Today’s News - Friday 10

Today in Tech: Apples, Electric Cars, and Brain Chips

Welcome to Alight Read, where we dive into the tumultuous sea of tech news, so you don't have to wear a lifejacket. Let's get into the whirlpool of digital drama, starting with the fruit at the top of the tech tree: Apple. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, approximately 85% of Americans own a smartphone, with Apple holding a significant market share. As the tech giant continues to dominate, the question on everyone's mind is: who will be the next to lead the charge?

The Next Top Apple Picker

First up, Tim Cook, the Grand Poobah of Apple, might still be at the helm, but that hasn't stopped the world from speculating who's next in line for the throne. Tim, who's been the CEO since 2011 and turns a spry 64 this year, isn't hinting at stepping down. But should he decide to pass the baton, John Ternus, the 49-year-old Senior VP of Hardware Engineering, is the likely successor. Why? Apple's board is apparently looking for someone who's willing to stick around for a good decade or so. Ternus might just be their guy, assuming he doesn't have any plans to run off and join the circus or something similarly unforeseen. With Apple's revenue hitting a staggering $394.3 billion in 2022, up 8% from the previous year, the next CEO will have some big shoes to fill.

Tesla's Missing Jobs Mystery

Moving on to the electrifying world of Tesla, it seems Elon Musk has played a game of now you see them, now you don't with U.S. job postings. After weeks of what Musk describes as 'hardcore' layoffs, the 3,400 job listings that once littered the landscape across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico are now ghost listings. This makes the second vanishing act for Tesla job postings since layoffs began in mid-April. With high-profile execs jumping ship too, one has to wonder if Tesla's factory floors are as quiet as their Jobs page. Despite the turbulence, Tesla delivered an impressive 422,875 vehicles globally in the first quarter of 2023, a 36% increase from the same period last year.

The Stuff of Life According to Google DeepMind

In science meets AI news, Google DeepMind is showing off its latest party trick: AlphaFold 3. This new AI can model DNA, RNA, and basically all of life's molecules, which is a significant leap from its protein-only days. With a 50% improvement in prediction accuracy, AlphaFold 3 is like the Einstein of molecular structure prediction. DeepMind is even letting some researchers play with this new tool for free, presumably to create mutant superfoods or figure out if cats truly are liquid. The potential applications for this technology are vast, with the ability to accelerate drug discovery and revolutionize our understanding of biology.

Neuralink's Little "Oops" Moment

Now, let's talk about Neuralink and its quest to turn humans into highly efficient, brain-chip-implanted beings. Their first human implant seemed perfect, except, oops, some threads came out, reducing the data the device could snag from the patient's brain. Despite this hiccup, the patient can still play computer games and navigate screens, proving that even when things don't go perfectly, you can still have fun. Neuralink, the ever-optimistic bunch, is confident they'll untangle this little thread issue. While the technology is still in its early stages, Neuralink's ambitions could potentially revolutionize the way we interact with computers and treat neurological conditions.

Coding for Fun and Profit

On the programming front, turns out dabbling in open source could be your golden ticket to the chocolate factory – I mean, tech industry. No diplomas? No problem. Open source can be your portfolio, proving you can jump into codebases like a kangaroo on a pogo stick. It's also a great way to network, find jobs, and show you're a self-starter who doesn't need to be told to clean your room to know it's a good idea. According to the 2021 Open Source Jobs Report, 97% of hiring managers state that open source experience is a key factor in their hiring decisions, with 65% actively seeking out professionals with open source skills.

Stack Overflow vs. The Protesters

In a less cheerful coding tale, Stack Overflow and its users are having a bit of a tiff. Following a partnership announcement with OpenAI, some Stack Overflow patrons wanted to delete their contributions in protest, only to find themselves in a digital timeout. While Europe's GDPR laws offer a 'forget me' option, Stack Overflow is standing firm, citing the need for continuity in the question-and-answer universe. With over 100 million monthly visitors and a vast repository of community-generated content, Stack Overflow has become an essential resource for developers worldwide.

AI Regulations: Stirring The Pot

Speaking of protests, let's talk about the ruckus over AI regulation in California. Senate Bill 1047 wants AI makers to pinky promise their creations are safe before letting them loose on the public. Given most of these brainy companies are California-based, this piece of legislation is causing international waves. The bill aims to address some real concerns, but not everyone's sold on the idea, sparking fierce debates over the future of AI. A recent survey by the Center for Data Innovation found that 58% of U.S. adults believe the government should be doing more to regulate AI, highlighting the growing public interest in ensuring the responsible development of this transformative technology.

Google Employees Asking the Tough Questions

Lastly, despite Google raking in more dough than a bakery on a Sunday morning, it seems all's not well in the world of Googlers. Employees are questioning why their pay isn't reflecting the company's blowout earnings, citing falling morale and a growing disconnect between them and the powers that be. Sundar Pichai, Google's captain, plans to cut expenses and encourage efficiencies, though it's unclear if this will bridge the gap between leadership and the rank-and-file. In 2022, Google's parent company Alphabet reported a revenue of $282.8 billion, a 10% increase from the previous year, yet the discontent among employees suggests that the fruits of this success are not being evenly distributed.

And there you have it, folks, a whirlwind tour of today's tech news. Whether you're eyeing up the next CEO of Apple, pondering the disappearance of Tesla jobs, marveling at AI advances, or contemplating the complexities of coding communities and corporate culture, remember: in the stormy seas of technology, there's always a lighthouse of humor to guide you home. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, it's crucial to stay informed, engaged, and ready to adapt to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.