TECHSWU #103

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TECHSWU
September 17, 2024

Chipotle is cooking up a tech revolution with its latest in-store trials for the Autocado avocado robot and an automated makeline, launched in California. The Autocado, developed with Vebu, aims to simplify the cumbersome task of cutting, coring, and peeling avocados—something Chipotle employees have not particularly enjoyed.

This machine can process an avocado in just 26 seconds, promising significant labor and cost savings. Meanwhile, the automated makeline streamlines the assembly of digital orders, which make up a whopping 65% of Chipotle's business.

These innovations are part of Chipotle’s broader strategy to enhance efficiency amid rising labor costs, backed by its $100 million Cultivate Next fund. As they gather insights on performance and user experience, Chipotle continues to embrace automation and technology, including RFID tags to track inventory.

With these advancements, Chipotle solidifies its position at the forefront of the fast-casual dining scene.

Exciting times ahead for Apple fans! Rumors are swirling about a forthcoming launch event that could unveil the highly anticipated M4-powered MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. Fans are eager to see what innovative features and specifications these new devices will boast, as Apple continues to push the boundaries of technology.

With each new iteration, expectations are high for enhanced performance, sleek designs, and advanced capabilities that elevate productivity and creativity. Keep your eyes peeled for official announcements, as these cutting-edge devices could be just around the corner! Stay tuned for all the latest updates on what Apple has in store.

A recent study by the Atlantic Council reveals that the momentum for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) is rapidly accelerating, with 134 countries, comprising 98% of the global economy, now exploring digital fiat options. Notably, 44 countries are currently in pilot phases, up from 36 just a year ago.

Trailblazers like China, the Bahamas, and Nigeria are seeing significant increases in CBDC usage. The study highlights the urgent push by governments to adapt to declining cash usage and counter the rise of cryptocurrencies and major techs.

Furthermore, significant initiatives, like the European Central Bank's digital euro pilot and a cross-border CBDC project involving the U.S.

, suggest that nations are keen to innovate in this digital financial landscape.

Workday is taking a giant leap into the future with its latest AI innovation, Illuminate! Designed to enhance employee productivity, Illuminate integrates sophisticated AI models tailored to HR and financial data. This cutting-edge platform streamlines workflows and simplifies everyday tasks, allowing professionals to focus on what truly matters.



With tools like the Recruiter Agent, Expenses Agent, and Succession Agent, users can automate recruitment, generate expense reports, and identify future leadership talent—all while receiving real-time guidance to navigate complex HR and finance processes.

Illuminate isn’t just about automation; it’s also about fostering insight, helping users recognize anomalies and bottlenecks in their business strategies.

Available now, Workday plans to continue evolving this technology as part of a three-year AI roadmap, ensuring that organizations can keep pace with the demands of a rapidly changing work environment.

Meta has ramped up its crackdown on Russian state media, banning outlets like RT for alleged "foreign interference" and deceptive influence activities. The company aims to reduce the reach of Kremlin-controlled channels across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.

This follows ongoing concerns raised by U.S.

officials about Russian media's attempts to sway global sentiments, particularly regarding the upcoming 2024 presidential election. In a statement, Meta highlighted the urgency of the situation, indicating a proactive approach to counter what they deem covert propaganda efforts.

Prior to the ban, RT boasted millions of followers on social media, but the backlash from U.S.

authorities is clear: they want these platforms treated as cyber threats. The implications of this decision underscore a broader push to curb misinformation in the digital landscape, sparking heated debates on media freedom and state influence worldwide.

Palantir Technologies is making waves as a leading player in the AI industry, with analysts from Wall Street predicting a 37% rise in its stock price, targeting $50. The company, which has seen its shares soar 136% over the past year, is not just relying on its strong government contracts but is also ramping up its presence in the private sector.

Recent partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft and Oracle are set to reinvigorate growth and expand its commercial client base. While Palantir's government revenue is showing stability, its commercial sector is seeing impressive growth—up 55% year over year.

With a solid financial foundation and increasing profits, Palantir appears to have a bright future ahead, making it an enticing option for growth investors looking to tap into the booming AI market.

The highly anticipated iPhone 16 is here, and it’s making waves with groundbreaking artificial intelligence features! Say hello to "Visual Intelligence," which transforms the way you interact with your environment: snap a pic of a cafe, and your iPhone instantly shares its details. Enjoy AI-powered enhancements in iOS 18, like Siri summarizing messages for quicker decision-making and generating personalized emojis on demand.

Photography enthusiasts will love the enhanced camera control button, allowing for easy capture without opening the app. Alongside new colors and larger screens for the Pro models, Apple is also elevating health tech with advanced sleep tracking in the Apple Watch 10, including Sleep Apnea detection.

With pre-orders available now, the iPhone 16 heralds a new era of mobile tech—perfect for those with older models eager for the latest innovations.

Intezer is stepping up to tackle the industry’s urgent cybersecurity labor gap, which currently boasts over 4 million unfilled positions. With a fresh $33 million Series C funding round led by Norwest Venture Partners, the New York-based startup aims to refine cybersecurity operations through innovative AI tools.

Founded by former IDF officers, Intezer's technology automates the triaging and investigation of security alerts, drastically reducing response times from hours to just minutes. As cyber threats evolve and multiply, companies often find themselves overwhelmed by thousands of alerts daily, forcing them to prioritize.

Intezer’s goal is clear: identify the critical issues before they escalate. With partnerships forged with major security platforms, the startup finds itself at a crossroads, considering its future amidst rapid industry consolidation.

As the need for cyber defense intensifies, Intezer’s mission becomes more crucial than ever.

Get ready for an exciting audio innovation! Nothing, the innovative tech startup co-founded by OnePlus’s Carl Pei, has announced a launch event for September 24, teasing a new wireless headset with an intriguing open-ear design. The company has been dropping hints through mysterious posts on X (formerly Twitter), including a video of rounded cables and the phrase “out in the open.

”

Speculation suggests that this might be the much-anticipated Nothing Ear Open headphones, designed to enhance your audio experience while keeping you aware of your surroundings—ideal for those who dislike traditional in-ear models. Expanding its product line, this could mark Nothing's first foray into open-ear technology.



As we await the unveiling, early excitement is building around this fresh approach to wireless audio.