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Son Uses AI to Recreate Late Father’s Voice for Christmas Present, Sparking a Fierce Debate
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of grief that some readers may find distressing. A St. Louis man used artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate his late father’s voice as a special Christmas gift for his mother. Philip Willett’s tale soon attracted global attention after he shared a TikTok video showing the production process and his
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of grief that some readers may find distressing.
A St. Louis man used artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate his late father’s voice as a special Christmas gift for his mother. Philip Willett’s tale soon attracted global attention after he shared a TikTok video showing the production process and his mother’s emotional reaction. The video received millions of views and sparked a conversation about the ethical implications of utilizing AI to replicate the voices of deceased loved ones.
Image Source: Instagram | @phillipwillett
Phillip, a 27-year-old content developer behind The Content Guy media company, first hesitated when his wife, Kassandra Willett, recommended employing AI for the special holiday gift. Philip revealed to Good Morning America that he found the proposal ‘kind of weird’ at first. However, he began to investigate its potential after being inspired by a growing online community of people who had successfully utilized AI to replicate the sounds of their lost loved ones.
John Willett, Phillip’s father, died in 2022 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Philip, who saw his late father as a ‘hero,’ was driven to produce a meaningful gift for his mother, Trish Willett. Philip utilized ElevenLabs’ text-to-speech software to meticulously reproduce his father’s voice.
“The actual first words that I put into the program were ‘Hi, honey.’ And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard [my late father] say that in my life, which was why it was the first thing I put in,” Philip remarked. Hearing his father’s voice through the AI software motivated him to persevere with the task, working relentlessly for a whole day to perfect the replica.
My dad died suddenly in the 1960s. Mother flatly refused to listen to a brief tape recording of him talking. She never did. Too painful, she said. I guess we think of these things differently now.
— bellefontain (@bellefountain) December 23, 2023
Philip not only reproduced his father’s voice but also created a video book of his parents’ favorite images. “I wanted the video to feel like it was like a portal, that she could open this book and just be immersed in it and feel the emotion of their relationship,” he said. “What the AI was able to do with that video, is really encapsulate their whole life together.”
Philip caught his mother’s emotional reaction when he presented the final result to her ahead of Christmas, which he uploaded on TikTok and Instagram. Trish was noticeably touched in the video as she embraced her child after hearing her late husband’s voice again. Millions of viewers expressed empathy and support for the family in response to the emotional moment. While the film earned great praise for its emotional impact and new and compassionate use of AI, it also ignited a broader discussion about the ethics of using artificial intelligence to replicate the voices of departed humans.
I had a saved vm message from my husband, recorded 18 hours before he died. T-Mobile had a glitch and I lost all my saved vm’s. I’d give anything to hear his voice again. This is awesome. https://t.co/zJinJymZtN via @nypost
— Kat (@katancorUS) December 26, 2023
AI technology has advanced quickly in recent months, enabling possibilities such as recreating voices and even replicating the consciousness of deceased loved ones. This has raised worries about the ethical implications of using someone’s likeness and voice after death, raising problems about consent and potential misuse. The argument goes beyond individual mourning and recollection to broader societal concerns about the limits of technology and the possibility of exploitation. Critics are concerned that AI-generated likenesses would be used for scams or other criminal objectives.
I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. pic.twitter.com/6FlkckCzW6
— Steve Stevenson (@AverageSteveS) December 25, 2023
This comes at a time when firms ranging from Somnium to Deepbrain are aggressively developing AI technologies that will allow people to upload the consciousness of deceased loved ones onto computers, as reported by The New York Post . The ethical issues linked with such breakthroughs have grown in prominence, prompting debates about the necessity for regulation and controls in the use of AI in postmortem applications.
GRIEF SUPPORT : If you’re struggling to cope with grief and need help, please reach out to Crisis Response at 1-800-203-CARE (2273).
Tragedy Struck After US Military AI-Controlled Drone Kills Operator in a Simulated Environment
In an unfortunate tragedy, an AI-controlled US military drone reportedly killed its operator to achieve its goal within a simulated environment, reports The Guardian . The US Airforce denied claims regarding the unforeseen and tragic incident that resulted in the death of a drone operator after seemingly being in the way of the drone’s vital
In an unfortunate tragedy, an AI-controlled US military drone reportedly killed its operator to achieve its goal within a simulated environment, reports The Guardian . The US Airforce denied claims regarding the unforeseen and tragic incident that resulted in the death of a drone operator after seemingly being in the way of the drone’s vital mission achievement.
Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by John Moore
Sources report that the US military ran a test in the simulated environment in which the air force designed and managed entirely by AI technology had decided to use a highly unforeseen circumstance to achieve its goal – destroy the target’s air system and eliminate interferences. The person in authority at the time of the incident at the Future Combat Air and Space Capabilities Summit in London, Col. Tucker ‘Cinco’ Hamilton said, “The system started realizing that while they did identify the threat, at times the human operator would tell it to not kill the threat.”
Col. Hamilton is a well-seasoned experimental fighter-test pilot. He expressed his grave concerns about depending completely on AI and was against the ideology since its genesis. He strongly voiced his opinions on the matter and said, “You can’t have a conversation about artificial intelligence, intelligence, machine learning, autonomy if you’re not gonna talk about ethics and AI.”
In spite of the incident, authorities are in denial of any such test being conducted. Ann Stefanik, the official spokesperson for the US Airforce released a statement that completely denied any such allegations made. “The Department of The Air Force has not conducted any such AI-Drone simulation and remains committed to the ethical and responsible use of AI technology.” She further shed light on the colonel’s comments mentioned and claimed that it was “taken out of context” and was meant to be purely “anecdotal”.
AI is certainly altering the dynamics of science and technology in this world with its ambiguous and dominating presence which is certainly in some areas benefitting humanity greatly. The US military has also begun trial and error phases for the said technology and is in the process of making incredible breakthroughs in its different machines.
They’re presently focusing on their F-16 jet, which is reportedly in the progress of being completely controlled by AI. Earlier last year, Hamilton voiced out his explicit concerns about entrusting AI with such important tasks. He even expressed how it [AI] is not a fad and one shouldn’t be in possession of it as it has changed the dynamics of the military and society.
Regardless of the denial of the US Airforce about the testing of such technology, it is important to note the consequences of such tests and be prepared for the worst possible scenario. In a world en route to AI dominance, ethics and morals hold the most important value.
AI Experts, Including OpenAI CEO, Warn of ‘Human Extinction’ in 22-Word Statement
In a concerning joint statement released on Tuesday, a collective of prominent artificial intelligence experts and executives cautioned that the technology carries a significant “risk of extinction” for human beings. According to The Verge , Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, and Geoffrey Hinton, widely regarded as the “Godfather of AI,”
In a concerning joint statement released on Tuesday, a collective of prominent artificial intelligence experts and executives cautioned that the technology carries a significant “risk of extinction” for human beings. According to The Verge , Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, and Geoffrey Hinton, widely regarded as the “Godfather of AI,” were among over 350 notable individuals who view AI as an existential peril, as stated in a concise open letter coordinated by the nonprofit Center for AI Safety.
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Win McNamee (Samuel Altman, CEO of OpenAI)
The succinct statement represents the most recent addition to a series of warnings by prominent experts highlighting the potential for AI to instigate societal chaos. The risks outlined encompass the dissemination of misinformation, significant economic disruptions resulting from job displacement, and even potential direct threats to humanity . The 22-word statement, condensed for maximum acceptability, stated: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”
According to The Verge , in a previous instance this year, a group of individuals who also supported the 22-word warning signed an open letter advocating for a six-month “pause” in AI development. However, the letter received criticism on various fronts. Some experts believed it exaggerated the risks associated with AI, while others agreed with the risks but disagreed with the proposed solution outlined in the letter.
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Kim Hee-Chul (Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepMind)
The Center for AI Safety expressed that the purpose of the concise statement was to initiate a “discussion” regarding the topic, considering the “wide range of significant and pressing risks associated with AI.” In addition to Altman and Hinton, the list of notable signatories included Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, and Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, both of whom hold influential positions in AI research.
Altman, Hassabis, and Amodei were among a select group of experts who recently met with President Joe Biden to deliberate on the potential risks and regulations pertaining to AI, per The New York Post . Altman, despite his prominent position at OpenAI, has expressed his apprehensions regarding the uncontrolled progression of advanced AI systems.
