Here is the top trending news from the world of technology. News that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab.
1)
ChatGPT sees first major drop in Traffic since its launch
According to analytics firm Similarweb, ChatGPT’s website saw a drop of 9.7% in its traffic in June. This is the first time that OpenAI’s website has seen a drop in its traffic since its blockbuster launch in November last year. The drop in traffic could be attributed to several reasons including the fact that the hype around ChatGPT is subsiding and concerns around its ability to generate malicious content and spread misinformation. However, despite the drop in traffic, the chatbot website still boosts 100 million unique visitors, which clearly proves that it is one of the most popular and most visited websites.
2)
Instagram’s Twitter Alternative ‘Threads’ Launch delayed in Europe
Instagram’s Thread app was officially launched in over 100 countries on Thursday. But in a major setback to Instagram’s parent company Meta, Instagram’s Threads app’s launch in Europe has been delayed due to privacy concerns. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), which is the regulatory body for data protection in the EU, has raised concerns about Meta’s data collecting practices. Instagram’s Thread apps will most likely have to make certain changes in its privacy policy for getting approval from DPC and eventually launch operating in Europe. The app, which has been designed to have more intimate connection with your friends, collects wide-range of data including location, health, and search history.
3)
Twitter’s competitor BlueSky raises $8M in seed funding round
BlueSky, which is a decentralized social media platform backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has announced that it has raised $8M in a seed funding round. Simultaneously, BlueSky announced the launch of its first paid service to offer custom domains for end users who want to own unique domain as their handle. The timing of BlueSky’s seed funding round coincides with the launch of Instagram’s Thread app and Twitter’s decision to put Tweetdeck service behind the paywall. But unlike Twitter and Thread, BlueSky is a decentralized platform where end users get to own their data.
4)
OpenAI is forming a new team to bring ‘superintelligent’ AI under control
ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI has announced the forming of a dedicated team that will work to ensure that the AI technology does not go out of control or rogue. The company said that it will dedicate 20 percent of its current super-computers to this project. OpenAI’s announcement comes at a time when discussion around AI regulation is growing stronger. ChatGPT’s parent company, which is also facing mounting pressure over privacy concerns, has said that ‘super-intelligent AI’ will become a reality in foreseeable future. The vast power of ‘Super-intelligent AI,’ OpenAI further claimed, can prove to be disastrous for the humanity.
5)
Zuckerberg’s plan to sell ‘Quest’ in China gets a thumbs down by Chinese Media
An editorial published in the Chinese state-owned newspaper ‘The Beijing Daily’ has reacted negatively to recent reports that Meta is currently in talks with Chinese tech giant Tencent to sell Meta’s line of Quest headset in Mainland China. Citing Meta’s owner Mark Zuckerberg’s past anti-Chinese remark, the editorial said that Meta’s VR gear would not be allowed to be sold in China, because it would be used to “spread Western values” and “undermine Chinese security.” Notably in 2019 in a public speech, Zuckerberg had given several negative remarks about Chinese app TikTok and growing authoritarianism in China.
