The Comunicano for Wednesday February 19th 2025
It's Humpday
Observe, my friends, the spectacle before us—a grand exhibition of human ingenuity, unshackled by tradition, yet not free from folly. The latest dispatches from the world of progress present a picture of both triumph and contradiction, of technological ascendance and the ever-present hand of human fallibility.
Meta, that titan of digital dominion, summons forth LlamaCon, a celebration of open-source AI—an ode to the unbridled mind, where men of ability may gather to refine the tools of tomorrow. This is industry in its purest form: intellect given space to soar, unrestrained by the decrees of mediocrity. And yet, in parallel, a humbling revelation—OpenAI, in its quest to automate human cognition, finds that artificial intelligence may mend flaws but not perceive them. What is this if not an example to the irreplaceable supremacy of the rational mind? The machine may mimic, but only man creates.
Elsewhere, the marketplace of ideas sharpens its swords. DeepSeek, an innovator in the realm of AI, embeds itself in the automotive industry, a clear sign that intelligence—true intelligence—seeks application in the tangible world. The Chinese electric vehicle sector, guided by the logic of competition, integrates AI into its machinery, proving once more that those who wish to command the future must arm themselves with the instruments of progress.
And what of the clash in personal technology? Huawei, with its audacious tri-fold Mate XT, dares to challenge the citadel of Apple, demonstrating that the pursuit of excellence need not bend to the tyranny of a single brand. The triumph of such a device, however, remains contingent upon the market—upon those who choose to value innovation over conformity.
But let us not deceive ourselves with the illusion that all is well. The specter of deception looms over the digital marketplace, as Nevada lawmakers seek to root out fraudulent "ghost kitchens" from food delivery apps—an attempt, however misguided, to impose a semblance of honesty upon the unscrupulous. Even in the realm of security, there are threats both old and new. Russian-aligned entities conspire against Signal users, seeking to undermine the last sanctuaries of private discourse. And so, once more, the necessity of vigilance, of unyielding resistance against coercion, is laid bare.
Yet, amid these battles, the individual remains the ultimate victor. Whether in the soaring ambition of AI-driven sports betting, the dawn of eVTOL aviation, or even the emergence of an app granting men the power to summon their own armed security at will—what remains unchanged is the necessity of choice. For it is choice, and choice alone, that determines the fate of civilization.
So I say to you: look upon these innovations, these challenges, these contests of will, and recognize that they are but symptoms of a deeper truth. The world moves not by chance, nor by committee, but by the minds of those who dare to think, who dare to act, and who refuse to be shackled by the mediocrity of collective restraint.
The future, as ever, belongs to those who seize it. Like you, who read THE COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
AI Watch
Google Develops AI 'Co-Scientist' to Accelerate Biomedical Research (Financial Times)—Google has unveiled an AI laboratory assistant designed to expedite biomedical research. This 'co-scientist' aims to assist researchers in navigating complex scientific data, potentially leading to faster discoveries and innovations in the biomedical field. The development reflects a growing trend of integrating AI into scientific research to enhance efficiency and outcomes. Read more here
Meta Announces Inaugural LlamaCon and Connect 2025 Dates (Meta.com)—Meta has unveiled plans for its first-ever LlamaCon, scheduled for April 29, 2025, focusing on open-source AI developments. This event precedes the annual Meta Connect conference, set for September 17–18, 2025, which will highlight the latest in Meta Horizon updates and emerging technologies. LlamaCon is named after Meta's open-source AI model, Llama, and aims to engage developers and enthusiasts in the AI community. Further details about both events will be released in the coming weeks. Read more here
