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Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the tech charts this year, and for good reason. Since Microsoft-backed research firm OpenAI released ChatGPT last year, the world went into a tizzy trying to cope with the multitudes of possibilities that opened up for companies and individuals alike. Some used it efficiently, to fine-tune and optimise their work to the max. At the same time, others tried to use generative AI (GenAI) as an excuse to lay off human resources and cut costs (we even saw a Chinese company appoint an AI CEO).
Even if we keep aside the many reports of job cuts, AI still continued to make headlines as celebrities such as Rashmika Mandanna fell victim to deepfakes, and even OpenAI CEO and the (unofficial) leading GenAI spokesperson Sam Altman was kicked out of the company by the board, only to make a grand return in a way that would put most Bollywood potboilers to shame.
So, without further ado, here’s a quick look back at the most talked-about tech news of 2023:
Altman’s Phoenix Act
It’s safe to say that OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman was THE tech personality of the year. From becoming a spokesperson for (and sometimes against) GenAI following the launch of ChatGPT to making headlines for a shock exit from the company, and an even more surprising return only a few days later. Here’s what went down.
In an official statement released on November 17, 2023, OpenAI’s board disclosed its decision to oust Altman from the position of CEO, citing concerns over his lack of consistent transparency in communications. According to reports, discussions about reinstating Altman were underway within the board a day after his removal. Prior to his dismissal, Altman had allegedly been informing investors about his intention to initiate a new venture.
Subsequently, on November 20, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella disclosed that Altman would be spearheading a novel advanced AI research team at Microsoft. Just two days following this announcement, OpenAI issued a statement declaring Altman’s reinstatement as CEO and revealed that the board had undergone a reconstitution.
So, in an incredible phoenix act, Altman not only rose up from the so-called ashes but also rejigged the entire OpenAI board while at it.
Altman was also named the ‘CEO of the Year’ by TIME magazine, perhaps rightfully so.
Meta Tries To Take On Twitter
In the wake of Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, employees at Meta set out to explore innovative features for Instagram. This led to the development of Threads, internally referred to as “Project 92,” which commenced in January 2023. The platform officially debuted on July 5, 2023, making it accessible in 100 countries.
Threads, closely integrated with the Meta platform Instagram, shares similarities with X (formerly known as Twitter). To use Threads, users must have an Instagram account and operate Threads under the same Instagram handle. The application is compatible with iOS and Android devices, with the web version having limited functionality, requiring a prior mobile app installation.
Experiencing unprecedented growth, Threads achieved the milestone of becoming the fastest-growing consumer software application in history, amassing over 100 million users within its initial five days. This surpassed the previous record held by ChatGPT.
Following the launch, Mark Zuckerberg ended his 11-year Twitter silence, humorously posting a Spiderman meme to highlight the parallels between Twitter and Threads.
On August 22, 2023, Meta expanded the Threads app by launching its web version.
However, the narrative took a turn when, on July 11, 2023, with Threads reaching approximately 105 million users, Meta ceased disclosing user numbers. Subsequent estimates were derived through sampling follower counts. By mid-August, the daily user count for Threads plummeted by more than 80 per cent, with daily Android users dropping by 79 per cent from 49.3 million to 10.3 million.
Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg countered the decline, labelling it as ‘normal.’ He expressed anticipation that user retention would improve with the introduction of new features to the platform.
Of course, Musk being Musk, the Twitter owner went into a juvenile tweet spree against Zuckerberg, calling him a “cuck” and whatnot, even challenging him to an MMA fight. While the buildup to that faceoff dominated media headlines for several months, it eventually boiled down to a no-go from both parties. A classic example of tech billionaires’ vanity.
Google Launches Its Own GenAI Chatbot
In March, Google introduced Bard, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot aimed at entering the competitive arena alongside OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s chatbot integrated into the Bing search engine.
According to an official blog post, Google characterises Bard as an initial foray into AI experimentation, with the primary goal of enhancing productivity, expediting idea generation, and nurturing curiosity.
Bard serves various purposes, including providing tips, explanations, and creative support for tasks like structuring blog posts.
The chatbot operates on a research-derived Large Language Model (LLM), specifically a streamlined and optimised iteration of LaMDA. Functioning as a standalone webpage, Bard features a singular question box rather than being seamlessly incorporated into Google’s broader search engine interface.
This deliberate approach reflects Google’s strategic decision to embrace novel AI technologies while safeguarding the continued profitability of its core search engine business.
