Questions and Answers about
Technology
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in TechnologyWhy is Scarlett Johansson upset with OpenAI?
Answer: Scarlett Johansson’s frustration with OpenAI stems from their development of a ChatGPT voice feature that closely mimicked her voice. On May 20, 2024, Johansson publicly condemned this unauthorized use, describing it as shocking and a violation of her privacy. OpenAI, acknowledging the backlash, paused the feature to review its policies.
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in TechnologyIn May 2024, OpenAI introduced an improved model that enhances user interactions through voice, text, and video. What is the name of this groundbreaking AI model?
Answer: OpenAI’s GPT-4o, short for ‘omni,’ represents a leap forward in AI technology, offering features that allow it to function as a multi-modal digital assistant. This model enhances the ChatGPT experience by enabling real-time spoken conversations, multi-language support, and even the ability to analyze users’ emotions. Demonstrated capabilities include solving mathematical equations, providing coding assistance,…
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in TechnologyWhy did Hugh Grant accuse Apple of “destroying the human experience”?
Answer: Hugh Grant directed his criticism at Apple’s May 2024 advertisement for the iPad Pro, “Crush.” The advertisement featured various items symbolizing human creativity—such as pianos, books, and musical instruments—being crushed under a hydraulic press, only to be replaced by the iPad. This imagery led Grant to accuse Apple of “destroying the human experience.”
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in TechnologyWhat is the Blockout 2024 Movement?
Answer: The Blockout 2024 movement began on May 6, 2024, coinciding with the Met Gala and an Israeli attack on Rafah in Gaza. It started after influencer Haley Kalil posted a TikTok video using an audio clip from the film Marie Antoinette, which many found insensitive. TikTok user @ladyfromtheoutside responded by calling for a “digital…
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in TechnologyAccording to a 2024 law, what must TikTok do to avoid an American ban?
Answer: In April 2024, under immense national security pressure and bipartisan concern, President Joe Biden signed a law that required TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell TikTok to a US owner or shut down its operations in the US. This drastic measure reflects worries about Chinese government interference and data privacy issues.
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in TechnologyWhat new feature is Instagram implementing to protect teens from sexual extortion?
Answer: Instagram has introduced a series of new features aimed at enhancing the safety of its younger users, particularly to combat sexual extortion. One significant feature is the automatic blurring of images that contain nudity in direct messages. This tool protects recipients from unsolicited explicit content. It is part of a broader effort by Instagram…
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in TechnologyWhat data was Google collecting while users browsed in “Incognito” mode on Chrome?
Answer: When you switch to Incognito mode in Chrome, you might think you’ve donned an invisibility cloak. However, Google still notes your general browsing behavior. This doesn’t mean Google had a blow-by-blow account of every site you visited; instead, it collected non-specific, aggregated data that provided insights into user habits without detailing individual browsing histories.…
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in TechnologyWhy has OpenAI decided not to release its Voice Engine technology to the public?
Answer: Developed in 2022, OpenAI’s Voice Engine replicates human speech so convincingly that it’s almost like having a digital doppelgänger. However, instead of unleashing this voice-cloning marvel onto the public, OpenAI hit the pause button. The reason? They’re concerned about the darker side of AI, where these cloned voices could become the ventriloquists of misinformation,…
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in TechnologyWhat was a significant component of Sam Bankman-Fried’s sentencing for FTX crimes?
Answer: Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars. Additionally, the judge slapped him with an $11 billion forfeiture order—yes, you read that right—billion with a ‘B.’ This order isn’t just about emptying his pockets; it guarantees that if he ever makes a comeback, his earnings won’t fill his…
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in TechnologyWhat does the blue checkmark next to a user’s name signify on X (formerly Twitter) as of early 2024?
