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Johnny Boufarhat

Startup Visionary to Global Success: Journey of Johnny Boufarhat

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Johnny Boufarhat was compelled to stay inside due to an uncommon allergy to his well-being. Hopin which is an online meetings solution that enables individuals to network virtually in creative ways, swap e-business cards, and obtain an overview of their relationships after a meeting, was the result of his dissatisfaction and requirement for human touch.

Johnny Boufarhat
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Hopin, which was founded in 2019, currently has a value of 7.8 billion USD, and Johnny Boufarhat, 27 years old, is considered among the world’s youngest independent billionaires having total assets of approximately 3.2 billion USD.

His business has achieved prosperity in an unusual way by operating as a completely remote business without having an at-home office or physical location.

Hopin was ready to capitalize on the demand for dependable virtual meeting places after the covid epidemic forced organizations all over the world to switch to hybrid or entirely online operations, propelling its enormous and quick development. Hopin had six workers prior to the pandemic.

Also Read: Dustin Moskovitz: Facebook Co-founder turned Billionaire

The workforce swiftly increased to over 800 with the goal to hasten the site’s debut and sustain its rate of development. Hopin is the most rapidly expanding European digital firm ever after its flourishing debut and subsequent funding, soaring to a five-billion-dollar worth in less than 20 months.

“Quite a few things that had to click in place for that to happen were out of my control,” Boufarhat said of the company’s success. “It’s actually sad, we wish Covid never happened. We were still growing fast pre-Covid but obviously Covid was a massive accelerator for the company.”

Boufarhat was born in Sydney on June 1st, 1994, in Australia to an Armenian accountant mother and a Lebanese mechanical engineer father. He attended the Dubai American Academy for his early schooling. He traveled to the UK to pursue further education, where he attended the University of Manchester to study the field of mechanical engineering.

Hopin credits that accomplishment to its explosive income growth, which was stimulated by the epidemic, which canceled live events like conferences. CEO Johnny Boufarhat in discussion with The Information disclosed that Hopin’s income had increased by over 50 times, from 450,000 USD in March to approximately twenty-five million dollars in annualized periodic revenue.

Chatgpt

Why is Congress limiting the use of Chatgpt in the offices?

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According to a recent report from Axios, the House of Representatives has introduced new regulations concerning the utilization of ChatGPT in congressional offices.

The report states that non-ChatGPT chatbots are currently not authorized for use. In a memorandum released on Monday, House Chief Administrative Chief Catherine L. Szpindor specified that lawmakers and staff are now limited to employing ChatGPT Plus, the paid version of the chatbot, due to its advanced privacy features.

chatgpt
Image Source: tech.co

The usage of the product is strictly confined to “research and evaluation” purposes, with privacy settings enabled. Additionally, offices are prohibited from inputting any non-public text into the service.

Several private companies, including industry giants like Samsung and Apple, have already imposed restrictions or outright bans on the usage of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. These companies have expressed concerns about the potential leakage of confidential data through these tools.

These concerns are reinforced by previous privacy mishaps by OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, such as a bug that temporarily exposed chat histories to other users.

Also Read: Can the iPhone 16 be cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro?

In the memorandum issued on Monday, Szpindor explicitly stated that no other versions of ChatGPT or similar AI software based on large language models are currently authorized for use in the House.

This announcement follows Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent call for Congress to expedite the enactment of new legislation aimed at regulating the artificial intelligence industry. Schumer has presented a framework that outlines Congress’ focus areas, including the potential risks of AI to national security and employment.

Schumer emphasized the significance of AI as an innovative force that can usher in technological advancements, scientific discoveries, and industrial growth. He stressed the need to encourage innovation while ensuring its safety. Failure to provide a sense of security around AI development could hinder progress in this field.

Lawmakers in both the Senate and the House have already introduced several bills aimed at regulating the AI industry this year. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) recently proposed a measure that seeks to exclude AI companies from the protections of Section 230, thereby exposing these companies and their products to legal liability.

Furthermore, Congress has initiated discussions with prominent figures from the industry. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and creator of ChatGPT, received a warm welcome from the Senate in May.

Other proposed measures include requesting federal agencies to review their AI policies and establishing a new commission tasked with studying and establishing regulations for the industry.

Microsoft

Why Microsoft wants to move Windows fully to the cloud?

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Microsoft is making significant strides in moving Windows to the cloud, not only for commercial use but also for consumers.

Internal documents revealed in the ongoing FTC v. Microsoft hearing shed light on the company’s plans to leverage its Windows 365 service to stream a full version of the Windows operating system from the cloud to any device.

