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In this week’s news roundup:
The First Wave Of Tech Layoffs In 2024
CES 2024: The Biggest Announcements
China’s BYD Takes Tesla’s EV Crown
OpenAI Launches The GPT Store
AI Makes New Material For Batteries
And other news you might like…
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The First Wave Of Tech Layoffs In 2024
Some companies cutting their workforce in 2024 - Image from The Indian Express
Several major tech companies, including Amazon, Google, and Unity Software, are implementing significant job cuts at the beginning of the new year, reminiscent of the trends observed in 2023. Amazon is cutting jobs across content-creation units, Google is reducing positions in hardware and its Assistant unit, and Unity Software is reducing its workforce by 25%.
With higher interest rates, many companies are reorienting their strategies to prioritize profit over revenue growth. Amazon's job cuts, for instance, are seen as a move to streamline costs and enhance efficiency to boost earnings.
Worker anxiety, especially in creative roles, is heightened due to the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI), which can reduce the need for human labor in tasks such as content creation. Duolingo Inc. cites a greater use of AI as a reason for cutting 10% of its contractors, including translators.
CES 2024: The Biggest Announcements
CES 2024 - Image from Consumer Technology Association
I’m writing this article before the CES event is finished, there may be more major announcements too.
The annual tech event, CES 2024 (9th to 12th January), has attracted over 150,000 industry attendees, with more than 3,500 companies exhibiting.
Notable TV announcements include LG's latest QNED TVs with five years of software updates and Samsung's 2024 series of Neo QLED TVs and OLED TVs. Nvidia launched RTX 4070, 4070 Ti, and 4080 Super editions, while LG introduced the Gram Pro laptops featuring Intel Core Ultra processors.
CES also saw the release of Asus's ROG Phone 8 series. MSI launched its first handheld console, the Claw, and Honda teased its Zero series of electric vehicles, and Garmin introduced the HRM-Fit heart rate monitor for sports bras.
China’s BYD Takes Tesla’s EV Crown
Image from CarNewsChina
Despite being dismissed by Elon Musk in 2011, BYD has emerged as the top EV maker, surpassing Tesla in the fourth quarter. The Chinese company, initially known for making phone batteries, strategically diversified into various sectors, including mining and semiconductors, contributing to its success in the EV market.
BYD made a significant pivot to autos in 2003 by acquiring a small automaker and launched its first electric vehicle, F3DM, in 2008. The company's breakthrough came with the Blade battery in 2020, contributing to its substantial growth in EV sales.
BYD's success in the EV market can be attributed to strategic investments, innovative battery technology (Blade battery), and a diversified business approach. Government support in China, through subsidies and state backing, has also been instrumental in BYD's rise.
OpenAI Launches The GPT Store
Image from OpenAI
OpenAI has launched the GPT Store, an app store for users of its ChatGPT Plus premium subscription service. Subscribers, paying $20 per month, can explore and use customized versions of the artificial intelligence chatbot for various purposes, such as book recommendations, learning specific subjects, or browsing scientific papers.
Users can search for popular or trending GPTs on the community leaderboard, or they can look for specific ones tailored to their needs. Builders of these chatbots will be compensated based on user engagement with their creations.
The company plans to launch a GPT builder revenue program, where builders, especially in the United States, will be paid based on user engagement with their GPTs.
AI Makes New Material For Batteries
A researcher tests batteries designed by AI - Image from Microsoft
Microsoft has utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to screen over 32 million battery candidates, resulting in the discovery of a new material that could revolutionize battery technology.
This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce lithium requirements by approximately 70%, addressing concerns related to the expense and ethical implications of lithium extraction.
The use of AI in materials discovery showcases the technology's capacity to expedite transformative breakthroughs, providing a more efficient approach to finding solutions compared to traditional methods. The breakthrough is not just theoretical; it has resulted in a working prototype that demonstrates the material's viability for energy storage.
Other news you might like…
Russia and China successfully transmit two images over satellite using quantum communication. READ MORE
Microsoft’s latest model pushes the bar in AI video with trajectory-based generation. READ MORE
Microsoft briefly surpasses Apple as world’s most valuable company. READ MORE
US Moon Lander: Latest on Peregrine’s Historic Mission. READ MORE
McAfee's new Project Mockingbird aims to stop AI voice clone scams for good. READ MORE
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