EU's AI Act Criticized for 'Devastating' Copyright Loophole (The Guardian)—The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act has come under fire for a significant legal gap that potentially exposes writers, musicians, and other creatives to exploitation. Axel Voss, a key architect of EU copyright law, emphasized the need for new legislation to protect intellectual property from generative AI models. The current AI Act, conceived before the emergence of tools like ChatGPT, lacks robust copyright provisions, allowing tech companies to utilize vast amounts of data under a text and data mining exemption originally intended for private use. This has raised concerns among cultural organizations, who argue it permits big tech to infringe upon copyrights without adequate regulation. Addressing this loophole may take years, during which proving copyright violations remains challenging. Cultural groups are advocating for enhanced transparency and protection, criticizing existing proposals as insufficient to prevent systemic risks to creators. Read more here
AI can fix bugs—but can't find them: OpenAI's study highlights limits of LLMs in software engineering (VentureBeat)— OpenAI researchers conducted a study using the SWE-Lancer benchmark to evaluate how well large language models (LLMs) perform on real-world freelance software engineering tasks. The study revealed that while LLMs can fix bugs, they struggle to identify them, highlighting a significant limitation in their application. The research involved 1,488 tasks from the Upwork platform, demonstrating that LLMs still face challenges in replacing human software engineers, especially in complex and dynamic environments. Read More Here
Grok 3 vs. ChatGPT: A Deep Dive into AI Rivals (Mashable.com)—In the rapidly evolving AI landscape, Grok 3 and ChatGPT have emerged as formidable contenders. Grok 3, developed by DeepSeek AI, boasts advanced contextual understanding, enabling more nuanced and human-like interactions. In contrast, OpenAI's ChatGPT is renowned for its versatility and extensive training data, making it adept at a wide range of tasks. While both models excel in natural language processing, Grok 3's edge lies in its specialized applications, whereas ChatGPT offers broader general-purpose utility. Users must consider their specific needs when choosing between these AI powerhouses.—Read more here
DeepSeek Watch
DeepSeek's AI: The New Essential for Chinese Smart EVs (South China Morning Post)—In China's fiercely competitive electric vehicle (EV) market, automakers are rapidly integrating DeepSeek's artificial intelligence to enhance their vehicles' digital features. Leading companies like BYD and Leapmotor have announced plans to equip their models with DeepSeek's advanced AI, aiming to attract tech-savvy consumers. DeepSeek, a Hangzhou-based startup, has gained global attention by releasing open-source AI models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, which require significantly less computing power and cost to develop. This move is reshaping the landscape of in-car technology, making advanced features more accessible and setting new industry standards. Read more here
Mobile Watch
Huawei's Tri-Fold Mate XT Challenges Apple's Dominance (Quartz)—Huawei has expanded the availability of its innovative Mate XT Ultimate, the world's first tri-fold smartphone, to markets outside China, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. This strategic move positions Huawei in direct competition with Apple's iPhone series, aiming to capture a larger share of the premium smartphone market. The Mate XT Ultimate features a 10.2-inch flexible OLED display that folds into two smaller sizes—7.9 inches and 6.4 inches—offering versatility for both professional and entertainment use. Despite its advanced technology, the device faces challenges due to its high price point of over $3,660 and the absence of Google services, which may impact its appeal in Western markets. Huawei's push into the global market with this unique device underscores its commitment to innovation and its intent to challenge established competitors like Apple. Read more here
Delivery Watch
Nevada Bill Targets Fake 'Ghost Kitchens' on Food Delivery Apps (Las Vegas Review-Journal)—Nevada lawmakers are introducing legislation to combat deceptive practices by food delivery apps that list non-existent "ghost kitchens." The proposed bill aims to penalize platforms that mislead consumers by featuring fictitious restaurants, ensuring transparency and authenticity in online food listings. Supporters argue this measure will protect local businesses and consumers from fraudulent listings, promoting trust in the rapidly growing food delivery industry. Read more here
Hardware Watch
HP Acquires Humanes AI Assets Amid AI Pin Shutdown (TheVerge.com)—In a strategic move, HP Inc. has acquired key AI assets from Humane, including their AI platform Cosmos and a team of skilled engineers, for $116 million. This acquisition follows the discontinuation of Humanes AI Pin, a wearable device that faced significant challenges post-launch. Despite initial hype and substantial funding, the AI Pin struggled with functionality issues and poor sales, leading to its shutdown. HP aims to integrate Humanes technology and talent into its new AI innovation lab, HP IQ, to enhance AI capabilities across its product lines. Read more here
