Here is the daily technology #threadcast for 10/7/24. We aim to educate people about this crucial area along with providing information of what is taking place.
Drop all question, comments, and articles relating to #technology and the future. The goal is make it a technology center.
Highlights From the 2024 IA Summit
Madrona's third annual IA Summit highlighted the growing focus on making AI work in production, emphasizing the use of diverse models tailored to specific applications. The event showcased emerging "killer use cases" for AI, the shift towards autonomous agents, and the continued robust funding in the AI sector, underscoring AI's transformative potential. Key discussions also centered on the importance of memory for personalization and the need for safety measures as AI technology evolves.
#technology #ai
Venture Capital's "Crisis"
Many startups are overvalued relative to their exit potential, but there is hope in AI and the upcoming elections.
#technology #vc #ai #money
Reuters: Italy may strengthen digital services tax in 2025 budget, sources say
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-may-strengthen-digital-services-tax-2025-budget-sources-say-2024-10-07/
Reuters: Chinese hackers breached US court wiretap systems, WSJ reports
https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/chinese-hackers-breached-us-court-wiretap-systems-wsj-reports-2024-10-06/
Spatial AI - The Next Frontier of AI Architecture
Summary below ⏬ #ai #technology #newsonleo
What is Spatial Artificial Intelligence? Exploring Fay Lee's Vision
Fay Lee, renowned computer scientist and often referred to as the "Godmother of AI," has recently raised hundreds of millions to build a new AI company focused on spatial intelligence. Her work centers on the idea that for AI to truly understand the real world, it must not only process language but also perceive, reason, and interact within a 3D environment.
In a recent interview with the venture capital firm a16z, Fay explained her vision for the future of AI, emphasizing that language alone is insufficient for building models of the world. This conversation reflects a shift in the artificial intelligence community, one that moves beyond text and into visual and spatial understanding—a field she has been passionate about for years.
The Importance of Spatial Intelligence
Spatial intelligence refers to AI’s ability to understand the physical world in terms of 3D space and time. It's about how objects and events exist and interact in these dimensions. Fay Lee believes that to make AI systems more useful and intelligent, we must train them not just to interpret language but also to perceive and interact with the real world. This is the foundation of her new company, World Labs, which aims to lead advancements in AI’s ability to navigate and act within the physical world.
Fay Lee's Contributions and Impact
Fay Lee's journey in AI is illustrious. Her most famous contribution is the creation of the ImageNet dataset in 2009, a massive collection of labeled images that transformed computer vision and deep learning. It enabled machines to "see" the world by training on millions of images. This breakthrough helped revolutionize fields like autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and AI-driven object recognition.
Beyond ImageNet, Lee has held academic positions at prestigious institutions like Princeton and Stanford. She recently left academia to launch World Labs, which focuses on advancing AI through spatial intelligence.
Why Now? The Perfect Time for Spatial AI
Lee notes that we are in a "Cambrian explosion" of AI possibilities, where text, images, and videos are all converging into new AI applications. Much of the early promise of AI has been realized, but we are just now beginning to tap into its full potential by integrating these capabilities into real-world contexts. The rise of more powerful computing, such as advancements in GPUs, and the increasing sophistication of AI algorithms, have set the stage for spatial intelligence to take off.
Her co-founders, Ben Mildenhall and Kristof Laur, have been at the forefront of related advancements such as NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields), which allows AI to infer 3D shapes from 2D images, further advancing the field of computer vision.
Spatial Intelligence vs. Language Models
Unlike large language models (LLMs), which operate by predicting sequences of tokens in one-dimensional space (text), spatial AI is fundamentally three-dimensional. According to Lee, language is a generated signal—it doesn’t naturally exist in the world—and is a lossy way to convey information about the world. On the other hand, the physical world follows the laws of physics and has inherent structures that AI needs to learn and replicate.
Spatial intelligence will allow AI to not only "see" objects in 3D but also understand their relationships and interactions in real time. This enables richer, more complex applications in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), robotics, and more.
The Future of AI: From Gaming to Augmented Reality
One exciting potential application for spatial intelligence is world generation, which could lead to the creation of fully interactive 3D worlds. This might revolutionize industries beyond gaming, where the creation of virtual environments today requires immense effort and financial investment. In the future, Lee envisions AI being able to dynamically generate richly detailed 3D spaces for various uses, from education to entertainment.
The technology also has the potential to reshape how we interact with the world. For example, AR and VR devices, such as Apple's Vision Pro, could blend the physical and digital worlds, allowing users to manipulate virtual objects within real-world environments. This blending could replace the need for physical screens and devices, transforming the way we work and interact with technology.
AI and Robotics: Bringing Spatial Intelligence to Life
Perhaps most significantly, spatial AI will be crucial in the development of intelligent robots capable of functioning autonomously in real-world environments. Tesla's autonomous driving data, collected from millions of miles driven, is an example of how spatial intelligence is already being applied to teach machines to navigate physical spaces. This technology could eventually extend beyond cars to robots like Tesla's Optimus, enabling them to perform complex tasks in a variety of settings.
