The Comunicano for Wednesday October 16th 2024

Its' Humpday

Let’s widen the scope a bit today—because there's a lot more than just AI happening in the tech world. Think of it like MacGyver pulling out more tools from his trusty toolkit. Here’s a full rundown of the latest, beyond just AI, but still packing plenty of punch.

AI’s cool, but what about SpaceX? Elon Musk and his crew at SpaceX are pushing to take Starlink’s internet speeds to the next level. They’ve got a plan to hit gigabit speeds, but it’s all hanging on the FCC approving a new frequency band and satellite upgrades. It’s like having a souped-up engine ready to roar, but you’re waiting for the green light to open up the road. If SpaceX gets this approved, rural and underserved areas might finally get internet that’s fast enough to stream a movie, run a business, or connect a whole community. Not just a win for tech but for people stuck in the slow lane for far too long.

And speaking of speed, how about Tesla? They’re charging ahead with Full Self-Driving (FSD) tech, aiming for a world where your car is the driver, not you. But the road to robotaxis isn’t exactly a smooth one. Regulatory agencies are eyeing this technology with caution. It’s like having a cutting-edge gadget but not being allowed to use all its features because no one’s sure if it’s safe enough yet. The tech is there—Tesla’s pushing the boundaries—but the red tape and concerns over safety are the hurdles to overcome.

Closer to the ground, let’s talk about rideshares and accessibility. People with blindness and their allies have had enough of being denied rides because of their service animals. Uber and Lyft might have rules about accommodating service animals, but drivers still turn them away. Recently, they took to the streets to protest, and it’s like trying to fix a leak with the wrong tool. The problem is clear: companies need stricter enforcement and better driver education. Otherwise, it’s just another band-aid on a bigger issue that requires real solutions.

But wait—how about car tech stepping it up? Viofo’s new A329 dash cam is here to offer some serious protection on the road. It’s not just recording what’s in front of you—it’s giving you 4K video at 60fps, which means smoother footage and more clarity, especially when things get chaotic at high speeds. Plus, this bad boy has external SSD support, Wi-Fi 6, and a rear 2K camera. It’s like a mini security system for your car, watching your back—and front—at all times. And with improved night vision, it’s got you covered 24/7.

Meanwhile, in the battery world, Goldman Sachs predicts electric vehicles (EVs) are about to go mainstream. By 2026, battery prices are expected to drop so much that EVs will cost the same as gas-powered cars. This is huge. We’re talking about the kind of shift that could finally make EVs the standard, not the exception. Advances in tech and cheaper raw materials are driving this change, but it’s not all smooth sailing. There’s still the issue of rare earth metals, most of which come from—you guessed it—China. It’s a geopolitical puzzle that could slow things down, but for now, the future of EVs looks bright.

And if EVs are the future, the medical field is turning to the cloud to expand its reach. Mohamed Aburawi’s TED Talk introduces the idea of a "hospital in the cloud." Think of it as a virtual clinic that can reach patients in remote areas, offering expert consultations and healthcare without the need for physical hospital infrastructure. It’s like taking healthcare from the traditional doctor’s office and putting it in the pocket of anyone with internet access. Especially for underserved populations, this is a game-changer. It brings care where there was none before, breaking down the barriers of geography and time.

Lastly, let’s not forget the workplace revolution. Companies are tapping into a hidden resource—their own employees. No, not for the usual grind, but as influencers. That’s right—employees are becoming the voice of their companies, creating authentic content that resonates far more than a typical ad. It’s like having your most trusted tool right there in your pocket but never realizing how powerful it could be until now. By empowering employees to speak on behalf of their brands, companies are connecting with audiences in a more personal, relatable way. It’s clever, it’s authentic, and it’s turning everyday workers into social media rock stars.

So, whether it’s space, cars, healthcare, or even the way businesses operate, there’s more going on than just AI. We’re witnessing tech not just advance but transform the way we live, work, and interact. The tools are out there, ready to be used—just like MacGyver with a paperclip and a matchstick—you just have to know how to make the most of them. And that’s what today’s COMUNICANO has in store for you…

Andy Abramson

AI Watch

Tell Ya All About It—Amazon has launched a new AI tool called the Audio Generator, expanding its suite of creative tools for advertisers. This tool allows brands to create high-quality audio ads using generative AI, simplifying the process by leveraging existing product information from Amazon's platform. Part of Amazon’s broader AI-powered Creative Studio, the Audio Generator helps brands of all sizes build campaigns more easily and quickly. This move highlights Amazon’s push to remove creative barriers, empowering advertisers to optimize performance across various ad formats. The official word from Amazon is here.