Security Watch
Russia-Aligned Threat Actors Actively Targeting Signal Messenger Users (Cloud.Google.com)—Russia state-aligned threat actors are actively targeting Signal Messenger accounts used by individuals of interest to Russias intelligence services. These campaigns involve sophisticated phishing attacks designed to compromise the secure communications of journalists, political activists, and other high-profile users. The attackers employ tactics such as impersonating trusted contacts and crafting convincing messages to lure victims into revealing their credentials or installing malicious software. Users are urged to remain vigilant, enable two-factor authentication, and verify contacts identities to protect their communications. Read more here
Russian Phishing Campaigns Exploit Signals Device-Linking Feature (BleepingComputer.com)—Russian state-aligned threat actors have been conducting phishing campaigns targeting Signal Messenger users by exploiting the apps device-linking feature. These attackers deceive individuals into scanning malicious QR codes, allowing unauthorized devices to access their Signal accounts and monitor secure conversations. This method has been adapted for both broad and targeted attacks, with malicious codes disguised as legitimate app resources or device pairing instructions. Users are advised to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of QR codes before scanning to protect their accounts from such compromises. Read more here
Protector App: On-Demand Armed Security Now in NYC and LA (BGR.com)—Protector, an app likened to "Uber with guns," has officially launched in New York City and Los Angeles, offering users the ability to book armed personal security on demand. The service provides access to veterans and former law enforcement officers, allowing users to select the number of bodyguards, their attire—ranging from "Business Casual" to "Tactical Casual"—and even the inclusion of a motorcade. Bookings require a minimum of five hours' notice, with rates starting at $100 per hour. The app has quickly climbed the App Store charts, reflecting a growing demand for personalized security solutions. Read more here
New Malware Targets macOS Users' Cryptocurrency Holdings (Decrypt.co)—A recent report highlights a new variant of the XCSSET malware targeting Apple macOS devices, capable of stealing cryptocurrency by manipulating Bitcoin addresses in browsers and recording victims' screens. This underscores the importance of maintaining updated security measures and exercising caution when downloading software. Read more here
Sports Watch
NBA Looks to Women's Basketball Innovations to Revitalize All-Star Weekend (FrontOfficeSports.com)—Facing mixed reactions to recent All-Star Weekend formats, the NBA is exploring concepts from women's basketball to enhance the event's appeal. Proposed changes include introducing a one-on-one tournament with a $1 million prize, inspired by the Unrivaled women's league's successful competitions. Additionally, there's consideration of adopting a USA vs. World game format, similar to the WNBA's All-Star structure. These ideas aim to increase competitiveness and fan engagement, drawing from successful models in women's basketball. Read more here
AI Revolutionizing Sports Betting and Streaming (SportIndustry.biz)—Artificial intelligence is significantly enhancing the sports betting and streaming sectors by automating data analysis, personalizing content, and improving user engagement. AI enables real-time data processing, offering bettors dynamic odds and personalized recommendations. Streaming platforms utilize AI to deliver tailored content, such as customized highlight reels and interactive features, enriching the viewer experience. This technological integration is transforming how audiences interact with sports, making experiences more immersive and personalized. Read more here
Travel Watch
eVTOL Developments: Archer and Joby Leading the Charge (PhocusWire.com)—The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry is rapidly advancing, with companies like Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation at the forefront. Archer has secured a $215 million equity investment to accelerate the development of its eVTOL aircraft, aiming to revolutionize urban air mobility. Meanwhile, Joby is in the final stages of the FAA certification process for its electric air taxi and is preparing to begin flight testing with FAA pilots. These developments signify a significant shift towards sustainable, efficient urban transportation solutions. Read more here
