Author: Zech
June was a busy month for DMA enforcement. Two gatekeepers, Apple and Meta, received preliminary findings of non-compliance, though appeals are expected. Apple very much remains in the DMA spotlight as the first gatekeeper to receive such a decision, and the scrutiny is now impacting its product strategy in Europe. Below, the roundup highlights the most important developments related to the DMA from June 2024.AppleOn June 24, 2024, the European Commission notified Apple of its preliminary findings into its non-compliance investigation. The Commission found that Apple’s App Store rules breach requirements under the DMA, as app developers cannot freely inform…
In May 2024, OpenAI announced it had taken down five covert influence operations by threat actors based in China, Russia, Iran, and Israel. These actors had used the company’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to manipulate public opinion on sensitive topics related to war, protests, and politics in Gaza, Ukraine, China, India, the United States, and Europe. OpenAI stated, [of these operations] “It was successful in attracting a sizable audience.” But how confident can OpenAI be in such claims, given that these operations targeted users across multiple platforms, including X, Telegram, Facebook, Medium, Blogspot, and other sites?More recently, on July…
Public KnowledgeJuly 11, 2024 Public Knowledge hosts Emerging Tech, which brings together public interest activists, policymakers, and companies working on cutting-edge technologies to help inform policymakers about the promise, potential pitfalls, and policy implications of rapidly evolving technologies that are dominating news headlines and impacting society in new ways. Featuring industry experts from across the country, the event will feature daylong discussions, receptions and technology showcases, allowing guests to experience the latest technologies first-hand and meet the people driving the next generation of the Internet.The 2024 event focused on generative AI, XR technology, and the decentralized web. Rep. Anna Eshowe…
Photo Source: Adobe Stock As Q3 approaches, businesses face the critical task of forecasting and planning to ensure continued growth and adaptability. Data analysis has emerged as a pivotal tool in navigating these challenges, providing valuable insights that drive informed decision-making. “Everybody needs data literacy because data is everywhere. It’s the new currency, it’s the language of the business. We need to be able to speak that,” Piyanka Jain, President and CEO of Aryng, reportedly said in an interview quoted in 2021.By leveraging advanced analytics, companies can predict market trends, optimize operations, and align their strategies with emerging opportunities. Today, this article…
Booz Allen Hamilton has made strategic investments in promising space technology companies to support space manufacturing and domain awareness efforts. The strategic funding provided to Quindar by Booz Allen’s venture capital arm will focus on programming and automating satellite operations through Booz Allen’s VoLT (VoLT) business strategy, the McLean, Virginia-based company announced Thursday. The move is aimed at powering mission-critical space technologies around the world. “This investment demonstrates Booz Allen’s commitment as a key integrator and data solutions provider to the space sector, shaping tomorrow’s capabilities and advancing our customers’ missions,” said Chris Bogdan, executive vice president and head of…
WASHINGTON — U.S. defense and intelligence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton announced on July 11 that its corporate venture capital arm, Booz Allen Ventures, has made a strategic investment in Quindar, an early-stage commercial space technology company. The investment is intended to support Quindar’s platform for automating satellite operations: satellite owners use Quindar’s app to analyze, test and operate their constellations with minimal human intervention. Booz Allen launched its corporate ventures division in 2022 and has a fund of about $100 million under management. Founded in Denver in 2022 by former OneWeb engineers, Quindar aims to “democratize space” by providing IT…
Abdul Halim Zaaza, a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is turning data into action in his assignments. In his native Lebanon, where he serves as an Associate Rapporteur, he uses quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform how programs are prioritized within the Lebanon Response Plan. Abdul Halim’s journey with UNDP began with a deep interest in using a data-driven, evidence-based approach to address humanitarian challenges in Lebanon and support efforts to build peace and stability. For him, perhaps the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is the direct impact it has on society: “Integrating data analytics into…
Last December, Silicon Valley venture capital firm a16z announced it was getting into politics. Ben Horowitz, one of the firm’s partners, posted a blog post on the firm’s website (where the firm provides key thought leadership) declaring that the firm would begin donating to “techno-optimist” political candidates.Since then, the company has pumped about $50 million into U.S. political action committees, most of it to FairShake PAC, the crypto industry’s largest political group this term. FairShake put $10 million into its primary campaign against Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and $2 million into Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.). (By “tech optimism,” I assume…
Unfortunately, it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school and summer is almost over. T-Mobile and its prepaid division, Metro by T-Mobile, have launched their Back to School Sale. This means that if you can convince your parents that they need a new device for school, they can save money with the following deals. T-Mobile’s Back to School Sale includes the following offers: Get a free iPhone 15 Pro (up to $1,000 off) when you trade in a qualifying device on a Go5G Next plan. Get a free iPhone 15 (up to $830 off) when you trade…
The newly formed government is set to present its first budget on July 23, with the Indian gaming and esports industry hoping for increased funding for sports and inclusion of esports in Khelo India. The video game industry is hoping for tax incentives for developers and clearer classification of real money games and video games.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023 which many in the online gaming industry found encouraging. Storyboard18 spoke to multiple stakeholders in the esports and gaming industry to understand their expectations for the upcoming Union Budget 2024.Allocate budget to the Center of ExcellenceAkshat Rathey,…