Top 10 Technology News Headlines - Dec 2024

Here are the top 10 technology news headlines as of December 2, 2024:

1. Elon Musk Announces Timeline for Affordable Humanoid Robots: Tesla plans to begin limited production of its Optimus humanoid robots next year, with full manufacturing by 2026. Priced at $20,000, these robots aim to perform tasks traditionally done by humans, potentially revolutionizing industries such as aged care and manufacturing.

   News.com.au

2. World's First 'Flying Ferry' Set to Launch in the U.S.: The Candela P-12 hydrofoiling ferry, developed by Swedish EV company Candela, will soon operate at Lake Tahoe. This electric vessel uses underwater wings to hover above water, reducing drag and energy consumption, and offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel-fueled ferries.

   The Sun

3. Uncertainty Surrounds AI Regulations Amid U.S. Political Shift: With the U.S. government transitioning to full Republican control, the future of AI regulations is unclear. President-elect Donald Trump plans to rescind previous AI executive orders, emphasizing free speech and reducing regulatory barriers, which may impact policies on AI's use in elections and misinformation.

   AP News

4. AI-Powered 'Nudification' Apps Facilitate Child Abuse Deepfakes: Advancements in AI and 'nudification' applications are enabling the creation of abusive deepfake images of children from regular photos on social media. This trend poses significant challenges for schools and authorities in protecting minors online.

   The Times

5. Channel 4 Ends Standard Definition Broadcasts on Some Platforms: Channel 4 has discontinued standard definition broadcasts on certain Sky and Freesat TV boxes, transitioning to HD-only broadcasts. This move affects viewers using older SD boxes, who will need to upgrade to access Channel 4 content.

   The Sun

6. Sustainability Sector Faces Digital Skills Gap Amid AI Integration: The sustainability profession is grappling with a significant gap in digital skills necessary to harness AI technologies effectively. This shortfall hampers efforts to address climate and biodiversity crises, prompting initiatives to provide AI-focused training and education.

   Reuters

7. China's Solar Industry Dominance and Taiwan's AI Investments: China continues to lead in solar technology, while Taiwan plans significant investments in AI data centers and applications, aiming to enhance its AI capabilities and foster international cooperation.

   Financial Times

8. Microsoft to Invest $1.5 Billion in Emirati AI Firm G42: Microsoft plans a significant investment in Abu Dhabi's AI group G42, reflecting its commitment to expanding AI capabilities in the Middle East.

   Wikipedia

9. Google News Enhances AI-Powered Features: Google News has introduced advanced AI features to improve user experience, offering more personalized and relevant news content.

   Wikipedia

10. Astra Tech Unveils Palm Pay, Elevating Biometric Payment Technology: Dubai-based Astra Tech has launched Palm Pay, a biometric payment system aiming to revolutionize contactless transactions in the UAE.

    Wikipedia