Google CEO Sundar Pichai Addresses Biased Responses in Gemini AI Tool
Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledges biases in Gemini AI tool, vows comprehensive fixes and relaunch. 29 February 2024 – Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai recently addressed employees regarding the company’s efforts to rectify biases detected in its Gemini AI tool, acknowledging certain text and image responses as “biased” and “unacceptable.” The decision follows Google’s temporary...
Bitcoin Surges Past $60,000 as Market Optimism Soars: Insights and Implications
Bitcoin surpasses $60,000 fueled by institutional interest and market optimism, with Ethereum also hitting new highs, prompting anticipation of ETF approvals by U.S. regulators. 29 February 2024 – On Wednesday, Bitcoin soared above the $60,000 threshold for the first time in over two years, propelled by a surge of investment into new U.S. spot bitcoin exchange traded products. The cryptocurrency witnessed a remarkable 42% price...
Malaysia and Cambodia Strengthen Financial Cooperation with Cross-Border Payments Agreement
Malaysia and Cambodia strengthen financial ties with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), aiming to enhance cross-border payments and financial innovation, benefitting businesses and individuals in both countries. 28 February 2024 – Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) have formalized their commitment to enhance financial...
Honor Unveils Magic 6 Pro Smartphone with Eye-Tracking AI and AI-Enabled Laptop Ahead of Global Launch
Chinese tech company Honor launches its Magic 6 Pro smartphone globally, showcasing an experimental eye-tracking AI feature for remote car control, while also introducing its MagicBook Pro 16 laptop with AI-driven application transfer capabilities. The move comes ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, reflecting a broader industry trend toward leveraging generative AI to revitalize smartphone sales, despite potential legal...
Visa and GSMA Foundation Unveil DFA Initiative to Advance Digital Financial Inclusion Worldwide
Visa and the GSMA Foundation have launched the DFA Initiative, targeting enhanced digital financial inclusion for 20 million individuals in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on women, small holder farmers, small enterprises, and refugees. 27 February 2024 – Visa and the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation have joined forces to launch the Digital Finance for All (DFA) Initiative, aiming to enhance digital financial...
Apple Reinforces iMessage Encryption with PQ3 Protocol to Combat Future Quantum Computing Risks
Apple introduces PQ3 protocol to enhance iMessage encryption, anticipating potential threats from quantum computing breakthroughs. The upgrade reflects Apple’s commitment to proactive security measures and ensuring robust protection for user communications against future cyber threats. 23 February 2024 – Apple has announced an upgrade to its iMessage texting platform, introducing a new protocol called PQ3 to fortify its...
Google Enhances Advertising Product with Integration of Gemini AI Models, Pioneering Advanced Customer Experience
Google integrates Gemini AI models into its advertising product, enhancing capabilities for advertisers to generate longer headlines and create images featuring people, while emphasizing safety measures to prevent misuse of generative AI technology. This move reflects Google’s commitment to advancing customer experience and maintaining integrity in digital advertising. 23 February 2024 – Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet...
Capital One to Acquire Discover Financial Services in Landmark US$35.3 Billion Deal
Capital One’s $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services marks a strategic move to consolidate the US credit card industry, fostering competition and innovation. Under the leadership of CEO Richard Fairbank, the deal aims to establish a robust payments network to rival industry giants like Visa and Mastercard. 21 February 2024 – Capital One, a prominent US consumer lender, has announced its acquisition of...
Empowering Innovation: Google Unveils Gemma, Open AI Models for Developer Creativity
Google introduces Gemma, its latest open AI models, aiming to spur developer innovation while retaining control over usage terms. Optimized for Google Cloud and supported by Nvidia, Gemma offers developers opportunities for AI-driven innovation across platforms. 21 February 2024 – In a bid to foster innovation among developers, Google has introduced its latest line of artificial intelligence (AI) models, named Gemma, following a...
Amadeus Expands Technological Horizon with €320 Million Acquisition of Vision-Box for Face-Recognition Expertise
Amadeus, the Spanish travel booking group, is set to acquire Vision-Box, a Portugal-based face-recognition technology company, for €320 million ($346.7 million). Vision-Box specializes in providing face-recognition solutions for airports, airlines, and border control services. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to conclude in the first half of the year, marking a strategic move by Amadeus to enhance its...
