Lots has happened this past week in the tech world! With the recovery of the Microsoft productivity software suite, the White House hosting an AI development meeting, and more, there’s much to catch up on. So, let’s get started!
Microsoft’s Productivity Software Suite Recovers
Microsoft announced that its cloud-based productivity suite, which includes popular tools like Word, Excel, and Teams, has recovered from an outage that affected thousands of users on Thursday.
Microsoft explained that the outage was caused by a change within a third-party internet service provider’s (ISP) “managed environment,” which led to disruptions. The company began noticing improvements once the ISP reversed the change.
White House Hosts AI Development Meeting
Top executives from leading tech and energy companies are set to meet with senior U.S. officials at the White House on Thursday to discuss the infrastructure needs of artificial intelligence, including data centers, power generation, and semiconductors, according to a White House official.
Among the expected attendees are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google senior executive Ruth Porat, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Executives from major power companies will also be present at the meeting.
FDA Authorizes OTC Hearing Aid Device Compatible With Apple AirPods Pro
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first over-the-counter hearing aid software device designed for use with compatible versions of Apple’s AirPods Pro headphones.
Earlier this week, Apple announced that its AirPods Pro 2 can be “transformed” into personalized hearing aids through an upcoming software update, which will enhance specific sounds in real-time, such as speech or elements in a user’s environment.
Aviation Startup ZeroAvia Funding Grows Rapidly
Sustainable aviation startup ZeroAvia announced on Thursday that it has successfully raised $150 million in its latest funding round.
The company is focused on developing hydrogen-electric propulsion tech for airplanes and has secured agreements with aircraft manufacturers, along with more than 2,000 orders for engines and components from airlines, cargo operators, and others. Last year, ZeroAvia partnered with Alaska Airlines to retrofit a retired aircraft with its propulsion system.
OpenAI Debates on Raising Funds
AI giant OpenAI is in discussions to raise funds at a valuation of $150 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, positioning it as one of the largest startups globally.
According to the report, OpenAI, the creator of the widely popular chatbot ChatGPT, is seeking to raise $6.5 billion from investors and an additional $5 billion in debt from banks through a revolving credit facility, citing sources familiar with the matter.
