The Comunicano for Sunday October 13th 2024
Let’s talk about Artificial Intelligence! Yeah, AI—because that’s what the world needs, more things pretending to be smarter than us. Apparently, AI is sucking up all the venture capital these days, raising billions—because who doesn’t want to invest in the future overlords, right? OpenAI raised $6.6 billion. Six billion! For that money, I better have a personal AI assistant that doesn’t just make dinner reservations—it better cook the meal, clean up the mess, and file my taxes, too!….But let’s not stop there. AI’s even getting into telecom! Verizon’s got AI doing everything—optimizing networks and answering customer service calls. So, next time your internet goes out, don’t worry! Instead of waiting on hold for a human, you’ll get to talk to an AI that also doesn’t care about your problems! But hey, it’s efficient—if by ‘efficient’ you mean it gives you the wrong answers faster!
And how about virtual architecture? That’s right, people are designing houses that don’t even exist! Isn’t that every real estate developer’s dream? 'You want to see the house? Sure, just pop on a VR headset and wander around. There’s no actual roof, but it’s got a great view of a virtual sky!' It’s like paying a mortgage for a house on Minecraft—just fewer creepers…..Oh, and search engines—Google’s got competition now! New AI search engines are here to offer 'context-aware' results. You know what that means, right? It means the AI knows more about what you’re searching for than you do! You type in ‘best pizza nearby,’ and it’s like, 'Well, based on your browsing history and your waistline, maybe you should be looking for a salad, buddy.' Thanks, AI. Nothing like being judged by a search bar.
And let’s talk about ChatGPT! This thing can do *everything*. Write code, answer questions, generate images... but the real magic? It can help plan your vacation. 'Hey, ChatGPT, where should I go for a relaxing weekend?' 'How about your couch? I’ve seen your bank account.' ….Now, voice cloning—this one really gets me. They can clone your voice from just a few seconds of audio. Yeah, that’s what I need! Now my AI assistant can order takeout in my voice, but it’ll also be able to argue with my girlfriend in my exact tone. ‘Sorry honey, wasn’t me! That was the AI—you know how it gets!’
And speaking of things that don’t quite work as advertised, let’s look at Tesla’s robots. They’ve got these humanoid robots that are supposed to do everything, like serve you a beer. Except, they’re still controlled by humans. That’s right, we’ve got robots that need humans to do the hard stuff—like pouring a drink. So, basically, we’ve reinvented the bartender, but with more wires and fewer tips…..Finally, Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship—got the green light to blow up, I mean, launch again. That’s right, folks, after their last one exploded, they’ve ‘improved’ safety measures. Translation: they’re hoping it doesn’t go ‘boom’ this time around. But hey, if it does, I’m sure AI will be there to assure us, 'It’s all part of the plan.'
So, in conclusion, folks, AI is taking over everything except common sense. We’ve got robots that need people, search engines that judge us, and houses that don’t even exist. The future is here—and it’s just as weird as we imagined!" And now, on to the news and more, all here in today’s COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
AI Watch
Follow the Money—AI funding has continued to dominate venture capital in 2024, with startups raising $18.9 billion in Q3 alone, comprising 28% of all venture funding. OpenAI's $6.6 billion round was the largest ever, with other significant raises exceeding $1 billion. U.S.-based AI companies that raised $100 million or more include EvenUp, KoBold Metals, Poolside, and many others. These investments span diverse sectors, from AI-powered legaltech and coding platforms to enterprise search and AI-driven robotics. This boom highlights continued investor confidence in the AI sector, despite concerns over AI fatigue.
Changing Telecom—AI is revolutionizing the telecom industry, as executives from Nvidia and Verizon outlined. AI enhances network efficiency, improves customer service, and drives innovation in areas like 5G and cloud computing. Verizon leverages AI for real-time analytics and predictive maintenance, while Nvidia emphasizes AI's role in optimizing network traffic and reducing latency. Both companies see AI as crucial for future growth, helping to scale operations and offer more personalized services.
Designing Differently—In 2020, Charlotte Taylor and Riccardo Fornoni's Villa Saraceni, a digitally rendered project, gained attention despite not existing in reality. The villa highlights the rise of virtual architecture, where designers explore dreamlike, often photorealistic environments using CGI. These digital creations blend escapism with architectural research, influencing real-life projects. Virtual architecture allows creatives to experiment freely and brands to stage products sustainably while also sparking debates about AI’s role in design.
Search Me—Several AI-powered search engines now compete with Google by offering unique features like conversational AI, personalized search results, and advanced language models. These platforms are transforming how users interact with search, prioritizing context-aware results and privacy-focused options. Engines like You.com, Neeva, and Perplexity AI are examples pushing the boundaries of traditional search methods, making them strong contenders in the AI-driven search landscape.
