In an announcement, Omnity said its interoperability protocol is built on the Internet Computer (ICP). This is integrated with Runes, an Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) Bitcoin metaprotocol that allows for the trade of fungible tokens on Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Halving Brought an Unprecedented Spike in Fees

Since the Bitcoin halving it is estimated Runes have contributed to up to 68% of Bitcoin transactions, however, the fees earned by Bitcoin miners have started to dwindle.

Like BRC-20s, Runes is a protocol that uses the Bitcoin network. It pays fees in Bitcoin to generate new tokens.  Runes uses the UTXO model to “etch” new tokens on Bitcoin. This contrasts with Ordinals’ “inscription” account model, according to a protocol explainer from Rodarmor. 

Omnity Protocol said this integration aims to allow the trading of Rune tokens without gas or transaction fees. It allows for token swaps without having to rely on risky cross-chain bridges.  Omnity claims to be the first protocol to support Runes interoperability. The protocol integrates Runes and offloads the burden of native Bitcoin transactions onto ICP.

Since its launch on April 20th, Runes has processed more than 2.38 million transactions, according to a Dune Analytics dashboard shared by blockchain research firm Crypto Koryo.

“As champions of blockchain’s mission to protect public goods, we’re proud to leverage the Internet Computer to alleviate congestion on the Bitcoin network,” said Louis Liu, founder of Omnity, in a press release.

“This enhances Runes transaction efficiency and also cuts costs, which supports the scalability and economic functions of Bitcoin,” said Liu.

Understanding Internet Computer (ICP)

ICP is the native cryptocurrency for Internet Computer. Omnity said its cross-chain integration uses ICP’s “Chain Fusion Technology” which allows the network to read and write to Bitcoin. 

“ICP’s on-chain Bitcoin integration is essential because it brings smart contract functionality to Bitcoin without having to trust wrapped BTC from centralized bridging services, opening up new possibilities for DeFi and Dapp development without congesting the Bitcoin network and driving up transaction fees,” said Omnity in a press release.

The post Omnity Protocol Launches New Integration for Low Fee Runes Trading appeared first on Cryptonews.

NOYB’s complaint came on the heels of someone who queried ChatGPT about his date of birth but received incorrect responses instead of being informed by the chatbot that it lacked the necessary data, violating EU data privacy laws. The subject’s name was redacted in the complaint, but NOYB revealed that the individual is a public figure and their date of birth is readily available online.

OpenAI Privacy Complaint Reveals High Rise of False Information

The Austrian privacy advocate group also stated that OpenAI’s chatbot denied the complainant’s requests to correct or delete the false response. ChatGPT told the subject that data correction was impossible on the app without clarifying how the data was processed or its sources, further violating the complainant’s privacy rights, which looks less than ideal in light of the EU privacy law.

noyb has filed a complaint against the ChatGPT creator OpenAI

OpenAI openly admits that it is unable to correct false information about people on ChatGPT. The company cannot even say where the data comes from.

Read all about it here https://t.co/gvn9CnGKOb

— noyb (@NOYBeu) April 29, 2024

Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates that information about individuals must be accurate, and individuals should have full access to any personal data held by a company.

The complaint alleges that OpenAI is unaware of the data ChatGPT stores or its source and that despite being aware of the problem, the tech firm seems unbothered.

OpenAI has always maintained a disclaimer on its app that states that “factual accuracy in large language models remains an area of active research.”

In response to the OpenAI privacy complaint, NOYB data protection lawyer Maartje de Graaf explained that chatbots like ChatGPT do not comply with EU law.

“Making up false information is quite problematic in itself. But when it comes to false information about individuals, there can be serious consequences,” de Graaf said. “It’s clear that companies are currently unable to make chatbots like ChatGPT comply with EU law, when processing data about individuals. If a system cannot produce accurate and transparent results, it cannot be used to generate data about individuals. The technology has to follow the legal requirements, not the other way around.”

According to NOYB’s complaint, OpenAI has failed to respond to “data access requests” as required by the GDPR, which mandates companies provide details of all personal data stored at the request of authorized bodies.

Investigations on OpenAI Privacy Intensifies

Since its introduction in 2022, ChatGPT has sparked a global debate on the applications and risks of AI, as the platform has grown to over 180 million users worldwide.

The rapid growth of ChatGPT and other machine learning apps has raised concerns about the lack of regulations to prevent false information, privacy infringement, and copyright violations, or the creation of deepfake audio and video content. This led to the EU passing an AI Act in March 2024 to enable a regulatory approach to some of the pressing issues around AI.

NOYB’s privacy complaint against OpenAI is part of a series of legal challenges facing the company.

The New York Times sues Microsoft and ChatGPT maker OpenAI claiming “mass copyright infringement.” They should countersue NYT for reducing their AI down to the mind of a brainwashed, liberal dumbass. pic.twitter.com/jOwigJDYYm

— Suburban Black Man (@niceblackdude) December 28, 2023

OpenAI is already under investigation by Italy’s national privacy authority, which started a probe in March 2023. The investigation is over concerns related to data breaches and the exposure of user conversations and payment details.

Chat GPT BLOCKED In Italy – Is the Rest of EU Next?

Italy has become the first Western country to ban ChatGPT.

Earlier this month, the Italian data-protection authority has said it will investigate OpenAI and block the chatbot immediately due to 'privacy concerns'.

The Italian… pic.twitter.com/Rd7RQNvYn1

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 24, 2023

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), comprising the EU member states’ data protection authorities, established a task force in April 2023 to address issues surrounding ChatGPT, coordinate enforcement actions, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

In addition, Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Alman, claiming that the company’s partnership with Microsoft deviates from the foundational principles of advancing open-source AI for the benefit of humanity. During this lawsuit, Musk revealed plans to make Grok open source.

The post Austria’s NOYB Files Privacy Complaint Against OpenAI’s ChatGPT appeared first on Cryptonews.

In an announcement, Chainlins said CCIP can be used by developers to securely transfer onboarded tokens cross-chain, send arbitrary messages to smart contracts on another blockchain, or simultaneously send data.

The protocol supports blockchains including Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, BNB Chain, Ethereum, Kroma, Optimism, Polygon, and WEMIX, with more to come in the future.

“CCIP is now starting to become the standard for both capital markets blockchain transactions across banks, as well as the way that secure Web3 cross-chain value and data is moved across public chains,” said Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, in a press release. 

“The mainnet general availability of CCIP is something that makes it even easier for developers to quickly adopt CCIP as a secure mechanism for cross-chain connectivity,” adds Nazarov. 

