Sam Altman's crypto masterplan

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

The controversial Worldcoin project just got a major upgrade — with new security features and integrations with major platforms like Reddit and Shopify.

Despite skepticism and ethical questions, Sam Altman continues his ‘proof of humanity’ push as AI continues to disrupt. Let’s dig deeper…

In today’s tech rundown:

• Worldcoin launches ID 2.0, adds major app integrations

• Brain-inspired supercomputer to launch in 2024

• 8 new products

• Etsy axes 11% of workforce amid reorg, leadership drama

• Tesla issues ‘digital’ recall for nearly all U.S. vehicles

• Major X outage breaks links across platform

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

WORLDCOIN

👁️ Worldcoin launches ID 2.0, adds major app integrations

The Rundown: Crypto startup Worldcoin just revealed app integrations with major platforms like Minecraft, Reddit, Shopify and more as part of its World ID 2.0 release — also adding security upgrades like facial authentication, new account options and more control.

The details:

• World ID 2.0 offers improved bot detection, with integration allowing platforms to grant special community access or privileges based on identity confirmation.

• Users can now pick from three tiers: casual account sign-up, iris scans at Orb kiosks, and extra facial verification for maximal security.

• The project’s global expansion also continues, recently launching ID services in Mexico and Singapore with plans to spread across Asia.

• Past data privacy concerns in places like Kenya remain, as does criticism around targeting developing nations with sign-up incentives.

Why it matters: As AI continues to improve and disrupt nearly every aspect of life, digital identity and proof of humanity will become increasingly vital. While it seems controversial, Sam Altman’s plan may eventually be more prescient than anyone imagined.

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SUPERCOMPUTERS

🧠 Brain-inspired supercomputer to launch in 2024

The Rundown: Researchers at Western Sydney University are set to switch on a powerful new supercomputer in 2024 — the first capable of simulating the human brain's entire neural activity in real time.

The details:

• Named ‘DeepSouth’, the supercomputer’s hardware chip design directly mimics the brain's connections — using a more energy efficient approach than traditional computers.

• With performance equaling an estimated 228 trillion (!) synapse operations per second (on par with our brains), it aims to unlock new neuroscience insights.

• Developers believe crafting machines that harness biological thinking’s parallelism and low power needs is key to future computing.

• Neuromorphic systems like this further that goal of building brain-like intelligence.

The relevance: As computer energy consumption swells unsustainably, bio-inspired architecture offers a desperately needed shift towards efficiency. And learning new insights about human brain functionality could open the door for new technological leaps.

NEW PRODUCTS

👨‍💼 Aesop- Your AI-powered SaaS to find smart, distinctive names and the stories they tell – for your new brand, business, product, or project (link)*

👾 CodeKidz- Master coding through fun with AI mentors (link)

🎲 AI Adventure- Transform tales into interactive games effortlessly (link)

💡 App Mint AI- Unleash your creative potential with AI-driven text tools (link)

🎅 Hi Santa- Chat live with Santa Claus and his festive crew using real-time voice communication (link)

🔗 Seemless- Create your ultimate bio link with AI-driven website generation, video/podcast editing, interactive file chats, and Notion-based site creation tools (link)

📝 Yarnit- Create engaging content at the speed of your thought (link)

👩🏽‍🍳ChefGPT- AI digital chef & kitchen companion (link)

Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.

* = This is sponsored content

SNIPPETS

An outage on X (formerly known as Twitter), led to a temporary issue where users could not access outgoing links.

Etsy is reducing its workforce by approximately 11 percent, undergoing a leadership shuffle, and reorganizing internally.

EU regulators are expected to formally rule against Apple in response to Spotify's complaint regarding App Store policies.

Mark Zuckerberg announced that Threads is commencing trials to integrate ActivityPub, allowing its content to be shared on Mastodon and others.

Barbara Furlow-Smiles, a former Facebook DEI executive, pleaded guilty to embezzling over $4 million from the company using a fraudulent scheme.

Tesla is recalling nearly all of its two million US-sold vehicles to update a driver monitoring feature linked to its Autopilot system — though the update will be pushed digitally.

Brazil's Senate has passed legislation that facilitates the creation of a regulated sports betting market, while rejecting the expansion into igaming.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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