Freelance journalist https://readwrite.com/author/suswati-basu/ IoT and Technology News Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:07:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://readwrite.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-rw-32x32.jpg Freelance journalist https://readwrite.com/author/suswati-basu/ 32 32 AI girlfriend bots swarm OpenAI’s GPT marketplace https://readwrite.com/ai-girlfriend-bots-swarm-openais-gpt-marketplace/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:07:29 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=249797 OpenAI's GPT marketplace overwhelmed by rule-breaking AI girlfriend bots. AI image of girl in front of ChatGPT app on phone

A wave of AI girlfriend bots has appeared on OpenAI’s new GPT store, forcing the tech company to take a […]

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OpenAI's GPT marketplace overwhelmed by rule-breaking AI girlfriend bots. AI image of girl in front of ChatGPT app on phone

A wave of AI girlfriend bots has appeared on OpenAI’s new GPT store, forcing the tech company to take a stance on the matter. Within days of the store opening, at least six “girlfriend” AI chatbots, including “Ai.Eva,” “My Tiefling Girlfriend,” “My Virtual Girlfriend,” “Your Girlfriend Tiffany” appeared on the platform.

According to OpenAI’s policies, it does not “allow GPTs dedicated to fostering romantic companionship or performing regulated activities.” It states that any tools that are deemed “inappropriate for minors,” including “ sexually explicit or suggestive content” are not permitted. However, at the time of writing, the girlfriend bots continue to exist on the platform.

Some apps have already been taken down, but it appears that creators have become more creative in their titles, with “sweetheart” generating more relevant options than “girlfriend.” Other search results appear under “dating.”

OpenAI has blocked certain explicit terms, hence it seems to be cracking down on some elements. When asking one of the bots the question, “What romantically do you want to do tonight?” it responded with a generic answer about spending a night in.

What other AI chatbots are there?

Business Insider reported that platforms dedicated to AI companions have surged in popularity over the last year. The AI chatbot application Replika, marketed as an “AI for anyone who wants a friend with no judgment, drama, or social anxiety involved,” has been downloaded over 10 million times.

Meta has also created a collection of AI bots, mimic celebrities and famous characters in history. From socialite Paris Hilton, entrepreneur and reality TV star Kendall Jenner, to former NFL star Tom Brady, the AI companions were rolled out in the U.S. in September.

Character.AI, the AI chat startup founded by former Google researchers and backed by $150 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz, also added multiple AI companions and friends into a shared group chat feature in October.

There are already several romance-related AI chatbots, such as Digi, which was billed by its creator as “the future of AI Romantic Companionship.” The number of downloads for the app soared after it was revealed on X.

Featured image: Canva / DALL-E

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Why Google search appears to be getting worse https://readwrite.com/why-google-search-appears-to-be-getting-worse/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 15:21:21 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=249771 Why Google search appears to be getting worse. Google search bar in front of red warning sign and blanked out search results.

There has been an influx of junk content on Google search engines, according to a new study. German researchers from […]

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Why Google search appears to be getting worse. Google search bar in front of red warning sign and blanked out search results.

There has been an influx of junk content on Google search engines, according to a new study. German researchers from Leipzig University, Bauhaus-University Weimar, and the Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence have been looking at whether Google was getting worse at providing spam-free content.

The research entitled “Is Google Getting Worse?” analyzed 7,392 product review queries on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo for a year. It reported that “a torrent of low-quality content, especially for product search, keeps drowning any kind of useful information in search results.”

The writers described the situation as a “constant battle” with search engines, but highlighted that Bing and DuckDuckGo had “substantially improved their results.” However, the overall picture was that SEO spam was constantly entering and leaving the results as engineers attempted to keep adjusting the parameters.

When Google intervened, it resulted in a “temporary positive effect,” they explain. Although ultimately, “search engines seem to lose the cat-and-mouse game that is SEO spam.” The study reveals that while 80% of web pages employ search engine optimization, this strategy has had an unintended consequence. It made sites appear as though they were created by non-experts in the subject, leading users to have reduced trust in Google.

