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- #54. ποΈ OpenAI CEO testifies in Congress | π¦ NYC congestion pricing plan | ποΈ Rimac Nevera EV hypercar breaks 23 records in 1 day
#54. ποΈ OpenAI CEO testifies in Congress | π¦ NYC congestion pricing plan | ποΈ Rimac Nevera EV hypercar breaks 23 records in 1 day
Plus: Samsung's ChatGPT clone | WHO's ChatGPT health warning | 50 climate tech companies for 2023 | 1.5*C warming | Toyota's anti-BEV playbook | China's EV emissions |
π€ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee to advocate for light-handed legislation that allows artificial intelligence (AI) to rapidly advance. Altman discussed the societal benefits of AI, while other expert witnesses expressed skepticism and raised concerns about unintended harms. Altman supports regulation of AI but emphasized the importance of balancing safety with wide access to the technology. He recommended new safety requirements and testing for AI products. Altman and AI expert Gary Marcus both proposed the creation of a government agency staffed by AI experts to monitor AI development and set standards. The extent of AI's impact on jobs was debated, with Altman believing in significant job impact but Marcus cautioning against threats to most jobs. Altman also addressed the issue of accountability and potential liability for AI-generated content.
Samsung is reportedly making advancements in the development of solid-state batteries and plans to manufacture them for different market segments. Samsung Electro-Mechanics aims to research and develop oxide-based solid-state batteries for mobile devices, while Samsung SDI will focus on sulfide electrolyte-based batteries for electric vehicles. Solid-state batteries offer benefits such as higher energy storage and improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Samsung's progress in this area could make them a significant player in the market, alongside other companies interested in solid-state battery technology.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a "health warning" regarding ChatGPT and Google Bard. These AI language models have raised concerns about misinformation, biased content, and the potential impact on mental health. The WHO is urging caution in relying solely on AI-generated information and emphasizes the importance of human oversight and critical evaluation of the content generated by these models.
π€ππ€― COOL AI TOOLS, APPS, VIDEOS, PODCASTS, LINKS, AND MORE!
π‘οΈ CLIMATE CHANGE & CLEAN ENERGY
This is an exhaustive list of 50 climate tech companies to pay attention to in 2023, including founder and funding information.
New York City's congestion pricing plan, known as the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP), is moving closer to reality. The plan aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by implementing tolls for vehicles entering the central business district during peak hours. The Federal Highway Administration has approved the program's environmental assessment, paving the way for further development. Funds raised from the tolls will be used to improve mass transportation infrastructure. The exact rollout date is yet to be determined, but it is expected to happen in spring 2024.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has stated that global temperatures are now more likely than not to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming within the next five years. While this doesn't mean crossing the long-term threshold set by the Paris Agreement, it indicates a significant trend. With a 66% chance of temporarily reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2027, it highlights the world's failure to make sufficient progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The development of an El NiΓ±o weather pattern is also expected to contribute to the rise in temperatures. The WMO warns that this report should serve as a call to intensify global efforts to address the climate crisis.
π AUTONOMOUS & ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Toyota is taking a cautious approach to electric vehicles (EVs) and focusing more on hybrids, according to a leaked dealer document. The automaker cites the increasing costs and difficulty of sourcing materials for batteries as a reason to prioritize hybrids, which can be produced at more affordable price points. Toyota also points out that the charging infrastructure in the US is not yet ready for a large-scale adoption of EVs. Additionally, the reduced interest in EVs due to changes in tax credit eligibility is mentioned. Toyota continues to offer EV and plug-in hybrid models but maintains its cautious approach.
The Rimac Nevera electric hypercar has set 23 performance records in a single day, solidifying its position as one of the highest-performing vehicles. The records, independently verified by third-party companies, include a 0-400 km/h (249 mph) acceleration time of 21.31 seconds, surpassing the official 0-60 mph acceleration spec of 1.85 seconds. Rimac Automobili, the Croatian company behind the Nevera, plans to produce 150 units of the hypercar, priced at $2.4 million each. The achievement highlights the potential of electric hypercars to outperform traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
A study reveals that Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) achieve greater emissions reductions over time due to improved efficiency and a greener power grid. In 2020, EVs emitted around 40% fewer emissions throughout their life cycle compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, a significant increase from the 23% difference in 2015. The authors predict that by 2030, transitioning to nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries and a cleaner electricity mix could lead to a 53% emissions reduction for EVs. Despite regional variations, EVs in China can deliver significant emissions reduction benefits even in areas heavily reliant on coal for electricity production.
π THATβS ALL FOR TODAY!
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