It’s Really Real—Labeling authentic media is essential to ensure transparency in the digital space. As AI-generated content increases, proper labeling helps distinguish real from manipulated media, preventing misinformation. However, simply labeling AI content is not enough to combat "cheapfakes," which are simple but deceptive alterations to traditional media. Solutions like Content Credentials, which trace the origins and changes of media, are crucial for verifying authenticity. Truepic, a leader in this field, advocates for widespread use of these tools to enhance trust online and is already collaborating with platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn.

Everyone Needs An AI Jerry Maguire—Agentic AI, a multi-agent AI system, revolutionizes business operations by enabling autonomous decision-making and process automation at scale. Unlike traditional AI, which requires human supervision, agentic AI involves autonomous agents that work together to solve complex problems with minimal human oversight. Businesses benefit by freeing up employees to focus on strategic tasks while improving efficiency and productivity. However, transparency in these AI systems is crucial, especially in regulated industries, to ensure compliance and auditability. Agentic AI promises significant advancements but requires careful implementation.

AI is Going To The Dogs—The Shazam Band, an AI-powered collar, allows pets to "talk" by interpreting their moods and behavior into human speech. Equipped with sensors and a speaker, the collar can provide real-time responses, like expressing emotions or alerting owners to dangers using pre-programmed personas. It also features GPS for pet tracking and alerts. While the collar offers fun interaction, ethical concerns about anthropomorphizing pets remain. With multiple voice options, the device, priced at $495-$595, aims to deepen the human-pet bond.

It’s Not Cheating—The parents of a Massachusetts teenager are suing Hingham High School after their son was penalized for using AI in his history paper. Jennifer and Dale Harris argue that their son used AI to do research, not to write a paper. However, the school accused him of cheating, resulting in detention, a grade reduction, and exclusion from the National Honor Society. The family claims the school’s AI policy is unclear and is seeking to restore his grade and honor society membership. They also demand the school improve its AI guidelines and provide training for staff on AI usage in education.

Health Claims—A new AI-powered tool called Fight Health Insurance helps users appeal health insurance claim denials. Developed by Holden Karau, the platform allows individuals to upload their denial letters, after which the AI generates multiple appeal letters to assist them in challenging their insurance provider's decision. Karau created the tool after successfully appealing over 90% of her own claim denials. The platform is currently free, and while it doesn’t guarantee success, it simplifies the appeal process, potentially increasing the chances of overturning denials. This tool empowers more people to stand up to insurance rejections and navigate the often-confusing appeal process efficiently.

Doctor, Doctor—Harvard Medical School is integrating generative AI into its curriculum, transforming how future doctors are trained. New programs, such as a one-month AI in healthcare course and a specialized AI PhD track, teach students to use AI tools for diagnostics and patient interaction tasks. The goal is to enhance critical thinking while easing administrative burdens, allowing doctors to focus more on patient care. Despite AI's potential, concerns remain about over-reliance and ensuring physicians maintain strong problem-solving skills. Spotify Watch

Music Watch

Getting Visual—Spotify is expanding its beta of music videos to 85 additional markets, allowing more Premium subscribers to enjoy a richer visual experience with their music. Users can now switch seamlessly between audio and video tracks, watch music videos on the full screen, and discover them easily through improved search features. This feature aims to deepen the connection between artists and fans, boosting engagement by offering immersive video experiences alongside music tracks. The beta rollout will continue with a growing catalog of videos, enhancing Spotify's overall listening and viewing experience.

Work To The Music—Listening to music at work can enhance productivity, but its effects vary based on personality, task type, and music choice. Introverts may find music distracting due to higher baseline arousal levels, while extroverts often benefit from the stimulation. Complex tasks, particularly those involving language, can be hindered by music, especially with lyrics. However, music can aid simpler, repetitive tasks by boosting motivation and attention. For cognitively demanding tasks, it’s best to play music before starting. Experimentation is key—try different types of music and tasks to find what boosts your focus and productivity.

