The Stand With Crypto Alliance is rallying the 52 million-strong American crypto community to push for regulatory reforms. A recent survey reveals that a staggering 87% of Americans believe the financial system is in need of an overhaul.

In a major tech push for responsible AI development, tech giants like Microsoft, OpenAI, Salesforce and Google have signed a letter urging for the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the betterment of humanity.

PropyKeys, a company focused on real estate transactions, launched a beta program for their new product, Landmarks, that allowed users to mint digital representations of famous landmarks on the blockchain.

Ingarden introduces its Ocean microgreens growing kit, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at combating plastic waste while promoting sustainable living. Utilizing upcycled ocean plastic, each kit removes a staggering 30 plastic bottles from the ocean, making a significant dent in the global fight against marine pollution.

Toyota Research Institute (TR) is making strides in developing robots that can assist humans with everyday tasks, particularly those requiring more than just manual dexterity. Unlike traditional robots solely reliant on grippers, TR’s approach emphasizes “amplifying” human capabilities rather than replacing them.

The Solana Foundation has announced the launch of its Renaissance hackathon, marking the ninth installment of its series aimed at fostering innovation within the Solana network. Running from March 4 to April 8, 2024, the virtual event invites participants to register via Colosseum’s online platform.

Reddit has reportedly entered a $60 million per year deal with Google, allowing the tech giant to use its content for training AI models, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move comes as Reddit gears up for its much-anticipated stock market debut, seeking to bolster revenue streams amidst stiff competition from platforms like TikTok and Facebook’s Meta.

Match Group, the parent company of popular dating apps like Tinder and Hinge, has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI. This collaboration introduces over 1000 licenses of ChatGPT Enterprise to Match Group’s arsenal, aiming to revolutionize their work culture and productivity.

Space Lab®, based in Boulder, CO, has secured a NASA contract to develop EcoMine™, a pioneering lunar mining facility aiming to support sustained Lunar presence and a thriving commercial Lunar economy. EcoMine™ utilizes bioleaching and photosynthesis to extract minerals from lunar regolith, promoting environmental sustainability and economic viability. 

Over 300 international experts in technology, artificial intelligence, digital ethics, and child safety, alongside entertainment professionals and academics, have jointly released an open letter urging global governments and policymakers to address the rising threat posed by harmful deepfake content. 

9dcc is set to revolutionize the fashion landscape with its groundbreaking “Networked Products” collection, debuting at NFT Paris and Paris Fashion Week 2024. Spearheaded by visionary gmoney, the luxury brand combines haute couture with digital innovation, marking a historic milestone in the convergence of high fashion and emerging technology.

At the Munich Security Conference last week, several leading technology companies announced their commitment to combat deceptive AI content ahead of the 2024 global elections.

North American recycler Rumpke Waste & Recycling and molecular recycling pioneer Eastman have unveiled a groundbreaking partnership aimed at combating the global plastic waste crisis. Rumpke will soon commence the collection and sorting of hard-to-recycle and colored PET packaging waste, materials currently underserved by traditional recycling methods.

REVOLT is ramping up its commitment to representing Black communities worldwide with the launch of its “Imagine If” Black History Month campaign. Using AI imagery and technology, the initiative aims to challenge historical distortions and reshape the portrayal of Blackness in media.

Cyberhaven has unveiled Linea AI, a groundbreaking AI platform aimed at countering the most severe insider risks jeopardizing crucial corporate data. Boasting capabilities comparable to the collective intelligence of top-tier security analysts, Linea AI employs human-like insight across billions of workflows to discern an organization’s data vulnerabilities and provide precise protective measures.

A recent study conducted by an international team of researchers led by Professors John C. Moore and Ralf Greve has shed light on the potential effectiveness of a controversial geoengineering technique, stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), in mitigating the melting of ice sheets caused by global warming.

The Ocean Cleanup, a global initiative dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution from the oceans, has announced its inaugural partnership in India with the Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation.

