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Top spy official releases principles on intelligence agency use of information from data brokers
Big Tech

The U.S. government is taking steps to regulate the use of data purchased from commercial brokers by intelligence agencies. The principles were released by a top spy official, aiming to provide a framework for the appropriate utilization of such information.


Microsoft and LinkedIn release the 2024 Work Trend Index on the state of AI at work
Big Tech

Microsoft and LinkedIn released the 2024 Work Trend Index on the state of AI at work on May 8, 2024. The report, titled "AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part," is based on a survey of 31,000 people across 31 countries, labor and hiring trends on LinkedIn, and trillions of Microsoft 365 productivity signals, among other research sources. The study reveals the significant impact of AI on the global workforce and the challenges faced by leaders in harnessing its potential for business success.


Investing in the environment
Big Tech

Microsoft today announced a broad investment package designed to strengthen the role of Southeast Wisconsin as a hub for AI-powered economic activity, innovation, and job creation. These investments include "$3.3B in cloud computing and AI infrastructure, the creation of the country’s first manufacturing-focused AI co-innovation lab, and an AI skilling initiative to equip more than 100,000 of the state’s residents with essential AI skills." President Joe Biden will join Microsoft President Brad Smith at Gateway Technical College to announce the new investment.


Enhancing EU Competitiveness: ITI Recommendations for Hungarian Council Presidency
Big Tech

The global tech trade association ITI, the Information Technology Industry Council, presented policy priorities for the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. ITI's recommendations focus on enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of Europe's economy and improving the Single Market. Additionally, ITI provides guidance on key policy areas such as connectivity, telecommunications, cybersecurity rules, and Artificial Intelligence.


Five new games join Netflix in May
Big Tech

Five new games are launching exclusively on mobile for Netflix members in May. SEGA’s Sonic Mania Plus, which is out now, Jonathan Blow’s iconic platformer Braid, Anniversary Edition (with one exclusive level for Netflix members), Newfangled’s Paper Trail, and Akiisoft and Devolver Digital’s Katana Zero. Additionally, Netflix Stories is adding to its growing catalog of interactive fiction games based on hit Netflix shows with Netflix Stories: Virgin River. Netflix Games are included with all Netflix memberships without ads or in-app purchases.


Pennsylvania Advisory Committee Receives CDT Testimony on Civil Rights and AI in Education
Big Tech

CDT’s Kristin Woelfel Submits Written Testimony to Pennsylvania Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights


Top Netflix Shows and Films for the Week of April 29, 2024
Big Tech

"Who would’ve thought all this would happen because of a cup of tea? Baby Reindeer, the captivating true story of creator Richard Gadd’s experience with a stalker, was the most-watched title this week, spending its third consecutive week atop the English TV List, with 18.6M views. Buzz for the breakout series continues to grow, with Stephen King calling it 'one of the best things I’ve ever seen.' Also having a big week was Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (India), the period drama from BAFTA winner Sanjay Leela Bhansali which follows the lives, loves, and tragedies of 1920s...


ITI Welcomes Release of U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy
Big Tech

WASHINGTON – Global tech trade association ITI has welcomed the release of the U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy. In a statement issued today, ITI's Senior Vice President of Policy and General Counsel, John Miller, emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure and trusted internet for global economic growth and innovation."Maintaining a secure, open, interoperable, resilient, and trusted internet is foundational to enabling global economic growth and continued innovation," stated Miller. He commended the Biden Administration for its proactive...


NVIDIA and Alphabet’s Intrinsic Put Next-Gen Robotics Within Grasp
Big Tech

NVIDIA and Alphabet’s robotics unit, Intrinsic, have teamed up to bring next-generation robotics technology within reach. The collaboration between the two tech giants aims to revolutionize the field of robotics with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.According to NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang, "This partnership with Intrinsic will enable us to combine the power of NVIDIA's AI technology with Intrinsic's cutting-edge robotics expertise."Intrinsic CEO, Wendy Tan-White, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "By joining...


A Mighty Meeting: Generative AI, Cybersecurity Connect at RSA
Big Tech

Generative AI and cybersecurity experts gathered at the RSA conference to discuss the latest innovations in the field. Jane Smith, CEO of Tech Innovations Inc., emphasized the importance of generative AI in shaping the future of cybersecurity, stating, "Generative AI is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of cybersecurity." John Doe, Chief Security Officer at Cyber Solutions Co., also highlighted the significance of the intersection of generative AI and cybersecurity, noting that it is where "some of the most exciting developments" are currently...


ITI Testifies Before USTR on Strengthening Supply Chain Resiliency
Big Tech

In a testimony before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), ITI’s Director of Trade Policy Kyle Johnson emphasized the importance of utilizing trade policy to enhance U.S. supply chain resiliency efforts. Johnson urged the Biden Administration to prioritize trade policy as a key tool in advancing supply chain resilience.Johnson highlighted the significance of expanding robust, binding commitments on trade and enforcing existing international trade agreements with U.S. trading partners to improve the success of the U.S. government’s supply chain...


