Google Parent Alphabet , to Lay Off 12,000 Workers.
NBC News reports that CEO Sundar Pichai made the announcement in a memo to employees on Jan.
20.
I have some difficult news to share.
We’ve decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles, Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via memo to employees .
This will mean saying goodbye to some incredibly talented people we worked hard to hire and have loved working with.
I’m deeply sorry for that, Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via memo to employees .
The fact that these changes will impact the lives of Googlers weighs heavily on me, and I take full responsibility for the decisions that led us here, Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via memo to employees .
Workers in the U.S. and around the world
are expected to be affected.
.
Reuters reports that the cuts account
for over 6% of Google's workforce.
.
Pichai referenced the difficult
"economic reality" that many other tech companies have cited amid their recent layoffs as well.
.
Over the past two years we’ve seen periods of dramatic growth.
To match and fuel that growth, we hired for a different economic reality than the one we face today, Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via memo to employees .
Just two days prior, Microsoft announced it would be letting go of 10,000 employees
Google to Settle Lawsuit by , Destroying Billions of Private Browsing Records.
In 2020, Google was sued by numerous
users who claimed that the tech giant
secretly tracked their internet use despite
browsing in Chrome's incognito mode.
The plaintiffs claim that this allowed
Google to be an "unaccountable trove
of information," 'The Guardian' reports.
To settle the lawsuit, Google has agreed
to destroy billions of private records.
The company will also update
its "private" browsing disclosures. .
Additionally, incognito users will be
able to "block third-party cookies for
five years," 'The Guardian' reports.
The result is that Google will
collect less data from users’ private
browsing sessions, and that Google
will make less money from the data, Plaintiffs' lawyer, via 'The Guardian'.
While Google supports the settlement, it
does not agree with the "legal and factual characterizations" put forth by the plaintiffs.
We are limited in how strongly we
can market Incognito because it’s
not truly private, thus requiring
really fuzzy, hedging language
that is almost more damaging. , Google’s chief marketing officer, Lorraine Twohill,
wrote to the CEO, Sundar Pichai, in 2019, via 'The Guardian'.
A lawyer for the plaintiffs called
the agreement "a historic step in
requiring honesty and accountability
from dominant technology companies.".
While plaintiffs will not receive damages as part of this settlement, they could still sue individually to be monetarily compensated.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Google ‘Working Around the Clock’ , to Fix Gemini AI , as CEO Calls Responses ‘Unacceptable’.
On Feb. 27, Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent
a note to employees saying that some of
its AI tool's responses were "biased" and "completely unacceptable," Reuters reports. .
On Feb. 27, Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent
a note to employees saying that some of
its AI tool's responses were "biased" and "completely unacceptable," Reuters reports. .
Our teams have been working around
the clock to address these issues. , Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via note to employees.
We're already seeing a substantial
improvement on a wide
range of prompts... , Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via note to employees.
And we'll review what happened
and make sure we fix it at scale, Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, via note to employees.
Gemini was paused on Feb. 22 after
"offering inaccuracies in some historical
image generation depictions," Google said.
Some of those inaccuracies included
racially diverse Nazis, The Verge reports. .
Three weeks ago, we launched a new
image generation feature for the
Gemini conversational app (formerly
known as Bard), which included the
ability to create images of people. It’s
clear that this feature missed the mark. , Prabhakar Raghavan, senior vice president of
Google's Knowledge & Information, via blog post.
Some of the images generated are
inaccurate or even offensive. We’re
grateful for users’ feedback and are
sorry the feature didn't work well, Prabhakar Raghavan, senior vice president of
Google's Knowledge & Information, via blog post.
Gemini will reportedly be
relaunched in the coming weeks
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Google has unveiled a new Doodle to commemorate the start of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which began in India on Friday. The Google Doodle, which replaces the.. IndiaTimes
Google Fires Employees , for Protesting Israel Contract.
28 Google workers have been fired for protesting
a $1.2 billion contract that the company has with
the Israeli government and military to provide
cloud and AI services, NBC News reports. .
The firings follow an April 16 sit-in at
Google's offices in California, New York and Seattle in which nine workers were arrested.
The group that coordinated the demonstration
is known as No Tech for Apartheid. .
Google issued a statement about the recent firings.
A small number of employee
protesters entered and disrupted
a few of our locations. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
Physically impeding other employees’
work and preventing them from
accessing our facilities is a clear
violation of our policies, and
completely unacceptable behavior. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
We have so far concluded
individual investigations that
resulted in the termination of
employment for 28 employees,
and will continue to investigate
and take action as needed, Google spokesperson, via statement.
