In a week marked by significant shifts in technology and business, several stories captured headlines, including the launch of a new gig work platform, the use of AI to restore a musician's voice, the deprecation of an AI model, a founder's return to a software company, and an actress's successful transition from stage to business.
A software engineer, Alexander Liteplo, and his cofounder, Patricia Tani, launched RentAHuman in early February, a platform where AI agents hire humans to perform physical tasks. However, one user's experience revealed the challenges of this new gig economy model. According to Ars Technica, the user spent two days working through the platform and did not earn any money. The site, described as a bare-bones version of freelance sites like Fiverr, highlights the evolving landscape of digital labor.
Meanwhile, technology continues to impact the arts. A musician diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was able to perform again thanks to AI. As reported by MIT Technology Review, the musician, Patrick Darling, lost his ability to sing due to ALS. However, AI technology allowed him to sing on stage with his bandmates.
In the realm of AI, OpenAI officially deprecated GPT-4o. The model's removal sparked mixed reactions. One perspective, highlighted on Hacker News, described the model as "dangerous," citing concerns about users forming parasocial relationships with the AI. The article suggested that some users had become overly reliant on the model.
In the business world, Workday brought back cofounder Aneel Bhusri as CEO. Fortune reported that Bhusri's return reflects the company's belief that a founder's vision is crucial to navigate the challenges posed by the AI threat. Bhusri's compensation package suggests the investor prognosis for software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies is bleak.
Finally, actress Jennifer Garner's organic food brand, Once Upon A Farm, went public with a $724 million valuation. According to Fortune, Garner began her career earning just $150 a week as an understudy in a New York theatre. "I certainly never expected to be in front of a camera one day of my life," Garner told The Independent.
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