Hence, the analysis observed that there was “an overall downwards trend in text quality in all three search engines,” and warned that generative AI could make matters worse.

The researchers concluded that “dynamic adversarial spam in the form of low-quality, mass-produced commercial content deserves more attention.”

Google search spam issues

In its 2023 core update, Google strongly emphasized the concept of E-E-A-T to enhance quality. The acronym stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, which is a component of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines. The additional “E,” which represents “experience,” means that Google now values firsthand or life experience on the topic a page is about.

Nevertheless, Search Engine Land reported that Google was still affected by a spam attack in December. It explained that “the most important reason for the success of the spam is that the search queries the spam sites are ranking for are low competition, which makes it easier to rank.” SEO specialist Bill Hartzer said that Google’s emphasis on links rather than content was contributing to the issue, as Google URLs were redirecting “to other sites (and possibly malware).”

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UN chief António Guterres warns of ‘unintended consequences’ of AI https://readwrite.com/un-chief-antonio-guterres-warns-of-unintended-consequences-of-ai/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:40:17 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=249749 UN chief Guterres warns of 'unintended consequences' of AI. Antonio Guterres speaks behind wooden podium with World Economic Forum sign behind and AI futuristic image as background.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint by big tech firms in their development of AI during a […]

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UN chief Guterres warns of 'unintended consequences' of AI. Antonio Guterres speaks behind wooden podium with World Economic Forum sign behind and AI futuristic image as background.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint by big tech firms in their development of AI during a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On Wednesday (Jan.17), Guterres warned that unrestricted development of generative AI could result in “serious unintended consequences,” and condemned companies for “pursuing profits with a clear disregard for human rights.”

“I believe this crisis is the direct result of a paradox facing our world. In the face of [a] series of existential threats, posed by runaway climate chaos and the runaway development of artificial intelligence without guardrails, we seem powerless to act together,” Guterres said.

Rebuilding Trust” is the theme of the World Economic Forum’s 2024 annual meeting, which plans to address “increasing division, heightened hostility and a surge in conflicts are defining the current global landscape.” The three major topics to be discussed include reinvigorating a stagnant economy amidst debt and inflation, the climate crisis, and the “disruptive forces” of artificial intelligence.

What did UN chief Guterres say about AI?

“Every new interaction of generative AI increases the risk of serious unintended consequences. The technology has enormous potential for sustainable development, but as the International Monetary Fund has just warned us, it is very likely it will worsen inequality in the world,” Guterres added.

He continued, “These two issues, climate and AI, are exhaustively discussed by governments, by the media and by leaders here in Davos. And yet, we have not an effective global strategy to deal with either.

“The reason is simple, geopolitical divides are preventing us from coming together around global solutions for global challenges. Little wonder that people everywhere are losing face in governments, institutions and financial and economic systems.”

What have tech companies said?

On Tuesday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella supported the idea for standards and guardrails for the technology, adding that there is a need for global coordination on AI. The tech giant reportedly has in total committed up to $13bn to OpenAI, including a $10bn expansion announced in January 2022.

However, the EU has raised antitrust concerns and is investigating whether the merger is allowed. “The European Commission is checking whether Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI might be reviewable under the EU Merger Regulation,” the commission said in a statement on January 9.

The IMF warned that AI will affect almost 40% of jobs around the world, replacing some while complementing others, potentially worsening inequality. It also suggested that “advanced economies face greater risks from AI—but also more opportunities to leverage its benefits—compared with emerging market and developing economies.”

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, reiterated this possibility at a conference in November “There will come a point where no job is needed.”

“You can have a job if you want to have a job for personal satisfaction but no job is needed, the AI will be able to do everything,” the 52-year-old billionaire said.

