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Showing posts from May, 2023

Amazon to Pay $25 Million to Settle Children’s Privacy Charges

Regulators said the tech giant kept children’s Alexa voice recordings “forever,” violating a children’s privacy law. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/8ieuwsY

U.S. Will Require All New Cars to Have Automatic Braking Systems

The Transportation Department wants new cars to automatically stop when they detect an accident is likely. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Hi4I2lB

Europe Frets U.S. Battery Factory Subsidies Will Hurt, Not Help

The European Union is trying to assemble the building blocks to produce electric cars, but subsidies are luring companies to the United States. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/QtmkqJj

Using Alternative Apps and Shared Albums Instead of Mainstream Social Media

Alternative apps and shared photo albums let you set up your own exclusive club for online conversations and digital pictures. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/XayOtTQ

The AI Boom Inside Silicon Valley Start-Up Accelerators

In Silicon Valley’s hacker houses, the latest crop of young entrepreneurs is partying, innovating — and hoping not to get crushed by the big guys. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/e4ktpzK

How the Shoggoth Has Come to Symbolize the State of A.I.

The Shoggoth, a character from a science fiction story, captures the essential weirdness of the A.I. moment. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/fFGAXLZ

A Man Sued Avianca Airline. His Lawyer Used ChatGPT.

A lawyer representing a man who sued an airline relied on artificial intelligence to help prepare a court filing. It did not go well. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/GAoacKr

Elizabeth Holmes Set to Report to Prison Tuesday in Texas

The disgraced founder of the blood testing start-up Theranos, who was convicted of fraud, is expected to report to a minimum-security prison in Texas. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UZrIRhS

Would Large Language Models Be Better If They Weren’t So Large?

Teaching fewer words to large language models might help them sound more human. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/oKPdaYy

California Builds the Future, for Good and Bad. What’s Next?

From reparations to tax revolts, the Golden State tries out new ideas all the time. What roads will its latest experiments send us down? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ENzoacq

Would Large Language Models Be Better If They Weren’t So Large?

Teaching fewer words to large language models might help them sound more human. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/pdnStYI

The Surgeon General’s Social Media Warning and A.I.’s Existential Risks

Plus, Kevin and Casey react to this week’s tech headlines. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/YQInCBs

How DeSantis’s Twitter Spaces Event Compares to Past Livestreams

The Republican presidential candidate’s announcement on Twitter had a high of about 300,000 concurrent listeners during the event and a total of 3.4 million listeners as of Thursday. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/fC10O86

Minnesota Governor Vetoes Gig Worker Pay Bill

Gov. Tim Walz said the legislation would have raised costs for ordering an Uber or Lyft too high, potentially pricing out Minnesota customers. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/qm5EYbr

Microsoft Calls for AI Rules to Minimize Risks

Its president, Brad Smith, said companies needed to “step up” and governments needed to “move faster” as artificial intelligence progressed. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/JlSxXCk

Tips for Cutting Social Media Use and Being Online in a Healthier Way

You don’t have to quit Instagram and TikTok cold turkey. Use these strategies — some practical, some more philosophical — to be online in a healthier or less harmful way. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/cfu79O8

Prompts to Try Asking ChatGPT

Our personal tech columnist shares how to improve many parts of your life. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/jcEpRxo

New York City Moves to Regulate How AI Is Used in Hiring

New York City’s pioneering, focused approach sets rules on how companies use the technology in work force decisions. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/fq7Cs64

Elon Musk’s Event With Ron DeSantis Exposes Twitter’s Weaknesses

What was supposed to be a crowning moment for Mr. Musk’s Twitter turned into a series of technical glitches. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/bj5BaR8

Chinese Malware Hits Systems on Guam. Is Taiwan the Real Target?

