August Week 3 - 2024

MUSIC RESET
UMG and Meta Forge Landmark Deal, Transforming Music's Digital Future

The recent partnership between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Meta represents a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between music and social media platforms. Announced on August 12, the expanded multi-year global deal covers all of Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Horizon, Threads, and, for the first time, WhatsApp. This partnership marks a new chapter in how music is integrated and monetized across the digital landscape.

One of the most impactful aspects of this deal is the inclusion of WhatsApp in the licensing agreement. This development allows users to share licensed music from UMG’s vast catalog within the app, potentially opening new revenue streams for artists and songwriters. With WhatsApp's massive global user base, the integration of music could transform how fans interact with music in their daily communications, making music a more integral part of everyday life.

Moreover, the partnership emphasizes the growing importance of short-form video content. Meta and UMG plan to leverage this format to further monetize music on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, building on their successful collaboration since 2017. This focus aligns with the rising popularity of platforms like TikTok, where short-form videos are a key driver of music discovery and engagement.

However, the partnership also raises concerns about the impact of unauthorized AI-generated content. UMG and Meta have committed to addressing this issue, ensuring that artists' and songwriters' rights are protected in the face of rapidly advancing technology.

In summary, the UMG-Meta deal is poised to reshape the music industry by expanding the reach of music across Meta’s platforms, enhancing monetization opportunities, and addressing emerging challenges posed by AI. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this will play a crucial role in defining the future of music consumption and distribution.

TECH RESET
Living Computers: Human Neurons as the Future of Biocomputing

In a groundbreaking leap towards the future of technology, Swiss company FinalSpark has introduced a new form of biocomputing, where living computers are made from human neurons. These "living computers" operate on a platform called Neuroplatform, which researchers can now rent for $500 a month, making this cutting-edge technology accessible to a broader audience.

FinalSpark’s Neuroplatform utilizes lab-grown brain organoids—tiny clusters of human neurons—to power its computer systems. Each organoid, connected to a series of electrodes, mimics the way human brains learn by forming new pathways through electrical stimulation and exposure to dopamine, the brain’s reward neurotransmitter. The neurons' activity is live-streamed 24/7, allowing researchers to observe and interact with these biological computing systems.

The goal? To create an energy-efficient alternative to traditional silicon-based computers, which have powered artificial intelligence systems for decades. FinalSpark’s ambition is to reduce the energy consumption of AI training by 100,000 times. While the technology is still in its infancy, with each organoid surviving for around 100 days, the potential is immense.

Already, research teams from prominent institutions like the University of Michigan and the Free University of Berlin are utilizing these biocomputers to explore new models of AI learning and develop organoid-specific computer languages. However, the field still faces challenges, such as the lack of standardized manufacturing processes and ethical questions about the use of human neurons.

FinalSpark isn’t alone in exploring organic alternatives to silicon-based computing. Researchers around the world are investigating other forms of biocomputing, including cellular computing and fungal computing, which could revolutionize fields ranging from environmental science to artificial intelligence.

As biocomputing continues to evolve, the integration of living neurons into computing systems may mark the beginning of a new era in technology, where the lines between biology and computing blur.

BITCOIN RESET
FBI Addresses Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto Mystery

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently addressed the lingering mystery surrounding the identity of Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by tech entrepreneur and disinformation researcher Dave Troy. The FBI's statement, which was shared on Troy's social media, revealed that Satoshi could be "one or more third-party individuals," but the agency neither confirmed nor denied their existence.

This statement adds yet another layer to the enigma of Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity has remained one of the greatest mysteries in the cryptocurrency world since Bitcoin's inception. The last known communication from Satoshi dates back to 2014, leaving the crypto community to speculate endlessly about who or what lies behind the pseudonym.

Despite various individuals claiming to be Satoshi over the years, none have provided conclusive evidence. Among the most notable claimants is Australian computer scientist Craig Wright, who has been embroiled in legal battles over his assertion of being Bitcoin's creator. Meanwhile, another compelling theory points to Hal Finney, a well-known figure in the cyberpunk movement who received the first-ever Bitcoin transaction from Satoshi. However, recent research suggests that Finney might not be the elusive figure after all.

As the mystery persists, the speculation surrounding Satoshi has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories, with some suggesting that government agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) may be involved.

Interestingly, Satoshi's status as the largest Bitcoin holder may soon be eclipsed. According to ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, BlackRock's IBIT ETF is on track to surpass Satoshi's holdings by next year, marking a significant shift in Bitcoin's landscape.

While the FBI's statement provides little in the way of concrete answers, it reinforces the notion that the mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto is far from being resolved.

DISCLAIMER:
This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions or investments. Please be careful and do your own research.