It Can Do That—ChatGPT can do beyond just answering questions. Its capabilities include real-time information retrieval, task automation through integrations like make.com, voice interactions, and image generation. ChatGPT also excels at generating code, assisting with technical issues, summarizing large texts, and offering personalized responses based on user preferences. It can automate personal tasks like meal planning or travel itineraries, making it a versatile tool for boosting productivity in both personal and professional contexts.
I Never Said That—Voice cloning, once a concept found in science fiction, is now a reality. Advances in AI allow voices to be replicated with startling accuracy, making it possible to create lifelike synthetic voices from just a few seconds of audio. This technology is rapidly evolving and has applications in entertainment, accessibility, and customer service. However, it raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy, consent, and potential misuse, such as deepfakes. As this technology becomes more widespread, the conversation around regulation and responsible use is intensifying.
No Reason To Cry—Gary Marcus argues that Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle with formal reasoning and logic. He highlights their inability to reliably handle structured tasks, such as mathematical proofs or legal reasoning, due to their training based on pattern recognition rather than understanding. Marcus stresses that while LLMs can generate convincing text, they lack true comprehension, which limits their use in scenarios that require precise logical reasoning. He advocates for more advanced AI systems capable of integrating reasoning with language.
Email Watch
Pick An Address. Any Address—iOS 18.1 introduces a new feature allowing users to set a primary email address for their Apple ID, providing more flexibility in managing account communication. This update is part of Apple's ongoing effort to enhance user control over their personal information. Users can now more easily switch their primary email for account management and communications without disrupting services or purchases.
Go Phish—The Gmail account takeover scam is a phishing attack where scammers trick users into giving up their Gmail login credentials, often by mimicking legitimate security alerts or using fake login pages. Once they have access, attackers can change account settings, lock out the real user, and exploit personal data. To avoid falling victim, never click on suspicious links in emails, enable two-factor authentication, and verify the source of any security-related messages directly through Google's official channels.
Battery Watch
Getting Charged Up—The University of Washington (UW) is expanding its efforts in battery research through its Clean Energy Testbeds, aiming to push the boundaries of clean energy technology. This facility enables researchers to design, prototype, and scale up innovations such as next-gen solar cells and battery technologies. The lab includes cutting-edge equipment, like a roll-to-roll printer for manufacturing materials, which is one of the most advanced in the U.S. UW collaborates with various companies and institutions to drive breakthroughs in energy storage, renewable energy, and grid integration.
Robot Watch
Man over Machine—At a recent demonstration, Tesla's Optimus robot, designed for tasks like serving beer, was revealed to be partially controlled by a human operator, raising questions about the true capabilities of the AI behind it. While Tesla showcases impressive strides in robotics, this incident highlights the limitations still faced in achieving fully autonomous robotic functionality. The company continues to push the narrative of robots revolutionizing tasks, but the reality of their current development remains a mix of automation and human assistance.
SpaceX Watch
Musk’s Starship Enterprise—The FAA has granted SpaceX a long-awaited license to resume Starship test launches. This follows an extended pause after a previous test resulted in an explosion, leading to regulatory reviews and demands for safety improvements. The approval allows SpaceX to continue its development of the Starship spacecraft, a key component of the company’s future Mars exploration goals. The new license includes enhanced safety measures to address environmental and operational concerns raised during earlier tests.
EV Watch
Range Realities Come To Light—The ongoing challenge of "range anxiety" for electric vehicle (EV) drivers and the steps being taken to alleviate it continue to be a reality. As the U.S. pushes toward electrifying transportation, the country will need 28 million EV chargers by 2030. Key initiatives include increasing fast-charging stations, developing higher-capacity batteries, and exploring alternative solutions like wireless charging and battery swapping. These advancements aim to make EVs more convenient and accessible, ultimately reducing range anxiety for drivers.
Look Ma. No Hands—A viral video in China showing a driver sleeping in a self-driving car has sparked significant public concern over road safety. The incident involved a car from Xpeng Motors, a Chinese electric vehicle company known for its advanced driver-assistance systems. Despite claims of autonomous capabilities, the footage has led to backlash, with many calling for stricter regulations and public awareness around the limitations of self-driving technology. Authorities and safety advocates are urging caution to avoid over-reliance on such systems.
Startup Watch
Hong Kong’s Rising Tide—Hong Kong's government is expanding its "ITF" (Innovation and Technology Fund) to attract more co-investors and boost support for local start-ups. This initiative aims to bolster the city's tech ecosystem by providing additional funding and incentives for technology-driven businesses. The government hopes this will strengthen Hong Kong's position as a hub for innovation, especially in areas like fintech, biotech, and artificial intelligence, amid growing competition from other regional tech centers.
