The Comunicano for Tuesday October 8th 2024

It's A Tuesday

Ladies and gentlemen, visionaries and pioneers, today, we stand at the crossroads of innovation and uncertainty. From the corridors of Silicon Valley to the bustling streets of Vegas, the world is abuzz with transformations. As The Comunicano, it is our duty to navigate these dynamic landscapes with both boldness and caution.

First, let’s turn our gaze to the titans of technology—OpenAI. Recently, key figures, including CTO Mira Murati, departed in protest of the company’s rapid push into artificial intelligence. They were alarmed by the accelerationist approach driving development at breakneck speed. Safety, responsibility, and the very future of AI are now at the forefront of global concern. The once noble quest to unlock human potential with AI is becoming a high-stakes game, one where unchecked ambition could have dire consequences for us all.

But innovation is not stalling everywhere. Here in Las Vegas, TensorWave is leading a charge of its own. Securing a record-breaking SAFE of $43 million, this startup aims to disrupt the cloud infrastructure market with cutting-edge AI solutions. Their partnership with AMD signals a challenge to industry behemoths like Nvidia, AWS, and Google Cloud. This is the future of technology—faster, smarter, and more scalable than ever before.

Speaking of scale, HBO is preparing to pull back the curtain on one of the biggest mysteries in finance: Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? The creator of Bitcoin holds the keys to billions, and his—or her—identity could send shockwaves through the financial markets. As Money Electric premieres, the implications for global finance, U.S. politics, and even the regulation of cryptocurrency are staggering.

Now, let’s not overlook the environment. Uber is rolling out its electric vehicle-only ride option in major cities like London and Los Angeles, taking yet another step toward a zero-emission future. This move is not just a leap for sustainability; it’s a statement to the world: change is here, and it’s electric.

Yet, as one company strives to clean up our streets, others face allegations of dirty play. Amazon, the retail giant, is under fire from the FTC for alleged monopolistic practices. If true, this could reshape the landscape of e-commerce and challenge the very foundations of how we shop, sell, and thrive online.

Innovation, regulation, and revelation. These are the forces shaping our world today. And as leaders, it’s our role not just to observe but to act—wisely, decisively, and with the future firmly in our sights.

Now, on to today’s Comunicano!!!

Andy Abramson

The Deep Dive

OpenAI Watch

She’s Gone—The recent departure of OpenAI’s CTO Mira Murati, alongside key figures Bob McGrew and Barret Zoph, has ignited concerns in Silicon Valley. Murati, frustrated with the company's "accelerationist" push to advance AI rapidly, reportedly tried to slow things down internally but ultimately left after the launch of project "o1." This marks the latest in a series of high-level exits, with safety concerns at the core. OpenAI’s shift from nonprofit oversight to a for-profit model and its ambitious AI goals have raised alarms about safety, as former insiders warn of potential risks from unchecked AI development.

AI Watch

The Agent Will See You Now—Supernormal is a useful tool that allows users to create free virtual assistants by automating tasks like note-taking and meeting summaries. It's designed to enhance productivity by integrating various apps and platforms, helping users save time on repetitive tasks. The tool's AI-powered capabilities make it easy to customize for different workflows, streamlining virtual meetings and other administrative duties. For now it only works with Google Meet, but more apps are expected to be added.

Bitcoin Watch

Who Is Satoshi Nakamoto—HBO’s upcoming documentary *Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery*, directed by Emmy-nominated Cullen Hoback, is stirring intrigue by promising to unmask Bitcoin's elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Set to premiere on October 8, 2024, the documentary explores Nakamoto’s influence on global finance, potentially revealing their identity. This could have wide-ranging legal and political implications, given Nakamoto’s control over 1.1 million Bitcoins, worth about $66 billion. Speculation is high, with some questioning whether such a revelation could disrupt financial markets and influence U.S. politics.