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Super Bowl on Sunday, February 10, 2024, fans are eagerly awaiting a spectacle of celebrity appearances and lighthearted commercials. Among the highly-anticipated ads, Google is poised to make a significant impact with a heartwarming portrayal of its advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has broadened its definition of a dealer, extending its oversight to encompass a wider array of financial activities, including those involving crypto securities.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is slated to address Congress about the potential risks posed by the cryptocurrency industry to the financial system, including concerns regarding stablecoins, platform runs, and price volatility, as revealed in a preview of her testimony released on Monday.

Ionic Digital, a burgeoning player in the Bitcoin mining sector, is set to expand its footprint with the acquisition of bankrupt lender Celsius’ mining assets. This move positions Ionic to emerge as a significant contender in North America’s mining landscape.

FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange led by Sam Bankman-Fried, announced in a court hearing its intention to fully reimburse its customers. However, the feasibility of this repayment hinges on the point of FTX’s bankruptcy, which occurred amidst market turmoil, leading to disagreements among claimants.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has unveiled a new framework signaling a more crypto-friendly approach. Under the updated regulations, retail investors are no longer restricted in their investments in digital tokens backed by real estate or infrastructure, marking a significant departure from previous limits. 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has brought charges against Xue Lee, also known as Sam Lee, and Brenda Chunga, also known as Bitcoin Beautee, for their involvement in an fraudulent crypto asset pyramid scheme called HyperFund. This scheme amassed over $1.7 billion from investors worldwide.

NFT LA is set to make a triumphant return, presenting a week-long celebration of creativity and technology in Los Angeles from March 25 to 29, 2024. The event promises an inclusive atmosphere with community-based membership groups, blockchain-infused culture, gaming opportunities, on-chain art for creators and collectors, and discussions on the real-world applications of blockchain technology, spanning from real estate to luxury.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued orders to OpenAI, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Anthropic, demanding information on recent investments and partnerships involving generative AI companies and cloud service providers. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, has raised global concerns among lawmakers and regulators due to potential threats to national security, influence operations, and fraud. 

Crowley has marked a significant leap in maritime sustainability with the acceptance of eWolf, the first all-electric harbor tugboat in the U.S. Engineered by Crowley’s team, this groundbreaking vessel operates with zero emissions while maintaining the performance standards of traditional tugboats.

This weekend, on January 27th and 28th, Los Angeles will witness a groundbreaking collaboration as two renowned Burning Man art camps, Titanic’s End and PlayAlchemist, come together to host the Arctic Alchemy fundraiser. Representing the first-ever joint venture in the city for both groups, the event is set to deliver an exhilarating night of music, art, and philanthropy. 

A recent incident involving a bug in Ethereum’s Nethermind client software, used by about 8% of Ethereum validators, raised concerns about the network’s reliance on a single client. The bug temporarily disrupted a portion of the chain’s key operators, prompting experts to revisit the ongoing debate on the importance of “client diversity.”

Arizona State University (ASU) is set to become the first higher education institution to collaborate with OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to introduce the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT Enterprise to the university, providing faculty and staff with the tools to explore the potential of generative AI in teaching, learning, and research.

Concluding under the theme “Rebuilding Trust,” the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 held in Davos, Switzerland, has successfully brought together over 2,800 leaders from 120 countries. This global gathering focused on driving dialogue, cooperation, and partnerships to address urgent issues such as economic growth, climate action, energy security, technology governance, and human development.

The Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) has opened registration for the inaugural AI Expo for National Competitiveness, scheduled for May 7-8, 2024, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has issued guidance for crypto firms within the European Union to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering and terrorist-financing requirements.

On January 9, 2024, an unauthorized party gained control of the @SECGov X.com account around 4:00 pm ET, posting a fake approval for bitcoin ETFs at 4:11 pm ET.

