Science and Technology

In the realm of cutting-edge technology, self-driving cars have emerged as a symbol of the future. Promising to revolutionize transportation, these autonomous vehicles are designed to navigate the roads without human intervention. However, behind the sleek exteriors and sophisticated software lies a surprising truth: these cars are not fully autonomous. The human connection Despite advances in artificial intelligence, self-driving cars still rely heavily on human supervision. Remote operators, often located in distant command centers, monitor the vehicles' performance and intervene when necessary. These "virtual pilots" play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of these autonomous machines. The…

In a landmark legal battle with lasting implications for digital archives, the Internet Archive faced a setback when a federal appeals court ruled against its practice of offering free access to scanned books without the proper license. The decision, handed down by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, underscores ongoing tensions between copyright holders and digital libraries. The controversy began during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Internet Archive took an unprecedented step. As physical libraries and schools closed across the country, the organization expanded its collection online, allowing public access to its digital archive…

This summer’s political scene has been ripe for the proliferation of disinformation, traditionally dominated by the right but recently seeing a significant increase on the progressive front. Current political events have provided fertile ground for the spread of unverified claims. Recent allegations from political figures and a top associate of billionaire Reid Hoffman have sparked controversy. They have suggested, without evidence, that former President Donald J. Trump may have orchestrated his own assassination attempt at an event in July. Additionally, actor Mark Hamill, known for his support of Democratic causes and his large social media following, was outspoken in his…

In the rapidly evolving AI landscape, OpenAI, known for its pioneering AI product, ChatGPT, is undergoing significant organizational and leadership changes. These adjustments are intended to better position the company in a competitive technology market and address ongoing concerns about AI safety. OpenAI recently welcomed a diverse group of leaders, including high-level tech executives, disinformation analysts, and AI security specialists. This strategic leadership buildout is complemented by the addition of seven new board members, one of whom is a retired four-star general with previous leadership at the National Security Agency. These changes underscore OpenAI’s commitment to responsibly advancing AI technologies.…

A consensus among a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices has reaffirmed an earlier decision to uphold the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform X in the country. The move came after the platform failed to comply with court requests to deactivate specific user accounts. On a recent Monday, the five-judge panel unanimously upheld the initial injunction issued by Judge Alexandre de Moraes. The judges said in their opinions that the actions taken against X were fully in line with Brazilian legal standards, stressing the need to uphold local laws even against international companies that might ignore them. Judge…

Starlink has communicated its decision to Brazil's telecommunications regulator Anatel to continue operations despite a formal suspension order. This move by the Elon Musk-led satellite internet provider has increased tensions with regulators over compliance and operational legality in the region. Following a recent court order seeking to temporarily suspend Starlink’s operations in Brazil, the company has defiantly stated its intention to continue with its services, citing commitments to its customers and ongoing projects in the country. This stance has sparked significant debate about regulatory oversight over technological progress and service continuity. The situation has attracted the attention of various stakeholders,…

As the longshore workers' contract nears its end in late September, negotiations have hit a snag, largely because of concerns about automated equipment. These discussions affect longshore workers along the East Coast and Gulf Coast. At the heart of the dispute is a technological change at a small port in Mobile, Alabama, where trucks are now screened and allowed in without the need for unionized labor. The change has sparked considerable unrest among members of the International Longshoremen's Association, which represents more than 47,000 longshoremen. The union's president, Harold J. Daggett, has been vocal in his opposition to automation, saying…

In a dramatic turn of events late Friday, residents across Brazil found themselves cut off from the popular social network X, formerly known as Twitter. The shutdown followed a direct order from a Brazilian Supreme Court judge, marking a peak in an ongoing legal battle with X owner Elon Musk over compliance with local regulations. Legal battle intensifies The conflict has escalated in recent months after Musk said X would no longer comply with certain Brazilian court orders to suspend specific user accounts. This defiance led to threats of arrest by the courts, prompting Musk to withdraw his staff from…

In a significant development, Brazil has initiated a nationwide suspension of the social network X after its owner, Elon Musk, failed to comply with court orders to deactivate specific user accounts. The action marks a critical escalation in the ongoing conflict over online free speech and regulatory compliance. Context of the ban The decision went into effect last Saturday, impacting Brazil’s 200 million residents. The directive, issued by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was enforced due to X’s lack of a physical base of operations in Brazil. The legal move underscores growing tensions between domestic courts and global…

Related media - News 24 hours In a significant development on the antitrust front, Google’s recent legal setback has opened the door to more legal challenges, with Yelp becoming the latest to file a lawsuit. This action follows a landmark ruling earlier this month in which a federal judge labeled Google an illegal monopoly, marking a pivotal moment in regulatory scrutiny of the tech giant. New legal battles emerge The Google verdict has triggered a series of potential legal battles, with Yelp stepping forward to challenge Google’s practices in the local search market segment. Filed in federal court in San…