News from the Edge

Business

AI Loophole: Nvidia is prevented from selling its highest performing AI chips to companies in China, due to US national security concerns. However, Chinese tech giants, including ByteDance and China Telecom, have found a clever loophole: renting advanced AI chips from U.S. cloud providers. Alibaba and Tencent have also discussed setting up data centers in the U.S. to obtain Nvidia's powerful H100 chips, which are restricted in China. While the U.S. Commerce Department has proposed rules to close this loophole, it remains unclear if and when they will be implemented, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current export controls. The deals allow Chinese firms to access the cutting-edge technology they need to develop AI models, which could potentially be sent back to China, despite the restrictions.

Mad Tax: The exorbitant budget of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the most expensive film ever made in Australia, has left taxpayers questioning the sensibility of uncapped public funding for Hollywood productions. (So far the film has only grossed $100M at the box office vs a budget of $220M. )With the Australian government likely contributing a significant portion of the film's budget through tax rebates and offsets, the question arises whether this is the best use of public money, especially as the country considers expanding such incentives. While proponents argue that these subsidies attract international productions and create jobs, critics maintain that the economic benefits are difficult to evaluate in such a mobile industry and that the focus has shifted away from supporting Australian stories and talent. As the global screen sector faces disruption and contraction, it may be time to reassess whether taxpayers should continue to foot the bill for media conglomerates and consider investing in more permanent, community-oriented initiatives instead.

Alamo’s New Script: Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the quirky, food-focused movie theater chain known for its strict no-lateness and no-texting policies. The sale is a solution to Alamo's financial struggles, which led to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2021 and the recent closure of several locations. While Sony promises to maintain Alamo's unique brand identity and diverse content offerings, the acquisition marks a significant shift in the industry, as it's the first time a major Hollywood studio has purchased a theater chain since antitrust restrictions were lifted in 2020. Loyal Alamo customers remain cautiously optimistic about the future of their beloved cinema, hoping that Sony will preserve the elements that make the Drafthouse experience so unique.

Italy is just not that into You: Italy, the world's beloved travel destination, is grappling with the consequences of its allure as over-tourism strains its cities and towns. From Venice's controversial entry fee to the Cinque Terre's flip-flop fines, the country is implementing measures to curb the negative impact of mass tourism on the environment, cost of living, and quality of life for residents. While some argue for better management and promotion of lesser-known destinations, others fear turning Italy into a theme park could jeopardize its authentic charm. Locals are grappling with a double-edged sword of the profitability of the tourist season (which they hope to extend year round) or the recognition that they can’t leave their homes during peak hours. As the nation navigates this delicate balance between economic benefits and preservation, one thing remains clear: Italy's centuries-old love affair with its admirers is far from over, but it may be time to redefine the relationship. Sadly, Greece is about to pass a similar ordinance — limiting cruise ships at its most popular islands.

Retail Therapy: In a world where fast fashion reigns supreme and impulse purchases are just a click away, three women have taken a stand against consumerism by embarking on long-term shopping bans. Motivated by financial concerns, environmental consciousness, and a desire to make the most of what they already own, these women have gone years without buying new clothes, makeup, or even hobby supplies like yarn. By cutting out specific spending categories and finding creative ways to satisfy their needs, they've saved thousands of dollars and discovered a newfound sense of contentment and purpose. While we might understand the motivation to reduce consumption, save closet space or even save money, we just cannot relate — and the skeptic in us notes that only 3 women profiled in this article.

Technology

Microsoft’s Mea Culpa: In the wake of significant cyberattacks from China and Russia, Microsoft is pivoting its corporate culture to prioritize security over artificial intelligence. President Brad Smith testified before Congress, acknowledging the company's shortcomings in preventing the attacks, while CEO Satya Nadella has taken personal responsibility for the firm's security matters. Microsoft is implementing all 16 recommendations from the Cyber Safety Review Board. It has launched the Secure Future Initiative, a multiyear endeavor focused on developing products and services with the highest possible security standards. The tech giant is also tying executive compensation to security goals, expanding its security team, and elevating the role of its Chief Information Security Officer to ensure accountability and integration of security into its engineering processes. Microsoft has three new security principles: secure by design; secure by default; and secure operations. Too bad they hadn’t implemented this review before rolling out their new Recall feature (widely criticized for its ability to be hacked).

AI’s Bright Idea: Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence chip that could slash energy consumption by a factor of six compared to current industry standards. As AI's popularity soars, so does its energy footprint, with projections showing it could consume as much electricity as the Netherlands by 2027. The new chips use light for data transmission, integrating computation and data storage, mimicking the efficiency of biological neural networks. (The chips harness the power of photons instead of electrons, and create optical neural networks.) These chips can perform with far less energy than traditional central processing units, offering a promising solution to AI's growing sustainability concerns.

