Welcome to our weekly tech blog, your go-to destination for all things ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) and the latest updates from the tech world. Whether you're seeking career advice, staying updated on ACM events, exploring trending tech news, or getting to know prominent figures in the ACM community, we've got you covered. Join us on this weekly journey as we delve into the dynamic realm of computing, providing you with valuable insights and information to fuel your passion for technology.

Tech Releases this Week:

Tecno Pop 9 5G:

A Bold Entry-Level Smartphone Tecno has launched the Pop 9 5G, a feature-packed, budget-friendly smartphone. With its vibrant design and 5G connectivity, the Pop 9 5G aims to capture the attention of trendsetters. Highlights include a 6.6-inch Dot-In HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. It comes with a dual-camera setup featuring a 48MP Sony AI sensor and runs on Android 14-based HiOS 14. Priced at Rs 9,499 for 64GB and Rs 9,999 for 128GB, it’s available for pre-order, with sales starting on October 7.

Amazon Fire HD 8:

Affordable AI-Powered Tablet Amazon's Fire HD 8 has undergone a significant upgrade while keeping its affordability. Now with 3GB RAM and an improved 5MP camera, it enhances multitasking and media creation. Key AI-powered features include Writing Assist and Wallpaper Creator, along with web page summarization via the Silk browser, all powered through the cloud using Amazon’s custom LLM. Available for Rs 4,618 during the Prime Big Deal Days, it’s a top pick for budget-conscious consumers.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 14: Gaming Powerhouse Acer’s Predator Helios Neo 14, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, targets gamers and creators. Priced at ₹139,999, this laptop is designed for intense gaming, video editing, and 3D modeling. Available on Acer’s online store, Amazon, and Flipkart, it’s a high-performance option for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

This Week in Tech :

1.Mark Zuckerberg Becomes World’s Second-Richest Person, Surpassing Jeff Bezos with $206 Billion Net Worth

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has surpassed Jeff Bezos to become the world’s second-richest person, with a net worth of $206.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Zuckerberg's fortune has surged by $78 billion in 2024, the largest increase among the world's top 500 billionaires. This leap in wealth is primarily due to Meta's stock, which has risen nearly 70% this year, driven by investor enthusiasm and strong performance in the company’s ad business and artificial intelligence (AI) investments.

Zuckerberg's 13% stake in Meta played a significant role in this growth, as the company introduced products like its augmented reality (AR) glasses, Orion, and implemented cost-cutting measures that helped the stock rebound. Despite spending billions on virtual and augmented reality technologies, Meta's core ad business remains robust, securing investor confidence. This marks a significant turnaround for the company, which faced major layoffs in 2022 as part of Zuckerberg's restructuring efforts.

While Zuckerberg now trails only Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose net worth stands at $256 billion, the rapid growth in his wealth indicates that the gap could narrow further in the future.

2. Infinix Unveils AI∞: A Game-Changing AI Platform for Creativity, Productivity, and Global Connectivity

Infinix has introduced Infinix AI∞, a revolutionary AI platform designed to enhance creativity and productivity in daily life. Powered by models like GPT-4o and Gemini, its virtual assistant Folax supports real-time text, voice, and image inputs for personalized experiences. Key features include Live Texts∞ for extracting and summarizing data from images, Writing Tools∞ for optimizing communication, and Magic Create∞ to guide creative projects. Additionally, Visual Look Up∞ enriches travel by providing insights from photos. The AI platform is region-specific, supporting over 100 languages and tailored cultural experiences, making technology more accessible globally.

3.Elon Musk Predicts Tesla Cars Will Achieve a Full Year of Self-Driving Autonomy "Soon"

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, recently claimed that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will soon allow cars to drive for an entire year without human intervention. He made this statement ahead of the launch of Tesla's CyberCab robo-taxi, which is expected to be unveiled on October 10. Despite Musk’s optimistic prediction, independent data suggests that Tesla vehicles currently require human intervention approximately every 125 miles. Musk has a history of making bold, yet delayed, promises regarding self-driving capabilities, but recent advancements in AI have given rise to optimism that fully autonomous driving may be achievable in the near future.

