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In today's Techpresso:
🤖 AI will hit 40% of jobs and worsen inequality, IMF warns
🍎 Apple to shut down 121-person AI team, relocating to Texas
▶️ YouTube escalates battle against ad blockers, rolls out site slowdown to more users
💰 Tether crypto token increasingly favoured by money launderers, UN warns
🤔 Young people have 'enormous responsibility to work very, very hard', says tech titan
🎁 + 8 other news you might like
🔮 + 3 handpicked research papers and tools
🤖 AI will hit 40% of jobs and worsen inequality, IMF warnsLINK
Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF head, stated that AI will impact 60% of jobs in advanced economies and 40% in emerging markets, with potential for deepening inequalities and job losses. An IMF report suggests that half of the jobs could be negatively affected by AI, while the other half might benefit, with varying impacts across different economies and a risk of exacerbating the digital divide. Georgieva emphasized the need for new policies, including social safety nets and retraining programs, to address the challenges posed by AI, especially in low-income countries.
🍎 Apple to shut down 121-person AI team, relocating to TexasLINK
Apple is relocating its San Diego Siri quality control team to Austin, with employees facing potential dismissal if they choose not to move by April 26.
The San Diego employees, who were expecting a move within the city, can apply for other positions at Apple, though relocation comes with a stipend or severance package and health insurance.
The move comes as Apple continues to invest in its AI capabilities, including quality checking Siri and optimizing large language models for iPhone use, with plans to reveal more in June.
▶️ YouTube escalates battle against ad blockers, rolls out site slowdown to more usersLINK
YouTube is deliberately slowing down its site for users with ad blockers, labeling the experience as "suboptimal viewing."
The platform displays a message informing users that ad blockers violate YouTube's Terms of Service and offers YouTube Premium as an ad-free alternative.
An artificial timeout in YouTube's code is causing the slowdown, which gives the effect of a laggy internet connection to discourage the use of ad blockers.
💰 Tether crypto token increasingly favoured by money launderers, UN warnsLINK
Tether, a popular stablecoin, is increasingly used by criminals for money laundering and scams in East and Southeast Asia, as reported by the UN.
The UNODC notes Tether's stability and ease of use facilitates its popularity among organized crime for illicit activities and money laundering.
Despite the concerns, less than 1% of all cryptocurrency transactions are illicit, though Tether's high trading volume and market cap reflect its significant role in the crypto market.
🤔 Young people have 'enormous responsibility to work very, very hard', says tech titanLINK
Infosys co-founder, Narayana Murthy, has reiterated that young Indians should work long hours, suggesting a 70-hour work week to help the country progress.
Murthy argues that those who have benefitted from state subsidies have a duty to work hard for the benefit of future poorer generations, adjusting his focus to productivity over fixed working hours.
Despite recognizing the importance of family time, Murthy's stance on long work hours has raised concerns about the balance between work and mental well-being.
Other news you might like
OpenAI did not want 'Girlfriend' or 'Waifu' apps on its GPT Store. Techies had other ideas.LINK
Apple hopes to convince people to buy its $3,500 Vision Pro headset using free 25-minute in-store demos.LINK
BMW says peak combustion engine has passed as EVs car sales now drive its growth: ‘The tipping point for combustion engines was last year’.LINK
Study shows AI could help power plants capture carbon using 36% less energy from the grid.LINK
Revolutionary device lets you point, click with your tongue.LINK
Michael Dell, the 15th richest person in the world, says you don't have to worry about AI.LINK
Nikon made an AI imaging camera that detects when cows are about to give birth.LINK
Peregrine lunar lander, unable to achieve moon orbit due to a propellant leak, will likely re-enter and disintegrate in Earth's atmosphere.LINK
Latest research and tools
Vanna.ai: chat with your SQL database using natural language through an AI interface.LINK
Material Files: an open-source file manager for Android with a Material Design interface.LINK
Fast RISC-V-based scripting back end for game engines: a quick processor architecture designed to run scripts efficiently within gaming software.LINK
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