Google AI helped win two Nobel Prizes this week

On April 28th, Amazon launched its Project Kuiper satellites, adding 27 to the growing number of commercial satellites in low-Earth orbit, now exceeding 2,500 for 2024 alone. This surge includes initiatives from SpaceX, OneWeb, and Chinese companies, raising concerns about orbital overcrowding and the risk of collisions, which could lead to a cascade of debris and severe consequences for space operations. Experts emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive management rules to address the increasing congestion...

Summary Storied Silicon Valley VC firm Andreessen Horowitz is investing in a U.K. startup named Dex, which aims to "redefine" the use of AI in matching companies with talent. Dex utilizes various AI-powered recruitment features, including matchmaking and coaching, to enhance candidate and company alignment. The startup's primary objective is to improve employee retention over the long term. Full Article

Blink and you’ll miss it: a startup out of Finland is taking a new look at the market for prescription eyewear. IXI, a Helsinki-based startup, is revolutionizing prescription eyewear by integrating innovations in eye-tracking and liquid crystal lens technology. After four years of development, IXI is creating low-power glasses that automatically and invisibly adjust for presbyopia (far-sightedness), enhancing the visual experience for wearers. Full Article

The Take It Down Act has passed the House with a vote of 409-2 and is set to be signed by President Trump. This legislation mandates social media companies to remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated content, within 48 hours of being flagged, but critics express concerns over potential misuse and the impact on privacy and smaller platforms. Supporters, including First Lady Melania Trump and tech industry figures, see it as a significant step toward...

Duolingo co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn announced an "AI-first" strategy via an all-hands email, indicating a gradual reduction in contractor roles for tasks that AI can automate. This shift involves rethinking work processes, including changes in hiring and performance reviews, while emphasizing that the goal is to alleviate repetitive tasks for employees, allowing them to focus on creative work. Von Ahn stated that AI is essential for scaling content creation to reach more learners...

NASA astronaut Don Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday on April 20 by making a dramatic return to Earth, landing in Kazakhstan after spending 220 days in orbit, a record for his age. Unlike any previous birthday celebration, Pettit experienced the intense forces of re-entry, including 4.4gs in freefall, before landing and feeling the effects of the journey. While John Glenn had been older at 77 during his spaceflight, Pettit’s long duration in space at his...