I typically lead Startups Weekly with my own column, and while I did write one this week (so if you’re a fan of my writing, feel free to dive in), Devin’s piece challenging the pseudanthropy of AI is a must-read. He proposes a new set of rules for AIs to follow in order to preserve our humanity:
– AI must exhibit rhyme.
– AI may not present a face or identity.
– AI cannot experience “feelings” or “thoughts.”
– AI-derived figures, decisions, and answers must be marked with ‘⸫.’
– AI must not make life or death decisions.
– AI imagery must have a clipped corner.
While these suggestions may not be realistically implementable, the article delves deep into the interesting challenges we face as AIs become more mature and ubiquitous.
Now, shifting gears to what’s happening in the startup world, Bird, the once high-flying electric scooter company, has crash-landed into bankruptcy, restructuring its finances after a wild ride from a $2 billion valuation. Eric Wu, co-founder of Opendoor, is leaving his executive chair to re-enter the startup world amid a challenging real estate market. In other news, Okta has acquired security firm Spera for around $100 million, and Meltwater, the media monitoring company, has secured a $65 million investment from Verdane, valuing the company at $592 million.
The article also discusses Devin’s predictions for AI in 2024, foreseeing a roller-coaster ride from hype to a reality check. The integration of Microsoft Copilot with the GenAI music app Suno allows users to create complete songs with lyrics and instrumentals. Spotify is testing AI-powered playlists, and Rite Aid has been banned from using facial recognition software for five years due to its “reckless use of facial surveillance systems.”
Apple has been ordered to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit over its Family Sharing feature, while Google is settling a lawsuit over its Play Store monopoly with a $700 million payout. In social media, Claim, a new player, aims to make sharing rewards with friends a trend, securing $4 million from Sequoia Capital. Jagat, a location-based social network, has surpassed 10 million users, and Linktree has acquired its competitor Koji from GoMeta.
Additionally, the article highlights some top reads on TechCrunch, including Apple’s pause in sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 due to a patent dispute, a cyberattack on Comcast’s Xfinity service affecting almost 36 million customers, and Google’s decision to store users’ location data on their devices instead of on its servers to address concerns about overly broad “geofence warrants.”