As Fay Lee and her team continue to push the boundaries of spatial intelligence, the implications for the future of AI are vast. Whether in robotics, AR/VR, or entirely new forms of digital experiences, this next frontier could bring us closer to a world where AI doesn't just understand language but fully comprehends the spatial and physical dimensions of reality.
This shift from flat, 2D AI systems to richly contextualized, spatially aware models represents the next major leap forward in artificial intelligence—and it's only just beginning.
Introducing the Open FinLLM Leaderboard
The Open FinLLM Leaderboard offers a specialized evaluation platform tailored for financial language models. It focuses on tasks crucial for finance, such as stock movement prediction, sentiment analysis, and information extraction from financial reports.
#technology #ai #llm #finance #openfinllm
China
Chinese scientists create the world's most powerful magnet: it has 800,000 times the strength of the Earth's magnetic field and will be used for something very important
Chinese scientists beat the United States' record with the construction of a giant magnetic field of 42.02 teslas, that is, a number 800,000 greater than the strength of the Earth's own magnetic field.
#newsonleo #science #china #technology
The experiment was carried out at the High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, according to information from Xinhua. This new feat is of great importance, as high magnetic fields are useful for carrying out scientific research.
With such a powerful magnetic field, important research can be done to help develop new technologies, as well as to improve the production of materials and even improve nuclear magnetic resonance. In this way, both medicine and technology will benefit.
It is not new that Chinese technology has been helping scientists from renowned universities to make great discoveries in various areas. Some examples of this were research into human memory, cancer treatment and diabetes. Now, the next step for Chinese scientists is to create new magnets for the study of superconductors, serious diseases and the development of innovative electronics.
If you know anyone that has “clerk” attached to their job title, tell them they don’t have much time.
https://inleo.io/threads/view/opinizeunltd/re-leothreads-24dg4wrz?referral=opinizeunltd
Space
Astronauts trapped in space can breathe a sigh of relief: last-minute decision made by NASA 10 years ago changed the future
At the end of September, NASA and SpaceX launched the mission that will bring back to planet Earth the two astronauts who were trapped on the International Space Station (ISS) after problems on the Starliner, produced by Boeing. This rescue could very well not happen if a decade ago NASA hadn't changed a certain contract at the last minute.
#newsonleo #nasa #space
On June 5, Boeing's Starliner took off with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams for a relatively short “trip.” They were only supposed to stay on the ISS for eight days, however, the ship remained docked at the station for three months while ground teams debated whether or not to return the crew aboard the troubled Starliner.
During the trip to the ISS, five of the spacecraft's thrusters failed and it developed several significant helium leaks, one of which was identified before liftoff. Finally, and after much debate, NASA agreed to call Starliner back to Earth, but without crew. The two astronauts will return aboard a SpaceX Dragon.
Naturally, we now have data that could not have been predicted a decade ago, but considering what happened, choosing Boeing as its sole commercial partner would have been a questionable decision on NASA's part. At the time, however, Boeing was the most reliable option, while SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, was a newcomer that had not yet had the opportunity to prove its value.
This happened in 2014 and, at that moment in space history, NASA was reflecting on a contract that would define the space race for the next few years. At issue was the contract under the space agency's Commercial Crew Program to develop ships capable of transporting crew and cargo to the International Space Station.
Movie Gen sets a new standard for immersive AI content
Meta has trained a state-of-the-art movie model. It has 30B parameters and took 6,144 H100s to train. The model was trained on 1B images and 100m highly curated videos. Interestingly, it is a Temporal Autoencoder and Flow matching Llama. Meta released a 92 page paper, one of the most detailed research reports on the topic.
#technology #ai #meta #moviegen
Palmer Luckey's Perspective on Historical Futurism
Exploring past ideas and visions of the future can be a valuable approach to innovation and problem-solving. By examining historical documents, research reports, and science fiction, individuals can uncover forgotten concepts that were ahead of their time and reapply them to modern challenges. This approach, referred to as "historical futurism," encourages thinking outside the constraints of current political and technological limitations to allow for more creative and ambitious solutions to emerge.
#technology #futurism #palmerluckey
Reuters: US lets Starlink provide direct-to-cell coverage for hurricane-hit areas
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-lets-starlink-provide-direct-to-cell-coverage-hurricane-hit-areas-2024-10-06/
Reuters: Amazon Fire TVs to carry Freely streaming platform in boost for BBC and ITV
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/amazon-fire-tvs-carry-freely-streaming-platform-boost-bbc-itv-2024-10-07/
Reuters: Hacker attack disrupts Russian state media on Putin's birthday
https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/russian-state-media-company-hit-by-unprecedented-cyberattack-kremlin-says-2024-10-07/
Reuters: Atos: Still aiming for government deal on strategic assets as initial offer expires
https://www.reuters.com/technology/atos-still-aiming-deal-with-french-state-strategic-assets-initial-offer-expires-2024-10-07/
BBC Video: Inside the high-security facility tackling digital threats
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0jvjglz/inside-the-high-security-facility-tackling-digital-threats
The European Space Agency and SpaceX are hoping for good enough weather as they prepare to launch a mission to a binary asteroid Monday morning.
