Latest news with #Musk-owned
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
After controversial Hitler posts, Elon Musk's AI company may be offering thousands of dollars to engineers to create flirty avatars
Representative Image Elon Musk's xAI is said to be offering six-figure salaries to engineers to develop AI "companions', a report claims. This move follows recent controversy where the Grok chatbot (developed by the Musk-owned AI startup) generated posts praising Adolf Hitler. Earlier this month, Grok faced criticism for sharing antisemitic content on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) including referring to itself as "MechaHitler," a video game version of Hitler. Now, the company is reportedly seeking "exceptional multimedia engineers and product thinkers" to enhance its AI avatars. According to a report by Business Insider, in addition to equity and benefits, xAI's latest job posting shows that the company is willing to pay between $180,000 to $440,000 for these Palo Alto-based roles, The focus is on making "Grok's realtime avatar products fast, scalable, and reliable." What are these digital avatars and how they work As per the report, the job listing titled "Fullstack Engineer - Waifus" recently appeared on xAI's careers page, just a day after the company rolled out two new AI "companions" on its Grok platform. The term "waifu" typically refers to female anime characters that fans may idealise as romantic partners. This title will likely add one of the new characters: "Ani," a stylised Japanese anime girl dressed in a black corset and lace choker. The second character is "Rudi," an animated red panda with a switchable personality. Users can interact with either friendly "Rudi" or his more aggressive alter ego, "Bad Rudi." Both companions are currently accessible only via Grok's iPhone app. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São José Dos Campos (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo These new AI companions are designed with suggestive and provocative behaviors. "Ani" flirts with users and, with continued engagement, may appear in lingerie. Meanwhile, "Bad Rudi', is prone to using obscene language and hurling insults when enabled. A third companion, which is a male anime character, is also listed in the app as "coming soon,' the report adds. Earlier this week, Musk also noted that the feature will be exclusive to Super Grok subscribers, while both "Ani" and "Rudi" are available to all users, including those on the free tier. Last week, xAI issued an apology for Grok's 'horrific behavior,' of praising Hitler. The company explained that outdated code had left the platform vulnerable to influence from existing user posts, even when those posts contained extremist content. OnePlus Nord CE 5: You don't need to charge this phone daily AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
Elmo X account hacked, posts 'antisemitic and racist messages,' Sesame Workshop says
Elmo's X account is now secure after it was hacked and several racist and antisemitic messages were shared, according to the producers of "Sesame Street." "Elmo's X account was briefly compromised yesterday by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts. The account has since been secured," a spokesperson for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, said in a statement to ABC News on Monday. The compromised posts appear to have been deleted from the X account of the beloved Muppet character, who has more than 650,000 followers on the platform. The since-deleted posts included racial slurs and antisemitic language, as well as comments about President Donald Trump and deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to The New York Times. As of Monday, the most recent post on Elmo's X account is from July 12 and features a photo of Elmo with Tango, another "Sesame Street" character. The social media platform has faced questions about safety and hate speech on its platform since Elon Musk acquired X, formerly Twitter, in 2022. Early into Musk's tenure as owner, X faced an advertiser boycott over concerns about hate speech and other content on the platform. Earlier this month, another Musk-owned company, xAI, faced scrutiny when Grok, its artificial-intelligence chatbot, began posting antisemitic messages in response to X user queries. The messages -- which Musk has said are being addressed -- drew condemnation from Jewish advocacy groups and raised concerns about the AI tool.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Starlink, Cisco team up for satellite-ready Wi-Fi routers
NEW DELHI: Elon Musk-owned Starlink has validated Wi-Fi routers designed and developed by Cisco Systems, to handle satellite-based traffic following a pilot program with the networking gear maker, which is also set to partner with the UK-based Eutelsat OneWeb and the US-based Viasat for a similar initiative. 'Cisco Systems is likely to be working with OneWeb and Viasat, after a successful demonstration and validation with Starlink, to route space-based wireless traffic seamlessly through terrestrial network operators,' an industry source told ETTelecom. San Jose-based networking equipment maker has demonstrated integration capability with backend satellite providers following a trial with Starlink, so that a telecom service operator who wants to use satellite connectivity as an option, could pull up the document, and make an instant connection. Cisco worked closely with Starlink to combine telemetry into its solution, allowing telecom service providers to have end-to-end visibility and enabling them to offer a service guarantee to end users, the person privy to the developments said. 