New App Allows Users to Transfer Various Tokens 

Earlier this month Chainlink released a new application dubbed the transporter for submitting and monitoring cross-chain transactions. The firm went on to describe the new Transporter application as a “hyper-secure bridging Aapp” — explaining it is built on Chainlink CCIP to bring “unprecedented security” to users wanting to transfer tokens across blockchains.

Transporter allows users to track their assets and messages at every step of the transaction, both on the Transporter app and through the Chainlink CCIP Explorer.

The new application doesn’t charge additional fees, just the regular fees for using CCIP, which cover the gas costs of completing transactions on the destination chain and the fees paid to CCIP service providers.

CCIP Entering General Availability

Chainlink said CCIP entering General Availability has been made possible by the introduction of several new in-demand features, including Transporter.  As well as the addition of token transfer support for USDC.

The firm said CCIP has achieved 900%+ growth in the number of cross-chain transactions and a 4,000%+ growth in cross-chain transfer volume processed by CCIP during Early Access in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This has included multiple transactions of nearly $1 million USDC, showcasing CCIP’s ability to secure large amounts of value over an extended period. 

The post Chainlink Says Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol Available to All Developers Now appeared first on Cryptonews.

The joint press release stated that FPT and the Nvidia AI factory will serve as a “sovereign cloud” that will focus on AI research and development using Nvidia’s latest technologies. These include Nvidia AI Enterprise software and frameworks and Nvidia H100 Tensor Core GPUs.

FPT and Nvidia AI Factory Pledge to Scale Vietnam’s AI Industry

The Nvidia AI factory will provide cloud GPU services to FPT’s corporate customers globally and grant them access to core resources designed to improve research capacity, scale AI applications, and achieve productivity and customer experience milestones.

Great news! FPT Corporation and @nvidia today entered a comprehensive strategic partnership to harness the power of #AI across sectors.
Read more: https://t.co/LFncYkP9w8 pic.twitter.com/Mb2hxF5kx2

— FPT Software (@fpt_software) April 23, 2024

The goal of the partnership is to position Vietnam as an “AI hub of the world” while also speeding up the adoption of AI applications in neighboring countries like Japan and South Korea.

As part of the collaboration, FPT has joined the “NVIDIA Partner Network” as a Service Delivery Partner to become a Global Systems Integrator. This will allow the IT firm to leverage Nvidia’s advanced products and technologies to develop tailored cloud services, hardware, software, and, notably, generative AI solutions.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Truong Gia Binh, FPT Corporation Chairman and Founder, expressed excitement about the partnership.

“FPT is committed to Digital transformation, AI, Cloud, and Education,” he said. “FPT strives to enhance our R&D competence and establish a comprehensive platform for state-of-the-art products and services built on AI and Cloud that exceeds global demands, working to achieve its vision to turn Vietnam into an AI hub of the world through collaboration with NVIDIA in technology, business development, and training.”

Nvidia Vice President of Worldwide AI Initiative Keith Strier commented on AI’s potential to improve lives and strengthen economies across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, climate, and manufacturing.

He noted that the FPT and Nvidia partnership will empower organizations across Vietnam to drive transformation and help the country become a leader in AI technology.

AI Industry Secures Attract More Investments From Big Tech Firms

FPT and Nvidia’s AI partnership follows other Big tech firms’ multi-billion-dollar investments in the AI industry worldwide.

For example, on April 16, software giant Microsoft invested $1.5 billion into G42, an AI-based company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The collaboration allows G42 to utilize Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform to power its AI services and applications, which will improve the safety and security of its infrastructure.

.@Microsoft's investment in @G42ai will enhance the UAE’s position as a leading #AI hub and provide digital infrastructure and services to help underserved nations innovate and grow. We will combine world-class technology with world-leading standards for safe, trusted, and…

— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) April 16, 2024

Microsoft also invested 3.2 billion euros ($3.44 billion) recently to boost AI industry infrastructure in Germany for the next two years, which was followed by a $2.1 billion pledge in AI infrastructure developments in Spain to improve “local capacity for the technology.”

Meanwhile, Amazon has invested $4 billion into ChatGPT’s rival AI startup, Anthropic.

According to recent Statista data, the AI sector is projected to be worth $184 billion before the end of 2024 and $826 billion by 2030.

These projections, alongside the success of OpenAI’s GPT models, continue to drive many investments from Microsoft and other tech firms as they battle to become industry-leading AI innovation (and income) hubs.

The post Nvidia Partners with Vietnamese IT Firm FPT to Construct $200M AI Factory appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ransomware is a type of malware which prevents you from accessing your device and the data stored on it, usually by encrypting your files.

In an announcement, the national security organizations said Akira Akira ransomware has impacted businesses in North America, Europe, and Australia.

“In April 2023, following an initial focus on Windows systems, Akira threat actors deployed a Linux variant targeting VMware ESXi virtual machines. As of January 1, 2024, the ransomware group has impacted over 250 organizations and claimed approximately $42 million USD in ransomware proceeds,” said the FBI, EC3, NCSC-NL in a joint statement,

The FBI, along with our USG and foreign partners, is determined to #StopRansomware. Read this #CybersecurityAdvisory about Akira ransomware group, which has impacted over 250 organizations and claimed approximately $42 million in ransomware proceeds: https://t.co/mnsuJv2IU4 pic.twitter.com/HskVX43eSq

— FBI (@FBI) April 18, 2024

In the statement, the security forces reveal technical details about the attacks.

“The early versions of the Akira ransomware variant were written in C++ and encrypted files with a .akira extension; however, beginning in August 2023, some Akira attacks began deploying Megazord, using Rust-based code which encrypts files with a .powerranges extension. Akira threat actors have continued to use both Megazord and Akira, including Akira_v2 (identified by trusted third-party investigations) interchangeably.”

In February, the website of major crypto ransomware operator LockBit was taken down in a coordinated effort by international enforcement agencies. The message displayed on the site confirms it is now “under control of law enforcement.”

The operation, involving the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the FBI and Europol, and a wider international coalition, targeted the website itself, replacing its content with a statement claiming its control.

According to the Chainalysis 2024 Crypto Crime Report 2023 marks a major comeback for ransomware, with record-breaking payments and a substantial increase in the scope and complexity of attacks — a significant reversal from the decline observed in 2022.

As a result of these attacks and others, ransomware gangs reached an unprecedented milestone, surpassing $1 billion in extorted cryptocurrency payments from victims.

The post FBI, Europol Say Akira Ransomware Has Drained $42M from 250 Firms appeared first on Cryptonews.

In an announcement, Chainlink said the application is built using its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) – the standard for cross-chain interoperability. 

The firm went on to describe the new Transporter application as a “hyper-secure bridging Aapp” — explaining it is built on Chainlink CCIP to bring “unprecedented security” to users wanting to transfer tokens across blockchains.

