Elon Musk’s Post Acquisition Honeymoon is Over as Twitter Usage Starts to Decline

Elon Musk’s long legal battles that eventually led to him becoming the owner of Twitter, many claimed that this would spell the end for the struggling social media platform. In spite of the fact that this is the case, Twitter actually saw a 10% uptick in downloads and 1% increase in daily active users directly following Musk taking the helm. This seemed to suggest that Musk’s control over the company would help it steer out of the troubles waters it had recently found itself in.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this honeymoon period now appears to be over. Twitter’s total installs, which saw an undeniable uptick in the aftermath of Musk’s acquisition, have now returned to normal levels. What’s more, users spent an average of 19.1 minutes on Twitter every day in April, which indicates that this metric has not grown at all year over year since this is the same number as April 2022.

Despite Musk’s bold claims that he will revolutionize the platform once and for all, downloads have fallen in the past few months. In April of 2022, Twitter received 17.5 million downloads across all platforms, but a year later this number has declined to just 16.2 million with all things having been considered and taken into account.

However, there are still some positive signs that can be taken note of. For example, in-app revenue for Twitter has increase considerably during Musk’s tenure as CEO and owner. Between the months of April and May in 2022, Twitter brought in approximately $120,000 from in-app revenue. A year later, this number hovers at around $3 million, representing a whopping increase that proves that at least some of Musk’s methods seem to be working out.

This is largely thanks to Musk’s monetization of the blue tick by rolling out Twitter Blue which allowed any user to get the verification mark so long as they paid the 8-11 dollar a month fee. Individual subscriptions such as Musk’s $4 a month package and Mr. Beast’s $5 a month subscription offer also turned out to be extremely popular products on the platform.

This still doesn’t change the fact that Twitter is lagging behind virtually all of its competitors. TikTok receives 87 minutes of usage per user per day, Instagram averages 43 minutes per user, and for Facebook users this number sits at approximately 39 minutes every day. Twitter, on the other hand, only managed 25 minutes of daily usage per day, and that puts it ahead of just Snapchat with every other competitor surpassing it.

The uptick in sales for Twitter Blue and personal subscriptions might not be enough if daily users continue to decline. Advertisers will start pulling marketing campaigns off of the platform because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up redirecting these resources towards other avenues.

Musk is now stepping down as CEO, with Linda Yaccarino coming in to replace him, and it will be interesting to see how she handles things. With his controversial tenure coming to a close, Musk will have a tough time reaching his target of one billion users by 2024.

H/T: Business Insider 

Read next: The Musk Effect Wanes: Engagement with Elon Musk's Tweets Takes a Hit
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

‘There’s No Chance Of Human Extinction Due To AI Advancements’, Top AI Researcher Expresses Frustration

A leading name in the world of AI research is shedding light upon his growing frustrations linked to false fears of AI advancements.

Kyunghyun Cho who has plenty of research under his name linked to AI and is also working as a top professor at NYU says the growing speculations of dangers linked to AI are not true. He finds it bizarre how people feel human extinction is near because of all the great amenities that Generative AI brings with it.

It’s all actually quite interesting because we’re talking about so many big names including the pioneers of AI stating in the past few days how AI is a growing and alarming threat to the human race and if moderation is not exercised, it can prove to have deleterious consequences.

But Cho says such words are really distracting from the main focus and benefits of AI, no matter what it could be.

He even sat down for a recent interview where he mentioned more about his work and how he assisted in the great architecture linked to ChatGPT while speaking of major disappointments related to those chats that keep on talking about AI’s risks. He felt it was time to speak about how AI can boost the economy and revolutionize the world's positivity as there was a clear lack of discussion on this subject.

He was very clear about how he does respect all researchers but warned against assuming all posts linked to top names were 100% accurate. In the same way, Cho was questioned about his thoughts linked to the many petitions that have been arising and was getting signatures from hero scientists.

Those petitions were calling for a pause in AI training and for greater regulation. He even shed light on the recent Senate hearings that went as far as claiming that AI was in the league of dangers where climate change and nuclear weapons were put in the same category.

Why was there no focus on the immediate benefits of AI and how we can mediate the harms and transform them into positive findings?- he wondered while expressing his discontentment.

