Tuesday, December 3, 2024

OpenAI is Considering A New Ads Business Model

It's the fear that most of us thought would become true one day and now we can confirm that ads could soon be coming to ChatGPT.

A recent report from the Financial Times just spoke about the firm’s CFO experimenting with a new ads business model. While nothing is final yet, the company seems to be busy weighing in on the prospects.

This includes considering where the ads would appear and how frequently they would be seen. For now, CFO Sarah Friar says no active decision was made on the ordeal. However, that does not mean the idea isn’t possible.

So far, OpenAI has gone strong in terms of subscriptions to give more support to Generative AI tools. However, the expenses related to production and service are very high. Moreover, it might be hard to convince the investors of today to say yes to the plan.

Whatever the case might be, it’s quite the opposite of what OpenAI’s founder wanted. We’ve seen Sam Altman mention time after time in interviews how ads would be the final option for the company. He never said the idea was not possible but if it were up to him, it would be the last resort. Similarly, Altman expressed his opinion on why he detests advertising models. For him, it’s a personal preference that’s unsettling.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Why Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Alarms Big Tech
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Monday, December 2, 2024

Why Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Alarms Big Tech

The Australian government’s announcement to ban children under 16 from social media has sparked an uproar. Meta, X, and TikTok have joined the opposition chorus. But why such resistance? These platforms already restrict users under 13, so what’s the big deal about raising the age limit?

The real issue is that enforcing this law will likely require a fundamental shift in how social media works. Right now, these platforms thrive on a simple system. A user states their age during signup with no proof required. Anyone can bypass this with a quick lie. It’s seamless, it’s easy, and it’s exactly how the companies want it. Frictionless onboarding ensures a steady flow of users, which fuels their business.

This ban threatens to disrupt everything. To enforce an under-16 restriction, platforms would need to verify everyone’s age. That’s where things get tricky. Age verification isn’t impossible, but it’s far from simple. It often involves documents like passports, credit cards, or driver’s licenses—things many 16-year-olds don’t even have.

Australia is testing solutions like facial recognition, but even this creates hurdles. Social media companies argue for delaying the legislation until the implementation details are sorted. Yet, from the government’s perspective, no proposed solution will ever sit well with these platforms.

The truth is that enforcing age verification could impact every user, not just kids. To ensure compliance, platforms may require all users to confirm their identities. This would fundamentally change how users interact with social media platforms.

The fallout could be massive. Requiring ID or biometric scans might deter new signups and alienate existing users. Many casual users might simply walk away, unwilling to jump through hoops. Dormant accounts—tens of millions of them—would vanish entirely.

This isn’t just a user experience problem. It cuts to the heart of these companies’ business models. Advertising relies on large, active user bases. Fewer users mean fewer impressions, less data, and ultimately, less revenue.
The fear doesn’t stop at Australia’s borders. Other countries, especially in Europe, are watching Canberra closely. Utah tried similar legislation, and while it was overturned, the interest remains. For social media giants, this isn’t just an Australian problem—it’s a global threat.

There are valid arguments against the ban. It might fail to achieve its goals, limit children’s access to valuable information, or even face legal challenges. But beyond these debates lies an unspoken truth. This law is bad for business. And that’s why big tech is truly scared.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Who Owns the Most Generative AI Patents? China and the US Compete
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Energy Costs Across U.S. States: Wyoming Most Expensive, New Mexico Most Affordable

Energy costs vary widely across the U.S., with some states feeling the pressure far more than others.Wallethub calculated energy costs in different states in the USA. The calculation was done by keeping the electricity, gas, heating oil and motor fuel consumption in mind. Their prices were added together and then the 50 states were ranked according to their energy costs. According to the calculations, Wyoming was the state with the highest energy costs in 2024. The state has extremely cold weather and most of the consumption is of gas and residential oil. The average energy cost in Wyoming is $1591.

The second most expensive state in terms of energy cost is North Dakota with an average energy cost of $840. Heating oil is the most expensive in the state which takes up most of the energy cost. Iowa is the third most expensive state with an energy cost of $798 average. Other states with high energy costs are Montana ($787), Minnesota ($782) and Massachusetts ($759).

The states with lowest energy costs are Nebraska ($453), Texas ($437), Kansas ($436) and Arizona ($400). The state which is at the bottom of the list is New Mexico which has the average energy cost of $376.


