☠️ Microsoft is shutting down Skype

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Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here:

☀️ On this day: On February 28, 1956, Jay Forrester at MIT was awarded a patent for his coincident current magnetic core memory. This invention became the standard memory device for digital computers until it was supplanted by semiconductor RAM in the mid-1970s.

What’s happening:

• 🤖 OpenAI launches GPT-4.5 with emotional intelligence

• 🔍 X under investigation for AI data use in Canada

• ☠️ Microsoft to shut down Skype in May

• 🔒 Meta fires 20 employees over leaks

• ❇️ Amazon unveils Alexa+

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

🤖 OpenAI launches GPT-4.5 with emotional intelligence ↗️LINK

• What: OpenAI unveiled GPT-4.5 (Orion), its largest model yet, emphasizing improved emotional intelligence and conversational flow. It reduces hallucinations and enhances responses for creative and professional tasks but lacks major improvements in math or science.

• Why: Unlike previous models, GPT-4.5 prioritizes a more natural user experience over raw reasoning advancements. While it outperforms some models in coding tasks, its main draw is a more intuitive and engaging AI interaction.

• Impact: Access is limited to Pro and paid developers, with Plus users getting it next week. However, its high API pricing ($75/$150 per million tokens) may deter widespread adoption, making it a premium option rather than a game-changer.

🔍 X under investigation for AI data use in Canada ↗️LINK

• What: Canada’s privacy watchdog is investigating X (formerly Twitter) over allegations that it used Canadians' personal data to train AI models without proper consent. The probe follows a complaint regarding the platform’s data practices.

• Why: X’s integration with xAI’s Grok chatbot raises concerns about whether the platform is complying with Canada’s privacy laws, which regulate data collection, consent, and disclosure. Generative AI models like Grok require vast amounts of data for training.

• Impact: If found in violation, X could face legal consequences and stricter regulations. The case highlights growing global scrutiny over tech giants’ use of personal data for AI development.

☠️ Microsoft to shut down Skype in May ↗️LINK

• What: Microsoft is officially shutting down Skype in May, directing users to migrate to Teams instead. A message in the latest Skype preview confirms the platform's impending retirement.

• Why: Despite multiple updates over the years, Skype struggled against rivals like FaceTime and Google’s chat services. Microsoft has been heavily investing in Teams, which was built on Skype’s foundation but offers more collaboration tools.

• Impact: Longtime Skype users will need to switch to Teams or other alternatives. While expected, this marks the end of an era for one of the internet’s most iconic communication apps.

🔒 Meta fires 20 employees over leaks ↗️LINK

• What: Meta has fired about 20 employees for leaking confidential information, with more terminations expected. The company intensified efforts to track leaks after reports on internal meetings and unannounced projects surfaced.

• Why: Leadership, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CTO Andrew Bosworth, sees leaks as a serious threat. Internal discussions suggest that instead of pressuring Meta to change, leaks may lead to stricter policies and enforcement.

• Impact: Employee morale at Meta is already low after recent layoffs and policy shifts. This crackdown signals tighter internal security but may further strain trust within the company.

❇️ Amazon unveils Alexa+ ↗️LINK

• What: Amazon introduced Alexa+, an upgraded AI-powered assistant with enhanced memory, visual understanding, and deeper personalization. It can answer user-specific queries, manage schedules, summarize security footage, and integrate seamlessly with Amazon’s smart home ecosystem.

• Why: Amazon aims to make Alexa a more intuitive, proactive assistant rather than just a voice-activated tool. By leveraging generative AI, Alexa+ can understand tone, context, and user habits, offering a more natural and productive experience.

• Impact: Alexa+ could redefine digital assistants, competing with AI-driven rivals like ChatGPT and Google Assistant. However, concerns about accuracy and data privacy remain as Amazon expands Alexa’s capabilities and access to personal information.

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