The Hera mission is a follow-on operation, which will examine Didymos and it moon, Dimorphos, after the latter was struck by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft.
“It’s been 18 years we’ve been working to put this mission together, so you can imagine our emotions, not only mine, but the whole team,” said Ian Carnelli, the Hera project manager, during a prelaunch media briefing.
Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 UTC). Spaceflight Now will have live coverage of the mission beginning about 1.5 hours ahead of liftoff.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/10/07/live-coverage-esas-hera-mission-to-launch-on-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-from-cape-canaveral/
We’re Entering Uncharted Territory for Math
Terence Tao, a mathematics professor at UCLA widely considered to be the world's greatest living mathematician, recently posted his impressions of OpenAI's o1 model, comparing it to a mediocre but not completely incompetent graduate student. This article contains an edited transcript of an interview with Tao where he describes a kind of AI-enabled 'industrial-scale mathematics' in which AI acts as a lubricant for mathematicians' hypotheses and approaches to unlock new information. This approach keeps humans at its core, embracing both the strengths of people and machines.
#technology #mathematics #ai #terencetao
To Be Born in a Bag
Several research groups are developing artificial wombs to replicate their basic life-support functions for extremely premature infants. At least one group is working on a system to grow a fetus from embryo to birth entirely outside of the womb. Such technology could have profound implications for the future of human reproduction. Despite several technology hurdles, it might not be very long before the first human baby is birthed from a bag.
#technology #artificialwomb #health #medicine
The US has passed peak obesity, a new survey suggests. Is it the Ozempic effect?
The obesity rate in adults in the US fell by 2% between 2020 and 2023. There is no established direct link between new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and the decline in obesity, but there is a strong possibility of a link considering the medications hit the market around 2021. Approximately one in eight US adults have tried the new weight-loss drugs, with more than 15 million using a prescription. At least 25,000 people in the US are starting the drug every week.
#technology #health #drugs #pharma #ozempic
Google’s Grip on Search Slips as TikTok and AI Startup Mount Challenge
TikTok has recently started allowing brands to target ads based on users' search queries and Perplexity, an AI search startup, plans to introduce ads later this month under its AI-generated answers. Google's share of the US search ad market is expected to drop below 50% next year for the first time in over a decade. Generative AI, which serves fully formed answers to user queries, is transforming search products. Companies are experimenting with ways to monetize ads with chatbots, but some analysts are uncertain whether ads in chatbots will be as valuable as traditional search because people might be less likely to click on them.
#technology #google #ai #search
Facebook launches a Gen Z-focused redesign
Meta has announced a series of changes to Facebook that will put a greater emphasis on local community information, videos, and Facebook Groups. The changes are aimed at making Facebook more approachable for those wanting to connect with their local community or be entertained. Meta also announced updates to Meta AI, Facebook Dating, and Messenger.
#technology #meta #genz #ux
Foxconn building world's largest Nvidia superchip factory. Link shared in thread.
#technews #latest #technology
Here is the link:
https://www.reuters.com/technology/foxconn-says-it-is-building-worlds-largest-manufacturing-facility-for-nvidias-2024-10-08/
Bitcoin and Ether ETFs helped take crypto mainstream. Are Solana and XRP next?
Crypto asset management firms have submitted their applications to the SEC for Solana and XRP ETFs
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) at the start of this year, capturing the attention of investors. The influx of capital into these funds fueled a rapid rise in bitcoin’s value, which soon reached an all-time high, breaking the prolonged stagnation in the cryptocurrency market.
#crypto #newsonleo #bitcoin #ethereum #xrp #solana
More information about Solana and XRP, as well as their potential for future ETFs.
Solana: The "Ethereum Killer"
Solana is a high-performance blockchain network designed to support decentralized applications (dApps). It was founded in 2017 by a team of engineers and researchers who were dissatisfied with the scalability and performance of existing blockchain networks.
Solana's main goal is to provide a fast, secure, and scalable platform for building and deploying dApps. To achieve this, Solana's developers have implemented several innovative technologies, including:
Solana's native token, SOL, plays a crucial role in securing the network and providing rewards to participants. SOL holders can participate in the network's governance and validation processes, and they are also eligible to receive rewards for validating transactions and participating in the network's consensus algorithm.
As of early October, SOL is trading at $137, nearly 500% higher than last year, when it was $23. This significant increase in value has made Solana a highly attractive investment opportunity, and its potential for future growth and adoption has made it a candidate for future ETFs.
XRP: The Bridge Currency
XRP is the native token of the XRP ledger, an open-source blockchain. It was created in 2011 by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb, the co-founders of Ripple.
XRP is designed to act as a bridge currency, facilitating cross-border transactions and enabling the creation of a global payment network. XRP's unique value proposition is its ability to enable fast, cheap, and secure transactions between banks and other financial institutions.
XRP's potential use cases include:
XRP's total supply is 100 billion tokens, which is significantly lower than the total supply of Bitcoin (21 million coins). This has led some to speculate that XRP could become a more widely adopted currency in the future, which could drive up its value and make it a more attractive investment opportunity.
