The Comunicano for Monday December 9th 2024

The Monday Morning Tune Up

Innovation—it's a word we toss around like confetti, a glittering promise of progress. But today, as I sift through the news, I’m struck not by how far we’ve come, but by the weight of the questions we haven’t answered.

Take TikTok. A platform that’s redefined how 170 million Americans connect, laugh, and learn, now sits on the precipice of a legal reckoning. This isn’t just a story about geopolitics or data. It’s a moment that forces us to ask: What happens when the tools we love come tethered to risks we can’t control? What’s the price of connection in an era of mistrust? It’s not about bans or divestitures—it’s about building technology that reflects our values, not just our whims.

Or consider artificial intelligence. A machine learning to detect cancer earlier—saving lives—is transformative. Yet in the same breath, we hear critiques like Brian Eno’s, warning that AI may strip the soul from creativity, reducing art to algorithm. This juxtaposition is the paradox of our time: A tool that saves lives can also erode meaning. It’s not enough to ask what AI can do; we must demand what it should do—and whether efficiency is worth losing the magic of creation.

Then there’s the four-day workweek, an idea that could redefine our relationship with labor. It’s not just about working less; it’s about living more—crafting a system that values humanity over hustle. But even as we embrace these shifts, we see executives wrapped in cocoons of million-dollar security budgets, a stark reminder of the world’s growing disparities. We innovate, but do we elevate?

Even in energy, where a 3,000-mile battery might revolutionize EVs, the question lingers: Will we use these breakthroughs to empower the planet, or will we perpetuate old systems of inequity under the guise of green?

So, here’s the thing: Innovation isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting gun. Every breakthrough carries a responsibility. Every solution needs a soul. As we step into a future shaped by algorithms and anodes, let’s remember to ask not just, ‘What can we do?’ but, ‘What kind of world do we want to create?’

Stay curious. Stay humble. And above all, stay human. Because at the end of the day, technology isn’t about screens or systems—it’s about us.” And of course, you know all this. That’s why you read The Comunicano!!!

Andy Abramson

TikTok Watch

Legal Review Time—TikTok has petitioned a federal appeals court to block enforcement of a U.S. law that could lead to the app's ban by January 19, 2025, pending Supreme Court review. The law mandates that TikTok divest from its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban, a decision upheld by a lower court. TikTok argues that the Supreme Court should decide on the matter due to its national significance, noting the app's 170 million U.S. users. TikTok also highlighted political shifts, suggesting that the incoming administration might reconsider its stance, potentially rendering further legal actions unnecessary. The Supreme Court's decision remains uncertain.

AI Watch

Critical Thinking—The Boston Review’s forum "The AI We Deserve" critically examines the rapid rise and societal impact of generative AI. While AI’s potential for personalization and efficiency is evident in applications like healthcare and education, concerns about misuse, inequality, and concentrated corporate control loom large. The debate splits into two camps: realists who advocate democratizing AI through transparency and oversight, and critics who see AI as inherently flawed due to its militaristic and elitist roots. The forum explores possibilities for reimagining AI as a public-oriented, inclusive technology while challenging its entrenched association with profit-driven and systemic inequalities.

Another Green World—Brian Eno critiques the creative and societal impact of AI in his Boston Review response, likening AI's output to "a dog walking on its hind legs"—impressive at first but lacking intentionality and depth. He argues that AI tools invert the creative process, prioritizing efficiency over the transformative journey of creation. The commodification of AI, driven by profit motives, parallels the pitfalls of social media's "maximize engagement" ethos, leading to shallow and sometimes harmful outcomes. Eno calls for careful curation of AI's influence in art and society, emphasizing the importance of process, origin, and human intentionality in meaningful creativity.

Early Warning Signs—A study by the Radiological Society of North America reveals that AI-assisted mammography significantly enhances early cancer detection. Among 747,604 women screened, those opting for AI-enhanced exams showed a 43% higher detection rate. AI alone identified 21% of additional cases, while another 22% came from more high-risk patients choosing the technology. This hybrid model involves FDA-approved software analyzing mammograms, with discrepancies reviewed by experts, ensuring accuracy and reliability. The findings, presented at RSNA's annual meeting, suggest that AI can improve diagnostic outcomes and that patients are willing to invest in AI-enhanced healthcare solutions for better results.

