The Verge’s guide to Black Friday 2024

Top executives from major U.S. companies, including IBM and JPMorgan Chase, warn that AI poses a job threat, although economists see no significant layoffs yet. While some leaders push for AI adoption to please shareholders, uncertainty remains about actual productivity gains and the long-term impact on employment, with ongoing debates suggesting a complex outcome between job elimination and creation. Need More Context? 🔎

The Washington Post highlights the carbon cost of AI queries, noting that a single question can generate grams of CO2, with ChatGPT consuming about ten times more energy than a Google search. While users can limit AI-generated responses, the overall environmental impact is significant, as data centers require vast electricity and freshwater for cooling, with larger AI models being more energy-intensive yet more accurate. Need More Context? 🔎

The Marine Organizational Body Size (MOBS) database is an open-access resource that compiles body size data for over 85,000 marine species, enhancing research on ocean biodiversity. Led by marine ecologist Craig McClain, the project aims to cover 75% of described marine species, addressing the lack of comprehensive data on marine invertebrates and contributing to a better understanding of marine life. Need More Context? 🔎

Amazon Prime Day will take place from July 8th to July 11th this year, extending the sale to four days and introducing a new "Today’s Big Deals" feature. Shoppers can expect highlighted discounts, early deals, and tips for maximizing savings on various gadgets, making it an excellent opportunity to prepare for upcoming shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Need More Context? 🔎

John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna, a green data center firm, highlights a little-known issue with wind turbines: they are often turned off despite windy conditions, rather than being broken. This observation serves as a prelude to a deeper discussion on energy management in renewable resources. Need More Context? 🔎

At this point, it’s easier to identify AI startups Mark Zuckerberg hasn’t considered acquiring, as he recently discussed potential buys including Ilya Sutskever’s Safe Superintelligence and Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg has begun assembling a new AI team led by Alexandr Wang, with significant competition for talent, prompting high compensation offers amidst concerns from OpenAI's Sam Altman. Need More Context? 🔎