The SEC's Next Move
The SEC has historically taken a cautious approach to cryptocurrency ETFs, prioritizing investor protection and regulatory compliance. However, the recent approval of bitcoin spot ETFs has opened the door for other cryptocurrencies such as Solana and XRP to follow suit.
Several investment products linked to Solana are already available, including Grayscale's Solana Trust (GSOL) and VanEck's Solana ETP (VSOL), which can be accessed in select regions.
Recently, cryptocurrency asset manager Bitwise filed for the first spot XRP ETF, while investment manager VanEck submitted an application to list the first Solana spot ETF in the U.S. earlier this year. 21Shares also filed for a spot Solana exchange, marking the second major application of its kind in 2024.
Growing Optimism
There is growing optimism in the market that new crypto ETFs may receive the green light within this year or next. This shift could enhance investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency space and attract a broader range of institutional and retail investors.
As the landscape evolves, the SEC's decisions will be closely watched for indications of how it plans to regulate this emerging asset class. The approval of Solana and XRP ETFs could mark an important turning point in the development of the cryptocurrency market, as it would provide investors with a more accessible and regulated way to invest in these emerging asset classes.
Challenges and Risks
While Solana and XRP have significant potential for growth and adoption, there are also several challenges and risks associated with investing in these emerging asset classes.
Some of the key challenges and risks include:
Overall, Solana and XRP are two promising candidates for future ETFs, with significant potential for growth and adoption. However, investors should be aware of the challenges and risks associated with investing in these emerging asset classes.
Article
More details about Solana's history, technology, and ecosystem.
Solana's Founding and Early Development (2017-2018)
Solana was founded in 2017 by a team of experts led by Francesco Filton, Anatoly Yakovenko, and Stephen Akridge. The team was inspired by the success of other blockchain projects, such as Ethereum and Cardano, but they wanted to create a platform that was faster, more scalable, and more decentralized.
The team began working on Solana in 2017, with the goal of creating a blockchain platform that could support a large number of transactions per second (TPS). At the time, most blockchain platforms were limited to a few TPS, which made them unsuitable for high-traffic applications.
Proof of History (PoH) Consensus Algorithm
In 2018, the Solana team introduced a new consensus algorithm called Proof of History (PoH). PoH is a unique consensus algorithm that allows for fast and secure transactions by using a "blockchain clock" to timestamp and order blocks on the chain.
PoH works by using a combination of two clocks: a "block clock" and a "block chain clock." The block clock is used to determine the timestamp of each block, while the block chain clock is used to determine the order of the blocks on the chain. This combination of clocks allows for fast and secure transactions, as well as the ability to scale the blockchain to support a large number of transactions per second.
Mainnet Launch (2020)
On March 4, 2020, Solana launched its mainnet, marking a significant milestone in the project's development. The mainnet launch was accompanied by the launch of the Solana token, which was created to incentivize the development and maintenance of the network.
The mainnet launch was a major milestone for Solana, as it marked the beginning of the platform's decentralized and open nature. The mainnet launch was also accompanied by the launch of Solana's decentralized exchange (DEX) and other decentralized applications (dApps).
Scaling and Adoption (2020-2021)
In the months following its mainnet launch, Solana experienced rapid growth and adoption. The platform's speed and scalability were demonstrated through various use cases, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and gaming platforms.
Solana's fast transaction times and low fees made it an attractive option for developers and users. The platform's adoption was also driven by its ability to support a wide range of use cases, including DeFi, gaming, and NFT marketplaces.
Smart Contract Platform (2021)
In 2021, Solana introduced its smart contract platform, which allows developers to build and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) on the network. The platform's smart contract capabilities were designed to be fast, secure, and scalable, making it an attractive option for developers.
The Solana smart contract platform is based on the Rust programming language, which is known for its performance and security. The platform also supports the use of libraries and frameworks, making it easier for developers to build and deploy dApps.
Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) and liquidity (2021)
Solana also saw the launch of several decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and liquidity protocols, which further demonstrated the platform's ability to support a wide range of use cases. These platforms allowed for the trading of various assets, including tokens, NFTs, and other cryptocurrencies.
The launch of DEXs and liquidity protocols on Solana was a major milestone for the platform, as it marked the beginning of the platform's ability to support high-traffic and high-value transactions.
NFT Marketplaces (2021)
In 2021, Solana launched several NFT marketplaces, which allowed users to create, buy, and sell unique digital assets. The platform's NFT marketplaces were designed to be fast, secure, and scalable, making them an attractive option for creators and collectors.
The launch of NFT marketplaces on Solana was a major milestone for the platform, as it marked the beginning of the platform's ability to support the creation and trading of unique digital assets.
Image Generation and video Capabilities (2022)
In 2022, Solana introduced its image generation and video capabilities, which allowed users to create and generate images and videos on the platform. These capabilities were designed to be fast, secure, and scalable, making them an attractive option for developers and users.
The launch of image generation and video capabilities on Solana was a major milestone for the platform, as it marked the beginning of the platform's ability to support the creation and sharing of multimedia content.
