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Time Is Money

May 5, 2024 • 8 min read

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OpenAI Copyright Lawsuit
Tesla Voice Assistant

Week Recap:

Kaiser Permanente recently disclosed a major data breach impacting 13.4 million individuals, making it one of the largest health-related data breaches reported in 2024. This breach was caused by tracking codes embedded in Kaiser's websites and mobile applications. After discovering the breach, Kaiser Permanente took immediate action by removing the tracking codes from its digital platforms and conducting a thorough investigation to assess and mitigate the impact.
Raytheon has secured a $344 million contract from the U.S. Navy to advance the capabilities of its Standard Missiles with the development of two new variants: the SM-2 Block IIICU and SM-6 Block IU. These missiles are engineered to improve defensive operations by incorporating advanced target detection technologies, including a newly designed guidance section and target-detection device, alongside updates to their software and electronics. This enhancement allows them to identify and counter a wider array of threats more effectively.
The U.S. Air Force recently selected drone manufacturers General Atomics and defense startup Anduril to develop and test a new series of drone wingmen as part of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Chosen from a competitive field that included industry giants like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, these two companies will advance to the next phase which involves detailed design, manufacturing, and testing of prototype drones.
On April 30, 2024, at 1:40 p.m. Gaza time, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) together with the Royal Jordanian Air Force executed a humanitarian airdrop in Northern Gaza to aid civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict. The operation involved three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft, which delivered over 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and more than 13,000 meal equivalents of Jordanian food supplies. To date, the U.S. has delivered nearly 1,140 tons of humanitarian aid to the region. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to mitigate human suffering in conflict zones.
Amazon has reported a substantial increase in its first-quarter net revenues, reaching $143.3 billion, up from $127.4 billion the previous year. This growth includes a 17% increase in revenues from its AWS cloud-computing services, which brought in $25 billion. The company also saw a 12% rise in its North America sales, totaling $86.3 billion, and a 10% increase in its International division, reaching $31.9 billion. The company's net income for the first quarter rose significantly to $10.4 billion, or 98 cents per share, a substantial increase from $3.2 billion, or 31 cents per share, reported in the same period last year.
T-Mobile has finalized its acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation, which includes the budget-friendly mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Mint Mobile, international service-focused Ultra Mobile, and wireless solutions provider Plum. Initially announced in March 2023 with an estimated cost of $1.35 billion, the exact price at closure was not disclosed. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the deal last week, conditional on T-Mobile's agreement to unlock phones from Mint and Ultra Mobile after 60 days of network use.
In 2023, Google significantly bolstered the security of the Play Store by blocking 2.28 million apps that didn't meet privacy standards and banning 333,000 developer accounts linked to malicious activities. To further ensure the integrity of apps, over 200,000 submissions were rejected because they improperly requested sensitive permissions, such as SMS and location data. This careful scrutiny helps maintain the safety and privacy of user data by ensuring that only apps which adhere to Google's guidelines can access these permissions.
Amazon has recently launched Amazon Q, an advanced generative AI-powered assistant designed to revolutionize software development and enhance the utilization of internal company data. This tool not only creates and refines code but also provides testing, debugging, and complex problem-solving functionalities that greatly improve the implementation of new software solutions based on developer input. Additionally, Amazon Q offers employees streamlined access to a wealth of company data—from policies and product details to business analytics and employee information.
SES from Luxembourg has announced its acquisition of Intelsat for $3.1 billion. This merger consolidates their resources into a formidable fleet of 100 multi-ton satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator, significantly expanding their capacity and coverage. This strategic move positions the combined entity as a major player in the commercial geostationary satellite sector, with a fleet size more than double that of its closest rival. This response comes as sectors traditionally reliant on geostationary satellites, such as media and military, are seeing a shift in consumer and business demands towards more agile and cost-effective satellite constellations in lower orbits.
Since February 2022, Ukraine has reported approximately 1,400 instances where Russia allegedly used chemical weapons. This frequency has been on the rise, leading to significant international concern. On Wednesday, the United States formally accused Russia of employing chemical agents, including tear gas and chloropicrin, a chemical traditionally used as a soil fumigant that causes severe irritation to the lungs, eyes, and skin, along with symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
Panda Restaurant Group, the parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express, and Hibachi-San, recently reported a data breach that compromised personal information of its associates. This breach, identified on March 10, 2024, specifically targeted corporate systems but did not affect in-store systems, operations, or customer experiences at its over 2,200 branches, making it the largest Asian-American restaurant chain in the U.S. with annual sales exceeding $3 billion.
According to the latest figures from the Labor Department, the U.S. economy saw an addition of 175,000 jobs last month, falling short of the anticipated 235,000 jobs. This resulted in the unemployment rate inching up to 3.9%, a slight increase from the previous estimate of 3.8%. Despite the Federal Reserve's implementation of 11 rate hikes aimed at tempering economic growth, the job market has demonstrated considerable resilience. For instance, in March, the economy significantly outperformed expectations by adding 315,000 jobs, surpassing the forecasted 205,000 jobs.

OpenAI Copyright Lawsuit:

A lawsuit has been filed by news outlets including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, and others, against Microsoft and OpenAI. The action, taken in a federal court in New York by eight newspapers owned by Alden Global Capital's MediaNews Group, accuses the tech companies of illegally using their articles to develop AI systems like Microsoft's Copilot and OpenAI's ChatGPT. This lawsuit is part of a series of legal battles involving major tech companies over the alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted content to train generative AI technologies.
Previous similar legal actions have involved Microsoft and OpenAI, with entities like the New York Times and news outlets such as The Intercept, Raw Story, and AlterNet also bringing forward claims. The newspapers assert that Microsoft and OpenAI did not just use their content without permission but that their AI platforms reproduced articles verbatim. Furthermore, they allege that the systems generated completely fabricated news stories that could tarnish the newspapers' credibility. Examples include a fake article purportedly from the Denver Post suggesting smoking as a cure for asthma and a counterfeit Chicago Tribune article endorsing a recalled infant lounger linked to child fatalities.
In response to the allegations, an OpenAI spokesperson claimed their products and design processes are developed with considerations to support news organizations. Microsoft, on the other hand, has declined to comment on the lawsuit. The plaintiffs in this case, which also include the Orlando Sentinel, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, San Jose Mercury News, Orange County Register, and Twin Cities Pioneer Press, are seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages and a court order to halt any further infringement. This case underscores the growing legal scrutiny over how generative AI systems use copyrighted materials and its implications for copyright owners.

Tesla Voice Assistant:

Tesla is gearing up to introduce its own in-car voice assistant, a development hinted at by Elon Musk over the past few years. The anticipation builds as Tesla rolls out its latest software update, version 2024.14.3, which contains hints of the new feature hidden within its code. Notably, a Tesla enthusiast and hacker known as Green has identified clues suggesting the future launch of Tesla's proprietary voice assistant.
Elon Musk's vision for Tesla's future includes minimizing manual inputs for drivers. He imagines a scenario where the car not only anticipates the needs of its occupants but also relies primarily on voice commands for interaction, eliminating the need for physical buttons or touch inputs. This shift aligns with Musk's broader ambitions to integrate more advanced AI features into Tesla vehicles, potentially leveraging technology from his AI startup, xAI.
Additionally, the new software update is rumored to include a native Amazon Music app, enhancing the in-car entertainment options. While specific details about the voice assistant's capabilities remain undisclosed, Musk's goal is to create a more intuitive and responsive driving experience. This approach, however, raises questions about user preferences and the practicality of replacing traditional controls entirely with voice commands.

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