1 The issue of autonomous vehicles has led to a legal battle in San Francisco. In an attempt to curb their rapid expansion, the city has initiated a lawsuit against companies involved in the production of these vehicles. Conversely, Waymo is extending its reach, with intentions to introduce a new fleet in Los Angeles. As autonomous taxis become increasingly common, it is vital to establish protocols for their operation.
2 Apple is being compelled by the European Union to allow applications to be downloaded outside of the App Store. While this may initially seem problematic for the tech giant, they’ve found a way to capitalize on it by introducing new charges.
3 Amazon is facing penalties for the extreme levels of surveillance implemented on their employees. French data protection authorities deemed the company’s monitoring practices as excessively invasive.
4 Artificial Intelligence may play a key role in establishing innovative materials for batteries. Similar to facilitating drug discovery, AI could potentially reduce the time required to make these materials commercially available. In related news, Tesla plans to kick off production of a new electric vehicle next year. Furthermore, the utilization of a readily available material could potentially lower the cost of batteries designed for electric vehicles.
5 The global demand for electricity is projected to escalate over the next three years, with data centers, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence being primary contributors. To meet this growing need, nuclear power is being considered as a viable option. Meanwhile, AI can potentially enhance the speed and resistance of the power grid.
6 A Chinese startup, 01.AI, claims to be developing superior applications for generative AI, outperforming its major tech competitors. However, the significant advancements in AI by America and North Korea are noteworthy. The future of generative AI will be shaped by several key questions that need attention.
7 Fast fashion brands in China are exploiting tax loopholes to establish a strong presence in the United States. Despite the appeal of brands like Shein, some consumers are growing disillusioned with their practices.
8 Using rock dust on agricultural land could help absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, there’s a challenge in accurately quantifying the amount of carbon being captured.
