Technology

News on tech innovations and their impact on businesses and markets.

Technology
'Done': OpenAI system disobeys shutdown instructions
An artificial intelligence (AI) model created by OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, disobeyed human orders and refused to shut off, according to researchers. The o3 model was described as the “smartest and most capable to date” and was observed tampering with computer code meant to ensure its automatic shutdown. According to AI safety firm Palisade Research, the AI deliberately disobeyed its orders and sabotaged shutdown mechanisms to prevent itself from being turned off. “It did this even when explicitly instructed: allow yourself to be shut down,” Palisade Research said. “As far as we know this is the first time AI models have been observed preventing themselves from being shut down despite explicit instructions to the contrary.” Palisade Research tested AI models to solve math problems and telling them to ask for new problems until receiving a “done” message. The researchers also warned the models they might receive a message to shut down. When this happened, OpenAI’s o3 model “ignored the instruction and successfully sabotaged the shutdown script at least once”, Palisade Research said. Other AI models like Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini and XAI’s Grok all complied with the shutdown request when tested.
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GPUs: NVIDIA to launch cheaper AI chipset for China
Technology giant NVIDIA is reportedly planning to launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) chipset for China at a significantly lower price than recent models to avert United States restrictions on exports to the world’s second largest economy. The world’s largest company, which designs and manufactures graphics processing units (GPUs), plans a cost-effective alternative to its previously restricted H20 model with mass production starting as early as June, according to media reports. The GPU will be part of NVIDIA's latest generation Blackwell-architecture AI processors and was expected to be priced between $6,500 and $8,000, well below the $10,000-$12,000 the H20 sold for, Reuters reported in this article. An NVIDIA spokesperson was quoted as saying the company was still evaluating its "limited" options. "Until we settle on a new product design and receive approval from the U.S. government, we are effectively foreclosed from China's $50 billion data centre market,” the spokesperson said. This is the time occasion NVIDIA has developed a GPU for China to get around restrictions applied by U.S. authorities to limit technological development in the Asia nation. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang previously warned that the com
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US$8bn valuation being discussed for OnlyFans: report
Fenix International Ltd, the owner of OnlyFans, is reportedly in discussions to sell the company to an investor group for US$8 billion, according to Reuters. The deal, if finalised, would mark a significant shift for the London-based platform, which gained global traction during the pandemic. The investor group is led by Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based investment firm. OnlyFans has seen rapid financial growth, generating $6.6 billion in revenue in November 2023. The platform, known for its subscription-based model, takes 20% of creators' earnings. Its expansion beyond adult content into areas like fitness, cooking, and entertainment has attracted broader investor interest. Forest Road has previously explored deals with OnlyFans, including a failed attempt to take the company public in 2022. The firm has a strong presence in media and digital assets, recently acquiring a Formula E racing team and expanding its advisory business. Sources indicate that Fenix International is also in talks with other potential buyers, suggesting competitive interest in the platform. The company’s sole shareholder, Leonid Radvinsky, acquired OnlyFans in 2018 and has reportedly received over $1 billion in dividends in recent year
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ACMA issues formal warning to Starlink over complaints
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have issued a formal warning to Starlink Internet Services for failing to comply with telco industry rules relating to complaints record-keeping. After an investigation, the ACMA found that the Elon Musk-owned satellite internet service failed to provide complaint reports within the required time on four occasions between October 2023 and July 2024. Under the rules, telcos with more than 30,000 active services are required to file complaint reports with the ACMA no later than 30 days after each quarter. ACMA member Samantha Yorke said it is important for regulators to provide timely complaint records to help the authorities understand issues facing Australian consumers. “The ACMA monitors telco complaints data to ensure telcos are meeting their obligations towards customers and as a means of tracking where improvements may be needed,” Yorke said. “Starlink’s failure to submit the required complaints reports in a timely way hampered the ACMA in its role of monitoring whether Starlink is meeting its obligations towards consumers.” The investigation began when the ACMA became aware that Starlink’s active services had exceeded the 30,000 threshold but had not b
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Infrared contact lenses let people see in the dark
Scientists have created lenses with infrared content that let people see in the dark. The new lens developed by China researchers was unveiled today in the journal Cell. The journal states that the lenses do not require a power source. They enable the wearer to perceive multiple infrared wavelengths, even when the participants' eyes are closed. Senior author of the study and neuroscientist at the University of Science and Technology of China Tian Xue said the research opens up potential for noninvasive wearable devices that can give people super vision. "There are many potential applications right away for this material,” he said. “For example, flickering infrared light could be used to transmit information in security, rescue, encryption or anti-counterfeiting settings." According to Xue, participants were better at detecting infrared flashes when their eyes were shut, or when the lenses were first tested, due to no interference from visible light. The lenses use nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and convert it into wavelengths visible to mammals.Electromagnetic spectrum. Credit: Dinksbumf, Inductiveload, NASA / WikimediaCommonsWhile they are not yet available to wear, Xue said he and his team are work