ImageBot.ai, a state-of-the-art text-to-image generator utilizing generative AI technology, has recently been launched, offering global accessibility without any associated costs. The innovative Image Bot simplifies the image creation process by allowing users to input a text description, generating images without the need for software installation or messenger queries.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking bitcoin. The decision, encompassing 11 applications from major financial players like BlackRock and Fidelity, signals a pivotal moment for the world’s largest cryptocurrency and the broader crypto industry. 

Kia and Uber announced a collaboration at CES 2024 to develop Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV). The partnership aims to enhance Uber’s electric vehicle offerings, supporting their 2040 zero-emission goal. Kia and Uber plan to produce PBVs optimized for drivers and fleets, improving the ride-hailing experience with advanced software and services. 

CES® 2024 opened with a bang, positioning itself as the global hub for cutting-edge technology, business, and entertainment. Boasting over 4,000 exhibitors from around the world, the event highlighted breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and various fields addressing global challenges.

At CES® 2024, set to captivate audiences from January 9-12 in Las Vegas, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced an impressive lineup of government officials. U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) will contribute insights into key legislation affecting technology companies and consumers.

CES 2024, the world’s premier tech event, is set to return to Las Vegas from January 9 to 12, featuring over 4,000 exhibitors, including both global brands and startups. The event aims to showcase the transformative impact of technology on various aspects of human life.

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission is considering a ban on the use of credit cards for purchasing cryptocurrency, expressing concerns over the potential illegal outflow of domestic funds to overseas virtual asset exchanges.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) is ramping up efforts to assess the impact of strains in non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), including cryptocurrency-related entities, on EU banks. EBA Chair José Manuel Campa highlighted the need to understand the interconnectedness between banks and other financial entities. 

THIRA ROBOTICS, a South Korean autonomous mobile robots developer and subsidiary of THiRA-UTECH, has selected HYUNDAI TRANSYS as its first U.S. implementation site after a successful pilot project.

Artificial intelligence has uncovered a hidden detail in a Raphael painting, suggesting that St Joseph’s face in the Madonna della Rosa was likely not painted by Raphael himself. The AI, which has a 98 percent accuracy level in identifying Raphael paintings, revealed that while the Madonna, Child, and St John were likely Raphael’s work, St Joseph’s face appeared to be the creation of another artist, possibly Raphael’s pupil Giulio Romano.

As we bid farewell to 2023, a year filled with its share of challenges, we thought it fitting to draw inspiration from some of history’s most daring minds. Here’s to a New Year filled with hope, courage, and the shared belief that together, we can make a difference. Cheers to 2024!

U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff has ruled that Terraform Labs, the creator of Terra and Luna cryptocurrencies, violated federal securities laws by selling its cryptocurrencies to the public. The judge, in a summary judgment, concluded that Terraform Labs failed to register LUNA and MIR, two cryptocurrencies within the Terra ecosystem, as securities.

The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging that they unlawfully used millions of the newspaper’s articles to train their AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Copilot. The complaint, filed in a Manhattan federal court, accuses the companies of taking advantage of the Times’ substantial investment in journalism to develop products that compete with and divert audiences from the newspaper.

Hematico and Dr. Rita Singh have launched a revolutionary COVID screening tool, the Real Time Voice Analyzer (RTVA), a non-invasive mobile health app. Developed with patent-pending AI algorithms, RTVA provides a swift and accurate respiratory health screening in just five minutes, utilizing voice analysis without the need for uncomfortable swabs.

In a groundbreaking effort to bring joy and relief to hospitalized children, the Starlight Children’s Foundation has harnessed the power of Virtual Reality as part of its innovative programs. These carefully crafted initiatives, designed to cater to the unique needs of children undergoing medical treatment, utilize VR technology to deliver happiness and aid in the recovery process.

Geoffrey A. Fowler, a tech columnist, has harnessed the power of Generative AI to redefine the classic Christmas card. Using OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, Lensa, and Adobe Photoshop with Generative Fill, Fowler embarked on a creative journey, overcoming challenges and biases to craft a whimsical and nostalgic holiday card.