January 17, 2024
Amazon, Meta, and Google Announce Additional Cuts
An astonishing amount of layoffs are mounting in the tech sector just weeks into 2024. Google is laying off hundreds of workers across multiple divisions, including those from its Google Assistant and Pixel phone teams. Meta-owned Instagram has eliminated 60 management positions, and messaging platform Discord has reduced its workforce by 17%.
Amazon is laying off hundreds of employees from its Prime Video and MGM Studios divisions. Amazon-owned entities are also cutting back: audiobook maker Audible has laid off 5% of its workforce, while its livestreaming platform Twitch has cut its workforce by 35%. The retail giant has let go more than 27,000 workers since 2022. Disney-owned Pixar is also projecting significant layoffs later this year.
Policymakers Prepare for a Wave of Political Misinformation
With the Iowa caucuses in the books, the 2024 U.S. election season is officially underway. Legislators in state houses are ramping up efforts to rein in AI. Since December, seven states have joined a handful of others that have introduced legislation to regulate AI in political advertising. New research suggests exposure to societal and political information can impact consumer choice and diminish brand trust.
A new study ranked AI misinformation as the top global risk for 2024, ahead of both climate change and economic uncertainty. Artificial intelligence will be a prominent topic at this week’s World Economic Forum, where leaders will gather to discuss the economic and political impact of mis-and-disinformation. OpenAI has announced that it will not allow users to build generative AI applications for political campaigns or lobbying.
RTO Less of a Priority for CEOs in 2024
Research suggests that remote work will remain a fixture of workplaces for the foreseeable future. The Conference Board conducted a survey of top executives that found only 4% of CEOs are prioritizing a full return-to-office in 2024. Most companies have opted for a hybrid work schedule.
A new report shows companies have a lot at stake in getting internal communications right, as findings show ineffective communications costs businesses up to $2 trillion per year. The International Monetary Fund has cautioned that AI will likely deepen global inequality and affect up to 40% of the world’s jobs.
Sequence Summaries: Tech Layoffs, Political Misinfo, and Recent Research
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