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News
DeepSeek rushes to launch new AI model as China goes all in
Chinese startup DeepSeek is accelerating the release of its new AI reasoning model, R2, following the success of R1, which recently caused a significant global equity sell-off. Based in Hangzhou, DeepSeek aims to enhance R2’s coding abilities and expand its reasoning beyond English. Founder Liang Wenfeng has invested heavily in computing power through his hedge fund, High-Flyer, positioning DeepSeek as a national asset in China. This rapid advancement challenges Western AI dominance and may prompt stricter U.S. export controls on advanced AI chips.
Instagram may launch separate Reels app to take on TikTok
Instagram is reportedly considering launching Reels as a standalone app amid uncertainty over TikTok’s future in the US. The move comes as TikTok faces potential bans or forced sales due to national security concerns, with the Biden administration citing risks of Chinese influence. Meta previously attempted a TikTok competitor, Lasso, but later shut it down.
More than 1 billion people are now watching podcasts on YouTube every month
YouTube has become the leading platform for podcasts, attracting over 1 billion monthly viewers and surpassing Spotify and Apple. This surge is driven by the popularity of video podcasts, especially among younger audiences who prefer visual content.
Hong Kong and Singapore lead Asia’s drive to cash in on crypto boom
Hong Kong and Singapore are leading Asia’s push to become cryptocurrency hubs, aiming to capitalize on the sector’s global resurgence. Both cities are enhancing their crypto frameworks to attract businesses and investors, positioning themselves as key players in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Chegg Suing Alphabet and Google Over Diverted Web Traffic
Chegg has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that Google’s AI Overviews feature displays Chegg’s AI-enabled Q&A content directly in search results, leading to a significant decline in Chegg’s organic traffic and keyword visibility. This situation highlights a broader trend where AI-generated answers are reducing user visits to original content sites, prompting publishers to reconsider their strategies in the evolving digital landscape.
Our Brains Are Soaking Up Microplastics More Than Other Organs
Recent research reveals that microplastics are accumulating in human brains at significantly higher rates than in other organs, with a 50% increase over the past eight years. Alarmingly, individuals diagnosed with dementia exhibit up to ten times more plastic particles in their brain tissue. While the health implications remain uncertain, the study highlights the potential for these tiny particles to cross the blood-brain barrier, raising concerns about their impact on neurological health.
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Artificial intelligence is transforming middle-class jobs. Can it also help the poor?
Generative AI is reshaping middle-class employment, necessitating immediate efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps and enhance education systems to ensure its advantages extend to impoverished communities. Without proactive measures, there’s a risk that AI’s benefits will be unevenly distributed, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities.
Google Ads optimization: What to stop, start, and continue in 2025
In 2025, Google Ads optimization requires a strategic shift: discontinue bidding on every keyword variation, as this can lead to inefficiencies; instead, focus on leveraging Performance Max campaigns to harness Google’s machine learning for better results. Continue refining audience targeting by analyzing performance data to ensure your ads reach the most relevant users.