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Bitcoin Development Mailing List Moves to Google Groups

According to NS3AI, the bitcoin-dev mailing list, a vital platform for discussions on Bitcoin's development, has recently shifted from the Linux Foundation archives to Google Groups. This transition has sparked concerns within the Bitcoin community, which places a high value on decentralization. The move to Google Groups, a service provided by a major tech corporation, has led to debates about the potential risks of centralization and the implications it might have on the open-source nature of Bitcoin's development.In addition to the mailing list transition, the ongoing debate about the true identity of Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, continues to stir controversy. The mystery surrounding Nakamoto's identity has been a topic of intrigue and speculation since Bitcoin's inception. Various individuals have been suggested as the possible creator, but no definitive evidence has emerged to confirm any of these claims. This enduring mystery adds another layer of complexity to the discussions within the Bitcoin community, as it grapples with both technological and philosophical challenges.
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OpenAI's Potential Shift to for-Profit Structure Under Discussion

According to Cointelegraph, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is reportedly in early discussions with regulators in California and Delaware to explore transitioning into a for-profit entity. The company, valued at $157 billion, has initiated talks with California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office and his Delaware counterpart, as reported by Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the situation.In September, Reuters revealed that OpenAI was considering restructuring its core operations into a for-profit company, moving away from its current non-profit board control. A significant challenge in these discussions is determining the value of OpenAI's intellectual property, which includes its highly profitable large language model chatbot. The valuation process is complicated by California law, which mandates that the value assigned to nonprofit assets must be allocated to a charitable cause. OpenAI's primary assets are its intellectual property, adding complexity to the transition.A for-profit structure is seen as more appealing to investors compared to a nonprofit research organization. However, this transformation raises concerns about whether OpenAI, founded in 2015, is maintaining its original mission of developing AI products that are safe and beneficial to humanity. In May 2023, tech billionaire Elon Musk questioned the legality of the transition following his $50 million investment in the firm. Musk criticized OpenAI for shifting from an open-source, non-profit entity to a closed-source, profit-driven company, effectively controlled by Microsoft. Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in February 2024 for breach of contract but withdrew it in June.Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI's nonprofit board, stated to Bloomberg that the nonprofit would remain part of any new corporate structure, ensuring it continues to thrive and receive full value for its stake in the for-profit entity. A spokesperson for Bonta's office emphasized the firm's commitment to protecting charitable assets for their intended purpose.OpenAI established a capped for-profit subsidiary in 2019 to support the high costs of AI model development. The company experienced a period of instability, including the brief firing and rehiring of CEO Sam Altman, as tensions rose on the nonprofit board over balancing AI safety with commercialization pressures. On October 23, long-time OpenAI safety researcher Miles Brundage resigned, expressing plans to start a new nonprofit or join an existing one focused on AI policy research and advocacy.In early October, reports indicated that OpenAI might not turn a profit until 2029, despite reaching $100 billion in revenue, as it is projected to incur a loss of about $5 billion in 2024.
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Perplexity CEO Offers Support Amid NYT Tech Workers Strike

According to TechCrunch, the CEO of AI search company Perplexity, Aravind Srinivas, has proposed to cross picket lines to assist the New York Times (NYT) during a strike by its tech workers. The NYT Tech Guild announced the strike, which began after setting a deadline of November 4. The workers involved provide essential software support and data analysis for the Times' business operations. They are demanding a 2.5% annual wage increase and the formalization of a two-day in-office workweek, among other requests. The guild expressed frustration over the company's refusal to agree to a fair contract, accusing it of unfair labor practices. Kathy Zhang, the unit chair, emphasized the necessity of demonstrating their labor power through the strike.NYT's publisher, AG Sulzberger, criticized the timing of the strike, noting its proximity to the U.S. presidential election. He highlighted the importance of the Times' journalism during this period and expressed concern over the Tech Guild's decision to strike at such a critical time. As negotiations continued, picketers gathered outside the NYT building in New York. Meanwhile, on X, formerly known as Twitter, Srinivas offered Perplexity's services to support the Times during the strike. He reached out to AG Sulzberger, expressing readiness to ensure the availability of essential coverage during the election. This offer was met with criticism on X, with many accusing Srinivas of being a 'scab,' a term used for individuals willing to work in place of striking workers, which is often viewed negatively in labor disputes.Srinivas clarified that the offer was not intended to replace journalists or engineers with AI but to provide technical infrastructure support on a high-traffic day. However, the striking workers are responsible for these services at the NYT, raising questions about what Perplexity could offer without replacing them. The relationship between NYT and Perplexity has been strained, with the Times issuing a cease and desist letter to Perplexity in October over the startup's use of its articles for AI model training. Despite the controversy, Srinivas maintains that the intention was to ensure the public has access to necessary information on election day, aligning with Perplexity's recent launch of an elections info hub and map. Nonetheless, the offer to step in for striking workers remains contentious.
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Zero-Knowledge Proofs Revolutionize Decentralized Identity Systems

According to Cointelegraph, zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs in decentralized identity applications have ignited a debate within the crypto industry, with some critics arguing that ZK is too costly and complex to implement. However, Leo Fan, co-founder of ZK hardware company Cysic, contends that despite historical expenses, ZK-proofs are more cost-effective than traditional ID systems managed by centralized institutions. In an interview with Cointelegraph, Fan highlighted that advancements in hardware and more efficient proof generation have significantly reduced the costs and finality time for ZK-proofs. These improvements make ZK-proofs less expensive than conventional identification systems, which often involve extensive bureaucracies and substantial financial resources. Fan noted, "Zero-knowledge proofs were quite expensive to run at the beginning of this year, but we have been accelerating the proof generation to make it more convenient for people. So in that sense, we are reducing the barrier to using ZK." Currently, the time required to generate ZK-proofs is approximately 10 seconds, positioning ZK as a viable method for decentralized identification that maximizes privacy while maintaining necessary screening functions for proof of ID scenarios. The adoption of ZK-powered identity solutions is gaining traction globally. The recent implementation of ZK-powered digital ID for 3.6 million residents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was praised by Fan. Government officials announced the integration of QuarkID into the existing miBA digital identification framework on October 21, offering individuals greater control over their biometric data. Additionally, in August, Worldcoin introduced its World ID orbs in Vienna, Austria. These devices collect biometric data by scanning users' irises and converting the unique identifiers into cryptographic proofs to verify personhood. Later that month, the Malaysian government signed an agreement with Worldcoin to incorporate the company's iris-scanning orbs into the national identification system. This collaboration also involved Tools for Humanity and MyEG, a firm specializing in bridging government services with the population.
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