While AI has been around for some time, it’s only recently that workers in tech jobs started raising concerns about the negative impacts of job augmentation. Most technology fields implemented AI in an attempt to streamline processes and boost accuracy. All this happens with minimum human interference.

Typically, the sheer power of modern computer systems facilitates complex processes previously reserved for human professionals. As AI technology gets better, most tech jobs are likely to be dominated by AI.

Tech Jobs That AI Will Take Over

Here are a few tech jobs that are going to be affected by AI the most:

1. Coding and Development

Coding and programming skills are in high demand, but advanced AI tools will likely dominate these careers in the future. Most tech jobs like data science, software development, programming, and web development are amenable to AI. This means technology can replace some or most of the processes involved in the job.

Some AI tools are highly competent in crunching numbers with astounding accuracy. Therefore, AI can complete coding tasks faster than humans, meaning companies need fewer people to accomplish a project.

However, it might not be possible to eliminate the need for human workers in the entire process. Savvy professionals can leverage AI tools to improve their skills and become more valuable. However, if you are a victim of unfair termination, you have the right to legal redress, and a worker’s compensation attorney can help you with the process.

2. Graphic Design and Engineering

While some jobs that demand high creativity might be hard to automate, some tasks in graphic design are easily completed by AI tools. For instance, the Generative Fill feature in Photoshop is a perfect example of how AI can dominate the graphic design sector. This tool lets anyone with minimal editing experience execute photorealistic edits using simple prompts.

Generative design leverages AI to carry out the design process. Typically, the tool assists with the idea generation and then generates numerous possible solutions for the query. Regardless of the nature of the design, AI works within specific parameters to produce feasible designs within a short time.

3. Research Analysis

Artificial intelligence is already a powerful trend in research and data analysis. The technology is essential for streamlining the process and processing new data without external intervention.

Modern computers with advanced processing capabilities help in extrapolation and analysis of complex data sets. On the other hand, research analysts play an integral role in creating the right message and content for marketing purposes. However, AI tools can administer surveys, process the data, and compile necessary information more accurately within a short time.

While automated tools have the advantage of speed, scale, accuracy, and consistency, human experts have unique experiences that are hard to replicate with an algorithm. Researchers who leverage AI tools can ensure efficiency and relevance in their jobs.

4. Health Tech

Health tech is an essential part of the modern healthcare system since it helps develop and deliver advanced solutions. Advanced AI algorithms, trained on sufficient medical data, can surpass human capabilities. The technology solution can eliminate delays and optimize healthcare costs. Some models can accurately diagnose health conditions years before any symptoms manifest. In addition, AI algorithms can determine potential responses to medical interventions and customize some treatments.

Nevertheless, AI adoption in healthcare is sluggish due to regulations and costs. While medical AI holds a huge potential, replacing physicians may not be immediate. Instead, the technology will help streamline service delivery in the medical sector. This means healthcare providers won’t be overworked, and they can focus on delivering better services to patients.

The fundamental revolution will happen after the mass adoption of AI-based diagnostic and treatment solutions. This can eliminate late treatments and embrace early detection and prevention.

Artificial intelligence is a fast-evolving field that is creating a massive revolution in the technology sector. Consequently, the future workforce has no option but to go through a similar transformation to remain relevant in their jobs. While the changes lead to disruptions in conventional jobs, new opportunities will arise.

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Google has confirmed restrictions on its Gemini chatbot in relation to responses to queries on crucial general elections to take place this year, including the race for the White House.

The Alphabet-owned company is taking steps to control the dissemination of misinformation (and to prevent it as much as possible) by limiting the output of its generative AI assistant. Images, video, and audio have recently been created to maliciously impact the democratic process or for electioneering purposes.

Concerns around the spread of such content have led to governments sitting around the table, often with the involvement of the big tech firms, to find solutions to the challenges and regulate the overall AI landscape.

For the upcoming US presidential election later this year, Google previously stated it would be taking action, and that has materialized. If you attempt to ask Gemini about the face-off between incumbent President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it will respond with:

“I’m still learning how to answer this question. In the meantime, try Google Search”.

A Google spokesperson was quoted by Reuters on the motivation for limiting their chatbot service.

“In preparation for the many elections happening around the world in 2024 and out of an abundance of caution, we are restricting the types of election-related queries for which Gemini will return responses.”

What other elections are taking place, and what has already happened?

Crucial national polls are set to take place worldwide, in addition to the US.

The UK’s general election will take place later in the year, with a date still not fixed, while important elections will take place in South Africa and India, the world’s largest democracy.

In the case of the latter, tech companies have been prompted to secure government approval before releasing AI software that is “unreliable” or still in development.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan blasted fake AI-powered audio, which had the potential to incite trouble on the streets, while deepfake electioneering saw the return of the feared dictator Suharto for the recent election in Indonesia, with a video address to the electorate.

Google’s collective focus on this issue will have been sharpened recently after its CEO Sundar Pichai sent an internal memo to staff, stressing Gemini errors were “completely unacceptable” after the artificial intelligence (AI) app embroiled the company in controversy.

The tech giant suspended its image creation function on Gemini after it generated offensive and historically inaccurate results.

Image credit: Ideogram

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The ultra-modern and traditional markets coincided on Mar 5, as both Bitcoin and gold saw record-breaking highs occur on the same day.

In the early hours in Europe on Monday 4 March, Bitcoin jumped to above $65,537 which was the crypto asset’s highest level since late 2021 when its all-time record of $68,999.99 was reached.

Just a day later, Bitcoin continued to soar and it hit a historic high of $69,210 at 3:00 pm UTC.

According to data from TradingView, spot gold smashed through its peak at $2,130 at around 1:30 pm UTC on the same day, March 5.

The price of Bitcoin then took a tumble as it hit $60,793 in the early afternoon before slightly recovering to trade around $62,780.

As these highs were reached, all three major U.S. stock indexes fell 1 percent or more on the same day.

National investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, Tom Hainlin, told Reuters: “We can draw the line from weaker economic data to higher expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates to less support the dollar, which, in turn supports gold.”

As prices went up, the trading app crashed

Whilst investors were likely overjoyed with the price, some users were unable to buy or sell as cryptocurrency trading app Coinbase crashed at a pivotal moment.

