The 2023 Consumers Electronics show in Las Vegas didn't just feature smart devices to make our lives easier, there were also some gadgets aimed at eliminating waste and improving climate conditions.
The accumulation of plastic waste across the globe accounts for eight to 12 million tons of garbage in the Earth's oceans but a new product from Clear Drop could be a counter to that problem.
The company introduced a new plastic compactor that consolidates loose pieces into a single brick. Over the course of a month, a user can continuously add loose pieces of plastic into the compactor and pressed brick of the material is created for easy recycling.
When it comes to eliminating food waste, food tech company OneThird is looking to help grocery stores reduce their produce waste. They've introduced a grocery scanner that can test produce ripeness rather than a shopper doing a hand test and potentially damaging the goods.
"The problem is that doing that, it actually damages the avocado and that means that stores have to throw away lots of the avocados," Marco Snikkers, OneThird CEO, told Cheddar News.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, food waste is estimated to be around 30 to 40 percent of the food supply.
Items are simply placed inside the scanner and a few seconds later, the device provides a reading of how firm the produce is, if it is good to eat and how many days are left in its shelf life.
"By knowing shelf life at the moment before they ship it, they'll be able to make better choices," Snikkers said.
Holiday shopping heats up as Tom’s Guide editor Kate Kozuch reveals the tech gifts everyone wants, from wellness gadgets to gaming buzz—and how to score deals!
Spain's government has fined Airbnb 64 million euros or $75 million for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals. The consumer rights ministry announced the fine on Monday. The ministry stated that many listings lacked proper license numbers or included incorrect information. The move is part of Spain's ongoing efforts to regulate short-term rental companies amid a housing affordability crisis especially in popular urban areas. The ministry ordered Airbnb in May to remove around 65,000 listings for similar violations. The government's consumer rights minister emphasized the impact on families struggling with housing. Airbnb said it plans to challenge the fine in court.
The Islamic State group and other militant organizations are experimenting with artificial intelligence as a tool to boost recruitment and refine their operations. National security experts say that just as businesses, governments and individuals have embraced AI, extremist groups also will look to harness the power of AI. That means aiming to improve their cyberattacks, breaking into sensitive networks and creating deepfakes that spread confusion and fear. Leaders in Washington have responded with calls to investigate how militant groups are using AI and seek ways to encourage tech companies to share more about how their products are being potentially misused.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to block states from regulating artificial intelligence. He argues that heavy regulations could stifle the industry, especially given competition from China. Trump says the U.S. needs a unified approach to AI regulation to avoid complications from state-by-state rules. The order directs the administration to draw up a list of problematic regulations for the Attorney General to challenge. States with laws could lose access to broadband funding, according to the text of the order. Some states have already passed AI laws focusing on transparency and limiting data collection.
Waymo's self-driving taxis have been in the spotlight for both negative and positive reasons. This week, the automated ride-hailing taxis went viral after a San Francisco woman gave birth inside a Waymo taxi while on her way to the hospital. A Waymo spokesperson on Wednesday confirmed the unusual delivery. It said the company's rider support team detected unusual activity inside the vehicle and alerted 911. The taxi arrived safely at the hospital before emergency services. Waymo's popularity is growing despite heightened scrutiny following an illegal U-turn and the death of a San Francisco cat. The company, owned by Alphabet, says it is proud to serve riders of all ages.
OpenAI has appointed Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its first chief of revenue. Dresser will oversee global revenue strategy and help businesses integrate AI into daily operations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently emphasized improving ChatGPT, which now has over 800 million weekly users. Despite its success, OpenAI faces competition from companies like Google and concerns about profitability. The company earns money from premium ChatGPT subscriptions but hasn't ventured into advertising. Altman had recently announced delays in developing new products like AI agents and a personal assistant.