Workplace Watch
The Hemmingway Effect—The "Hemingway Effect" suggests stopping work at an interesting point, especially when you know what comes next, to maintain momentum and motivation for future sessions. Ernest Hemingway employed this tactic to avoid burnout and foster creativity, a practice now backed by psychological research, including the Zeigarnik and Ovsiankina effects. These studies reveal that unfinished tasks create mental tension, keeping them fresh in our minds and driving us to complete them. Hemingway’s method leverages this tension to enhance productivity while avoiding overexertion.
Why They’re Skeptical—Navigating the workplace with Gen Z requires recognizing their distinct preferences and values. Missteps include assuming they're fully comfortable with AI, neglecting strong company values, treating diversity and inclusion as optional, overlooking their positive attitudes toward employers, and misunderstanding their desire for flexibility. Gen Z is more skeptical about AI's benefits than millennials and prioritizes alignment with personal values, diversity, and inclusion. They also value hybrid work environments but see office time as crucial for learning and collaboration. To engage them, involve them in decision-making, promote transparency, and create inclusive, flexible workspaces that reflect their values.
WordPress Watch
It’s A Takeover—In a notable escalation of the ongoing legal battle between WordPress and WP Engine, WordPress has taken control of the popular ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) plugin, previously owned by WP Engine. The move, described by WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg as necessary to fix a security issue and remove commercial upsells, has sparked controversy. The ACF team criticized the takeover as a violation of community trust, citing the unprecedented nature of the action. Despite the dispute, WP Engine has released instructions for users to manually update the plugin, while WordPress rebrands it as Secure Custom Fields.
Conflicting Opinions—Matt Mullenweg's recent actions in the WordPress community have sparked controversy, with many questioning whether he is defending or harming the platform. The conflict revolves around Mullenweg's criticism of WP Engine, accusing them of not contributing enough to open-source development, and his push for financial compensation from them. However, his control over WordPress.org and his role as CEO of Automattic has raised concerns about a conflict of interest. The situation has led to legal disputes and left many in the community feeling uneasy about the future.
Control or Out of Control—The conflict between WordPress and WP Engine over control of the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin is heating up. WordPress has taken control of ACF, which previously belonged to WP Engine, citing security concerns and the need for improvements. WP Engine and others in the community have expressed frustration over the abrupt takeover, viewing it as a violation of open-source principles. This situation highlights tensions in the WordPress ecosystem regarding control and governance of critical plugins.
SmartPhone Watch
Kids Say The Darndest Things—Dr. Delaney Ruston, creator of the Screenagers films, discusses delaying smartphone usage for kids. Dr. Ruston suggests establishing family norms early, like postponing smartphone ownership until at least middle school. She emphasizes the importance of open discussions about technology's impact and alternatives like shared devices for communication. Ruston also advocates for fostering other forms of connection, limiting screen time, and gradually introducing digital responsibility.
Social Watch
Polarization At Play—Social media algorithms, now 15 years old, have transformed how we interact online by ranking and personalizing content, but they also pose challenges, amplifying harmful content and disinformation. Governments worldwide are attempting to regulate these algorithms, but free speech advocates warn that such regulation could lead to political control. Critics argue that algorithms distort public discourse by prioritizing engagement over quality, making social media more polarized. Solutions, like middleware or algorithmic user control, could help restore agency in how content is curated online.
Sports Watch
What Are The Odds—A small group of specialized companies are determining the odds for sports gambling across the industry. These little-known firms use a combination of data analytics, algorithms, and real-time monitoring to set betting odds, impacting billions of dollars in wagers. Their influence in gambling is growing as sports betting becomes more widespread and regulated. This sheds light on those companies' power and the sophisticated technology behind setting odds.
Slam Dunk-The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 saw reigning champions Boston Celtics take on 2023 titleholders Denver Nuggets in two preseason matchups. The Celtics won both games, showcasing their dominance with victories of 107-103 and 130-104. This highlighted their depth and hunger to defend their championship title. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led Boston’s charge, with the team playing confidently and efficiently, raising expectations for the regular season. The games reflected the NBA’s expanding global presence, with Abu Dhabi becoming a key stop in the league’s international efforts.
Hurricane Watch
Standing Tall—Comunicano client, Hunters Point stood out during Hurricane Milton as its homes, built with resilient design and materials, withstood the storm better than many others in Florida. The community's emphasis on elevated construction and reinforced structures helped mitigate flooding and wind damage. This contrasts with other areas severely affected by the hurricane, highlighting the importance of climate-adapted architecture in vulnerable coastal regions. Residents and officials see Hunters Point as a potential model for future storm-resistant development.