State Total Energy Cost
Wyoming $1591
North Dakota $840
Iowa $798
Montana $787
Minnesota $782
Massachusetts $759
Connecticut $750
Alaska $716
South Dakota $709
Virginia $694
Rhode Island $690
Utah $684
Alabama $677
Pennsylvania $669
Maryland $665
New Hampshire $662
West Virginia $659
Wisconsin $659
Indiana $645
Maine $645
Vermont $644
New Jersey $643
Ohio $630
Illinois $622
Washington $618
Idaho $591
Oregon $591
New York $589
Hawaii $583
Michigan $583
Missouri $578
Delaware $564
North Carolina $557
Kentucky $556
Arkansas $541
Nevada $538
Georgia $533
South Carolina $533
Tennessee $524
Oklahoma $477
Californa $476
Louisiana $474
Colorado $470
Florida $462
Mississippi $457
Nebraska $453
Texas $437
Kansas $436
Arizona $400
New Mexico $376

Read next: Want to Work from Home? These In-Demand Remote Jobs Pay Big in 2025
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Oxford Names Brain Rot As 2024’s Word of the Year And You Might Be Suffering From It

Most of us (particularly young generation) think scrolling mindlessly on social media platforms will cause no harm. After all, you’re lying down on your bed relaxing and trying to keep in touch with the world.

But wait, Oxford says there’s a specific term for what might happen when you do just that. And it’s called Brain Rot. The world captures the major concerns linked to taking in extra amounts of low-quality content from the web. This is very true for social media.

The world saw a 230% rise from last year and now so it’s a serious issue.

As per one leading psychology expert and Oxford University professional, the term is a symptom of the era we live in. It ended up beating five other leading shortlisted terms such as demure and dynamic pricing.

When diving down deep to figure out what it means, we saw that its definition has to do with the deterioration of an individual’s mental state. It’s usually viewed as the consequence of taking in too much material that’s trivial or not challenging.

While the first use of this term was before the internet came into, we can confirm it dates back to 1854. This is where society’s ability to devalue complex data comes into play and how this could turn into an overall decline in mental efforts.

The word first became famous thanks to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Now, it’s used on a mainstream level to describe poor quality and low-valued material seen on different social media platforms.

There is actually very little evidence of brain rot being a real thing, the professor says. But it’s a feeling of not being happy with the internet’s offerings. It gathers all the anxieties seen on social media.

The head of Oxford Languages mentioned how when we stare at the term of the year in the past 20 years, we can see society's growing preoccupation linked to virtual lives changing. It’s the way the internet culture works and taking in a lot of what we are and what we discuss.

Last year’s term, 'Rizz,' highlighted language designed to benefit online communities. This year’s term, however, serves as a warning about the growing dangers of virtual life. It underscores that how we spend our free time online can have real consequences, a reality now made evident by the term 'Brain Rot.

"Brain Rot," chosen as Oxford's 2024 term of the year, symbolizes society's growing unease with online content quality.
Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Major Blow to Apple Users As WhatsApp Plans To Drop Support For Versions Older Than iOS 15.1
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Major Blow to Apple Users As WhatsApp Plans To Drop Support For Versions Older Than iOS 15.1

WhatsApp’s latest announcement for Apple users is causing a major stir online. The company just confirmed that it would drop support for the app on all devices older than iOS 15.1.

This includes all iPhones and macOS with the deadline outlined to be May of next year. The news is startling as it will affect those with iPhone 5 and 6. Clearly, there is a need to upgrade and this might be one of the many reasons why. And if anyone does not wish to be a part of the upgrade change, they can bid farewell to the popular messenger because it won’t work.

The Cupertino firm usually does provide iPhone updates for a long period of time but some devices don’t run the newest iOS version. This has to do with the fact that iPhones get so old and aren’t even up for grabs in the market. That’s just how much users love their ancient devices, and don’t wish to let go.

These are the same kinds of users who will face the most problems when using the messenger app after this new requirement. Until now, the iPhone cut-off for WhatsApp support is iOS 15. Anyone who does not follow this will need to provide more details about it in the usual app FAQ page.

As far as Android users are concerned, the announcement says it’s for those having Android version 5.0. While iOS was 12 before, it’s jumped to 15 and many Apple fans aren’t happy. For so long, the app has worked towards providing great support to several iOS variants.

This made sure users on different devices would enjoy the services offered by the platform. Such an approach has enabled the platform to cater to wide audiences and provide support to a number of Apple models within limits. Now, it seems like Meta’s agenda on this front changed.

The tech giant says it needs to stay on top of the game and explore possibilities where users can make the most of tech advancements that work best on newer devices.

Users will get a notification if they're still using older iPhones and it will ask them to update before it's too late. The new Apple software has the right APIs and tech that can deliver WhatsApp’s new changes and features.

