From Plaid to Figma, here are the startups that are likely — or definitely — not having IPOs this year

Last year’s investor dreams of a strong 2024 IPO pipeline have faded, if not fully disappeared, as we approach the halfway point of the year. 2024 delivered four venture-backed tech IPOs, Reddit, Astera Labs, Ibotta and Rubrik, in March and April, which made it seem like this year could spur the momentum investors had hoped […]
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Feds add nine more incidents to Waymo robotaxi investigation

Federal safety regulators have discovered nine more incidents that raise questions about the safety of Waymo’s self-driving vehicles operating in Phoenix and San Francisco.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation earlier this month into Waymo’s autonomous vehicle software after receiving 22 reports of robotaxis making unexpected moves […]
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Pitch Deck Teardown: Terra One’s $7.5M Seed deck

Terra One’s pitch deck has a few wins, but also a few misses. Here’s how to fix that.
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Best MP7 class in XDefiant and how to unlock

Running and gunning with an SMG can be the key to winning XDefiant matches, especially in those maps that have tighter chokepoints. While you’re given the MP5 right out of the gate, it is the MP7 that many are flocking to.
Below, we’ll run you through how to unlock the MP7 so you can get a custom class going and better the opposition in no time. We’ll also detail the best possible MP7 loadout we’ve found so that you’re set up to be the top fragger, no matter the faction, in any game mode.
Best MP7 loadout in XDefiant
If you’re looking for the go-to attachments to slap onto the MP7, here is the best build we’ve managed to create. It’s great for up close and personal exchanges, as well as slightly longer-range sight lines.

Muzzle: Barrel Extender
Barrel: Chrome Lined
Front Rail: PEQ-15
Magazine: Ex Mag
Rear Grip: Leather Wrapped Grip

Since SMGs are essentially made for close-range combat, you’re going to want to extend the reach of your bullets on the MP7 just so you’re able to compete with ARs like the ACR. The Barrel Extender definitely helps with this and allows you to be at least competitive in mid-range fights.
The Ex Mag is almost a necessity as well since it does take quite a few bullets to down an enemy, so if you want a double or even triple kill, it’s essential you increase the bullet count.
As for the rest of the attachments, it’s all about upping that accuracy, whether that be for ADS or hip fire. The choices above all excel in this area and are almost a requirement to make sure you’re on target.
How to unlock MP7 in XDefiant

Since you can’t access the MP7 right away, you will need to perform a task in order to get it unlocked.
Thankfully, there is only one challenge to complete and you can take this on right out of the gate, with no prerequisites required.
The challenge that you need to finish is to get 20 point-blank SMG kills (

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Michael Schumacher’s family awarded €200,000 compensation after AI ‘interview’

Michael Schumacher’s family have been awarded €200,000 ($216,360) compensation from the publisher of a German tabloid magazine after the title printed an artificial intelligence (AI) generated ‘interview’ with the decorated Formula One star.
In April last year, Die Aktuelle ran a front-page splash with the image of the now-55-year-old with the headline, ‘”Michael Schumacher, the first interview”. An accompanying strapline read, “It sounded deceptively real”, but the article revealed AI had created the purported quotes.
The seven-time world champion was seriously injured in a skiing accident on holiday in the French Alps, back in December 2013, suffering a traumatic brain injury that required him to be put into an induced coma.
Since he returned home in September 2014, his family has carefully guarded his privacy with his full condition relatively unknown. Schumacher has not been seen in public since the tragic accident with only close relatives having contact with the former racing driver.

Further background to the Schumacher incident
On Wednesday (May 22), a family spokesperson confirmed the ruling of a Munich Labour Court judgment, which included a settlement with Funke media group, publishers of Die Aktuelle. No further comment was made.
That followed an apology to the family last April, while the editor of the magazine, Anne Hoffmann, was fired.

