Enerpoly, a cutting-edge battery technology company led by Eloisa de Castro, has opened the world’s first zinc-ion battery megafactory. This new facility, located in Rosersberg, near Stockholm, is a massive step in the global efforts to transition from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable energy. Safer, Greener Batteries Batteries are vital to the transition away from fossil fuels, but energy storage needs to increase six-fold to meet COP28 goals of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. The new 6,500m² Enerpoly Production Innovation Center (EPIC) aims to produce 100 MWh of
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is intensifying its efforts to combat the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by law enforcement in California, Maryland, and Minnesota. This move comes amidst growing concerns over racial bias and wrongful arrests, particularly among Black communities. Facial Recognition: A Threat to Civil Liberties? In recent years, facial recognition technology has been embraced by police departments across the United States, described as a powerful tool for identifying suspects. However, the technology has also come under fire due to its potential for racial bias and
Nvidia, a global leader in AI, has announced a strategic partnership with California Black Media (CBM) aimed at supporting Black-owned newspapers across California. This collaboration will create a resource that uses AI to preserve nearly a century of journalism by Black journalists in the state. Training AI on a Century of Black Journalism The partnership will see Nvidia train a large language model (LLM) on nearly a century of journalism produced by Black journalists within the state. This effort will not only preserve the rich history of Black journalism but
Google has reintroduced its Gemini AI software following widespread criticism of the tool’s initial release, which produced problematic and historically inaccurate images. The tech giant’s image-generating feature was initially paused after it generated offensive depictions, including images of Black Nazis and diverse renditions of America’s Founding Fathers, which sparked backlash. New Features and Safeguards Implemented In response to the controversy, Google has announced significant updates to Gemini’s image generation capabilities. The company revealed that an early access version of the tool will be made available to subscribers of Gemini Advanced,
Vista Equity Partners (Vista), under the leadership of Robert F. Smith, has acquired JAGGAER, a global leader in enterprise procurement and supplier collaboration software. This acquisition comes on the heels of Vista’s recent milestone—a record $20 billion raised for its eighth flagship fund, marking the largest fundraising in the firm’s history. A Strategic Acquisition in the AI-Driven Procurement Space JAGGAER, known for its AI-enabled procurement solutions, serves over 1,400 customers worldwide, offering a platform that optimizes sourcing, spend management, and supply chain visibility. This acquisition aligns with Vista’s strategy of
WealthMore, the fintech startup founded by Mical Jeanlys-White, has secured over $1 million in pre-seed funding according to Forbes. The company aims to make financial advice more accessible and affordable, particularly for individuals who have been historically underserved by traditional wealth management firms. Bridging the Wealth Gap with Hybrid Financial Solutions Wealthmore is a premium wealth advisor-ed, tech-enabled investing and planning service and community, launched in August 2023. The company’s approach to wealth management combines the efficiency of fintech with the personal touch of traditional financial advisors. This hybrid model
Democrats are leveraging AI to strengthen their outreach to Latine and Black voters as the 2024 election looms, according to The Guardian. Facing a challenging electoral landscape, progressive organizations and Latine and Black-led Democratic groups are adopting novel AI-driven tools to connect with voters on platforms they frequent, such as Discord and WhatsApp. These efforts are particularly focused on younger voters, who are often harder to reach through traditional methods. AI-Powered Outreach: Engaging Voters Where They Are One tool being used is Vote-E, an AI-powered chatbot developed by NextGen America,
Waza, a Y Combinator-backed fintech startup, has officially launched from stealth mode, securing $8 million in seed funding to transform how African businesses manage cross-border trade. The funding round was led by major investors including Byld Ventures, Norrsken Africa, and Timon Capital, with the aim of empowering enterprises across the continent to navigate global markets more effectively. Solving Africa’s Trade Imbalance The African continent faces a significant trade imbalance, driven by a persistent demand for the dollar—a currency essential for international trade. This demand often surpasses supply, resulting in higher costs
Charlamagne Tha God, the media mogul and co-host of The Breakfast Club, has entered the into AI and emerging technology world by investing in MeetKai, a company in immersive AI. Charlamagne Tha God Ventures Partners with MeetKai As part of this move, Charlamagne will also serve as MeetKai’s first-ever strategic advisor, a role that will see him working closely with the company to expand its platform. Charlamagne will focus on helping MeetKai enhance its platform, particularly in delivering unique, immersive experiences that combine reality with digital innovation. “Charlamagne is one
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is exploring the possibility of collecting biometric data, including facial recognition, from migrant children, extending even to infants, according to Technology Review. This potential policy shift, revealed by John Boyd, Assistant Director of the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), has sparked concerns among privacy advocates and lawmakers. Expanding Biometric Surveillance During a June conference, Boyd explained OBIM’s interest in tracking the identities of migrant children over time. The initiative aims to address challenges in recognizing individuals as they age, particularly those who