At 3:44 pm ET, Coinbase posted on Twitter: “We are aware that some users may be experiencing errors when transacting. Our team is investigating this issue and will provide an update shortly. Your assets are safe.”

We are aware that some users may be experiencing errors when transacting. Our team is investigating this issue and will provide an update shortly. Your assets are safe.

— Coinbase Support (@CoinbaseSupport) March 5, 2024

This left several Coinbase users feeling frustrated and they took to X to voice their anger. One customer wrote: “We can’t buy and we can’t sell and my accounts not being credited sales that went through.”

At 5:43 pm ET, the trading company said customer transactions had fully recovered.

Featured image: Photo by Aleksi Räisä on Unsplash 

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Amazon Prime is set to be home of the upcoming series Fallout, a TV show based of the hit RPG game series of the same name, and they’ve shared some sneak peeks as the countdown is on.

With just a month to go, three posters were released to the public yesterday (March 3) via Prime Video’s X account, giving viewers an insight into the characters.

We’re in for a delightful time with these three. @falloutonprime @sxsw pic.twitter.com/L4lUnnnFZC

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) March 3, 2024

pic.twitter.com/xk2uCOwAGk

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) March 3, 2024

People took to social media to share their excitement and hope that it lives up to the legacy of the beloved video game. 

One user said ‘Oh we’re ready!’ while others replied to the X account ‘Discussing Film’ with concerns: ‘So scared for this show, based on the costumes and marketing so far, it seems like they understand the core aesthetic of the series but hopefully they pull off the story and unique characters.’  

Set in the world of the best-selling global video game franchise, the series starts 200 years after the apocalypse and follows a community of people living in luxury fallout shelters who are forced to return to the ‘irradiated hellscape’ their ancestors left behind.

British actress Ella Purnell will play ‘Lucy,’ who is described in an Amazon Prime press release as being ‘an optimistic Vault Dweller with an all-American can-do spirit.’

Also in the show is the young soldier ‘Maximus’ played by Aaron Moten, ‘The Ghoul’ played by Walton Goggins and ‘Overseer Hank’ which will be actor Kyle MacLachlan’s character. They’ll be joined by dog ‘CX404,’ the companion navigating the post-apocalyptic world.

The series comes from Kilter Films, with executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner are also executive producers, writers, and co-showrunners.

When is the Fallout TV series being released?

The new ‘Fallout’ TV series will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on April 12, 2024. It can be watched in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The teaser trailer was published in a press release on the streaming service’s website back in December, with more marketing likely to take place ahead of the series being published.

Featured image: Via @PrimeVideo on X

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The US government says it would be better for them if you ceased using C or C++ when programming tools. In a recent report, the White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) has urged developers to utilize “memory-safe programming languages,” a classification that does not include widely used languages. The recommendation is a step toward “securing the building blocks of cyberspace” and is a component of US President Biden’s cybersecurity plan.

Memory-safety is the defense against flaws and vulnerabilities related to memory access. Examples of this include dangling pointers and buffer overflows. Java’s runtime fault detection checks make it a memory-safe language. Nonetheless, unconstrained pointer arithmetic with direct memory addresses and without bounds checking is supported by both C and C++.

In no particular order, the NSA suggests these memory-safe programming languages

• Go
• Rust
• C#
• Swift
• Java
• Ruby
• Python
• Delphi/Object Pascal
• Ada

According to a 2019 analysis by Microsoft security engineers, memory safety problems were the root cause of almost 70% of security vulnerabilities. In 2020, Google released a similar figure, although this time it was for Chromium browser issues.

The extensive report says, “Experts have identified a few programming languages that both lack traits associated with memory safety and also have high proliferation across critical systems, such as C and C++.”  And the report continues, “Choosing to use memory safe programming languages at the outset, as recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Open-Source Software Security Roadmap is one example of developing software in a secure-by-design manner.”

The 19-page report aims to ensure that small organizations and individuals are not the only ones responsible for cybersecurity. Instead, the onus is on bigger institutions, digital businesses, and ultimately the government. The report seeks to detail what is considered “unsafe” programming languages, namely the use of C and C++.  The Microsoft report says, “We’re not here to debate the pros and cons of programming languages, but it is interesting to see that the report does not suggest a specific language in their place. We are told that there are “dozens of memory-safe programming languages that can — and should — be used.”

Additionally, the paper recommends improving software security metrics. According to ONCD, better measurements let technology providers plan, predict, and address risks before they become an issue.

Featured Image Credit: Paul Buijs; Pexels

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After a successful limited release, Call of Duty has now confirmed the wider release date for Warzone Mobile.

The free-to-play title offers players the option to play Call of Duty on the go, with two large-scale maps becoming available at launch. While some have already been able to try out Warzone Mobile during the limited release, where bugs and optimization opportunities were ironed out, this will be the first time that everyone will be able to play the mobile version.

The wider release will happen on March 21, 2024. Fan-favorite maps Verdansk and Rebirth Island will be available at first, alongside a range of Multiplayer maps, including Shipment and Shoot House.

Fifty million gamers have also pre-registered but it’s still open for more people to sign up ahead of the launch. Players who do so will unlock rewards that are redeemable after launch, including:

• The Ghost “Condemned” Operator Skin
• The M4 “Archfiend” and X12 “Prince of Hell” Weapon Blueprints
• The “Foe’s Flame” Vinyl
• The “Dark Familiar” Emblem

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile features

In terms of what Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile has to offer, players will be able to level up weapons, XP, and more through shared progressions across the mobile version, Warzone, and the recently-critiqued Modern Warfare III. The Battle Pass will unite progress across all three game modes, meaning Player Levels (and Prestige) will remain the same on all platforms.

In terms of what’s available, content from the BlackCell Battle Pass offering will also be accessible within Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. What’s more, any bundles you purchase and own already on Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare III, aside from a small number of exclusive Bundles, will be available for use in Warzone Mobile and vice versa. You’ll be able to spot which ones can cross over by looking for the ‘Connected’ tag on Bundles in Warzone Mobile’s in-game Store.

Featured image: Infinity Ward via IGDB

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Microsoft is reportedly incorporating AI into its Paint application, which will have a Midjourney-like ability to create art in real-time. Although the program has been a mainstay for the tech giant for the past 40 years, it has received few updates over the years.