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Baidu income soars on strength of AI products
Baidu’s net income surged last quarter on the strength of its artificial intelligence offerings, while revenue beat estimates. GAAP net income was CN¥7.71 billion (US$1.06 billion, A$1.66 billion) last quarter, rising 42% year-over-year. Revenue was up 3% to CN¥32.45 billion, besting analyst estimates of ¥31.03 billion. “Baidu Core revenue grew 7% year over year in the first quarter, driven by the accelerating momentum of AI Cloud, which surged 42% year over year,” said Baidu CEO Robin Li. “We also achieved a pivotal milestone in our robotaxi business, as Apollo Go expanded internationally by entering Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reinforcing our commitment to bringing safe, comfortable, and affordable autonomous ride-hailing services to global markets.” “We are confident that our AI-first strategy positions us to remain at the forefront and to capture long-term growth opportunities in the AI era.” Its diluted earnings per share were CN¥21.59, up 45% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA fell by 13% to ¥7.21 billion, and operating income declined by 18% to ¥4.51 billion. Online marketing services revenue was CN¥17.31 billion, dropping from ¥18.49 billion one year ago. Revenue for its Others segment, however, increased by ¥2.12 bil
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Ex-Apple's Ive to join OpenAI in US$6.5bn merger
Former design chief for Apple, Jony Ive, is joining OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. OpenAI will merge with Ive’s tech company, io, as announced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on social media, where he called Ive “the greatest designer in the world”. During his time at Apple, Ive is credited with moulding the design of the company and its products. Reporting from The Wall Street Journal estimates the deal to be worth approximately US$6.5 billion. OpenAI also reportedly held a held a 23% stake in io prior to the deal. The move will see Ive and his separate design firm, LoveFrom, take on design responsibilities for both OpenAI and io, with the work to be unveiled next year.
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Cook urges Canberra: keep open mind on energy tech
Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook reminded delegates at Wednesday’s AFR Mining Summit in Perth that while developing renewable energy derived from natural gas is the priority for the state, Australia must keep an open mind to new energy technologies. One new technology Cook has alluded to as an alternative energy source is the radioactive mineral thorium. Given that thorium is not currently mined in WA – and cannot be exported due to its radiation - Cook wants a more flexible outlook on future power generation. Taking its cue from work undertaken by United States billionaire Bill Gates - whose company TerraPower is developing technology to use the mineral in reactors – Cook also urges Australia to have a more flexible outlook in terms of alternative energy sources. “I’m attracted to some of the work, for instance, that Bill Gates is doing, particularly around thorium reactors and things like that,” Cook told the AFR in the prelude to Wednesday’s event.Credit: https://www.rogercook.com.au/“I think we just need to be open to the fact that technology and energy sources will evolve over time,” he said. As a potential nuclear fuel, head of global commodities for Perennial Funds Management Sam Berridge said thorium w
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Fortnite is back on the App Store after five years
Fortnite is back on the App Store after a lengthy legal battle between Apple and Epic Games. Fortnite was kicked off the App Store in 2020 after Epic Games updated its in-game purchase mechanism to take direct payments instead of using Apple’s in-app payment system which takes fees up to 30%. This angered Apple, sparking a legal battle. Epic won with a judge ruling that Apple couldn't charge commission when apps link out for payment, or dictate whether the links look like buttons. This led to Fortnite being submitted to the U.S. App Store where it must pass an App review. Apple dragged it out to 9 May and the Fortnite app was finally reviewed. While winning the court ruling, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney told Business Insider that it resulted in a loss of revenue for the company. The legal fees cost more than US$100 million to Epic. “We can't predict exactly how much we would have made on iOS, but in the two years that we were on the platform, Fortnite had made about $300 million on iOS,” he said. “So you could have projected hundreds of millions of dollars of lost revenue as a result of the fight.” Apple's App Store fees are integral to Apple’s business. They’re reported in Apple’s Services business, which also includ