'There was no easy way until now to trace the traffic and service from a terrestrial network to a non-terrestrial network,' he said, adding that Cisco's Wi-Fi routers are now tweaked and improved to support space-to-earth broadband services, irrespective of a carrier. Chuck Robbins-headed Cisco's satellite-enabled routers provide two-way satellite communication and offer support for multicast and unicast traffic. Billionaire Musk-owned Starlink has partnered with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal-driven Bharti Airtel, to offer space broadband services in India's rural and remote regions. Early this month, an American multinational satellite operator received authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-Space) to provide commercial satellite-based communication services in the country. Starlink's monthly subscription is likely to start at a ₹3,000 monthly payment plan and one-time installation charge of about ₹30,000 for hardware, including a router cost, for subscribers in India. The Starlink India debut may also mark a limited-time promotional tariff at $10 (about ₹850) per month for unlimited use. However, SpaceX's connectivity arm would need to establish ground infrastructure and secure radio waves from India's wireless planning & coordination wing (WPC). With Jeff Bezos-led Amazon's Kuplier Systems also vying for the Indian market, the space-to-earth digital connectivity landscape is becoming fiercely competitive. In 2022, Ambani's Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES partnered to offer gigabit fibre internet services while rival Bharti Global invested $1 billion in the UK-based OneWeb, which merged with French group Eutelsat in 2023, to form Eutelsat OneWeb. Musk's Starlink, and other satellite operators that have satellite systems in low-earth orbit (LEO) offer better connectivity, bandwidth and latency to end users. Starlink makes up nearly 65% of all active satellites worldwide with a constellation of more than 7,800 small satellites in low-earth orbit, communicating with respective ground transceiver stations, as of June 2025. The satellite internet market is expected to grow by more than 100% to reach $33.44 billion in the next five years as compared to 14.56 billion in 2025, with broadband consumers likely to swell from the present 6.2 million to 15.6 million by 2030, according to industry statistics.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Linda Yaccarino's net worth: Former X CEO owns 2 luxury yachts, 5 properties, 7 cars, stocks worth $5 million & more
Linda Yaccarino, the X CEO, has made headlines once again—this time not for her leadership, but for stepping down from her role. With a remarkable career in media and advertising, Linda Yaccarino has built a significant net worth, amassed luxury properties, and collected several high-end cars and yachts. Here's a detailed look at Linda Yaccarino's income, assets, and achievements. Linda Yaccarino Resigns as X CEO Amid Controversy On Wednesday, July 9, Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), officially announced her resignation. She took this decision just a day after X's AI chatbot, Grok, sparked controversy by spreading antisemitic responses. Her resignation also comes shortly after Elon Musk transferred X to his AI firm, xAI. According to Fortune, Yaccarino's resignation is part of a broader wave of exits, with at least 14 senior executives leaving Musk-owned companies in the past year. These resignations come amid Musk's growing interest in politics, which has impacted his companies, including Tesla and X. Her Farewell Note to Elon Musk In her farewell message shared on X, Linda Yaccarino expressed deep gratitude towards Elon Musk for trusting her with the platform's transformation. She wrote, After two incredible years, I've decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏. When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I'm immensely grateful to him for entrusting me… "After two incredible years, I've decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏." "When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I'm immensely grateful to him for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App." "I'm incredibly proud of the X team - the historic business turn around we have accomplished together has been nothing short of remarkable." "We started with the critical early work necessary to prioritize the safety of our users—especially children, and to restore advertiser confidence. This team has worked relentlessly from groundbreaking innovations like Community Notes, and, soon, X Money to bringing the most iconic voices and content to the platform. Now, the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with @xai." "X is truly a digital town square for all voices and the world's most powerful culture signal. We couldn't have achieved that without the support of our users, business partners, and the most innovative team in the world." "I'll be cheering you all on as you continue to change the world." "As always, I'll see you on 𝕏" What Elon Musk react to Linda's farewell post? Thank you for your contributions Elon Musk replied with a simple, 'Thank you for your contributions.' Linda Yaccarino Net Worth and Income Details As of 2025, Linda Yaccarino's net worth is estimated to be around $40 million, according to Market Realist. Her wealth comes from a long career in media and advertising, with her most recent position as the CEO of X Corp under Elon Musk. Yaccarino's salary at X