Alphabet's first-quarter profit soars as Google's big AI bets help push stock to new highs
Google’s transition into the era of artificial intelligence continued to pay off for its corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., which on Wednesday announced another quarter of the stellar growth that helped to more than double its already lofty market value during the past year. Alphabet earned $62.6 billion, or $5.11 per share, during the January-March period, an 81% increase from the same time last year. Revenue climbed 22% from last year to $109.9 billion. Both numbers easily surpassed the analyst projections that steer investors. Alphabet's stock price rose by more than 6% in extended trading, putting the shares on trajectory toward a new peak in Thursday's regular trading.
Elon Musk tells his side of OpenAI's beginnings in trial pitting him against CEO Sam Altman
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Elon Musk took the stand for the second day Wednesday in the landmark trial that pits the world’s richest person against Sam Altman, a fellow OpenAI co-founder he accuses of betraying promises to keep the company as a nonprofit dedicated to humanity’s benefit. The trial centers on the 2015 birth of the ChatGPT maker as a nonprofit startup primarily funded by Musk before evolving into a capitalistic venture now valued at $852 billion. It started Monday and is expected to last about four weeks. Questioned by his lawyer, Musk said by late 2022 he was concerned Sam Altman was trying to “steal the charity.”
Amazon touts a 'major expansion' with OpenAI as Microsoft ties loosen
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Amazon announced what it called a “major expansion” of its partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI on Tuesday, a day after the artificial intelligence company said it was loosening its ties to longtime backer Microsoft. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the collaboration with Amazon’s cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services, would involve co-developing a new platform for AI agents that can do computer-based work on people’s behalf. Altman spoke via prerecorded video message to an Amazon event in San Francisco at the same time as he was appearing in federal court across San Francisco Bay in Oakland for a civil trial brought by rival OpenAI co-founder Elon Musk.
Families of Canada school shooting victims sue OpenAI over shooter's use of ChatGPT
The families of victims of a school shooting in a remote Canadian Rockies town are suing artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a U.S. federal court, alleging that the ChatGPT maker failed to alert police to the shooter’s alarming interactions with the chatbot. A lawsuit filed Wednesday on behalf of 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who was critically injured in the February shooting, is among the first of more than two dozen cases coming from families in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in what their lawyers say represents an “an entire community stepping forward to hold OpenAI accountable.” Six other lawsuits filed Wednesday in San Francisco federal court allege wrongful death claims on behalf of five children and an educator killed in Canada’s deadliest mass shooting in years.
Indonesia urges social media platforms to disclose the number of accounts closed for users under 16
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is urging social media companies to report the number of accounts suspended under new regulations restricting access for children under 16. Authorities said Wednesday that the regulations, implemented at the end of March, aim to protect children from harmful online content. Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized the need for transparency. TikTok said it has deactivated 1.7 million accounts, becoming the first platform to report compliance. Other platforms like YouTube and Facebook have committed to the restrictions. Critics highlight challenges in enforcing the rule, including privacy concerns and the potential for children to bypass restrictions.
Uber moves toward becoming an 'everything app' with hotel bookings powered by Expedia
Uber is expanding into a different side of the travel business. The ride-hailing and delivery company said on Wednesday that users of its app can now book hotel rooms. Uber says it's using hotel listings provided by the booking service Expedia. It plans to add more than 1 million properties from vacation rental platform Vrbo later this year. Uber's chief product officer says offering customers the ability to book hotel rooms is a big step toward the company's goal of building an “everything app” that serves many customer needs. He wouldn't give details about the financial terms involved in its partnership with Expedia.
Amazon reports increased 1Q profits and net sales fueled by cloud computing demand
New York (AP) — Amazon is reporting increased profits and net sales during its fiscal first quarter, helped by surging growth in its prominent cloud computing unit. The e-commerce and technology company said on Wednesday that sales in its Amazon Web Services unit were up by 28% in the January-March period, the fastest increase in 15 quarters. Amazon reported AWS segment sales growth of 24% in the fourth quarter and 20% growth in the third quarter. Investors were closely watching Amazon’s quarterly earnings to see if the company’s $200 billion investment in artificial intelligence, robots, semiconductors and satellites is starting to pay off. The results from the latest quarter underscored that demand keeps growing for Amazon’s services and technology.
The Supreme Court seems likely to shut down a lawsuit by Falun Gong over Cisco's aid to China
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems likely to grant tech giant Cisco’s bid to shut down a lawsuit claiming that the company’s technology was used to persecute members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China. The justices heard arguments Tuesday in Cisco's appeal of a ruling allowing the suit to proceed. The company argues that it cannot be held liable for aiding and abetting human rights violations under the 18th-century Alien Tort Statute or the Torture Victim Protection Act, first enacted in 1991. An Associated Press investigation last year showed that American companies helped construct China’s surveillance state, despite warnings that Falun Gong members and others were being targeted.
Rare earth mining is poisoning Mekong River tributaries, threatening 'the world's kitchen'
CHIANG SAEN, Thailand (AP) — Toxic runoff from rare earth mines in Myanmar is contaminating rivers that flow into Thailand, threatening the Mekong River and its basin's fisheries and farmland. Satellite analysis has also tracked the emergence of suspected mines in Laos, deepening concerns in downstream Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Heavy metal contaminants from unchecked expansion of such mining threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions who rely on the Mekong. Experts say demand for rare earth materials that are used in many modern technologies from electric vehicles to missiles is rising, posing a public health risk across the region.
