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This week: Global Tech Outage + more stories

This week: Global Tech Outage + more stories

Brett Bouchard
July 20, 2024

Wise Tech - Technology news for seniors.

One error knocked out airlines, banks, hospitals and computer systems!

1. Global Tech Outage Causes Widespread Disruptions

What’s the tech? A significant technology outage affected numerous industries around the world. The problem was traced back to a faulty software update by CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm.

How it's used: CrowdStrike provides security software to protect companies from cyber threats (attacks on computer systems). However, this update malfunction caused systems to fail globally.

Why it's news now: This outage on July 19 disrupted airlines, banks, hospitals, and media outlets. Thousands of flights were canceled, and many businesses were knocked offline. This event highlights the need for more robust and diverse IT infrastructure to prevent similar future disruptions.

2. Amazon Reports Biggest Prime Day Ever

What’s the tech? Amazon's Prime Day is an annual sales event offering exclusive deals to Prime members.

How it's used: Customers around the world shop for discounted items on Amazon's website during this 48-hour event. Products range from electronics to home goods and fashion.

Why it's news now: This year, Prime Day was Amazon's biggest yet, with over 375 million items sold globally. Small and medium-sized businesses also saw record-breaking sales, showcasing Amazon's dominant position in online retail and its influence on the broader e-commerce ecosystem (a community of online businesses).

3. 80 Year Old Journalists Sue Over AI Copyright Issues

What’s the tech? The lawsuit involves OpenAI's ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, and Microsoft, which uses similar technology.

How it's used: ChatGPT is trained on vast amounts of text, including copyrighted works, to generate human-like responses.

Why it's news now: Journalists Nick Gage and Nick Basbanes, both in their 80s, have sued OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming their copyrighted works were used without permission. This lawsuit is part of a broader effort by various authors to ensure proper attribution (credit) and compensation for their work used in AI training.

Bonus Topic: Southwest Airlines Plans Electric Air Taxi Service

What it does: Southwest Airlines has partnered with Archer Aviation to introduce electric air taxis. These small aircraft take off and land vertically, powered by electricity, making them more environmentally friendly compared to traditional aircraft.

How it's used: These air taxis can transport passengers over short distances, such as from city centers to airports, reducing travel time and congestion on the roads. They are designed to carry four passengers and a pilot for distances up to 100 miles, operating at speeds of up to 150 mph.

Why it's popular: The move towards electric air taxis is part of a broader trend in urban air mobility, aiming to provide quicker and more sustainable transportation options. Southwest Airlines' investment in this technology highlights its potential for transforming how we travel.

Conversation Starter: "Have you heard about Southwest Airlines' new electric air taxis? They could make getting to the airport a lot faster and more eco-friendly!"