worth the hype.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The feature uses the information you feed it to create a "deep dive" discussion hosted by two AI hosts. Based on the information you feed it, it generates a "deep dive," podcast-like discussion hosted by two AI hosts. Related storiesTo my surprise, this NotebookLM-generated podcast exceeded anything I'd heard so far in terms of AI voice quality. Like any AI tool though, Audio Overviews isn't perfect. Audio Overviews is probably my favorite AI tool I've tried out so far — and it showcases the innovative ways AI can be used in our daily lives.

Persons: Google's NotebookLM, —, livia M oore, ingle, hough, hatter, ike, oices Organizations: Service Locations: NotebookLM

☆ I'm almost done with my first 'no-buy year.' It's lifted a weight off my shoulders and allowed me to save.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Westrap has tried to abstain from buying anything unnecessary — and it's taken a weight off her shoulders. I didn't feel like I was living this really extravagant lifestyle. It got harder in the summer when I wanted to buy summer clothes, go to a pub garden, treat myself, and have the summer of my dreams. I've never once in my life finished a month with a positive number — but this year I've finally managed to save. It's like a weight off my shoulders that I didn't realize I had and I just feel so much lighter.

Persons: Mia Westrap, Westrap, it's, —, hasn't, It's, I've, I'd, haven't Organizations: Service

OpenAI's $6.6 billion funding raise attracted some big names across the industry. The $6.6 billion round gave OpenAI a $157 billion post-money valuation and minted it into one of the most valuable startups in the world. MicrosoftMicrosoft invested a little under $1 billion into OpenAI's latest funding round, according to The Wall Street Journal report. FidelityFidelity also participated in OpenAI's latest funding round. AdvertisementAltimeter Capital ManagementAltimeter Capital Management also contributed to OpenAI's latest funding round, according to reports.

Persons: —, Sam Altman, OpenAI, Here's, Anderson Cooper, Josh Kushner, Instagram, Kushner, Altman, josh, SoftBank, Masayoshi Son, Son, Marco Bello, Wood, Morningstar, Bing, Jensen Huang, Sam Yeh, Elon Musk's, Brad Gerstner, Gerstner, Vinod Khosla, Vaughn Ridley, Khosla, MGX Organizations: Service, Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Getty, Capital, Business, VC, Wall Street, Reuters, Vision Fund, Venture, ARK Invest, ARK Venture Fund, SpaceX, Microsoft Microsoft, Wall, Rival Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia Nvidia, Nvidia, Tiger Global Management, Fidelity Fidelity, Elon, Elon Musk's xAI, Fidelity, Capital Management, . Khosla, Getty Khosla Ventures, Sun Microsystems, United Arab, Bloomberg Locations: OpenAI, Silicon Valley, OpenAI ., Tokyo, Saudi, ARK, AFP, IPOs, America, United Arab Emirates

☆ I'm a Microsoft manager. AI saves me time on some tasks, but that doesn't mean I work any less.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A 37-year-old manager at Microsoft says AI has changed his workflow. I still have a full workloadWhile AI has definitely helped with skipping mundane tasks, that's not exactly what my team's work is focused on. Whatever time I'm getting back from leveraging AI, I'm using it for some other work. Once the developers start writing code for these projects and do the actual work, that's where we leverage AI. So that's why developers are using AI wherever they can to reduce their time, but they are using any time saved for other tasks or other features.

Persons: —, Santhosh Reddy, ChatGPT, I've, It's, I'm, it's Organizations: Microsoft, Service, Google Locations: OpenAI

☆ Not hearing back on job applications? Some career consultants suggest a bold new tactic.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementCareer consultants are pushing a bold new strategy for tech candidates: skip the recruiter DMs and go straight to the CEO. In today's highly competitive tech job market, candidates are looking for ways to stand out and differentiate themselves in the application process. AdvertisementBusiness Insider spoke to career coaches in the tech space to hear about why candidates may want to try this new tactic. It's not recommended for all jobsSome career coaches expressed mixed feelings on this new tactic, despite being approached about it by clients. AdvertisementBut while there's no magic formula to landing a tech job in this market, it's not a bad idea to think outside the box and get creative with your approach.