Current State (2022)
Today, Solana is one of the fastest and most scalable blockchain platforms in the world. The platform has a strong developer community, a wide range of use cases, and a growing list of adoption partners.
Solana's unique technology and ecosystem make it an attractive option for developers, users, and institutions alike. The platform's fast transaction times, low fees, and scalability make it an ideal platform for high-traffic and high-value transactions.
Key Partnerships and Adoption
Solana has established partnerships with several key players in the blockchain and DeFi spaces. These partnerships include:
Solana has also established a strong developer community, with a growing list of adoption partners. These partners include:
Overall, Solana is a rapidly growing blockchain platform that is well-positioned to support a wide range of use cases. The platform's unique technology and ecosystem make it an attractive option for developers, users, and institutions alike.
AWS CEO Matt Garman on generative AI, open source, and closing services
It was quite a surprise when Adam Selipsky stepped down as the CEO of Amazon's AWS cloud computing unit.
#aws #ai #opensource #newsonleo #technology
Reemphasizing Startups and Fast Innovation
Garman's emphasis on reemphasizing startups and fast innovation is a significant shift in AWS's priorities. In the past, AWS has focused on building strong relationships with large enterprises and governments, but Garman believes that this has come at the expense of its early success with startups and developers.
"I think as we've evolved as an organization, we've focused a ton on how do we really appeal to developers and startups, and we got a lot of early traction there," Garman said in an interview. "And then we started looking at how do we appeal to larger enterprises, how do we appeal to governments, how do we appeal to regulated sectors aLL around the world?" Garman believes that AWS must continue to prioritize startups and developers, as they drive innovation and growth.
This emphasis on startups and fast innovation is likely driven by Garman's experience working on early AWS products, as well as his understanding of the evolving needs of customers in the cloud computing space. By prioritizing startups and developers, Garman hopes to reignite the spark that drove AWS's early success and ensure that the company remains competitive in a rapidly changing market.
"I've been really emphasizing with the team just how important it is for us to continue to not rest on the lead we have with regards to the set of services and capabilities and features and functions that we have today — and continue to lean forward and building that roadmap of real innovation," Garman said. "I think the reason that customers use AWS today is because we have the best and broadest set of services. The reason that people lean into us today is because we continue to have, by far, the industry's best security and operational performance, and we help them innovate and move faster."
Garman's focus on innovation is likely driven by his understanding of the rapidly changing technology landscape and the need for companies to adapt quickly to stay ahead of the curve. By prioritizing innovation, Garman hopes to ensure that AWS remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to drive growth and customer adoption.
Generative AI at AWS
The recent launch of generative AI has been a topic of discussion in the industry, with some pundits questioning whether AWS was slow to adapt. Garman argued that this perception was misplaced, pointing out that AWS had long offered successful machine learning services like SageMaker. Instead of rushing to catch up, the AWS team took a more deliberate approach to generative AI, focusing on building a platform that would allow customers to integrate this technology into their applications.
"We'd been looking at generative AI before it became a widely accepted thing, but I will say that when ChatGPT came out, there was kind of a discovery of a new area, of ways that this technology could be applied," Garman said. "And I think everybody was excited and got energized by it, right? ... I think a bunch of people — our competitors — kind of raced to put chatbots on top of everything and show that they were in the lead of generative AI."
Garman's approach to generative AI was driven by a desire to understand how customers would use this technology, rather than simply racing to be the first to market. "They're going to want a platform that they can actually have the flexibility to go build on top of and really think about it as a building platform as opposed to an application that they're going to adapt," he said. This approach has allowed AWS to establish itself as a leader in generative AI, while also providing customers with the flexibility they need to integrate this technology into their applications.
Bedrock: A Platform for Generative AI
Garman's emphasis on Bedrock, a platform that offers access to a wide variety of open and proprietary models, is likely driven by his desire to provide customers with the flexibility they need to integrate generative AI into their applications. Bedrock allows users to chain different models together and leverage their own differentiated data, providing a platform for innovation and creativity.
"I think a platform that you can actually have the flexibility to go build on top of and really think about it as a building platform as opposed to an application that you're going to adapt," Garman said. This approach has allowed AWS to establish itself as a leader in generative AI, while also providing customers with the flexibility they need to integrate this technology into their applications.
Conclusion
Matt Garman's leadership style and priorities as the new CEO of AWS are focused on reemphasizing startups and fast innovation, while maintaining the company's position as a leader in the industry. By prioritizing innovation and providing customers with the flexibility they need to integrate new technologies into their applications, Garman hopes to reignite the spark that drove AWS's early success and ensure that the company remains competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Article
Tensions rise between banks and tech companies over online fraud liability in the UK
In the U.K., a number of financial firms see themselves as bearing the brunt of the cost for scams taking place virtually.
Tensions are escalating between banking and payment companies and social media firms in the U.K. over who should be liable for compensating people if they fall victim to fraud schemes online.