“This tasteless and misleading article should never have appeared. It in no way meets the standards of journalism that we, and our readers, expect,” said Bianca Pohlmann, managing director of Funke.
“As a result of the publication of this article, immediate personnel consequences will be drawn.
Schumacher won two of his Formula 1 titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, while he secured five in a row for Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. He shares his record of seven F1 world titles with Lewis Hamilton, who surpassed the former’s tally of 91 career race wins, in 2020.
Image credit: Martin King/Unsplash

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AI might be creating more work than it saves

A common argument in favor of AI is that it helps people save time at work.
But what if using generative AI is actually more trouble than it is worth? That’s the question posited by Peter Cappelli, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
Do we really need AI at work?
During a speech at MIT (via ZDNET), Cappelli explained that cumulatively, given the inherent complexity of AI, the work that goes into automating some tasks is more work than if you just did the task yourself in the first place.
He also adds that “it turns out there are many things generative AI could do that we don’t really need doing.”
He then went on to explain how replacing rote automation with AI is going to end up increasingly expensive. “It’s not so clear that large language models are going to be as cheap as they are now,” Cappelli said. “As more people use them, computer space has to go up, electricity demands alone are big. Somebody’s got to pay for it.”
Another concern raised by Cappelli is the fact that people are still needed either way in order to validate AI’s output.
“If you’re going to use it for something important, you better be sure that it’s right,” he explained. “And how are you going to know if it’s right? Well, it helps to have an expert; somebody who can independently validate and knows something about the topic.
“To look for hallucinations or quirky outcomes, and that it is up to date..We have to check it somehow, and this is not necessarily easy or cheap to do.”
So, what is AI actually good for? According to Cappelli, AI is best served sorting through data. “Somebody’s got to worry about guardrails and data pollution issues,” he said. Which is a lot more boring than revolutionizing the games industry.
Image generated by Ideogram.
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Google’s new AI search is going well, it’s telling people to add glue to pizza and eat rocks

From telling people they should eat rocks to suggesting glue should be added to pizzas, Google’s newest AI search feature isn’t quite working out as planned.
In a simpler time, people could search on Google to the answers to burning questions, facts about topics of interest, or how to complete tough tasks, but its newest addition is making matters worse.
On May 14, the company formally announced that AI-powered changes were to be taking place. This included the news of ‘AI Overviews’ which aims to provide a quick answer to any search through the use of artificial intelligence.
When the team shared the news at Google’s annual conference for developers, the feature was rolled out to everyone in the United States, and other countries were told they’d be able to access it soon.
Google’s AI Overviews is spewing out incorrect information
Now that people have had a go for themselves, testing the feature with a whole range of questions and searches, the AI feature has been disastrous.
In one search, where someone input ‘cheese not sticking to pizza’ into Google, the AI Overview tool flashed up saying: “Cheese can slide off pizza for several reasons, including too much sauce, too much cheese, or thickened sauce. Here are some things you can try…”
After suggesting mixing in the sauce, the AI then said: “You can also add about ⅛ cup of non-toxic glue to the sauce to give it more tackiness.”
How is Google getting it so wrong? Well, it appears to be taking what Redditors post as fact. In an 11-year-old thread on the forum site one user called “f**ksmith” replies to a post titled “My cheese slides off the pizza too easily” by (clearly) jokingly telling the original poster to use glue when making the sauce.

Google AI overview suggests adding glue to get cheese to stick to pizza, and it turns out the source is an 11 year old Reddit comment from user F*cksmith pic.twitter.com/uDPAbsAKeO
— Peter Yang (@petergyang) May 23, 2024

In another search, the AI Overview responded to ‘how many rocks shall i eat?’ with “According to geologists at UC Berkeley, you should eat at least one small rock per day…”

I couldn’t believe it before I tried it. Google needs to fix this asap.. pic.twitter.com/r3FyOfxiTK
— Kris Kashtanova (@icreatelife) May 23, 2024

Although the feature is in its infancy, it begs the question as to whether it was properly tested or merely pushed out too quickly to reap the benefits of the current AI hype.
Featured Image: Via Google AI
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BlockDAG Spearheads the Industry with $32.4 Million Presale: Assessing Updates from Ethereum And Render Network

In the ever-shifting realm of cryptocurrency, astute investors perpetually seek the next monumental breakthrough. This article focuses on Ethereum, Render, and BlockDAG—three distinct contenders shaking up the market. Let’s delve into each project’s unique features, examining their similarities, differences, and growth potential. The spotlight falls on mining prospects, highlighted by recent Ethereum withdrawals, the latest buzz around Render Network, and BlockDAG’s successful presale of $32.4 million.
With Ethereum’s robust blockchain and Render’s innovative content rendering, along with BlockDAG’s sustainable consensus algorithm, this analysis deciphers which cryptocurrency offers the most promise for miners and elucidates the reasons behind it.

