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What caused Trump to become TikTok's unexpected champion
During his presidency, Donald Trump sought to ban TikTok due to national security concerns, but he now supports the platform. As of January 20, 2025, he plans to sign an executive order after his inauguration to delay the ban and will pursue a deal that allows TikTok to operate while addressing security issues. This decision comes after a brief outage of the app, which TikTok attributed to Trump's intervention. TikTok currently has around 170 million users, many of whom rely on it for news and entertainment. Trump's change in position capitalizes on the current political climate, allowing him to potentially blame the previous administration if the ban is enforced or receive praise if it is lifted. Key tech figures, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, have sought to align themselves with Trump, influencing company policies and providing financial support for his inauguration. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, has engaged in direct discussions with Trump, emphasizing the platform’s commitment to its U.S. operations. Despite the law mandating TikTok's separation from its parent company ByteDance, recent actions indicate potential leniency under a Trump administration, which might consider regulatory changes favoring business consolidation. Trump also proposed a 90-day extension for ByteDance to comply with separation requirements and suggested establishing a joint venture with U.S. ownership in TikTok, although details remain unclear.
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Musk's New AI Chatbot Aims to Transform Government Productivity
01:44|Elon Musk introduces a new AI chatbot designed to improve productivity in government operations. The chatbot utilizes advanced technologies to streamline processes and enhance communication within government agencies. It aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and increase efficiency. The project seeks to implement AI solutions that can assist in decision-making and task management for government officials.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Is Amazon Ready to Dethrone Walmart as the Revenue King
02:16|Amazon competes with Walmart for the highest revenue position in the S&P 500. Walmart has maintained this position for twelve years. Recent earnings indicate Amazon's fourth-quarter revenue at $187.8 billion, while Walmart projects $180 billion, marking a potential revenue shift since 2012. Amazon experienced significant growth during the holiday season, aided by customers, partners, and employees. Online sales in North America have doubled since 2019. Amazon Web Services (AWS) contributed to this growth, with revenue rising from $45.37 billion in 2020 to approximately $90.76 billion in 2023. In Q3 2024, AWS revenue increased by 19%, equating to 17% of Amazon's total sales. Amazon surpassed $600 billion in total revenue for the first time in 2024, reaching $638 billion. Walmart, however, is projected to report full-year revenue of $681 billion for 2024. Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Black Founders Face Historic Funding Drought Amid Greater Investment Shifts
03:55|In 2024, U.S. startup funding for companies with Black founders reached a multiyear low, with only $730 million, or 0.4%, of total funding directed toward these startups. This represents a decline of over two-thirds from three years prior. Funding primarily concentrated in a few large rounds, with notable amounts secured by startups like Twelve ($200 million), Zing Health ($140 million), Pyka ($40 million), Eleanor Health ($30 million), and FinQuery ($25 million). Despite an increase in the number of Black entrepreneurs, significant underrepresentation persists, and investment decisions reflect bias. Approximately 48 million Americans identify as Black, yet in 2022, no U.S. AI startups that raised over $100 million were founded by Black entrepreneurs. DEI efforts in funding face challenges amid a political climate that opposes diversity initiatives, leading some companies to reduce their DEI commitments. Legal challenges have emerged for diversity-focused investors, complicating their efforts. The future of funding for Black founders remains uncertain, with potential growth expected if representation in healthcare improves. Data sources focus on the U.S. market for minority-founded companies, acknowledging some gaps, especially in early-stage funding.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Why Is This AI Company Telling Candidates Not to Use Its Own Tool?
02:02|Anthropic prohibits AI use in job applications, requiring candidates to complete materials independently. The company has around 150 job openings where AI tools, such as Claude or ChatGPT, should not be used during the application process. This policy spans multiple roles like finance, communications, and sales. Candidates must acknowledge this requirement as part of their application. Overall, many U.S. employers share this stance, with a survey indicating over half of hiring managers prefer non-AI-generated resumes. While some job seekers use AI for application enhancements, Anthropic faces competition from ChatGPT. In financial news, the company seeks to secure $2 billion in funding, aiming for a $60 billion valuation.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Could LinkedIn's New AI Tool Change Your Job Search Forever
01:29|LinkedIn introduces a new AI tool designed to enhance job searches. This tool analyzes user profiles and job listings to provide tailored recommendations. It aims to improve the match between candidates and job opportunities. Users receive insights on skills, experiences, and networking strategies to increase their chances of landing a job. The integration of AI technology aims to create a more efficient and effective job searching process.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Semgrep's $100M Funding Round Unveils New Horizons for Cybersecurity
01:39|Cybersecurity venture funding has increased recently. Semgrep, an application security startup, secured $100 million in Series D funding, led by Menlo Ventures and including investments from multiple firms. Since 2017, Semgrep has raised a total of $204 million. The company focuses on providing an autonomous code security platform that helps developers and security engineers create safeguards for application development. In 2024, investments in cybersecurity ventures rose by 43% year-over-year, totaling nearly $11.6 billion. Despite a flat funding quarter in the last quarter of 2024, investment momentum continued into 2025, with Semgrep's funding round being the only one exceeding nine figures.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Is Your Data at Risk with China's DeepSeek Chatbot?
02:26|On February 5, 2025, the DeepSeek chatbot faces scrutiny for potential ties to China Mobile, a Chinese state-owned telecom. Security researchers identified obfuscated code on DeepSeek's login page, suggesting connections to systems run by China Mobile. DeepSeek admits to storing user data in China, raising privacy concerns. The U.S. government has previously sanctioned China Mobile due to national security issues related to its connections with the Chinese military. While no data transfers were detected during security tests, risks remain for some users. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission previously denied China Mobile's operation in the U.S. due to these concerns. Experts highlight that AI systems can expose sensitive personal and business data, increasing risk when affiliated with geopolitical adversaries. An independent analysis confirms a connection between DeepSeek and China Mobile, indicating risks for user engagement with the application.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/What happens when foreign aid workers are cut off from their vital missions
02:03|Foreign aid workers face significant challenges when they lose access to their essential missions. These workers often struggle to provide necessary support to communities in crisis. Aid cuts disrupt food distribution, healthcare access, and education programs. Communities experience increased vulnerability to poverty, conflict, and health crises. Organizations must adapt strategies to maintain support and address the growing needs amidst funding shortages. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of sustained funding to ensure aid reaches those in need. Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local organizations proves critical in overcoming obstacles and delivering aid effectively. Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Reid Hoffman's ambitious new venture in cancer treatment
01:54|Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, launches a healthcare startup called Manas AI to innovate cancer treatment. Manas AI, co-founded with Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, focuses on using artificial intelligence to improve drug development processes. The startup targets aggressive cancers, including breast, prostate, and lymphoma, aiming to accelerate drug discovery and understanding of drug interactions with the human body. Manas AI secured $24.6 million in seed funding, with contributions from General Catalyst and will utilize Microsoft’s data centers. Dr. Mukherjee, a professor at Columbia University, leads the integration of AI and biological sciences alongside Hoffman. The healthcare AI sector saw $10.5 billion in investments across various deals in 2024.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/