7 for 7 : What’s happened this week? 28/04/24

Here are the top tech news stories from the past week or so:

1. Revolutionary Chronic Wound Treatment: An international team has developed a non-antibiotic treatment for chronic wounds using plasma-activated hydrogel dressings. These dressings decontaminate and aid the healing of chronic wounds without relying on antibiotics. The treatment addresses antibiotic resistance and has the potential to transform wound care.
   
2. Stressed-Out Gen Z Ditch Smartphones: The Boring Phone, a featureless flip phone, taps into young people’s concerns about data privacy and attention-harvesting. Gen Z is increasingly drawn to dumbphones, seeking respite from constant digital connectivity. The trend reflects nostalgia for simpler mobile phones and a desire to disconnect from smartphones.
   
3. Autonomous Race Cars in Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) aims to reshape the future of mobility through extreme sports. Skilled teams incorporate cutting-edge technologies into racing vehicles. The inaugural race day features autonomous super formula racing cars at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
   
4. Tesla Autopilot Linked to Hundreds of Collisions: Federal authorities found a “critical safety gap” in Tesla’s Autopilot system, contributing to at least 467 collisions, 13 of which resulted in fatalities. The system needed to ensure driver attention and appropriate use sufficiently. Despite a software update, crashes linked to Autopilot continue to be reported.
   
5. Tech Companies May Benefit from FTC Ban on Non-Competes: Critics argue that non-compete agreements hinder innovation and employee mobility. The FTC’s ban on non-competes could encourage tech companies to compete more effectively. It may lead to a more dynamic workforce and foster innovation.
   
6. We need a new term for human users: In a world where AI users perceive and interact with AI systems, understanding AI from a human perspective is crucial for responsible development. This is especially key when assessing the true user engagement level on a social platform.
   
7. How Fraudsters Are Getting Fake Articles onto Facebook: Scammers create AI-generated fake articles about celebrities endorsing cryptocurrency investments. These articles appear on Facebook news feeds with legitimate bylines to lure readers into phoney investment schemes. The scammers manipulate website links and use redirects to evade detection.