TechSlice 2023-10-16

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BIG TECH & STARTUPS

Google has sent internet into ‘spiral of decline’ (4 minute read)

Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of Google's DeepMind, criticized Google's business model for causing a decline in internet quality, with clickbait and excessive advertising. Suleyman has since left Google to create Inflection AI, focusing on conversational chatbots. He and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt plan to propose an International Panel on AI Safety, similar to the IPCC for climate change, to address AI threats at a UK summit addressing frontier AI challenges.

iPhone 16 Pro Rumor Recap: Larger Displays, Capture Button, 5G Advanced (2 minute read)

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, slated for a September 2024 release, are anticipated to include larger displays, with respective sizes of 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches. They may feature a new "Capture Button" that could function as a dedicated camera shutter button. Other improvements include a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, Wi-Fi 7 support, the A18 Pro chip, enhanced 5G connectivity with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X75 modem, and the expansion of the 5x optical zoom to both models.

Caltech ends its Wi-Fi lawsuit against Apple and Broadcom (1 minute read)

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is dropping its lawsuit against Apple and Broadcom over Wi-Fi patents, shortly after a "potential settlement." Caltech has requested that all claims be dismissed "with prejudice," and this decision follows the institute's earlier settlement with Samsung and ongoing patent cases against Microsoft, Dell, and HP.

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SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

Restoring nerve-muscle connections boosts strength of aging mice (5 minute read)

A recent study at Stanford University School of Medicine found that in older mice, re-establishing connections between nerves and muscles substantially enhanced muscle strength and function. This exciting discovery opens the door to potential interventions that could help combat muscle decline related to aging in humans.

When Physics Powers AI: A Paradigm Shift in Generative Models (5 minute read)

Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have unveiled a groundbreaking AI model called the "Poisson Flow Generative Model ++" (PFGM++). This cutting-edge model creatively combines the concepts of diffusion and Poisson Flow, resulting in a powerful tool that generates highly realistic images and patterns, exceeding the capabilities of existing models. PFGM++ is set to revolutionize various applications, from generating biological sequences to creating audio and graphs. This achievement demonstrates the potential of interdisciplinary collaborations between physicists and computer scientists in advancing the field of artificial intelligence.

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PROGRAMMING, DESIGN & DATA SCIENCE

Trying out C++ 20's modules with Clang and Make (3 minute read)

Header files, a relic from the past, are no longer necessary in modern programming languages. C++20's modules aim to replace header files and enhance productivity by eliminating the need for code duplication and managing include guards. However, there are some quirks like the coexistence of modules and namespaces, and the standard library's lack of module support, which is expected to improve over time.

C# Challenges Java in Programming Language Popularity (2 minute read)

C++ is giving Java a run for its money in terms of programming language popularity, indicating a shift in the developer community. While Java has long held the top spot, C++ is gaining traction thanks to its efficiency and performance benefits, especially in domains like game development and embedded systems.

HTTP/2 rapid reset flaw exposes web traffic to potential attacks (2 minute read)

A vulnerability in HTTP/2, the widely used web protocol, poses security risks by allowing attackers to perform malicious attacks on web traffic, potentially exposing sensitive data. Researchers have discovered that this vulnerability can lead to slow or broken connections, requiring timely fixes to ensure secure web communication.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Hitting the Books: Voice-controlled AI copilots could lead to safer flights (8 minute read)

Voice technology, driven by artificial intelligence, is poised to revolutionize the aviation industry, offering improved safety and communication in aircraft cockpits. By allowing pilots to interact with the aircraft through voice commands and enhancing the aircraft's ability to communicate its status to pilots, voice interfaces can reduce errors, streamline navigation, and even detect pilot stress levels to improve safety.

4.3 Billion People Now Own Smartphones (3 minute read)

The 2023 Mobile Internet Connectivity Report by GSMA reveals a global increase in smartphone ownership, driven by lower device prices and improved mobile internet access, with 4.6 billion mobile internet users worldwide. However, a digital divide remains, impacting around 3.4 billion people due to factors like affordability, infrastructure limitations, and digital skills gaps.

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QUICK LINKS

You can now buy a Ferrari with crypto in the US (1 minute read)

Ferrari is teaming up with BitPay to allow cryptocurrency payments for their luxury cars in the US, with plans to expand to Europe in 2024. There won't be any extra fees for crypto payments, and BitPay will handle the currency conversion to dodge price volatility. Ferrari says this move aligns with its sustainability goals as cryptocurrencies work on becoming more eco-friendly.

Prompt-injection attacks: A new challenge for OpenAI’s GPT-4V (2 minute read)

OpenAI's GPT-4V represents a groundbreaking advancement in visual AI, bringing a touch of artistry to algorithms. This impressive leap empowers the model to interpret and create visual content, offering exciting possibilities across multiple sectors, from crafting compelling art to crunching data with a creative flair.

How roboticists are thinking about generative AI (7 minute read)

Roboticists are diving deep into the world of generative AI, bringing a wave of fresh creativity and adaptability to our mechanical companions. These cutting-edge efforts are poised to revolutionize the field of robotics, pushing the boundaries of what these robots can do and express.

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