App Allows Users to Transfer Various Tokens 

The Transporter app allows users to transfer tokens across a variety of blockchains, starting with Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, BNB Chain, Ethereum, Optimism, Polygon, and WEMIX.

“Transporter makes it easier to utilize the security benefits of Chainlink CCIP for the transfer of large token value and critical messages across chains,” said Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink in a press release.

“Having a secure way to move both value and data across chains is something the blockchain industry has needed for years and I’m excited that Transporter is making that more accessible,” said Nazarov.

Chainlink said it has also unveiled a new token transfer mechanism for CCIP, which allows native ETH to be transferred cross-chain through WETH token pools.

“This marks the first instance of a lock and unlock mechanism being implemented in CCIP,” said the firm.

Transporter Allows Users to Track Assets 

According to Chainlink, the Transporter application is built to give users complete peace of mind by offering an intuitive UI, and 24/7 global support. The application has a visual tracker that provides real-time visibility into the state of their cross-chain transactions. 

Transporter allows users to track their assets and messages at every step of the transaction, both on the Transporter app and through the Chainlink CCIP Explorer.

No Fees

Chainlink said the new application doesn’t charge additional fees, just the regular fees for using CCIP, which cover the gas costs of completing transactions on the destination chain and the fees paid to CCIP service providers.

Venture capital firms Fourth Revolution Capital and Moonrock Capital are two early users of the Transporter application, said Chainlink.

The post Chainlink Launches ‘Transporter’ App for Moving Crypto Cross-Chain appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) pledged to allocate “roughly $200K” to 18 education and community-centric organizations across 15 states to tackle the country’s shortage of experienced cybersecurity professionals.

US Government Agency to Combat Soaring Cybersecurity Threats

NIST disclosed that the cooperative agreement will be overseen by NICE, a partner company between the US government, academia, and the private sector, focusing on cybersecurity education and workforce development.

NIST is building the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow, with $3.6 million in funding for community-based education. Learn more: https://t.co/Daf16depLZ pic.twitter.com/gA7iWLNmtv

— National Institute of Standards and Technology (@NIST) April 3, 2024

NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio expressed enthusiasm for the future of cybersecurity and what the earmarked grants could achieve in the future.

“By investing in our cybersecurity workforce, we are not just filling a critical gap. We are creating a future where Americans have access to the training they need to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs,” she stated.

This is really a great initiative. Finally, someone thinking about building a talent pipeline for the most needed capability.

— Zero Trust Meet (@zerotrustmeet) April 4, 2024

According to the NIST, the chosen beneficiaries will build Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) cybersecurity education together.

These RAMPS projects will align with the NIST projected cybersecurity workforce framework needs of local businesses, firms, and nonprofit organizations.

“It shines a spotlight on local communities that are working together to create career pathways to good jobs for all Americans and contributes to local and regional economic development by addressing the workforce needs of local businesses,” he added.

The pledge from the US government agency echoes the data shared by the CyberSeek tool, a NICE-funded platform that analyzes data about the cybersecurity workforce market. It revealed that there were 448,033 cybersecurity job opportunities in the US between January 2023 and January 2024.

A similar survey from researchers showed that the cybersecurity sub-sector continues to grow despite the massive tech layoffs. Job vacancies for cybersecurity professionals grew by 350% from 2013 to 2021. As of 2023, the sector had about 3.5 million unfulfilled roles. More than 700,000 of those cybersecurity positions were in the US.

Cyber risks continue to increase in the US. According to IBM, 83% of organizations experienced one form of cyber attack in 2022. The severity of these incidents could be devastating. For instance, some companies have suffered a decline of over 5% in their stock price following a data breach, while others have had their entire supply chain disrupted by cyber attacks.

The eSentire 2023 Cybercrime report projects that the cost of cybercrime damage will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.

The prevalence of cybercrime has become a major concern across various industries within and outside the US, even as regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) started taking cybersecurity seriously. Recall that Chainalysis reported $1 billion in cryptocurrency ransomware payments for 2023.

NIST Establishes Consortium Amidst Amidst President Biden AI Policy

On November 1, 2023, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris jointly announced that the US government’s Department of Commerce, through the NIST, will establish the US Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI).

The USAISI will lead the nation’s efforts on AI safety and trust alongside evaluating advanced AI models.

On February 7, 2024, the US government Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, announced key executive members to lead the USAISI.

#NEWS: @SecRaimondo announces key members of the executive leadership team to lead the U.S. AI Safety Institute, which will be established @NIST.

Elizabeth Kelly to lead the Institute as Director & Elham Tabassi to serve as Chief Technology Officer. https://t.co/JQ5GfRDhBF

— U.S. Commerce Dept. (@CommerceGov) February 7, 2024

In response to the presidential policy, the NIST created an AI Safety Institute Consortium on February 8, 2024, which brings together over 200 organizations to develop science-based guidelines and standards for AI measurement and policy to make advanced technology safe for everyone.

Today, @CommerceGov announced the formation of the NIST-administered U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium, which will unite government and industry with AI developers and users. Read more: https://t.co/Gqn3vZ4um6 pic.twitter.com/8FwAHSXXHa

— National Institute of Standards and Technology (@NIST) February 8, 2024

Additionally, the consortium will enable the US government to address the capabilities of the next generation of AI models and the applicable risk management strategies.

The post US Government Pledges $3.6M to Build Cybersecurity Workforce appeared first on Cryptonews.

This expansion follows Google’s earlier introduction of Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domain search results, enabling users to check wallet balances using readable domain names such as “vitalik.eth” for Ethereum wallet addresses.

Google Expands Crypto Search Features to Include Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom Wallet Balances

Google has been steadily expanding its crypto-related features since introducing Ethereum wallet balance searches last year. In May 2023, Google integrated a feature that enables specific Ethereum wallet addresses to have their Ether (ETH) balances tracked directly within the Google search engine, eliminating the need to visit platforms like Etherscan.

This expansion has been facilitated by the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), which offers human-readable domains like example.eth that can be linked to Ethereum wallets. Users can now search for an ENS domain in Google’s search results, and Google will display the wallet balance associated with the blockchain address linked to that domain, along with the address itself. This information is sourced from Etherscan and reflects the latest state as of the last external transaction.

In addition to Ethereum, Google has extended its features to allow users to search wallet balances across multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Optimism, Polygon, and Fantom. Search results show the token balance by network along with the last updated time.

The inclusion of wallet searches represents a shift in Google’s stance towards cryptocurrencies. While the tech giant previously prohibited Bitcoin-related advertisements in 2018, it has recently reversed this policy, allowing Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) advertisements following their approval in January. Notable ETF products from asset managers now appear in search results.