No Tech for Apartheid claims that the
workers were fired "indiscriminately.".
This excuse to avoid confronting
us and our concerns directly,
and attempt to justify its illegal,
retaliatory firings, is a lie, No Tech for Apartheid, via statement.
Meanwhile, many of Google's workers have
reportedly quit after experiencing "mental health consequences of working at a company that is using their labor to enable a genocide," No Tech for Apartheid said.
On a personal level, I am opposed
to Google taking any military
contracts — no matter which
government they’re with or what
exactly the contract is about. , Cheyne Anderson, a Google Cloud software engineer based
in Washington who was arrested during a sit-in, to CNBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The solar eclipse in North America sparked excitement, but post-event, reports of eye pain surged. Google searches for "Eyes Hurt" peaked, revealing concerns over inadequate eye protection during the eclipse. NASA's warning to use certified sunglasses went unheeded, with counterfeit glasses flooding the market. Solar retinopathy, resulting from direct eclipse viewing, poses severe risks.
#SolarEclipse #NASA #SolarRetinopathy #SoclarEclipse2024 #TotalSolarEclipse #USnews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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Apple May Be Ready , to Support RCS by Fall.
On March 29, Google briefly highlighted
a part of the Google Messages page stating
that Apple is preparing to roll out Rich Communication Services (RCS) support this fall.
On March 29, Google briefly highlighted
a part of the Google Messages page stating
that Apple is preparing to roll out Rich Communication Services (RCS) support this fall.
Some of the page's sections read,
"coming soon on iOS" and
"better messaging for all,"
TechCrunch reports.
Apple has announced it will be adopting
RCS in the fall of 2024. Once that
happens, it will mean a better
messaging experience for everyone, Via Google page description.
Apple confirmed that it was developing
RCS support last November.
While RCS will not eliminate the
"green bubble-blue bubble" differentiation between Android and iPhone users.
it will allow Android users to send iPhone users
hi-res media within their native messaging app.
New RCS features, such as Photomoji, improved voice note audio quality and more, were announced by Google last year.
According to the tech giant,
1 billion people use RCS each month.
The news of Apple's upcoming RCS support comes as the company is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged monopolistic practices, TechCrunch reports.
The lawsuit mentions
"green bubbles" as a user security issue
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Tesla to Lay Off , Over 10% of Global Workforce.
In a memo obtained by Electrek, CEO
Elon Musk announced that at least 14,000 roles will be cut, 'The Guardian' reports. .
In a memo obtained by Electrek, CEO
Elon Musk announced that at least 14,000 roles will be cut, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Musk attributed some of the layoffs to
the fact that there had "been duplication
of roles and job functions in certain areas" amid periods of rapid growth.
Musk attributed some of the layoffs to
the fact that there had "been duplication
of roles and job functions in certain areas" amid periods of rapid growth.
As we prepare the company for our
next phase of growth, it is extremely
important to look at every aspect of
the company for cost reductions
and increasing productivity, Elon Musk, via internal memo.
As part of this effort, we have
done a thorough review of the
organization and made the difficult
decision to reduce our headcount
by more than 10% globally, Elon Musk, via internal memo.
There is nothing I hate more, but it
must be done. This will enable us
to be lean, innovative and hungry
for the next growth phase cycle, Elon Musk, via internal memo.
I would like to thank everyone
who is departing Tesla for their
hard work over the years, Elon Musk, via internal memo.
As of December 2023,
Tesla employed 140,473 people. .
Company shares dropped by over 1%
in premarket trading on April 15. .
Meanwhile, it was also reported on April 15 that BP is laying off over a tenth of its Pulse unit which deals with electric vehicle charging.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The UAE's national security adviser,
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the
current chairman of G42's board of directors. .
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
G42, which runs data centers in the Middle East
and elsewhere, has built the world's leading
Arabic-language AI model, Jais. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
The deal will also look to bring digital infrastructure
to regions that G42 has already established
a presence, including the Middle East and Africa.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
Prior to Microsoft's investment, the company
reportedly faced allegations of spying for its
connection to a mobile phone app identified as spyware.
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government. .
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Government Emails With Microsoft , Were Stolen by Russian Hackers.