Featured Image: Canva / World Economic Forum / European Parliament

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Google updates Chrome incognito warning after lawsuit https://readwrite.com/google-updates-chrome-incognito-warning-after-lawsuit/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:18:02 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=249740 Google Incognito Mode shows hand with magnifying glass inspecting browser with Google logo colours blue, red, yellow, and green. Statement reads: “Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved.”

Google has updated its Chrome “incognito” disclaimer weeks after agreeing to settle a $5 billion lawsuit over allegations of tracking […]

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Google Incognito Mode shows hand with magnifying glass inspecting browser with Google logo colours blue, red, yellow, and green. Statement reads: “Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved.”

Google has updated its Chrome “incognito” disclaimer weeks after agreeing to settle a $5 billion lawsuit over allegations of tracking users’ activity even when using the browser in its discreet mode.

MSPowerUser noted the change on the latest Canary build of Google Chrome, version 122.0.6251.0. The updated disclaimer states: “Others who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.”

The previous version said: “Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved.”

In an email to The Verge, Google spokesperson José Castañeda said the “change provides “even more information to users about incognito Mode,” and that the company was “pleased to resolve this case which we’ve long disputed.”

The move is in response to a 2020 class action lawsuit in which Google faced claims it was collecting user data through its services in incognito mode. The Silicon Valley company denied the allegations, stating that they mention websites do collect data in incognito, even though this does not appear in the disclaimer itself.

The plaintiffs also contended that Google’s activities turned over an “unaccountable trove of information” about users who thought they were protecting their privacy.

A settlement was reached in December, however, it is still yet to be approved by a federal judge. The terms have not been reached, but lawyers said they have agreed to present a final agreement for court approval by February 24th.

Google fails to end privacy lawsuits

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had rejected Google’s bid to dismiss the claims in August last year, citing various statements from Google, including those in its privacy policy, that implied there were restrictions on the data it could gather.

According to Reuters, Rogers wrote, “Taken as a whole, a triable issue exists as to whether these writings created an enforceable promise that Google would not collect users’ data while they browsed privately.”

The tech company has faced several privacy lawsuits over the years, including reports that it violated federal wiretap laws. Google had mistakenly intercepted emails, user names, passwords and user data from Wi-Fi networks between 2008 and 2010 while they were creating the Street View application.

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Vodafone and Microsoft sign $1.5bn AI deal for 10 years https://readwrite.com/vodafone-and-microsoft-sign-1-5bn-ai-deal-for-10-years/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:08:21 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=249734 Vodafone and Microsoft sign $1.5bn AI deal for 10 years. Logos shown next to each other

Vodafone has announced a 10-year deal with Microsoft in a bid to scale its generative AI, digital services and cloud […]

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Vodafone and Microsoft sign $1.5bn AI deal for 10 years. Logos shown next to each other

Vodafone has announced a 10-year deal with Microsoft in a bid to scale its generative AI, digital services and cloud platforms to more than 300 million businesses, public sector organizations, and consumers across Europe and Africa.

The British multinational telecommunications company said it plans to invest $1.5 billion in cloud and customer-focused AI services developed in conjunction with the tech giant, giving Microsoft access to Vodafone’s fixed and mobile connectivity services.

In exchange, Microsoft said it intends to become an equity investor in Vodafone’s managed Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity platform, which will become a separate, standalone business by April.

Vodafone reported better top-line growth in July, driven by higher prices in the UK and improvements in Germany, Italy and Spain, which marked a positive start for the new Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle’s turnaround plan.

Della Valle, aiming to return the company to growth, described the partnership as a “bold commitment” to the digital future of Europe and Africa. “This unique strategic partnership with Microsoft will accelerate the digital transformation of our business customers, particularly small and medium-sized companies, and step up the quality of customer experience for consumers,” she continued.

“This new generation of AI will unlock massive new opportunities for every organization and every industry around the world,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, adding that they were “delighted” by the collaboration.

According to Reuters, Vodafone’s Chief Financial Officer Luka Mucic stated that Microsoft’s expertise in AI, bolstered by its partnership with OpenAI, is set to revolutionize the telecom company’s customer services.