JUST IN: Google integrates #Bitcoin blockchain data into search results (BMag).

Billions of Google users have convenient access to address balances! pic.twitter.com/3UAtCCHRMM

— Simply Bitcoin (@SimplyBitcoinTV) March 28, 2024

Users can search for three Bitcoin address formats—P2PKH, P2SH, and Bech32—to view current balances and recent transaction updates. Integrating Bitcoin data into search results enhances Google’s accessibility to on-chain activity, leveraging its extensive daily search volume. However, it’s worth noting that this service may not be universally available to all users. Some individuals have reported that the feature does not consistently appear in search results.

Also, some privacy-centric Bitcoin supporters have raised concerns about centralized data aggregation and its potential impact on user privacy, highlighting a broader discussion around the balance between convenience and privacy in the crypto space.

Google Updates Crypto Ad Policy to Include Promotions for Approved Bitcoin ETFs and Cryptocurrency Coin Trust Products

Google recently adopted a new crypto ad policy encompassing promotions for recently approved Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
According to Google, US marketers can now advertise Cryptocurrency Coin Trust products. This update emphasizes “financial products that allow investors to trade shares in trusts holding large pools of digital currency.”

This policy’s timing aligns closely with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 10. Spot Bitcoin ETFs enable investors to trade shares in a fund that holds Bitcoin as the underlying asset rather than directly purchasing Bitcoin itself.

Google’s advertising network is the largest in the world, with a turnover of over $224 billion in advertising. Following this update, the community expects an influx of investors, providing more accessible investment options for the general public.

This policy change significantly shifts Google’s previous stance on crypto-related ads. In March 2018, Google implemented a complete ban on crypto-related ads, including ads for crypto exchanges, ICO promotions, and crypto trading advice. This ban applied globally to all accounts advertising these financial products, following a similar ad ban by social media giant Facebook.

The post Google Enhances Search Features to Include Crypto Wallet Balance Search Across Multiple Blockchains appeared first on Cryptonews.

In a recent announcement, the e-commerce and technology giant revealed that it has injected an additional $2.75 billion into Anthropic, following an initial investment of $1.25 billion made back in September.

Anthropic, founded in 2021 by former members of OpenAI, has emerged as a notable competitor to ChatGPT with its own AI chatbot named Claude. 

The company recently unveiled Claude 3, its most advanced version capable of analyzing images alongside its chat capabilities.

ChatGPT Rival Anthropic Chooses AWS as its Cloud Provider

As part of the investment deal, Amazon disclosed that Anthropic has chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its primary cloud provider for critical workloads, including safety research and future model development. 

Anthropic will leverage AWS Trainium and Inferentia chips to construct, train, and deploy its upcoming models.

“We have a notable history with Anthropic, together helping organizations of all sizes around the world to deploy advanced generative artificial intelligence applications across their organizations,” Swami Sivasubramanian, Vice President of Data and AI at AWS, said. 

He referred to generative AI as “the most transformational technology of our time.”

Amazon just made its largest outside investment in history at $2.75 Billion.

In none other than Anthropic.

This puts Anthropic's valuation at roughly $18.4 billion. pic.twitter.com/nt4yorTHGm

— Rowan Cheung (@rowancheung) March 28, 2024

In addition to its significant AI investments, Amazon recently launched its own AI-powered assistant, Amazon Q, tailored for businesses. 

Amazon Q boasts chatbot capabilities, problem-solving abilities, content creation, and more.

While ChatGPT might be dominating the AI space in terms of popularity, Amazon’s investment in Anthropic is not the only one among tech giants eyeing the promising AI startup. 

In October of last year, Google announced a $500 million investment in Anthropic, with plans to increase it to $2 billion.

However, like many prominent AI chatbot developers, Anthropic has faced legal disputes concerning copyright and data infringement. 

The company battled a lawsuit filed by music label Universal Music Group (UMG) in January. 

UMG accused Anthropic of “unlawful” use, copying, and dissemination of copyrighted works from their catalog during AI training.

Three Major AI Blockchain Firms Merge

SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Protocol are planning a merger of their crypto tokens to establish a decentralized AI platform and foster collaboration among the three companies.

The companies are exploring the creation of an ASI token, which would possess a fully diluted value of approximately $7.5 billion.

While the merger plans are subject to approval from the respective communities, an official announcement could be expected as early as Wednesday. 

Under the proposed arrangement, SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Protocol would maintain their separate operations while working together under the guidance of a newly formed entity called the Superintelligence Collective. 

However, not everyone is optimistic about AI-related crypto tokens. 

In a recent research report, leading crypto exchange Coinbase said the surge in the AI token market may be driven more by hype than actual utility.

The report suggested that the value potential of many AI tokens may be overstated due to the prevailing attention on the AI industry, and that these tokens may lack sustainable demand-side drivers in the short to medium term. 

The post Amazon Announces Minority Ownership in ChatGPT Rival Anthropic AI, Completing $4 Billion Investment Deal appeared first on Cryptonews.

Chain signatures and multichain transactions have been made possible through a recent partnership with EigenLayer, a restaking project built on Ethereum. EigenLayer’s expertise and collaboration have contributed to the security and functionality of the Chain Signatures network, further strengthening Near Protocol’s ecosystem and capabilities.

Chain Signatures Revolutionize Cross-Chain Transactions on the NEAR Protocol

One small step for man.

One giant leap for Chain Abstraction.

Chain Signatures, secured by EigenLayer and NEAR stakers, enable transactions on any blockchain from your NEAR account.

Start building with Chain Signatures today https://t.co/sUPvXw75yy pic.twitter.com/3cxb6eOtYM

— NEAR Protocol (@NEARProtocol) March 27, 2024

Near Foundation announced a partnership with Eigenlayer, unveiling the Chain Signatures protocol. This innovative technology empowers NEAR accounts and smart contracts to sign transactions for any blockchain, revolutionizing cross-chain interoperability and unlocking a myriad of use cases for mainstream users and Web3 builders.

Chain Signatures, powered by a decentralized Multi-Party Computation (MPC) network, leverages NEAR staking and EigenLayer ETH restakers for robust security. Currently, the protocol supports major blockchains like Ethereum, Cosmos chains, DogeCoin, and XRP Ledger, with plans for integration with Solana, TON Network, Polkadot, and more in the future.

A key feature of Chain Signatures is the introduction of threshold signatures for any blockchain, controlled by NEAR accounts and smart contracts. This approach allows NEAR accounts, which can also operate as smart contracts, to request signatures for arbitrary payloads, such as transactions for other blockchains. This decentralized MPC network ensures that users have full control over transactions while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple addresses.

