🚀 OpenAI becomes the world's largest startup

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Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here:

☀️ On this day: On October 2, 1955, the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), one of the world’s first general-purpose digital computers, was retired. Originally unveiled in 1946, ENIAC’s 17,468 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, and 5 million hand-soldered joints had performed calculations thousands of times faster than any previous machine, marking a turning point in computing history.

What’s happening:

• 🚀 OpenAI hits $500B valuation

• 📱 Meta to use AI chat data for ads

• 📊 Study finds no clear AI effect on employment

• 👓 Apple shifts focus to AI-powered smart glasses

• ❄️ $1,800+ Samsung fridges to show ads on screens

• + 📊 Daily poll and results

• + 📈 Trending tools and resources

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Hand-picked news:

🚀 OpenAI hits $500B valuation ↗️LINK

• What: OpenAI has reached a $500B valuation after a $6.6B employee stock sale to investors including Thrive Capital, SoftBank, and T. Rowe Price. This surpasses SpaceX’s $400B value, making OpenAI the world’s most valuable startup.

• Why: The surge reflects massive investor demand and the AI boom, with OpenAI driving trillion-dollar infrastructure projects through partnerships with Oracle and SK Hynix, despite not yet turning a profit.

• Impact: The deal strengthens OpenAI’s ability to retain top talent amid fierce competition from Meta, Google, and Anthropic. It also sets the stage for its planned restructuring into a public benefit corporation, while intensifying its rivalry with Musk.

📱 Meta to use AI chat data for ads ↗️LINK

• What: Starting December 16, Meta will use data from user chats with Meta AI and other AI tools to personalize ads on Facebook and Instagram. This rollout excludes the EU, UK, and South Korea due to stricter privacy rules.

• Why: Meta aims to boost ad effectiveness by tapping into AI interactions, though it says sensitive topics won’t be used. Importantly, users have no option to opt out.

• Impact: The move raises fresh privacy concerns and could intensify regulatory scrutiny. For advertisers, it promises more precise targeting; for users, less control over personal data.

📊 Study finds no clear AI effect on employment ↗️LINK

• What: A new study looked at U.S. jobs in the 33 months since ChatGPT launched. It found no signs that AI has caused major job losses or higher unemployment. The mix of occupations is changing a bit faster than before, but the shift started even before AI entered workplaces.

• Why: Past technologies like computers and the internet also took years to reshape work. Current data shows no strong link between AI tools and job changes—suggesting big effects may take longer to appear.

• Impact: For now, fears of mass layoffs from AI seem premature. Researchers plan to track changes monthly, since AI could still transform jobs gradually in the years ahead.

👓 Apple shifts focus to AI-powered smart glasses ↗️LINK

• What: Apple has scrapped plans for a cheaper Vision Pro headset and redirected teams to develop AI smart glasses. Prototypes include a 2027 iPhone-connected model without a screen and a standalone version with an integrated display to rival Meta’s lineup.

• Why: The Vision Pro’s steep price, bulky design, and weak adoption stalled momentum. Apple is betting that lighter, AI-driven glasses with voice control, cameras, health tracking, and an upgraded Siri will better appeal to consumers.

• Impact: Meta currently leads with Ray-Bans, Oakleys, and display models. Apple’s entry could redefine AI wearables—but only if Siri’s overhaul delivers.

❄️ $1,800+ Samsung fridges to show ads on screens ↗️LINK

• What: Samsung confirmed a pilot program that adds ads and promotions to its Family Hub refrigerators in the U.S. Ads appear on the fridge’s Cover Screen when idle, starting with themes like Weather and Daily Board. Art Mode and photo displays remain ad-free.

• Why: Samsung says the update is meant to “enhance everyday value” by offering curated promotions. Users can dismiss ads so they won’t reappear during the campaign period.

• Impact: Customers paying $1,800+ for premium fridges may find ads intrusive, raising concerns over growing commercialization of home appliances. Samsung is testing if users will accept this trade-off.

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• Identity Jedi Newsletter - This is your space for actionable insights, bold ideas, and a little snark to keep things interesting.

Today’s Poll:

Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.

Yesterday’s Poll Result:

Do you think opting out should be the default when it comes to AI data sharing?

• A) Yes – Default opt-out respects privacy - 91% 🏆

• B) No – Auto-enroll is fine if users can opt out - 9%

Reader’s opinions:

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