☢️ Humans, not AI, to oversee nukes

Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here 🤖

What’s happening:

• ☢️ US-China accord: Humans, not AI, to oversee nukes

• 💸 AI spending to hit $250B in 2024

• 🛠️ Brendan Carr named F.C.C. chairman to target Big Tech

• 🚀 European space capsule startup raises $160M to rival SpaceX

• 🔞 Social media age ban struggles with verification plan

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

☢️ US-China accord: Humans, not AI, to oversee nukes ↗️LINK

• What: Presidents Biden and Xi agreed that human control should govern nuclear weapon use, not AI. Both leaders also emphasized the need for responsible AI development in military contexts.

• Why: The statement marks progress in two contentious areas—nuclear arms and AI—where discussions have been minimal. It reflects U.S. concerns over China’s rapid nuclear build-up and a shared understanding of AI’s risks in military applications.

• Impact: While no immediate action is expected, this agreement sets a precedent for potential talks on nuclear arms and AI. It underscores growing urgency for international norms as China's nuclear arsenal approaches 1,000 warheads by 2030, challenging global stability.

💸 AI spending to hit $250B in 2024 ↗️LINK

• What: Big Tech, led by Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta, is on track to spend over $250 billion in 2024, with AI infrastructure dominating expenditures. In Q3 alone, they collectively spent $170 billion, a 56% YoY increase.

• Why: Soaring demand for AI capabilities drives this spending, with firms investing heavily to meet the needs of cloud services, generative AI, and custom accelerators. Microsoft anticipates over $10 billion in AI revenue, and AWS sees triple-digit growth in its AI business.

• Impact: The AI spending surge underscores Big Tech’s dominance in shaping AI’s future, boosting demand for GPUs and cloud capacity. As the industry scales up, these investments set the stage for transformative advancements and billion-dollar revenue streams.

🛠️ Brendan Carr named F.C.C. chairman to target Big Tech ↗️LINK

• What: President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brendan Carr as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.). Carr, a current commissioner, has pledged to combat alleged censorship by Big Tech and punish TV networks for perceived political bias.

• Why: Carr aims to reshape the F.C.C.’s role, expanding its oversight to include tech giants like Meta and Google, despite legal limitations. He plans to deregulate, promote free speech, and support rural internet expansion. Critics argue he may overstep the agency’s jurisdiction.

• Impact: If successful, Carr could increase scrutiny on media and tech companies, potentially setting up legal battles with Silicon Valley. His alignment with Elon Musk and deregulatory stance could shift U.S. communication policy, but legislative and judicial hurdles remain significant.

🚀 European space capsule startup raises $160M to rival SpaceX ↗️LINK

• What: The Exploration Company raised $160 million in a Series B round to develop Nyx, Europe’s first reusable space capsule capable of carrying 3,000 kg to and from the ISS. The funding, led by Balderton Capital and Plural, brings the company’s total investment to over $208 million.

• Why: With U.S.-based companies currently dominating ISS cargo delivery, The Exploration Company aims to foster European autonomy in space transportation. Unlike SpaceX, which relied on NASA funding, Nyx is primarily backed by private investors.

• Impact: The funding supports a 2028 target for Nyx’s ISS debut, with strong backing from private partners and the ESA’s $27 million contract for cargo return services. The project reflects Europe’s push to develop competitive space technology, creating new commercial and governmental opportunities.

🔞 Social media age ban struggles with verification plan ↗️LINK

• What: The Australian government is pushing legislation to ban under-16s from major social media platforms, aiming for a law by Christmas and implementation by late 2024. However, it has yet to clarify how age verification will work, mentioning evolving technologies like “blind tokens” or third-party verification.

• Why: The proposal seeks to address concerns about the harmful impact of social media on young users. Critics argue that platforms like Snapchat should not be exempted, while debates over implementation and scope remain unresolved.

• Impact: With bipartisan support, the government faces pressure to act swiftly, but gaps in planning, including verification mechanisms, threaten its viability. The outcome could reshape online safety measures for young Australians while challenging tech platforms to meet stricter criteria.

Today’s Poll:

Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Poll Result:

Musk’s Monopoly Lawsuit: Necessary or Overblown?

• A) Necessary – It highlights critical competition issues - 54% 👑

• B) Overblown – It’s just a personal feud - 46%

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