Microsoft
Image Source: windowscentral.com

The presentation, dated June 2022, highlights Microsoft’s long-term goal of shifting Windows 11 towards cloud-based deployment, offering enhanced AI-powered services and seamless digital experiences across devices.

Windows 365, which currently caters exclusively to commercial customers, is being deeply integrated into Windows 11. In an upcoming update, Microsoft plans to introduce Windows 365 Boot, allowing Windows 11 devices to directly log into a Cloud PC instance during boot, bypassing the local version of Windows.

Additionally, Windows 365 Switch will be incorporated into Windows 11’s Task View, enabling users to seamlessly switch between local and cloud-based virtual desktops.

Also Read: Why are Facebook and Instagram ending news access in Canada?

The idea of transitioning Windows to the cloud for consumers is coupled with Microsoft’s interest in forging custom silicon partnerships. The company has already ventured into this realm with its ARM-powered Surface Pro X devices.

Reports suggest that Microsoft has explored designing its own ARM-based processors for servers and possibly even for Surface devices. Furthermore, rumors indicate that Microsoft may be developing its own AI chips.

The presentation emphasizes the importance of solidifying the commercial value of Windows and responding to the threat posed by Chromebooks. One avenue to achieve this is by increasing the usage of cloud PCs through Windows 365.

In line with its AI-focused approach, Microsoft recently announced Windows Copilot, an AI-powered assistant for Windows 11. Windows Copilot resides alongside the operating system and offers features such as content summarization, rewriting, and explanations. Currently undergoing internal testing, Windows Copilot is set to be released to testers in June before being made available to all Windows 11 users.

Windows Copilot is just one aspect of Microsoft’s broader AI initiatives for Windows. Collaborations with AMD and Intel aim to enable more Windows features on next-generation CPUs. Speculation surrounding Windows 12 has been fueled by hints from Intel and Microsoft themselves.

At CES earlier this year, Panos Panay, the Windows chief, expressed his belief that AI will revolutionize the way users interact with Windows. The internal presentation emphasizes Microsoft’s commitment to incorporating improved AI-powered services into Windows to fulfill its ambitious vision.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s internal presentation reveals its intentions to advance the cloud-based deployment of Windows, both for commercial and consumer use. With Windows 365 as a foundation, the company seeks to leverage the power of the cloud and AI to provide enhanced services and seamless experiences across devices.

By expanding its custom silicon partnerships and exploring AI-focused developments, Microsoft aims to strengthen the value of Windows and address competitive challenges while empowering users with innovative features and capabilities.

Facebook

Why are Facebook and Instagram ending news access in Canada?

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Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to block access to news content on its platforms for all users in Canada when a new law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect.

The Canadian parliament passed “Bill C-18,” known as the Online News Act, which mandates platforms like Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and compensate news publishers for their content. Both Meta and Google had previously warned that they would restrict access to news articles if the legislation was passed without amendments.

Facebook
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Facebook argues that news articles constitute less than 3% of the content on users’ feeds and claims that news has no economic value for the company since its users do not primarily rely on the platform for news consumption. They also highlight the benefits journalists receive from posting their work on the social media platform.

Google, on the other hand, contends that Canadian law is broader than similar laws in Australia and Europe, as it places a monetary value on news story links displayed in search results and can potentially apply to outlets that do not produce news.

Google proposed revisions to the bill, suggesting that payment should be based on the display of news content rather than links and that only businesses producing news and adhering to journalistic standards should be eligible for payments.

Also Read: Can the iPhone 16 be cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro?

In Australia, both Google and Facebook initially threatened to limit their services when similar laws were enacted in 2021. However, they reached agreements with Australian media companies after amendments were made to the legislation. As a result, Meta and Google have been paying around A$200 million ($134 million) annually to Australian news outlets.

Lawmakers in Meta’s home state of California and the U.S. Congress are pushing for similar rules, as they see a need to empower news organizations to negotiate collectively with platforms like Google and Facebook.

Meta generates 40% of its revenue from the United States and considers Australia and Canada among its significant markets. If Meta fails to obtain exemptions or modify the rules in Canada, it could potentially face similar challenges in the United States.

In 2022, U.S. lawmakers introduced a revised version of a bill aimed at facilitating collective negotiations between news organizations and platforms. Additionally, the New Zealand government announced its intention to introduce a law requiring major online companies to compensate local media companies for the appearance of their news content on digital feeds.

iPhone

Can the iPhone 16 be cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro?

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According to a recent rumor, there will be significant differences between the initial and future versions of Apple’s A17 Bionic chip, which is expected to debut in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max later this year.

