💰 Court fines Google astronomical $20 decillion

Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here 🤖

What’s happening:

• 💰 Russian court fines Google astronomical $20 decillion

• 🤔 Linus Torvalds calls AI "90% marketing, 10% reality"

• 🤖 Study finds AI teachers surpass classroom learning

• 🚫 Downey Jr. refuses AI recreations, threatens legal action

• 💾 OpenAI to create its own AI chip by 2026

• 🍎 Apple announces redesigned Mac Mini with M4 chip

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

💰 Russian court fines Google astronomical $20 decillion ↗️LINK

• What: A Russian court has fined Google an unimaginable $20 decillion (that’s $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) for banning Russian channels on YouTube, primarily nationalist stations. This fine, larger than the global GDP by far, results from a compound penalty on Google’s initial $1,025 daily fine, doubling weekly.

• Why: The fine stems from Google’s blocking of Russian media channels like Tsargrad in 2020 due to US sanctions, and more bans followed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The fines reflect mounting legal pressures as Russia aims to reclaim these channels.

• Impact: Despite the massive fine, Google views the judgment as unlikely to impact its global operations significantly, given its withdrawal from Russia in 2022. The case highlights escalating global legal challenges for tech giants amid geopolitical tensions.

🤔 Linus Torvalds calls AI "90% marketing, 10% reality" ↗️LINK

• What: Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel, shared his candid view of AI as being “90% marketing and 10% reality,” expressing frustration with the current hype cycle. He delivered his remarks at the Open Source Summit in Vienna, suggesting that the real, everyday applications of AI might take another five years to emerge.

• Why: Torvalds voiced concerns about the overhyped nature of AI, stating that tech industry buzz detracts from AI's true, albeit limited, current utility. He acknowledged areas like graphic design where AI shows promise but felt the overall industry narrative is largely exaggerated.

• Impact: Torvalds’ criticism mirrors a growing skepticism among tech veterans who worry that inflated expectations could hurt AI’s long-term credibility. His remarks underscore the need for a more grounded view of AI’s potential as the field matures.

🤖 Study finds AI teachers surpass classroom learning ↗️LINK

• What: A recent study shows that students using AI tutors, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT Edu, learned over twice as effectively compared to traditional in-class instruction. Harvard’s AI chatbot CS50 Duck exemplifies how AI is enabling efficient, accessible learning, especially in online settings.

• Why: AI tutors offer consistent, judgment-free assistance that levels the playing field for students lacking access to in-person academic support. Generative AI is designed to replicate many functions of a human teaching assistant, enabling students to receive tailored help at any time.

• Impact: While promising for tech-based fields, AI tutoring’s role in education remains controversial. Although STEM students benefit, the rise of AI as a learning tool raises questions about its impact on traditional teaching methods and its acceptance in humanities, where concerns over AI-driven plagiarism persist.

🚫 Downey Jr. refuses AI recreations, threatens legal action ↗️LINK

• What: Actor Robert Downey Jr. declared on the “On With Kara Swisher” podcast that he plans to legally challenge any Hollywood executive who uses AI to recreate his likeness on screen. He opposes AI and deepfake tech that could bring him back digitally, even in his iconic Marvel role as Iron Man.

• Why: Downey aims to protect his identity and legacy, expressing trust that current Marvel executives won’t digitally replicate him. However, he remains wary of future industry leaders who might use AI recreations without permission.

• Impact: Downey’s stance highlights the growing issue of AI in entertainment, emphasizing a need for stricter protections against unauthorized digital cloning of actors. His views reflect broader ethical concerns over AI's role in managing personal likenesses.

💾 OpenAI to create its own AI chip by 2026 ↗️LINK

• What: OpenAI is reportedly working with Broadcom to design an in-house AI chip, set for release in 2026, and has begun integrating AMD chips alongside Nvidia's on Microsoft’s Azure platform for model training.

• Why: High demand, chip shortages, and rising costs with Nvidia GPUs have led OpenAI to diversify its chip strategy. By designing its own chip, OpenAI aims to control costs and secure a more reliable supply for its AI model needs.

• Impact: This move could reduce OpenAI’s dependency on Nvidia, potentially shifting the AI chip market dynamics. Success in in-house chip design could make OpenAI more self-sufficient, enhancing its capacity to advance its AI models despite ongoing supply chain challenges.

🍎 Apple announces redesigned Mac Mini with M4 chip ↗️LINK

• What: Apple unveiled a redesigned, smaller Mac Mini with its new M4 chip. It’s the smallest Mac Mini yet, equipped with enhanced performance and port options, including the M4 Pro variant for increased power. Starting at $599, it’s available for preorder and arrives in stores on November 8th.

• Why: This release aligns with Apple’s Mac-focused announcements, delivering high performance in a compact design. The M4 chip, with its thermal efficiency, enables more powerful computing while maintaining a small form. Apple is targeting both casual users and creatives with upgraded configurations.

• Impact: The Mac Mini’s advanced capabilities and affordability make it a viable option for users seeking high performance in a small footprint. With the Mac Mini and upcoming MacBook Pros, Apple is expanding its M4-powered lineup, likely boosting market appeal and driving hardware revenue in its upcoming earnings report.

Today’s Poll:

Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Poll Result:

AI Chips Driving Nvidia's Growth: Sustainable or Bubble?

• A) Sustainable – AI is the future of tech growth - 69% 👑

• B) Bubble – The AI hype may not last - 31%

Readers opinions:

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