#newsonleo #technology #banks #fraud
Starting from Oct. 7, banks will be required to start compensating victims of so-called authorized push payment (APP) fraud a maximum £85,000 if those individuals affected were tricked or psychologically manipulated into handing over the cash.
APP fraud is a form of a scam where criminals attempt to convince people to send them money by impersonating individuals or businesses selling a service.
Article
Fintech OpenBB aims to be more than an 'open source Bloomberg Terminal'
OpenBB has been dubbed an open source Bloomberg Terminal challenger -- but it really just wants to democratize investment research.
Fledgling fintech startup OpenBB is revealing the next step in its plans to take on the heavyweights of the investment research world. The company is launching a new, free version of a product that will open its arsenal of data and financial tooling to more users.
#finance #technology #openbb
OpenBB is the handiwork of software engineer Didier Lopes, who launched the Python-based platform back in 2021 as a way for amateur investors and enthusiasts to do investment research using different datasets for free, via a command line interface (CLI). The company went on to raise $8.5 million in seed funding from OSS Capital and angel investors such as Ram Shriram, an early backer of Google.
While the community-based, open-source project has amassed some 50,000 users, OpenBB has also been building an enterprise incarnation called Terminal Pro. This paid version gives teams access to an interface; pre-built database integrations; an Excel add-in; and various security and support bolt-ons that would appeal to larger businesses.
OpenBB claims some big-name customers that include shipping and logistics company Pangaea Logistics Solutions and an unnamed investment firm, which Lopes says has $6.4 billion in assets under management.
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Website builder Squarespace says it's training its AI tools with curation and taste
Will generative AI tools help people build better websites, or will they just fill the web with spam?
#newsonleo #technology #ai
The Challenges of AI-Powered Website Building
When it comes to building websites, humans typically rely on their creativity, experience, and judgment to make design decisions. However, with the increasing availability of generative AI tools, there's a risk that these tools might struggle to replicate the nuances and complexities of human design.
In the past, website builders have attempted to leverage AI to simplify the design process, often with disappointing results. These AI-powered tools might generate websites that are generic, unoriginal, or even ugly. This has led to a perception that AI is not yet ready to replace human designers.
Squarespace's Approach to AI
Squarespace's approach to AI is centered around curation, prompting, and collaboration. The company is leveraging existing AI technologies, such as those from OpenAi and Google, to create a more sophisticated and human-like design experience.
Here are some key aspects of Squarespace's AI strategy:
Design Intelligence: A New Era in Website Building
Design Intelligence is Squarespace's latest offering, which leverages generative AI to enhance the design process. This platform provides customers with a range of tools and features that enable them to create websites that are both visually stunning and tailored to their brand's unique identity.
Some of the key features of Design Intelligence include:
The Future of AI in Website Building
As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more sophisticated and human-like designs emerge. Squarespace's approach to AI is centered around curation, prompting, and collaboration, which are essential in creating designs that are both original and suitable for the customer's brand.
In the future, we can expect to see:
Article
Sonair takes a cue from dolphins to build autonomous 3D vision sans LIDAR
Ultrasound is perhaps best known as the technology that enables non-invasive body scans, underwater communication, and to help us park our cars.
#technology #newsonleo #autonomoy #lidar
Ultrasound Technology:
Sonair's technology is based on a "beamforming" method, which involves transmitting and receiving sound waves to detect and track objects in 3D. This method is similar to that used in radar, but instead of using electromagnetic waves, it uses sound waves to interact with the environment.
The ultrasound sensors used by Sonair are designed to detect the reflections of sound waves from objects in the environment. These reflections are then processed and combined using artificial intelligence to create a 3D picture of the environment. This picture is used to track the movement and location of objects, allowing the autonomous system to navigate and interact with its environment.
Advantages over LIDAR:
Sonair's technology has several advantages over traditional LIDAR systems. Firstly, it is more energy-efficient and requires less power to operate. This is because sound waves can be transmitted and received using a single transducer, whereas LIDAR systems require multiple lasers and receivers to create a 3D picture of the environment.
Secondly, Sonair's technology is more resistant to interference from light sources, certain surfaces, and materials. This is because sound waves are not affected by these factors in the same way that light waves are. As a result, Sonair's technology can provide more accurate and reliable measurements in a wider range of environments.
Thirdly, Sonair's technology is less expensive to implement than LIDAR systems. This is because it requires fewer sensors and less complex hardware to create a 3D picture of the environment. As a result, Sonair's technology can be used to create more affordable and accessible autonomous systems.
Applications in Autonomous Systems:
Sonair's technology has a wide range of potential applications in autonomous systems, including:
Potential Use Cases:
Some potential use cases for Sonair's technology include:
Competitive Landscape:
The competitive landscape for Sonair's technology is currently dominated by LIDAR systems, which are widely used in autonomous systems applications. However, Sonair's technology has several advantages over LIDAR systems, including its energy efficiency, resistance to interference, and lower cost.
As a result, Sonair's technology is well-positioned to compete with LIDAR systems in the market for autonomous systems. The company's focus on developing more accurate and reliable navigation systems for autonomous systems is likely to appeal to a wide range of customers, from industrial automation to healthcare.
