Technology

Google faces potential breakup in landmark antitrust inquiry

Google faces potential breakup in landmark antitrust inquiry

In a significant development, the US Department of Justice is contemplating strong actions against Google that could lead to the reshaping of its corporate structure to address alleged monopolistic practices. This comes after a federal judge's ruling in August that positioned Google as the dominant entity in the online search market. The government's proposals to curb Google's control of the market were revealed in a recent court filing. The Justice Department is exploring the possibility of forcing Google to divest certain segments of its business or significantly change its operations. This could involve making the data that powers Google's search…
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Nobel prize in chemistry awarded to trio for pioneering protein research through AI

Nobel prize in chemistry awarded to trio for pioneering protein research through AI

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three researchers for their innovative work in protein prediction and design using advanced artificial intelligence technologies. This prestigious award was awarded to David Baker of the University of Washington and Demis Hassabis together with John M. Jumper of Google DeepMind, both based in the United Kingdom. The award highlights the integration of artificial intelligence with chemical research, demonstrating significant progress in our understanding and innovation in protein structures. Proteins, often described as the building blocks of life, play a crucial role in virtually all biological processes. The ability to predict…
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Hinton reflects on Nobel win for AI foundations

Hinton reflects on Nobel win for AI foundations

Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer of artificial intelligence, shared his surprise and thoughts in an interview with the New York Times shortly after learning that he had won the Nobel Prize in Physics together with John J. Hopfield. The award recognizes their foundational work on artificial neural networks, the technology at the heart of modern artificial intelligence systems such as Google Search and ChatGPT. Hinton expressed surprise at receiving the award, particularly for physics, given the research's connection to computer science and biology. He explained that while the Hopfield network and the Boltzmann machine, his and Dr. Hopfield's key contributions, were…
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Hopfield and Hinton win Nobel Prize in physics for AI breakthroughs

Hopfield and Hinton win Nobel Prize in physics for AI breakthroughs

John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their seminal work on artificial neural networks, the technology underlying modern artificial intelligence. Their research, conducted in the late 1970s and early 1980s, laid the foundation for the development of machine learning systems that now power services like Google Search, Siri, and ChatGPT. The Nobel committee recognized the profound impact of their discoveries, stating that they “showed a completely new way of using computers” and highlighted the significant role of neural networks in various scientific fields, including physics itself. Dr. Hinton, often called the…
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Electric vehicles at risk during floods: Insights and precautions

Electric vehicles at risk during floods: Insights and precautions

As Hurricane Milton approaches, Florida authorities are advising residents to move their electric vehicles (EVs) away from areas that could be affected by flooding and storm surges. This precautionary measure is critical to avoid the risk of electric vehicles catching fire due to prolonged immersion in salt water, a scenario that, while rare, poses a significant threat. During torrential rains in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in June, a blue sedan plugged into an electric charger was photographed with its wheels partially submerged. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities associated with electric vehicle charging in flood-prone areas. The Facebook page for Hillsborough County,…
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Big tech’s AI tools: How to avoid them if you choose

Big tech’s AI tools: How to avoid them if you choose

As major technology companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta continue to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday technology products, the question arises: did consumers really want it? Feedback from my readers suggests that many people feel overwhelmed by the pervasive presence of artificial intelligence in technology, which they find increasingly difficult to ignore. These companies are leveraging user engagement to refine their AI algorithms through constant interaction with their products. When you ask Google a question like "Is Jay-Z left-handed?", an AI-generated summary appears at the top of the search results. Likewise, using Instagram's search tool now likely involves…
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