The Comunicano Sunday Edition for December 1st 2024

Have you ever noticed how technology's dramas could rival a soap opera? From the FTC poking Microsoft with its antitrust stick to Bluesky’s struggle to differentiate itself from Twitter's shadow, tech has all the plot twists and cliffhangers we need. And what’s a soap without a touch of the absurd? Enter Zoom meetings, where productivity sometimes takes a backseat to peanut butter-coated shenanigans. Makes you wonder if the “work from home” policy was really about efficiency or just opening Pandora’s box of bizarre workplace behavior.

Speaking of odd choices, Australia is now policing teen thumbs on TikTok. "No Snapchat for you!" might be the new rallying cry of overprotective legislators. While the spirit of the law aims to safeguard mental health, enforcing it might be like catching a greased kangaroo. As critics argue, this well-intentioned move could end up isolating kids from online lifelines—like a teenager without Wi-Fi, truly unthinkable.

Bluesky, meanwhile, is living out the “rebound” phase of a tech breakup, becoming the favorite hangout for journalists fleeing the increasingly chaotic X, née Twitter. But with great growth comes great headaches. Impersonators, unregulated data scraping, and European regulators are the guests at Bluesky's “we made it” party. It’s like they’ve invited everyone and forgot to check the guest list. Good luck, Jack Dorsey.

On the AI front, Amazon is flexing its might with Olympus, a multi-talented AI model designed to do everything short of folding your laundry. If you thought Alexa was overachieving, wait till Olympus rolls into town, interpreting your emails and your workout videos simultaneously. Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett is here to remind us that all this AI magic might not come without cost—turns out even our deepest fears now have Hollywood A-listers. Her warning? AI could soon render human creativity obsolete. Cue the existential dread.

And what about OpenAI? They’re dreaming of a billion users, Apple deals, and world domination. Not so fast, says Elon Musk, who’s filed enough lawsuits to fill a courtroom drama of his own. His issue? He doesn’t love the idea of OpenAI playing Monopoly with Microsoft. Who knew antitrust law could be the season’s hottest plotline?

Even e-commerce isn’t spared from the spotlight. Amazon’s "Haul" feature feels like watching influencers celebrate rampant consumerism—shop till you drop, quite literally. But the critics aren't buying it. They're asking, “Isn’t this the same mindset that has our planet hurtling toward a heatwave apocalypse?”

And finally, airports have decided to add an extra mile—literally. Ride-hailing pick-up spots now seem like an endurance test for weary travelers. “Welcome to LaGuardia, now start your scavenger hunt for the Uber lot!” Somehow, golf simulators in abandoned drugstores feel more logical than that.

Tech, travel, social media, and peanut butter toes: the world is a crowded stage of competing absurdities. And just like a good soap opera, we keep tuning in—because honestly, who can look away? Which is why, those stories and more are here today, all in The Comunicano!!!

Andy Abramson

Microsoft Watch

Here We Go Again—The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a comprehensive antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on its software licensing and cloud computing operations. The probe examines whether Microsoft is leveraging its market dominance to enforce restrictive licensing terms, potentially stifling competition. This initiative, approved by FTC Chair Lina Khan prior to her anticipated departure in January, aligns with the agency's broader scrutiny of major technology firms. The investigation also encompasses Microsoft's practices in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, areas where competitors like Amazon and Google have raised concerns about limited customer flexibility and elevated costs. The outcome remains uncertain, especially with the impending political transition as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, which could influence the direction of antitrust enforcement.

Zoom Watch

Who’s Zooming Who—A TikToker, Nick (@nickfromohio), shared a shocking workplace incident that went viral. During a Zoom meeting, Nick left early but later discovered his boss accidentally left the camera on, catching a bizarre scene: the boss lying on the floor with a stranger rubbing peanut butter on his toes. The awkward situation sparked debates online about workplace boundaries and camera etiquette. Commenters joked about Nick’s newfound leverage, suggesting he use the incident for job security or a promotion. This episode adds to the growing list of odd workplace mishaps captured during virtual meetings, highlighting the perils of remote work culture.

Social Media Watch

How Anti-Social—Australia has enacted a groundbreaking law prohibiting individuals under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter). The legislation mandates that these platforms implement age verification measures within a year or face fines up to AUD 50 million (approximately USD 33 million). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the law's intent to protect young people's mental health and well-being. However, critics argue that it may isolate youth from online support networks and question the feasibility of enforcing age verification without infringing on privacy. The law has sparked international debate, with some advocating for similar measures elsewhere, while others express concerns over potential overreach and unintended consequences.