Ethereum: The Stalwart of Crypto Stability
Ethereum continues to assert its dominance in the crypto sphere with its advanced blockchain technology and the robust capabilities of its smart contracts. Recently, a notable movement in the market was seen as ‘Ethereum whales’—large holders of ETH—executed massive withdrawals from their wallets, totaling an impressive 78,301 ETH in just 24 hours. These significant withdrawals are seen as a vote of confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value, underscoring its resilience in the face of market fluctuations. 

The actions of these influential investors have positively influenced the broader market sentiment, enhancing optimism across the board. Furthermore, the growing use of Ethereum in decentralized finance (DeFi) loans underscores its utility and bolsters the bullish outlook on its future price and broader impact. 
Render: Pioneering the Future of Digital Artistry
The Render Network has captured the spotlight following the integration of OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, which has significantly uplifted RNDR tokens and bolstered investor trust. The latest updates from Render Network include a noteworthy transaction on Binance, where 779,300 RNDR tokens were acquired for $8.32 million. Although the token price has slightly retreated to $10.05, the overall sentiment remains positive. Market analysts predict a potential price increase for RNDR if it maintains above critical support levels, eyeing resistance points at $11.25 and $13.50. With its cutting-edge technology for digital content rendering, Render emerges as an attractive choice for miners in search of the next profitable cryptocurrency endeavor.

BlockDAG: Charting New Heights in Crypto Innovation
BlockDAG recently made a striking impression, showcasing its advanced technology at London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus, and celebrating key milestones from its presale events. Striving to secure $100 million in liquidity, BlockDAG stands out from peers like Ethereum and Dogecoin. The swift selling out of Batch 14 coins priced at $0.0085 each, followed by the brisk sales of Batch 15 at $0.009, has produced a staggering 800% return for initial investors.
At the heart of BlockDAG’s operation is its eco-friendly consensus algorithm, which pushes transaction speeds to ten blocks per second without sacrificing environmental principles. This blend of efficiency and sustainability accelerates processing and fortifies community stability. 

Furthermore, BlockDAG’s roadmap, accelerated by four months, has captivated global investors and cemented their confidence, contributing to a robust presale total of $32.4 million towards a $600 million target, with aspirations to elevate the coin’s value to $10 by 2025.
Furthermore, BlockDAG also introduces multiple avenues for revenue, including a unique mobile mining feature, allowing users to accumulate up to 20 BDAG coins daily. The forthcoming X1 mobile app, slated for a beta release on June 1st, promises to boost profitability for miners and traders alike. 
Additionally, a thoughtfully planned vesting period for presale coins aligns with the long-term strategic goals, fostering both trust and stability among the investors and the broader community. This strategic framework positions BlockDAG as a top mining prospect and a beacon for new investments in the cryptocurrency market.
To Conclude
Analyzing Ethereum, Render, and BlockDAG, it is evident that each offers unique benefits and holds the potential for substantial growth. Ethereum remains steady due to its solid infrastructure and positive market movements. Render is carving out a niche with its innovative digital solutions and strong backing. However, BlockDAG distinguishes itself with its eco-friendly mining, quick transaction rates, and outstanding presale achievements of $32.4 million, making it an exceptional option for miners and investors looking to the future.

Join BlockDAG Presale Now:
Website: https://blockdag.network
Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network
Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial
Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu
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Women in AI: Chinasa T. Okolo researches AI’s impact on the Global South

Chinasa T. Okolo researches AI policy and governance in the Global South.
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Disrupt 2024 early-bird tickets fly away next Friday

TechCrunch Disrupt takes place on October 28–30 in San Francisco. While the event is a few months away, the deadline to secure your early-bird tickets and save up to $800 is fast approaching. You have until May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT to take advantage of this great deal! The countdown is on. With only […]
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