The code, which Microsoft said was installed by a Chinese government hacking group, set off alarms because Guam would be a centerpiece of any U.S. military response to a move against Taiwan. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/qQcg3kM

How to Listen to DeSantis’s Presidential Announcement With Elon Musk on Twitter

The Florida governor is set to announce that he will be running for president on Twitter Spaces, a live audio streaming platform on Twitter where people gather and talk online in real time. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Ye7BEd4

Brain and Spine Implants Allow Paralyzed Man to Walk Naturally Again

In a new study, researchers describe a device that connects the intentions of a paralyzed patient to his physical movements. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/VWa0EGs

AI Needs an International Watchdog, OpenAI Leaders Say

To manage its risks, “superintelligent” artificial intelligence should be governed by a body similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the lab’s leadership said in note on its website. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/XdNicQv

What to Know About Limiting Your Child’s Screen Time

Concerned parents have many tools, including free software from Apple and Google, to actively oversee how children use their tech. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/jCGZ4Fs

BuzzFeed’s Botatouille Chatbot Puts A.I. Twist on Food Advice

Jonah Peretti, the company’s chief executive, has embraced artificial intelligence more than most publishers. His latest offering: Botatouille, an A.I.-powered kitchen assistant. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/U8Lhzl2

Mountain of FTX Evidence: Emails, Chat Logs, Code and a Notebook

Prosecutors investigating Sam Bankman-Fried, the cryptocurrency exchange’s founder, have accumulated more than six million pages of documents and other records. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/NWREDH5

Social Media is a ‘Profound Risk’ to Youth, Surgeon General Warns

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy urged immediate action from policymakers, tech companies and parents to safeguard against potential harms. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/dXEMcQo

TikTok Sues Montana Over State Ban

The Chinese-owned video app filed the lawsuit days after Montana’s governor signed the ban, which takes effect on Jan. 1, into law. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/yUOevBR

Google’s Photo App Still Can’t Find Gorillas. And Neither Can Apple’s.

Eight years after a controversy over Black people being mislabeled by image analysis software — and despite big advances in computer vision — the tech giants still fear repeating the mistake. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/R148qKZ

Silicon Valley Chosen for $4 Billion Chip Research Center

Anticipating federal subsidies, Applied Materials said it planned to invest up to $4 billion in the semiconductor project in Sunnyvale, Calif. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/yeMh7cd

Meta Fined $1.3 Billion for Violating E.U. Data Privacy Rules

The Facebook owner said it would appeal an order to stop sending data about European Union users to the United States. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Wf3KVnG

Minnesota Passes Bill Seeking to Ensure Minimum Wage for Gig Workers

Lyft and Uber have opposed the legislation, with Uber threatening to leave the state if it is enacted. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CQS4X65

Uber Suspends DEI Chief After Employees Complain of Insensitivity

The executive hosted sessions about race and being a white woman that were titled “Don’t Call Me Karen,” prompting an employee uproar. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/mgx1yPi

Through Ukraine, Tech Start-Ups Make Their Move Into the U.S. Defense Industry

Small, fast-moving U.S. tech firms are using the war in Ukraine to demonstrate a new generation of military systems but face the challenge of selling them to a risk-averse Defense Department. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/xF8i2Zc

China Bans Some Chip Sales of Micron, the US Company

Many analysts see the move as retaliation for Washington’s efforts to cut off China’s access to high-end chips. from NYT > Technology https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/21/business/china-ban-microchips-micron.html

The E-Sports World’s Future Is Uncertain as Growth Stalls

At least two organizations in America’s most prominent league for professional video game players are selling their teams, underscoring the industry’s uncertain future. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/tVFkXYp

Mr. Altman Goes to Washington, and Casey Goes on This American Life

Then, Kevin and Casey try their hands at content moderation. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/pOCs2Wx

Twitter Accuses Microsoft of Improperly Using Its Data

In a letter to Microsoft’s chief executive, Satya Nadella, Twitter said the tech giant had violated a data agreement. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/jH2zPA3

Extremism Finds Fertile Ground in Chat Rooms for Gamers

In the past year, about half the people who played online multiplayer games in the world’s major gaming markets encountered extremist statements, a new study found. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/qkMlBni

