Lots has happened this past week in the tech world! With H&R Block launching a new AI assistant, SpaceX postponing a spaceplane launch, Cruise announcing huge employee layoffs, and more, there’s much to catch up on. So, let’s get started!
H&R Block Launches New AI Assistant
On Dec. 14, H&R Block introduced a new conversational AI chatbot, AI Tax Assist. The new AI tech will address taxpayer queries. Accessible through paid versions of H&R Block’s DIY tax software, the chatbot allows users to inquire about tax rules, potential exemptions, and other tax-related matters. It also directs users to human tax experts for personalized advice.
The company has made it clear that the new feature is AI-powered and is confident that customers will embrace the tool due to their trust in H&R Block. Other tax prep apps, including TurboTax, also leverage AI to enhance user experience and recommendations.
SpaceX Postpones Spaceplane Launch
SpaceX announced the delay of the scheduled launch for the U.S. military’s X-37B robotic tech spaceplane on Dec. 12, which was on its seventh mission to orbit.
The delay was due to the need for additional system checkouts. In a tweet on Tues., SpaceX stated, “We are standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon Heavy launch of USSF-52 to perform additional system checkouts.”
Cruise Announces Huge Employee Layoff
Cruise has internally announced the layoff of 900 employees, amounting to 24% of its workforce, as confirmed to CNBC. The layoffs predominantly impacted commercial operations and associated corporate functions.
This development follows the dismissal of nine “key leaders” a day earlier, related to Cruise’s response to an Oct. 2 accident involving a self-driving car. The accident resulted in a pedestrian being dragged 20 feet after being struck by another vehicle.
ChatGPT Experiences Major Outage
OpenAI announced on Dec. 14 that it has successfully resolved a significant outage affecting its artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT. The service experienced intermittent unavailability for approximately 40 minutes. Additionally, users of ChatGPT Enterprise, predominantly for business applications, experienced error tech rates during the disruption.
The incident follows a previous issue earlier this month, where 10% of users faced challenges sending messages to ChatGPT, and a major outage in Nov. OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, did not provide details regarding the cause of the recent disruptions.
TikTok Invests $1.5 Billion to Expand Online Shopping
TikTok is investing $1.5 billion to become the controlling shareholder of an e-commerce unit within Indonesia’s GoTo. This move will restart TikTok’s online shopping business in Indonesia after regulators suspended online shopping on social media platforms to safeguard smaller tech merchants and user data.
