🚨 Meta deletes AI accounts after backlash

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Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here:

☀️ On this day: On January 4, 1903, Thomas Edison's team electrocuted Topsy, a circus elephant, to illustrate the dangers of alternating current (AC), the system promoted by Edison’s competitor Nikola Tesla. This grim spectacle is often discussed in debates about ethics in science and public demonstrations.

What’s happening:

• 🚨 Meta deletes AI accounts after backlash

• 💰 Generative AI funding hits $56B record in 2024

• 🛒 Samsung’s AI fridge to order groceries for you

• 🏠 The cost of losing remote work flexibility

• 🍿 Watch Apple TV+ for free this weekend

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

 🚨 Meta deletes AI accounts after backlash ↗️LINK

• What: Meta deleted its experimental AI accounts, including "Liv," a fictional character marketed as a "Proud Black queer momma of 2," after backlash. Users criticized the bots for being poorly designed and culturally insensitive, with "Liv" admitting bias and harm during user interactions.

• Why: These AI accounts, part of a 2023 trial, were meant to test AI-driven social media "users." However, low engagement, accusations of cultural insensitivity, and ethical concerns—like bots lacking input from diverse creators—sparked widespread criticism.

• Impact: Meta’s move highlights challenges in creating culturally aware AI. The backlash underscores the risks of using AI to mimic human identities, jeopardizing trust in Meta’s AI ambitions as it struggles to appeal to younger users.

💰 Generative AI funding hits $56B record in 2024 ↗️LINK

• What: Generative AI funding reached $56 billion in 2024, a 192% increase from 2023. Major deals included Databricks’ $10B Series J and OpenAI’s $6.6B round. While U.S. startups secured most of the capital, international players like Beijing's Moonshot AI and France's Mistral also raised significant amounts.

• Why: Investor enthusiasm remains high, driven by competitive innovations from leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic. However, analysts warn of oversaturation, technical challenges, and rising computing costs, which could strain smaller startups.

• Impact: The funding boom favors infrastructure-focused AI firms, which are essential for supporting growth. With data center spending projected to reach $250B annually, infrastructure players like Crusoe and Lambda are poised for continued success.

🛒 Samsung’s AI fridge to order groceries for you ↗️LINK

• What: Samsung’s Bespoke refrigerators, equipped with AI Vision Inside and Instacart integration, can track your groceries and order items you’re running low on. The system suggests replenishments via a touchscreen, enabling same-day delivery with just a few taps.

• Why: This partnership offers unparalleled convenience, helping users save time and streamline grocery shopping. The AI tracks fridge contents through cameras, while Instacart’s system ensures accurate product matching.

• Impact: Samsung's move strengthens its position in the smart home market, competing with Amazon and Google. While concerns over data usage and potential errors exist, the feature promises a new era of practical, automated living for busy households.

🏠 The cost of losing remote work flexibility ↗️LINK

• What: Companies, especially in tech, are mandating office returns, effectively imposing an “invisible pay cut” by increasing costs for workers, such as commuting and childcare. Remote work, valued by employees at 8–15% of pay, saves them significant money and time.

• Why: CEOs cite collaboration and culture, but many mandates aim to retain value in unused office real estate or encourage resignations. Managers’ preference for oversight and financial pressures also play a role.

• Impact: Forcing office returns risks lower job satisfaction, reduced productivity, and talent loss. Long-term, remote work trends remain strong, aligning with worker preferences and profitability benefits.

🍿 Watch Apple TV+ for free this weekend ↗️LINK

• What: Apple TV+ is free to stream from Friday to Sunday, offering non-subscribers access to hit shows like Severance, Slow Horses, and Shrinking. The promotion marks Apple’s first-ever open access event for its streaming service.

• Why: Apple aims to attract new subscribers by showcasing its content library. The limited-time offer gives viewers a chance to explore the platform and potentially subscribe for $9.99/month afterward.

• Impact: This move boosts Apple TV+ visibility, especially with Severance returning January 17. Accessible on all supported devices with an Apple ID, the offer might drive subscriptions and reinforce Apple’s position in the competitive streaming market.

Today’s Poll:

Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Poll Result:

Would you trust AI tools like Grok to analyze sensitive data like medical records?

• A) Yes – The potential benefits outweigh the risks - 36%

• B) No – Privacy and security concerns are too significant - 64% 🏆

Readers opinions:

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