Study links Amazon's algorithmic pricing with erratic, inflated costs for school districts

Amazon has begun rolling out Alexa+ on the web to early access users, introducing features such as chat functionality, smart home controls, file management, and cross-device conversations. This launch represents a significant step in Amazon's vision for integrating its AI-powered Alexa technology into everyday online experiences.

Amazon has launched a new feature for its Alexa+ service that integrates conversational AI capabilities into Ring doorbells, allowing the device to identify visitors based on their appearance and actions. This enhancement utilizes video descriptions from the Ring doorbell to recognize individuals, improving user interaction with the home security system.

A new method for the exact verification of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) has been developed, focusing on providing guarantees against adversarial attacks through incremental constraint solving. This approach allows for the verification of GNNs under budget constraints, addressing vulnerabilities in high-stakes applications such as fraud detection and healthcare.

Amazon is reportedly in discussions to invest at least $10 billion in OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, as part of its strategy to support OpenAI's funding needs for extensive data center expenditures. This investment could significantly impact both companies' futures in the AI sector.

Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, and Richard Blumenthal have initiated an investigation into whether the expansion of AI data centers operated by major tech firms like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft is contributing to rising electricity costs for consumers. This inquiry follows reports indicating that 70% of American households are experiencing increased utility rates coinciding with the growth of these data centers.

Amazon is reportedly in discussions to invest over $10 billion in OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, as part of the startup's ongoing efforts to secure funding for its extensive data center expenditures. If finalized, this investment could elevate OpenAI's market valuation to over $500 billion.

Apple and Amazon are facing a £900 million lawsuit in the UK, led by Justin Le Patourel through JLP A&A Class Representative Limited, over allegations of price-fixing. The claim is supported by competition litigation firm Hausfeld & Co LLP, highlighting significant concerns regarding pricing practices in the tech industry.

Major tech companies, including Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Oracle, have significantly increased their debt levels in pursuit of advancing their artificial intelligence initiatives, raising concerns among investors about a potential economic bubble. Wall Street is apprehensive that this rapid accumulation of debt could lead to a destabilizing market situation.