If we talk about the differences between Bard and ChatGPT, Bard had a clear upper hand thanks to its always-online state, which helped it not have a cut-off date on the latest information, unlike ChatGPT. For GPT-4, the cut-off date is January 2022, so any data which surfaced after the said date will not appear on ChatGPT’s response.
Microsoft Bing Gets AI Edge
In an announcement made this February, Microsoft revealed its plans to infuse cutting-edge AI capabilities into the Bing search engine, introducing a ChatGPT-like feature. Employing a novel approach in collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft has implemented the “prometheus model,” a system designed to enhance answer relevancy, provide annotations, ensure real-time updates, and more.
A significant enhancement has been made to the search index by integrating the AI model into the core search algorithm, a move referred to by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella as the most substantial leap in relevance to date.
Under the revamped system, users will experience a new interface featuring an expanded search box that accommodates inputs of up to 1,000 characters. Demonstrations shared during the announcement showcased results strikingly similar to recent leaks.
The latest iteration of Bing also introduces a chatbot akin to ChatGPT, enabling users to engage with the search engine using natural language. The ChatGPT-like feature in Bing is poised to elevate user interaction by facilitating real conversations with the search engine. Users will now have the capability to follow up on previous queries and provide additional context to refine their searches, marking a notable advancement in the functionality of Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
Leading Nations Sign AI Safety Agreement
In a landmark move this November, the United States, the United Kingdom, and more than a dozen other nations jointly unveiled a groundbreaking international agreement addressing the security of artificial intelligence (AI) to curb illicit use. The 20-page document emphasises the need for security measures in AI system design, providing non-binding recommendations for companies to prioritise customer and public safety. The consensus, involving 18 nations like the US, UK, Germany, Italy, and others, marks a departure from the sole focus on innovative features, highlighting security as a primary consideration during AI system design.
Jen Easterly, director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, highlighted the agreement’s significance, stating it affirms that AI capabilities should prioritise safety over rapid market deployment. This non-binding accord is part of global efforts by influential nations to shape AI development, addressing concerns about potential misuse. While focusing on preventing unauthorised access and suggesting rigorous security testing, the guidelines notably sidestep ethical considerations in AI use and data sourcing.
Apple’s $3-Trillion Moonshot
On June 28, Apple achieved a historic milestone as its stock reached a new all-time high, bringing the tech giant to the brink of a $3 trillion market capitalisation.
Closing at $189.25, Apple’s stock experienced a 0.6 per cent increase, propelling the company’s market value to $2.98 trillion, according to data from Refinitiv. This marked the second consecutive record-setting close for Apple’s shares.
While Apple has previously flirted with the $3 trillion threshold, briefly surpassing it in intra-day trading on January 3, 2022, it has yet to conclude a trading session with a market value above this landmark figure. On the mentioned date, the stock briefly exceeded $3 trillion during intra-day trading but closed just below this significant mark.
The recent uptick in Apple’s shares reflects the broader trend seen in leading tech companies on Wall Street this year. Several technology-related heavyweights have experienced robust recoveries, driven by investor confidence in the Federal Reserve nearing the conclusion of its US interest rate hike campaign and optimism surrounding the potential advancements in artificial intelligence.
Of course, as per tradition, Apple released its latest premium handset lineup — iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 series — in September this year. You can check out the launch event below:
WhatsApp Rolls Out Edit Button
Gone are the days of using * to resend corrected spellings on WhatsApp texts. In June, WhatsApp unveiled a much-anticipated feature to help users edit messages after sending them. After much demand, Twitter added an ‘Edit Tweet’ button last year, but that is only accessible by paid Premium users. WhatsApp’s editing feature is available to all users for free.
This innovative feature empowers users by allowing them to modify their dispatched messages within a specific 15-minute window. Prior to this update, users were compelled to delete entire messages to address any errors. With the introduction of Edit Message, users can now promptly rectify mistakes or amend inaccurate information in their previously sent messages.
While the deployment of this feature is underway for both Android and iPhone users, the recent update has specifically become accessible to iPhone users. WhatsApp, in an official blog post, expressed its enthusiasm, stating, “From addressing a simple misspelling to providing additional context to a message, we’re thrilled to offer you greater control over your chats. Simply long-press on a sent message and select ‘Edit’ from the menu within the 15-minute timeframe.” This marks a significant enhancement in user experience, granting more flexibility and control over the content of exchanged messages.