He said, “That’s the part that is really going to catch each and every one of our customers,” adding that a TOBi chatbot, enhanced by Microsoft’s AI technology, will offer more coherent and intelligent responses to inquiries.

Which areas will Microsoft and Vodafone collaborate in?

The companies have pinpointed five primary areas for collaboration, one of which includes using generative AI to enhance customer satisfaction. This will involve leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI to provide real-time, personalized experiences for Vodafone customers.

Vodafone also intends to become part of the Azure ecosystem making the IoT platform available to developers and third-party communities using open APIs. Microsoft also hopes to help further scale M-Pesa, which is the telecoms company’s mobile money service in Africa, while enhancing digital literacy.

Aside from cloud transformation, the Berkshire-based company aims to distribute Microsoft services across businesses in Europe.

Featured Image: Mike Mozart / Canva / Vodafone

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Apple to allow developers to link to outside payment methods https://readwrite.com/apple-to-allow-developers-to-link-to-outside-payment-methods/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:53 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=249716 Apple to allow developers to link to outside payment methods. Person playing Fortnite on handheld device in front of iPhone and courtroom in the background.

Apple’s App Store will now allow developers to link outside payment platforms after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear […]

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Apple to allow developers to link to outside payment methods. Person playing Fortnite on handheld device in front of iPhone and courtroom in the background.

Apple’s App Store will now allow developers to link outside payment platforms after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear its appeal in its legal battle with Epic Games.

The iPhone maker has updated its policy in the United States, letting developers bypass Apple’s own payment system, which charges a commission of either 15% or 30%. However, the tech giant said it would still attempt to collect a 12% or 27% revenue share that opts out of the Apple system.

Under the guidelines, developers can apply for an entitlement, allowing them to include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchases.

The guideline states, “Developers may apply for an entitlement to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase such items,” adding that the entitlement is limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the U.S. storefront.

The Supreme Court had declined to consider the Cupertino-based company’s challenge of lower-court rulings that found some of the store rules for apps purchased on more than one billion iPhones constitute unfair competition under California law. The justices also dismissed Epic’s secondary appeal, however, Apple’s stock fell more than 2% in early trading on Tuesday.

In a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said Apple’s plan remained anti-competitive. He added that the company would contest Apple’s “bad-faith compliance plan” in District Court.

What did Apple do to Epic Games?

In 2020, Apple removed Epic’s Fortnite game from the App Store when Epic Games introduced an alternative in-game payment method, allowing players to bypass Apple’s 30% fee on in-app purchases. Google also responded by withdrawing Fortnite from the Play Store.

Epic subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging antitrust violations by Apple, claiming that the company had unlawfully monopolized the market. However, in 2021, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected Epic’s antitrust claims.

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Xbox Developer Direct to showcase new Indiana Jones game https://readwrite.com/xbox-developer-direct-to-showcase-new-indiana-jones-game/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:20:12 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=248492 Xbox Developer Direct to showcase new Indiana Jones game. Closeup of Xbox controller

Xbox has confirmed that an untitled Indiana Jones is in the making and will be shown at its latest Developer […]

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Xbox Developer Direct to showcase new Indiana Jones game. Closeup of Xbox controller

Xbox has confirmed that an untitled Indiana Jones is in the making and will be shown at its latest Developer Direct showcase.

Fans will get an inside look at a selection of highly anticipated games coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass, including Obsidian RPG Avowed, as well as the long-awaited sequel Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.

Is the Indiana Jones game coming to Xbox?

In a recent blog post, Xbox announced that its upcoming Indiana Jones game will take center stage. The post revealed that developers from MachineGames will present “more than 10 minutes of game and developer insights,” culminating in “the premier of the first gameplay trailer.”

It also said that players would be able to see details about the game’s setting and story, how fans will actually play as the legendary explorer, as well as information about Indy’s next globe-trotting adventure.

