TikTok hires Indiana lobbyist as some states restrict access to the app
The move by TikTok comes as several states, including Indiana, restrict access to the video-sharing platform on government-issued devices due to national security concerns.
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Musk, Wozniak, other tech leaders call for halt to AI race sparked by ChatGPT
More than 1,100 people in the industry signed the petition, which warns that AI systems with “human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity.”
Biden starts democracy summit with $690M pledge for programs
The Biden administration wants to use the two-day summit that begins Wednesday to zero in on making “technology work for and not against democracy,” according to a senior administration official.
Google seeks dismissal of federal lawsuit alleging advertising monopoly
Google on Monday filed a motion to dismiss a Department of Justice lawsuit that aims to break up its alleged monopoly in online advertising, the company’s first salvo in a case widely seen as a test of the Biden administration’s ability to rein in the tech industry.
U.S. to adopt new restrictions on using commercial spyware
The order responds to growing U.S. and global concerns about programs that can capture text messages and other cellphone data. Some programs—so-called “zero-click” exploits—can infect a phone without the user clicking on a malicious link.
Gap grows between TikTok users, lawmakers on potential ban
On the one side are dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill issuing dire warnings about security and possible Chinese surveillance. On the other are some 150 million TikTok users who just want to be able to keep making and watching short, fun videos.
Twitter say parts of its source code leaked online
The leak creates more challenges for billionaire Elon Musk, who bought Twitter last October for $44 billion and took the company private. Since then, it has been engulfed in chaos, with massive layoffs and advertisers fleeing.
Indianapolis-based angel investor group eyeing ‘record year’ in 2023, executive director says
VisionTech, a group of more than 130 investors, has so far this year made seven investments totaling $1 million. In comparison, the group made a total of 16 investments totaling $2.4 million in all of 2022.
UPDATE: TikTok CEO grilled by skeptical lawmakers on safety, content
A nearly six-hour grilling of TikTok’s CEO by lawmakers brought the platform’s 150 million U.S. users no closer to an answer as to whether the app will be wiped from their devices.
Indianapolis-based Studio Science acquires RevTech360
Steve Pruden, CEO of design and innovation consulting firm Studio Science, said the acquisition of RevTech360 adds new technical capabilities to Studio Science’s lineup.
Fishers-based marketing-tech firm Vibenomics acquired
Vibenomics, which has raised about $32 million in investment capital since its 2016 launch, is now owned by Austin, Texas-based Mood Media, a much larger player in marketing tech field.
Lebanon planners approve Eli Lilly manufacturing site in Boone County
The Lebanon Plan Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve Eli Lilly and Co.’s development plan for its two manufacturing facilities in Boone County.
Neil Patrick Harris joins roster of speakers at NFT-ticketed VeeCon
The “How I Met Your Mother” star, music producer Timbaland and “Bar Rescue” host Jon Taffer are among the newly announced participants for the technology-focused summit.
Ag-tech startup Athian secures investors for $5M funding round
Athian expects to begin beta testing for its first product this month. The company was launched last year by Greenfield-based Elanco and Indianapolis-based High Alpha Innovation.
Microsoft adds AI tools to office apps Outlook, Word, Excel
Microsoft is infusing artificial intelligence tools into its suite of office software, allowing users to do things like summarize long emails, draft stories in Word and animate slides in PowerPoint.
Elevate Ventures launching new multiday innovation conference
The new event, called Rally, will take place at the Indiana Convention Center and feature a $5 million pitch competition, more than 200 speakers, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to demonstrate their innovations and meet individually with potential investors.
TikTok dismisses calls for Chinese owners to sell stakes
Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.
Facebook parent Meta slashing another 10,000 jobs
Meta previously announced 11,000 job cuts in November, about 13% of its workforce at the time.
Local software startup Elate lands $4.9M VC investment
Indianapolis-based Elate was founded in 2019 by two former coworkers at another local software firm, Springbuk. Elate offers a platform to help organizations develop and execute their strategic plans.
Mark Zuckerberg was warned about social media addiction, filing shows
Employees at Facebook parent Meta Platforms and TikTok developer ByteDance were aware of the harmful effects of their platforms on young children and teenagers but disregarded the information or in some cases sought to undermine it, court filings show.