BlueSky Watch

If You Can’t Beat Them—Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has experienced a significant surge in users, reaching over 20 million by November 2024. This growth is largely attributed to dissatisfaction with Elon Musk's management of X (formerly Twitter), prompting many users to seek alternatives. The platform allows users to create personalized content feeds and interact without a central algorithm dictating content, fostering a more user-centric experience. However, Bluesky faces challenges, including regulatory scrutiny from the European Union for not disclosing essential information such as user numbers within the EU and its legal establishment location.Despite these hurdles, Bluesky's commitment to decentralization and user autonomy continues to attract a growing user base, positioning it as a notable alternative in the evolving social media landscape.

I Will Follow—Journalists are increasingly flocking to Bluesky as X (formerly Twitter) becomes less hospitable under Elon Musk’s leadership. Bluesky, a decentralized, invitation-only platform founded by Jack Dorsey, offers a less toxic and more engaging environment, attracting journalists, activists, and marginalized communities. Many reporters report higher engagement, with posts on Bluesky outperforming those on X by wide margins. Unlike X, Bluesky doesn’t deprioritize links, enabling news outlets and creators to drive more traffic to their work. This shift underscores the platform's appeal as a supportive space for meaningful discourse, free from hate speech and algorithmic suppression, reviving hope for online journalism and authentic engagement.

Just Scraping By—Bluesky’s open Firehose API has raised concerns about data scraping for AI training after a researcher at Hugging Face accessed one million public posts for machine learning purposes. While Bluesky itself does not use user content for AI training, its lack of restrictions allows third parties to do so. The platform is exploring options to enable users to set consent preferences for external data usage, though enforcement outside its systems remains uncertain. This controversy highlights the challenges Bluesky faces as it grows in popularity, bringing increased scrutiny akin to that of larger social networks.

Imposter Syndrome—Bluesky, the decentralized social platform, is intensifying efforts to curb impersonation and parody accounts. Unlike other major social networks, Bluesky currently lacks a formal verification system, which has led to a rise in fake profiles mimicking public figures and organizations. To address this, Bluesky is exploring methods to enhance user authenticity, including the potential implementation of custom domains as a form of self-verification. This approach would allow users to link their profiles to personal or official websites, thereby confirming their identities. The platform aims to balance openness with trustworthiness, ensuring a safe environment for its growing user base

AI Watch

It’s Sure Not Jerry Maguire—/dev/agents, a startup founded by former Google and Stripe executives, has secured $56 million in seed funding to develop an operating system for AI agents. Led by CEO David Singleton, previously CTO at Stripe, the company aims to simplify the creation of autonomous AI agents capable of performing tasks independently using human-like reasoning. The funding round was led by Index Ventures and CapitalG, with participation from angel investors including Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy The company plans to develop a cloud-based operating system that supports AI agents across various devices.

The Saga of DeepFakes—The global rise of explicit AI-generated deepfakes has triggered legislative and social alarm. Advances in generative AI make creating hyper-realistic non-consensual content increasingly accessible, with over 32 million visits to “nudify” sites recorded in September alone. Women disproportionately face deepfake abuse, often as retribution or harassment, sparking advocacy for stronger legal protections. Governments are responding variably: the UK criminalizes sharing such content, while South Korea penalizes creation and viewing. In the U.S., the bipartisan Defiance Act and Shield Act aim to grant victims the right to sue and criminalize sharing of explicit deepfakes. Meanwhile, platforms face pressure to enforce safeguards, with Big Tech’s role under scrutiny. These efforts could influence broader AI abuse regulation.

YALM from Amazon—Amazon is reportedly developing "Olympus," a multimodal language model set to handle text, images, and video inputs, potentially debuting during AWS re:Invent. With an estimated 2 trillion parameters, Olympus may allow natural language searches in video and analysis of complex datasets. It is expected to be integrated into AWS Bedrock, enhancing Amazon's AI offerings while reducing reliance on partners like Anthropic. The move aligns with Amazon's broader AI and hardware strategies, including its custom chips. Olympus could position Amazon at the forefront of multimodal AI development, targeting enterprise applications and reinforcing its competitive edge in cloud AI solutions.

