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"Google Fires 28 Employees for Protesting Israeli Cloud Contract"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Business Insider

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Source: Business Insider

Google fired 28 employees who participated in in-office protests in California and NYC against the company's $1.2 billion joint contract with Amazon for Project Nimbus, which provides services to Israel's government. The protests were organized by the tech group No Tech for Apartheid, which claims the contract enables the Israeli government to surveil and displace Palestinians. Nine workers were arrested, and the company's head of security described the protests as "extremely disruptive." Google stated that the contract is for workloads running on its commercial cloud by Israeli government ministries and does not involve highly sensitive or classified military projects relevant to weapons or intelligence services.

"Google Implements AI-Driven Restructuring, Cuts Jobs and Shifts Roles Abroad"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC

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Source: CNBC

Google is restructuring its finance organization, including layoffs and relocations, to prioritize investments in artificial intelligence, according to a memo from Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat. The move follows a broader effort to reallocate resources as advertising growth slows, with CEO Sundar Pichai indicating more job cuts in 2024. The restructuring will impact finance teams globally, with the creation of "hubs" in cities like Bangalore and Dublin, while maintaining a significant presence in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company aims to become more efficient and align resources with its biggest product priorities.

"Google's Cost-Cutting Measures: More Layoffs and Overseas Job Relocations"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters

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Source: Reuters

Alphabet-owned Google is laying off an unspecified number of employees and shifting some roles abroad as part of cost-cutting measures, with affected employees being able to apply for internal roles. The layoffs are not company-wide and a small percentage of impacted roles will move to hubs the company is investing in, including India, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dublin. This follows a series of job cuts across Google and the tech industry, with fears that more layoffs may occur as companies navigate economic uncertainty.

"Amazon Expands Just Walk Out Technology to Other Retailers Despite Removal from Own Stores"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Associated Press

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Source: The Associated Press

Amazon is discontinuing its cashier-less Just Walk Out technology at its Amazon Fresh grocery stores in the U.S., but plans to sell the system to over 120 third-party businesses by the end of the year. The company will replace Just Walk Out with smart carts at its U.S. Fresh stores, while continuing to offer the technology at Amazon Go convenience stores and some Amazon Fresh stores in the U.K. The move reflects Amazon's efforts to revamp its grocery offerings and attract more customers. Despite recent viral social media posts, Amazon is emphasizing that the technology is not powered by contractors manually adding up items, but rather uses cameras, AI, and sensor trackers.

"Amazon Expands Just Walk Out Technology to Other Retailers, Debunks Surveillance Claims"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC

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Source: CNBC

Amazon is set to sell its smart grocery carts to other retailers, with Price Chopper and McKeever's Market stores in Kansas and Missouri already testing the technology. The Dash Cart, which allows customers to scan products as they shop and skip the checkout line, uses computer vision and sensors to track and tally items in real time. Amazon's move follows its strategy of offering its retail technology to third-party retailers, similar to its "Just Walk Out" cashier-less system. Despite recent layoffs in its physical store technology teams, Amazon remains committed to advancing these technologies, although its cashier-less systems have faced scrutiny over privacy concerns.

"LinkedIn's AI-Powered Premium Company Pages: Exclusive Tools for Small Business Growth"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by TechCrunch

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Source: TechCrunch

LinkedIn is testing a new Premium Company Page subscription service for small and medium businesses, offering AI-assisted content creation and tools to boost follower counts for a monthly fee starting at $99. The move reflects LinkedIn's efforts to diversify its business model and provide a safer space for professionals. The Premium Company Page subscription joins a range of premium offerings for organizations on the platform, contributing to LinkedIn's significant revenue growth from premium services.

"Apple CEO Tim Cook Boosts Investments in Vietnam Amid Supply Chain Shift"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Finance

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Source: Yahoo Finance

Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed the company's intention to increase investment in Vietnam during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, with a focus on boosting spending on local suppliers and supporting clean water initiatives for schools. Vietnam is already a key manufacturing hub for Apple, with the company's spending reaching $15.84 billion and creating 200,000 jobs. The tech giant manufactures products such as iPads, AirPods, and Apple Watches in Vietnam, with 25 suppliers in the country as of 2022. Additionally, Vietnam seeks support from Apple in renewable energy development and high-quality human resource training, while activists recently urged the company to address Vietnam's detention of climate experts.

"Microsoft's $1.5 Billion Investment in Emirati AI Firm G42 Signals High-Stakes Tech Play"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters

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Source: Reuters

Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in UAE-based AI firm G42, acquiring a minority stake and a board seat, with the two companies deepening ties amid global tech competition. The deal includes assurances to the US and UAE governments over security, with G42 using Microsoft cloud services for its AI applications. The partnership comes amidst US concerns over Chinese technological advances and ties between China and the Gulf states. The investment marks a strategic alignment between the two organizations and aims to bring advanced AI and digital infrastructure to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

Tesla Secures Semiconductor Deal with Tata Electronics

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Finance

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Source: Yahoo Finance

Tesla has reportedly struck a deal with India's Tata Electronics to source semiconductor chips for its global operations, indicating a growing focus on the Indian market. Tata Electronics is set to become a key supplier for major global firms, bolstering India's position in the semiconductor value chain. The specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, but Tata Electronics is actively recruiting foreign professionals to enhance its semiconductor technology and operations. This move aligns with Tata's broader agenda to foster domestic technology and tap into global expertise. Meanwhile, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk is planning a visit to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announce investments in EV manufacturing facilities, as part of the company's strategy to enter India's rapidly growing automotive market.

"IKEA Introduces Revolutionary Inflatable Gaming Chair"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Dezeen

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Source: Dezeen

IKEA has unveiled its Brännboll collection of gaming furniture, including an inflatable chair, designed to challenge traditional gaming design stereotypes and cater to the growing number of casual gamers. The collection features moveable and flexible seating, spill-proof accessories, and storage solutions, with a focus on blending into the home when not in use. The Brännboll collection is currently being previewed at Milan design week and is set to be released in September 2024.