🎨 OpenAI Unveils DALL-E 3: Smarter Context Understanding, ChatGPT Integration, and Robust Security Features

Happy Thursday, tech enthusiasts!

It's September 21, and we're back with another round of the latest and greatest happenings in the tech world. From groundbreaking AI upgrades to legal battles that could shape the industry, there's no shortage of news to keep you informed and inspired. Grab your coffee, and let's dive in!

• Revolutionizing Alexa: Amazon's AI Upgrade Enhances Echo

• GitHub Extends AI Assistant to Individual Users

• OpenAI Unveils DALL-E 3: Smarter Context & ChatGPT Integration

• Authors Sue OpenAI for Copyright Infringement

• Klaviyo Post-IPO Valuation Surpasses $9 Billion

• Meta Developing WhatsApp App for iPad

• and more...

READ TIME: 5.0 MINUTES

Tech Companies

Meta Offers Paid Verification to Businesses, Promises Enhanced Features (3-minute read)

Meta will soon let businesses purchase a verification badge for enhanced features, priority support, and increased visibility across its platforms.

Apple Puts Brakes on Robin Hood-style Trading App Amid Concerns (7-minute read)

Apple and Goldman Sachs have halted the development of a stock trading app, refocusing efforts on the high-yield Apple Savings.

Airbnb Takes Down 59,000 Fake Listings, Deploys AI to Tackle Fraud (7-minute read)

Airbnb has removed 59,000 fraudulent listings this year and averted a further 157,000 from joining the platform. Faced with customer dissatisfaction over high cleaning fees, the global home-sharing conglomerate also initiated a pricing reform: over 260,000 hosts reduced or removed cleaning fees. Airbnb plans to implement ""seasonal dynamic pricing"" to encourage price flexibility. Additionally, Airbnb will utilize AI to verify all its listings in its top five markets, including the US and UK, to combat the surge in false listings.

Salesforce Experiences Multi-Cloud Platform Outbreak, Massive Outage Cripples Tableau and Mulesoft (7-minute read)

Salesforce underwent a four-hour outage affecting multiple clouds; an internal update, not third-party issues, was later identified as the cause.

AI Corner

Revolutionizing Alexa: Amazon's New AI Upgrade Set To Enhance Echo Devices (3-minute read)

Amazon has introduced a new generative AI model to enhance user experiences across its Echo devices. This latest model will be particularly optimized for voice-based interactions and desirable features, according to an announcement at Amazon's HQ2 headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

GitHub Extends AI Coding Assistant to Individual Users: A Game Changer? (3-minute read)

GitHub has expanded the public beta of its AI-powered Copilot Chat tool to individual users, following its launch for business users in July. The tool offers coding assistance via an AI assistant in Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code, aiding with tasks like learning new languages, troubleshooting, and answering coding questions. GitHub charges $10 monthly or $100 yearly for individual Copilot access.

OpenAI Unveils DALL-E 3: Smarter Context Understanding, ChatGPT Integration, and Robust Security Features (5-minute read)

OpenAI announced the third iteration of its AI-assisted art platform, DALL-E. The platform can now interact with ChatGPT to form image creation prompts, enhancing user convenience and creativity. In the new version, improved contextual understanding helps rectify previous errors, plus additional safety measures mitigate the generation of inappropriate image content. Furthermore, artists can opt their artwork out of future versions to prevent mimicking, following legal disputes faced by other AI art platforms. The initial release will extend to select ChatGPT users, with wider deployment planned later.

Renowned Authors Sue OpenAI, Alleging Copyright Infringement (7-minute read)

Prominent authors, including George R.R. Martin and Jodi Picoult, have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that its chatbot technology, ChatGPT, copies their works without permission. The suit, also supported by the Authors Guild, accuses the tech firm of utilizing copyrighted works in their large language models, hampering the livelihoods of fiction writers. The plaintiffs seek damages for lost licensing opportunities and market appropriation.

Markets & Money

Klaviyo Soars 23% Post-IPO, Surpassing $9 Billion Valuation in Just Days (8-minute read)

Klaviyo's IPO soared on its debut, valuing the software company at around $9 billion. The company's robust revenue growth and strong private market valuation are seen as positive signals for the growth of the IPO market.

Fed Holds Rates, Indicates Prolonged High Levels: Key Takeaways (3-minute read)

The Federal Reserve decided against raising interest rates, suggesting extended durations of higher rates.

Apps & Gadgets

WhatsApp Unveils 'Flows' to Enhance In-app Shopping Experiences (8-minute read)

WhatsApp introduces Flows for in-app tasks, broadening merchant tools and user experiences. Expanded payment support launched in India alongside tests for a new personalized messages feature for businesses.

Unveiling Amazon's Supercharged Fire TV Max at $59.99, Pre-Orders Open Now (3-minute read)

Amazon's September 2023 launch event introduces Fire TV Max, the robust streaming stick with advanced features, pre-orderable at $59.99.

Meta Developing Official WhatsApp App for iPad: Increasing User Convenience (6-minute read)

Meta is developing an official WhatsApp app for iPads, allowing independent use without a connected iPhone, with no confirmed release date yet.

Revamped Amazon Echo Frames: More Stylish and Power-Boosted (3-minute read)

Amazon's updated Echo Frames feature improved battery life and multipoint pairing, with seven new fashionable styles priced at $269.99.