Umesh Dahal
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
MetaNews,
Miami Herald,
The Charlotte Observer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Lexington Herald-Leader,
Tacoma News Tribune,
San Luis Obispo Tribune,
The State,
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer,
Fresno Bee,
The Island Packet
and
Covers:
Sports, Tech, AI, Metaverse, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Youth Affairs
Journalist on a pause. Previously worked at @metanews_com, @NepalPressnp, @Annapurna_Post, @dekha_padhi, @nepalnews_com
Articles by Umesh Dahal
Nepal’s first female prime minister elected with once-silenced social media
Nepal got the first-ever woman prime minister last week as KP Oli’s two-thirds majority government was thrown out by the massive Gen-Z movement. The exploding frustration towards the systematic corruption was ignited by the government’s unsuccessful attempt to impose a social media ban. The four-day-lasting ban unfolded the first page of a historic metamorphosis, ultimately leading to the election of Sushila Karki, the former chief justice, as an interim prime minister.
Users Move to Bluesky Amid Musk's X Subscription-Only Hint
Bluesky, the X alternative, saw record signups the following day of Elon Musk’s announcement to make his platform a subscription-only app. The X boss has suggested that everyone might soon need to pay a “small monthly” fee to use X, formerly known as Twitter. The tech billionaire stated that this controversial measure is necessary to address the concerns raised by bots on the platform.
Google Sued After Man Dies Following Map Driving Directions
A lawsuit has been filed against Google for negligence after the search engine provided navigation to a collapsed bridge, which caused a car to crash and resulted in the death of the driver. Philip Paxson, a medical device salesman’s Jeep Gladiator, plunged into Snow Creek in Hickory on Sept. 30, 2022, while following Google Maps directions.
X (Twitter) Ranks Lowest on the Climate Misinformation List
Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter) ranked lowest in the climate misinformation scorecard, despite promises to combat misinformation on his platform. The world’s richest man bought Twitter in October 2022 for $44 billion and renamed it X in July after merging the company with X Corp. in April. Since he acquired Twitter, Musk has always fought misinformation and promised to make Twitter a reliable app.
China to Form Task Force to Set Standards for the Metaverse
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China will form a task force to set the standards for the metaverse sector. China has joined the race to be the global standards-setter for new immersive technology with Australia, which is seeking to be a “leader of the safe metaverse”. The Chinese Ministry has also released a draft proposal to form a working group for immersive technology and shared virtual worlds accessible via the internet, Reuters reports.
Xbox Boss Wanted to Buy Nintendo in 2020, Leaked Email Shows
The leaked email reveals Xbox boss Phil Spencer really wanted to buy Nintendo, a Japanese multinational video game company, in 2020. Microsoft‘s AI research team accidentally leaked 38 terabytes of additional private data, including a disc backup of two employees’ workstations. Also read: Leaked Email Reveals Xbox Boss Wanted to Buy Nintendo in 2020 The tech titan’s trial over the acquisition of another video game company based in the U.S. is ongoing against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
UK Watchdog Unveils 7 Principles to Ensure Fair AI Ecosystem
The antitrust watchdog of the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), outlined seven principles to ensure a fair and competitive AI ecosystem on Sept. 18. The discussion of regulating AI is a hot topic around the world, as 2023 has become the year of generative AI. The governing body in the UK has unveiled the principles to kick-start a project to tighten the scrutiny of a technology that is growing rapidly.
ChatGPT's English Usage Has Caused Japan to Build AI Chatbot
Japan is building its own version of ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot launched by OpenAI in November 2022. OpenAI’s brainchild has been the trend-setter and has become the fastest-growing platform in history. However, the new tech sensation “falls short” in Japanese in comparison to English. The Japanese government, along with the tech titans of Asian tech leaders NEC, Fujitsu, and SoftBank, are gushing billions of dollars to create AI systems known as large language models (LLMs).