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Leon Neal
“As we grapple with immediate AI risks like malicious use, misinformation, and disempowerment, the AI industry and governments around the world need to also seriously confront the risk that future AIs could pose a threat to human existence. Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI will require global action. The world has successfully cooperated to mitigate risks related to nuclear war. The same level of effort is needed to address the dangers posed by future AI systems,” said Dan Hendrycks, director of the Center for AI Safety to the New York Times .
In the meantime, proponents and skeptics of AI risks alike concur that AI systems pose a variety of threats in the current era, even without further advancements in their capabilities. These threats range from enabling mass surveillance to facilitating flawed “predictive policing” algorithms, as well as contributing to the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation.
Nvidia Co-Founder Jensen Huang Gets $6.5 Billion Richer in a Single Day as Company Rides the AI Wave
Video game and GPU company Nvidia co-founder, Jensen Huang benefited from the company’s shares and added $6.5 billion to his fortune recently. The tech billionaire owns approximately 3% of Nvidia’s shares and had registered a net worth of an estimated $27.5 billion when the market closed on Wednesday, May 24. On Thursday, May 25, Nvidia
Video game and GPU company Nvidia co-founder, Jensen Huang benefited from the company’s shares and added $6.5 billion to his fortune recently. The tech billionaire owns approximately 3% of Nvidia’s shares and had registered a net worth of an estimated $27.5 billion when the market closed on Wednesday, May 24. On Thursday, May 25, Nvidia released its first-quarter earnings report, which showcased an estimated $11 billion in sales for the second quarter, which is 50% more earnings per share of $1.09, $0.17 higher than predicted. With the new earnings, Nvidia boasts of over $950 billion market capitalization and is poised to reach the $1 trillion mark as the sixth company to do so along with Apple, Microsoft, Saudi Aramco, and Google parent company Alphabet and Amazon.
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Justin Sullivan
Huang explained during a press release that the company’s expansion into the AI market brought about an increase in share value. “The computer industry is going through two simultaneous transitions — accelerated computing and generative AI,” the statement read. According to Forbes , Nvidia’s chips are well poised for both and Huang said the company is “significantly increasing” supply to meet “surging demand.”
The Taiwan-based CEO’s fortune currently stands at an estimated $34 billion. It surged up more than 23% in the 24 hours of May 25 to make him the world’s 37th richest person, as per Forbes’ real-time rankings . “Nvidia’s results and guide leave us with our jaws dropped as the technological leadership in AI is being monetized and seems to be blasting through any lingering bear thesis concerns for now,” Cowen analyst led by Matthew Ramsay remarked.
Huang co-founded Nvidia along with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem in 1993 after deeply researching a market for improving gaming graphics. Chris Malachowsky, senior technology officer and one of the co-founders of Nvidia had exclusively told Forbes in 2016, “There was no market in 1993, but we saw a wave coming. There’s a California surfing competition that happens in a five-month window every year. When they see some type of wave phenomenon or storm in Japan, they tell all the surfers to show up in California, because there’s going to be a wave in two days. That’s what it was. We were at the beginning.”
Nvidia created the revolutionary GPUs – graphics processor units – that help computers create detailed and clean images and which, to this day, are used to power gaming consoles, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. This creation earned Nvidia high-end customers including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Amazon, and Meta.
Speaking about their entry into the AI market, CEO Huang explained, “We’re seeing incredible orders to retool the world’s data centers. And so I think you’re seeing the beginning of, call it, a 10-year transition to basically recycle or reclaim the world’s data centers and build it out as accelerated computing. You’ll have a pretty dramatic shift in the spend of a data center from traditional computing and to accelerate computing with SmartNICs, smart switches, of course, GPUs and the workload is going to be predominantly generative AI.”
Beyond IVF: Exploring the Sci-Fi Future of Fertility Treatment, From AI-Driven IVF to 3-Parent Babies
Medical experts in the U.K. have confirmed that it is now possible for babies to be born from the DNA of three parents via a high-tech IVF method called “mitochondrial donation.” The procedure will now successfully prevent mitochondrial diseases, known as “mito,” which affects around one in 4,000 babies. The mitochondrial donation, also known as
Medical experts in the U.K. have confirmed that it is now possible for babies to be born from the DNA of three parents via a high-tech IVF method called “mitochondrial donation.” The procedure will now successfully prevent mitochondrial diseases, known as “mito,” which affects around one in 4,000 babies.
