ByteDance 'would rather' torpedo TikTok than sell it off (2 minute read)
ByteDance would rather shut down TikTok than sell the company. The US only provides a quarter of TikTok's global revenue and only represents 5% of ByteDance's daily active users across all of its media platforms. The short deadline to sell would likely put downward pressure on any potential sale price, making the option even less appealing. Selling the company would mean divesting the algorithms that power TikTok and its video recommendations, which raises more complications.
The Robotics Renaissance (13 minute read)
Intelligent androids will be a part of industrial activities and aspects of everyday life over the next decade. Modern AI models have changed the game, allowing robots to learn from online text, images, and videos. This article takes a look at the modern robotics industry, highlighting new technologies, current capabilities, potential applications, major players in the space, and the impacts the technology will have on society.
FCC officially votes to reinstate net neutrality (6 minute read)
The Federal Communications Commission has voted to reinstate net neutrality, barring broadband providers from slowing or blocking internet traffic to some sites while improving access to others. The FCC had announced that it would pursue this as a policy goal in September and there was no reason the Commission would vote against it. The new net neutrality rules still have to weather challenges in court, and depending on the outcome of the election, they may be rolled back or legislated away. The rules still have to be published in the Federal Register - and then there is another waiting period - before they will take effect.
Apple Intensifies Talks With OpenAI for iPhone Generative AI Features (2 minute read)
Apple has renewed discussions with OpenAI to use its generative AI technology to power new features coming to the iPhone later this year. The companies were discussing a deal earlier this year, but work between the two parties has been minimal since then. Apple is still in discussions with Google about licensing the Gemini chatbot. It is unclear which provider Apple plans to eventually use.
React 19 Beta (25 minute read)
The React 19 Beta is now available on npm. The update includes new hooks, new APIS, and support for using async functions in transitions to handle pending states, errors, forms, and optimistic updates automatically. There are breaking changes, but they should not impact most apps. This article details the new features in the beta.
ChatGPT's AI ‘memory' can remember the preferences of paying customers (3 minute read)
OpenAI's Memory feature, which allows ChatGPT to store queries, prompts, and other customizations, is now available to ChatGPT Plus paying subscribers outside of Europe and Korea. Memory lets users tell ChatGPT to remember certain details and allows the chatbot to learn from conversations. Users have control over what ChatGPT retains and what is used for additional training. ChatGPT will tell users when memories are updated. The feature will eventually roll out ChatGPT Enterprise and Teams, but OpenAI has not specified when.
Tesla to lay off everyone working on Superchargers, new vehicles (3 minute read)
Tesla is laying off its director of EV charging Rebecca Tinucci, the head of new vehicle development Daniel Ho, as well as the teams that operated under the two executives. These layoffs are part of a larger effort by CEO Elon Musk to reduce costs and headcount within the company. Tesla plans to continue building out some new Supercharger locations and finish those currently under construction. Musk is also dissolving the company's public policy team in this latest cull.
Apple poaches AI experts from Google, creates secretive European AI lab (5 minute read)
Apple's top AI team is made up of former key figures from Google. The company has bought about two dozen AI startups in the past decade. Apple is focusing on bringing on-device AI capabilities to the iPhone. The next iPhone could feature a voice-activated smart personal assistant that interacts with apps. More details about these AI features will likely be announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.