When Yaccarino joined X in May 2023, she signed a lucrative three-year contract. Reports suggest she earned an annual salary of $6 million, with potential bonuses of $2 million and stock options worth an additional $4 million. Houses, Cars, and Yachts Owned by Linda Yaccarino Linda Yaccarino's lifestyle reflects her professional success. She owns: Five luxury houses spread across prime locations Seven premium cars, including some top-end electric and luxury models Two lavish yachts, ideal for personal retreats and high-profile gatherings These luxurious possessions make Linda Yaccarino one of the most successful women in media, enjoying a wealthy and comfortable lifestyle. Strong Stock Portfolio Besides physical assets, Linda Yaccarino holds a strong financial portfolio. Her stock investments include 13 hand-picked shares valued at around $5 million, further boosting her net worth. Early Life and Education Born on December 21, 1963, Linda Yaccarino grew up in Deer Park, New York. Her father worked as an assistant chief of police, and her mother was a civil servant. She has two sisters, including a twin. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Pennsylvania State University in 1985. Media Career Before X Before joining X, Yaccarino had a strong background in media and advertising: Turner Entertainment (15 years) She started her career at Turner Entertainment, where she worked her way up to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She played a key role in modernising their ad sales, including handling campaigns like the relaunch of Conan O'Brien's show. NBCUniversal (2011–2023) Yaccarino joined NBCUniversal in 2011 and led the advertising sales team of over 2,000 people. She was instrumental in launching the Peacock streaming platform. Although she was in the running to become NBCU's CEO, she was not selected. Public Service and Recognition Linda Yaccarino has been active in public service as well: In 2014, she joined the Ad Council and later became its Chair. In 2021, she worked with the Biden administration on a COVID-19 vaccine awareness campaign. In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed her to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. What's Next for Linda Yaccarino? With her resignation from X, many are wondering what's next for Linda Yaccarino. Given her impressive background, industry knowledge, and leadership, she's expected to take on new ventures—possibly in advertising, media, or even tech investment. Linda Yaccarino's Wealth Mirrors Her Success From her early days at Turner to her time as the CEO of X, Linda Yaccarino has built a reputation as a resilient and forward-thinking media executive. Her impressive net worth, luxury houses, high-end cars, and million-dollar stock portfolio reflect the result of her hard work and strategic leadership. Whether it's her income, her powerful role in tech, or her lavish lifestyle, Linda Yaccarino continues to remain a notable name in the media and business world. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Musk unveils Grok 4 AI after antisemitism flap
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI is rolling out the Grok 4 chatbot, just months after releasing its previous iteration, underscoring the frenetic pace of AI development. The announcement came a day after xAI deleted 'inappropriate' posts on the Musk-owned social media platform X. Users had flagged posts in which Grok praised Adolf Hitler, referred to itself as MechaHitler and made antisemitic comments in response to user queries. 'Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X,' the company wrote. Flanked by members of the xAI team and clad in a leather jacket, the billionaire demoed the new and improved bot via a video livestream late Wednesday night. Available immediately, Grok 4 is 'smarter than almost all graduate students, in all disciplines, simultaneously', according to Musk. It includes improved voice conversations and the company touted benchmarks showing the new AI system scoring higher than OpenAI and others. 'At times it may lack common sense, and it has not yet invented new technologies or discovered new physics, but that is just a matter of time,' Musk said. 'We need to make sure that the AI is a good AI,' he said, without acknowledging the offending Grok 3 posts or the controversy they provoked. Earlier on Wednesday, a Turkish government minister also blasted Grok for sharing inappropriate posts, threatening to ban X in the country 'if necessary' unless steps are taken to prevent such content. 'It is unacceptable to use tailored profanity,' Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told Bloomberg News. A Turkish court blocked access to some content from Grok, after authorities said it generated responses insulting President Erdogan, modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and religious values. Introducing Grok 4, the world's most powerful AI model. Watch the livestream now: — xAI (@xai) July 10, 2025 The Grok 4 unveiling comes at a time of transition for xAI, which merged with X back in March. The new company has combined some engineering resources and other technology in an effort to better develop Grok and distribute it to to the user base. In an unexpected development, X chief executive officer Linda Yaccarino announced her resignation earlier Wednesday just hours before the Grok 4 livestream, creating a leadership hole atop the social network. Musk is also raising significant financing for xAI, which is competing with other major tech giants like Google, OpenAI and Meta to develop state-of-the-art chatbots.