In addition to Chain Signatures, Near has introduced the “Multichain Gas Relayer” to its ecosystem, eliminating the need for native gas tokens on other chains for transactions. This enhancement enables users to utilize NEAR (NEP-141) tokens to cover gas fees across any chain, enhancing convenience and accessibility in the multichain environment.

These developments align with NEAR’s ongoing “chain abstraction” initiative, aimed at simplifying the user experience in crypto by addressing the complexities associated with multichain operations.

With Chain Signatures and the Multichain Gas Relayer, users can seamlessly transact on both smart contract and non-smart contract chains using a single account or interface.

Near Foundation Cuts Workforce by 40% Despite Strong Performance

Near Protocol experienced a remarkable 1,902% surge in the number of unique active wallets engaged with its Web3 application, as reported by DappRadar on January 11. This surge reflects a significant uptick in user activity within the Near ecosystem.

However, despite the positive performance and robust financials, the Near Foundation made an unexpected decision to reduce its workforce by 40%. This development comes as a surprise, especially considering the Near ecosystem’s recent strong performance throughout the year.

Despite this workforce reduction, Near Protocol continues to maintain a strong presence in the Web3 space, with three of its applications ranking among the top ten in Web3. Additionally, the ecosystem boasts a record number of daily users, indicating continued growth and adoption of Near’s technology and applications.

The post Near Foundation Introduces Chain Signatures and Multichain Transactions appeared first on Cryptonews.

In response to concerns raised by numerous complaints, the CNPD issued a temporary 90-day restriction on Worldcoin’s biometric data collection through its Orb devices within Portugal on Tuesday.

CNPD Issues Urgent Provisional Measure Due to Worldcoin’s Biometric Data Collection Concerns

This provisional measure stems from concerns regarding the company collecting biometric data, including iris, eye, and facial scans, without proper consent or authorization.

Additionally, the CNPD noted deficiencies in the information provided to data subjects and potential data deletion or revocation issues.

Mais de 300 mil pessoas já forneceram os seus dados biométricos, https://t.co/aG5HCzvprb

— CNN Portugal (@cnnportugal) March 26, 2024

The decision was further prompted by media reports indicating that over 300,000 individuals in Portugal had already provided their biometric data.

The rapid proliferation of collection points, particularly in commercial areas, raised concerns about the influx of participants. According to the GDPR, biometric data is classified as a special category of data that requires enhanced protection due to its inherent risks.

Minors, being particularly vulnerable, are entitled to special protection under European and national laws.

The CNPD’s ongoing investigation will analyze incoming reports and take further steps as necessary to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and mitigate potential harm.

Worldcoin Addresses Legal Uncertainties Regarding Its Digital Identity Project

Worldcoin, a global digital identity and cryptocurrency project founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has recently addressed legal uncertainties surrounding its operations, particularly in Spain.

Today, Spanish data regulator Agencia Española de Protección de Datos instructed Sam Altman’s @worldcoin to halt its operations in the country.#CryptoNewshttps://t.co/BE1zCwWjHE

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) March 6, 2024

The situation in Spain escalated when the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) issued a temporary order on March 6, prohibiting Worldcoin from collecting data in the country for three months.

The AEPD cited concerns related to users’ inability to withdraw consent and allegations of data collection from minors. Despite Worldcoin’s compliance efforts, a local court rejected its injunction against the data regulator.

This development in Spain is separate, as Worldcoin has also faced regulatory scrutiny in other jurisdictions. In January 2024, Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) investigated Worldcoin’s operations due to concerns about personal data privacy risks.

Additionally, Worldcoin’s eye-scanning project encountered regulatory challenges in Kenya, leading to a government ban on local activities associated with the platform, including biometric identification, in August 2023.

Worldcoin has said it is willing to collaborate with the Kenyan government to resume operations in 2024, however.

Clear answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Worldcoin project. https://t.co/MkdxpIaEmV

— Worldcoin (@worldcoin) March 18, 2024

In a statement released on March 18, Worldcoin assured stakeholders that it operates lawfully in all locations where it is available and is designed to comply with relevant laws fully.

The post Portugal Temporarily Bans Worldcoin’s Biometric Data Collection for 90 Days appeared first on Cryptonews.

The commission inquiry represents the EU’s first major attempt to curb anti-competitive practices by big tech companies labeled as “gatekeepers” by the commission.

EU Targets Apple, Google, Meta Practices

According to the announcement, the European Commission has opened five separate investigations to scrutinize the business practices of Apple, Google, and Meta, which may violate the DMA rules on fair competition.

Today, we've opened five non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act.

It concerns:
Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play
Alphabet’s self-preferencing on Google Search
Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store
Apple's choice screen for Safari… pic.twitter.com/kiZ7sLQa8B

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 25, 2024

The investigation will examine Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Apple’s restrictive “anti-steering” policies. Under these rules, tech firms are forbidden from blocking businesses from providing cheaper purchase alternatives outside their app stores.

“Today, the Commission has opened non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) into Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store and the choice screen for Safari and Meta’s ‘pay or consent model,” the commission explained.

Meanwhile, an investigation has commenced into Apple’s user preference. This probe would confirm if Apple has fully allowed its users to uninstall its default apps and change default settings for services like web browsers on iOS devices.

Alphabet is also facing non-compliance scrutiny over the claim that it abused dominance in its search engine recommendations for users.

The inquiry is to ensure Google does not only recommend its specialized Google Shopping data to users over other comparable search results from competitors.

The final investigation would see the EU probe Meta’s “pay or consent” model for Facebook and Instagram. The policy requires users to either purchase a subscription for an ad-free experience or consent to data tracking on the free version.

Rigorous Enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA)

The DMA was launched in November 2022 and fully took effect on March 7, 2024. It was created to allow fair competition in digital markets, which big tech companies have long dominated.

EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager has disclosed that, despite the market law launch in 2022, tech firms “seem to be at odds with the DMA’s intent.”

She warned that any company found culpable for violating the tech law would incur a potential fine of up to 10% of the company’s global revenue and 20% for repeated offenses.

Meanwhile, Apple seems to be the first company to be fined for its anti-steering provisions by the EU.

The EU fined the iPhone maker $1.95 billion earlier this month for restricting app developers from suggesting cheaper music subscription services to iOS users.

The company was also accused of offering “higher fees” and a less secure and unresponsive user experience. This even came earlier before the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Apple on unfair rules targeting crypto apps.

On the other hand, Alphabet has insisted it’s operating in conformity with the digital regulations. This follows Alphabet Director of Competition Oliver Bethell’s statement that the tech company has made “significant changes” to its operations in Europe.

The EU investigation is expected to be completed within 12 months, which would give an insight into whether the tech giants have opened up the digital market for fair competition or made changes that best suit their operations.