TikTok Secures Majority Stake in Tokopedia in US$840 Million Deal, Signals Reentry into Indonesian E-commerce
TikTok completes an $840 million deal to acquire a 75.01% stake in Indonesia’s leading e-commerce platform, Tokopedia, allowing the Chinese social media giant to re-enter the country’s online shopping sector. The partnership with Indonesian tech conglomerate GoTo positions TikTok to integrate its TikTok Shop’s Indonesia operations into Tokopedia, marking a strategic move to navigate the challenges posed by the...
Neuralink Successfully Implants Brain Interface in First Human Patient, Elon Musk Announces
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s startup, has achieved a milestone by successfully implanting a brain implant in its first human patient, demonstrating progress toward the goal of allowing humans to control computers with their minds. Named Telepathy, the brain implant aims to enable device control through thought alone, initially targeting users who have lost limb functionality. The success follows FDA approval for Neuralink’s...
Mastercard Launches Biometric Authentication Service to Enhance Security and Streamline Digital Interactions
Mastercard has introduced the Mastercard Biometric Authentication Service, leveraging FIDO standards, to replace traditional authentication methods and enhance the security and convenience of digital interactions. The service integrates biometrics, such as fingerprint or face recognition, making account logins, account changes, and payment processes more seamless, supporting all card brands and various forms of payments. 25 January...
Chinese E-Commerce App Temu Surprises with Popularity Among Boomers and Gen X Shoppers in the US
Chinese e-commerce app Temu has gained unexpected popularity among Baby Boomers and Generation X shoppers in the US during its first full year of operation, according to research by Attain. The app’s diverse product mix, discounts, and gamified shopping experience make it appealing to a wider demographic, challenging its initial reputation as a platform primarily for younger consumers. 25 January 2024 – Contrary to its...
Myanmar Central Bank Launches Awareness Campaign to Tackle Mobile Payment Fraud
Myanmar’s Central Bank is intensifying efforts to combat mobile payment fraud by conducting awareness campaigns and establishing an action task force in collaboration with relevant ministries and financial organizations. The initiative aims to swiftly respond to reported fraud cases, protect consumers, and ensure the widespread use of mobile financial services in compliance with laws and regulations. 25 January 2024 –...
Equinix and Nvidia Unveil Partnership Empowering Corporates with Direct Access to Advanced AI Computing Systems
Equinix and Nvidia have joined forces to provide corporate clients direct access to Nvidia’s supercomputing systems, enabling companies to own and control their artificial intelligence computing infrastructure. The collaboration addresses growing privacy concerns by allowing businesses to purchase Nvidia systems and delegate the operational responsibilities to Equinix while retaining ownership, offering an alternative to renting...
Global E-Commerce Platforms Market Set to Reach USD 21.0 Billion by 2032
The E-Commerce Platforms market is poised for substantial growth, projected to reach USD 21.0 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 13.7% from its 2023 valuation of USD 6.8 billion. E-Commerce Platforms, empowering businesses for online retail operations, play a pivotal role in the global shift towards online shopping. The market is marked by continuous evolution, diverse solutions, and technological advancements, enhancing capabilities for...
Bitcoin Hits Seven-Week Low Below $40,000 Amid ETF Launch Fallout and Competition with Traditional Stocks
Bitcoin hit a seven-week low, dropping below $40,000 for the first time since the launch of 11 spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds on January 11. The decline, down 3.98%, coincided with the cryptocurrency market facing challenges competing with traditional stocks, as the S&P 500 index reached record highs. Analysts and market-watchers attribute the dip to a variety of factors, including the SEC’s approval of bitcoin ETFs,...
Global Video-Game Market Gears Up for Strong Recovery Driven by Xbox and PlayStation 5 Sales
Research firm NewZoo predicts a strong recovery in the global video-game market in 2024, with an anticipated 2.8% growth to $189.3 billion, following a marginal increase of 0.6% in the previous year. Sales of Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation 5 consoles are expected to be key drivers, and while live-service games have played a significant role in revenue, there are signs of a shift towards premium games. The industry...
AI Startup ElevenLabs Achieves Unicorn Status with $80 Million Series B Funding
ElevenLabs, the AI startup based in London, has achieved unicorn status with a $1.1 billion valuation following an $80 million Series B funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The two-year-old company specializes in AI-generated voices and plans to expand its workforce from 40 to 100 employees by the end of the year. With a growing customer base, including partnerships with Storytel and The Washington Post, ElevenLabs aims to...