The popular AI image generator allows you to type a text prompt to create an image in a style of your choice. It has risen to become one of the biggest names in AI alongside DALL-E and Stable Diffusion.

There has been speculation from credible Windows leaker @PhantomOfEarth on X that Paint may be getting a significant update. According to the Windows Latest blog, Microsoft could test a new “Live Canvas Panel” within the Paint app resembling Midjourney. This new addition could resemble Leonardo.Ai’s Live Canvas, an AI-powered feature that instantly generates sketches or digital art using your prompts.

The upcoming AI feature for Paint might be something known as "LiveCanvas". Not sure what it will do. https://t.co/YwQcC3EPnY

— PhantomOcean3 (@PhantomOfEarth) February 26, 2024

However, @PhantomOfEarth stated they were unsure what “Live Canvas” could do. Mayank Parmar of Windows Latest further reported that any sketches could be turned into detailed images and would work instantly.

It’s worth mentioning that Microsoft has already introduced an AI-powered feature known as Paint Cocreator within the Paint application, leveraging OpenAI’s DALL-E text-to-image technology. Like other AI-based image generators, Paint Cocreator will cook up images based on your descriptions.

The product is not free, however. According to its support page for the tool, Microsoft imposed a credit system as virtual currency. By Joining Cocreator, you start off with 50 credits. Each time you create an image, one credit is used. 

Hence, it remains to be seen whether this development will pan out, as there is still little information regarding release dates, whether this would be a paid feature, or how the program would look.

Microsoft branches further into AI

In recent months, Microsoft has been looking to get a larger share of the AI market. The $3 trillion company updated its built-in Photos app with a Google Magic Eraser-like “Generative Erase” feature on Windows 10 and 11.

The tech giant also ramped up marketing of its AI assistant Copilot with an advertisement designed for the Super Bowl, launching on YouTube. The ad highlighted the various ways in which Microsoft expects users to engage with Copilot.

Featured image: Canva

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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is the headline backer supporting the largest single financing round for a significant Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) initiative.

The e-commerce giant led the funding in Moonshot AI, with the $1 billion round turbo-charging the new company’s valuation to the tune of $2.5 billion, according to sources close to Bloomberg. Existing backers Monolith Management, Long-Z, and Hongshan also returned to the table.

Alibaba’s backing for the startup appears to indicate the allocation of capital in the pursuit of growth, as it follows the path taken by the likes of Tencent Holdings and Microsoft in placing faith in Generative AI. It is the emerging technology powering applications such as ChatGPT as industries move toward AI.

Change of direction

Under the new leadership of chairman Joseph Tsai and CEO Eddie Wu, Alibaba aims to reverse its fortunes after two years of struggles beset by regulatory scrutiny and an economic downturn. The duo are leading the foray into new technologies with key investments while also diverging business lines into areas such as cloud tech and logistics.

Tsai indicated the cloud space now hosts half of China’s Generative AI firms while also serving around 80% of the country’s technology companies.

Moonshot AI will mark its first anniversary next month, so this landmark valuation on the back of the funding deal will provide a timely boost as it aims to build on its reputation as a player in the Chinese AI field. It has ambitions to eventually challenge OpenAI and Google, having launched its Kimi chatbot last November, followed by a platform for developers to build AI applications plugged into its model.

The news has emerged, with the parties involved appearing reticent to comment on developments. At the time of writing, there has been no official statement from Moonshot, while Monolith and Alibaba have not offered any comment on the investment funding, first reported by local Chinese media, including 36kr.

Image: Alibaba/X

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The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has brought $212,500 in fines against two casino operators.

The Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) announced and confirmed the charges.

Operators fined

Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing, responsible for the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, faced two separate fines that added up to $147,500. The other operator to be fined was Sugarhouse HSP Gaming, taking home a charge of $65,000.

Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing was charged for not having the proper protocols in place to stop fraudsters from creating, accessing, and using multiple accounts on Penn Interactive’s iGaming and sports betting platforms. The platform was vulnerable to people using the personal identification documents of other individuals to create accounts and the withdrawal and staking of bets using stolen or fraudulently obtained devices.

A $97,500 fine was placed on the operator for not having the checks and balances to avoid such illegal and fraudulent behavior.

The casino and sports betting provider would also face a separate fine of $50,000 for three incidents involving minors under the age of 21 being able to access the gaming floor.

Sugarhouse HSP Gaming would be assessed, and a $65,000 fine was decided upon for two separate incidents. The operator failed to notify the Pennsylvania State Police and the Gaming Control Board of a voucher theft and also failed to meet the correct staffing requirements for a period of 40 days.

The Board would also act on petitions filed by the OEC for the potential banning of three adults from all Commonwealth casinos for engaging in gambling activities whilst minors were abandoned.

The Involuntary Exclusion List of the PGCB would see three individuals added to it.

One man was placed for leaving a 9-year-old unattended in a vehicle with an outside in the parking lot of Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie County.

A female patron was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List after leaving three children, ages 4, 7, and 12, unattended in the parking lot of Presque Isle Downs, and another female patron would be added after leaving a 12-year-old unattended in a vehicle at the valet entrance at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

PGCB reiterated via the statement that “leaving minors unattended at a Pennsylvania casino also subjects the offending adult to criminal prosecution in addition to exclusion from all Pennsylvania casinos” and has created a campaign to help bring awareness to the issue.

Image credit: Pexels.

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Microsoft Windows updates are notorious for requiring lengthy black screens to function – but perhaps not for much longer.

Software updates are part and parcel of owning a PC but Windows updates are well-known for taking a while, thanks to the long reboot times to trigger the updates. This will happen at least once a month for Windows machines, bringing necessary security and aesthetic updates to its users.

However, according to reporting from Windows Central on Friday, February 23, a change might be on the way. Microsoft is testing a new method dubbed ‘hot patching’ for Windows 11 PCs, following testing on some Windows Server editions.

What is Windows’ hot patching?

Hot patching refers to a form of rebootless updating, conducted on PCs using Virtualization Based Security. According to Microsoft’s internal wording, hot patching “[patches] the in-memory code of running processes without the need to restart the process.”