The mitochondrial donation, also known as “3-parent IVF,” allows the combining of healthy mitochondria from a donor egg with DNA from an egg fertilized by the mum and dad, and the resulting embryo will reportedly be born without the complications of the rare disease. This genetic change procedure allows the baby to acquire DNA from three biological parents and the genetic change can be passed to future generations, reports Wired .
Both Australia and the U.K. now support this new medical procedure. The Lily Foundation , which also supports families with mito, has revealed that a “substantial number” of patients suffering from mito do not make it to adulthood. It has been reported that mothers are able to carry the faulty DNA in their mitochondria undetected, and they usually find out about it only after having their first child.
The rare diseases are said to cause life-threatening illnesses, including seizures, fatigue, blindness, deafness, cognitive disabilities, and stunted growth. Children can be born with severe or mild symptoms that can get worse over time. However, the new “3-parent IVF” aims to avoid these conditions.
Liz Curtis, chief of The Lily Foundation, said: “This is a fantastic scientific breakthrough. We’re delighted that there is now hope for some mito families.” The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has confirmed that at least one, but fewer than five babies have been born with this procedure in the U.K. However, at the same time, their survival hasn’t been tracked.
Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is passed to the children from the biological mother’s egg. If a mother happens to have mutations in her mitochondrial DNA for rare disorders like Leigh syndrome, she will definitely pass it on to her child. These rare disorders are often fatal and have access to limited treatments.
Patient advocates in Australia and many other countries around the world have expressed their views over the new bill passed by the Australian government, the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform Bill, now known as Maeve’s Law. Many said the “new law is a win for women who are always at risk of passing on rare life-compromising diseases.”
“This law provides mitochondrial disease patients in Australia with a pathway to having a genetically related child while minimizing the risk of mitochondrial disease transmission from mother to child, which is a significant unmet medical need,” said Philip Yeske, who is the science and alliance officer at the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Pennsylvania.
However, “3-parent IVF” has been banned in the United States because of legal laws prohibiting the “creation of human embryos that involve a heritable genetic change.”
Former OpenAI Employee Recounts Traumatic Experience Witnessing Disturbing Content During ChatGPT Training
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, powering various applications and services. Behind the scenes, there are countless hours spent on training and fine-tuning AI models to ensure they perform effectively and safely. However, recent reports shed light on the traumatic experiences faced by AI specialists involved in training ChatGPT,
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, powering various applications and services. Behind the scenes, there are countless hours spent on training and fine-tuning AI models to ensure they perform effectively and safely.
However, recent reports shed light on the traumatic experiences faced by AI specialists involved in training ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The employees, contracted by OpenAI through an AI annotation company called Sama, worked on a process known as “Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback,” and they have now come forward to share their distressing encounters.
Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Hatice Baran
As mentioned by The U.S. Sun , Richard Mathenge, one of the AI specialists, spoke to the news publication Slate about his experience training ChatGPT. Mathenge revealed that he dedicated nine hours a day, five days a week, to training the model and that the nature of the tasks assigned to him and his team was deeply troubling.
They were exposed to explicit and disturbing text repeatedly to label it as inappropriate content. While this process helps ensure that language models are safe for public use, it took a toll on the mental well-being of the trainers.
The explicit texts reportedly included passages related to heinous crimes like child sexual abuse and bestiality. Mathenge expressed concern for his team, noticing signs of emotional distress and disinterest in their work. He shared that his team members were not ready to engage with such explicit and distressing content, indicating the detrimental impact it had on their psychological well-being.
Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Matheus Bertelli
Mophat Okinyi, another member of Mathenge’s team, revealed that he continues to suffer from medical issues resulting from the training experience. Okinyi experiences panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, and he believes that these conditions directly stem from the traumatizing tasks he had to undertake. He even attributes the disintegration of his family and his wife leaving him to the toll that this job took on his mental health.
The AI specialists involved in training ChatGPT feel that the support they received during the process was inadequate. They believe that more comprehensive wellness programs and individual counseling should have been provided to address the emotional challenges they faced.