Meta just wants to make sure all Apple users get the absolute of its offerings and for WhatsApp, this is the way to go. Outdated systems provide challenges not only for the company but also for the user base. This is why Meta is steering clear and making room for change.

So if you have an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus - it’s about time you upgraded. The deadline is May 5, 2025, before all support is removed for the world-famous texting app.


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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Want to Work from Home? These In-Demand Remote Jobs Pay Big in 2025

Freelancing and remote jobs have seen a boom in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for online work. Many websites, like Fiverr and Upwork, have become hubs for online work, generating millions of dollars yearly for youth across the world. With a large number of experts available on these platforms, clients can conveniently pick and hire someone, ensuring a bright future for the industry. However, newcomers must understand which experts are in higher demand for remote jobs to increase their chances of success in freelancing.

Following the current trends and the potential future of remote jobs, these ten jobs have a bright future in 2025 and beyond:


Software Development 36% 32% -3.8
Legal 30% 32% 2.1
Information Design & Documentation 31% 30% -1.5
IT Operations & Helpdesk 34% 30% -3.8
Mathematics 32% 29% -2.2
Marketing 25% 25% -0.2
Accounting 31% 25% -6
Media & Communications 22% 24% 1.7
Civil Engineering 23% 23% 0.3
Banking & Finance 24% 22% -2.5

Chief Financial Officer

Chief financial officer looks after all financial matters of an organization, from leading a financial team to planning a fiscal policy. There has been a huge demand for a chief financial officer as a remote job lately with a handsome average salary of $400,000.

Software Architect

The huge impact of software on our lives has also increased the demand for software architects who develop and design technical aspects of software. They can earn around $250,000 on average in salary.

Information Security Analyst

Companies and organizations hire remote information security analysts to oversee their security and block any type of security breach. They run and maintain software that deal with security systems. On average, information security analysts can have a salary around $90,000.

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts are being hired to analyse markets and financial trends to let their clients make better financial decisions for higher profits. Their ability to guide clients in the right direction can enable them to have an average salary of about $80,000.

Data Scientist

Just like financial analysts, data scientists analyse markets and study data related to businesses to predict what would be the financial trajectory of a business and to create models that are adaptable in business. They have an average of $120,000.

Technical Writer

In the writing profession, technical writers are earning the most. They write guides related to the usage of different software and machines which help people in understanding how to use a software and to run a machine. Technical writers are earning around $90,000 in salary.

Digital Marketing Director

The hiring of a digital marketing director to create a digital marketing strategy and establish a brand online is a must for online brands, and that is why online businesses hire the best digital marketing director available to boost their businesses. They have an average salary of $190,000.

Public Relation Manager

A highly paid job and in demand due to the ongoing spread of media, public relation managers are hired by media houses to create a strategy to enhance the public image of the media house. They also interact with the public by analysing their enquiries. Public relation managers could receive $120,000 on average as salary.

Civil Engineer Project Manager

Civil engineers are now being hired remotely to do their job. They lead a team and look after all things, from resources to designs, and their main goal is to make sure that a project is completed without any hurdles. These remote civil engineer project managers have an average salary of $150,000.

Legal Consultant

There has also been a rise in the demand for legal consultants in the remote job market in the past two years. Different organizations hire legal consultants to make sure that they abide by legal regulations. These consultants also oversee all agreements and contracts done by organizations, saving them from risks and frauds.

Read next: Best Freelancing Websites that Can Help You Earn Money


by Ehtasham Ahmad via Digital Information World

LLMs, Including ChatGPT, Employ Manipulative Practices in Web Design, Study Reveals

Computer scientists from University of Glasgow, Technical University of Darmstadt and Humbold University of Berlin found that LLMs can include manipulative design practices if they are asked to build a web page. Many studies have been done on this topic and have found that a lot of human web developers use dark patterns or practices to lure visitors on a web page to do things or to stop them from doing some things.

Large Language Models have become capable of designing web pages but the researchers wanted to know if LLMs also use dark patterns in their designs. 20 participants asked ChatGPT to design a web page for an e-commerce website for the sake of experiment. Each participant offered different suggestions for the web page to ChatGPT and explained what they were looking for in the web page.

The results of the study showed that every web design created by ChatGPT used manipulative design practices. LLMs even generated fake reviews and fake documents which was a concerning thing. The experiment was done on other LLMs too and each result was the same. This suggests that LLMs have learned this skill from humans and now they can be leveraged to manipulate visitors on the site.

Researchers Show LLMs Like ChatGPT Design Web Pages with Dark Patterns

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World