Vegas Watch

Getting Tensor—TensorWave, a Nevada-based startup, secured $43 million in a SAFE funding round, the largest in the state's history. Led by Nexus Venture Partners, the round included major investors like AMD Ventures. TensorWave specializes in AI cloud infrastructure, using AMD Instinct GPUs to offer scalable, affordable compute solutions for AI workloads. The funding will expand its data center capacity and support the launch of its enterprise platform, Manifest, which aims to improve document analysis. TensorWave’s AMD partnership positions it to challenge industry giants like AWS and Google Cloud.

Uber Watch

Green With Envy—Uber is launching an EV-only ride option in select cities, allowing customers to request electric vehicles specifically. The initiative supports Uber's sustainability goals and expands the EV selection in major areas, aiming to reduce carbon emissions. This move is part of Uber’s broader push toward becoming a zero-emissions platform by 2040. The EV-only option will initially be available in cities like London, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, offering customers a more eco-friendly choice for their rides.

Apple Watch

They Sprung A Leak—Apple may be dealing with its most significant leak since the iPhone 4, as unreleased internal documents and product details have surfaced. The leak could expose proprietary information about upcoming devices, potentially impacting Apple's product launch strategies and intellectual property. The severity of this breach could mirror or surpass the infamous iPhone 4 leak in 2010, causing significant concern within the company.

They Know When You’ve Been Sleeping—Apple is reportedly testing sleep apnea detection in the beta version of the Apple Watch, which could monitor breathing patterns and alert users to potential sleep apnea issues. This feature uses the watch’s sensors to detect irregularities in breathing during sleep, helping users identify and address the condition earlier. The addition aligns with Apple's broader push toward health and wellness technology.

Amazon Watch

Tell Us What We Don’t Know—The FTC and 17 states have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the company uses anti-competitive practices to maintain monopoly power in the online marketplace. The lawsuit claims Amazon inflates prices, stifles competition, and unfairly favors its own products over those of independent sellers on its platform. The case seeks to break Amazon’s alleged stranglehold on e-commerce, raising significant questions about the future of market competition and regulation in the digital age.

Facebook Watch

Feels Like Junk Mail—The Garbage Day newsletter discusses the spread of AI-generated misinformation on social platforms, particularly during crises like hurricanes. These fake images and conspiracy theories are often shared without concern for their authenticity because they evoke strong emotions, which drives engagement. The piece also highlights the challenges of fact-checking in an era where users prioritize content that "feels" real over truth, reflecting a broader shift in how information is consumed and shared online.

Aging In Place—Facebook is undergoing a redesign aimed at attracting Gen Z users, hoping to recapture the app's former youthful appeal. However, the challenge lies in balancing the needs of older users while revamping features to engage younger generations. The article also discusses how AI-generated content, sometimes referred to as "AI slop," plays a role in the platform's new direction and potential hurdles it faces in execution.

Threads Watch

Threads Knotted Up—Meta is working to address the issue of engagement bait on Threads, where users post low-quality content aimed at maximizing interaction without offering meaningful substance. This problem has been hindering user experience on the platform. Meta is now experimenting with ways to reduce such content and improve overall engagement quality. This effort reflects the company’s broader strategy to compete more effectively in the social media space, particularly against platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

EV Watch

You’ve Been Cancelled—GEICO is reportedly canceling insurance policies for Tesla Cybertruck owners, citing the vehicle's unknown repair costs. The cancellation notices have caused concern, as the Cybertruck’s unique design could lead to costly repairs, making it difficult for insurers to assess risk accurately. This move reflects broader uncertainties within the insurance industry regarding new electric vehicle models and their repair complexities. Tesla owners have faced similar issues with other models, raising questions about the future of insuring advanced EVs.

Bunny, Move Over—A new innovation in EV battery technology promises longer-lasting batteries, which could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry. These advancements are focused on improving durability, efficiency, and sustainability, potentially reducing the environmental impact and cost of EVs. The new designs could also reduce the need for frequent battery replacements, making electric vehicles more attractive for consumers and furthering the shift away from gasoline-powered cars.

