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

🤖 Meta to launch AI 'personas'
🚗 Uber just made its first profit
📬 UK's first drone delivery service
💼 NATO announced a $1 billion fund for defense and security
♻️ Water-soluble circuit boards could cut carbon footprints by 60 percent
🚘 US regulators probe 280,000 Teslas over loss of steering control

🤖 Meta to launch AI 'personas'LINK

Meta is planning to launch AI-powered chatbots with different personas on its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, to enhance user engagement and provide search and recommendation functionalities.

The chatbots are expected to collect additional data on users to help with content targeting, but they also raise privacy concerns, mirroring similar issues seen with other companies like Snapchat.

These new chatbots are part of Meta's broader AI strategy, as highlighted by Mark Zuckerberg in a recent earnings call, and more details will be announced at the Connect developer event in September.

🚗 Uber just made its first profitLINK

Uber's stock fell around 6% following the announcement of its quarterly results, missing market expectations for revenue by approximately $100 million.

Despite missing revenue expectations, Uber posted a GAAP operating profit and is showing positive indicators across most of its operating units, even forecasting revenue for Q3 2023 ahead of analysts' expectations.

The company's results may have positive implications for its U.S. rival Lyft, but the market seems unconvinced, as Lyft's shares are trending even lower than Uber's.

📬 UK's first drone delivery serviceLINK

Orkney has become the first location in the UK to have mail delivered by drone, through a collaboration between Royal Mail and drone firm Skyports, serving the islands of Graemsay and Hoy.

The drone service, which will initially operate for three months, is expected to improve service levels and delivery times and enhance safety for postal workers by mitigating risks associated with traditional delivery methods.

The project utilizes the multirotor Speedbird Aero DLV-2 aircraft, capable of carrying payloads up to 6kg, and has been funded by the Department for Transport's Freight Innovation Fund and implemented by the Connected Places Catapult.

💼 NATO announced a $1 billion fund for defense and securityLINK

NATO has officially closed its first-ever NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) with a commitment of €1 billion (approximately $1 billion) from member nations, aiming to invest in startups focusing on strategic technologies that align with defense and security objectives.

The NIF targets key areas such as next-generation communications, AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, space technology, and more, with support from 23 NATO allies, and aims to foster innovation by making direct investments in startups and indirect investments in other funds supporting emerging technologies.

Sweden has expressed interest in joining the NIF, and its contribution is expected to boost the investible capital, enhancing innovative capabilities across the Alliance; the fund's overall approach seeks to ensure the responsible development of emerging technologies in alignment with NATO's values.

♻️ Water-soluble circuit boards could cut carbon footprints by 60 percentLINK

German semiconductor maker Infineon Technologies AG is producing a water-dissolvable printed circuit board (PCB) sourced from UK startup Jiva Materials, called Soluboard, as a solution to reduce e-waste and align with climate goals.

The Soluboard, made from natural fibers and a halogen-free polymer, dissolves in hot water in under six minutes, and facilitates the retrieval of valuable metals, possessing a 60 percent smaller carbon footprint than traditional PCBs.

Infineon has produced three different circuit board prototypes using the Soluboard framework and is exploring the possibility of broader adoption with around 500 units currently in use, aiming to expand usage and provide guidance on the reuse and recycling of components in the coming years.

🚘 US regulators probe 280,000 Teslas over loss of steering controlLINK

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 280,000 Tesla vehicles, specifically 2023 Model 3 and Model Y, over reports of loss of steering control and power steering, accompanied by driver-facing error messages.

The investigation follows 12 complaints from owners, with incidents including steering wheels locking up, feeling stuck, or even jerking hard, leading to crashes and unsafe driving conditions.

This preliminary evaluation represents the first step towards a formal investigation to assess whether the issue presents an unreasonable safety risk, and it could lead to a demand for a recall if escalated to an engineering analysis.

Other news you might like

Reed Jobs, Steve Jobs' son, is launching a $200 million venture capital firm, Yosemite, to invest in new cancer treatments.LINK

NASA has lost contact with Voyager 2 after sending planned commands that inadvertently left its antenna pointing away from Earth.LINK

Reddit has updated its site experience for non-logged-in users, improving search functions and adding new sticky sidebars for a smoother browsing experience.LINK

Apple has formed an alliance with Pixar, Adobe, Autodesk, NVIDIA, and the Joint Development Foundation to create standards for 3D content, promoting Pixar's USD technology.LINK

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