All articles tagged with #tech conference
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar revealed at Goldman Sachs' conference that the company is raising billions at a $500 billion valuation, with a revenue of approximately $13 billion this year, driven by a booming consumer and enterprise AI business, significant user growth worldwide, and advancements in model technology and cost efficiency.
A Google employee was fired after interrupting a tech conference with an anti-Israel rant, accusing the company of "powering genocide" and referencing the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The disruption occurred during a lecture by Google Israel's managing director, Barak Regev, and the employee was swiftly escorted out by security. The outburst was related to Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion contract between Amazon Web Services, Google, and Israel, which provides cloud services for the Israeli government and military. Google confirmed the termination, stating that the behavior was not acceptable and violated company policies.
A software engineer revealed that an upcoming tech conference, DevTernity, only had three women speakers listed, two of whom turned out to be fake profiles. The conference, which claims to be inclusive, operates on the "Hollywood Principle" and does not actively seek out women speakers. One of the fake profiles, Anna Boyko, was removed from the speaker list after the revelation, while another fake profile, Julia Kirsina, was allegedly run by the conference founder. The organizers' decision to create fake women speakers instead of reaching out to actual women has been criticized as disrespectful and lazy.
Executives from Microsoft and Amazon have withdrawn from an upcoming software conference after it was revealed that at least one of the featured speakers was an AI-generated woman with a fake title. The organizer of DevTernity, Eduards Sizovs, admitted to the use of fake profiles but denied any intention to mask the lack of diversity in the lineup. The revelation prompted other speakers to drop out, highlighting the importance of inclusive representation at tech conferences. DevTernity, previously held in Riga, Latvia, has transitioned to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Web Summit, has resigned following his comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict, which led to major tech companies like Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon canceling their participation in the annual tech conference. Cosgrave expressed his personal opposition to Israel's counterattacks in Gaza on social media, triggering backlash and cancellations. He later apologized for the timing and lack of compassion in his comments.
A women's tech conference was infiltrated by men claiming to be "non-binary," causing outrage among attendees. Some onlookers found the situation amusing, while others criticized the loose definitions of gender that allowed this to happen. The conference organizers expressed disappointment and called out those who had lied about their gender. Attendees reported that men took opportunities away from women, leading to frustration and tears. The incident sparked a debate about the need for stricter definitions and regulations regarding gender identity at such events.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, a major tech conference, is set to begin tomorrow with various discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. The event will feature conversations on topics like sustainability at Apple and the future of education with AI, as well as presentations on AI, sustaining tech companies, and more. The Startup Battlefield will showcase 200 companies competing for a $100,000 prize, while the Expo Hall will host early-stage startups from around the world. Attendees can also network in the Networking Zone and enjoy various after-hours events throughout the week. Latecomers can still purchase passes to join the event.
Dreamforce, the tech mega-conference organized by Salesforce, is set to bring 43,000 attendees to San Francisco, with an additional 200,000 registered to attend online. The event will focus on artificial intelligence and aims to provide three days of learning, networking, and entertainment. While concerns about crime, drugs, and homelessness in the city have raised questions about the event's future, city officials and business leaders are taking steps to ensure visitor safety. Dreamforce is expected to inject $90 million into the local economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.
Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg joked about having a cage fight during a recent tech conference in Paris. Musk also spoke about the importance of freedom of speech, while Zuckerberg discussed the challenges of regulating content on social media platforms.