Such a feature could mean that Microsoft‘s monthly software updates could soon come without needing to restart to see the changes take place. However, this doesn’t mean you can never reboot, with Windows Central’s Zac Bowden stating that a reboot would still likely be necessary at least every few months or for significant updates.

This could reduce the number of forced reboots, interrupting valuable gaming or work time, could be reduced from 12 to just four per year. Hot patching could be a game changer for Windows user experience, with current updates always seemingly coming about at the worst possible moment.

Hot patching could be available for broader use later this year, perhaps in line with the release of Windows 11 version 24H2 on x86-64 machines. 2025 is expected to see the rollout of hot patching to ARM64 devices. It’s not yet confirmed if hot patching will be available to all Windows 11 users or if it will be reserved for specific geographical regions or commercial users, such as Enterprise, Education, and Windows 365.

Featured image: Unsplash

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Gone are the days of robots needing arms, with a group in Switzerland teaching a robotic dog to use one of its legs instead.

A robot dog has been taught how to open door doors, press buttons, and even pick up a rucksack through the use of machine learning.

Philip Arm and his colleagues at ETH Zurich, a public research university in Switzerland, have used a machine-learning model to teach an ANYMal robot how to balance on three legs and use the other to carry out tasks.

Speaking to the New Scientist, the researcher explains the reasoning for making this into a reality: “We cannot do everything with the legs that we could do with an arm – right now, a hand is way more dexterous.

“But the point is really to make this work for applications where you maybe have mass constraints, or we don’t want to have that additional complexity, like for space exploration where every kilogram of such a robot counts.”

In this scenario, the machine-learning model was given the objective of finding a specific point in space with one of the robot’s legs. The model then worked out how to control the remaining three, while balancing and walking or standing. Typically, a robot with four legs and two arms can be of considerable weight, making the device less agile than people may require.

People working within the Robotics Systems Lab at the University have also been expanding on this, with research into lifelike agility by learning from animals. They’ve looked at ANYmal tails for stability during discontinuous locomotion too.

What is the ANYmal robot?

Created by ANYbotics, the ANYmal is described as being a ‘robust, autonomous, agile inspection solution with ready-to-go high-quality sensors.’ The team at ETH Zurich has been using it throughout their projects.

It was designed to be a rugged four-legged robot that can carry out inspection and manipulation tasks. It’s even said to be able to operate in rain, snow, wind, waterlogged rooms, and dusty environments. 

Featured image: AI-generated in Ideogram

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Apple has confirmed its plans to launch its newest iMessage security protocol, named PQ3, in response to what it claims is a future threat from quantum computers, according to a recent PCMag report.

iMessage currently uses end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages between the sender and receiver are secure and inaccessible to anyone else, including Apple. However, Apple is concerned that the advancement of quantum computers may soon reach a level where they could decrypt iMessage content. Such powerful quantum computers would presumably also be capable of decrypting messages sent through other apps, such as WhatsApp.

Last year, the Technical University of Denmark stated that although quantum computers are already operational, they lack the power to break end-to-end encryption at present, indicating it may take years to achieve this capability due to their current size limitations.

On Wednesday, Apple’s Security Engineering and Architecture (SEAR) team wrote about the evolution of encryption on messaging platforms. They explained that traditionally, platforms have relied on classical public key cryptography methods like RSA, Elliptic Curve signatures, and Diffie-Hellman key exchange to secure end-to-end encrypted connections. These methods are grounded in complex mathematical problems that were once deemed too challenging for computers to solve, even with advancements predicted by Moore’s law.

The SEAR team highlighted, however, that the advent of quantum computing could shift this balance. They noted that “a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could solve these classical mathematical problems in fundamentally different ways,” potentially fast enough to compromise the security of encrypted communications.

The team also raised concerns about future threats, stating that while current quantum computers can’t decrypt data protected by these methods, adversaries might store encrypted data now with the intention of decrypting it later using more advanced quantum technology. This strategy, known as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later,” underscores the potential long-term vulnerabilities in current encryption techniques against the backdrop of quantum computing’s rapid development.

As a result, the tech giant has created PQ3, which it says has been built “from the ground up” to redesign iMessage from a security standpoint, adding a third level of protection to its end users.

When will Apple roll out PQ3 for iMessage?

PQ3 is expected to launch in March with iOS 17.4, as well as iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4 and watchOS 10.4.

The simultaneous rollout across multiple Apple operating systems underscores the company’s commitment to addressing the future threat quantum computers pose to end-to-end encryption. Apple is taking proactive steps to ensure that iMessage users on iPhones, tablets, computers, and wearables receive protection as swiftly as possible.

Featured Image: Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

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Apple will roll out a new encryption service for iMessage to protect against penetration efforts by quantum computers.

The official Apple Security blog detailed “the most significant cryptographic security upgrade in iMessage history” and the most formidable protection offered by any messaging system — even going a step further than privacy-focused Signal.

This new barrier aims to keep prying eyes away from iMessage content as quantum computers evolve in their ability to get past encryption — effectively adding a layer of protection against a threat yet to arrive.

As quantum computers are not yet widespread, the danger from this hardware is not a significant consideration at present, but it could be at some point in the future. Hackers are banking on the probability that the hardware will eventually enable them to access encrypted data within their possession. The attack scenario is referred to as ‘harvest now, decrypt later.’

Apple will do this with the arrival of a new cryptographic protocol to iMessage known as PQ3, which includes aspects from the post-quantum algorithms and existing Elliptic Curve algorithms deployed by standard messaging platforms.

Future proof intentions

With the next software updates,  iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, and watchOS 10.4, Apple users will receive an enhanced level of end-to-end encryption for iMessage. Apple is attempting to stay ahead of the game, working on existing and potential threats against its technology, including the iPhone, which is used by approximately 1.46 billion people daily.

As outlined by Axios, the Big Five tech giant is a strategic, “ripe target for nation-state hackers and governments involved in surveillance against other government officials, dissidents, advocates and journalists”.

In recent weeks, the Chinese government claimed it could crack AirDrop encryption, potentially opening a pathway to assist the government in spying on protesters who use the tool to campaign and spread political messages.

Featured Image Credit: WeStartMoney/Pexels.