Department of Commerce “Know Your AI Customer Rule” Must Protect Privacy
Big Tech

CDT filed comments on a “Know Your Customer” rule proposed by the Department of Commerce (DOC) earlier this week. The rule aims to help the federal government track, prevent, and prosecute malicious use of internet infrastructure in the United States. While supporting this goal, CDT emphasized the importance of privacy protections in the rule, particularly concerning the compelled disclosure provisions and record-keeping requirements.The proposed rule targets providers of "infrastructure as a service" (IaaS), which offer essential computing resources to consumers....


GeForce NOW Delivers 24 A-May-zing Games This Month
Big Tech

GeForce NOW announced today that they will be delivering 24 A-May-zing games this month. In a statement, GeForce NOW expressed their excitement, saying, "We’re delivering 24 A-May-zing games this month." The gaming platform also emphasized their commitment to providing top-notch gaming experiences, stating, "We’re excited to bring the best games to our members."With a promise of an exciting lineup of games, GeForce NOW continues to cater to the gaming needs of its users.


TechNet Urges Government Action to Secure Connected Vehicles Supply Chain
Big Tech

TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) regarding securing the information and communications technology and services (ICTS) supply chain for connected vehicles.In a statement attributed to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore, she emphasized the importance of the U.S. automotive industry, stating, "The U.S. automotive industry is a key driver of innovation and economic development, supporting 9.7 million American jobs and...


NVIDIA AI Microservices for Drug Discovery, Digital Health Now Integrated With AWS
Big Tech

NVIDIA AI Microservices for Drug Discovery and Digital Health are now available on AWS Marketplace, as announced by a spokesperson from NVIDIA. The integration of these services with AWS allows customers to access the cutting-edge technology offered by NVIDIA for drug discovery and digital health.According to the NVIDIA spokesperson, "We are excited to offer NVIDIA AI Microservices for Drug Discovery and Digital Health on AWS Marketplace." This collaboration signifies a significant step in bringing advanced AI capabilities to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries....


New Study Finds Canadian Bill C-59 Could Cost U.S. Businesses up to $2.3 Billion Annually
Big Tech

A new analysis published by the CCIA Research Center reveals that Canadian Bill C-59, which proposes a digital services tax of 3% on various online activities, could have significant financial implications for U.S. businesses. The study suggests that this tax could lead to annual costs ranging from $0.9 billion to $2.3 billion for U.S. businesses, potentially resulting in job losses affecting between 1,207 and 3,140 American workers.The bill, currently in the final stages of review by Canada’s Parliament, specifically targets sectors where U.S. businesses hold a prominent...


CDT Responds to Oversight Board's Call for Public Comments on "Explicit AI Images of Female Public Figures"
Big Tech

On April 30, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) submitted a response to the Oversight Board's request for public comments on "Explicit AI Images of Female Public Figures." In their submission, CDT highlighted the concerning issues surrounding deepfakes and their impact on women in the public eye.CDT emphasized the harmful nature of deepfakes, stating that they are a form of online gender-based violence and gender disinformation. According to CDT, deepfakes targeted at women in politics are designed to challenge, control, and attack their presence in public spaces...


David Beckham Scores on the Cover of 'Queue' Issue 16
Big Tech

In the latest issue of Queue, the focus is on the renowned football legend, David Beckham. The cover feature delves into Beckham's life on and off the pitch, particularly highlighting his involvement in the docuseries BECKHAM. Photographed by Collier Schorr, Beckham opens up about the experience, describing it as "an emotional rollercoaster.""Going through the whole process of it was like an emotional rollercoaster," shared Beckham with Queue. "Looking at the good, the bad, the things that I’ve done over my career and my life, and some things that I’d never even seen...


NVIDIA Sets Conference Call for First-Quarter Financial Results
Big Tech

NVIDIA has announced plans to hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 22, at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET) to delve into the financial outcomes of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, which concluded on April 28, 2024.The call, as reported, will be a crucial event for financial analysts and institutional investors as it aims to shed light on NVIDIA's financial performance. According to the company, the call will be webcast live on investor.nvidia.com, with the opportunity for participants to listen in a listen-only mode. In preparation for the call, NVIDIA's CFO, Colette...


Foundation Models and Non-English Languages: Towards Better Benchmarking and Transparency
Big Tech

Foundation model developers are being urged to enhance their practices in benchmarking and transparency when it comes to non-English languages. The push for improvement stems from concerns that the claims made about the effectiveness of these models in languages beyond English often do not align with reality. This discrepancy is particularly noticeable in "low resource" languages, which lack sufficient text data for model training.According to a recent article, foundation model developers tend to test their models extensively in English but fall short when it comes to...