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OpenAI begins work in defense sector

OpenAI has announced a collaboration with the Pentagon on various software projects, with a focus on cybersecurity capabilities, a significant departure from its previous stance.

The company’s vice president of global affairs, Anna Makanju, disclosed this information at the World Economic Forum, stating that OpenAI is actively engaged with the U.S. Defense Department on open-source cybersecurity software, including participation in the AI Cyber Challenge initiated by DARPA.

Furthermore, Makanju revealed that OpenAI is in preliminary discussions with the U.S. government regarding the development of tools to address the pressing issue of veteran suicides. Despite this shift in focus, she emphasized that OpenAI remains committed to its policy against developing weapons, ensuring a clear boundary between its technology and militaristic applications.

You can read more on the matter here.

What’s going on?

• Canada’s CPI Increases 3.4% In December, 3.9% Throughout 2023 (theDeepDive)

• China issues draft guidelines for standardising AI industry (Reuters)

• Harvard Is Trying to Smooth Things Over With Silicon Valley (WSJ)

• US to Relist Houthis as Specially Designated Global Terrorists Following Red Sea Attacks (theDeepDive)

• Chinese Lab Mapped Deadly Coronavirus Two Weeks Before Beijing Told the World, Documents Show (WSJ)

• US Retail Sales Rise By Most in Three Months to Cap Holidays (Bloomberg)

• Holey Spirit: Blocked Merger, Falling Shares, Potential Bankruptcy Poking Holes In Spirit Airlines (theDeepDive)

• Russian-Linked Hackers Target Switzerland After Zelenskiy’s Davos Visit (Bloomberg)

• Mortgage demand surges more than 10% as lower interest rates lure homebuyers (CNBC)

What’s the latest?

• US Retail Sales: U.S. retail sales in December rose more than expected, increasing by 0.6% compared to the predicted 0.4%, indicating solid economic momentum heading into the new year. This rise, led by online and motor vehicle purchases, has prompted economists to revise their fourth-quarter growth estimates upward, casting doubt on expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in March.

• Apple Bests Samsung: Apple ended Samsung's 12-year reign as the world's largest seller of smartphones in 2023, achieving a 20% market share, according to International Data Corp (IDC). Samsung finished the year with a 19.4% share, trailing behind Apple, and was followed by Xiaomi, Oppo, and Transsion.

• Alberta Oil: Alberta's oil production reached a record high of 4.2 million barrels per day in November, an 8.8% increase, driven by oilsands companies ramping up output in anticipation of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion's completion. The first eleven months of 2023 saw Alberta averaging 3.8 million barrels per day, up 1.6% from 2022 and 5% higher than in 2021.

• Rogers Family Turmoil: Melinda Rogers-Hixon and Martha Rogers, members of the Rogers family, are retiring from the Rogers Communications Board of Directors. Their departure is part of a private settlement within the family, following years of internal disputes over company control. Rogers-Hixon served as the deputy chair of the board since 2002, while Martha Rogers chaired the company’s ESG committee since 2008.

• Trudeau Ethics: The House of Commons ethics committee is considering an investigation into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's holiday vacation to Jamaica, following requests from the Conservative and Bloc Québécois parties. The controversy revolves around Trudeau's family staying at a property owned by family friends at no cost, although Trudeau's office stated they consulted with the ethics commissioner and would reimburse the cost of government plane travel.

Timeline for Lithium production

The stock market and stuff

• FAA To Investigate Boeing Manufacturing Processes Following Fuselage Blowout (theDeepDive)

• Apple overtakes Samsung as top seller of smartphones (Reuters)

• Uber to Shut Down Drizly Three Years After Acquisition (theDeepDive)

• Verizon to Book $5.8 Billion Charge on Business Unit (WSJ)

• Vodafone Signs 10-Year AI Deal with Microsoft (theDeepDive)

In the juniors

• SPC Nickel Releases Maiden Resource Boasting 224.8 Million Lbs Indicated Contained Nickel (theDeepDive)

• FPX Nickel Sees Sumitomo Take 9.9% Stake In Company (theDeepDive)

• ATHA Energy Identifies 24 Km Of Conductive Lineaments At North Valour-East (theDeepDive)

• First Majestic Silver Shares Drop Following Q4 2023 Results (theDeepDive)

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