Science and Technology

NEW YORK — Following a faulty software update in Vienna, widespread technology disruptions continued at several airports around the world, causing a significant spike in flight cancellations. According to FlightAware, the United States saw a significant increase in domestic and international flight cancellations, totaling 758, exceeding the numbers typically seen on peak holiday days, with Delta Air Lines the hardest hit. Delta alone accounted for 626 of these cancellations, which represents about 83% of the total cancellations reported. Delta CEO Ed Bastian told passengers that the airline is moving forward to resume normal operations following this setback. He explained that…

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed a groundbreaking bill Tuesday aimed at improving the safety of children online. The legislation marks the first significant effort in decades by Congress to hold tech companies more accountable for the potential harms associated with their platforms. The bill, which passed by an overwhelming 91-3 vote, was prompted by advocacy for parents whose children have suffered from negative online experiences, including cases that led to suicide. It requires tech companies to implement effective measures to minimize risks on platforms frequently accessed by young people, prioritizing “diligent care” and defaulting to the safest settings possible.…

In Washington, the secretaries of state of five US states have asked billionaire Elon Musk to dismantle an artificial intelligence-based chatbot on his social media platform X, criticizing it for spreading inaccurate information about the upcoming November 5 elections. Why is it important? Social media platforms, particularly X, have come under intense scrutiny for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories, including incorrect details about the election and voter eligibility. The proliferation of AI-generated content is a growing concern in Washington, especially because it has the potential to influence voter behavior in upcoming presidential and legislative elections. Since acquiring the platform formerly…

MIAMI, UNITED STATES — As the digital landscape evolves, job search portals continue to expand their reach, connecting countless job opportunities with potential candidates. However, despite this technological boon, the recruiting industry faces new challenges. Large recruiting firms are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications, making individual review a daunting task. Greenhouse, a leading U.S. recruiting firm, reported a staggering 71% increase in sales inquiries in the past year alone. In response, many companies are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the hiring process. AI systems, equipped with algorithms that analyze specific keywords, are now key to distinguishing…

Associated media - Related media On Tuesday, Nvidia leapfrogged two of the tech industry’s most storied names to become the world’s most valuable public company, according to data from S&P Global. Its rise has been fueled by the boom in generative artificial intelligence and growing demand for the company’s chips – known as graphics processing units, or GPUs – that have made it possible to create artificial intelligence systems. Nvidia’s rise is among the fastest in the history of the market. Just two years ago, the company’s market valuation exceeded $400 billion. Now, in the span of a year, it…

Related media - Linked media Like the allure of vinyl records, classic video games, and even the early Internet, the fascination with old photographic standards like point-and-shoot cameras or 35-millimeter film persists, even in people too young to remember when that equipment was state of the art. The appeal of “vintage” photography goes beyond nostalgia and Instagram filters, judging by the sheer number of apps designed to emulate the film, lenses, and visual quirks of pre-digital photos and films. Despite the irony of using a high-end smartphone’s camera to produce imperfect images that appear oversaturated, jittery, low-contrast, unfiltered, or otherwise…

Associated media - Associated media Ted Sarandos, 59, co-chief executive of Netflix, worked his way up through the now-defunct DVD industry before going straight to Netflix when the company was still renting DVDs by mail. Mike Hopkins, 55, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, was steeped in digital as chief executive of Hulu, the pioneering streaming service owned by Disney, Fox and NBCU, before joining Sony as head of its television unit in 2017. He came to Amazon in 2020 and reports to the company’s chief executive, Andy Jassy, 56, who has no professional background in entertainment. Over…

Connected media - Associated media In a survey that asked just over 2,500 Americans about digital payments, about 80% of Gen Z respondents said they use mobile wallets, and among them, half were eager to use their phone a lot of more than paying for things, according to recent data from Pymnts Intelligence, a research firm that studies trade. Younger people are increasingly using their phones for purposes that older adults would use a traditional wallet for, such as carrying around documents like driver’s licenses, boarding passes and event tickets. Some of these digital items can be added to Apple…

Connected media - Related media With the pay package, Musk would own 20.5% of Tesla, up from about 13%. He has said he would like a 25% stake, stressing in January that it would be “enough to be influential, but not so much that it can’t be overthrown.” If he didn’t get such a large stake, he said, “he would rather build products outside of Tesla.” Even after this week’s rally, Tesla shares are down more than 20% this year, versus a 14% gain in the broader stock market. The company remains by far the most valuable auto company, with…