Discussing the Indiana Jones game, Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard remained tight-lipped last year, telling Esquire, “We’ll talk next year.” True to his word, the project has remained shrouded in secrecy since then.

What other games will feature at Developer Direct?

Next is Obsidian’s next RPG, Avowed, which will be featured with a “behind the scenes” look at Hellblade 2. Ara: History Untold, the strategy game being developed at Oxide Games, under the supervision of former Civilization creators, will also be showcased. The post said “new gameplay and share more details about the inspiration, key features, and road ahead.”

On the same day, it was announced that ZeniMax Online Studios would globally unveil The Elder Scrolls Online. The development team is expected to discuss the game’s next major chapter, including the new zone, storyline, and other significant features in this year’s biggest update.

The press release specified that the show would not have updates on games from Activision Blizzard and that more news on it would be released later this year.

Xbox fixes for some games

Earlier today (January 9th), reports suggested that a fix for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox was on its way. Saved games were apparently being deleted, resulting in the loss of days of gameplay.

The Developers Direct event will take place on Thursday, January 18th at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET / 8 pm UK.

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China claims breakthrough in identifying Apple AirDrop users https://readwrite.com/china-claims-breakthrough-in-identifying-apple-airdrop-users/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:59:18 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=248458 China claims breakthrough in identifying Apple AirDrop users. Apple AirDrop circles in white in front of glass cracked image and red and yellow flag of China in the background.

Chinese authorities have claimed they now have access to a tool that enables them to identify users of Apple’s AirDrop […]

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China claims breakthrough in identifying Apple AirDrop users. Apple AirDrop circles in white in front of glass cracked image and red and yellow flag of China in the background.

Chinese authorities have claimed they now have access to a tool that enables them to identify users of Apple’s AirDrop feature, commonly used for sending encrypted messages to bypass government censorship.

China’s Judicial Bureau reported that Beijing’s Wangshendongjian Forensic Appraisal Institute had created a device that allowed them to break through “the technical difficulties of anonymous traceability through AirDrop,” adding that the move had enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of case detection, and helped prevent the further spread of inappropriate remarks and “potential bad influence.”

In a statement, it said that a video had been circulated with “inappropriate remarks,” using the AirDrop function and that others had begun sharing the same. “Therefore, it was necessary to find the source and determine their identity as soon as possible to avoid any negative impact,” officials added.

The bureau also claimed that the project was also targeted at people with “malicious purposes,” who would use the function to send “illegal pictures, videos, audio and […] illegally delivering and spreading bad information to nearby people in crowded places such as subways, buses and shopping malls.”

It was also suggested that since AirDrop does not need an internet connection for delivery, “this behavior cannot be effectively monitored through conventional network monitoring methods,” which is why they say they appointed the lab to assist with their security apparatus.

Why does China want to restrict AirDrop?

Government officials had previously sought to restrict the use of mobile file-sharing services, in order to stop activists from mobilizing. File-sharing services such as Bluetooth and AirDrop have become essential instruments in the country, where the so-called Great Firewall has led to one of the most tightly controlled internet environments.

In recent years, AirDrop has become a popular tool among anti-government protesters for organizing and communicating their political demands. For example, in 2022, activists used AirDrop to distribute anti-Xi Jinping posters on the Shanghai subway, coinciding with the Chinese president’s anticipation of a historic third term as the country’s leader.

Apple has faced criticism for reportedly appeasing Beijing after it released a new version of the feature that limits users to a 10-minute window for receiving files from non-contacts. After this period, users can only receive files from contacts. There was also widespread backlash during the COVID-19 pandemic when workers at an Apple supplier factory in Zhengzhou were forced to work under poor conditions.

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Google in multibillion-dollar patent infringement case over AI tech https://readwrite.com/google-in-multibillion-dollar-patent-infringement-case-over-ai-tech/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:10:36 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=248431 Google in multibillion-dollar patent infringement case over AI technology. Laptop with Google search engine next to phone and in front of AI images

Google is set to face a federal jury after being accused of patent infringement, which could result in the tech […]

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Google in multibillion-dollar patent infringement case over AI technology. Laptop with Google search engine next to phone and in front of AI images

Google is set to face a federal jury after being accused of patent infringement, which could result in the tech company paying out billions.

