April Tech Headlines in under 5 mins!
Technology never ceases to amaze us. Every day, somewhere in the world, a scientist does something that may change how we perceive our environment. Every day, a technology company announces a new feature or application that could probably make our lives easier. The thing is that with so many changes in such a small timeframe, it is really hard to keep track. But that’s what we’re here for.
Each month we research and share the hottest technology and science news, in headlines. Let’s see what April 2024 had to offer.
Elon Musk in the firing line (of business) at Tesla
Following a recent restructuring effort, Tesla has made the decision to further optimize its operations. As part of this initiative, the company has announced the departure of several executives and members of its Supercharger team. Among those departing is Rebecca Tinucci, the senior director of EV charging, along with a significant portion of the team under her leadership. Additionally, Daniel Ho, the head of the new vehicles program, and his team will be moving on from the company. These adjustments supplement the recent 10 percent reduction in the global workforce. Elon Musk’s recent communication suggests that further changes may be on the horizon.
OpenAI and Microsoft are being sued by New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune and other major newspapers
Several prominent news organizations, including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, San Jose Mercury News, and others, have initiated legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement.
These publications, all under the ownership of hedge fund Alden Global Capital, contend that both OpenAI and Microsoft utilized their articles without proper compensation or authorization. Evidence presented by the plaintiffs includes excerpts from interactions with both ChatGPT and Copilot, demonstrating the reproduction of substantial portions of specific articles upon request, indicating that these articles were included in the training datasets. Furthermore, the plaintiffs provided screenshots of Copilot, which has the ability to search the web in real-time, reproducing entire news articles verbatim shortly after their publication, without providing proper attribution. Additionally, the companies allege that chatbots frequently attribute false information or misconceptions to the publications.
Google smelt it, Android dealt it
Exciting news from Google! In an upcoming update to the Google Phone app, users will have access to a fun new feature: Audio Emoji buttons on the Android dialer. Alongside five other sounds, including clapping, laughing, crying (resembling a somber trombone slide), partying, and a drum sting (ba-dum ts), there’s also a humorous addition — a fart sound represented by the “poop” emoji. During a call, users can easily access these Audio Emoji buttons by tapping the option in the dialer’s overflow menu or by locating a small flag positioned towards the bottom of the screen. It’s a playful addition to enhance communication experiences for both callers!
Instagram updates algorithm, choosing original content over reposts
Notably, aggregator accounts, known for sharing content without proper attribution, will be excluded from Instagram’s recommendations. This shift reflects the platform’s commitment to promoting authenticity and supporting smaller accounts. In a recent blog post, Instagram detailed several changes aimed at improving content recommendations. A key adjustment targets aggregators — accounts that repurpose others’ content without acknowledgment. While some aggregators may credit the original creator, many simply repost without attribution, diverting engagement from the content’s originator. These changes underscore Instagram’s dedication to fostering a creative environment and ensuring fair recognition for content creators across the platform.
We have already had a busy month tech-wise. And that’s why we love technology. Because every minute can bring a major breakthrough, every hour can bring something awesome into this world. How do you feel about science and technology? Would you like to work for a company where software development and technology are the words of the day every day?
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