The post EU Launches Probe into Tech Giants Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon Over Digital Markets Act Violations appeared first on Cryptonews.

Apple, a publicly traded company headquartered in California, generated significant revenues in fiscal year 2023, surpassing those of many countries’ gross domestic products.

DOJ Files Lawsuit Against Apple, Alleging Illegal Control of Smartphone Market

BREAKING: Justice Department sues Apple, accusing it of monopolizing the smartphone market.

"We allege that Apple has employed a strategy that relies on exclusionary anti-competitive conduct that hurts both consumers and developers," AG Garland says. https://t.co/bcBl2CiWmJ pic.twitter.com/ha4FjfSBzA

— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 21, 2024

According to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey, Apple is accused of illegally controlling the smartphone market by imposing restrictive contracts on developers and limiting their access to essential points. 

This allegedly prevents the development of crypto apps, products, and services that could reduce dependence on iPhones, promote compatibility with other platforms, and lower costs for consumers and developers.

The DOJ alleges that Apple uses its dominant position to extract more money from various parties, such as consumers, developers, artists, and small businesses. The US attorney general, Merrick Garland, stated in a press conference on Thursday,

“Apple has maintained its power not because of its superiority but because of its unlawful exclusionary behavior. Monopolies like Apple threaten the free and fair markets upon which our economy is based.”

According to the DOJ, Apple’s policies have unfairly eliminated alternative payment systems and spotlighted the 30% fee it imposes on apps and in-app purchases despite not being the app developer.

This fee, coupled with Apple’s exclusive support for fiat currencies in its payment systems, has posed challenges to integrating cryptocurrencies in apps. As a result, many crypto-based apps have found it economically unfeasible to offer in-app purchases or utilize cryptocurrencies within the Apple ecosystem.

Government officials also allege the smartphone company has refused to support cross-platform messaging apps, limited third-party digital wallets and non-Apple smartwatches, and blocked mobile cloud streaming services, among other tactics, to preserve its dominance over the smartphone market.

Apple Faces Legal Challenges from US DOJ and EU Regulators

Apple’s practices also allegedly restrict iPhone users and developers from accessing alternative app stores, which could compete with Apple’s fees. The DOJ claims that Apple arbitrarily enforces its App Store rules and penalizes developers who use technologies that could disrupt its monopoly power.

Some examples cited include nonfungible token (NFT) marketplaces like OpenSea disabling certain features on their iOS apps due to the 30% fee and a Bitcoin-friendly social app called Damus removing its BTC tipping feature after Apple delisted it for not using its in-app payments system.

Additionally, Apple’s control extends to web apps accessed through iOS devices, as the company requires all iOS web browsers to use its WebKit browser engine. The DOJ also accuses Apple of denying access to competing digital wallets and preventing developers from providing customers with payment services.

The officials leading the case stress that no company should be above the law, no matter how big they are. They’re determined to enforce antitrust laws to protect consumers and promote fair competition in the market.

In response, a spokesperson from Apple stated that the DOJ’s complaint is inaccurate and that they will vigorously defend against it. The company argues that the lawsuit could set a dangerous precedent by giving the government excessive control over technology design.

Following the news of the lawsuit, Apple’s shares [NASDAQ: AAPL] fell by 4% to approximately $171, remaining flat in after-hours trading, according to Google Finance.

Read more news stories about Apple:

• Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak Victorious in Court Battle Against YouTube Over Bitcoin Scam Videos
• Security Vulnerability in Apple’s M-Series Chips Puts Mac Users’ Crypto Private Keys at Risk

The post US DOJ Files Lawsuit Against Apple Over Unfair Rules Targeting Crypto Apps appeared first on Cryptonews.

According to a recent report, the vulnerability, a side-channel exploit, allows malicious actors to extract encryption keys while the Apple chips are executing commonly used cryptographic protocols.

Unlike typical vulnerabilities that can be addressed through software patches, this particular flaw resides in the microarchitectural design of the chips themselves, rendering it “unpatchable.” 

To mitigate the issue, third-party cryptographic software would need to be employed, but this could severely impact the performance of earlier M-series chips, including the M1 and M2.

Fundamental Weakness in Apple’s M-Series Chips Security Poses Threat to Crypto Holders

The findings shed light on a fundamental weakness in Apple’s hardware security infrastructure. 

Hackers can intercept and exploit memory access patterns to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, including encryption keys utilized by cryptographic applications. 

The researchers have given this type of attack the name “GoFetch” exploit, which operates seamlessly within the user environment and requires standard user privileges like regular applications.

Following the disclosure of this research, Mac users in online forums have expressed concerns and raised questions about the potential impact on password keychains. 

Some users believe that Apple will address the problem directly within its operating system, while others express greater worry if the company fails to do so. 

One user pointed out that Apple might already be aware of this flaw, speculating that the upcoming M3 chip includes an additional instruction to disable the vulnerable feature. 

They referred to previous research on the topic, known as “augury,” dating back to 2022.

Apple Faces DOJ Lawsuit

This discovery adds to the mounting challenges faced by Apple, including an ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). 

The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s rules for the App Store and its alleged monopoly have stifled competition and innovation. 

The DOJ also claims that Apple has restricted access to competing digital wallets, which offer enhanced features, while preventing developers from offering their own payment services to users.

Last year, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple, alleging that the tech giant has engaged in a conspiracy to limit peer-to-peer payment options on its devices and block the integration of crypto technology in iOS payment apps.

The complaint claimed that Apple entered into anti-competitive agreements with popular payment platforms such as PayPal’s Venmo and Block’s Cash App. 

These agreements allegedly restrict the use of decentralized cryptocurrency technology in payment apps, resulting in inflated prices for users.

Furthermore, Apple’s guidelines require app developers to share 30% of transaction revenues. 

This has been a barrier for crypto firms, including those facilitating the purchase of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as they strive to provide services to iOS users.

As reported, Apple has removed the Bitcoin-friendly social media app Damus from the App Store for violating its terms of service.

The app has a tipping feature that allows content creators to receive tips in the form of Bitcoin through the Lightning Network. 

Apple deemed this feature a violation of its guidelines, as it prohibits developers from selling additional in-app content unless the transactions go through Apple, through which the tech giant takes a 30% cut.

The post Security Vulnerability in Apple’s M-Series Chips Puts Mac Users’ Crypto Private Keys at Risk appeared first on Cryptonews.

Worldcoin, a “globally inclusive identity and financial network” founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, said it is “lawfully in all of the locations in which it is available” and designed to comply with related laws fully.