Broadband Watch

Faster. Faster. Faster—SpaceX claims that Starlink can deliver gigabit speeds if the FCC approves a new plan to use additional frequency bands and deploy upgraded satellites. These improvements, enabled by advanced beam-forming technology, would significantly increase network capacity and efficiency. SpaceX is pushing the FCC to update current satellite regulations, which the company believes limit Starlink's full potential. If approved, the new plan would help SpaceX offer faster and more reliable internet, advancing its goal of providing high-speed broadband globally, especially in underserved areas.

RideShare Watch

Blind Rage—A group of people with blindness and their allies rallied outside Uber and Lyft offices to protest ride denials by drivers. Many blind passengers with service animals have reported being refused rides, despite laws prohibiting such discrimination. The rally aimed to raise awareness of these recurring issues and demand that ride-hailing companies enforce stricter consequences for drivers who deny service. This protest highlights ongoing accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities in transportation services.

CarTech Watch

A Better View—Viofo's new A329 dash cam brings significant advancements, including the world's first 4K video recording at 60fps for smoother, more detailed footage, especially in high-speed incidents. It also features external SSD support for up to three weeks of continuous recording, Wi-Fi 6 for faster file transfers, and voice control. The A329 includes a rear 2K camera and Sony Starvis 2 sensors for improved night vision. Available in both single and dual camera versions, it enhances road safety with cutting-edge tech.

Tesla Watch

Bumpy Roads Ahead—Tesla is progressing with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology and aims to deploy unsupervised FSD and robotaxis. These plans could face regulatory challenges due to the evolving legal frameworks governing autonomous vehicles. Tesla is positioning its FSD to operate without human supervision. Still, approval from the FCC and transportation agencies remains a significant hurdle, as governments are cautious about fully autonomous driving systems and ensuring road safety.

A Watchful Eye—A Tesla owner shared frustrating footage on Reddit after their car was vandalized overnight despite having cameras to deter such incidents. The video shows a passerby slashing the car's tires and throwing a rock, damaging the vehicle. Tesla owners, especially those with electric vehicles, have faced similar acts of vandalism due to rising anti-EV sentiment. Acts like these not only harm the car owners but also hinder broader efforts to reduce transportation-related pollution.

Battery Watch

What Goes Up—Goldman Sachs predicts that advances in technology and reductions in the cost of battery metals will drive electric vehicle (EV) prices down, achieving cost parity with traditional gas-powered cars by 2026. The firm projects battery costs will decrease by nearly 50%, dropping from $111 per kilowatt-hour in 2023 to $80 by 2026. Two key factors behind this trend are increased energy density and lower prices for critical metals like lithium and cobalt. However, this optimistic outlook overlooks challenges such as oversupply, environmental concerns, and geopolitical tensions, especially China's dominance in rare earth elements.

A New Formula—Lyten, a supermaterials company, is building the world's first lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, with an investment of over $1 billion. This facility, expected to go live in 2027, will produce up to 10 GWh of batteries annually and support various industries like micromobility, space, and defense. Lithium-sulfur batteries are lighter and use more abundant materials than lithium-ion, but they face challenges with lifespan and stability. The project is anticipated to create over 1,000 jobs and boost Nevada's growing lithium economy.

Medical Watch

The Doctor Will See You Now—In his TED Talk, Mohamed Aburawi presents "a hospital in the cloud," an innovative solution designed to provide healthcare access globally, particularly in underserved areas. By leveraging cloud-based technology, his platform connects medical professionals to patients anywhere in the world, offering expert consultations and healthcare services remotely. This system aims to bridge the healthcare gap by delivering timely care, overcoming geographical limitations, and using technology to save lives.

Workplace Watch

Inside Influence—Companies are increasingly turning to their own employees to act as influencers, leveraging their authentic voices to promote brand values and products on social media. This trend allows organizations to reach broader audiences through trusted, internal advocates while enhancing employee engagement. Employees are encouraged to create content that aligns with the company's message, fostering a more personal connection with consumers. As this approach grows, businesses are providing guidelines and incentives to ensure their employees' influencer efforts are both genuine and beneficial for the brand.

Big Money In Small—Gusto, a company focused on payroll and HR services, remains committed to serving small businesses despite growing opportunities to expand its market. In a TechCrunch podcast, Gusto’s CEO explains their dedication to providing tailored solutions that help small business owners manage their teams efficiently. By focusing on this segment, Gusto differentiates itself from larger competitors, aiming to support entrepreneurs with affordable and accessible resources that streamline operations.