Junior Achievement— Anthropic's AI model, Claude, is revolutionizing business operations by acting as a "junior employee." Designed to handle tasks such as drafting emails, summarizing documents, and providing data insights, Claude enables human workers to focus on more strategic activities. This integration of AI into daily workflows enhances productivity and fosters a collaborative environment between humans and machines. Anthropic emphasizes ethical AI development, ensuring Claude operates within established safety protocols. As AI continues to evolve, tools like Claude are set to play a pivotal role in transforming workplace dynamics and efficiency.

Raw Power—AI's escalating energy demands are heavily straining global power grids, consuming vast resources akin to small countries. Tech companies' race to build advanced AI systems exacerbates electricity usage, with data centers rivaling national consumption levels. By 2034, AI's energy requirements could comprise 20-25% of U.S. power, up from the current 4%. Critics argue that Silicon Valley elites prioritize AI's growth over environmental sustainability, exploiting fossil fuels to stabilize renewable energy claims. Activists and analysts warn of unchecked AI acceleration outpacing safety measures, risking blackouts and societal disruption for monetary and technological gain, highlighting AGI’s potential to reshape humanity.

Fear Factor—Actress Cate Blanchett voiced her concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) in an interview on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, describing it as a "very real" threat to humanity. While promoting her new apocalyptic comedy film Rumours, Blanchett highlighted AI's potential to replace human roles, including voice and likeness replication. She expressed apprehension about AI's impact on society and creativity, deeming it "experimentation for its own sake" with destructive implications. In Rumours, Blanchett portrays a German Chancellor hosting a G7 summit, with the film exploring the fragility of political identities. Blanchett stressed the need for caution as AI advances, questioning its broader societal implications.

OpenAI Watch

Goal Setting—OpenAI is ambitiously targeting one billion users by leveraging new AI products, infrastructure investments, and a strategic Apple partnership. The company plans to launch AI "agents," an AI-powered search engine, and ChatGPT integration across Apple devices. Backed by $6 billion in recent investments and a valuation of $150 billion, OpenAI is building data centers and expanding its team, shifting from a non-profit to a for-profit model. While navigating political and competitive challenges, OpenAI aims to lead in “democratic” AI development, addressing national security concerns and global AI dynamics. This growth positions OpenAI as a major player in the Intelligence Age.

Block That Deal—Elon Musk has intensified his legal battle against OpenAI by filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the company's transition to a for-profit entity. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft has led to anti-competitive practices, including discouraging investments in competing AI firms, which Musk claims violates the Sherman Act. Additionally, the suit accuses OpenAI of improperly sharing sensitive information with Microsoft, contravening the Clayton Act. OpenAI's spokesperson, Hannah Wong, has dismissed these allegations as meritless. This legal action marks Musk's third attempt this year to challenge OpenAI's shift from its original nonprofit mission.

Amazon Watch

Your Package Was Where—Amazon Air, the e-commerce giant's dedicated cargo airline, has strategically established hubs at key airports worldwide to enhance its logistics network and ensure rapid deliveries. These hubs are selected based on factors like connectivity, infrastructure, and proximity to major markets.

1. Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) – Leipzig, Germany

Serving as Amazon Air's central European hub, LEJ facilitates cross-border logistics across Europe. Its location in Germany supports the region's growing e-commerce demands.

Cities Served: Leipzig, Halle, Dresden, Berlin, and other central and eastern German regions.

Aircraft Movements: Over 80,000 cargo flights in 2022, ranking it among Europe's busiest cargo airports.

Cargo Handled: Approximately 1.6 million metric tons in 2023.

Other Cargo Airlines: DHL Aviation, AeroLogic, Antonov Airlines, and MNG Airlines.

2. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) – Hyderabad, India

As Amazon Air's first dedicated hub in India, HYD addresses the country's surging e-commerce demands, especially in the southern regions.

Cities Served: Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and other southern Indian cities.

Aircraft Movements: 176,286 between April 2023 and March 2024.

Cargo Handled: Nearly 150,000 metric tons in the same period, with significant e-commerce contributions.

Other Cargo Airlines: Blue Dart Aviation, Lufthansa Cargo, Oman Air Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Turkish Cargo.

3. San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) – San Bernardino, California, USA

SBD serves as a critical hub for Amazon Air's West Coast operations, enhancing delivery capabilities across the western United States.

Cities Served: Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and other western U.S. regions.

Aircraft Movements: Data not specified.

Cargo Handled: Data not specified.

Other Cargo Airlines: FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.

4. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – Hebron, Kentucky, USA

CVG is Amazon Air's principal U.S. hub, centralizing its cargo operations and facilitating nationwide deliveries.

Cities Served: Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, Columbus, and other Midwestern regions.

Aircraft Movements: Data not specified.

Cargo Handled: Data not specified.

Other Cargo Airlines: DHL Aviation and FedEx Express.

5. Wilmington Air Park (ILN) – Wilmington, Ohio, USA

ILN supports Amazon Air's operations in the Midwest, ensuring efficient deliveries across the region.

Cities Served: Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, and other Midwestern areas.

Aircraft Movements: Data not specified.

Cargo Handled: Data not specified.

Other Cargo Airlines: None specified.

Through these strategically located hubs, Amazon Air continues to redefine supply chain management, ensuring rapid and reliable deliveries to customers worldwide.

E-Commerce Watch

Just Haul It Away—Amazon's new “Amazon Haul” storefront taps into the phenomenon of “hauls,” popularized by social media culture, where excessive shopping is celebrated. Available via the app in the U.S., Haul offers products under $20, including fashion and home items, with bulk discounts. While Amazon claims it’s meeting consumer demand, critics argue that the concept perpetuates overconsumption, valuing quantity over quality. This "dopamine hit" of shopping leads to compulsive behavior, contributing to sustainability issues such as labor exploitation, waste, and environmental harm. An emerging anti-haul movement highlights the need for mindful consumption, challenging the endless pursuit of more.

Apple Watch

The Virtual Sports Fan Cometh—Apple is in talks to integrate immersive video capabilities into Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium, enabling live sports streaming for Vision Pro users. The collaboration, revealed by Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez, aims to transform the stadium experience by allowing fans to watch games virtually as if they were physically present. This initiative aligns with Apple’s push into immersive content, particularly in sports, and could set a precedent for other stadiums and sports globally. A successful deployment at Santiago Bernabéu could showcase the potential of Vision Pro in redefining sports viewership and attract widespread interest from the sports industry.

Money Watch

Wimpie Was Right—Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are set for a record-breaking holiday season, with $18.5 billion in projected transactions, a 11% increase from last year. These services, offering interest-free installment payments, appeal to financially strained consumers facing rising prices due to inflation. While initially popular for big-ticket items, BNPL is increasingly used for necessities like groceries The convenience of mobile shopping fuels impulse buying, but risks include nonpayment affecting credit scores and difficulties with merchandise returns. Experts caution against overextending through multiple BNPL loans, as the trend reshapes consumer spending habits during the holiday season.

Real Estate Watch

But Did They Say “Four”—New York City’s retail landscape is shifting, with vacant storefronts once occupied by drugstores or chain retailers now housing golf simulators. This trend is fueled by the pandemic’s boost to golf’s popularity and an abundance of unleased commercial spaces. Indoor golf facilities, like Golfzon Social and Gowanus Golf Club, cater to a mix of serious players and social hangouts, offering memberships, luxury amenities, and event spaces. As drugstore closures increase, these simulators represent a growing leisure culture focused on niche, high-end experiences. With the upcoming televised Golf League, simulators are set to redefine urban recreational spaces, highlighting exclusivity over accessibility.

Ridesharing Watch

Taken For A Ride—Navigating airport ride-hailing has become increasingly cumbersome, with travelers facing long walks, shuttles, and confusing pick-up zones. Airports like LAX, Logan, and O’Hare have moved ride-hailing pick-ups to remote lots or parking garages to ease curbside congestion, a necessity due to the surge in ride-share demand. While some facilities, such as LaGuardia’s new terminal, provide smoother ride-share access, the process often frustrates passengers who expect convenience after flights. Airports are adapting infrastructure and collaborating with companies like Uber to improve traffic flow, but new designs may still struggle to meet evolving transportation needs, including future tech like autonomous vehicles.

Word Watch

What’s The Word—Flying Comet Games, founded by Seattle natives Calli Fuchigami and Eden Ghirmai, has launched a "Wordle"-inspired puzzle game with a unique Seattle twist. Their Wordy-verse platform features local themes, such as Seattle street names and landmarks, alongside categories like yoga and TV shows. The startup avoids referencing "Wordle" directly to sidestep copyright concerns, focusing instead on customizing categories for niche audiences. Flying Comet also develops casual games, including “Keep Bufo Alive,” and plans to monetize through subscriptions and partnerships with media outlets. Though now based in the Bay Area, their puzzles maintain a distinctly Seattle flavor.