Generative AI is Being Used More By Teachers than Students
According to a recent report, school teachers in the United States use generative AI more than students. The trend-setter ChatGPT of OpenAI was adopted in the education sector immediately after its release in November 2022. While many people were stunned by its capabilities, several students quickly took advantage of the AI chatbot and adopted it in their academic studies. However, there are still many unresolved concerns about the use of AI, such as ChatGPT, in students’ assignments.
The USB-C Port Takes Center Stage - iPhone 15
Apple has launched the iPhone 15, one of the most anticipated smartphone series of the year. Along with many changes and updates in the new series, the tech giant added extra color to the new animations, and the ‘like’ button for users of X (formerly known as Twitter) looks different, inspired by the theme color of the Apple event.
"Metaverse is The Next Evolution"
Metaverse technology is creating new opportunities for teachers to inspire students, said Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta. Clegg believes that this immersive technology has transformed ‘various areas of education in recent decades’, according to his new blog. “Metaverse technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) promise to create new ways for teachers to inspire students. In fact, they’re already being used to do just that,” wrote Clegg.
Pulitzer Winner 'Chabon' Sues OpenAI Over Copyright Issues
Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon and four other writers have sued OpenAI, accusing them of misusing his writing to train their popular AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT. ChatGPT, OpenAI’s brainchild, has become the trendsetter of the generative AI era after millions of people embraced it last year. However, the company has also garnered attention from various intellectual individuals and firms for violating copyright.
Polish Opposition Condemned for Using AI-Generated Deepfake
The Centrist Civic Platforms (PO), Poland’s largest opposition party, is facing heavy criticism for using election campaign ads of the prime minister’s speech clips manipulated by artificial intelligence. The Polish parliamentary election 2023 is scheduled to be held on Oct. 15 to elect members of the Sejm and Senate.
Oman Aims to Bec Bitcoin Hub with $1.1B Mining Investment
The Middle East has always acted as a friend of the crypto industry, and one more country is making headlines this time by investing $1.1 billion in Bitcoin mining. H.E. Sheikh Mansour Bin Taleb Bin Ali Al Hinai, Chairman of Oman’s Authority for Public Services Regulations, has publicly said that his government supports the Bitcoin mining facility.
EU's Digital Services Act Imposes Tough Rules on Tech Titans
With the European Union’s comprehensive Digital Services Act (DSA) coming into effect on Friday, August 25, more than a dozen tech titans, including Meta, Apple, and Google, are facing intense legal scrutiny in Europe. The EU’s new DSA carries new rules on content moderation, user privacy and transparency within it.
China to Restrict Online Screen Time for Teenagers
Teenagers in China will be restricted to using their phones for just an hour per day under new draught rules proposed by the state’s cyberspace regulator, reports Insider. The Cyberspace Administration of China unveiled proposed guidelines aimed at addressing “the issue of internet addiction among minors,” which include implementing restrictions to safeguard young users.
Is Musk Silencing Honest Criticism by Threatening Hate Group
X Corp., formerly known as Twitter has threatened a non-profit research group regarding hate speech and misinformation, reports CNBC. On July 20, Elon Musk’s X Corp. issued a letter to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a British research nonprofit, warning them of potential legal action.
TikTok Angers 'Europe' after Influx of Chinese Propaganda
TikTok faces scrutiny for spreading Chinese propaganda in Europe. Concerns rise over teens falling into dark rabbit holes and self-harming trends.
Meta Intensifying Efforts to Allure Users Back to Threads
Meta, the parent company of Threads, is heavily engaged in alluring users’ to its new Twitter rival after the application lost several of its daily users over the past weeks. Threads saw a buzzy launch, crossing 100 million sign-ups within the first five days of its release, making it the fastest-growing social media platform. Meta’s new app surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which hit the market with a bang in November 2022, to become the forerunner of the AI frenzy era in February.
