April 9, 2025
Tech News
In an innovative effort to protect artists’ rights in the age of AI, scriptwriter Ed Bennett-Coles and songwriter Jamie Hartman have launched ARK, a blockchain-based application designed to help creators maintain ownership over their intellectual property. The app, set for full release in summer 2025, enables users to log their work and contributions, with features like biometric security and non-disclosure agreements to safeguard creative processes.
Meanwhile, XL Batteries is making waves with its new approach to battery technology. The startup aims to store solar and wind energy using petrochemical infrastructure, developing a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Their flow batteries, which utilize massive storage tanks for energy, have potential applications in grid-scale storage, boasting an impressive capability of powering thousands of homes with just one installation.
In social media news, Meta is expanding its Teen Accounts feature to Facebook and Messenger, having first been introduced on Instagram. This initiative comes in response to concerns about teen safety and mental health online. The accounts automatically enforce restrictions on content and messaging, requiring parental permissions for certain actions, and encouraging limited daily use to foster healthier interaction with the platforms.
Elon Musk’s X has reached an agreement to drop its lawsuit against Twitch, which alleged ad-boycotting actions that harmed the platform’s revenue. The deal, contingent on Twitch meeting certain conditions, marks a step forward in X’s broader antitrust claims against multiple companies that have been accused of hindering its advertising income following Musk’s acquisition.
Tech Explained
Blockchain – A decentralized digital ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers. This system ensures that the recorded data cannot be altered retroactively, thereby providing security and transparency in ownership and creative contributions, such as those featured in the ARK application.
Flow Battery – A type of rechargeable battery where two electrolyte solutions are stored in separate tanks and pumped through a electrochemical cell. This allows for scalable energy storage applications, making them ideal for renewable energy sources, as demonstrated by XL Batteries’ innovative use of petrochemical infrastructure.
Lithium-ion Battery – A widely used type of rechargeable battery that utilizes lithium ions moving from the anode to the cathode during discharge. Despite their dominance in portable electronics, alternatives like organic batteries are being explored for cost-efficiency and environmental impacts, as highlighted by the initiatives of XL Batteries.
Antitrust Law – Regulations that promote competition and prevent monopolistic practices in the marketplace. X’s recent lawsuit against Twitch and other companies reflects the challenges of maintaining a competitive advertising environment in the rapidly evolving social media landscape, particularly after shifts in ownership and policy under Elon Musk.