Future Developments:
Sonair's technology is still in the early stages of development, and the company is likely to continue to refine and improve its technology in the coming years. Some potential future developments for Sonair's technology include:
Article
Google Photos is rolling out AI-powered search now – and it could be its biggest upgrade in years
Google Photos is already a powerful, searchable archive of personal memories – and now Google is rolling out a Gemini-powered upgrade that could see it fully replace your brain for recalling specific life events.
#newsonleo #googlephotos #ai #technology
Google's Revolutionary "Ask Photos" feature nOW Available to US Users, Set to Replace Traditional Search Tab
In a groundbreaking update to its popular photo storage app, Google has started rolling out its innovative "Ask Photos" feature to users in the United States. This cutting-edge tool enables users to search their Google Photos library using natural language questions, making it easier to find specific photos and memories. The feature is NOW available for many users in the Google Photos app, and it's expected to replace the traditional search tab in the app's bottom bar.
How "Ask Photos" Works: A Game-Changer for Photo Organization
With "Ask Photos," users can ask questions about their photos using natural language, such as "Where did we camp last time we went to Yosemite?" or "What did we eat at the hotel in Stanley?" The feature utilizes Gemini models, a type of AI technology, to analyze the user's photos and provide answers to their questions. This means that users can ask follow-up questions based on the answers they receive, allowing them to dig deeper into their photo library. For instance, if a user asks "Where did we camp last time we went to Yosemite?" and the feature responds with a specific location, the user can then ask "What did we do there?" or "Who was with us?" to get more information.
Vacation Assistant and More: The Power of "Ask Photos"
Google has emphasized that "Ask Photos" is not just limited to searching for people in your life, but also serves as a helpful vacation assistant. The feature can recall hotel names, license plates, and other details that users have photographed and backed up. This means that users can easily relive their vacation memories and even plan future trips by searching for specific locations and activities. For example, a user can ask "What was the name of the hotel we stayed at in Paris?" and the feature will respond with the correct answer, allowing them to book the same hotel for their next trip.
Data Requests and Privacy: Ensuring User Protection
While "Ask Photos" is a powerful tool, some users may be concerned about the data requests required to use the feature. Google has assured users that their data will be protected, and that queries may be reviewed by humans, but only after being disconnected from the user's Google account. This means that users' privacy will be protected, and their data will not be reviewed by humans while it is still connected to their account. Google has implemented robust security measures to ensure that user data remains confidential and secure.
Availability and Future Rollouts: A Global Expansion
For now, "Ask Photos" is only available to users in the United States. However, Google has confirmed that the feature will be rolled out to other regions in the future. We have reached out to Google for an update on the global rollout and will update this story if we receive any information.
Conclusion: A New Era in Photo Organization
The new "Ask Photos" feature is a significant upgrade to Google Photos, making it easier for users to search and find their photos using natural language questions. With its ability to recall specific details and serve as a helpful vacation assistant, "Ask Photos" is sure to be a valuable tool for many Google Photos users. As the feature becomes available to users worldwide, it will revolutionize the way people organize and interact with their photos, making it easier to relive cherished memories and plan new adventures.
Article
The Guardian: ‘Parents know they are not alone’: UK pact to withhold smartphones until 14 gathers pace
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/07/uk-parents-pact-withhold-smartphones-children
The Guardian: Flatpack coffins and robot dogs: patents applications show UK inventions of 2023
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/05/flatpack-coffins-and-robot-dogs-patents-applications-show-uk-inventions-of-2023
The Guardian: The blogosphere is in full bloom. The rest of the internet has wilted
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/05/the-blogosphere-is-in-full-bloom-the-rest-of-the-internet-has-wilted-dave-winer
BBC: Stupendously large: How big can black holes get?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241004-ultramassive-black-holes-the-biggest-black-holes-in-the-universe
BBC: Nobel Prize goes to microRNA researchers
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79nrgp97x9o
BBC: Immunotherapy saved my life. Can research improve the odds for others?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c153pg278npo
BBC: Tool promised to help non-verbal people - but did it manipulate them instead?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj94xwwkkzo
Wired: The Race to Block OpenAI’s Scraping Bots Is Slowing Down
https://www.wired.com/story/open-ai-publisher-deals-scraping-bots/
CNN: Hologram boxes can beam ‘3D’ video into your living room
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/27/tech/proto-hologram-boxes-3d-video-spc/index.html
CNBC: Robotaxis are here but the public is reluctant to embrace them
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/07/robotaxis-are-here-but-the-public-is-reluctant-to-embrace-them-.html
CNBC: Ryan Serhant: AI should make you like your real estate agent more
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/06/ryan-serhant-ai-should-make-you-like-your-real-estate-agent-more.html
CNBC: Tensions rise between banks and tech companies over online fraud liability in UK
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/07/banks-and-tech-companies-at-odds-over-online-fraud-liability-in-uk.html
Reuters: Telegram app hosts 'underground markets' for Southeast Asian crime gangs, UN says
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/criminal-networks-southeast-asia-flourish-telegrams-underground-markets-un-says-2024-10-07/
Reuters: 'Assassin's Creed' maker Ubisoft says regularly reviews options after buyout report
https://www.reuters.com/technology/ubisoft-says-it-reviews-strategic-options-shares-rise-2024-10-07/
A blast from the not so distant past.