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ChatGPT appeared to go rogue on Tuesday evening as users reported the AI chatbot responding with incorrect answers and talking gibberish, as reported by 404Media.

Members of a ChatGPT subreddit shared their experiences with screenshots of extraordinary exchanges with the technology, responses either making no sense or answers to questions being way off the mark.

One screenshot showed this response to a question: “This is the work of service and any medical today to the data field.” It continued: “The 12th to the degree and the pool to the land to the top of the seam, with trade and feature, can spend the large and the all before it’s under the care.”

Meanwhile, another user explained that they asked ChatGPT for “a synonym for overgrown” and got the response: “A synonym for “overgrown” is “overgrown” is “overgrown” is “overgrown”…”

Other users claimed it gave totally incorrect answers to the basic questions, such as responding with “Tokyo, Japan” when asked to name the biggest city on earth that begins with an ‘A.’

OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, has confirmed it has fixed the issue in a message on its status page. Still, it’s another reminder that while we’re in the middle of an AI boom, the technology is not yet immune to going rogue or, quite simply, going wrong.

AI models like ChatGPT have a long way to go

This is just another example of AI technology proving it’s not yet capable of earning complete trust from its users, despite fears that Artificial Intelligence has the potential to replace humans in a variety of day-t0-day tasks, both at home and in the workplace.

There have already been several instances where lawyers have gotten in trouble for citing fictitious cases generated by AI. Just last month, Reuters reported that a New York lawyer was facing disciplinary action after they used ChatGPT for research in a medicinal malpractice lawsuit and failed to confirm that the case cited was valid.

Featured Image: Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

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In celebration of its Omega Update, the epic space exploration game No Man’s Sky will be free to play until 6 pm GMT on Monday 19 February. It is available on PC/Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.

The game, which was widely disparaged on release, has continued to update over the eight years since launch and is widely regarded as gaming’s most successful comeback. One of the most widely loved features has been the Expeditions, large-scale but time-limited missions that the whole player base would be tackling simultaneously.

The Omega update includes the newest one, the Omega Expedition, and players on the free trial will be able to play through it in its entirety. It introduces a new ship, the Starborn Runner, which players will have access to throughout the expedition. A significant change in this update is that players can dive into an expedition from a preexisting save game. Previously, you would need to create a new game and start every expedition from scratch.

In addition, players will now be able to use an in-game “shared inventory terminal” to send loot from community expeditions back to their main save files, making participating much more appealing to veterans.

What else does No Man’s Sky Omega update add?

As well as this new expedition, the Omega update adds a lot of other new content alongside bug fixes and tweaks. Notably, the update brings a change to one of the game’s core questlines, the Atlas Path. It has been reworked and given a new “breath of life” and will now culminate in a consequential choice for players to make which will permanently impact their relationships in-game.

The update also adds new planetary missions, obtainable from a range of aliens. Different aliens will offer different missions, and they will encourage players to explore and experience the planets they live on.

Players will also be able to perform daring captures of pirate freighters, engaging with the game’s space combat to subdue their guns before boarding to demand supplication.

As is tradition, there is a new batch of Twitch drops for this update. Players who tune into eligible Twitch streams of No Man’s Sky will be able to claim in-game awards based on time spent viewing. They range from decor items to ships and multitools.

No Man’s Sky Omega Ω

Play for Free
Omega Expedition
Starborn Ship
Expeditions Overhaul
Atlas Helmet
Proc Gen Missions
Command Dreadnaught
Atlas Path Improved
Access Black Holes
Twitch Campaign
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Our Journey Continues… pic.twitter.com/rWyZyJQOKs

— Sean Murray (@NoMansSky) February 15, 2024

There is an exhaustive list of new features on the No Man’s Sky’s website. This sizable update promises a lot for new and old players alike to get their teeth stuck into and the free weekend is the perfect chance to try out this vast space game.

Featured image credit: Hello Games

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Sony’s European shipping targets could be hit before the end of the financial year — which is in about a month. According to sale prices appearing in stores, several outlets that stock the PS5 slim console, such as Amazon’s European, have dropped the console price to €474.99 ($511.78). In the United Kingdom, the standard console has a similar price point at £495 ($627.04) — but the digital-only counterpart comes in at £389 ($492.76), which is a £106 ($134) difference.

The Japanese technology maker would set record sales for console units shipped in a fiscal year if this milestone were achieved. The last Sony-developed device to do so was the PS1, which moved 22.6 million units in 12 months more than 25 years ago.

PS5 — a leading choice for console gamers

The PS5 was launched three years ago by the Japanese technology giant and has been the leading choice for console gamers despite initial stock shortages. According to a recent publication from Take-Two Games, 77 million Gen 9 devices, the latest console breed, have been sold to date.

Since Sony has sold 50 million units, as reported in December, this would mean Microsoft will have the remaining share of 27/28 million units. Microsoft does not record targets for console sales but has focused on Xbox digital subscriptions instead, but it seems like Sony will win that hardware fight hands down.

In another battleground for gamers’ hard-earned coins, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard gave Microsoft the advantage and the top spot in the financial charts. The deal set at a reported $68.7m would mean the combined gaming assets and sales would surpass Sony for the first time.

This would lead to a turbulent end to 2023 for Sony, with several ransomware attacks and a high-profile data breach spilling company information — and, sadly, the details of Insomniac Games staff. Yes, the Spider-Man 2 developer would receive support from the gaming community, but Sony’s illegally harvested secrets would be on show to the world.

Sony still worried about Microsoft’s Game Pass.

The biggest reveal from the ill-gotten contents was a report showing Sony was worried about being eclipsed by Microsoft’s digital subscription packages via Game Pass.

In recent news, Microsoft is set to address rumors of Xbox console exclusives and Game Pass titles jumping to rival devices. Leaks suggested that Hi-fi Rush and Starfield were earmarked for expansion onto previously un-thought territory, prompting the Head of Xbox to announce the future of the console.

The modern battle for a gamer’s allegiance and the tether to their wallets has become a physical and digital warzone, but it will definitely rage on as 2024 plays out.

Image credit:  Sony Blog.

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Meta is set to stop promoting political content across the company’s social apps.

In a report released on both Meta’s Transparency Centre and an Instagram blog post, the content-sharing giant made its approach clear.

