Today is Friday, 24 January 2025, and here are the top stories in technology:
Oracle's Strategic Move in AI Infrastructure
Oracle has announced its involvement in the $500 billion "Stargate Project" for AI infrastructure, in collaboration with OpenAI and other partners. Despite uncertainties about funding sources, Oracle's role has boosted its share price by 14%, reflecting investor confidence. The project is underway in Texas, with Oracle's cloud unit, OCI, set to benefit significantly. Analysts view this as a positive step, reinforcing Oracle's importance in AI.
India's Maha Kumbh Mela Embraces Advanced Technology
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, branded as the 'Digital Maha Kumbh' by the Indian government, is utilising advanced technology to ensure a safer experience for the millions of attendees. Authorities have implemented state-of-the-art facial recognition technology and AI-based software to prevent stampedes, manage crowd surges, and reunite separated individuals. The use of 2,760 CCTV cameras and underwater drones helps in real-time monitoring and alerting officials of any accidents or issues. Multilingual chatbots on the Kumbh app provide additional support for visitors. The integration of these technologies aims to manage the world's largest human gathering effectively, mitigating risks and enhancing the overall safety of the festival participants.
Debate Over £100 Contactless Payment Limit
The Financial Conduct Authority suggests that scrapping the £100 contactless payment cap could boost the economy and give businesses more flexibility. However, experts warn this change could lead to increased theft and fraud, as higher limits make stolen cards more valuable targets. Data indicates that crimes like robberies and thefts have doubled, suggesting the recent limit increase may have contributed to rising crime rates. Critics argue that removing the limit would make debit and credit cards more attractive to criminals and could result in a significant crime wave. Despite security concerns, contactless payments have proven popular, providing convenience and aiding high street shops. Research shows broad usage across all age groups, with 93% of in-store transactions up to £100 being contactless. Advocates argue that continued limits hinder consumer choice, technological innovation, and economic growth. They claim the amount lost to fraud is minimal compared to total contactless spending. In conclusion, while security remains a concern, proponents believe that the benefits of lifting the contactless payment cap, such as enhanced consumer freedom and economic progress, outweigh the potential risks.
Apple Pauses AI-Generated News Summaries
Apple has temporarily paused the AI summarisation feature in its news notifications following backlash from media companies over significant errors. The feature, part of Apple's generative AI platform Apple Intelligence, will be unavailable in iOS 18 beta 3 updates for news apps on iPhones, Macs, and iPads. This decision comes after the BBC reported inaccuracies, with a notable incident where the AI summary incorrectly stated that a suspect in a murder case had shot himself. Apple announced plans to work on improvements and reintroduce the feature later. The suspension highlights challenges in AI technology used by major tech companies, which often face similar issues in maintaining accuracy and combating misinformation.
That concludes today's top tech news. Stay tuned for more updates.
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