Spy Watch

It’s Not Just James Bond Anymore—A recent "James Bond-style" operation conducted by U.S. officials in the Middle East intended to thwart a terrorist plot, involved complex intelligence maneuvers and covert actions. However, the operation's legality and transparency are under scrutiny, with concerns about oversight and the potential political fallout. The incident has sparked debates in Washington over U.S. intervention strategies in the region and the broader implications of such covert missions.

Face the Facts—Law enforcement is increasingly relying on facial recognition technology despite concerns about privacy and accuracy. Police departments are increasingly using these tools to identify suspects, but critics argue the technology can lead to wrongful arrests and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The debate centers on balancing public safety with individual rights as more agencies adopt the controversial technology. Read a bit more in the Washington Post.

Criminal Watch

Telegram Fuels The Badlands—According to a UN report, criminal networks in Southeast Asia are increasingly using Telegram's underground markets to conduct illegal activities. These platforms enable the trade of drugs, weapons, and human trafficking, taking advantage of Telegram’s privacy features. The ease of creating anonymous channels and encrypted communication has allowed these illicit activities to flourish. Law enforcement faces challenges in combating these growing digital criminal markets, which continue to expand across the region.

Where The Crime Is—A UNODC report highlights the growing cyberfraud industry in Southeast Asia, with criminal organizations exploiting digital platforms for scams and fraudulent activities. These cybercrime syndicates increasingly target vulnerable populations, using deceptive schemes that include phishing, investment fraud, and online identity theft. The report underscores the need for stronger regional cooperation and enhanced cybersecurity measures to combat these expanding criminal enterprises.

Regulatory Watch

Red Tape Removed—The UK government has launched a new unit to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative technologies by reducing regulatory barriers. This initiative aims to bring game-changing tech, such as AI and quantum computing, to the public faster by streamlining processes and cutting through red tape. The new unit will help entrepreneurs and businesses navigate regulations more efficiently, encouraging innovation and boosting the UK’s tech sector.

Space Watch

East of Asteroid—The Hera spacecraft, launched by the European Space Agency, is on a mission to study the aftermath of NASA's 2022 DART experiment, which successfully altered the course of the asteroid Dimorphos. This mission, part of an international effort to test planetary defense strategies, aims to investigate the impact site and gather data on asteroid composition. Hera will reach Dimorphos in 2026, providing insights that could help humanity prevent future asteroid collisions with Earth.

App Review of the Day

BBC Orbit

BBC Orbit is a fresh, innovative music discovery platform from BBC R&D that offers a unique way for listeners to explore new and emerging artists without the constraints of algorithms or predefined genres. The app, which is currently in a pilot phase, sets itself apart by emphasizing human curation and serendipitous listening.

The core concept behind BBC Orbit is to enable music lovers to discover new tracks organically, based on hand-picked songs from BBC Introducing—a platform well-known for supporting unsigned, independent artists across the UK. Rather than relying on algorithmic recommendations, which can sometimes feel repetitive or limiting, BBC Orbit uses an engaging visual interface called a "starfield" to present songs. This starfield allows users to navigate through clusters of songs grouped by their sonic similarities. It’s like hopping from one sound "planet" to another, letting users follow their ears to music they genuinely enjoy.

One standout feature is the abstract approach the app takes. Artist names and imagery are not initially shown, encouraging users to judge tracks purely by the music. Once you find something you like, you can easily connect it to your preferred streaming service to listen to the full track or save it for later. This avoids the noise of marketing and allows users to focus purely on the sound.

Who is it for?

BBC Orbit is perfect for music explorers who are tired of repetitive algorithm-driven playlists and want a more immersive, hands-on approach to finding new music. If you enjoy supporting unsigned or lesser-known artists and prefer a discovery process that feels more intentional and adventurous, this app is designed for you.

Best use case:

It's particularly useful for anyone who wants to escape the bubble of personalized recommendations, as it offers fresh music that might otherwise never reach mainstream streaming services. Think of it as a dynamic tool to reshape your listening habits and introduce you to entirely new genres and sounds without the influence of algorithms.

Although currently available in pilot form, BBC Orbit is expected to expand its features as it continues to develop. It offers a fresh take on music discovery and is a compelling alternative to conventional algorithm-based music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.