Meta Reportedly Cancels Meta Quest Pro and Pro 2 Projects
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has reportedly halted its development of the VR/AR project, including a pause on the development of Quest Pro and Quest Pro 2, reports The Information. Mark Zuckerberg’s tech giant has cancelled the new projects for one of the most anticipated VR headsets, Meta Quest 3, and discontinued the ongoing work on Quest Pro 2.
Meta’s Threads Overtakes ChatGPT as the Fastest-Growing Platform
Arthur Hayes, co-founder and former CEO of BitMEX, foresees a scenario wherein bitcoin becomes the preferred currency for the increasingly dominant realm of artificial intelligence (AI). In his first piece of a three-part essay series – titled “Massa” – Hayes delves deep into the possible intersections of AI and cryptocurrency, particularly bitcoin.
AI to Destroy Humanity in Just Two Years Says UK Gov Advisor
Artificial intelligence will be advanced enough to destroy humanity within two years, an advisor to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on AI has warned. As AI continues to progress, there is a growing apprehension about its potential impact on humanity, with high safety concerns at the forefront. The AI warning Matt Clifford, who forms part of UK government’s AI taskforce, is warning that if mankind fails to control the technology, that it could pose a serious danger in the near future.
AI Will Save the World, Says VC Marc Andreessen
Artificial intelligence will not destroy the world and, in fact, may save it, says Marc Andreessen, co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. His comments come as regulators in the US, the UK, the EU, and elsewhere are striving to find a common ground for adopting and regulating this technology. The warning Matt Clifford, an advisor to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on AI, has recently warned that artificial intelligence will be advanced enough to kill many humans within two years.
OpenAI Is Still Refraining From Training GPT-5, Says CEO
US-based radio broadcaster Mark Walters sued OpenAI for libel after its AI chatbot ChatGPT accused him of embezzling money from the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). Walters says the allegations are false and he has also never worked for the gun rights group. Filed in the Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia, on June 5, the lawsuit is believed to be the first-ever to allege that an AI chatbot like ChatGPT can be held liable for defamation.
Apple’s iOS 17 to Warn Against Unsolicited Nude Photos
Apple has unveiled iOS 17, the latest update to its operating system, with a unique feature that will warn users when someone tries to send them unsolicited nudes. The update includes other features such as customizable notifications, a redesigned control center, and enhancements to Siri to make “iPhone more personal and intuitive.” “A new feature, Sensitive Content Warning, helps adult users avoid seeing unwanted nude images and videos,” stated Apple in a blog post.
Dogecoin Founder Says the Apple Vision Pro Is Going to Flop
Apple’s new product, Vision Pro, is going to be a flop, claims Billy Markus, the creator of Dogecoin. The first trillion-dollar company unveiled one of the most anticipated headsets, which combines virtual and augmented reality for $3,499. Apple has introduced such super hit products as the iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac Book in the last two decades. Now the $2.65 trillion-valued company has launched another line with Vision Pro.
Twitter Now Worth Only a Third of Musk’s $44B Purchase Price
It’s been almost seven months since Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion but the tech entrepreneur has failed to invigorate the company’s fortunes. Financial services corporation Fidelity now estimate the value of the app to stand at just 33% of Musk’s purchase price. Musk completed his famous takeover of the microblogging site in October, fulfilling his long-term desire to be the boss of Twitter. The tech billionaire was criticized for overspending on Twitter during the acquisition.
Metaverse Gaming Market to Reach $119.2 Billion by 2028
The metaverse gaming market is estimated to encompass $22.7 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $119.2 billion by 2028, according to a recent report from ReportLinker. The metaverse has been a hot cake in the tech industry in recent years and was boosted by Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to change Facebook’s name to Meta. However, the market has been limping towards AI, which stole the spotlight from virtual reality.