Persons: —, DMing, Katie McIntyre, McIntyre, That's, Raj Subrameyer, Subrameyer, hasn't, It's, Albano Gega, Gega Organizations: Service, DMs, Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn Locations: CareerSprout

☆ I've had 4 jobs in 4 years. I mastered the pivot regardless of the circumstances, and now I've found success on my own.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After being fired from her last job, she started her own business and is set to earn more than ever. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . When I switched to my second job out of college, I received a salary increase of about 20% and I felt like the possibilities were endless. I would say job pivoting has not only paid off in terms of my earnings increasing, but also my mental wellbeing. I now report to no one but myself, and I finally get to make a living on my own terms.

Persons: Megan Lieu, Lieu, —, I've, who's Organizations: Service

☆ OpenAI execs were reportedly worried the company could collapse when Ilya Sutskever left — and tried to woo him back
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A new WSJ report sheds light on the internal tensions at OpenAI amid CTO Mira Murati's exit. The report said execs worried the company could collapse when cofounder Ilya Sutskever left in May. AdvertisementQuestions are swirling about what exactly has been going on at OpenAI amid a string of high-profile executive departures including former CTO Mira Murati. AdvertisementIt also reveals that executives worried about a potential collapse after OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever left in May, and their attempts to woo the AI researcher back before reconsidering the offer. However, the Journal's reporting offers some fresh details about Murati's involvement as CTO amid the crunch to ready and ship new products.

Persons: Mira Murati's, execs, Ilya Sutskever, —, Mira Murati, Sam Altman, Murati's, Sutskever, Altman, hadn't, Jan Leike, Greg Brockman, Brockman, Murati, Sarah Friar Organizations: Service, Wall, Business, CNBC

☆ OpenAI execs were reportedly worried the company could collapse when Ilya Sutsveker left — and tried to woo him back
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

☆ Google's reported $2.7 billion deal to bring back a former employee is proof AI geniuses are the new 'star quarterbacks'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Google struck a $2.7 billion deal with Character.ai., largley to rehire AI expert Noam Shazeer, WSJ reported. It's an eye-popping example of how expensive and in demand top AI talent is as competition heats up. AI career experts told Business Insider it's a bit like pro sports — the superstars are worth it. AdvertisementThere are plenty of stories out there about just how ruthless the hiring wars for AI talent have gotten. Grennan predicted this pattern will continue as the AI talent window stays hot for the next three to four years.

Persons: Noam Shazeer, —, Shazeer, he's, it's, Mustafa Suleyman, Karen Simonyan, Andree Mendoza, Mendoza, Sergey Brin, Zuckerberg, Meta, Altman, Conor Grennan, Grennan, Noam Shazeer isn't Organizations: Google, Service, Nvidia, Wall Street, Business, Microsoft, Carex Consulting, Big Tech, NYU's Stern School of Business, Wall, Apple

☆ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang gushes over Meta's new 'Orion' prototype glasses
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewNvidia CEO Jensen Huang was one of several big names to try out Meta's new "Orion" prototype glasses at Meta's Connect event on Wednesday — and he appeared to be a fan. The Nvidia CEO, who was one of the testers, referred to the glasses' 100-gram weight as "a big deal" and complimented various aspects of the technology. AdvertisementThe "Orion" glasses are the first prototype of full holographic augmented reality, and Zuckerberg referred to them as the "most advanced glasses the world has ever seen." The Meta CEO named several of the challenges with building the glasses, like the need for a wide field of view while keeping them light. The Meta CEO has bragged about stockpiling GPUs to build a "massive amount of infrastructure" to further the company's AI efforts.

