Category: Business

Anthropic supply chain risk designation could chill innovation, experts say The Pentagon’s designation of the industry-leading AI company Anthropic as a “supply chain risk” suggests that the U.S. government may be using its supply chain authority as leverage in negotiations with U.S. businesses, according to a Northeastern University expert. Go to techxplore

Hardware for humanoid robots: New perspectives for industrial value creation in Europe Humanoid robots are currently developing at a rapid pace. The predicted growth potential is enormous. They are set to replace and even surpass the automotive industry in terms of market potential. And in the media and at trade fairs, they are the prime…

Power producers have financial incentives to block market integration despite cost savings, says study Renewable energy is lowering electricity costs in some parts of the country, but those benefits aren’t being seen by consumers everywhere because they’re typically placed far away from demand centers. Better integrating electricity transmission networks across regions could significantly reduce generation…

When will the price be right for green hydrogen in New Zealand? Green hydrogen could help cut New Zealand’s industrial emissions, but University of Auckland modeling suggests it’s unlikely to make a dent by 2050, with electrification doing most of the heavy lifting. This is mainly due to costs, infrastructure, policy and behavioral factors, according…

How China is betting cheap AI will get the world hooked on its tech Artificial intelligence (AI) is at a very Chinese time in its life. Recent moves from Chinese AI labs are throwing the dominance of American “frontier labs” such as Google and OpenAI into question. Go to techxplore

Unlocking the ‘urban mine’: A path to US mineral sovereignty through e-waste Inside America’s junk drawers sits an untapped fortune, and a national and economic security solution. As the global race for critical minerals intensifies, University of Houston researchers have unveiled a breakthrough supply chain model designed to transform e-waste from a mounting environmental hazard…

Google Gemini, Apple add music-focused generative AI features Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Apple Inc. are adding music-focused generative artificial intelligence features to their core consumer apps, underscoring how advanced AI tools are moving into mainstream use. Go to techxplore

Research shows companies can gain advantage by prioritizing customer privacy For many companies, customer privacy is often seen as a regulatory burden that limits data use and personalization rather than as a business opportunity. Research by Natalie Chisam at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln reveals companies that handle customer data with transparency, care, and clear communication…

Unlocking the full potential of sodium- and potassium-ion batteries As the world is moving toward more sustainable energy solutions, the emergence of next-generation batteries is a crucial and indispensable milestone. One such next-generation battery is the lithium-ion battery (LIB), which is currently dominating the energy solutions sector. Go to techxplore

If Australia and Indonesia agreed to end new thermal coal mines, it could drive the green transition In the 1960s, major oil-producing nations formed a cartel to drive up the price of oil. It worked. For decades, nations in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have agreed to manage supply and raise prices.…

Will AI put me out of a job? How artificial intelligence is being used in casino gaming Will artificial intelligence put me out of a job? That’s the lingering fear some employees in the gaming industry are contemplating as rapidly evolving technology is deployed in workplaces across the globe, including in casino environments. Go to…

Why bitcoin is losing its luster after stratospheric rise Bitcoin, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency, sank this week, wiping out gains sparked by Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in November 2024. Go to techxplore

Nvidia boss insists ‘huge’ investment in OpenAI on track Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has insisted the US tech giant will make a “huge” investment in OpenAI and dismissed as “nonsense” reports that he is unhappy with the generative AI star. Go to techxplore

As fossil fuel use declines, experts urge planning and coordination to prevent chaotic collapse As the world shifts toward renewable energy sources, some experts warn that a lack of planning for the retirement of fossil fuels could lead to a disorderly and dangerous collapse of existing systems that could prolong the transition to green energy.…

EU steps in to make sure Google gives rivals access to AI services and data The European Union said Tuesday it’s stepping in to make sure Google gives rival AI companies and search engines access to Gemini AI services and data as required by the bloc’s flagship digital rulebook. Go to techxplore

TikTok settles hours before landmark social media addiction trial Video sharing app TikTok has made an eleventh-hour deal to avoid a landmark US trial accusing it, along with Meta and YouTube, of addicting young people to social media, lawyers said on Tuesday. Go to techxplore

OpenAI will put ads in ChatGPT, opening a new door for dangerous influence OpenAI has announced plans to introduce advertising in ChatGPT in the United States. Ads will appear on the free version and the low-cost Go tier, but not for Pro, Business, or Enterprise subscribers. The company says ads will be clearly separated from…

What to know about the deal to keep TikTok in US TikTok has at last finalized a deal to keep the popular video sharing platform operating in the U.S. after years of uncertainty, but questions remain about whether users’ experience will change and whether the changes actually address security concerns around the app. Go to…

Physicists predict significant growth for cadmium telluride photovoltaics A solar energy generation technology once considered limited in its potential is poised for significant growth in the United States. Go to techxplore

Boosting consumer trust could unlock market for retired EV batteries Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining unprecedented popularity across the globe, with their number reaching 26 million in 2022 and expected to grow eightfold by the end of the decade. Go to techxplore

Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep? Over the past year, few words have been abused as much as “sovereignty,” particularly in relation to Canadian digital policy and artificial intelligence. In early December, Microsoft promised to invest more than $7.5 billion over the next two years to…

Will Google be ‘third time lucky’ with new, AI-powered smart glasses? It has been over a decade since Google Glass smart glasses were announced in 2013, followed by their swift withdrawal—in part because of low adoption. Their subsequent (and lesser known) second iteration was released in 2017 and aimed at the workplace. They were withdrawn…

Google files to appeal decision in search monopoly case Google filed a notice on Friday to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that it held an illegal monopoly on online search, court records show. Go to techxplore

YouTube relaxes monetization policy on videos with controversial content YouTube is updating its guidelines for videos containing content that advertisers define as controversial, allowing more creators to earn full ad revenue when they tackle sensitive issues in a nongraphic way. Go to techxplore

Using causal AI to amplify sustainability in the textile industry With the textile industry facing mounting scrutiny over the environmental impacts of fast fashion, two researchers from Constructor University have published a framework to help responsible brands engage audiences more effectively about sustainability on social media. Go to techxplore

Digital mark and data protection guidelines ‘silence’ on AI training prevents effective competition, experts warn A “silence” in new data guidelines risks preventing fair competition in AI development and allows dominant firms to strengthen their artificial intelligence, experts have warned. Go to techxplore

Meta begins job cuts as it shifts from Metaverse to AI devices Meta Platforms Inc. is beginning to cut more than 1,000 jobs from the company’s Reality Labs division, part of a plan to redirect resources from virtual reality and metaverse products toward AI wearables and phone features. Go to techxplore

Adding batteries to hydropower facilities could increase dam lifespan and potential revenue In its current form, the nation’s electric grid largely doesn’t store energy. The vast majority of electricity generated by fossil fuels, hydropower, and other sources flows into the grid and is immediately used by consumers. But as battery energy storage becomes cheaper and…

AI pendants back in vogue at tech show after early setback Pendants and brooches packed with artificial intelligence abounded at the Consumer Electronics Show, using cameras and microphones to watch and listen through the day like a vigilant personal assistant. Go to techxplore

Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot Google said Sunday that it is expanding the shopping features in its AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other big retailers to turn the Gemini app into a virtual merchant as well as an assistant. Go…