😬 Tesla Delays Robotaxi Launch

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Hey Waivly Crew! 🌊 In today’s edition, Tesla delays the unveiling of its robotaxi to October, citing the need for additional development time. Meanwhile, Intuit announces significant layoffs as it shifts focus towards AI development.

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Here’s what’s on the horizon today:

• Apple warns iPhone users of spyware attacks

• Tesla delays robotaxi event to October

• Intuit lays off 10% of staff to focus on AI

• OpenAI employee quits to avoid ‘working for the Titanic of AI’

Let’s dive in!

STORIES MAKING A SPLASH

^_TECH
Apple warns iPhone users of spyware attacks

Apple has issued a global alert to iPhone users in 98 countries, warning of potential mercenary spyware attacks — the second such campaign this year, following April's notification to users in 92 nations. Since 2021, Apple has expanded these warnings to over 150 countries, focusing on targeted attacks without specifying the attackers or affected regions.

The company's notifications, sent directly to users' devices, highlight the seriousness of the threat and urge immediate action to secure devices. Apple emphasizes the targeted nature of these attacks and the importance of vigilance.

Reports indicate recipients in India have received these warnings, paralleling previous incidents involving spyware like Pegasus affecting journalists and politicians. Apple stresses the confidentiality of its detection methods to prevent aiding attackers in evading detection.

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^_AUTOMOTIVE
Tesla delays robotaxi event to October

Tesla has postponed the unveiling of its fully autonomous robotaxi, originally scheduled for August 8th, to October. According to Bloomberg, the delay aims to provide Tesla's engineering team with additional time to develop and test prototypes internally before a public announcement.

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has reframed Tesla as an AI and robotics company rather than a traditional automaker. He has long envisioned Tesla owners using autonomous vehicles to generate income through ride-hailing services integrated into Tesla's app, though practical implementations of fully autonomous driving have faced challenges.

Tesla's current Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems still require driver attention and readiness to take control, leading to legal challenges over accidents involving these systems. Despite setbacks, Musk remains optimistic about the future of autonomous driving technology.

AI SPECIAL

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Intuit lays off 10% of staff to focus on AI

Intuit is laying off about 1,800 employees, or 10% of its workforce, to focus on AI development. CEO Sasan Goodarzi stated the layoffs are not cost-cutting measures but a strategic shift due to the evolving tech landscape. Of those laid off, 1,050 were told their performance was inadequate, while 300 positions were eliminated.

Intuit plans to hire 1,800 new employees specializing in AI roles, including engineering, product, and customer-facing positions. The reorganization will cost the company between $250 million and $260 million, leading to a 3.6% drop in stock value.

Reactions have been mixed, with some tech industry observers criticizing the public framing of the layoffs. Technologist Dare Obasanjo noted the contradictory nature of the tech industry's current state, highlighting the negative perception of labeling workers as underperformers.

^{_{AI SPECIAL}}
OpenAI employee quits to avoid ‘working for the Titanic of AI’

William Saunders, a former OpenAI employee and member of the "superalignment team," left the company, citing concerns that it was headed for disaster akin to the Titanic. Speaking on Alex Kantrowitz’s podcast, Saunders compared OpenAI's trajectory to the cautious success of the Apollo program versus the Titanic's fatal oversight of lifeboats.

Saunders criticized OpenAI for prioritizing product development over safety precautions, claiming dissenting employees faced repercussions and leadership was profit-driven. He likened leadership decisions to those of the Titanic's builders, the White Star Line, suggesting a disregard for potential risks.

This criticism echoes sentiments from Elon Musk, OpenAI's estranged co-founder, who previously sued the company over mission deviations. Concerns over trust and safety also led former employees to establish rival AI firm Anthropic in 2021.

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THE WAVES

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