“People have told us they want to see less political content, so we have spent the last few years refining our approach on Facebook to reduce the amount of political content – including from politicians’ accounts – you see in Feed, Reels, Watch, Groups You Should Join, and Pages You May Like,” the report read.

The company stated that following a political account will not result in related or linked accounts being proactively suggested if this isn’t your cup of tea.

Facebook

According to the announcement, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms will also play their part in considering “personalized signals, like survey responses, that help us understand what is informative, meaningful, or worth your time” on Facebook.

The posts also state that the customization of preferences can be made via Facebook ‘Feed Preferences’ and that the AI recommendations and personalization can be limited.

The releases announced, “If you don’t want AI systems to personalize your Feed at all, you can use the Feeds tab, which will rank posts chronologically. You can also add people to your Favorites list, so you always see content from your favorite accounts.”

Instagram and Threads

On the Instagram and Threads front, Meta states that it would like both apps to be a great experience for all users and reassures users that the company “won’t proactively recommend content about politics on recommendation surfaces across Instagram and Threads.”

The apps seem to be walking away from the previous approach of suggesting accounts and content that might be politically charged.

“If you decide to follow accounts that post political content, we don’t want to get between you and their posts, but we also don’t want to proactively recommend political content from accounts you don’t follow,” said the blog post.

Account Status will control the chances that professional accounts have in getting into a user’s eyesight, but this will be determined by their posting of political content and Meta’s decision-making on what it sees as ‘political’ and potentially barring the way.

The platform has said that through the settings, a user can disagree with a post that is deemed ‘political,’ saying “they (Users) can edit or remove recent posts, request a review if they disagree with our decision, or stop posting this type of content for a period of time, in order to be eligible to be recommended again.”

With the U.S. elections taking center stage in the media for the foreseeable future this move by Meta will be an interesting one for politicians and voters across 2024.

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Disney and Epic Games are teaming up to create a new ‘games and entertainment universe’ with a $1.5 billion initial investment.

The fledgling universe is set to offer fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and other Disney properties ways to play and engage with characters and stories from within those worlds. While there’s no clear indication of exactly what this will look like, Disney has promised to offer ways for people to “express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way”.

“Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO of Disney. “This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion. We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”

Creating a new universe @Disney x Epic Gameshttps://t.co/gTwt5e3dpz pic.twitter.com/iPC0T2FlzU

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) February 7, 2024

All of the content will be powered by Unreal Engine, building on previous collaborations between Disney and Epic Games, such as Fortnite content integrations, season collaborations, and live events. You can already play with skins of Disney characters in Fortnite, while Unreal Engine has also worked with Disney IP on games like Kingdom Hearts 3 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, as well as real-life events at Disney Parks attractions.

“Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of bringing their worlds together with ours in Fortnite, and they use Unreal Engine across their portfolio,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO and founder of Epic Games. “Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”

Disney goes from strength to strength in gaming

This comes after Disney reported a sharp rise in profits, in so small part due to its investment in gaming and digital entertainment. Profits at Disney rose 49% to $1.91bn in the three months to 31 December, on a flat revenue of $23.5bn, according to the Guardian, while within the gaming sector specifically, Disney mobile games have 1.5 billion global installs. To date, nine Disney game franchises have each grossed more than $1 billion in sales.

Featured image: Disney

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With Apple estimated to have shifted around 180,000 Vision Pro headsets over its first pre-order weekend last month, initial reports indicated a slow uptake on the latest development from the world’s biggest company by market capitalization. 

The sales pitch from Apple describes “an infinite canvas that transforms how you use the apps you love.” The ability to see your apps in front of you, arranged as you wish for the perfect workspace, all whilst moving between real and virtual realms. It sounds impressive and it is, but to what extent? This substantial headset has the potential to be a game-changer but it remains to be seen if people will take to wearing it, as well as carrying around a very expensive piece of equipment.

All the pre-orders are on the way to consumers, but if you are yet to be sold on buying the headset, you will want to read more. Here is a rundown of some of those reports on the mixed-reality device from Apple.

‘Most innovative product since iPhone’

Global editor-in-chief of Tom’s Guide, Mark Spoonauer, lauded the hand and eye-tracking technology as well as the 3D spatial video playback embedded in the Vision Pro. 

He approved of the design spec of the headset but opted to take regular breaks from wearing it due to its weight. Spoonauer believes the software is “still in its early stages” in some aspects, with the App Store devoid of several key apps at this time and he noted a gripe with the tethered battery.  He rightly draws attention to the high price point ($3,499) with the suggestion that a breakthrough could come with another version of the Vision Pro at a lower, more accessible price for the mass market. 

Overall, the Tom’s Guide chief insisted this is “the most innovative Apple product since the original iPhone”, which includes an abundance of immersive environments and significant capability to multitask.

Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge coined an interesting paradox with the description of Apple’s creation as “the best consumer headset anyone’s ever made – and that’s the problem”. 

He was effusive in his praise for the magic of the Vision Pro whilst tempering the positivity with reality. Patel considered if the headset was too advanced, questioning if it could become another market leader (like the iPhone) or end up a niche product. He also noted a sense of isolation in the mixed-reality environment. 

‘Familiar and distinct’

Further reviews came from Tech Radar’s Lance Ulanoff, who required just half an hour to be convinced Vision Pro is “the real future of virtual and augmented reality”. He was blown away by his initial experience of the “mixed-reality headset that is at once familiar and wholly distinct.”

Despite the glowing approval, Ulanoff too balked at the price of the product which will surely be succeeded by other, cheaper releases in order to penetrate the market.

The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern expressed a similar sentiment.

Following a week-long trial with the Vision Pro, she described a work in progress that “you’re probably not going to buy”. The first-generation release was also deemed as “big and heavy, its battery life sucks, there are few great apps and it can be buggy”.

CNET’s Scott Stein described a “thrilling” experience but overall, awarded the Vision Pro a score of just 7.8 out of 10.

His words of a “mind-blowing look at an unfinished future” appear to aptly represent the immediate prospects for this impressive yet imperfect version of Apple’s mixed reality headset.

Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee echoed those thoughts, “I love this thing, not because it’s flawless – it is far from flawless – but because it’s actually interesting…but this [holds Vision Pro], this thing is interesting it’s risky but most of all it’s new.”

