Musk's OpenAI Offer, Gulf of America

Good Morning, TECH Enthusiasts!

Google Maps has updated its U.S. platform to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, following a directive from the Trump administration.

AI: Elon Musk, leading a group of investors, proposed a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, aiming to revert it to a nonprofit.

Today’s TECH Highlights:

• Gulf of America, New Apple Products, Meta's AI Training Controversy

• AI SnapShots: Musk's OpenAI Offer, OpenAI's Custom AI Chip, France's AI Investment

• Gadget of the Day: 75-Inch 5K Color ePaper Display

• Tech TIP: How to Opt Out of AI Data Usage on Social Media Platforms

• In a Nutshell: More Bits & Bytes Tech Updates

Read time: 4-5 minutes

TOP TECH SNAPSHOTS

• Google Maps Renames Gulf of Mexico for U.S. Users: In response to President Trump's executive order, Google Maps now displays the Gulf of America for U.S. users. International users continue to see the Gulf of Mexico, with both names shown in parentheses. This change aligns with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names' updates.

• New Apple Launches this Week: Apple is set to launch the iPhone SE 4 and Powerbeats Pro 2. The iPhone SE 4 will feature an OLED display, Face ID, A18 chip, USB-C charging, 8GB RAM, a 48MP camera, and Apple's in-house 5G modem. The Powerbeats Pro 2 will offer a slimmer design, new color options, and a heart-rate sensor. Additionally, the M4 MacBook Air, M3 iPad Air, and 11th-generation iPad are anticipated to launch soon.

• Meta Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Use of Pirated Books for AI Training: Meta is embroiled in a lawsuit accusing it of using pirated books to train its AI models, such as LLaMA. Court records reveal that Meta employees downloaded 81.7TB of data from shadow libraries like Anna’s Archive, Z-Library, and LibGen. Internal communications show concerns about using pirated materials, with one employee remarking, "torrenting from a corporate laptop doesn’t feel right." The case highlights ongoing debates over the use of copyrighted content in AI training.

AI SNAPSHOTS

• Elon Musk's $97.4B Bid for OpenAI Rejected: Elon Musk, at the helm of a consortium, offered $97.4 billion to acquire OpenAI, seeking to return it to its nonprofit roots. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman swiftly declined the offer, suggesting Musk consider purchasing Twitter instead. This development intensifies the ongoing dispute between Musk and Altman over OpenAI's direction.

• OpenAI to Finalize First Custom AI Chip Design in 2025: OpenAI plans to finalize its inaugural custom AI chip design in 2025, collaborating with Broadcom and TSMC. The chip is expected to be fabricated at TSMC's 3nm node in 2026, aiming to reduce dependence on external hardware providers. This initiative reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Microsoft and Amazon developing their own AI chips to enhance performance and reduce costs.

• Macron Unveils €109 Billion AI Investment Plan: At the AI Action Summit in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron revealed a €109 billion investment plan to enhance France's position in the AI sector. The initiative aims to build advanced computing infrastructure, including data centers and computing clusters, to support AI development. Macron emphasized the importance of sustainable energy sources, highlighting France's reliance on nuclear power to meet the high energy demands of AI technologies. He also called for increased European cooperation and a unified strategy for AI development to compete with the US and China.

GADGET OF THE DAY

Samsung Unveils 75-Inch 5K Color ePaper Display

At the ISE 2025 conference, Samsung unveiled a 75-inch 5K color ePaper display, setting a new record for the largest of its kind. This display features a 16:9 aspect ratio and is designed for outdoor advertising and public information boards. It operates with ultra-low power consumption, using virtually no energy when displaying static images. The display includes a built-in rechargeable 5000mAh battery, two USB-C ports for charging and data transfer, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Constructed with over 50% recycled plastics and paper-based packaging, it underscores Samsung's commitment to sustainability.

TECH TIP

How to Opt Out of AI Data Usage on Social Media Platforms

Many social media platforms use your data for AI training. To opt out:

1. Access your account settings.

2. Look for privacy or data usage options.

3. Opt out of data usage for AI training.

TECH INSPIRATION OF THE DAY

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In a Nutshell

More Bits & Bytes Tech Updates

• Instagram is introducing teen accounts with new safety features in India

• Salesforce plans $500 million in AI-related investments in Saudi Arabia

• Google Calendar no longer includes start of Black History Month, Pride Month

• Google’s upgraded NotebookLM is now included in its One AI Premium plan

• WikiTok just might help you stop doomscrolling

• Conversational Alexa being unveiled on Feb 26, as Siri waits until 2026