Innovation/ Technology

Amazon.com is stepping into the race for AI talent, launching a bold initiative named "AI Ready" to train millions of individuals in artificial intelligence skills. With an ambitious goal of educating at least two million people by 2025, the program aims to bridge the talent gap in AI expertise, an area where Amazon seeks to catch up with competitors like Microsoft and Google. The initiative, offering free online courses, focuses on a range of basic to advanced AI skills, notably generative AI, the technology powering language-based models such as ChatGPT. Amazon's aim is to prepare individuals for both technical and tech-adjacent roles, catering to beginners and experienced professionals alike. These courses are designed to equip workers with the essential skills demanded by the e...

Xiaomi's inaugural electric vehicle, the SU7 (Speed Ultra 7), has received approval from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, signaling an imminent debut. The SU7 series includes three variants: SU7, SU7 Pro, and SU7 Max. The SU7 model features a single motor with 220kW (295hp) peak power, LPT batteries from FinDreams (BYD's battery arm), and optional LiDAR for driver assistance. The SU7 Pro and SU7 Max boast dual motors, 220kW (295hp), and 275kW (386hp) respectively, with Li-ion ternary batteries from CATL. The series is slated for mass production in December 2023, with deliveries expected to start in February 2024, and a rumored starting price of 149,000 Yuan (~$20,500). The design, created by the main designer of BMW iX, features a sporty aest...

OpenAI's board has removed CEO Sam Altman from his position, citing a lack of confidence due to inconsistencies in communications. The decision comes after a thorough review process, with the board expressing the view that Altman's communication hindered its ability to fulfill responsibilities. Altman, who oversaw the development of the ChatGPT platform, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence program, confirmed his departure on social media. In a statement, the board announced that Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati would serve as the interim CEO. The board emphasized its commitment to OpenAI's mission and expressed gratitude for Altman's contributions while signaling the need for new leadership. "I loved my time at OpenAI. It was transformative for me personally, and ...

In a significant move affirming Toyota's commitment to electric vehicles, battery recycling startup Redwood Materials, led by Tesla cofounder JB Straubel, has announced an expanded agreement with the Japanese automaker. This deal allows Redwood to recycle batteries from older Toyota vehicles, particularly the iconic Toyota Prius hybrids that revolutionized the automotive industry two decades ago. Under the agreement, Redwood Materials will salvage materials from aging Prius batteries and use them in the production of new EV batteries. Toyota plans to source Cathode Active Material and Anode copper foil from Redwood for its upcoming electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative aligns with Toyota's broader strategy to recycle, remanufacture, and repurpose nearly 5 million units,...

The Malaysian government and Google today announced a strategic collaboration to create inclusive growth opportunities for more Malaysians and homegrown companies in the fast-growing digital economy. The collaboration brings both parties together to help businesses of all sizes advance their digital competitiveness through skilling programmes, investment in digital infrastructure, responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, and cloud-first policies, Google said in a statement here today. “This latest commitment by Google, aimed at accelerating local innovation and talent development in the field of AI, will certainly boost the nation’s digital competitiveness, in line with the Madani Economy Framework and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030),” Prime Minister,...

Changes are underway for the Threads app, granting users the ability to delete their account separately from their linked Instagram account. While an Instagram account is a prerequisite for Threads sign-up, users were previously unable to delete Threads without impacting their associated Instagram profile. Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram, announced the modification in a post on Threads. Originally touted as a potential "Twitter-killer," Threads faced challenges in maintaining its initial record-breaking growth. In October, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, revealed that three months after its July launch, the app garnered approximately 100 million monthly users, marking a decline of over half. Initially positioned as a direct competitor to Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), Threads lau...