We are happy to introduce the launch of Coffee Break PD, where professional development
(PD) takes on a caffeinated new form! Gone are the days of dedicating entire
mornings or afternoons to lengthy PD courses. We're excited to introduce our
innovative, "gulp-sized" approach to PD, designed to fit seamlessly
into your busy schedule.
Efficient Learning in Gulp-Sized Chunks
Our course is uniquely structured into 15-minute segments,
allowing you to engage in meaningful learning over a coffee break or a quick
lunch. This format not only makes learning more manageable but also more
enjoyable.
The Crypto-Double Feature: Bitcoin and the FTX Saga
This introductory course offers a dual focus:
- Bitcoin
Basics and Beyond: Delve into the world of Bitcoin, exploring its
mechanics, security issues, and transaction integrity. We take you through
a detailed walkthrough of a Bitcoin transaction, from initiation to its
addition to the blockchain.
- The
Rise and Fall of FTX: Featuring content from Cold Fusion, a popular
YouTuber known for his engaging documentary style, this segment examines
the dramatic story of Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX. It's a compelling
narrative that offers invaluable governance insights.
Interactive and Immediate Assessment
Each 15-minute lesson is followed by a quick quiz, allowing
you to immediately apply and assess your understanding of the material. This
approach eliminates the stress of a final exam, making the learning process
more effective and enjoyable.
Certification and Convenience
Upon completion, you'll receive a 2.5-hour CPD certificate
from the UWCISA Center, affiliated with the University of Waterloo.
Introductory Offer: Exceptional Value for Professionals
We're offering this comprehensive 2.5-hour course at an
introductory price of just $49. This is part of our commitment to making
high-quality PD accessible to as many business professionals as possible. We're
eager for you to experience this novel approach to earning CPD credits and to
hear your feedback on the documentary style of Cold Fusion versus traditional
narrative formats.
Sign up now and transform the way you learn!
For more, check out the course site here:
The article from The Verge discusses significant changes at OpenAI, focusing on the reinstatement of Sam Altman as CEO, Microsoft's new role on the board, and the restructuring of the board itself. Here's a summary with key takeaways:
- Sam Altman Reinstated as CEO: Sam Altman has officially returned as the CEO of OpenAI. His comeback follows a turbulent period marked by his sudden firing, which was met with widespread surprise and concern within the AI community.
- Microsoft's Enhanced Role: Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, has been granted a non-voting observer seat on OpenAI's nonprofit board. This move increases Microsoft's visibility into OpenAI's operations, reflecting its significant stake and interest in the company's future.
- Board Restructuring: The OpenAI board has undergone a major restructuring. Two of the four members who initially decided to fire Altman are no longer on the board. This includes Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, who were both part of the effective altruist movement. The movement fell into disrepute due to the actions of Sam Bankman-Fried at FTX. The new board comprises Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo, the latter being the only member from the previous board.
Google has recently announced the launch of Gemini, a new multimodal AI model family designed to surpass the capabilities of OpenAI's GPT-4. Gemini, which is an advancement over Google's previous model, PaLM 2, has demonstrated superior performance in 30 out of 32 widely used academic benchmarks in large language model research. This AI model is capable of processing various types of input, including text, code, images, and audio, and aims to provide accurate problem-solving, advice, and answers across different fields. Google plans to integrate Gemini into its products, enhancing computing capabilities. Gemini will be available in three versions: Gemini Ultra for complex tasks, Gemini Pro for a wide range of tasks, and Gemini Nano for on-device tasks. Currently, only the mid-level Gemini Pro is accessible to the public through Google Bard, showing significant improvements over its predecessor.
Key Takeaways:
- Multimodal Capabilities: Gemini's ability to process multiple types of input, such as text, code, images, and audio, marks a significant advancement in AI technology.
- Three Versions for Different Needs: Gemini is tailored to various applications, with Gemini Ultra for complex tasks, Gemini Pro for general tasks, and Gemini Nano for local device applications.
- Integration into Google Products: Google's plan to incorporate Gemini into its product ecosystem signifies a major step towards more sophisticated and integrated AI solutions.
(Source: Ars Technica)
Google and the Canadian federal government have reached a significant agreement regarding the Online News Act. This deal will enable Google to continue sharing Canadian news online, in exchange for making annual payments to news companies, estimated to be around $100 million. This agreement, which addresses Google's concerns about the mandatory negotiation model and structural issues of the Act, allows Google to negotiate with a single group representing all media, reducing arbitration risks. The agreement is seen as a victory for Canadian media and may set a precedent for other countries. However, Meta (Facebook's parent company) has not resumed negotiations and has stopped distributing Canadian news on its platforms.
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
- Annual Payments to News Companies: Google will make annual payments estimated at $100 million to Canadian news companies.
- Single Negotiation Group: The deal allows Google to negotiate with a single representative group for all media, simplifying the process and reducing risks.
- Precedent for Future Agreements: This agreement could serve as a model for other countries in their dealings with tech giants over news content distribution.
(Source: CBC)
The KyberSwap hack is a remarkable event in the cryptocurrency world, involving a sophisticated breach and a hacker with demands akin to a spy novel's plot. The heist, which occurred on November 22, 2023, resulted in the theft of approximately $48 million from KyberSwap's liquidity pools across multiple blockchains. The hacker, self-titled "Kyber Director," made outlandish demands, including complete executive control over KyberSwap, full authority over KyberDAO, and access to all company-related documents and assets. These demands, which were communicated on-chain, also promised a transformation of KyberSwap, including buyouts for executives, doubled salaries for employees, and rebates for liquidity providers, with a deadline set for December 10. The hacker's approach and the nature of the demands highlight the unique and sometimes surreal challenges faced in the realm of decentralized finance.
Key Takeaways:
- Massive Financial Impact: The hack led to a significant loss of $48 million, affecting multiple blockchains.
- Unprecedented Hacker Demands: The hacker's demands for complete control over KyberSwap and access to all company assets are unusually extreme and audacious.
- Potential Transformation of KyberSwap: The hacker's promises, if met, could lead to a complete overhaul of KyberSwap's operations and management.
Author: Malik Datardina, CPA, CA, CISA. Malik works at Auvenir as a GRC Strategist that is working to transform the engagement experience for accounting firms and their clients. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent UWCISA, UW, Auvenir (or its affiliates), CPA Canada or anyone else. This post was written with the assistance of an AI language model. The model provided suggestions and completions to help me write, but the final content and opinions are my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment