This week, Elon Musk made headlines for something other than Twitter or SpaceX, with the Boring Company announcing its plan to expand its Hyperloop throughout Las Vegas. Construction on the Loop began in 2021 and will now tack on an additional 25 miles in the city. On the product side, Google gave the public a look at its forthcoming foldable smartphone, the Pixel Fold, which is rumored to cost $1,700 USD. Dyson, meanwhile, officially put its air purifying Zone headphones on the market.
Elsewhere in tech, the Biden Administration put forth a major investment in the future of safe AI, dishing out a $140 million USD commitment to researching AI.
Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.
Biden Administration Announced a $140 Million USD Commitment to AI Research
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The Biden Administration is amping up its efforts to control the rapid advancement of AI. The Administration has announced a $140 Million USD investment into researching AI, to be carried out by seven newly-formed National Research Institutes.
“AI is one of the most powerful technologies of our time, but in order to seize the opportunities it presents, we must first mitigate its risks,” the Administration wrote in its announcement. “President Biden has been clear that when it comes to AI, we must place people and communities at the center by supporting responsible innovation that serves the public good, while protecting our society, security, and economy.”
Vice President Kamala Harris will be meeting with leading companies in the AI space – Alphabet, Anthropic, Microsoft and OpenAI – to discuss safety and security. All four companies have also agreed to submit to a public evaluation to see how their AI matches up to the principles of ethical AI set forth by the Administration.
Google Officially Unveiled the New Pixel Fold
Google has finally unveiled its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold. An early look at the phone was shared on social media. The design features a vertical hinge, which will open for a tablet-style display, evocative of the aesthetic of 90s flip phones.
When close shut, users will be able to use the screen on the exterior of the front of the phone. A camera is placed on the screen-less back side. No specific specs on the product were revealed, so buyers will have to wait and see if the phone comes with any cool tools or programs. Reports anticipate that the Pixel Fold will cost approximately $1,700 USD and run on Google’s Tensor G2 chipset. Google, meanwhile, has said it will reveal more details about the Pixel Fold on May 10.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company Is Expanding its Las Vegas Tunnel Network to 65 Miles
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Elon Musk’s Boring Company will continue its tunnel network project. The company has officially been given permission to expand its tunnel under Las Vegas for an additional 25 miles and 18 stations. City officials voted to approve the project after confirming that it would be funded solely by the Boring Company and not taxpayers.
The expansion will bring the total length of the Loop to 65 miles and 69 stations in total. Musk began working on the Loop in 2021 and its made pretty significant progress in the time since. In the future, the Boring Company will plan to further expand the Loop, which branches out from the Vegas strip corridor, into residential areas as well.
The $949 USD Dyson Zone™ Headphones Are Available Now
Dyson
Dyson’s futuristic-looking Zone headphones made waves throughout social media when they were first announced back in March. The headphones otherwise appear like a normal pair, with the additional of a second band that wraps around the user’s face to purify their air while they work.
The company – which is known for its vacuums and fans – says that the headphones will remove 99% of pollutants in the air. They also offer active noise cancellation and purportedly high quality audio. Those intrigued by the Dyson Zone headphones can now own a pair for $949 USD, currently available for pre-order by appointment only. A wider release will soon follow in-store at Dyson Demo stores and on Dyson’s website.