Singular Computing, founded by Massachusetts-based scientist and former MIT professor Joseph Bates, claims the Alphabet-owned organization copied his proprietary technology and used it to support AI features in Google Search, Gmail, Google Translate and other Google services.

According to a Google court document, Singular requested up to $7 billion in monetary damages, which is said to be more than double the largest-ever patent infringement award in U.S. history.

In a December motion, Singular Computing’s key damages expert Philip Green claimed “a license to the patents-in-suit would have resulted in a royalty payment of “up to $6.6 billion.” Google had attempted to dismiss his testimony.

Reuters reported that Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said that Singular’s patents “dubious,” adding that Google developed its processors “independently over many years.”

“We look forward to setting the record straight in court,” Castaneda continued.

In 2020, Singular’s complaint said Bates had “patented architectures, allow for […] more efficient use of a computer’s transistors and have revolutionized the way AI training and inference are accomplished.” It claimed that the scientist shared his computer-processing innovations with Google between 2010 and 2014.

The lawsuit also added that Google was aware that its demand for AI-based user services significantly surpassed its computing capabilities before 2017. The company acknowledged that without integrating the technology from Bates’ patents into its computers, “it would have had to at least double its computing footprint to accommodate such demand for delivering increased speech recognition services alone.”

Last July, a federal judge blocked Google from telling jurors that the computer architecture developed by Bates is ineligible for U.S. patent protection or that the asserted patents are otherwise invalid.

What is Google’s AI software?

Google introduced its AI neural processing software in 2016, which is used to deliver complex artificial intelligence and machine learning processes on the phone itself, essentially bringing the power of cloud computing to a smartphone. Singular alleged that several versions of the Tensor units violated its patent rights.

However, it was reported that Google had said in the document that “engineers had mixed feelings about the technology and the company ultimately rejected it, explicitly telling Dr. Bates that his idea was not right for the type of applications Google was developing.”

What other patent cases has Google faced?

Google has faced several patent suits over the years, including in 2011, where it lost the first round of a case against Wireless Ink Corp. Both Facebook and the search giant failed to get Wireless Ink’s infringement claim dismissed. As a result, Wireless Ink was allowed to pursue charges related to user participation in social networks on mobile devices against the tech companies.

Featured Image: Canva / Pexels

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Rumble: ‘active and ongoing’ SEC investigation into video platform https://readwrite.com/rumble-active-and-ongoing-sec-investigation-into-video-platform/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:59:45 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=248403 Rumble: 'active and ongoing' SEC investigation into video platform. Image of US SEC logo of eagle on blue circle and yellow outer circle inside laptop with black and white screenshot of Rumble platform.

Rumble, the online video-hosting platform that claims to be a free speech YouTube alternative, is reportedly under investigation by the […]

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Rumble: 'active and ongoing' SEC investigation into video platform. Image of US SEC logo of eagle on blue circle and yellow outer circle inside laptop with black and white screenshot of Rumble platform.

Rumble, the online video-hosting platform that claims to be a free speech YouTube alternative, is reportedly under investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to WIRED, the SEC confirmed the investigation after a public records request by the news organization in November. It had denied the request on the grounds that an “active and ongoing” inquiry was taking place in relation to the company. The response follows claims made against the company including that it allegedly inflated certain metrics, which Rumble denies.

Following the announcement, founder Chris Pavlovski posted on X that the “report is bogus.” He said the company had proof in the form of Google Analytics to track monthly active users and criticized the move as a tactic “to get investors to sell the stock so that the short seller profits.”

“This is just the start, they’re coming for us in 2024. They can’t stand Rumble’s mission, but they are going to learn quickly how hard we punch back,” he added while stating he was exploring legal options to “hold short sellers accountable.”

