Lots has happened this past week in the tech world! With tech firms investing in sovereign artificial intelligence, Bluesky getting 1.25 million new users following the U.S. elections, and more, there’s much to catch up on. So, let’s get started!
Tech Firms Investing in Sovereign AI
Leading tech companies are ramping up their investment in developing “sovereign” artificial intelligence models, aiming to enhance competitiveness by prioritizing localized infrastructure. Data sovereignty centers around the concept that data should be stored within the same country or continent where individuals reside.
Currently, many major large language models (LLMs), such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, rely on U.S.-based data centers to store data and handle requests through the cloud.
Bluesky Gets 1.25 Million New Users
Micro-blogging startup Bluesky has attracted more than 1.25 million new users over the past week, suggesting a shift in social media habits among users following the U.S. presidential election.
The surge highlights Bluesky’s success in positioning itself as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, as well as Meta’s Threads. According to the company on Wednesday, most of these new users are from the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Cybertruck Recall for Tesla
Tesla is recalling 2,431 Cybertrucks to replace faulty drive inverters, as disclosed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wednesday. This marks the sixth Cybertruck recall since the unique, angular steel pickup launched roughly a year ago, with a base price of around $80,000 in the U.S.
Tesla previously addressed a tech recall with an over-the-air software update that resolved a problem with backup camera images not displaying correctly when shifting into reverse. However, the latest recall involves a physical replacement of the drive inverter, a component responsible for powering the vehicle’s wheels.
Amazon Shuts Down Secretive Project
Amazon has ended a confidential project to develop an at-home fertility tracker, according to internal documents and sources familiar with the matter.
For the past four years, the company had been working on a fertility monitoring device and a companion app under the codename “Encore,” said sources who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. The project was part of Amazon’s Grand Challenge, also known as its Special Projects division.
Denmark Begins New AI Framework
Denmark unveiled a new framework on Wednesday to support EU member states in deploying generative artificial intelligence in line with the European Union’s stringent AI Act — with Microsoft already committed to the tech initiative.
A coalition of leading Danish companies, led by IT consultancy Netcompany, released the “Responsible Use of AI Assistants in the Public and Private Sector” white paper. This blueprint provides “best-practice examples” for companies to responsibly implement and support AI systems in a regulated environment.