He failed to see why such top names were simply offering their signatures on such petitions and taking them so lightly. Remember, having your name across something means you stand by the claims listed.

So as you can see, it’s a very interesting debate and one that definitely requires more attention.

Photo: Freepik/rawpixel

Read next: Will the Rise of AI Decrease Salaries? 79% of Americans Say Yes
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Will the Rise of AI Decrease Salaries? 79% of Americans Say Yes

The rise of AI has raised some interesting questions about the future of the world, chief among them being the impact it will have on people’s job prospects. AI can be useful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up getting work done in a shorter period of time. However, this also means that human workers will become less necessary than might have been the case otherwise, and that might lead to a decline in income.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the vast majority of Americans are fearing pay cuts after AI adoption. To be more specific, 79% of Americans who responded to a recent survey by Checkr and Pollfish stated that they expect their salaries to go down once AI becomes more widespread.

Millennials seem to be more fearful of AI, with 82% saying that they are worried about how the use of AI would impact their take home pay. Gen Z, on the other hand, is not all that much more optimistic, with 76% agreeing with these sentiments with all things having been considered and taken into account.

74% even believed that they might lose their jobs outright as has happened previously when automation made human involvement unnecessary or even dangerous. They expect AI induced lay offs to start occurring anywhere from six months to two years from now.

In spite of the fact that this is the case, 86% stated that they would be willing to suffer some kind of a pay cut so long as it meant that AI would make it easier for them to do their jobs. Over half of the people that responded to this survey also said that they would not mind using AI if it helped them switch over to a four day work week.

The perception surrounding AI is a bit of a mixed bag, but people are by and large concerned about it in the short term. It will be interesting to see if these fears end up proving prescient to any extent.

Read next: This Survey Reveals the Generational Gap in AI Acceptance
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

The Musk Effect Wanes: Engagement with Elon Musk's Tweets Takes a Hit

In a surprising turn of events, Twitter users seem to be paying less attention to the tweets of none other than Elon Musk himself. Despite the increasing volume of Musk's tweets, engagement with his original posts has experienced a noticeable decline. Since taking over the platform as its owner approximately seven months ago, Musk's influence seems to be waning among Twitter users.

Based on the findings of a recent analysis by Huge (via Business Insider), a tech-focused consulting and growth company, it has been observed that there has been a significant decrease in the level of engagement with Elon Musk's tweets. In late October since its peak there has been a noticeable downward trend in engagement and the subsequent weeks following Musk's official acquisition of the platform.

During this period, Musk has brought about significant changes to Twitter's operations and functionality. Layoffs have been widespread, resulting in occasional failures and frequent glitches within the platform and its features. He has also introduced a paid verification process, reserved previously for reliable sources and notable figures, aiming to boost revenue. These decisions have led to a decline in advertising revenue, the core of Twitter's business, while his favoritism towards alt-right political leaders and influencers has added to the platform's challenges.

Notwithstanding these advancements, the original tweets by Musk still manage to attract a noteworthy level of engagement, with an average of approximately 5 M interactions per week. However, it is important to note that this figure only reflects a marginal increase compared to the level of engagement he achieved prior to his association with Twitter last year. In the past, Musk's tweets garnered between 1 M and 3 M interactions on a weekly basis.

The revelation of Elon Musk quietly amassing a shareholder stake in Twitter, as disclosed in a financial statement, triggered a significant surge in user engagement. The unfolding saga between Musk and Twitter in April and March intensified, ultimately resulting in a high-priced acquisition. During this period, Musk experienced an explosive increase in engagement on the platform, with his tweets attracting over 20 M interactions per week.

The peaked engagement quickly declined to around 5 M interactions per week, as revealed by the Huge analysis. Throughout Musk's acquisition attempts and legal battles, engagement remained relatively low, sometimes dipping to 1 M interactions per week. However, after becoming the owner of Twitter, Musk's engagement heightened again, with tweets often garnering over 10 M interactions each week up till early 2023.