4.How AI and Blockchain Will Transform the Music Industry

David Pakman, a co-founder of Apple Music Group, discusses the impact of AI on the music industry, highlighting the risk that artists may become mere resources for AI-generated content without their consent. As generative AI evolves, it raises legal questions about copyright infringement, with major lawsuits already underway. The potential legal outcomes could force creators to restrict their work, impacting visibility and discovery. Pakman argues that blockchain technology could provide a solution by allowing artists to maintain ownership of their intellectual property, track usage, and ensure fair compensation. He suggests that artists can leverage AI as a tool for creativity, promoting collaboration while safeguarding their rights in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

5.AI and Natural Gas: A New Era of Energy Dynamics

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to surge, it’s reshaping the energy landscape, particularly for natural gas. With an expected demand surge of 47 GW of additional power generation capacity in the U.S. by 2030, driven by energy-intensive AI data centers, natural gas is positioned as a crucial player. The shift towards AI has led companies like Microsoft and Vantage to prioritize natural gas over renewables to ensure consistent power supply for their operations. This trend, reflecting a broader global pattern, challenges the narrative that natural gas is merely a transitional fuel. Coupled with innovative technologies like Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR), natural gas could transform into a long-term energy solution, providing both energy security and environmental benefits as we navigate toward a cleaner energy future

6.Google's Voice-Activated AI Search: A New Era for Image Queries

Google is enhancing its search capabilities with a voice-activated AI feature that allows users to ask questions about images using the Lens tool. This update aims to streamline the search experience, making it more conversational and user-friendly, particularly for younger audiences. With over 20 billion queries processed monthly through Lens, the new feature will enable users to engage with moving visuals, such as asking questions about fish swimming in an aquarium while capturing video. While the integration of AI is expected to simplify searches, Google remains cautious about the accuracy of AI-generated content, addressing past inaccuracies that impacted credibility. As Google adapts its search engine to these advancements, it underscores its commitment to evolving alongside technology and responding to competitive pressures from AI-powered alternatives.

7. BharatPe's Legal Saga: Ashneer Grover's Settlement Raises Concerns Over Corporate Accountability in Indian Startups

This week marked the end of a lengthy legal battle between BharatPe and its co-founder Ashneer Grover, a saga that began in January 2022 with the leak of an expletive-laden phone call. Grover and his wife, Madhuri Jain, faced allegations of fund misappropriation and corporate governance lapses, leading to their dismissal and multiple civil and criminal cases. A settlement was reached, with Grover relinquishing his stake in BharatPe, prompting concerns that investors missed a chance to address corporate governance failures that have tarnished the Indian startup image.

Grover has since cultivated a public persona through social media and platforms like “Shark Tank,” portraying himself as a champion against shareholders. However, this raises questions about his suitability as a role model given the ongoing allegations against him. In contrast, global tech figures like Sam Bankman-Fried and Elizabeth Holmes faced severe legal consequences for their fraudulent actions. This trend of founders escaping accountability, coupled with their ability to secure new funding, threatens the integrity of the Indian startup ecosystem, which must not succumb to the same issues that have long plagued corporate India.

8.Google Tests Verified Check Marks in Search Results to Combat Fraud

Google is currently testing a feature that displays check marks next to certain companies in its search results, aimed at helping users identify verified sources and avoid fraudulent websites. This initiative seeks to address the issue of misleading sites that impersonate legitimate businesses, which can mislead users and damage brand reputations. A Google spokesperson confirmed the experiment, emphasizing the company's ongoing efforts to enhance the online shopping experience by making it easier for users to recognize trustworthy businesses. The feature was spotted by The Verge, showing blue verified checkmarks next to links for companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple, although it is still in limited testing and not yet widely available to all users.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates, events, and insights from the ACM VVIT Student Chapter. Remember to subscribe to our blog to never miss a beat in the dynamic world of technology