Tech

AI anxiety: Black Mirror on power of tech companies

Published

10 months ago

June 28, 2023

ticker NEWS

The episode of the dark sci-fi series plays into concerns over what tech companies can do with our digital likeness

In the new season of Netflix’s sci-fi show “Black Mirror,” an office manager finds that a streaming service is replaying her life using an avatar of Salma Hayek.

In the episode released on Thursday, the character sells her digital image to be used for creating new programming using artificial intelligence – or AI.

Annie Murphy, who plays the office manager, said the story highlights real-world concerns of actors and writers.

Earlier this month, the Writers Guild of America went on strike over concerns that studios would start using generative AI to write scripts instead of humans.

Stars such as Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves and Salma Hayek became concerned after realistic-looking “deepfakes” began to circulate online.

In their negotiations with Hollywood studios, actors are seeking protection for their images.

Shows

Is GenerativeAI transforming education?

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

ticker NEWS

Educators today are facing an uphill battle, so what’s the solution?

Today’s educators are passionate, but they’re up against diverse classrooms and outdated teaching methods.

In this episode, Trevor Furness, Chief Revenue Officer of Octopus B-I discuss their efforts to transform education. #funding futures

News

How AI is leveraging Amazon’s fast production

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2024

Nathan Langridge

Amazon reported better-than-expected results for the last quarter, surpassing analysts’ estimates.

Amazon reported better-than-expected results for the last quarter, surpassing analysts’ estimates, driven by strong performance in its cloud computing and AI.

Ticker’s Ahron Young & Veronica Dudo discuss.

Tech

Tesla is slashing prices to stay competitive

Published

2 weeks ago

April 21, 2024

Reuters

Tesla cut the U.S. prices of its Model Y, Model X and Model S vehicles by $2,000 each, days after the first-quarter deliveries of the world’s most valuable automaker missed market expectations.

Elon Musk’s electric-vehicle (EV) maker lowered the prices for its Model Y base variant to $42,990, while the long-range and performance variants are now priced at $47,990 and $51,490, respectively, according to its website.

The basic version of the Model S now costs $72,990 and its plaid variant $87,990. The Model X base variant now costs $77,990 and its plaid variant is priced at $92,900.

Tesla North America also said in a post on X said it would end its referral program benefits in all markets after April 30.

Referral program allows buyers to get extra incentives through referrals from existing customers, a strategy long used by traditional automakers to boost sales.

Musk has postponed a planned trip to India where he was to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announce plans to enter the South Asian market, Reuters reported on Saturday.

On Monday Reuters reported, citing an internal memo, that the EV maker was laying off more than 10% of its global workforce.

Earlier this month Reuters reported the EV maker had canceled a long-promised inexpensive car, expected to cost $25,000, that investors had been counting on to drive mass-market growth.

The EV maker reported this month that its global vehicle deliveries in the first quarter fell for the first time in nearly four years, as price cuts failed to stir demand.

Tesla is to report first-quarter earnings on Tuesday.