Although there have been intermittent increases in Musk's tweets engagement throughout this year, the general pattern indicates a decline. This decline is particularly noteworthy considering Musk's increased tweet frequency. According to Huge's findings, Musk's tweeting has increased by 10 percent each month. Previously, he averaged around 7 original tweets per week, but that number has now risen to approximately 21 per week, representing a significant 200 percent increase.

Interestingly, the surge in Musk's tweet volume has diluted the impact on engagement, resulting in "no significant difference in Elon Musk's engagement per original tweet between the period of acquisition and post-acquisition," as noted by Huge.

As Twitter users continue to show less interest in Elon Musk's tweets, the decline in engagement poses a challenge for the billionaire owner of the platform. Despite his increased presence on Twitter, it appears that users are becoming less captivated by his posts. Only time will tell if Musk can reverse this trend and recapture the attention of the Twitterverse.

Read next: Is Twitter On The Verge Of Its Own Destruction? Top Investment Firm Thinks So
by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

Apple Unveils Breakthrough Economic Impact For The App Store Including $1 Trillion Revenue In 2022

Leading iPhone maker Apple is out with its groundbreaking economic report which speaks about the App Store’s successful ecosystem.

According to the tech giant, the store was able to generate a whopping revenue figure that extended beyond the $1 trillion mark in terms of sales for 2022, including other kinds of billings. This is a staggering 29% rise if you compare the stats from previous records.

This particular study was brought about by tech giant Apple and it entails more features regarding the App Store and how so many purchases were made through this system. For instance, it entails some ordeals including grocery shopping orders, bookings through applications, and even travel plan purchases. Let’s not forget transport affairs such as Uber and beyond.

For instance, you’ll find how the restrictions ended up getting easy in various parts around the globe and that had some categories such as travel where the sales on apps rose by 88%. Then we saw a rise in transport apps too, which was close to 45%.

Moving on to the likes of food as well as groceries, we saw that flourish further. Ever since the start of 2019, food delivery has even picked up majorly on sales and the same goes for groceries as well.

There are three main strategies being used for the sake of monetization that the firm appears to be using. For starters, it’s got to do with selling and even distributing products in the digital sector through its App Store.

All such endeavors would be done through paid installations or via sales for subscriptions. Common examples include dating, health, music, and news-related content.

The second strategy is linked to selling products physically via such platforms. Most such platforms are related to m-commerce and even entail platforms such as food delivery and even pickup with groceries.

Lastly, one other strategy for monetization has to do with selling advertising on online platforms. They include social media and apps that share short videos.

A great example worth your consideration has to do with the video streaming sector and that has a massive $30 billion figure for yearly sales across the US. So many users are taking in video streaming through smartphone applications, desktops, smart TVs, video gaming platforms, and also tablets.

Meanwhile, Apple has also shed light on how 90% of its revenue was collected alone by developers and the firm refused to take on any form of commission.

Read next: Apple Rolls Out New Tax Changes For Its Apps, In-App Purchases, And Subscriptions
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Block Party Shuts Down Twitter Services: Musk's Lackluster Approach to Abusive Content

The impact of Elon Musk's presence on Twitter has had a negative effect on the platform's efforts to control and prevent abusive content. Block Party, an external service committed to tackling harassment by filtering out harmful content on Twitter, has made the tough choice to withdraw from the social media platform. This decision comes as a result of Twitter's recent action to restrict API access with a paywall, rendering Block Party's services useless.

Previously, Block Party offered a convenient function that enabled users to manage their content by automatically screening and blocking accounts that engaged with undesirable posts through actions like liking or retweeting. However, the recent modifications in Twitter's API pricing have presented significant challenges for Block Party. With the starting cost now at $100 per month, the company is unable to continue its operations in the same manner as before, both in terms of financial sustainability and logistical feasibility. In a blog post, Block Party officially declared that all functionalities of its Twitter service, including both free and paid accounts, will cease to operate with immediate effect.

Block Party expressed their dismay at the recent development, acknowledging the adverse effects on user safety. They expressed their deep sadness at the inability to continue safeguarding users from harassers and spammers on the platform, at least for the time being. Despite their best efforts to stay on Twitter, the increasing difficulties arising from the changes in API pricing compelled them to suspend their services. Nevertheless, Block Party conveyed optimism about a potential comeback in the future and offered apologies for any inconvenience caused.

i'm obviously sad we have to put our twitter products on hold right now, for so many reasons but not least because i'm a user of block party too. i built it because i knew how bad it was for my mental health to have to see shittiness in my mentions all day long.

