7 for 7 : What’s happened this week? 28/01/24

Here is a summary of the top 7 tech news stories of the last 7 (or so) days:

1. AI in Crime Prevention: Artificial intelligence is being increasingly used by police forces, but critics are worried about its implications.
2. Deepfakes Legislation: Explicit deepfake images of popstar Taylor Swift were spread millions of times on social media before being removed, sparking calls for US legislation.
3. Fortnite on iPhones in EU: iPhone users in the EU will soon be able to download apps from places other than the App Store, including Fortnite.
4. AI-Generated News Anchors: An LA-based startup is developing a streaming news service fronted by AI-generated presenters.
5. Meta’s Tool for Teens: Meta has developed a tool to block nude images in teenagers’ chats, even in encrypted conversations.
6. VR in the Office: Some companies touted virtual and augmented reality as the new frontier of the office. It hasn’t materialised, but XR tech may still have a role to play in the modern hybrid workplace.
7. Microsoft Surpasses Apple: Last week, Microsoft surpassed Apple as the most valuable company globally for the first time since 2021, with a market capitalisation of close to $3tn.