Japan Takes on Big Tech: In a move reminiscent of the European Union's Digital Markets Act, Japan has passed legislation that will force tech giants like Apple and Google to open up their platforms to third-party app stores by the end of 2025. The Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software aims to foster a more competitive market, potentially leading to lower app prices and reduced dominance of the tech giants. Companies like Epic Games are already celebrating the news, announcing plans to bring Fortnite and its game store platform to iOS in Japan. While Apple has expressed concerns about the law's impact on user privacy and data security, Japan's Fair Trade Commission believes the changes are necessary to address the oligopoly market in smartphone operating systems, app stores, browsers, and search engines. Interestingly, Japan has not named Sony and Nintendo to its list of app stores despite their huge gaming platforms.

Culture

Noodle Meltdown: Our palate is weak – we blame our brother and an incident with jalapeños…but even we wouldn’t stoop this low. In a surprising move, Denmark's food agency has recalled three instant ramen products from South Korean brand Samyang Foods, citing dangerously high levels of capsaicin that could lead to "acute poisoning." The agency warned consumers, especially parents of children, to discard or return the Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Hot Chicken Stew noodles due to the potential health risks. Samyang Foods, whose products have gained immense popularity overseas and even sparked a viral TikTok trend, expressed surprise at the recall, stating it was the first time their noodles had been deemed too hot for consumption. The company pledged to work on better understanding local regulations in its export markets as it navigates this spicy situation.

Gra-Boozey: During Halloween, we hear a lot of hysterics about adult brands that closely resemble candy and can pose risks to children — lock up those THC gummies or edible underwear. But this one has us truly scratching our heads. Welch’s, known for its iconic grape juice, is making a Vodka Transfusion Craft Cocktail. The canned adult beverage with a tagline “juicy, fruity, oh so boozy,” is available in 4 different flavors. If this isn’t an accident waiting to happen, or a brand extension in need of a new name…

Legends of the Cells: Remember when knowing the keystrokes for building Excel Macros or knowing the difference between VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP was cool? Well, not that it ever was, but we do remember with some fondness the days our fingers sprinted over keyboards 24/7. And we are not alone. Today, the Financial Modeling World Cup, an annual gathering of Excel enthusiasts, is attempting to transform the ubiquitous spreadsheet software into a bona fide esport. In Las Vegas, 16 finalists competed in a series of increasingly complex challenges, showcasing their mastery of formulas, shortcuts, and data manipulation in front of a live audience. While the event has gained some viral attention, questions remain about whether Excel competitions can become a mainstream spectator sport, given the subject’s inherent complexity and niche appeal.

Chestnut goes Vegan: In a shocking turn of events, Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, will not be competing in the beloved July 4th event due to his new partnership with Impossible Foods. Major League Eating expressed their devastation at Chestnut's betrayal, stating that they had gone to great lengths to accommodate him, but ultimately could not come to an agreement. The league emphasized the importance of their long-standing hot dog exclusivity provisions and hoped the American hero might return to the contest once his rival partnership ends. The Nathan's contest, a summer staple since 1979, will undoubtedly feel the absence of its most decorated competitor. But if you are craving some Joey Chestnut, Netflix has you covered — the streaming site will be airing a throwdown between the champion and his long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi over Labor Day called “Unfinished Beef.”

Sipping on Sunshine: With the summer solstice upon us, one thing we always love is the scent of a good old fashion sunscreen. Erewhon, the cult Los Angeles grocery chain known for its expensive prices and celebrity clientele, is taking that obsession to a new level. The chain has launched a new smoothie in collaboration with sunscreen brand Vacation. The Vacation "Sunscreen" Smoothie, inspired by the scent of Vacation's Classic SPF 30 Lotion, blends five organic coconut-based ingredients to create a creamy, tropical flavor reminiscent of a day at the beach. Priced at $9, the smoothie is a steal compared to other celebrity-partnered offerings at Erewhon. Despite its sunscreen-inspired scent, the company emphasizes that the smoothie does not provide any sun protection – for that, customers will need to visit the suncare aisle.

Reality Bites: What’s the first thing you would do while awaiting trial for manslaughter? Film a reality tv show with your wife (who has also been known to pretend she can’t pronounce “cucumber.”) Yes, you guessed it, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin will be bringing their family chaos to the small screen in 2025. The couple will invite us into their home to experience the ups and downs of life with their seven children, promising a mix of love, laughter, and drama. Honestly, we prefer 30 Rock.

Find your Spark: Don’t blame us if you can’t get this out of your head or you can’t stop dancing, but we are addicted to “The Spark,” a Drum & Bass song created by a youth group from Cork Ireland. It is all over TikTok if you want to learn the accompanying dance, and do some cardio (or embarrass your children).

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