TikTok and Free Speech Groups Appear Poised for Legal Fight Over Montana Ban

Under the law, TikTok would be fined for operating the app, and Google and Apple would be fined for allowing people to download TikTok through their app stores. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/XDeSEjn

Elizabeth Holmes Must Report to Prison on May 30

The Theranos founder, who was convicted last year of defrauding investors, lost her bid to remain free on bail while she appeals her conviction. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/GVRq57S

OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT App for the iPhone

OpenAI is aiming to build on the popularity of its chatbot with a smartphone app that responds to voice prompts. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/GyP7ax5

Supreme Court Sidesteps Ruling on Scope of Internet Liability Shield

The justices effectively ducked difficult questions about the scope of a 1996 law, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/qAumVor

Montana Governor Bans TikTok in the State

The legislation is the most extreme prohibition of the app in the nation and will almost certainly face legal challenges. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/WtCRe8A

Another Side of the AI Boom: Detecting What AI Makes

More than a dozen companies have popped up to offer services aimed at identifying whether photos, text and videos are made by humans or machines. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/fO0C8pJ

Haven’t Checked Your Gmail in a While? Google May Delete Your Account.

Personal Google accounts that have not been used in at least two years could be removed starting in December as part of an effort to address security threats, the company said. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2Vf1D9s

For Gen Z, Playing an Influencer on TikTok Comes Naturally

There’s stuff to promote now. The followers can come later. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/19HPZL4

Biden Team to Counter Tech Espionage Unveils Cases Involving China and Russia

A new division set up by the government to pursue sanctions evasion and technology espionage announced arrests of individuals with ties to foreign governments. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/QxnUjAs

As EV Sales Pick up Pace, Electric Commercial Fleets Lag

Passenger cars dominate the electric vehicle market, but light delivery trucks could benefit from the cost savings and range E.V.s offer. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/BygAqGV

Tesla Changed a Deadline for Investor Proposals, Angering Activists

Some shareholders saw the automaker’s decision to move up the deadline by two months as a way to suppress criticism during the company’s annual meeting on Tuesday. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/LAkpSWX

Your DNA Can Now Be Pulled From Thin Air. Privacy Experts Are Worried.

Environmental DNA research has aided conservation, but scientists say its ability to glean information about human populations and individuals poses dangers. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/RTabJUg

U.S.-Made Technology Is Flowing to Sanctioned Russian Airlines

Russian customs data shows that millions of dollars of aircraft parts made by Boeing, Airbus and others were sent to Russia last year despite sanctions. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/IJXnGj7

Linda Yaccarino Is Twitter’s New CEO, Elon Musk Confirms

Mr. Musk said Ms. Yaccarino would focus on business operations and that he would work on product design and technology at the social media platform. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/xqsPy9X

Ex-ByteDance Executive Accuses Company of ‘Lawlessness’

The former executive sued ByteDance, which owns TikTok, for wrongful termination and accused the company of lifting content from rivals and “supreme access” by the Chinese Communist Party. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/0f3sykY

China Orders Tesla to Recall 1.1 Million Vehicles Over Braking Risks

Defects on certain Tesla models could lead drivers to step on the accelerator pedals for longer than necessary, increasing the risk of collisions, China’s market regulator says. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/lFaJzPU

Google’s A.I. Bonanza and Driverless Car Talk With Cruise C.E.O. Kyle Vogt

Long-awaited tech like A.I., 3-D telepresence and driverless cars is finally reaching the public. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/7PtbzQy

Elon Musk Says He Has a New C.E.O. for Twitter

Mr. Musk did not identify the executive, but said she would start in about six weeks. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3qfWUuJ

Striking Writers Find Their Villain: Netflix

Fear of protests prompted the streaming giant to shift an anticipated presentation for advertisers to a virtual event and a top executive to skip an honorary gala. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/pvGXze8

Peloton Shares Slide After It Recalls Two Million Exercise Bikes

The company is offering to replace seat posts on the bikes after receiving 35 reports of the equipment breaking. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ag6Ayd3