Chinese City Pledges $1.42bn to Boost Metaverse Growth
Chinese city Zhengzhou has announced a plan to boost the metaverse industry by providing a significant 10 billion yuan ($1.42 billion) fund for local companies’ growth and development. Although the People’s Bank of China banned digital assets in September 2021, the Asian power centre seems liberal towards the metaverse.
Microsoft Slams UK Regulator for Blocking $68.7bn Takeover
Microsoft has blamed Britain’s Competition and Market Authority (CMA) for “irrationally” blocking its $68.7 billion takeover of Call of Duty video game maker Activision. The tech giant announced its plan to acquire Activision to “bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone, across every device,” back in January 2022. The proposed takeover aimed to bring Activision’s popular franchises, like Call of Duty, under Microsoft’s umbrella.
'Google Alters Search to Favor Liberals, Swing Elections'
Tech giant Google is allegedly manipulating search to favor liberals and tip elections, reports the New York Post. The company is using its virtual monopoly as a search engine to “elevate liberal views, stifle conservatives, and manipulate children,” according to a research report by Dr. Robert Epstein. Epstein, who has spent the last decade monitoring Google’s manipulation of newsfeeds, search engine results, and YouTube suggestions, shared his latest report with the Post.
White House Takes Steps to Study AI Risks
A Chinese businessman lost 4.3 million yuan [~$612,000] after a fraudster used deepfake AI technology to impersonate his friend, according to local media reports. The victim, identified only by his surname Guo, received a video call via WeChat last month from someone who both looked and sounded like his close friend. The caller, who turned out to be a scammer, asked Guo to help him bid on a public project in another city – and Guo promptly wired him the funds.
China Urges Parents to Report Children Using Messaging Apps
China has issued a directive to parents to report police if their children are using encrypted messaging apps. Almost every social media platform is banned in China, and even China-owned TikTok is facing restrictions in the Western world and Australia. This strict control over social media is a result of the Chinese government’s censorship policies and concerns about information control.
Facebook on the Verge of Being Fined €746m for Misusing Data
Facebook is set to be slammed by the Irish regulator as it prepares to punish the social media giant with a €746 million fine for mishandling user information, reports The Guardian. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, acting as the primary privacy regulator for Facebook and Meta in the EU, is anticipated to halt data transfers from Facebook’s European users to the United States with its decision.
Meta Steps Up AI Efforts, Creates Custom AI Chip
Meta is creating its first custom chip dedicated to running AI models, the company announced on Thursday. The tech industry is pivoting towards AI from the metaverse, and Mark Zuckerberg cannot remain untouched despite renaming Facebook to Meta in 2021.
TikTok Users Sue to Overturn Montana Statewide Ban
TikTok users in the United States have filed a lawsuit to lift Montana’s ban on the China-owned short video sharing platform. Montana became the first state last week to impose a complete ban on China-based Bytedanece’s viral app, citing China’s government’s access to users of the widely popular app. Greg Gianforte, governor of Montana had signed into law a measure on Wednesday that banned TikTok from operating in the state completely.
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT App for iOS, Android on the Way
Montana Govenor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed into a law a measure that banned TikTok from operating in the state completely. The ban, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024, is the first of its kind in the United States. Gianforte, a Republican, said he signed the law to protect Montanans’ privacy and security. He has repeatedly accused the popular video sharing app of being a security risk, alleging that the Chinese government could use the app to collect data on American users.
Twitter Blue Subscribers Can Now Upload Two-Hour Videos
Twitter users with the paid Blue Tick subscription can now upload 2-hour videos up to 8 gigabytes, Elon Musk has announced. “Twitter Blue Verified subscribers can now upload 2-hour videos (8GB)!” tweeted Musk. The tech billionaire is keen to convert microblogging platform Twitter into an ‘everything app’ since he purchased it for $44 billion last October.
EU Council Adopts Crypto Rules to Prevent Money Laundering
The European Union (EU) Council has adopted rules requiring crypto asset service providers to collect transaction data and forward it to tax authorities. The move reflects a global trend towards increased scrutiny and regulation of the cryptocurrency industry, though some users aren’t happy. As countries around the world recognise the growing importance of digital currencies, policymakers are striving to establish comprehensive frameworks to address potential risks and ensure financial stability.