The SEC, however, noted that the probe did not necessarily mean “any violations of law have occurred with respect to any person, entity, or security.” As a result, the exact nature of the investigation is unclear.

Melinda Hardy, the SEC’s assistant general counsel for litigation and administrative practice, confirmed the investigation in a letter sent on January 8th. Hardy further explained that releasing the documents could potentially harm the ongoing and active proceedings. She noted that this could happen because individuals and entities involved in the investigation might fabricate evidence, tamper with witness testimony, or destroy or modify relevant documents.

What has Rumble said?

Rumble spokesperson Rory Rumore responded to the allegations saying the company provided information to the SEC voluntarily and cautioned against anyone from jumping to false conclusions.

Rumble’s legal challenges

It is not the first time Rumble has become involved with legal matters. In November, the platform filed a lawsuit against two people connected to Media Matters. Rumble’s court filings state that two individuals who ran ‘Check My Ads’ created fake profiles, sought out objectionable user-uploaded videos, and refreshed the pages multiple times until they could capture screenshots showing ads from high-profile brands next to the offending content. This data was subsequently utilized by Media Matters in a campaign urging major brands to steer clear of Rumble.

Who are Rumble’s investors?

The video network is backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, which became a publicly traded company in 2022. “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance is also an investor, along with Colt Ventures, the family office of Dallas investor and former Trump adviser Darren Blanton. Its valuation currently exceeds $1.2 billion.

The platform was founded in 2013 by the Canadian entrepreneur, and posits itself as an alternative to “cancel culture.” In a statement on the website, Pavlovski wrote: “We are a movement that does not stifle, censor, or punish creativity and freedom of expression. We believe everyone benefits when they have access to more ideas and diverse opinions.”

Featured Image: Canva / Rumble / U.S. Government

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Waymo self-driving cars are heading to Phoenix highways https://readwrite.com/waymo-self-driving-cars-are-heading-to-phoenix-highways/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 11:23:31 +0000 https://readwrite.com/?p=248375 Waymo tests self-driving cars on Phoenix highways. White car seen on the road

Waymo has announced that it will be testing its self-driving cars on U.S. highways. The Alphabet-owned company stated that the […]

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Waymo tests self-driving cars on Phoenix highways. White car seen on the road

Waymo has announced that it will be testing its self-driving cars on U.S. highways. The Alphabet-owned company stated that the driverless cars will be piloted on the freeways of Phoenix, but it will adopt a cautious approach to transporting passengers.

It said that it would take a “step-by-step” approach to rolling out the scheme, initially offering rider-only trips to its employees. The robotaxi rides will then be made available to Waymo One app users.

However, there has been criticism of Waymo’s self-driving taxis in the past, with some noting software failures, as well as a lack of data transparency. When it comes to crashes involving cars with autonomous technology, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Waymo reported the most with 62 incidents in 2022.

In a statement, Waymo reassured riders that it had “years of safe and proven experience of operating fleets,” adding that it was following the same processes outlined by its safety framework that helped launch its service three years ago.

“We continuously iterate and improve our technology and operations through a rigorous process that combines structured testing, simulation, and public road operations so we’re prepared for this next phase,” it continued.

Waymo said it would carry on structured testing, simulations, and public road operations, while gathering feedback from its employees, before opening the service to Waymo One riders.

Where can I ride in a Waymo self-driving car?

Waymo’s autonomous taxi service is now available in four U.S. cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Texas, and now in Phoenix.

Last summer, Waymo reorganized its staff substantially as a result of its decision to focus on the ride-hailing industry, moving away from autonomous trucks in a bid to ramp up their commercial efforts. Since then, there has been little word on whether the program would proceed.

Waymo began conducting trials of its autonomous vehicle technology in trucks in 2017 and expanded its trucking program to Arizona and Texas in subsequent years. The company made significant progress in the trucking industry, including a test program delivering supplies to Google data centers in Atlanta.

Featured Image: Waymo

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