From fintech to AI and blockchain, these are the latest tech stories you need to know.
Fintech
1. Indian digital payments firm discusses IPO plans
Indian digital payments start-up Paytm is planning to raise up to 166 billion rupees (US$2.22 billion) in an initial public offering, according to draft papers submitted to the country’s market regulator on Friday. (CNBC)
2. Binance obtains Dubai licence to target retail clients
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance said on Thursday it had secured a licence from Dubai’s regulator VARA that will allow the platform to target retail clients in addition to qualified and institutional ones. (lbcgroup)
3. Binance working closely with Nigeria authorities to resolve exec’s detention, CEO says
The CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance said on Thursday the company is working very closely with Nigerian authorities following the detention of its head of financial crime compliance. (CNA)
Internet governance
4. FBI says Chinese hackers preparing to attack US infrastructure
Chinese state-sponsored hackers have conducted widespread cyberattacks on critical American infrastructure in recent years, intending to give the country the ability to cause “a devastating blow” against the US, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray. (yahoo)
IT infrastructure
5. Google terminates 28 employees for protest of Israeli cloud contract
Google fired 28 employees in connection with sit-in protests at two of its offices this week, according to an internal memo obtained by The Verge. The firings come after 9 employees were suspended and then arrested in New York and California on Tuesday. (The Verge)
6. Micron set to get US$6.1 billion in chip grants from US
Micron Technology Inc., the largest US maker of computer-memory chips, is poised to get US$6.1 billion in grants from the Commerce Department to help pay for domestic factory projects, part of an effort to bring semiconductor production back to American soil. (Bloomberg)
Tech trends
7. Google consolidates its DeepMind and research teams amid AI push
Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai announced changes to Google’s workplace teams structure, saying the moves will help the company develop artificial intelligence products and services faster and more efficiently. (mint)
8. Meta releases early versions of its Llama 3 AI model
Meta platforms on Thursday released early versions of its latest large language model, Llama 3, and an image generator that updates pictures in real time while users type prompts, as it races to catch up to generative AI market leader OpenAI.（The Business Time)
9. Huawei starts sales of new Pura 70 smartphone to crowds amid chip scrutiny
Chinese technology giant Huawei started selling two models of its highly anticipated, high-end Pura 70 smartphone series on Thursday that many analysts expect to contain an advanced China-made chip like its Mate 60 handset. (Reuters)
AI
10. The Humane AI pin is lost in translation
The Humane AI pin demonstrated impressive translation capabilities during a demo. When a man spoke to co-founder Imran Chaudhri in Spanish, the pin seamlessly translated it to English. Chaudhri responded in English, and the pin translated his words back into Spanish. Despite brief pauses during processing, the interaction maintained solid eye contact, unlike Google Translate. The AI’s voice sounded natural, without screens, making the language barrier more permeable. (The Verge)
11. Google Maps will soon help you find nearest EV charging station
The sale of electric vehicles is growing, with more and more people making the switch to eco-friendly electric cars. But with the change, there is a key concern among EV drivers: finding the nearest charging station during long rides. To help people with that, Google Maps is rolling out new features to help EV owners find the nearest charging stations. (India Today)
IoT
12. Panasonic teams up with Jasmy to create controlled identity platform for IoT
Tech giant Panasonic has partnered with Jasmy to roll out a Web3 platform to connect personal data on the Internet-of-Things (IoT). The new platform will be based on Jasmy’s Personal Data Locker product. (cointelegraph)