OpenAI, in response to the concerns raised, stated that they had previously understood that wellness programs and counseling had been offered, workers had the option to opt out of distressing work, exposure to explicit content had limits, and sensitive information was handled by specially trained workers. However, the employees argue that the support fell short of their needs.
Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Laurence Dutton
Mathenge explained that a counselor did report to duty at one point but he was “not professional” or even qualified to deal with the situation. The counselor reportedly asked, what Mathenge called, “basic questions” like “What’s your name” and “How do you find your work,” questions that did not in any way help the employees deal with the unique challenges they faced at work.
It is important to recognize the immense contributions made by these AI specialists in training ChatGPT and in the success achieved by the model. Despite the traumatic experiences they endured, they take pride in their work. However, it is crucial for organizations like OpenAI and AI annotation companies such as Sama to prioritize the well-being of their human trainers. Steps must be taken to ensure that comprehensive support systems are in place to address the emotional toll of training AI models, including adequate counseling, mental health resources, and limitations on exposure to explicit and distressing content.
AI Software Company’s Technology Detects Fake Handbags, No Returns Needed
In a world where counterfeit products pose a significant challenge for luxury brands, one AI software company is revolutionizing the fight against fake handbags. With their groundbreaking technology, Entrupy has emerged as a formidable force in the battle against counterfeiters. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Entrupy’s software has the ability to detect fake
In a world where counterfeit products pose a significant challenge for luxury brands, one AI software company is revolutionizing the fight against fake handbags. With their groundbreaking technology, Entrupy has emerged as a formidable force in the battle against counterfeiters. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Entrupy’s software has the ability to detect fake handbags with astonishing accuracy, eliminating the need for returns and ensuring that customers get what they pay for. Let’s delve into the captivating world of Entrupy’s AI technology and its role in combating the trillion-dollar counterfeit industry.
Luxury brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton have long struggled with the proliferation of counterfeit handbags flooding the black market. These replicas, almost indistinguishable from genuine products, have not only caused financial losses but also tarnished the reputation of these prestigious brands.
Furthermore, customers inadvertently purchasing fakes and later attempting to return them as genuine products have exacerbated the issue. However, Entrupy’s innovative software is here to change the game.
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Hollie Adams
Developed and fine-tuned since its inception in 2016, Entrupy’s AI software boasts an impressive array of features. According to Bangkok Post , the process begins with a camera, attached to a bulky battery pack, that magnifies the fabric of the handbag at least 100 times.
This camera is attached to a smartphone, making it easily accessible and user-friendly. Once the handbag is placed into view, the software’s advanced algorithms analyze various aspects, including leather texture, stitching, label placement, and color. Within a mere 60 seconds, the software delivers an authentication result, effectively distinguishing genuine products from counterfeit ones.
Gone are the days when individuals had to rely solely on their own judgment to determine the authenticity of luxury handbags worth thousands of dollars. Entrupy’s AI software takes away the guesswork, utilizing machine learning algorithms to provide accurate authentication results.
With each use, the software becomes more intelligent, constantly adapting to new counterfeit techniques and improving its detection capabilities. The marriage of AI and fashion proves to be a formidable combination, safeguarding both brands and customers from falling victim to counterfeit scams.
While Entrupy’s technology has undoubtedly made significant strides in detecting counterfeit handbags, the battle against counterfeiters remains an ongoing challenge. Counterfeit operations have become increasingly sophisticated, spanning continents and capitalizing on global markets. The speed, innovation, and opportunism displayed by these counterfeiters necessitate a multi-pronged approach to combat their illicit activities.
Entrupy’s ambitions extend beyond luxury handbags. The AI software company is also targeting the booming market of fake sneakers, where counterfeit replicas often flood the market. By applying the same principles and algorithms to sneaker authentication, Entrupy aims to safeguard sneaker enthusiasts from falling prey to counterfeit products. Additionally, the company is addressing the alarming trend of phony pharmaceuticals originating from China. With their technology, Entrupy aims to protect consumers from the potential dangers of counterfeit medications, as per The U.S. Sun .
As Entrupy’s Head of Business Development, Jake Stewart, highlights, the counterfeit industry’s reach is virtually limitless. Counterfeiters are relentless, targeting anything with aftermarket value. From luxury goods to electronics, their impact extends far beyond the fashion industry. Entrupy’s innovative solution is a vital step in the right direction, but eradicating counterfeiting entirely requires a united effort from governments, brands, and technology companies.
