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Musk says inactive Twitter accounts being purged

Elon Musk announced that Twitter is cancelling inactive accounts, aiming to boost engagement and monetization. The move follows Musk’s efforts to make changes to the platform, including eliminating staff and free verification check marks, which have faced criticism from users and advertisers. Revenues have declined as advertisers shy away from Twitter, while Musk has relaxed content moderation since acquiring the company.

AI could replace 80% of jobs ‘in next few years’: expert

US-Brazilian researcher Ben Goertzel, an AI expert, believes that artificial intelligence with human cognitive abilities is just years away. He opposes calls to pause AI research, citing the limitations of current AI systems. He sees the potential for AI to replace 80 per cent of jobs as a benefit, allowing people to pursue more fulfilling activities. However, he acknowledges the social challenges that may arise during the transition period. Goertzel also highlights the positive impact of robots in areas like healthcare and education, emphasizing the need for participatory governance and ethical considerations in AI development.

Microsoft expands AI access to public

Microsoft has opened public access to its generative artificial intelligence programs, despite concerns over dangerous technology. The AI-enhanced Bing and Edge services can now work with images, as well as text, with the intention to add video. The move comes amid concerns over the potential for fraud and deep-fake videos, and just months after experts urged a pause in the development of powerful AI systems. However, Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi said the company’s AI principles include working to prevent the promotion of harmful or discriminatory content.

US regulator targets AI ahead of White House confab

US regulators warn about the risks of artificial intelligence ahead of a White House meeting with tech companies. The lack of rules has given Silicon Valley the freedom to put out new products rapidly, raising concerns that AI technologies will wreak havoc on society before the government can catch up. The risks from AI include it being used to “turbocharge” fraud with voice clones, deep-fake videos, and convincing written messages.

IBM halts hiring for roles that could be replaced by AI: Bloomberg

IBM plans to halt hiring for roles that could be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the near future, potentially leading to a 30% workforce reduction in back-office functions within five years. As one of the largest workforce strategies announced in response to advancing technology, IBM will automate tasks such as employment verification letters and moving employees between departments. In Singapore, concerns have been raised about the impact of AI on the country’s workforce, with opposition parties questioning the creation of new jobs and the preparedness of the education system to cope with rapid changes brought about by AI.

Dyson plans new battery plant in Singapore

Dyson has announced plans to open a new battery manufacturing plant in Singapore and research and development centres in the UK and the Philippines. The new plant, covering 53 basketball courts, is set to be operational by 2025, while the research teams will work on AI, software development, robotics, and battery technology. The new investments form part of the company’s five-year, £2.75bn (US$3.4bn) plan, which will boost its research and development capabilities. Dyson began working on batteries more than a decade ago, with the aim of developing sustainable and energy-dense batteries.

Chee Soon Juan urged Singaporeans to deal with the AI advancements, find courage to reform the society

Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), issued a warning about the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their impact on Singaporean society. He expressed concern that the current education system fails to prepare children for a fundamentally changed and unrecognizable world. Dr Chee highlighted the possibility of entire professions being altered or disappearing due to AI. He criticized the lack of changes in the education system and accused the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) of “dumbing down” Singaporeans. Despite the bleak future, he remained hopeful that Singaporeans would find the courage to initiate change and reform. Dr Chee also invited the public to his restaurant, Orange and Teal, to foster intelligent discussions and intense debates.

Meta surges as earnings beat expectations after belt tightening

Shares of Meta (formerly Facebook) surged after it reported a Q1 profit of US$5.7bn, beating forecasts after cost-cutting measures. The number of monthly Facebook users grew to just under three billion, while the number of ads increased 26% YoY. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that AI was driving good results and that the company would release a new model of its Quest virtual reality headset later this year. Despite the positive news, Meta’s Reality Labs, which underpins its metaverse ambitions, reported an operating loss of nearly US$4bn.

Why are the US and China fighting over chips?

The US has blocked China’s access to advanced semiconductors, citing national security. Semiconductors are crucial to the development of advanced technology and weapons, making them a key target. Chinese chip companies stockpiled components ahead of the US export controls, but the sanctions have started to hurt, drying up China’s talent pool and forcing companies to slash jobs and freeze expansion plans. China has reacted with defiance and vowed to accelerate its efforts to become self-reliant on semiconductors, but experts say it may take much longer to achieve its goal in the face of such curbs.

Musk says he is out to create ‘truth-seeking’ AI

Elon Musk has announced plans to create “TruthGPT,” an absolute truth-seeking AI to counter Microsoft and Google’s efforts in artificial intelligence. He expressed concerns that OpenAI’s ChatGPT bot was being taught to be politically correct and revealed his worry that AI has “the potential of civilizational destruction.” Musk formed X.AI, an artificial intelligence corporation, and merged Twitter with a newly created “X” shell company. He joined experts in signing an open letter calling for a hiatus in the development of AI technology.