TechSlice 2023-10-20

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BIG TECH & STARTUPS

Netflix confirms it is increasing subscription prices (3 minute read)

Netflix has officially confirmed a price increase for its Basic and Premium plans in the US, UK, and France. Subscribers on the Basic plan will now pay $11.99, marking a $2 increase, while the Premium tier rises from $19.99 to $22.99. This latest hike reflects Netflix's strategy of raising prices occasionally as it delivers more value to its members, even though it has increased its Premium tier by 91.7% since 2015.

Nokia to axe up to 14,000 jobs to cut costs (3 minute read)

Nokia plans to cut between 9,000 and 14,000 jobs by the end of 2026 to reduce costs following a 20% drop in sales, primarily due to slowing demand for 5G equipment, especially in North America. The company aims to save €800 million to €1.2 billion (£695 million to £1 billion) by 2026 amid high inflation, interest rates, and market uncertainty.

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SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Has a Major Cassandra Problem (6 minute read)

The use of AI in medicine raises a critical issue often overlooked – while achieving high prediction accuracy is essential, it's not sufficient for improved patient outcomes. This is demonstrated through a study where an AI model effectively predicted venous thromboembolism in hospitalized children. However, despite its accuracy, the model didn't lead to better outcomes as anticipated, highlighting the importance of not only accurate predictions but also the ability to affect real-world decisions and actions.

Scientists propose super-bright light sources powered by quasiparticles (2 minute read)

Scientists are getting creative by using quasiparticles, these electron-coordinated mavericks, to make super-bright and compact light sources. These could revolutionize things like virus scanning, chip making, and studying the cosmos, offering a more practical alternative to bulky light sources.

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PROGRAMMING, DESIGN & DATA SCIENCE

Load Balancing 2.0: What’s Changed After 7 Years? (12 minute read)

Backblaze efficiently maintains over 99.9% success across two billion daily data transactions, thanks to their custom load balancing approach using DSR (Direct Server Response). This technique ensures optimized resource utilization and reliability while minimizing disruptions, making it an essential system appreciated by tech experts and SREs.

Adobe Shows Off Dress That Can Change Its Pattern on the Fly (2 minute read)

Adobe's "Project Primrose" has introduced an innovative "digital dress" modelled by researcher Christine Dierk. The dress is adorned with "smart sequins" made from reflective light-diffuser modules, creating an interactive fashion statement. With the ability to change patterns and even respond to movement, this tech-infused couture represents a leap forward in blending technology and fashion.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Peter Thiel was an FBI informant (9 minute read)

In a surprising development, billionaire Peter Thiel served as a confidential human source (CHS) for the FBI in 2021, assisting with investigations into political corruption and foreign influence campaigns, according to sources. This revelation raises questions about Thiel's role as a prominent Trump supporter and his collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

New York sues crypto firms for losing over $1 billion (2 minute read)

New York's Attorney General is leveling up in the crypto arena, suing Gemini, Genesis, and Digital Currency Group, claiming they rolled a critical fail on honesty. They're alleged to have misled over 230,000 investors, resulting in losses exceeding $1 billion, leaving them in dire need of a Wisdom saving throw.

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QUICK LINKS

The Case Against AI Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (5 minute read)

Kicking things off, the author, with a tech-savvy perspective, delves into the concerns surrounding a handful of tech giants molding "Authoritarian Intelligence" through their AI initiatives. They emphasize the need for protective measures and accountability to steer AI development in a way that aligns with human values and fosters diverse innovation.

OpenAI is opening up DALL-E 3 access (1 minute read)

OpenAI is rolling out its advanced text-to-image generator, DALL-E 3, to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise users, enhancing ChatGPT's capabilities. Microsoft was the first to provide public access to DALL-E 3, integrating it with Bing Chat and Bing Image Generator. OpenAI is addressing potential concerns about inappropriate content and plagiarism by implementing improved safety measures and tools like a "provenance classifier" to enhance accuracy and detection.

FCC greenlights superfast Wi-Fi tethering for AR and VR headsets (2 minute read)

The FCC greenlit tech companies to tap into the 6GHz band for wireless devices, expanding possibilities for in-car connections and mobile AR/VR devices. Leading tech firms like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Meta, who lobbied for this access in 2019, stand to benefit in projects like AR glasses, increasing connectivity possibilities for future innovations.

British Museum is digitizing its entire collection in response to recent thefts (2 minute read)

The British Museum is embarking on a massive digitization project, aiming to make its eight million-piece permanent collection accessible online, following a major theft earlier this year. This endeavor, estimated to take over five years and $12.1 million to complete, will provide virtual access to the museum's treasures and may serve as a response to repatriation requests by providing digital access even for those who cannot visit in person, although the museum intends to fundraise for this effort without relying on government assistance.

The average American's net worth is at an all-time high. Here's how it breaks down by generation (3 minute read)

Amid the pandemic, the average American's net worth surged by 37%, propelled by government stimulus efforts, rising home and stock prices, and low-interest rates, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances. The most significant gains were observed among Americans under 35, often referred to as younger millennials and Gen Z, who witnessed a 143% rise, although they still possess smaller net worth than other age groups, which the Fed attributed to investments and increased home ownership.

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