Deepfake Deluge
In a concerning turn of events, renowned Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna, celebrated for her roles in recent blockbusters such as Sita Ramam and Pushpa, fell victim to the growing threat of deepfake technology. A recently surfaced video featured a woman, identified as British Indian model Zara Patel, entering an elevator, with Rashmika’s visage seamlessly superimposed onto Zara’s through the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Responding to the circulation of the deepfake video, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the Union Minister for Electronics & Technology, took to Twitter, characterising deepfakes as a perilous and harmful manifestation of misinformation that demands immediate attention.
PM @narendramodi ji’s Govt is committed to ensuring Safety and Trust of all DigitalNagriks using Internet
Under the IT rules notified in April, 2023 – it is a legal obligation for platforms to
➡️ensure no misinformation is posted by any user AND
➡️ensure that when reported by… https://t.co/IlLlKEOjtd
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) November 6, 2023
As per media reports, the Delhi Police is actively investigating the incident. In their pursuit of justice, the law enforcement authorities have reached out to Meta, requesting the URL associated with the account responsible for disseminating the deepfake video on social media. This development transpired just one day after the city’s police filed an FIR related to the incident.
Expressing profound concern, Mandanna strongly reacted to the emergence of the deepfake video, expressing apprehension about its implications.
I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deepfake video of me being spread online.
Something like this is honestly, extremely scary not only for me, but also for each one of us who today is vulnerable to so much harm because of how technology is being misused.…
— Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) November 6, 2023
The distressing incident involving Rashmika Mandanna was followed by the circulation of deepfake videos featuring popular actresses Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. The severity of the situation prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue, acknowledging deepfakes as a significant threat to the Indian societal fabric. PM Modi emphasised the potential chaos these manipulated videos could instigate and urged the media to play a proactive role in educating the public about this escalating problem.
Speaking at the BJP’s Diwali Milan programme at the party’s headquarters in Delhi, the Prime Minister underscored the critical need for both citizens and the media to exercise vigilance against the misuse of artificial intelligence for creating deepfake content.
5G Completes A Year In India
On the first anniversary of the commercial launch of fifth-generation (5G) services in India, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Mobile Congress 2022 on October 1, the telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have been fervently working to extend the reach of their latest mobile networks across the nation.
Commencing with the introduction of 5G networks in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, both Jio and Airtel have collectively expanded their coverage to over 10,000 cities, boasting ‘True 5G’ and ‘5G Plus’ networks.
The journey began with the country’s inaugural 5G airwaves sale, a multi-day event marked by intense bidding from telecommunications companies and a significant financial investment totalling billions of dollars. Now, the focus for these telcos is squarely on addressing the pivotal issue of 5G monetisation.
After months of speculation and anticipation, Jio and Airtel have successfully launched their 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) services – namely, JioAirFiber and Xstream AirFiber. Industry analysts and market experts suggest that FWA represents one of the initial use cases for the fifth-generation technology, facilitating the crucial process of monetisation. Additional use cases are expected to be unveiled in the coming months.
Globally, Ericsson reports that there were already 100 million 5G connections worldwide by the end of 2022, a number projected to surge to 300 million by 2028, with the majority of these connections operating on 5G networks. The adoption of 5G FWA has gained momentum globally, with 85 operators in 46 countries launching FWA services by the close of May 2022.
Tech Layoffs Continue
In the ongoing aftermath of last year’s industry-wide reckoning, the technology sector is grappling with a surge in job losses, surpassing 240,000 in 2023 alone. This figure represents a staggering 50 per cent increase from the previous year, and the trend shows no signs of abating. Notably, major players in the tech landscape, including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo, Meta, and Zoom, initiated widespread workforce reductions earlier in the year, triggering a cascade effect across the industry.
According to data from Layoffs.fyi (as reported by TechCrunch) the cumulative total of tech industry layoffs in 2023 has reached 224,503, based on complete months (until October). Notably, this surpasses the total number of tech layoffs recorded in the entirety of 2022, as reported by the tracker.
Breaking down the figures by month reveals a grim trajectory:
- January: 89,554 employees laid off
- February: 40,021 employees laid off
- March: 37,823 employees laid off
- April: 20,014 employees laid off
- May: 14,928 employees laid off
- June: 10,958 employees laid off
- July: 10,589 employees laid off
- August: 9,545 employees laid off
- September: 4,632 employees laid off
- October: 7,331 employees laid off
These statistics underscore the persistent challenges facing the tech job market and the extent to which the industry continues to grapple with economic headwinds.
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