Jan 21, 2024: Today's Tech and Business Roundup - Major Shifts, Innovations, and Controversies

OpenAI's Ambitious Funding Drive for AI Chip Factories

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is on a mission to secure a massive investment, potentially up to $10 billion, primarily from an Abu Dhabi-based firm, G42. This funding aims to establish a global network of AI chip factories to avert future shortages, in collaboration with leading chipmakers.

TCS Embraces Remote Work, Impacting Real Estate

Tata Consultancy Services, India’s largest IT firm, is leading a major shift by moving 75% of its workforce to permanent remote work. This move is reshaping the commercial real estate landscape, particularly affecting the $20 trillion market, as the debate on remote work productivity continues.

U.S. Boosts EV Technology with Significant Investment

The U.S. government is injecting $325 million into advancing electric vehicle (EV) technology. This includes grants for repairing public EV chargers and tax credits for EV charger installation, with several cities and initiatives like @PGHtransit benefiting from this funding.

Elon Musk Denies Funding Reports for xAI

Contradicting Bloomberg's reports, Elon Musk has denied that his AI company xAI has secured $500 million towards a $1 billion funding goal. The initial reports had valued xAI between $15 billion and $20 billion.

Tencent and RunwayML's Innovations in Video Generation

Tencent and RunwayML have introduced groundbreaking video generation features. Tencent’s MotionCtrl offers enhanced motion control, while RunwayML’s Multi Motion Brush allows users to manipulate multiple video areas independently, receiving accolades from the creative community.

China Sets Metaverse Standards with Major Tech Players

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China is collaborating with tech giants like Huawei, Tencent, Ant Group, and Baidu to establish metaverse standards. This working group reflects China's commitment to shaping the metaverse's future with a focus on standardization.

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