Worldcoin Highlights Commitment to Compliance and Data Protection

Clear answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Worldcoin project. https://t.co/MkdxpIaEmV

— Worldcoin (@worldcoin) March 18, 2024

In a blog post titled “Essential facts about Worldcoin,” the project provided fundamental insights into its operations, rules, and adherence to regulations.

Worldcoin emphasized its commitment to operating lawfully in all jurisdictions where it is available and assured it is compliant with relevant laws and regulations governing data collection and transfer. 

The project highlighted its adherence to major global data protection frameworks, such as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Argentina’s Personal Data Protection Act, as detailed in a previous post from January.

Notably, Worldcoin reiterated its policy of not allowing minors to join the platform, requiring users to confirm their age over 18 through the World App before verifying at an Orb. In the post, Worldcoin said it uses “mystery shoppers” to prevent minors from participating in the verification process.

The Worldcoin Foundation and its contributor, Tools for Humanity, affirmed that they have never sold, do not sell, and will never sell any personal data, including biometric data.

The project emphasized the self-custodial nature of World ID and World App, ensuring that only the owner possesses personal data such as name, email address, and phone number. Additionally, the project highlighted the advanced security features embedded in the Orb hardware to safeguard data from unauthorized access.

World ID verification relies on iris biometrics, not retina scanning, to authenticate users, the company noted. According to the company, i

ris images are processed locally on the orb device and are promptly deleted afterward, ensuring privacy and security.

The Worldcoin project was officially launched on July 24, 2023, after three years of development. The project was co-founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the firm behind the popular artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot ChatGPT.

Worldcoin’s mission builds on expectations that it will become too difficult to differentiate between humans and online bots as AI technology grows. To differentiate humans from AI, the startup created a digital ID system based on proof of personhood. The digital ID is generated by scanning an individual’s iris and giving them a World ID.

Worldcoin Faces Regulatory Scrutiny in Spain

The blog post was issued amidst ongoing uncertainty surrounding Worldcoin’s operations in Spain. On March 6, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) issued a temporary order prohibiting Worldcoin from data collection in the country for three months.

The AEPD intends to use this period to investigate complaints that users in Spain aren’t able to withdraw consent and that Worldcoin has allegedly collected data from minors.

Despite Worldcoin’s efforts, a local court rejected its injunction against the data regulator. Spain isn’t the first country where Worldcoin has faced pressure from regulators. In January 2024, Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) announced an investigation into the company’s local operations, citing “serious risks to personal data privacy.” 

The eye-scanning project has also encountered regulatory challenges with a ban in Kenya in August 2023, where the government suspended all local activities associated with the platform, including biometric identification. However, Worldcoin has since expressed intentions to collaborate with the Kenyan government to resume operations in 2024.

The controversy surrounding Worldcoin stems from its use of biometric scanning devices called “orbs.” Its users sign up for the service by downloading an app. They are then directed to the nearest facility containing an orb, where they must submit to have their eyes scanned. 

Once verified, user identities are tied to their unique biometric data, which can be verified independently using Worldcoin’s services. Those who sign up for the service and activate their accounts in the World App application are paid using Worldcoin’s WLD token.

The post Worldcoin Maintains Legal Operations Worldwide, Despite Spain Ban appeared first on Cryptonews.

The European Commission issued the official request to big technological companies including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Google Search, Bing, Snapchat, and YouTube.

European Commission Questions Big Techs over Generative AI’s Hazards

According to Bloomberg, this was conveyed in a formal request for information (RFI).

The commission asked the companies to provide further information about hazards posed by generative AI.

This is because the big tech companies allow users to create and spread content using the technology.

The EU is most concerned about the precautions to mitigate the risks of generative AI to election voters, believing that the spread of viral deepfakes and automated service manipulation can impact voters’ perceptions.

There is now proposed legislation requiring gen AI companies to share details of their training data in the US, the EU and the UK. It’s not perfect, but it’s a strong move in the right direction.

US: https://t.co/uBirDixCZi

EU: https://t.co/o0DZ9mxCYY

UK:…

— Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) March 12, 2024

Following the information requests, the European Commission has the authority to impose penalties for errors, inconsistencies, or misrepresentation.

This decision follows the EU’s recent e-commerce and online governance regulations — the Digital Services Act (DSA).

This act classified eight platforms as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). In this light, it has mandated VLOPs to assess and manage systemic risks in addition to following other outlined guidelines.

Meanwhile, election security is another area of concern that the commission is looking into as it seeks answers to the impact of generative AI on election processes.

Other concerns include gender-based violence, distribution of illicit content, defense of fundamental rights, minors, as well as mental health.

EU Moves Towards Election Security Rules

The European Commission has been actively looking into the impact of AI on voters, even as the use of AI increases across all fields.

A recent study showed the capacity of AI to spread misinformation among voters, for example.

The EU is already counting down to March 27 to finalize election security regulations. The European body has been requesting feedback on election security statutes including by public consultations.

This recent RFI to the big tech companies is considered a crucial request that will aid the creation of the EU’s election security policy.

Once created, the policy will help combat lingering election security challenges – including misinformation among voters.

The post European Commission Grills Big Tech on AI Risks to Elections: Deepfakes, Misinformation in Focus appeared first on Cryptonews.

According to the official press release, ministers in the European Parliament passed the AI Act on Wednesday with 523 votes for, 46 against, and 49 abstentions.

The Act brings a targeted regulatory approach to some of the most pressing issues and anxieties around AI today.

To begin with, the Act lists a blanket ban on certain applications of AI that may threaten citizens’ rights, including systems of biometric categorisation “based on sensitive characteristics” and the “untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases.”

The Act also bans social scoring, emotional recognition at work and in school, and any applications that manipulate or exploit human behaviours and vulnerabilities.

Law enforcement is permitted to use real-time biometric systems with prior authorization “in exhaustively listed and narrowly defined situations” as long as their deployment is limited in scope both in time and in geographical place.

AI use in high-risk areas like critical infrastructure, education and vocational training, employment, essential services (like healthcare and banking), law enforcement, migration and border management, justice and democratic processes are subject to stringent standards of transparency, oversight, reporting and assessment.

General purpose AI is subject to similar requirements. Companies have to comply with European copyright laws and and publish the content they used for training. More powerful general purpose models may need to submit further assessments and reporting

Additionally, all citizens have the right to complain about AI systems and get feedback on any system that has guided a decision that affects their rights. Furthermore, content creators have to clearly label any artificial or manipulated images, audio or video, aka “deepfakes”.

The AI Act From Now Onwards

The AI Act is still not officially through. According to yesterday’s announcement, it still needs a once-over from lawyers and linguists before lawmakers submit it to the European Council for formal endorsement.