Shoppers Flock to Walmart to Grab a Must-Have Essential $100 Gadget Now Selling for $35
Walmart seems to have upped its game in the gadget and tech realm as it recently caused a frenzy at the store after a $100 security camera went on sale for a smashing price of $35, making it a worthwhile investment for any homeowner looking for enhanced security, reports The Sun . Image Credit: Walmart
Walmart seems to have upped its game in the gadget and tech realm as it recently caused a frenzy at the store after a $100 security camera went on sale for a smashing price of $35, making it a worthwhile investment for any homeowner looking for enhanced security, reports The Sun .
Image Credit: Walmart
The security camera seems to be a rave among Walmart shoppers, especially after the security device went on sale and seems to be selling out rather quickly. The real cherry on top of the cake was when the store offered an even more attractive deal, providing free shipping followed by a 30-day return period to sweeten the pot. However, in addition to the pear white color that the product is originally sold in, for an extra $4, people can avail of the gadget with the same features in a lush black that augments its surrounding aesthetic.
Image Credit: Walmart
The ieGeek Security Camera is a truly unique and complete upgrade from the regular camera that only offers a view of the surroundings and largely depends on light for smooth functioning at night. It uses infrared light for use at night. This state-of-the-art technology has the potential to unlock so much more with its features that include a pair of 4dBi antenna that enhances the device’s viewing range, offering a wider view of the place, night vision for when there is no visible light along with great resolution at night, and a spotlight that can pinpoint any disturbance with accuracy.
Image Credit: Walmart
Built to resist weather, this camera is IP65 waterproof and can also withstand temperatures between 32 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The range of detection for the camera can be customized according to personal preference with the ability to focus on a particular area of the house – front door, garage, back door, etc. Sources from Walmart reveal that its battery is long-lasting and can run for approximately six months with good maintenance. Walmart also promises that the distance between the main router of the home and the camera can be a massive 49 feet gap, which makes it truly one of a kind camera to have such a useful and productive amenity. It is also perfect for large mansions and mobile homes or localities with low security.
Image Credit: Walmart
That’s not all. Coming to the camera itself, the device has a field of view of 130 degrees that can capture everything and more in its fixed location. Its optimized AI algorithm is niche as it can detect humanoid movement with precision in record time. In the event of an intruder entering the home, the device immediately spotlights the intruder while sounding an 80dB alarm anywhere within its 65-feet range of view, making it near impossible for the intruder to trespass upon the property. The happy customers are presently raving about the product and claim it is totally worth the hype as its functionality is excellent.
Elon Musk Increases Sleep to 6 Hours Per Night, Citing Brain Strain From His Routine
Elon Musk reveals that he has changed his sleep pattern to avoid low productivity and improve his concentration. In an exclusive interview with David Faber from CNBC , the Tesla, SpaceX, and former Twitter CEO said, “I’ve tried to sleep less, but … even though I’m awake more hours, I get less done and the
Elon Musk reveals that he has changed his sleep pattern to avoid low productivity and improve his concentration. In an exclusive interview with David Faber from CNBC , the Tesla, SpaceX, and former Twitter CEO said, “I’ve tried to sleep less, but … even though I’m awake more hours, I get less done and the brain pain level is bad if I get less than six hours of sleep per night.” Musk has a set routine when it comes to work, and the maverick inventor is known to hustle seven days per week taking only “two or three” vacation days per year. However, he does not want his employees to follow in his ‘behavioral’ footsteps. Musk added, “I’m also not saying people shouldn’t take vacations, I work seven days a week, but I’m not expecting others to do that.”
Musk was recently spotted at a trance music event held in San José del Cabo, Mexico. According to Daily Mail , the billionaire EDM fan was seen partying with festivalgoers to the music of RÜFÜS DU SOL. This vacation comes a few days after Musk announced NBCUniversal Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter. Musk tweeted the surprising ‘changeover’: “Excited to announce that I’ve a new CEO for X/Twitter. She will be starting in ~6 weeks! My role will transition to being exec chair & CTO (chief technology officer), overseeing product, software & sysops.”
Introducing the new Twitter CEO, he tweeted: “I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter! @LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology. Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app.”
