This summer has been full of new developments and controversies from social media and big tech to the blockchain and the growing A.I realm. Instagram has created a new competitor for Twitter (X), PayPal has entered the blockchain, Google and X are under the lens of the law, and ChatGPT has spread across the globe like wildfire. The following stories illustrate a variety of viewpoints on the ways in which technology has been affecting the world and the arts this summer, for better or for worse.

After a busy year, It is time for the AMT Lab staff to take a break for the summer. We will return after Labor Day. Until then, we will be relaxing and unplugging from our ever-changing world of technology and the arts. While we’re off, catch up on some of our past content here and on our socials (FB,IG & LI) or listen to our podcasts, and we will be back refreshed and ready to dive back in!  

SAY HELLO TO THREADS

Instagram’s new development known as Threads has sparked interest in the world of social media. The new extension of Instagram, serving mainly as a competitor to X (formerly known as Twitter), has the ability to create text-based posts consisting of up to 500 characters with the option to include images and videos up to 5 minutes in length. It is said that, “The launch of Threads comes as Twitter imposes more restrictions on users, including a temporary rate limit barring unverified users from viewing more than 600 posts per day (or 300 posts for “new unverified” accounts).” Interestingly, Threads is not available in the EU due to privacy legislation.

PAYPAL HAS LAUNCHED STABLECOIN KNOWN AS ETHEREUM

Having paypal connected to an admissions or donations page is valuable. So is having a way to accept cryptocurrency.  Soon, it will be in one place. In partnership with Paxos, PayPal has announced the new launch of a dollar stablecoin. The plan is for the currency to gradually be made available to PayPal users in the U.S. “Paxos will issue the coin labeled PayPal USD, or PYUSD. Issued on the Ethereum blockchain, PYUSD will be ‘fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasuries and similar cash equivalents,’ the company also said.” With this stablecoin users will be able to complete both transfers and purchases while also having the ability to convert "supported cryptocurrencies" into or from PYUSD.

privacy means privacy in the court

Google is involved in a $5,000,000,000 lawsuit concerning their “Incognito Mode” and the continued tracking of user data despite the promise that nothing would be collected. A California judge has denied Google’s request for summary judgment in the lawsuit filed by users that claims that the company has been illegally invading the privacy of millions of users. “The people suing Google say that occurred because Google’s cookies, analytics, and tools in apps continued to track internet browsing activity even after users activated Incognito mode Chrome or other similar features like Safari’s private browsing expecting a certain level of privacy.”

CHATGPT IS the hero and villain of the 2023 summer

It is no secret that the development of A.I. technologies are being produced and improved at a rapid rate. ChatGPT is gaining exponential traction in all areas of life, especially as businesses begin to integrate the chatbot into their operations. For example, big leaders in the real estate industry such as Redfin and Zillow have implemented ChatGPT plug-ins into their software, “enabling select users to ask more prescriptive questions when conducting a home search. Imagine requesting a home in a vibrant neighborhood with trendy restaurants or private backyards.” If you are a business thinking about implementing ChatGPT into your operations, here’s some Do’s and Don’ts for business and fundraising:

• The Top 3 Do's and Don'ts of Integrating ChatGPT into Your Business

• 12 Ways to Use ChatGPT and Other AI Tools for Fundraising