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Here's the latest tech news from the last 24 hours:

🍎 Apple to spend $1 billion per year on AI
🚗 DOJ probing Tesla’s EV range after reports of exaggerated numbers
🏛 White House announces 31 tech hubs to focus on AI, clean energy and more
🚀 Europe leans on SpaceX for satellite launches
🎈 Uber now allows users to book Hot Air Balloon rides

🍎 Apple to spend $1 billion per year on AILINK

Apple plans to invest $1 billion annually on developing generative artificial intelligence products, according to Bloomberg.

The tech giant is looking to integrate AI into Siri, Messages, and Apple Music, and develop AI tools to assist app developers.

Apple's AI initiative is driven by executives John Giannandrea, Craig Federighi, and Eddy Cue.

🚗 DOJ probing Tesla’s EV range after reports of exaggerated numbersLINK

The US Department of Justice is investigating Tesla over reports of exaggerated vehicle range.

Tesla is said to have created software that gives an overly optimistic driving range, leading to a large number of customer service requests.

This investigation follows previous issues where Tesla was accused of overestimating range and had to pay fines in South Korea and compensation in Norway.

🏛 White House announces 31 tech hubs to focus on AI, clean energy and moreLINK

The Biden administration has designated 31 technology hubs across 32 states and Puerto Rico, aiming to stimulate innovation and job creation in those areas.

A total of $500 million in grants will be distributed to these technology hubs, with funds sourced from a $10 billion authorization in last year's CHIPS and Science Act for investments in new technologies.

The goal of this program, known as the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program, is to decentralize tech investments that have traditionally been concentrated in a few major cities and enable local job opportunities.

🚀 Europe leans on SpaceX for satellite launchesLINK

SpaceX has secured a deal with the European Space Agency (ESA) to launch four navigation and communications satellites into orbit next year.

This is the first time the EU has partnered with a private company for a classified information satellite launch due to lack of alternatives.

Future launches beyond this deal will still depend on the development and approval of European rockets such as Ariane 6.

🎈 Uber now allows users to book Hot Air Balloon ridesLINK

Uber is launching hot air balloon services in Turkey's Cappadocia region as part of its expansion into the travel and tourism sector.

Customers can pay $159 to reserve a seat on the hot air balloon rides through the Uber app, but must book at least 12 hours in advance.

This follows other unique offerings by Uber like the Uber Helicopter in New York and Uber Sleigh in Lapland, and boat rides in London.

Other news you might like

Apple’s job listings suggest it plans to infuse AI in multiple products.LINK

Microsoft to spend $3.2b in Australia as AI regulation looms.LINK

Japan's competition watchdog probes Google for potentially breaching antimonopoly laws, questioning its revenue return practices and restrictive Android app bundling.LINK

While tech companies play with OpenAI’s API, this startup believes small, in-house AI models will win.LINK

Brave browser faces criticism for auto-installing its VPN services on Windows devices without user consent, despite claiming to prioritize privacy and transparency.LINK

Windows Phone has one last laugh by letting users bypass YouTube’s ad blocker.LINK

Deepfake victims are sharing their traumas and advocating for legal solutions, as the offensive use of highly sophisticated AI-generated fake videos continues to surge.LINK

Databricks boosts its portfolio by acquiring no-code "connectors" provider Arcion for $100M, enhancing data replication and ingestion from varied sources, utilizing change data capture.LINK

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