Taiwan Is Running Low on a Strategic Asset: Engineers

Taiwan’s world-dominating microchip sector was built by TSMC’s skilled employees. But a demographic crisis, demanding work culture and flagging interest threaten its lead. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/kcAnq1N

Pixel 7A Review: We’re Running Out of Reasons to Splurge on a ‘Pro’ Phone

Google’s latest entry-level phone, which costs $500, is just good as devices nearly double its price. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/im58YTd

Google Builds on Tech’s Latest Craze With Its Own A.I. Products

At the company’s annual conference, Google demonstrated dozens of products and features that work with artificial intelligence, along with new phones. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/jm43nJg

Do You Have Something to Share About TikTok?

The Times would like to hear from current and former employees, avid TikTok users, educators and parents. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/O76n39w

TV’s War With the Robots Is Already Here

A.I. screenwriting, a point of contention in the Writers Guild strike, may not yet be ready for prime time. But streaming algorithms and derivative programming have prepared the way for it. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/e8iRtPf

The Companies Trying to Make Live Shopping a Thing in the U.S.

The market for selling goods in real time online is relatively small, but a number of start-ups and big tech names are betting American consumers will catch on. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/JAztouk

Tucker Carlson Says He Will Start New Show on Twitter

His claim, made on Twitter, suggested that his negotiations to reach an amicable separation with the network had broken down. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/HSMB5uL

U.S. Says It Dismantled Russia’s ‘Most Sophisticated’ Malware Network

The Justice Department said the F.B.I. had turned the structure of the Russian intelligence service’s “Snake” network for spying on computers against itself. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/AfDb2ug

How to Get the Forecast When Apple Weather is Down

iPhone users experienced a brief outage of Apple’s Weather app on Tuesday. Here are some alternatives to plan your day around your local forecast. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/NgQD9a2

‘Rip and Replace’: The Tech Cold War Is Upending Wireless Carriers

As China and the United States jockey for tech primacy, wireless carriers in dozens of states are tearing out Chinese equipment. That has turned into a costly, difficult process. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/zJpEB6Z

The Discreet Thrill of Lurking Online

There’s a world of wholesome drama out there in strangers’ social media content, if you know where to look. You don’t even need to post yourself. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/8ARefni

Sam Bankman-Fried, in First Detailed Defense, Seeks to Dismiss Charges

The FTX founder, who has been charged with fraud, said the crypto exchange and its law firm had been acting against him and offering only the most incriminating evidence to prosecutors. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/u0kDjNA

The Women Who Are Giving Dating Apps the Summer Off

Summer is the season where romantic encounters heat up. Some singles are logging off to see what’s out there. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/k4A1NPq

Bringing A.I. Tools to the Workplace Requires a Delicate Balance

Move too slowly, and risk getting left behind. Move too quickly, and neither the staff nor the technology may be ready. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2N4ZFk5

Elizabeth Holmes Opens Up About Her Theranos Trial and What Comes Next

The black turtlenecks are gone. So is the voice. As the convicted Theranos founder awaits prison, she has adopted a new persona: devoted mother. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/W1FR5L6

Hollywood Writers Strike Is ‘Going to Be a While’

The writers and entertainment companies remain far apart on several key issues, including money, and the standoff could last for months. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Uy3KQdX

Twitter Criticized for Allowing Texas Shooting Images to Spread

Graphic images of the attack went viral on the platform, which has made cuts to its moderation team. Some users said the images exposed the realities of gun violence. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/liH2I07

Backup Power: A Growing Need, if You Can Afford It

Extreme weather linked to climate change is causing more blackouts. But generators and batteries are still out of reach of many. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/dzLAC9V

Judge Dismisses F.T.C. Lawsuit Against Kochava, a Location Data Broker

The ruling was a blow to the commission’s intensifying efforts to crack down on the sale and use of sensitive personal information. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/ZO6Eb8l

The Next Fear on A.I.: Hollywood’s Killer Robots Become the Military’s Tools

U.S. national security officials are warning about the potential for the new technology to upend war, cyber conflict and — in the most extreme case — the use of nuclear weapons. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/Gj94NfF

‘Ron DeSoros’? Conspiracy Theorists Target Trump’s Rival.

