🤑 OpenAI defines AGI by profit, not tech

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Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here:

☀️ On this day: On December 27, 1996, Blizzard Entertainment released the original Diablo game, a groundbreaking action role-playing game that set the standard for the genre and spawned a successful franchise.

What’s happening:

• 🤑 OpenAI and Microsoft define AGI by profit, not tech

• ⚠️ Study links smart watch bands to toxic chemicals

• 🚫 AI blocks risky New Year’s bookings on Airbnb

• 🚀 DeepSeek-V3 raises open-source AI standards

• 🍎 Apple nears historic $4 trillion valuation

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

🤑 OpenAI and Microsoft define AGI by profit, not tech ↗️LINK

• What: Leaked documents show OpenAI and Microsoft define AGI (artificial general intelligence) as achieving $100 billion in profits. This profit-focused definition also dictates that Microsoft loses access to OpenAI’s technology upon reaching this milestone.

• Why: The arrangement incentivizes Microsoft’s $13B+ investment in OpenAI while limiting its dominance after AGI. However, OpenAI’s restructuring into a for-profit entity and need for new investors complicates the partnership, as both companies increasingly pursue competing AI tools.

• Impact: OpenAI is years from meeting the AGI profit target, prolonging Microsoft’s access. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s pivot could end its exclusivity with Microsoft, realigning AI power dynamics and intensifying competition.

⚠️ Study links smart watch bands to toxic chemicals ↗️LINK

• What: A study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that many smart watch bands made of fluoroelastomers contain high levels of PFHxA, a toxic PFAS “forever chemical.” These substances resist breakdown and pose health risks, including cancer and infertility.

• Why: PFHxA can enter the body via skin contact, and exercise with these bands may increase absorption due to sweat and open pores. While unnecessary for watch band functionality, PFAS are often used for durability and resistance to wear.

• Impact: Consumers can choose PFAS-free alternatives to reduce exposure risks. The findings highlight the broader issue of “regrettable substitution,” where banned chemicals are replaced with similar, unregulated compounds.

🚫 AI blocks risky New Year’s bookings on Airbnb ↗️LINK

• What: Airbnb is deploying AI-powered "anti-party defenses" to block high-risk New Year’s Eve bookings of entire homes, aiming to prevent disruptive parties. The system targets one- to three-night reservations based on factors like booking timing and distance.

• Why: To support hosts and communities, Airbnb seeks to reduce unauthorized gatherings that can disturb neighborhoods. This aligns with global efforts to regulate short-term rentals and curb "party houses" through local laws and ordinances.

• Impact: Last year, 74,000 potential party bookings were blocked globally, including 730 in Atlanta. The AI ensures safer holiday celebrations while reinforcing Airbnb’s commitment to responsible hosting.

🚀 DeepSeek-V3 raises open-source AI standards ↗️LINK

• What: DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, launched DeepSeek-V3, a 671B parameter open-source model that uses a mixture-of-experts (MoE) architecture for efficient task performance. It outperforms Meta’s Llama-3.1-405B and Qwen 2.5-72B and even competes closely with top closed models like GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet.

• Why: With innovations like load-balancing, multi-token prediction, and cost-efficient FP8 mixed precision training, DeepSeek aims to advance AI toward AGI capabilities while maintaining economical development.

• Impact: The release highlights open-source AI's rapid progress, providing robust alternatives to closed-source models and fostering competition. Enterprises can access the model via DeepSeek Chat or API at competitive rates, signaling a democratized AI landscape.

🍎 Apple nears historic $4 trillion valuation

• What: Apple is close to becoming the first company valued at $4 trillion, with its stock jumping 16% since November, adding $500 billion to its market cap.

• Why: Investors are optimistic about Apple’s AI enhancements, which aim to reinvigorate iPhone sales and position the company ahead of rivals Nvidia and Microsoft in reaching this milestone.

• Impact: If achieved, the $4 trillion valuation would solidify Apple’s dominance in the tech sector, reflecting growing confidence in its ability to harness AI for growth despite challenges in its core product lines.

Today’s Poll:

Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Poll Result:

Are you concerned about ethical issues with AI use in education?

• A) Yes – Over-reliance and tracking are valid concerns - 53% 🏆

• B) No – The benefits outweigh potential risks - 47%

Voter’s opinion:

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