How to Use WhatsApp’s New ‘Chat Lock’ Feature
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has unveiled a new feature to let users lock and hide conversations on its widely popular instant messaging app. The locked chat will not be seen on the app’s regular interface, instead keeping those in a new folder that can only be opened by password or biometric, such as fingerprint or a face lock. This new feature lets users feel free while their mobile is in someone else’s hand. How to access locked folder?
Twitter’s New Direct Message Encryption Raises Criticism
Twitter’s new feature unveiled last week, which encrypts some direct messages (DMs), has raised criticism from experts. The microblogging platform has made a wide range of changes regarding its policy since Elon Musk’s takeover last October. Subscription-based blue tick verification, changes in two-factor authentication, algorithms open to the public, and monetization avenues for content creators are some of the significant changes so far during the Musk era.
EU Reportedly Plans to Include NFTs and Foreign Companies in Crypto Tax
The European Union is reportedly planning to include non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and foreign companies in the upcoming crypto tax, reported Coindesk. The EU has prepared a draft text, known as the eighth directive on administrative cooperation (DAC8), which would require crypto companies to share details of their clients’ holdings with tax authorities.
Meta Shuts Down China-Based Propaganda Network
A team of scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne developed a novel machine-learning algorithm called Cebra (pronounced “zebra”), which translates brain signals into video – meaning basically that it can turn thoughts into video.
'Pi' AI Chatbot Launched for Informal Conversations
The Catholic church is divided over adoption of AI with a South Carolina priest saying there is no place for it, after the Asia Catholic Church used it for synodal document. Drawing from Bible teachings, the South Carolina priests says humans are made in the likeness of God and not from AI, adding the use of AI destroys the authenticity of the synodal process itself.
AI 'Godfather' Leaves Google, Fears Dangers of AI
Artificial intelligence pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has left Google and expressed concern about the potentially serious harms of the technology he helped develop. AI has been the center of debate recently, not just because of its ability to produce human-like works but also due to the risks associated with it.
Six Months of Twitter Under the Rule of Elon Musk
Twitter has barely been out of the headlines since its takeover by Elon Musk last October in a deal worth $44 billion. Partly these have stemmed from the raft of significant changes made to its policies. Though company-wide layoffs and Musk’s brain-fart tweets have also got tongues wagging. Musk’s Twitter buy was the social media takeover story to end them all, and the first six months with the mogul at the wheel have been eventful to say the least.
AI-Ready Rankings: Which Countries Made the Top Five?
Singapore has been ranked as one of the most prepared countries for AI, according to the 2022 Government AI Readiness Index by Oxford. Although the United States tops the overall index, Singapore’s progress in key areas has propelled it into second place. Indeed, the country leads in two out of three pillars, namely government, and data and infrastructure. However, the report suggests those two countries take different routes to success.
Is Coinbase Considering Relocating Away From the US?
Samsung is reportedly planning to replace Google with Microsoft’s new AI-powered Bing as the default search engine on its devices. Shares of Alphabet Inc., owners of Google, fell more than 4% after the news. Bing has attracted much attention since it was integrated with OpenAI’s popular AI chatbot ChatGPT earlier this year, while Google is still trying to catch up. According to a New York Times report, Google executives reacted to the Samsung threat with “shock and panic”.
New Adobe AI Tool Can Generate 1,000 Versions of Same Video
Adobe Inc. has said it plans to introduce new AI features into its video editing software used by the film and television industries. AI incorporation into products has been a regular phenomenon this year, especially encouraged by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Since its launch last November, almost every company in the tech industry has tried to find ways to embrace AI. Adobe has become the latest to integrate the generative AI tool into its software to assist editors in changing lighting shots.
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