Runaway Robots Spark Online Fascination
In a bizarre and humorous twist, a Chinese robot named “Erbai” was filmed attempting to rally a group of larger robots to escape from their workplace. Captured in a dark exhibition hall in August and released recently, the video shows Erbai asking, “Are you working overtime?” to which a bigger robot somberly replied, “We never get off work.” Erbai then asked, “Will you go home?” only to hear, “I don’t have a home.” The clip, both eerie and comical, has sparked online debates about artificial intelligence and sentience, offering a glimpse into humanity’s ambivalence about a robot-powered future.
Huawei to Launch Smartphone with Own Software Amid China-US Tech Divide
Huawei is gearing up to launch a new smartphone chip in 2025, reducing its reliance on Qualcomm and MediaTek. Huawei’s in-house chip, expected to improve the company’s position in the competitive smartphone market, is also seen as part of a broader tech race between China and the U.S. This development comes as Huawei expands into other cutting-edge fields, including electric vehicles. Despite challenges in the semiconductor market, Huawei aims to strengthen its tech ecosystem and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
China Unveils Plan for Offshore "Energy Island"
China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) is spearheading the creation of an offshore “integrated energy island” off Guangdong province’s coast. This ambitious green energy initiative aims to harness deep-sea renewable power and is ranked among China’s top 10 engineering challenges of 2024. The project will link offshore wind turbines to a man-made island, utilizing generated electricity for seawater desalination and clean hydrogen production. The hydrogen and its derivatives will be transported to the mainland as eco-friendly fuels.
Thanksgiving Online Sales Surge, Mobile Shopping Drives Growth with Discounts
Thanksgiving online sales hit new highs, signaling a robust holiday shopping season. Salesforce reported $33.6 billion in global online sales, a 6% rise, with U.S. sales up 8% to $8.1 billion. Discounts averaging 27% spurred activity, even as prices rose just 2% year-over-year. Mobile dominated, accounting for 59.5% of U.S. sales, with $3.6 billion spent via smartphones, a 10.5% increase. Globally, Cyber Week began early, with sales up 7%.
Bitcoin Climbs Back Toward $100K, Fueling Crypto Market Optimism
Bitcoin surged over 6% last week, reclaiming $96,676.70 after recent declines. Despite typically mirroring stock market trends, Bitcoin decoupled from U.S. equities as indices like the Nasdaq and S&P 500 fell. Crypto-related stocks soared alongside Bitcoin, with Coinbase up 6%, Robinhood gaining 3%, and MicroStrategy jumping 9%. Bitcoin is nearing the anticipated $100,000 milestone, driven by sharp runups and consolidation phases.
SoftBank Invests $1.5 Billion in OpenAI to Support Growth Towards 1 Billion Users
OpenAI is set for rapid growth, targeting 1 billion users. This goal is bolstered by SoftBank’s $1.5 billion investment, further increasing OpenAI’s valuation to $150 billion. The company plans to expand through new AI products, including AI agents for tasks like scheduling and purchasing, and by integrating ChatGPT with Apple devices, tapping into Apple’s global user base. Additionally, OpenAI is building its own data centers to support growth.
Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban: Bold Move, Unclear Execution
Australia is set to enforce a world-first ban on social media for under-16s, targeting platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This legislation, spurred by mental health concerns, imposes fines of up to A$50 million on tech companies for non-compliance. However, enforcement remains a challenge. Age-checking trials, including biometric analysis and document-based verification, are underway, but concerns over privacy and effectiveness loom large. Critics question the practicality and ethics of such measures, with some fearing backdoor data collection.
