Tech News Recap: Meta Connect 2024, OpenAI Departures, and More

Main Events

Meta Connect 2024 Unveils Cutting-Edge Technology

Meta Connect 2024 took place this week, featuring the latest innovations in hardware and software to advance AI and the metaverse. CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced new Quest headsets, updates to Meta’s Llama AI model, and real-time video capabilities of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. The star of the show was Orion, a prototype of true AR glasses labeled as “the most advanced glasses the world has ever seen.”

High-level Departures at OpenAI

OpenAI CTO Mira Murati announced her departure after over six years with the company. Shortly after, chief research officer Bob McGrew and research VP Barret Zoph also left. These exits occurred just days before OpenAI’s annual developer conference.

Lawsuit Against CloudKitchens

An early CloudKitchens employee, Isabella Vincenza, is suing the company for wrongful termination, sex discrimination, and a hostile work environment. She alleges facing a toxic “bro culture” and retaliation for advocating for herself during her pregnancy and maternity leave.

In-Depth Analysis

OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode Launch

OpenAI introduced Advanced Voice Mode with a fresh design, five new voices, and enhanced accent capabilities for ChatGPT’s Plus and Teams users, following delays and controversy.

YC Demo Day Highlights Innovative Companies

Y Combinator’s “Demo Day” showcased the latest batch of companies, with a strong focus on AI-powered solutions. Several standout companies presented their groundbreaking offerings at the event.

Employee Dissatisfaction at Amazon

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s announcement of a full return-to-office policy by 2025 has sparked discontent among employees who prefer the current hybrid work setup. An internal survey revealed significant dissatisfaction with the new directive.

Legal Battle Between WordPress and WP Engine

A legal dispute has arisen between WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine, a hosting platform for WordPress websites. Mullenweg’s accusations in a blog post have escalated tensions between the two entities.

Meta Faces Privacy Penalty

Meta received a substantial fine of $101.5 million from Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for a 2019 data breach that exposed millions of Facebook passwords. This latest privacy incident adds to Meta’s regulatory challenges.