Ron DeSantis, a likely contender for the Republican presidential nomination, must court far-right voters who consider him a tool of the Deep State. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/oWI0mhy

Apple’s Slowdown Eases, but Sluggish Demand Hurts Results

Overall iPhone sales were up, and revenue for the company’s services business set a record. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CVRFyam

Were You Misled By Fake Reviews Online?

If you chose a purchase based on reviews and the end result didn’t live up to your expectations, The Times wants to hear your story. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/CER9cye

White House Unveils Initiatives to Reduce Risks of AI

Vice President Kamala Harris also plans to meet with the chief executives of tech companies that are developing A.I. later on Thursday. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/C9nNS6E

White House Unveils Initiatives to Reduce Risks of A.I.

Vice President Kamala Harris also plans to meet with the chief executives of tech companies that are developing A.I. later on Thursday. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/a6TAwrK

FTC Seeks ‘Blanket’ Ban on Meta’s Use of Young Users’ Data

Citing privacy failings by the tech giant, regulators proposed to stop sites like Instagram and Facebook from profiting off the data of users under 18. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/S4xBfrn

FTC Seeks ‘Blanket’ Ban on Meta’s Use of Young Users’ Data

Citing major privacy failings by the tech giant, regulators proposed to stop sites like Instagram and Facebook from profiting off the data of users under 18. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3pTvxRf

Jack Dorsey Takes Aim at Elon Musk and Twitter on New Platform

The Twitter co-founder has posted prolifically on two new social networks, Nostr and Bluesky, which he also backed financially. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/n0ERFoQ

Jack Dorsey Has a Lot to Say, Including About Elon Musk and Twitter

The Twitter co-founder has posted prolifically on two new social networks, Nostr and Bluesky, which he also backed financially. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/GpIHWnj

How to Automatically Edit and Enhance Your Smartphone Photos

Photo apps have been using artificial intelligence for years to give you control over the look of your images. Here’s how to take advantage of that. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/5SEsX8d

My Weekend With an Emotional Support A.I. Companion

Pi, an A.I. tool that debuted this week, is a twist on the new wave of chatbots: It assists people with their wellness and emotions. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/d6FHRi8

Tucker Carlson’s Text That Alarmed Fox: ‘It’s Not How White Men Fight’

The discovery of the text message contributed to a chain of events that ultimately led to Tucker Carlson’s firing. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/1nDC2BP

Generative A.I. Start-Up Cohere Valued at About $2 Billion in Funding Round

Founded by ex-Google researchers, the Toronto company is among the few start-ups prepared to compete with the creator of ChatGPT. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/b6HEclY

Uber’s Revenue Up 29% as U.S. Ride-Hailing Business Improves

The company said its financial results in the most recent quarter were about in line with the expectations of investors. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/d7meaHR

Google Promised to Defund Climate Lies, but the Ads Keep Coming

Google said in 2021 that it would stop running ads alongside videos and other content that denied the existence and causes of climate change. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/nGkaC8x

When AI Chatbots Hallucinate

Ensuring that chatbots aren’t serving false information to users has become one of the most important and tricky tasks in the tech industry. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/14mqoQw

A.I. Is Getting Better at Mind-Reading

In a recent experiment, researchers used large language models to translate brain activity into words. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/UIF263X

What Exactly Are the Dangers Posed by A.I.?

A recent letter calling for a moratorium on A.I development blends real threats with speculation. But concern is growing among experts. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2nYpsxg

‘The Godfather of A.I.’ Quits Google and Warns of Danger Ahead

For half a century, Geoffrey Hinton nurtured the technology at the heart of chatbots like ChatGPT. Now he worries it will cause serious harm. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/teKBG2R