Top 10 in Tech – July 2024

1- CrowdStrike IT outage affected 8.5 million Windows devices, Microsoft says

A recent global IT outage caused by a corrupted software update from security company CrowdStrike disabled an estimated 8.5 million Windows devices, according to Microsoft. This incident, described as potentially the worst cyber event in history, impacted less than 1% of all Windows machines but had significant economic and societal effects, especially among enterprises using critical services. Microsoft emphasized the importance of quality control for software updates and safe deployment practices across the tech ecosystem. The fallout has led to a surge in opportunistic hacking attempts, prompting cyber-security warnings and advice to rely solely on official CrowdStrike channels for information and recovery efforts.

Source: BBC

2- How AI will transform the Olympics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the Olympics, from identifying and training athletes using machine learning to minimizing judging bias and helping host cities organize the Games more sustainably. The International Olympic Committee’s new AI agenda, unveiled ahead of the Paris 2024 Games, highlights AI’s potential to revolutionize the competition by enhancing talent identification and training, improving judging accuracy, and streamlining host city preparations. As AI technology advances, it promises to bring unprecedented changes to the Olympics, ensuring more efficient and equitable outcomes for athletes, judges, and host cities.

Source: University of Florida 

3- OpenAI announces a search engine called SearchGPT; Alphabet shares dip

OpenAI has announced a prototype of its AI-powered search engine, SearchGPT, designed to provide users with fast, timely answers and relevant sources. This move could challenge Google’s dominance in the search engine market by offering a more natural, conversational search experience. Currently tested with a small group of users, SearchGPT aims to be integrated into OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot. The announcement follows OpenAI’s launch of the GPT-4o mini model and the hiring of top executives to strengthen its position in the generative AI market. As competition intensifies, OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI technology with multimodal capabilities.

Source: CNBC

4- Intel AI and the Olympics

Intel announced its AI technology would play a significant role in the upcoming Olympics, which, if successful, could greatly enhance Intel’s AI reputation. The complex nature of organizing the Olympics, especially in France, presents challenges, but AI has the potential to significantly improve the experience for attendees and athletes by providing timely responses to issues, enhancing event navigation, and improving overall safety. The use of AI could also boost profitability for the event, although this will be the first major use of AI at the Olympics. Success or failure will significantly impact Intel’s standing in the AI market.

Source: TechNewsWorld

5- Self-driving tech company WeRide accelerates global expansion as transportation industry adopts AI

Self-driving technology firm WeRide is accelerating its global expansion, driven by advancements in AI, which are enhancing logistics delivery and waste transport through autonomous robotics. Founded in Silicon Valley in 2017, WeRide has launched various AI-powered autonomous vehicles, including robotaxis, minibuses, and sanitation vehicles, in cities across China and Singapore. The company, backed by strategic investments from global automakers, is eyeing further markets such as Japan and Europe and recently filed for an IPO on Nasdaq. Despite potential risks associated with its operations in China, WeRide’s expansion is supported by its ability to secure driverless permits in multiple countries, positioning it as a leading international player in the autonomous vehicle industry.

Source: CNBC

6- Google U-turns on Privacy Sandbox endeavor, deciding that cookies won’t be replaced after all – here’s what that means for you

Google initially planned to replace third-party cookies in its Chrome browser with the Privacy Sandbox to enhance user privacy while balancing advertisers’ and publishers’ concerns. However, in a significant shift, Google has now decided to make the Privacy Sandbox optional, allowing it to coexist with third-party cookies. This decision, influenced by pressure from regulators, publishers, advertisers, and other stakeholders, means that users will eventually have the choice to switch between third-party cookies and the Privacy Sandbox. While the Privacy Sandbox aims to provide a more privacy-focused alternative by using semi-anonymous data blocks, the continuation of third-party cookies indicates Google’s cautious approach to this transition amidst ongoing revisions and feedback from various parties.

Source: TechRadar

7- Widespread CrowdStrike Outages Highlight The Imperative For AI Guardrails

Global IT outage, caused by a CrowdStrike software patch, underscores the risks of overreliance on AI and cloud-based services for critical operations. The disruption, which affected multiple industries and highlighted the interconnected nature of modern technology, serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust guardrails to prevent such failures from compromising essential services and human safety. The incident illustrates the potential dangers of single points of failure in technology infrastructure and the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI systems to ensure resilience and ethical decision-making. Businesses and governments must diversify their technology dependencies and implement strong contingency plans to balance AI’s benefits with its risks.

Soruce: Forbes

8- Colorado Takes The Lead In Quantum Technologies

Colorado has emerged as a global leader in quantum technology, securing $40 million in federal funding, $74 million in state tax credits, and an estimated $1 billion in private investment to solidify its status as a quantum technology hub. With 3,000 quantum-related jobs and four Nobel Prize-winning scientists, the state is poised to lead the next technological revolution. The region’s quantum research is bolstered by institutions like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and numerous federal labs. The non-profit Elevate Quantum, supported by government and private entities, aims to create 10,000 jobs and foster 50 startups over the next decade, enhancing Colorado’s position in this critical field.

Source: Forbes

9- CrowdStrike Windows Outage—What Happened And What To Do Next

A CrowdStrike update caused widespread crashes and blue screens of death on Windows computers, affecting numerous industries globally, including Sky News, which couldn’t broadcast. Users reported being stuck in boot loops, with entire organizations impacted. CrowdStrike confirmed the issue, stemming from a faulty file rather than a cyberattack, and provided a manual workaround, though large-scale fixes remain challenging. The incident underscores the risks of overreliance on single technologies and highlights the need for robust contingency plans to ensure operational resilience in critical systems.

Source: Forbes

10- OpenAI is taking on Google with a new artificial intelligence search engine

OpenAI announced SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine that integrates real-time web information, posing a direct challenge to Google and Microsoft’s Bing. Currently in limited testing, SearchGPT allows users to ask questions in natural language and receive up-to-date answers with links to relevant sources. This new feature, designed to enhance the conversational capabilities of OpenAI’s models, aims to make online search faster and easier. The rollout reflects the growing importance of generative AI in search technology, although concerns about AI inaccuracies and the impact on web traffic remain. OpenAI has partnered with publishers to manage their appearance in SearchGPT’s results.

Source: CNN