On April 11, American officials confirmed
that emails sent between Microsoft and
U.S. government agencies have been
stolen by Russian hackers, CNN reports. .
According to Eric Goldstein, a senior
official at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), .
those emails may have included login information like usernames and passwords.
At this time, we are not aware of any
agency production environments that
have experienced a compromise as
a result of a credential exposure. , Eric Goldstein, a senior official at the U.S. Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), via CNN.
Even though there is currently no evidence that the stolen credentials have been used to compromise federal computer systems, .
CISA described the occurrence as an "unacceptable risk to agencies.".
As a result, the agency released an "emergency directive" on April 11 ordering those potentially affected by the hack to bolster their defenses. .
The hack was first revealed by
Microsoft in January, but it has gotten more serious as new details continue to emerge.
CNN reports that the U.S. has
previously linked the hackers in question
to Russia's foreign intelligence service. .
A Microsoft spokesperson
issued a statement on April 11.
As we shared in our March 8 blog,
as we discover secrets in our
exfiltrated email, we are working
with our customers to help them
investigate and mitigate, Microsoft spokesperson, via CNN.
This includes working with CISA on
an emergency directive to provide
guidance to government agencies, Microsoft spokesperson, via CNN
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
NYC’s AI Chatbot Has Been , Telling Businesses to Break the Law.
New York City's AI chatbot was created to help small business owners, but it's been dispensing concerning advice, AP reports. .
For example, many small business owners have
been given inaccurate information about local policies or been encouraged to break the law.
However, the city is not removing
the chatbot from its official website.
Instead, it has provided a disclaimer stating that the chatbot may "occasionally produce incorrect, harmful or biased" information.
Critics say that the situation highlights
the dangers of AI being used by
governments without proper guardrails.
They’re rolling out software that
is unproven without oversight, Julia Stoyanovich, computer science professor
and director of the Center for Responsible AI
at New York University, via statement.
It’s clear they have no intention
of doing what’s responsible, Julia Stoyanovich, computer science professor
and director of the Center for Responsible AI
at New York University, via statement.
There’s a different level of trust that’s
given to government. Public officials need
to consider what kind of damage they can
do if someone was to follow this advice
and get themselves in trouble, Jevin West, a professor at the University of Washington and
co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public, via statement.
Microsoft, which powers the chatbot, said it
is working with the city "to improve the service
and ensure the outputs are accurate and
grounded on the city’s official documentation.".
On April 2, Mayor Eric Adams said that
letting users find issues with the chatbot is just part of sorting out the new technology.
Anyone that knows technology knows this
is how it’s done. Only those who are fearful
sit down and say, ‘Oh, it is not working the
way we want, now we have to run away from
it all together.’ I don’t live that way, Mayor Eric Adams, via statement.
Julia Stoyanovich, a computer science professor and director of the Center for Responsible AI at New York University, referred to Adams' approach as "reckless and irresponsible," AP reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
OpenAI and Microsoft Make Plans , for $100 Billion Data Center.
According to The Information, the two companies are planning to build a data center that would house an AI supercomputer
called "Stargate," Reuters reports.
According to The Information, the two companies are planning to build a data center that would house an AI supercomputer
called "Stargate," Reuters reports.
The project, which could cost $100 billion or more, is reportedly set to launch in 2028.
The tentative cost is roughly 100 times
more expensive than some of the
biggest data centers that exist today. .
Demand for AI data centers has increased due to
the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence technology, Reuters reports. .
This is because traditional data
centers aren't as capable of handling
the advanced tasks that AI requires. .
Several supercomputers
would be built across five phases.
"Stargate" would be launched in the fifth phase, while a smaller supercomputer would be launched
in the fourth phase, tentatively around 2026.
Microsoft and OpenAI are reportedly
in the third phase currently.
We are always planning for
the next generation of infrastructure
innovations needed to continue
pushing the frontier of AI capability, Microsoft spokesperson, to Reuters .
The cost for the next two phases largely revolves around acquiring expensive AI chips.
In March, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said
that the newest "Blackwell" B200 AI chip
will cost between $30,000 and $40,000
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Catch the exclusive highlights of the conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates. Explore the key topics discussed and insights shared by these influential figures on critical issues shaping our world today. Don't miss this insightful dialogue between two global leaders.
#NarendraModi #BillGates #ModiGates #NarendraModiBillGates #ArtificialIntelligence #TechnologyinIndia #PMModi #PMModiBillGatesConversation #Microsoft #Oneindia
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