Feature image: Apple

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In 2015, Facebook celebrated its 10th anniversary by introducing the “On This Day” feature, allowing users to revisit their past posts. Today, we celebrate 20 years of the global phenomenon known as Facebook (now Meta). It has been a platform of incredible innovation from the beginning, and those contributing content to their friends and total strangers share their day-to-day lives, feelings, and photos — some of which may have been advisable not to.

Facebook has evolved from a simple social networking site to a global phenomenon, affecting the lives of millions of people around the globe. The story behind its success is as intriguing as the platform itself. In this article, let’s look into the exciting history of Facebook, exploring its beginnings, wild milestones, crazy controversies, and undeniable impact on the internet and the lives of those who participate online.

History of Facebook

1. Facebook’s genesis

In the early 2000s, a young psychology student at Harvard University named Mark Zuckerberg had an idea.

As a passionate computer programmer, Zuckerberg had already created a few social networking sites for his fellow students. These social sites included Coursematch, a platform for students to see who was taking their degree, and Facemash, a site for rating attractiveness — which caused its fair share of controversy.

In February 2004, Zuckerberg launched what was then known as “The Facebook.” The platform’s name was inspired by the sheets of paper given to freshmen at Harvard, profiling students and staff. Within just 24 hours of its launch, 1,200 Harvard students had signed up. After a month, over half of the undergraduate population had created a profile.

2. Facebook’s rapid expansion

Facebook‘s popularity didn’t stay confined to Harvard for long. The platform quickly extended to other Boston universities and the Ivy League. By the end of 2004, almost every university in the U.S. and Canada had access to Facebook. In August 2005, “The Facebook” officially became Facebook after purchasing the domain for $200,000.

Facebook opened up to high school students in September 2005, expanding its reach even further. By September 2006, it became open to anyone over 13 with a valid email address, marking a significant milestone in Facebook’s history.

3. The era of acquisitions

In April 2012, Facebook made a significant acquisition: Instagram. The photo-sharing app was bought for a staggering $1 billion. This purchase allowed Facebook to tap into Instagram’s younger user base and its innovative photo-sharing features.

In 2014, Facebook made another major acquisition: WhatsApp. The messaging app was purchased for an incredible $19 billion. This move allowed Facebook to enhance its messaging capabilities and gain access to WhatsApp’s vast global user base.

4. The rise of mobile and apps

With the increasing popularity of smartphones, Facebook focused on mobile expansion. The introduction of the Facebook app and optimization for mobile platforms facilitated user engagement on the go. In 2012, Facebook went public with its initial public offering (IPO), marking a significant financial milestone for the company.

5. Algorithm changes and news feed redesign

Facebook underwent several algorithm changes to prioritize content based on user preferences. In 2015, Facebook celebrated its 10th anniversary by introducing the “On This Day” feature, allowing users to revisit their past posts.

The platform faced challenges with the spread of fake news and underwent a series of News Feed redesigns to address these concerns.

6. Cambridge Analytica scandal and privacy concerns

2018 brought one of the most significant challenges to Facebook’s reputation with the Cambridge Analytica scandal. It was revealed that the personal data of millions of users had been improperly accessed for political purposes. This event led to increased scrutiny of Facebook’s data privacy practices and sparked a broader conversation about online privacy.

7. Rebranding to Meta and the Metaverse Vision

In a significant announcement in October 2021, Mark Zuckerberg revealed the company’s rebranding from Facebook to Meta Platforms, reflecting a broader vision beyond social media. The focus shifted to building the metaverse, a virtual shared space where users can interact in real-time. This ambitious vision included investments in virtual and augmented reality technologies.

8. Ongoing innovations and challenges (2022 and Beyond)

Meta Platforms continued its pursuit of innovations, including virtual reality (VR) advancements with products like Oculus. The company faced ongoing challenges related to content moderation, user privacy, and regulatory scrutiny. The metaverse’s evolution and integration with daily life will shape Meta’s trajectory in the coming years.

History of Facebook features and updates

Facebook has continually introduced new features to keep users engaged throughout its history. From the “like” button to the introduction of timelines and news feeds, Facebook has consistently innovated to enhance the user experience.

In 2011, Facebook launched the Facebook Messenger app, allowing users to communicate more effectively.

In 2016, it introduced Facebook Live, allowing users to broadcast live videos to their friends and followers. In 2017, Facebook launched the Facebook Journalism Project to establish stronger ties with the news industry.

2004-2006: The early years

• February 2004: Facebook is launched by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates.
• September 2006: News Feed is introduced, displaying recent activities of friends.

2009-2010: The “Like Button” and Open Graph

Believe it or not — the like button has not been here forever.

• February 2009: The “Like” button is introduced.
• April 2010: Open Graph API is launched, enabling third-party apps to integrate with Facebook.

2011-2012: Introducing Timeline and Open Graph Apps

• September 2011: Timeline is introduced, showcasing a user’s life events chronologically.
• September 2011: The introduction of the Ticker for real-time updates.
• January 2012: Facebook introduces the “Timeline” feature to the public.
• April 2012: Facebook acquires Instagram.

2013-2014: Graph Search and Video Auto-play

What?! Auto-playing videos??

• January 2013: Graph Search is launched, allowing users to search for specific content.
• December 2013: Autoplay videos in the News Feed are introduced.

2015-2016: Reactions and Facebook Live

This era of live streams took off. Twitch.tv at this time was booming!

• February 2016: Facebook introduces “Reactions” (like, love, haha, wow, sad, angry) in addition to the Like button.
• April 2016: Facebook Live is launched, allowing users to broadcast live video.

2017-2018: Explore Feed and Cambridge Analytica

Scandals await Facebook as politics get intertwined with social media data.

• October 2017: Facebook tests the Explore Feed to separate personal and public content.
• March 2018: The Cambridge Analytica scandal reveals data misuse by a third-party app.

2019-2020: Redesign and Privacy Focus

To some, e-commerce on social media platforms was one of the most innovative features added by Facebook.

• March 2019: Facebook undergoes a major design overhaul, focusing on Groups and Events.
• October 2019: Introduction of Facebook News, a dedicated section for news on the platform.
• April 2020: Facebook rolls out a new desktop design.
• May 2020: Facebook announces the Shops feature for e-commerce.