Workplace Watch

The Cost of Executive Security—Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta, Tesla, and Nvidia are spending millions annually to protect their high-profile CEOs. Security budgets cover private transportation, advanced surveillance, and personal protection to mitigate risks associated with their wealth and influence. Companies justify these expenditures as necessary to ensure the safety of executives critical to their operations and public image. This trend underscores the increasing costs of safeguarding leadership in an era of heightened public scrutiny, growing security threats, and the spotlight on tech's most influential figures. The investments reveal the intersection of wealth, corporate responsibility, and personal safety in the tech industry.

Going for Four—The push for a four-day workweek gains momentum in the UK as companies like BrandPipe and Rook Irwin Sweeney test shorter hours without pay cuts. Early results suggest increased efficiency, less burnout, and even improved client satisfaction. Employees report feeling recharged, and businesses note projects being completed faster. While logistical hurdles like scheduling require adjustment, the initiative is proving adaptable across industries, from software to law. Advocates aim to make the four-day workweek a legal standard by 2030, citing benefits to work-life balance and employee retention. As firms innovate and adapt, this could mark a transformative shift in modern work culture.

Telecom Watch

Is It Worth It—Telegram has become a critical tool for Ukrainians during the war with Russia, providing real-time updates, organizing aid, and disseminating information. However, Ukrainian officials are increasingly concerned about the app's potential as a security risk, citing vulnerabilities to Russian disinformation, cyberattacks, and surveillance. Efforts to limit Telegram use among government and military personnel have begun, with a push for more secure platforms like Signal. Despite the risks, Telegram’s popularity persists, with 70% of Ukrainians relying on it for news. Attempts to pressure Telegram into addressing disinformation have yielded mixed results, highlighting the app's dual role as both vital lifeline and security challenge.

Call Me—The Wall Street Journal article, "The Two Most-Dreaded Words in a Text Conversation," delves into the anxiety-inducing nature of receiving a "Call me" text without additional context. Such messages often leave recipients uncertain about the urgency or subject matter, leading to unnecessary stress. The piece highlights generational differences in communication preferences, noting that younger individuals typically favor detailed texts over ambiguous prompts. To alleviate potential misunderstandings, experts recommend including brief explanations or specifying the urgency level when requesting a call, thereby fostering clearer and more considerate communication.

Battery Watch

Bunny, Move Over—Researchers at POSTECH in South Korea have achieved a groundbreaking battery innovation that could extend electric vehicle (EV) ranges to over 3,000 miles on a single charge. By stabilizing silicon-based anodes, which have ten times the capacity of graphite, the new technology overcomes expansion issues traditionally associated with silicon. This advancement not only transforms EV performance but also holds promise for renewable energy storage, addressing intermittent supply challenges. With efficient, longer-lasting batteries, the path to greener energy systems is clearer than ever, driving the global shift toward sustainable transportation and energy solutions.

Apple Watch

Mac May Get 5G—Apple is exploring the addition of cellular connectivity to its Mac lineup, possibly using its custom 5G modem chips. While a cellular-enabled Mac is unlikely before 2026, Apple plans to integrate its 5G chip into devices like the iPhone SE and iPad in 2025 as a testing ground. The chips will start with sub-6GHz 5G speeds, evolving to support faster mmWave technology in later iterations, aiming to outperform Qualcomm. This marks a potential shift in Mac functionality, enabling direct cellular access and reducing reliance on Wi-Fi or hotspots, aligning with Apple's strategy of integrating custom silicon across its product range.

Internet Watch

Lots of Traffic—Cloudflare's 2024 Year in Review highlights significant Internet trends and metrics from global traffic to security insights. Internet traffic rose by 17.2%, with Google, OpenAI, and WhatsApp leading in their respective categories. Starlink traffic surged, particularly in new markets. IPv6 adoption increased, and Spain ranked highly in Internet quality metrics. Security concerns remained paramount, with 6.5% of global traffic flagged as potentially malicious and Log4j vulnerabilities persisting. The report also noted evolving browser and search engine preferences, the rise of HTTP/3, and malicious email patterns. Cloudflare's data underscores the dynamic and expanding digital landscape as connectivity and security evolve.

Search Watch

Google, Move Over—Reddit has introduced a new AI-powered search tool, Reddit Answers, designed to provide users with summarized responses sourced directly from Reddit posts. Unlike Google searches that display lists of links, Reddit Answers creates concise summaries with hyperlinks to the original posts. This tool aims to streamline information retrieval on Reddit and encourage users to rely less on external search engines like Google. Currently, Reddit Answers is available to a limited number of users in the U.S., with plans for broader expansion. While it excels at compiling general information, real-time queries may yield inconsistent results, as the tool is still in development.