Persons: —, Jensen Huang, Mark Zuckerberg, Huang, Zuckerberg, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Nvidia, Meta

☆ Meta's AI can now edit photos for you and 'talk' like a range of celebrities
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Meta AI now includes visual and voice capabilities, announced at Meta's Connect event on Wednesday. The chatbot can now edit photos you share and answer questions about what it's in them. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! Meta AI can reply to photos shared in the chat and answer questions about what's in them, according to the company. For example, if you take a photo of a bird and don't know what kind it is, you can ask Meta AI to identify it.

Persons: John Cena, Michael Key, —, Mark Zuckerberg Organizations: Meta's, Keegan, Service, Meta, Business

☆ I tried out the alpha version of ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode. Here's what you can expect as it rolls out this week.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewOpenAI stunned viewers when it showed off ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode at its Spring Update event in May. AdvertisementOpenAI will also release five new voices to Standard and Advanced Voice Mode in addition to the four already available. I've been trying out the alpha version of Advanced Voice Mode over the last couple of weeks, so here's what you can expect once you get access. Advanced Voice Mode also didn't give the thoroughness or detail that the text mode offers. ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode feels a world apart from Siri or other voice assistants, which don't offer smooth back-and-forth conversations or pick up on emotion.

Persons: —, Scarlet Johanson — OpenAI, It'll, Edu, it's, I've, didn't, Siri Organizations: Service, Business, Enterprise, EU, American Locations: Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein

☆ Trump is threatening tariffs on yet another business — and economists say it makes no sense
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Ana Altchek | Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Now, trade economists say Trump's latest trade threat makes no sense. I love the company, but as you know, they've announced a few days ago that they're going to move a lot of their manufacturing business to Mexico," Trump said at Monday's event. AdvertisementJohn Deere is the latest company to face a threat of tariffs from Donald Trump. It's not the first time Trump has threatened companies and Trump's threat to impose large tariffs on imports also isn't new. Trump's tariff goals going into the next election go beyond his former policy on international imports.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, John Deere, they've, Trump, Jonathan W, Coppess, Ian Sheldon, Sheldon, Gary Hufbauer, Hufbauer, Rick Wilking, he's, Trump's, we're, Nicole Bivens Collinson, Sandler, Travis, Rosenberg, Collinson, " Collinson, Kamala Harris Organizations: Service, Business, Fox Business, Republican, University of Illinois, Agricultural Marketing, Trade, The Ohio State University, Peterson Institute for International Economics Locations: Mexico, Smithton , Pennsylvania, Iowa, United States, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, Canada, North America, Central America, South America, Georgia, China

☆ Sam Altman says doing psychedelics during a weekend retreat in Mexico changed his life
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewSam Altman, the tech CEO behind ChatGPT, is also a big supporter of psychedelics. OpenAI cofounder shared some personal anecdotes in a recent appearance on the podcast "Life in Seven Songs," saying that doing psychedelics was one of the most transformative experiences of his life. Altman said psychedelic experiences can be "totally incredible," and for him, they've been life-altering. AdvertisementThe CEO didn't specify which psychedelics he used, but he said the experience changed him in a lot of ways.

Persons: —, Sam Altman, Altman, they've, Colab, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Peter Thiel, psychedelics, Oregan Organizations: Service, Business, PayPal, YouGov Locations: Mexico, Denver , Colorado, Oakland , California

☆ Sam Altman used to be 'super anti-Burning Man.' Now he's a fan and sees it as how the world could look after AGI
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman used to be "super anti-Burning Man." Altman said on the podcast he's been to Burning Man five or six times. "Everyone so happy, so engaged, so present that I was like, 'OK, I was wrong to be so negative on Burning Man.'" A photo of Burning Man attendees on the playa of Black Rock City. "This is one possible, like, part of what the post-AGI world can look like," Altman said on the podcast.

Persons: Sam Altman, Altman, he's, Aly Weisman Altman, we'll, everyone's, — Organizations: Service, Business, bros, Black Rock City . Business Locations: Nevada's, Black Rock

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