Business & Tech News: Did Elon Musk’s X Secretly Slow Down Access to Disliked Websites?

Are you prepared for the latest updates in AI, security, and app developments? Then here’s our news digest, bringing you insights into recent security company layoffs, the latest developments of X (formerly Twitter), and a spotlight on Marqo — an open-source vector search engine tailored for AI applications. Join us as we dive into the top stories that have dominated the headlines over the past two weeks.

AI

Introducing Marqo: open source vector search for AI applications

Marqo, an Australian startup, offers an end-to-end solution for unstructured data challenges in AI. Founded by Jesse Clark and Tom Hamer, Marqo’s vector search system covers vector generation, storage, and retrieval in a single API. Unlike others, it continuously learns from user engagement, which is especially valuable for e-commerce.

The startup offers both open-source and Marqo Cloud options. The open-source approach fosters user customization, while Marqo Cloud ensures high performance and cost efficiency.

Marqo’s seed round attracted investments from Creator Fund, January Capital, and Cohere cofounders Ivan Zhang and Aidan Gomez. With a presence in Europe and a focus on quality and innovation, Marqo is set to redefine vector search.

Anthropic introduces an enhanced iteration of its basic LLM

Anthropic, the AI startup co-founded by former OpenAI executives Dario Amodei and Daniela Amodei, has introduced an updated version of its text-generating model accessible via an API known as Claude Instant. This new iteration, Claude Instant 1.2, builds on the strengths of Anthropic’s flagship model, Claude 2, exhibiting notable improvements in areas like mathematics, coding, reasoning, and safety. The model scored higher in coding benchmarks and math questions than its predecessor, Claude Instant 1.1.

Claude Instant 1.2 generates more structured and accurate responses, demonstrating enhancements in areas such as quote extraction, multilingual capabilities, and question answering. Besides, the model is more resilient against generating incorrect information (“hallucinations”) and attempts to bypass safety mechanisms (“jailbreaking”). Both Claude Instant 1.2 and Claude 2 utilize a context window of 100,000 tokens, which helps maintain context during text generation. Larger context windows prevent models from “forgetting” recent conversation content.

Although Anthropic’s overarching goal is to develop a revolutionary algorithm for AI self-teaching, Claude Instant is a competitor to entry-level offerings from OpenAI, Cohere, AI21 Labs, and others in the text-generating AI space.

Despite raising $1.45 billion since its 2021 launch, Anthropic’s funding falls short of its projected $5 billion requirement to build its envisioned chatbot over the next two years. The startup boasts a diverse clientele, including partners like Quora and Notion, and their models play key roles in various generative AI applications.

Google introduces Project IDX, a fresh browser-based development environment empowered by AI

Google has unveiled Project IDX, an AI-powered browser-based development environment for creating web and multiplatform apps. Currently supporting frameworks like Angular, Flutter, Next.js, React, Svelte, and Vue, as well as languages like JavaScript and Dart, IDX aims to enhance coding productivity and quality. Rather than building a new IDE, Google utilizes Visual Studio Code as its foundation.

The integration with Google’s PaLM 2-based model, Codey, enables smart code completion and a chatbot for general coding help. Project IDX also allows contextual code actions and integrates with Firebase Hosting and Google Cloud Functions. While still in the early stages, Google plans to expand its capabilities over time, positioning IDX in the competitive AI coding landscape.

Security

SecureWorks and UK cybersecurity giant NCC cut off the workforce

Again layoffs? Yes. This time, SecureWorks will cut 15% of its workforce in a second round of layoffs this year. This move, driven to simplify and scale the business, will face around $14.2 million in expenses. CEO Wendy Thomas emphasized the need for profitable growth. The company previously reduced its workforce by 9% in February. Approximately 300 employees will be affected by the recent layoffs, with their last day set for August 25. 

As well as NCC Group, a major cybersecurity company in the UK, has confirmed a new round of layoffs following a 7% workforce reduction a few months ago. The Manchester-based firm is experiencing its second round of job cuts within six months. The company attributed these actions to market dynamics and client demands, reflecting industry-wide challenges. This follows their earlier announcement in February to cut 125 employees in the UK and North America. This trend of cybersecurity layoffs aligns with similar actions by Rapid7, HackerOne, and Bishop Fox.

Apps

Latest news at X, ex-known as Twitter

X allegedly throttles access to certain websites 

X, previously known as Twitter, remains tirelessly active. It consistently introduces new features or improves existing ones, or … slows down access to Threads. Websites including The New York Times, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Reuters, and Substack experienced a 5-second delay in loading their pages when accessed through X. This potential throttling looks like an effort of Elon Musk to decrease traffic and ad revenue for these sites. This incident isn’t the first time Musk’s personal disputes have influenced platform actions, as he previously blocked links and revoked verification status from various sources.

Elon Musk’s X turns TweetDeck into paid subscriber-only service

X has transformed X Pro (formerly TweetDeck) into a subscriber-only product. Users trying to access TweetDeck are prompted to buy a Blue subscription. This change aligns with the company’s earlier announcement that TweetDeck would become exclusive to verified users within 30 days. The transition was slightly delayed from the initially projected timeline. TweetDeck, which had been widely used by newsrooms, journalists, researchers, and social media consultants, was acquired by Twitter in 2011. Musk’s X has introduced various subscription benefits, including verification mark control, longer text and video posting, reduced ads, DM encryption, and ad revenue sharing.

X introduces a “Highlights” tab for paid users to showcase posts

X has introduced a new “Highlights” tab for paid users, allowing them to feature selected posts prominently on their profiles. While the platform already permitted pinning a single tweet to profiles, this feature expands the capacity to showcase multiple posts. The “Highlights” tab could be valuable for artists, authors, or content creators seeking to spotlight their work. Subscribers can easily add or remove posts from this tab.

Will X soon launch the possibility of video calls?

X is set to introduce video call functionality as part of its transformation into an “everything app,” according to CEO Linda Yaccarino. Users will be able to make video chat calls without sharing their phone numbers. The move aligns with owner Elon Musk’s vision to expand the platform’s offerings, including video content, long-form posts, creator subscriptions, and payments. Yaccarino, who joined in June, supports Musk’s concept of an “everything app” and clarified her role in leading various aspects of the company’s operations, while Musk focuses on product design and technology.

Meet Alex Chriss – the new CEO of PayPal

PayPal is appointing Alex Chriss as its new CEO, succeeding Dan Schulman, effective September 27, 2023. Chriss, a former Intuit executive, brings extensive experience in global payments, product development, and technology. Chriss oversaw Intuit’s Small Business and Self-Employed Group, driving substantial growth in customers and revenues. He also led Intuit’s acquisition of Mailchimp. Chriss is supported by PayPal’s board and its CEO search committee. He takes the helm as PayPal experiences restructuring and continues its growth initiatives. Exiting CEO Schulman significantly expanded PayPal’s revenues and active accounts during his tenure.