The key distinction lies in the manufacturing process, with the initial A17 chip utilizing TSMC’s N3B process, while a later version will transition to the N3E process in 2024. The switch to N3E is primarily motivated by cost-cutting measures, potentially compromising some efficiency gains.

iphone
Image Source: notebookcheck.net

TSMC’s N3B process, developed in collaboration with Apple, represents the original 3nm node and has been ready for mass production for a longer period than N3E. However, N3B exhibits a lower yield and is not compatible with TSMC’s upcoming successor processes.

On the other hand, N3E is a more accessible node with fewer EUV layers and lower transistor density. While N3E may sacrifice some efficiency, it can offer improved performance. Apple had originally planned to use N3B for the A16 Bionic chip but had to settle for N4 due to time constraints.

Therefore, it is possible that the initial A17 chips will adopt the N3B CPU and GPU core design intended for the A16, before transitioning to the original A17 designs with N3E in 2024. Apple will likely continue refining this architecture through TSMC’s future nodes for subsequent chips like the “A18” and “A19.”

Also Read: Is Starfield coming to PS5 or PlayStation?

Considering the drastic nature of such a change, it is highly unlikely that Apple would introduce such a significant alteration to the A17 Bionic chip during the product cycle of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Therefore, it is more plausible that the N3E version of the chip will be incorporated into next year’s standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.

This aligns with past practices where Apple has introduced variations in chip configurations across different iPhone generations while still utilizing the same chip base.

The source of this rumor is a Weibo user claiming to be an integrated circuit expert with 25 years of experience working on Intel’s Pentium processors.

This individual has previously made accurate predictions, such as the inclusion of a Lightning-like authenticator chip in the USB-C port and charging cables of the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, a rumor that was later supported by established sources.

They also correctly indicated that the standard iPhone 14 models would feature the A15 Bionic chip, while the A16 would be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro models.

In summary, the rumor suggests that Apple’s A17 Bionic chip will undergo significant changes, with an initial version utilizing TSMC’s N3B process and a subsequent version transitioning to N3E for improved cost efficiency.

However, it is unlikely that these changes will occur within the product cycle of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, making it more probable for the N3E version to appear in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models next year. The source of the rumor has a track record of accurate predictions, adding credibility to these claims.

Starfield

Is Starfield coming to PS5 or PlayStation?

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Starfield, the upcoming game from Bethesda Softworks, will not be available on PlayStation consoles at launch or in the future. The game is being developed as an exclusive for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, as Bethesda is now a part of the Xbox family of studios.

While other Bethesda games like The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76 are still supported on PlayStation, Starfield is a new IP that is designed as a single-player experience and is intended to be an Xbox console exclusive.

Starfield
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Although there might have been plans for a PlayStation version of Starfield earlier in its development, those plans have been abandoned. Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft means that future games from Bethesda and its studios are likely to be exclusive to Xbox and Windows PC platforms.

This is exemplified by Starfield, a high-profile single-player game that is built from the ground up as an Xbox console exclusive. There are no indications that it will be released on other platforms like the PS5 or previous PlayStation consoles.

While this news may disappoint PlayStation gamers who are fans of Bethesda, it is the reality of the situation. However, it’s important to note that not all Bethesda-published titles will be exclusive to Xbox.

Also Read: What happens to the smaller VC firms in a conservative market?

Xbox has stated that exclusivity will be evaluated on a “case-by-case” basis, considering factors such as a franchise’s history on other platforms or the potential benefits of cross-platform support. Starfield, however, is not expected to fall into this category.

It’s worth mentioning that Starfield will not only be exclusive to Xbox consoles but will also be available on Windows PC through platforms like Steam and the Microsoft Store on its launch day. This means that even if players don’t own an Xbox Series X|S console, they can still experience Starfield by playing it on a powerful gaming PC.

Additionally, players have the option to access Starfield through Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, which offer a subscription-based approach to gaming. This allows subscribers to enjoy all the latest Xbox exclusives, including Bethesda games, without needing to purchase each game individually at full price.

Starfield is set to release on September 9, 2023, and preorders are now open. Players who preorder the Premium Edition can gain early access to the game, along with additional in-game bonuses.

While PlayStation users may be disappointed, Starfield is shaping up to be an exceptional game for Xbox, promising to deliver an immersive and expansive RPG experience.

In conclusion, Starfield will be exclusive to Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, with no plans for a PlayStation release. Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft has solidified this exclusivity, and although other Bethesda-published titles may still be considered for multiplatform releases on a case-by-case basis, Starfield is not expected to be one of them.

Despite the disappointment for PlayStation gamers, Starfield remains highly anticipated as one of the standout Xbox games of the year, offering an ambitious and immersive RPG experience.