Answer: On March 27, 2024, Elon Musk made a strategic move by awarding free blue checkmarks to users with more than 2,500 verified subscriber followers, granting them Premium features, and to those with over 5,000, providing Premium+ features at no cost. The blue checkmark, once a symbol of paid subscription, now also nods to users…
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in TechnologyWhat sets the Samsung Galaxy Ring apart from other wearable technology?
Answer: In a world where technology often shouts for our attention, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring whispers a lullaby of innovation. Launched amidst the digital fanfare of the Galaxy S24 series, this smart ring marks Samsung’s foray into the burgeoning realm of sleep and fitness tracking — all from the discreet convenience of your finger. Unlike its…
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in TechnologyWhy did Google temporarily halt its AI image generator, Gemini, from generating people soon after its launch?
Answer: In a digital age twist on the classic tale of Icarus flying too close to the sun, Google’s AI, Gemini, soared a tad too high in its quest for diversity. Shortly after its launch, Gemini found itself in hot water for applying a 21st-century filter to historical scenes, leading to a collage of anachronisms.…
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in TechnologyWhat does Apple recommend if your iPhone gets wet?
Answer: In a twist that might disappoint fans of home remedies everywhere, Apple has made it clear that the popular method of using rice to dry out a wet iPhone is more folklore than fact. The tech giant warns that this well-intended but misguided solution can lead to rice particles harming the device. Instead, Apple…
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in TechnologyHow do Tesla Cybertrucks react to rain?
Answer: The enigmatic Tesla Cybertruck, a futuristic vehicle with a stainless steel exterior known for its strength and durability, has been reported by owners to exhibit small orange rust spots after being exposed to rain. These incidents, surfacing across platforms and forums since the Cybertruck’s delivery in December, have sparked discussions and concerns. Wes Morrill,…
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in TechnologyWhy did the EU open an official investigation into TikTok in Feb. 2024?
Answer: The European Union, in its role as the guardian of digital spaces, has turned its regulatory gaze towards TikTok. On Feb. 19, 2024, the EU launched a formal investigation into TikTok over concerns that the platform might not be doing enough to protect its youngest users – the minors, from falling down the so-called…
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in TechnologyWhat does the name “Sora,” given to OpenAI’s new AI video generator, mean?
Answer: Launched into the digital “sky” of possibilities on Feb. 15, 2024, Sora, OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI model capable of turning text into videos, draws its name from the Japanese word for “sky.” This name choice symbolizes the limitless possibilities and vast potential of AI technology, akin to the expansive and boundless nature of the sky…
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in TechnologyElon Musk’s Neuralink has made a groundbreaking advancement by inserting its chip into a human. But where was this chip implanted?
Answer: On Jan. 30, 2024, Elon Musk announced that Neuralink, his brain-computer interface company, had successfully implanted its first chip in a human brain. This technology aims to help individuals with spinal cord injuries or ALS regain control of their limbs by intercepting and retransmitting brain signals. The FDA green-lit this medical marvel in 2023,…
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in TechnologyWhat’s Google’s Lumiere?
Answer: Google’s Lumiere is an AI video generation model that uses an innovative diffusion model called Space-Time-U-Net (STUNet) to create high-definition videos from text prompts. Debuting as a significant leap in AI technology, Lumiere crafts videos by generating a base frame from a text prompt and then developing additional frames to create smooth, lifelike motion.…
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in TechnologyThe Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts some nifty AI capabilities, but do you know which AI chatbot it integrates with for an enhanced user experience?
Answer: On Jan. 26, 2024, Samsung made a significant move by integrating Baidu’s Ernie AI chatbot into its Galaxy S24 series. This integration signifies a leap in smartphone technology, bringing features like real-time call translation. This feature not only makes communication more accessible but also adds a layer of convenience and innovation, making the Galaxy…
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in TechnologyWhat challenge do Tesla vehicles face in extreme cold weather conditions?
Answer: During a particularly icy period in January 2024, Tesla drivers faced a challenge with the car’s battery range reducing significantly in cold temperatures.
