The most groundbreaking advancements shaping tomorrow’s world in today’s tech news.
Fintech
1. Crypto company Tether invests $200 mln in brain-chip maker Blackrock Neurotech
Stablecoin issuer Tether invested $200 million in Blackrock Neurotech to take a majority stake in the brain-to-computer interface startup. The Salt Lake City-based company creates brain-to-computer interfaces and implants that allow people to control computers and neuroprosthetics. (Yahoo)
Internet governance
2. PCTA Tech Show 2024
APNIC participated in the Philippines Cable and Telecommunications Association, Inc. (PCTA) Tech Show 2024 held in Manila, Philippines from 1 to 5 April 2024. The event focused on the theme of PCTA Internet Exchange: Cohesion and Coherence to Connectivity, which brought together approximately 1,800 participants to discuss topics including Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, IPv6 and the Internet landscape and many more. (APNIC blog)
IT infrastructure
3. Axel Springer to migrate some cloud applications to Microsoft’s Azure
Global news publisher Axel Springer will migrate some of its cloud-based applications to Microsoft’s Azure and work with the firm on bolstering its AI capabilities, the companies said on Monday, as they expanded their partnership. (The Economic Times)
Tech trends
4. OpenAI’s ChatGPT targeted in Austrian privacy complaint
Microsoft-backed startup OpenAI on Monday found itself the target of a privacy complaint by advocacy group NOYB for allegedly not fixing incorrect information provided by its generative AI chatbot ChatGPT that may breach EU privacy rules. (US News)
5. Telegram unblocks chatbots used by Ukraine’s security services
The Telegram messaging app has restored access to chatbots used by Ukraine’s security services and intelligence agencies to collect data about Russian military activity after they were temporarily blocked, according to the Ukrainian State Centre of Strategic Communications. (Telegram)
6. Social media platform X back up after outages, Downdetector shows
Social media platform X was back up on Monday after suffering outages earlier in the day, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com. (Times of India)
AI
7. OpenAI to use FT content for training AI models in latest media tie-up
The Financial Times has signed a deal with OpenAI to license its content for the development of AI models and allow ChatGPT to answer queries with summaries attributable to the newspaper, the latest media tie-up for the Microsoft-backed startup. (Aol)
8. AI startup Blaize raises $106 million in funding
AI computing firm Blaize said on Monday it had raised $106 million in funding, including from existing investors such as Mercedes-Benz and Temasek. (Silicon Angle)
9. ChatGPT’s AI ‘memory’ can remember the preferences of paying customers
OpenAI announced the Memory feature that allows ChatGPT to store queries, prompts, and other customizations more permanently in February. At the time, it was only available to a “small portion” of users, but now it’s available for ChatGPT Plus paying subscribers outside of Europe or Korea. (The Verge)
AR/VR
10. Meta Reality Labs is Relying on AI to Ensure Smart Glasses Success
This week, Meta officially released its Q1 earnings call and report highlighting general capital and operational growth for the firm. In contrast, the firm’s Reality Labs research and development division continues to record monetary losses; Meta remains committed to its immersive product portfolio, releasing significant hardware and software updates just days before yesterday’s call. (XR Today)
IoT
11. UK introduces first IoT security laws
The UK has become the first country to legally mandate cybersecurity standards for IoT devices. The new laws, which came into force today, aim to shield consumers from cyber threats and boost the nation’s resilience against rising cybercrime. (IoT Tech News)
