Future of Work Roundup - week of April 17

Welcome to the Future of Work Roundup. Each week, we bring you five top stories—drawing from the latest academic research and industry trends—to give you an easily-digestible snapshot of how work is changing—and why it matters.

Digital Rights at Risk As Montana Votes to Ban TikTok

Wired reports on Montana’s move to ban TikTok, making it the first state in the US to do so. The move has sparked concerns about setting a dangerous precedent and leading to similar bans in other states.

Google Racing to Develop New AI-Powered Search Engine

According to an article published by The New York Times, Google is developing an all-new search engine powered by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and upgrading its existing search engine with AI features. The new search engine, named Magi, is expected to offer a more personalized experience to users.

President Biden Ends Covid-19 National Emergency

Politico reports that President Biden has signed a bill terminating the Covid-19 national emergency, even, though he initially opposed it, while the public health emergency remains set to expire in May. 

Elon Musk Enters AI Race with New Company X.AI Corp

The Wall Street Journal reports reports that Elon Musk has founded a new AI company, X.AI Corp, aiming to rival OpenAI. Spearheaded by a former DeepMind scientist, this venture adds another competitor to the tech race for powerful AI models. 

First Major US News Outlet to Exit Twitter: NPR

CNBC reports that NPR has left Twitter, becoming the first major U.S. news outlet to do so since Elon Musk’s takeover. The decision follows a controversy over the platform’s labeling of NPR. This move raises questions about the platform’s decision-making and its impact on news organizations. 

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for next week’s Future of Work roundup.