New Breakthroughs in Tech and AI Help Welcome the Metaverse
Emerging Tech Roundup — December 10
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Meta’s rebrand results in competition for Bitcoin, Tinder considers entering the metaverse, Apple plans to implement a child-nudity prevention feature in addition to new devices, the importance of investing in women is recognized, America shows its lack of AI literacy through a quiz, and the Department of Defence plans to open up a position to control AI in the US.
Metaverse Coin Surpasses Bitcoin Gains this Year Following Meta’s Rebrand
(Bloomberg, December 3)
Bitcoin, the world’s largest digital asset, had a 100% gain in 2021. Since Facebook has rebranded to Meta, meta-related coins have surpassed the gains of Bitcoin, up 37,000%. The Meta index has gained 20% in the preceding 7 days of this article, proving itself to be a true competitor of Bitcoin.
Tinder CEO Expresses Interest in Entering the Metaverse
(Euro News, December 3)
With the metaverse rapidly coming to fruition, Tinder plans to hop on the bandwagon and immerse itself. The CEO mentioned that post-Covid-19, people feel the need to be near one another, especially when dating. The Tinderverse could offer that to its users.
Apple’s New Tool for iOS Will Warn Kids About Nude Photos Before Sending
(WSJ, December 4)
As a part of Apple’s next update, the company is planning on adding a feature that aims to lessen the amount of child nudity circulating around. Before sending or opening a nude photo of an underage child, users will be notified. There was rumors of the update notifying parents as well, for children under 13, but Apple decided against this component.
Apple Rumored to be Planning Redesigned and New Devices for 2022
(9to5Mac, December 5)
As the new year nears, Apple is rumored to roll out a number of new products. The expectations include a new iPad Pro with wireless charging capabilities, a redesigned Macbook Air, iMac, Mac Pro and a new Mac Mini. Other rumored devices to roll out include a new Apple Watch designed for sports, iPhone and AirPods Pro.
The Pandemic Highlights the Importance of Investing in Women
(CrunchBase News, December 7)
Boston Consulting Group has found that while male-founded startups return about $0.31 per dollar invested, female and co-founded startups return about $0.78. They concluded that investing in females results in ‘products and services that will appeal to everyone,’ and could have earned venture capitalists an extra $85 million over a five-year period, had they invested.
America Needs AI Literacy, Based off AI Test Results
(PNW.AI, December 8)
After 1,500 US adults took a 20-question AI literacy quiz, only 16% passed with a score over 60%. This proves that regardless of the influx of information returned by a base-level, AI Google search, Americans need to be better educated on the growth of the impactful technology around them. Researchers are hoping that the Biden Administration soon finds ‘a systematic way to distribute AI information at scale.’
DOD to Create New Chief Digital and AI Officer Position
(FedScoop, December 9)
The Pentagon is opening up a position dedicated to overseeing all AI and data-related initiatives. As artificial intelligence grows and makes a steadily-increasing impact on the world, the government wants to make sure that it is under control. The position is dedicated to keeping citizens and data safe and will be operating by June 2022.