2021: Audio Rooms and Oculus Integration

See into the internet with Oculus. Virtual reality begins to push into the workplace.

• June 2021: Facebook announces Live Audio Rooms for audio conversations.
• October 2021: Facebook rebrands as Meta, emphasizing the company’s focus on the metaverse.
• October 2021: Integration of Oculus VR technology with Facebook.

Facebook controversies

Despite its success, Facebook’s journey has not been without controversy. The company has faced significant challenges, from privacy concerns to accusations of spreading fake news, to the news. This very week, in the U.S. Senate judiciary hearings, Mark Zuckerberg had to face the families of cyberbullying. One Senator even went so far as to say that Zuckerberg had “blood on his hands.” But the list of problems started long ago.

The tale of three students

In 2010, a legal case was filed against Facebook by three Harvard students who accused Zuckerberg of stealing their ideas and coding. The case was dismissed due to a technicality in 2007 but was followed by numerous other lawsuits related to privacy and data breaches.

Cambridge analytics

In March 2018, a scandal that would have significant repercussions for Facebook broke. Reports emerged that political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had harvested data from 87 million Facebook users through an app. This resulted in a significant blow to Facebook’s reputation and a loss of approximately $119 billion in market value.

Mental health

Users on Meta platforms have reported issues related to cyberbullying and harassment, contributing to negative impacts on mental health.

The spread of harmful content, including misinformation and graphic imagery, has also been a concern, potentially triggering distress among users.

Additionally, the addictive nature of social media, characterized by excessive screen time and comparison-driven content, has been linked to mental health challenges for some individuals using Meta platforms.

Facebook claims they are taking these steps:

In response to these controversies, Facebook has taken several steps to improve its platform. This includes introducing new privacy tools, changing its algorithm, and working to combat the spread of false information.

Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, has demonstrated a commitment to addressing mental health concerns among its users through a multifaceted approach.

One key aspect of this initiative involves the implementation of suicide prevention tools. These tools allow users to report content that raises concerns about self-harm or suicide, enabling the platform to prioritize and respond promptly to such reports.

Additionally, Meta has forged partnerships with mental health organizations to leverage expert advice and resources, fostering a supportive online community. Collaborative efforts extend to well-being features, including time management tools, aimed at helping users monitor and limit their time on the platform for a healthier digital experience.

In response to the complex landscape of mental health, Meta Platforms has established content moderation policies to combat harmful content, such as bullying, harassment, and self-harm imagery.

The platform has also introduced supportive communities within Facebook Groups, providing spaces for users to connect and share experiences related to mental health.

Emphasizing positive interactions, Meta has committed to prioritizing content that contributes to users’ well-being and reduces the visibility of misleading or harmful material.

Furthermore, the company conducts ongoing research and data analysis to gain insights into the impact of its platform on users’ mental health. This information guides the development of new features and policies designed to enhance overall well-being.

Meta Platforms remains dedicated to refining its strategies and collaborating with experts to create a positive and supportive online environment. For the latest and most comprehensive information on Meta’s current initiatives related to mental health, users are encouraged to refer to the company’s official announcements and well-being resources.

Facebook/Meta’s global impact and statistics

Despite its challenges, there’s no denying Facebook’s impact globally. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook has revolutionized how we connect with others, share information, and even do business.

While Facebook has undoubtedly brought people closer together, its impact on society is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has democratized information, giving voice to the voiceless and enabling social movements to gain momentum. On the other hand, it has also been accused of spreading misinformation, contributing to political polarization, and eroding privacy.

• Monthly Active Users (MAU): Over 2.8 billion users globally.
• Daily Active Users (DAU): Over 1.9 billion users engage with the platform daily.
• Geographical Distribution: Facebook connects users across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and worldwide.
• Revenue: Meta Platforms reported over $29 billion in revenue in Q3 2021.
• Mobile Users: More than 2.7 billion users access Facebook via mobile devices.
• WhatsApp and Instagram: WhatsApp has over 2 billion monthly active users, while Instagram has over 1.3 billion.
• Employee Count: Meta Platforms employs tens of thousands of individuals globally.
• Ad Revenue: Advertising revenue exceeded $28 billion in Q3 2021.
• Acquisitions: Meta Platforms has strategically acquired companies like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR.

The future of Facebook

As Facebook continues to evolve, it’s clear that the social media giant will play a significant role in our digital lives. Whether it’s introducing new features, acquiring new companies, or navigating controversies, the history of Facebook is a testament to its resilience and adaptability,

The potential future of Facebook, now Meta Platforms, is likely to be shaped by several key trends and strategic directions. While it’s challenging to predict specifics, some possibilities include:

Metaverse development

Meta has intensely focused on building the metaverse, an interconnected virtual space where users can interact in real-time. The company aims to create immersive experiences beyond traditional social media, incorporating elements like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Expanded ecosystem

Meta Platforms may continue to expand its ecosystem beyond social media, integrating products and services related to augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce. The development of new technologies and acquisitions could further diversify Meta’s offerings.

Privacy and regulation

Ongoing debates around user privacy and data security will likely influence the future of Facebook. Increased scrutiny and regulatory changes may impact how Meta Platforms handles user data, and the company might need to adapt its practices in response to evolving privacy standards.

Integration of AI and virtual assistants

Facebook may continue to invest in artificial intelligence to enhance user experience, content moderation, and personalization. The integration of virtual assistants could play a role in providing users with more personalized and context-aware interactions.

Evolution of advertising and revenue models

Meta’s advertising business is a significant revenue source, and the company may explore new advertising models within the metaverse. As the digital landscape evolves, Meta Platforms could adapt its advertising and revenue generation approach.

Global connectivity initiatives

Meta has shown interest in global connectivity initiatives to provide internet access to underserved regions. Projects related to high-altitude balloons, satellites, and other innovative technologies could play a role in Meta’s efforts to connect more people globally.

Social impact

Meta may continue to invest in social impact initiatives, addressing issues like misinformation, online safety, and mental health. Collaborations with experts, organizations, and governments could contribute to developing responsible and ethical digital platforms.

Featured Image Credit: Thought Catalog; Pexels

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