February 14, 2024
Tech News
Waymo, the self-driving car company, has issued a voluntary recall of its robotaxi software. This decision comes after two incidents in which Waymo vehicles crashed into a towed pickup truck in Phoenix, Arizona. Although the crashes were minor and no passengers were onboard, Waymo is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its fleet. The company has developed a software fix and has already deployed it across its vehicles. This recall highlights Waymo’s commitment to safety and transparent communication in the face of increasing scrutiny over self-driving car technology.
Airbnb has announced its plans to utilize AI technology to enhance its user experience. The company aims to create the “ultimate concierge” service by leveraging AI capabilities, including those from its recent acquisition of GamePlanner.AI. Instead of building its own large language models, Airbnb intends to utilize technologies from OpenAI, Meta, and Google. The goal is to develop an adaptive and evolving interface that can transform Airbnb into a cross-vertical company. However, the success of this plan relies on the accuracy and effectiveness of AI models.
Andrej Karpathy, a renowned artificial intelligence researcher and one of the founding members of OpenAI, has announced his departure from the company. Karpathy played a significant role in the development of Tesla’s AI and driver assistance technology. His departure is seen as a significant loss for OpenAI, which is a leading lab in the advancement of AI technologies. Karpathy plans to focus on personal projects moving forward.
Switch, a technology repair service, is offering affordable battery and screen replacements for iPhone 12 and 13 series owners in Malaysia. The promotion aims to provide cost-effective care for older iPhone models. Battery replacements start from RM388, while display replacements start from RM1,088. Switch also promises quick repairs, with appointments made before noon potentially completed within 24 hours. This exclusive offer is available to SURE Club members and is valid from February 14 until March 15, 2024.
Tech Explained
Self-driving car – This refers to a vehicle that can operate without human intervention, using various technologies such as sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to navigate and make decisions on the road.
AI technology – AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, which involves the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Large language models – These are AI models that are trained on vast amounts of text data and can generate human-like text based on the input provided. They are often used for natural language processing tasks, such as language translation and text generation.
Artificial neural network – This is a computational model inspired by the structure and function of biological neural networks in the human brain. It consists of interconnected nodes, called artificial neurons, that process and transmit information to perform tasks such as pattern recognition and machine learning.
Driver assistance technology – This refers to technologies integrated into vehicles to assist drivers in the driving process. Examples include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These technologies aim to enhance safety and convenience on the road.
