Meta Enters Power Trading to Support Its AI Expansion

Meta has announced the closure of several virtual reality studios, including three key developers for its Quest 3 platform, as part of significant budget cuts to its metaverse division. This decision reflects a strategic shift in the company's focus amid ongoing financial reassessments.

Meta is laying off over 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division, which focuses on virtual and augmented reality, as part of a broader strategy to cut costs and refocus its efforts. This decision follows the closure of three VR studios, indicating a significant shift in the company's approach to its metaverse ambitions.

The US Senate has passed a bill aimed at assisting victims of sexualized deepfakes, amid rising public outrage over the proliferation of nonconsensual images on platforms like Elon Musk's X. This legislative move comes in response to reports highlighting X as a leading site for such harmful content, prompting calls for accountability and protection for affected individuals.

Security startup depthfirst has successfully raised $40 million in a Series A funding round led by Accel, with partner Sara Ittelson highlighting the investment as a long-term commitment for the firm. This funding will enable depthfirst to enhance its AI security solutions amidst growing concerns over cybersecurity threats.

Salesforce has enhanced Slack's AI capabilities by integrating an upgraded Slackbot powered by Anthropic's Claude model, as announced by Rob Seaman, Slack's chief product officer and interim CEO, during an appearance on Bloomberg Tech.

Meta has laid off 1,500 employees from its metaverse division, representing a 10% reduction in staff, as the company shifts its focus towards artificial intelligence glasses and other wearable technologies. This decision follows a broader strategic reassessment of its financial priorities, including a 30% budget cut for the metaverse unit.

Airbnb has appointed Ahmad Al-Dahle, a former AI leader at Meta, as its new Chief Technology Officer, a move that underscores the company's commitment to enhancing its technological capabilities. This appointment was announced by CEO Brian Chesky, who emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into Airbnb's operations.

Airbnb has appointed Ahmad Al-Dahle, a former executive at Meta, as its new Chief Technology Officer, a move announced by CEO Brian Chesky. This decision marks a significant step in Airbnb's strategy to enhance its technological capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI).