AI Strawberry from OpenAI, and YouTube slowdown in Russia

July 20, 2024, 3:34 am
Bloomberg News
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The financial news landscape in Russia and the world is abuzz with a myriad of developments and intriguing stories. From the recent signing of a law to raise personal income tax rates to the fascinating trend of wealthy individuals freezing their assets, the financial world is witnessing a dynamic shift. In Russia, the average mortgage rate in major banks has nearly reached a staggering 20%, causing concern among borrowers. Contrastingly, in Denmark, borrowers with older mortgages are benefiting from rising interest rates, allowing them to demand a significant reduction in their debt balance. The intricacies of financial laws and tax reforms are also under scrutiny, with Russian President signing a law on tax reform that will see individuals with annual incomes exceeding 50 million rubles facing higher tax rates starting from 2025.

In a surprising turn of events, Rostelecom has reported equipment issues with Google that could potentially lead to a slowdown in YouTube usage in Russia. Speculations about a complete shutdown of YouTube in Russia have surfaced, although official sources have dismissed these claims as fake news. Additionally, reports suggest that WhatsApp is being intentionally slowed down in certain regions of Russia, raising concerns about communication platforms' accessibility.

On the international front, the EU has initiated an investigation into Elon Musk's Twitter activities, alleging that he sold verification badges without proper verification processes. The potential implications of this investigation could result in hefty fines for Musk's companies. In a strategic move, Apple has announced plans to open access to its NFC payment technology for third-party companies within the EU to avoid antitrust penalties.

Amidst these developments, OpenAI's AI model, codenamed "Strawberry," has garnered attention for its potential applications in advancing artificial intelligence research. The model, kept confidential within the company, aims to assist data scientists in furthering AI capabilities. The implications of such advancements in AI research are profound and could pave the way for exponential growth in intelligence capabilities.

In a separate realm, the concept of cryogenic preservation has captured interest, with Bloomberg reporting on individuals participating in post-mortem freezing of their bodies for potential future revival. The ethical and legal implications of such practices raise intriguing questions about inheritance and identity in a futuristic context.

The financial landscape continues to evolve, with new opportunities and challenges emerging. From the business of regulatory extortion in the EU to the upcoming giveaway in Telegram, the financial world is ripe with intrigue and potential. Amidst all this, the story of Masayoshi Son's missed opportunity with Nvidia serves as a cautionary tale of the unpredictable nature of investments. As the financial world navigates through these developments, the quest for financial stability and innovation remains at the forefront of discussions and debates.