The law will then officially come into force after its publication in The Official Journal for the European Union. The bloc’s 27 member states will then have 6 months to enforce the bans on prohibited practises, 9 months to enforce codes of practice, and 12 months for rules concerning general-purpose AI systems.

The AI Act is fully applicable 24 months after entry into force. Businesses have to meet all obligations for high-risk systems within three years of the Act’s official publication.

The EU is keen to get a head start on international rivals like the US and China when it comes to exploiting emerging technologies.

Last year, the bloc passed Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA), a comprehensive legislative framework for governing cryptocurrencies in Europe that comes into force later this year.

The post EU Sets Global Precedent with Comprehensive AI Regulation Act appeared first on Cryptonews.

Musk’s intention to open-source Grok was announced on a March 11 X post. This move aligns with Musk’s long-standing advocacy for responsible AI development, as demonstrated by his call for a “third-party referee” in AI development at the UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023.

xAI’s Grok and Musk’s Vision

Elon Musk’s departure from OpenAI due to disagreements over the organization’s direction and strategy led him to launch xAI. The launch of Grok in November 2023 further highlighted Musk’s commitment to open-source and non-profit AI initiatives.

The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.

Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2024

In a November podcast with Lex Fridman, Musk criticized OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit, open-source initiative to a profit-driven, closed-source model.

Specifically, Musk is recognized for his opposition to large tech companies profiting from AI development, frequently highlighting concerns about the ethical implications of such practices.

Open-sourcing Grok will align xAI with companies like France’s Mistral, which advocates for open access to AI models.

This approach allows developers to collaborate and accelerate improvements.

Regardless, tech investors are divided on open-sourcing AI, particularly in light of Musk’s lawsuit. While some see it as a catalyst for innovation, others are worried about potential misuse.

Musk’s Legal Battle with OpenAI

Recently, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming it breached the agreement made when OpenAI was founded as a non-profit organization.

He argued that OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft, reportedly worth nearly $3 billion by 2023, contradicted its original mission of advancing open-source AI for the benefit of humanity.

The lawsuit urged OpenAI to return to its open-source principles and prevent the for-profit exploitation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) technology.

In response to the accusations, OpenAI released emails suggesting that Musk had previously agreed to transform the AI company into a for-profit entity. This revelation came a few months after CEO Sam Altman was reinstated to the board following his five-day dismissal in November 2023.

Grok is an AI chatbot similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but can access real-time information through X and tackle sensitive topics that other AI systems might avoid.

The Grok-1 large language model powers it, and while it is more advanced than GPT-3.5, Grok reportedly falls short of OpenAI’s latest GPT-4 model in overall performance.

Musk’s announcement on X has seen mostly positive responses, with many users praising his commitment to open-source AI.

One user on X suggested, “OpenAI should do the same. If they are ‘open,’ that is.”

Musk responded by stating, “OpenAI is a lie.”

The post Elon Musk to Open-Source AI Chatbot Grok Amid Ongoing OpenAI Lawsuit appeared first on Cryptonews.

Aphone’s service launched on March 7 and allows users with older or less powerful devices to interact with Web3 applications and other demanding software.

How the Aphone App Overcomes Hardware Barriers

Unlike traditional smartphone apps, Aphone, which costs $20 annually,  runs on a decentralized cloud-computing infrastructure known as Aethir. By shifting the processing burden to the cloud, the Aphone app enables resource-intensive applications and games to function on outdated devices.

This cloud-based approach also makes the Aphone platform-agnostic, allowing for smooth operation across web browsers and a range of Android and Apple devices.

We’re excited to officially announce our strategic partnership with @AethirCloud #APhone’s vision of cloud smartphones on blockchain is powered by Aethir’s decentralized cloud infrastructure

APhone delivers lag-free mobile #Web3 experiences ANYWHERE. No more device… pic.twitter.com/LYZpchY2xy

— APhone (@aphonelabs) March 6, 2024

Aphone’s development team targets users in emerging economies where affordable, older smartphones are common and access to fast mobile internet is expanding.

Jennifer Booze, lead for Aphone’s ecosystem growth and development, sees the virtual smartphone as an ideal way to introduce Web3 concepts and applications to the masses.

Thanks to the Solana blockchain, the Aphone app can deliver fast transactions, minimal fees, and strong security. According to Booze, the Aphone interface acts as a powerful operating system that utilizes Solana’s capabilities, facilitating actions like NFT management and decentralized application (dApp) usage.

PHONE Token and Incentivized Engagement

The Aphone ecosystem incorporates a native token, PHONE, which will underpin governance processes and offer rewards designed to boost user engagement and participation within the platform.

Aphone also links to decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) like Helium, which operates on Solana. Users can tap into these networks, potentially earning rewards for strengthening network coverage or validating transactions.

The post Virtual Smartphone App Aphone on Solana Revives Old Devices in Emerging Markets appeared first on Cryptonews.

Musk has been on this recent meme spree since he filed a lawsuit accusing CEO Sam Altman of violating the company’s initial agreement.

Crypto Community Divided on Musk’s Actions

The crypto community went beyond just reacting to the meme. Many speculated on the potential outcomes of this unexpected move.

pic.twitter.com/zCnUNKK9N2

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2024

David Gokhshtein, an influential figure in the crypto space, suggested that Musk should consider acquiring OpenAI, drawing parallels to his previous acquisition of Twitter.

Members of the cryptocurrency community have shown support for Musk, particularly applauding the integration of the Grok AI chatbot into the X platform.

Grok AI, developed by Musk’s startup xAI, takes a different approach from OpenAI’s ChatGPT, emphasizing openness in addressing various topics. Musk developed Grok AI in response to what he perceives as the ideological leanings of OpenAI.

OpenAI Pushes Back Against Musk’s Claims

In the recent legal saga involving Elon Musk and OpenAI, the AI research company has pushed back against Musk’s claims, releasing correspondence that sheds light on the dispute.

In response to his lawsuit, OpenAI revealed that Musk previously acknowledged the need for for-profit funding to support the company’s research, contradicting his current claims.

OpenAI stated that Musk initially pledged $1 billion in funding before withdrawing the offer. The company ultimately secured $13 billion in funding from Microsoft and established itself as a for-profit entity valued at $90 billion. This development has reignited the ongoing conflict between Musk and OpenAI.

The latest “meme spat” isn’t the first time Musk has clashed with OpenAI.

The dispute between Musk and OpenAI dates back to 2018 when the Tesla boss argued that the company needed billions of dollars urgently and suggested that selling itself to Tesla was the only way forward.

OpenAI rejected this proposal and waited for Microsoft’s funding, however, leading to tensions between Musk and the company.

The post Elon Musk Sparks Excitement and Speculation in Crypto Community with OpenAI Troll appeared first on Cryptonews.