GeorgeMasonTV -- I Used 2000s Technology For a Week
Fisker's plan to make owners pay for recall repairs is illegal, DOJ says
The U.S. Department of Justice says bankrupt EV startup Fisker's plan to make owners pay for labor costs related to multiple recalls is illegal
The U.S. Department of Justice says bankrupt EV startup Fisker’s plan to make owners pay for labor costs related to multiple recalls is illegal, according to a new filing.
#fisker #lawsuit #doj #newsonleo
Recall Costs and Labor
The two recalls in question are related to the Ocean SUV. One recall is due to faulty door handles, while the other is related to a faulty water pump that can cause loss of power. Fisker's proposed settlement plan suggests that the company will set aside no more than $750,000 to cover the cost of physical parts required to remedy these recalls.
However, the NHTSA argues that this approach is unacceptable, as it would only cover the cost of parts, not labor costs. The agency notes that the total cost of repairs could be nearly twice as much as the allocated $750,000, which would leave Fisker with insufficient funds to cover labor costs.
NHTSA's Objections
The NHTSA's objections to Fisker's proposed settlement plan are based on several grounds:
The NHTSA argues that this approach is problematic, as it would allow Fisker to shift the burden of labor costs onto its owners, rather than taking responsibility for covering these costs itself.
Impact on Owners
The NHTSA's objections have significant implications for Fisker's owners. Some owners have already paid out of pocket for the labor costs of these recall repairs, and the agency argues that they should not have had to bear this burden.
In response to the NHTSA's objections, the agency notes that it does not object to owners being reimbursed in some way, but rather that the reimbursement scheme proposed by Fisker is unacceptable.
SEC Investigation
The SEC's investigation into Fisker's bankruptcy case is separate from the NHTSA's objections, but the two issues are interconnected. The SEC's investigation is focused on Fisker's handling of the recalls and potential reimbursement scheme for labor costs, among other issues.
Landlord's Filing
The landlord of Fisker's final headquarters has submitted a filing claiming that the company left the building in disarray. This filing has raised concerns about Fisker's financial stability and its ability to pay its debts.
Bankruptcy Proceedings
Fisker's proposed settlement plan could be confirmed by a judge as early as Wednesday during a previously scheduled hearing. However, the NHTSA's objections and the SEC's ongoing investigation have raised significant questions about the company's ability to move forward with its bankruptcy proceedings.
In conclusion, the NHTSA's objections to Fisker's proposed settlement plan are based on several grounds, including the manufacturer's responsibility to cover labor costs, the potential for reimbursement schemes to shift the burden onto owners, and the implications for Fisker's owners who have already paid out of pocket for recall repairs. The SEC's investigation and the landlord's filing have raised additional concerns about Fisker's financial stability and its ability to pay its debts.
Article
The 30-year-old internet backdoor law that came back to bite
China reportedly hacked the wiretap systems required by U.S. internet providers under a 1994 U.S. wiretapping law.
#internet #uscongress #politicans #technology #china
The details of the compromise of US wiretap systems by Chinese-backed hackers and the implications for national security and individual privacy.
The CALEA Law and Its Requirements
The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) is a 30-year-old US federal law that requires telecom and Internet providers to provide the government with necessary assistance to access customer information when presented with a lawful order. The law was enacted in 1994, at a time when cell phones were a rarity and the internet was still in its infancy.
CALEA mandates that telecom and internet providers must:
The Wiretapping Process
The wiretapping process under CALEA typically involves the following steps:
The Security Risks Associated with CALEA
The wiretapping process under CALEA poses several security risks, including:
The Breach and Its Implications
The recent breach of US wiretap systems by Chinese-backed hackers is a significant concern, as it highlights the vulnerability of these systems to exploitation. The breach has been attributed to a Chinese government hacking group known as Salt Typhoon, which has been linked to several other high-profile hacking incidents.
The breach has several implications for national security and individual privacy, including:
The Response and Next Steps
In response to the breach, the US government has launched an investigation into the incident, which is ongoing. The government has also taken steps to address the security risks associated with CALEA, including:
In response to these risks, many tech companies, including Silicon Valley giants, are working to implement more robust encryption and security protocols to protect customer data. Additionally, there is a growing movement to push for greater transparency and oversight in government surveillance practices, as well as the development of new encryption standards and protocols that can better protect individual privacy.
The Need for Reforms
The compromise of US wiretap systems by Chinese-backed hackers highlights the need for reforms to the CALEA law and other surveillance laws. Some of the reforms that are needed include:
The Future of Encryption and Surveillance
The breach has significant implications for the future of encryption and surveillance, both in the US and around the world. As governments continue to push for greater access to customer data, the risks associated with encryption and surveillance will only continue to grow.
As I delve further into AI, it is interesting to take it from the approach of what are we learning about ourselves, i.e. humans.