— Tracy Chou 🌻 (@triketora) May 31, 2023

The exit of Block Party might be disappointing, but it highlights the growing apprehensions surrounding Twitter's lackadaisical approach in tackling harmful content. The absence of verified blue checkmarks and the proliferation of parody accounts emphasize the importance of platforms like Block Party in protecting a safer online environment. The prominent involvement of Elon Musk on Twitter has led to an increase in instances of hate speech, which further amplifies concerns about the app's suitability for women and marginalized communities.

While the departure of a dedicated third-party developer like Block Party is regrettable, there is optimism that with a forthcoming change in CEO, the platform's more problematic issues can be addressed. It is hoped that the next CEO will rectify Elon Musk's less considerate decisions and bring stability and digital safety back to Twitter. An essential step towards this goal would be reconsidering the decision to charge for API access.

Meanwhile, Block Party has not abandoned its mission entirely. The company revealed plans for a new browser extension called Privacy Party, which aims to mitigate the risk of harassment and online attacks across various social media platforms. This extension, once launched, will provide users with a means to enhance their safety and protection from harmful content.

In conclusion, Block Party's departure from Twitter due to the platform's API access paywall reflects the challenges faced in maintaining effective content moderation. The absence of such third-party services exacerbates concerns regarding the rise of harmful content on the platform. However, hopes remain that the incoming CEO will address these issues and work towards creating a more secure and inclusive Twitter environment.

Read next: This Survey Reveals the Generational Gap in AI Acceptance
by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

This Survey Reveals the Generational Gap in AI Acceptance

Each generation tends to have a closer relationship to the technology that arises during its existence than generations that came before. This can be seen with how millennials treat social media and smartphones as compared to baby boomers, and it is no different with how AI is perceived by members of various generations as well.

PCMag conducted a survey recently that revealed the wide gulf between how different generations feel about AI. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 62% of Millennials think that AI will have a positive impact on their line of work, while 45% of Gen X and 38% of Baby Boomers felt the same way.

The clear negative bias among older generations is understandable, since they are less capable of understanding these innovations than might have been the case otherwise. It seems like the younger generations are already adopting AI such as ChatGPT in various aspects of their life as well with all things having been considered and taken into account.

For example, 45% of Millennials said that ChatGPT allows them to find information faster than an average search engine. Just 28% of Gen X and 16% of Baby Boomers said the same. The widest proportional gap could be seen with respect to how AI can be used to write long form content. 21% of Millennials stated that it was easy to composed written works including all manner of articles with ChatGPT, which is nearly three times the proportion of Gen X and Baby Boomers who said the same.

62% of Millennials feel like the rise of AI will be just as revolutionary as the creation of the internet, and 59% said that AI will surpass human beings in a few specific areas during their lifetime. The difference here is not quite so pronounced, with 58% of Gen X and 51% of Baby Boomers agreeing that AI is on par with the internet, and 46% and 41% respectively felt that AI will become superior to humans in certain walks of life.

However, nearly twice as many Millennials believe that they will be working alongside AI in the next five years or so. 47% of Millennials felt that this was a likely possibility, whereas just 26% of Gen X and 23% of Baby Boomers agreed with this notion.

Generally speaking, Baby Boomers tend to have a much more negative view of AI because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up replacing them in their jobs. 70% of Baby Boomers felt that their employment was at risk due to the rise of AI, and Gen X was also close with 63%.

Millennials are less likely to fear AI, with just 57% concerned that they will lose their jobs, but that is still a startlingly high proportion. Clearly the gap is not nearly as wide as many might have assumed, and it will be interesting to see how it changes from here on out as AI continues to advanced and its full potential starts to become apparent. The opinions of Gen Alpha will also be important to consider since they will grow up around AI.

Read next: The Artificial Intelligence Dilemma: Survey Unveils Consumer Skepticism Towards AI in Customer Service
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World