April 18, 2024
Tech News
AirAsia has canceled several flights to and from East Malaysia due to the eruption of Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. A total of 16 flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tawau have been affected. AirAsia is offering affected passengers the option to change their flight dates within 30 days at no extra cost or opt for a credit account for future travel.
Canada is set to implement a digital services tax on large technology companies starting in 2024, aiming to raise US$4.3 billion over five years. This move comes as negotiations on a global treaty for taxing multinationals have been delayed. The tax is designed to target digital giants like Google and Amazon, which have been criticized for booking profits in low-tax countries.
Twitch is rolling out a new TikTok-style discovery feed to all users, allowing them to scroll through clips and current livestreams. This feature aims to enhance content discovery on the platform and will include ads that users can scroll past without interrupting their viewing experience.
Alphabet’s moonshot factory, X, has unveiled Project Bellwether, an initiative using AI to predict natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding. The project aims to assist first responders by forecasting disaster risks and identifying critical infrastructure. The United States National Guard’s Defense Innovation Unit will be utilizing Bellwether’s prediction engine.
Ibotta, a Walmart-backed digital marketing company, is targeting a valuation of up to $2.7 billion in its upcoming US IPO. The company plans to raise $577.3 million by selling 6.6 million shares at $88 each. Ibotta provides a platform for brands to offer promotions and cashback rewards to customers.
Tech Explained
Digital Services Tax – A tax imposed on large technology companies that provide digital services in a country, targeting profits made in low-tax jurisdictions.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) – The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems, to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as predicting natural disasters.
IPO (Initial Public Offering) – The process by which a private company becomes publicly traded by offering its shares to the public for the first time, aiming to raise capital for expansion and growth.
