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On this day, 141 years ago, Edward Johnson pioneered the first electric Christmas Tree lights with 80 red, white, and blue bulbs, transitioning from the traditional wax candles.
Here's the latest tech news from the last 24 hours:
🚄 Hyperloop One is shutting down
🤖 Google might already be replacing some human workers with AI
🎮 British teenager behind GTA 6 hack receives indefinite hospital order
👺 Intel CEO says Nvidia was 'extremely lucky' to become the dominant force in AI
🔮 Microsoft is stopping its Windows mixed reality platform
🚄 Hyperloop One is shutting downLINK
Hyperloop One, backed by Richard Branson, is shutting down on December 31 after financial and legal issues, with its history marked by high investment but limited practical success in realizing high-speed transportation. The company struggled to make Elon Musk's vision of vacuum-sealed tube transportation viable, making little progress beyond prototypes and facing setbacks like a major legal dispute and loss of a Saudi project. DP World, the majority owner, will keep the intellectual property, while physical assets like the Las Vegas test track are to be sold off.
🤖 Google might already be replacing some human workers with AILINK
Google is considering the use of AI to 'optimize' its workforce, potentially replacing human roles in its large customer sales unit with AI tools that automate tasks previously done by employees overseeing relationships with major advertisers. The company's Performance Max tool, enhanced with generative AI, now automates ad creation and placement across various platforms, reducing the need for human input and significantly increasing efficiency and profit margins. While the exact impact on Google's workforce is yet to be determined, a significant number of the 13,500 people devoted to sales work could be affected, with potential reassignments or layoffs expected to be announced in the near future.
🎮 British teenager behind GTA 6 hack receives indefinite hospital orderLINK
Arion Kurtaj, an 18-year-old with acute autism, has been given an indefinite hospital order after hacking Rockstar Games and stealing 90 clips of the unreleased Grand Theft Auto 6, continuing his cybercrimes even while under police protection and with minimal equipment. Despite being unfit to stand trial due to his condition, Kurtaj's actions, including threats to release sensitive data and violent behavior in custody, led to a life-long secure hospital sentence unless deemed no longer a danger, highlighting his high motivation to return to cybercrime. The incident underscores the significant impact of such cyber attacks, with Rockstar Games reporting a $5 million recovery cost and extensive staff time lost, highlighting the broader implications and substantial damages caused by hacking activities.
👺 Intel CEO says Nvidia was 'extremely lucky' to become the dominant force in AILINK
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger suggests Nvidia's AI dominance is due to luck and Intel's inactivity, while highlighting past mistakes like canceling the Larrabee project as missed opportunities. Gelsinger aims to democratize AI at Intel with new strategies like neural processing units in CPUs and open-source software, intending to revitalize Intel's competitive edge. Nvidia's Bryan Catanzaro rebuts Gelsinger, attributing Nvidia's success to clear vision and execution rather than luck, emphasizing the strategic differences between the companies.
🔮 Microsoft is stopping its Windows mixed reality platformLINK
Microsoft has ended the "mixed reality" feature in Windows which combined augmented and virtual reality capabilities.
The mixed reality portal launched in 2017 is being removed from Windows, affecting users with VR headsets.
Reports suggest Microsoft may also discontinue its augmented reality headset, HoloLens, after cancelling plans for a third version.
Other news you might like
Apple and Google could be about to launch their anti-stalking tracker tech.LINK
Lucid aims to launch a cheaper EV to rival Tesla's Model 3 and Y, costing around $50,000 with advanced tech but arriving post-2025.LINK
ElliQ, an AI-powered robot designed to combat loneliness among seniors, engages in personalized conversations, leads exercises, and ensures medication compliance, enhancing users' well-being.LINK
Japanese scientists create a 'flying dragon' robot designed to extinguish fires remotely, offering a safer approach for firefighting efforts.LINK
Beeper concedes defeat in its quest to bring iMessage to Android, rolling out a final patch while turning focus to its main chat app.LINK
AI could improve your life by removing bottlenecks between what you want and what you get.LINK
China intensifies gaming industry restrictions, affecting players under 18, with likely impacts on game design, revenue, and smaller companies.LINK
Robinhood's crypto earnings have hit a three-year low, yet the firm keeps expanding in the EU, champions crypto, and maintains faith in Dogecoin.LINK
BYD sets to establish its first major European EV plant in Hungary, reinforcing the country's bid as a global EV hub.LINK
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