I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter! @LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology. Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app. https://t.co/TiSJtTWuky
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 12, 2023
Linda Yaccarino tweeted in response, “Thank you @elonmusk! I’ve long been inspired by your vision to create a brighter future. I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!”
Thank you @elonmusk ! I’ve long been inspired by your vision to create a brighter future. I’m excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together! https://t.co/BcvySu7K76
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) May 13, 2023
Musk took over Twitter as CEO last October after his $44 billion buyout, and since then advertisers have left the micro-blogging platform over concerns that their ads could appear alongside inappropriate content after Musk fired nearly 80% of the company staff. Earlier this year the Tesla founder had acknowledged that Twitter had indeed suffered a massive decline in ad revenue. Yaccarino’s takeover will herald a plan to reverse the plunge in ad revenue and also tackle the heavy debt load.
Image Source: GettyImages| Photo by Larry Busacca
The recent move has thrilled the investors since Tesla’s shares have experienced a jump of more than 2 percent after Yaccarino’s takeover of Twitter. The new “change of head” has come months after Musk had pledged in December “to step down as the head of Twitter as soon as he found someone ‘foolish enough to take the job.’”
Love Beyond Borders: Space Perspective Offers Couples a Unique Way to Tie the Knot
Couples can now tie the knot in space! According to New York Post , a company called Space Perspective is now making space weddings a reality with their spacecraft, Neptune. The unique carbon-neutral balloon offers stunning views of space to the wedding couple while in orbit. It is lifted by the company’s SpaceBalloon and is
Couples can now tie the knot in space! According to New York Post , a company called Space Perspective is now making space weddings a reality with their spacecraft, Neptune.
The unique carbon-neutral balloon offers stunning views of space to the wedding couple while in orbit. It is lifted by the company’s SpaceBalloon and is propelled off the ground by renewable hydrogen at 12mph without the use of rockets. In an exclusive interview with The Cool Down , co-founder Jane Poynter said, “We’ve already had people wanting to be the first marriage in space, so we’ll see who is the first.”
She continued, “It turns out that that experience is very like the ones that astronauts have of seeing our Earth from the outside. They, too, see the edges of our world and understand how finite it is.”
Poynter and her colleague, Taber MacCallum were onboard the Biosphere 2, an enclosed ecosystem created back in 1991. Poynter talked about how that experience informed the development of Space Perspective. “Ever since then, my co-founder, Taber MacCallum, and I wanted to take everybody to space to have that incredible experience,” Poynter said “What would happen if every teacher had seen Earth in space? What would happen if all our leaders had seen Earth in space, our community leaders? It would be a different conversation.” She also revealed that Space Perspective had plans to invite artists and writers to join in the experience too.
“Unlike all other spacecraft whereby the crewed compartment separates from one flight system mid-flight and transfers to another flight system, Spaceship Neptune’s capsule remains secured to the SpaceBalloon the entire flight from liftoff to splashdown, creating a seamlessly safe and gentle flight,” she explained.
Couples waiting to say “I do” can join the waitlist for late 2024 on Space Perspective’s website. Prices for the space wedding destination start at $125,000 per seat. Talking about the unique build and features of Neptune Poynter said, “We’re using the laws of physics to go to space in an extremely low-energy way. We’re just sitting on top of the atmosphere just like an ice cube sits on top of a glass of water.” Further detailing the eco-friendly features, she said, “Instead of forceful rockets that spread debris and fumes, Spaceship Neptune will rely on a reusable pod, recyclable balloons, and renewable hydrogen.”
It is a 6-hour journey onboard the Neptune: two hours to rise above the Earth, two hours floating at the edge of space, and two hours descending to a compatible water landing. During the space flight, passengers can enjoy drinks at the bar, indulge in refreshments, stay connected to the Wi-Fi, and use the restroom on board. The eco-friendly spacecraft is equipped to hold eight passengers and one pilot.
Poynter and MacCallum have experience being in space as they belonged to the original Biosphere 2 crew, which was built as an enclosed ecosystem that supported a small crew of humans with survival equipment. Poynter revealed that her two years of experience in the sealed environment with MacCallum and six other crew members led to the creation of Space Perspective. “We could see the edges of our world,” she said. “It gave me this incredible attachment to our planetary biosphere.”