IT ifrastructure
1. Text-to-speech brain implant restores ALS patient’s voice
A man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who had lost his ability to speak has been able to communicate with a Blackrock Neurotech text-to-speech brain implant, researchers said in one of two new studies showing the promise of brain-computer interfaces for restoring speech in paralyzed patients. (Reuters)
Tech trends
2. X says it is closing operations in Brazil due to judge’s content orders
The social media platform and owner Elon Musk have been feuding with Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes for months. (The Washington Post)
3. Chipmaker Texas Instruments to receive up to $1.6 billion in funding from US
Texas Instruments said on Friday it would receive up to $1.6 billion in funding from the U.S. Commerce Department towards the construction of three new facilities, the latest government outlay aimed at bolstering domestic chip production. (Yahoo Finance)
4. India’s Ola Electric soars to $7 bln valuation on e-motorcycle launch, battery plan
India’s top e-scooter maker Ola Electric Mobility surged 20 percent on Friday to reach a valuation of 586.64 billion rupees ($6.99 billion), after it launched a new line of motorcycles and on bets it will lower costs by using its own batteries. (Energy World)
5. Appfire’s owners explore sale of stake in collaboration software maker, sources say
Investment firms TA Associates and Silversmith Capital Partners are exploring options including the sale of a stake in Appfire, in a deal that could value the collaboration software maker they own at more than $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. (Yahoo Finance)
6. US judge says ‘monopolist’ Google can’t avoid app store reforms
Google should expect a shake-up of its Android app store, a judge made clear on Wednesday. (Euro News)
7. Rimac’s Nevera R makes the world’s fastest production EV a little faster\
A faster and more powerful electric hypercar was unveiled by Rimac to the world, and it is called the Nevera R whichbrings massive new improvements to the previous, already ludicrous, Nevera. (Tech Times)
AI
8. South Korean AI chip makers Rebellions and Sapeon agree to merge
Deal to serve as nation’s latest attempt to challenge Nvidia and other global leaders. (Nikkei Asia)
9. OpenAI blocks Iranian group’s ChatGPT accounts for targeting US election
OpenAI said today it had taken down accounts of an Iranian group for using its ChatGPT chatbot to generate content meant for influencing the U.S. presidential election and other issues. (Star Advertiser)
10. Prince Harry urges caution on AI at start of trip to Colombia
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped away from official royal duties in January 2020 and now live in California, arrived in Colombia on Thursday at the invitation of Marquez and will tour the country. During a panel discussion at Bogota’s EAN university on Thursday evening, Harry raised his concerns over the future of AI. (Economic Times)
11. Companies need more AI competency at board level, Norway’s wealth fund says
Norges Bank Investment Fund holds stakes in close to 9,000 companies globally, equivalent to 1.5% of all listed stocks and has set the pace on many issues in the field of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). (Economic Times)
ioT
12. CAA unveils diverse BVLOS drone projects
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced six projects to trial drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) as part of a new scheme aimed at integrating unmanned aerial vehicles into UK airspace. (ioT Tech News)
13. Intel bets on China’s EV market with new AI chip
Intel, the once-dominant chipmaker struggling to remain related amid intense competitors and slumping development, is transferring into China’s booming electrical automobile (EV) market. (TechLinkWay)
