type
status
date
summary
slug
tags
category
Created time
Dec 27, 2024 06:38 PM
icon
password
Want a cheap EV? Hertz is handing out discounts to renters
Main points:
- Hertz is offering renters the option to buy their electric vehicles (EVs) instead of returning them.
- Offers include a 12-month, 12,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 7-day buy-back option.
Supporting details:
- Reported prices include $18,442 for a 2023 Chevy Bolt and $17,913 for a 2023 Tesla Model 3.
- Hertz is offloading its EV fleet due to lower demand and higher repair costs, resulting in $937 million in vehicle depreciation.
OpenAI lays out its for-profit transition plans
Main points:
- OpenAI plans to transition its for-profit organization into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) to advance its mission of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits humanity.
- The PBC will balance shareholder, stakeholder, and public benefit interests, allowing OpenAI to raise necessary capital while pursuing its mission.
Supporting details:
- OpenAI's current structure has a nonprofit controlling a for-profit with capped profit shares, but the new PBC will enable more flexible decision-making and capital raising.
- The transition faces opposition from co-founder Elon Musk and competitor Meta, who argue it could have significant implications for Silicon Valley and nonprofit investing.
The trends that shaped EVs, robotaxis, and electric flight in 2024
Main points:
- 2024 saw significant changes in the transportation sector, with legacy automakers and startups pivoting due to shifting consumer demand.
- Autonomous vehicle (AV) tech experienced a decline, with some startups pivoting or shutting down, while others like Waymo and Zoox continued to pursue commercial robotaxi services.
- Electric vehicle (EV) sales reached record highs, but growth slowed, and some startups struggled financially.
- eVTOLs attracted investors, with companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation raising funds for commercial launches in 2025.
- Micromobility saw consolidation and pivots, with some startups finding success, like Joco's profitable e-bike rental service.
Supporting details:
- GM slowed EV plans and ended Cruise robotaxi development, while Tesla unveiled its Cybercab prototype.
- EV startups like Fisker and Canoo struggled, while Rivian hit milestones despite challenges.
- eVTOL startups secured funding, but some, like Lilium, faced bankruptcy.
Cyberhaven says it was hacked to publish a malicious update to its Chrome extension
**Main points:**
- Cyberhaven's Chrome extension was compromised in a suspected supply-chain attack, allowing hackers to steal customer passwords and session tokens.
- The malicious update was published on December 25 and was removed after detection.
- A new legitimate version of the extension was released, and affected users were advised to revoke and rotate passwords.
**Supporting details:**
- Around 400,000 corporate customer users were potentially affected.
- Cyberhaven has initiated a review of its security practices and is cooperating with law enforcement.
- The attack may be part of a wider campaign targeting Chrome extension developers.
Bench shuts down, leaving thousands of businesses without access to accounting and tax docs
**Main points:**
- Canada-based accounting startup Bench has shut down, leaving 35,000+ US customers without access to their bookkeeping and tax documents.
- The company had raised $113 million from investors like Shopify and Bain Capital Partners.
**Supporting details:**
- Bench's website is offline, except for a notice informing customers of the shutdown and recommending they file a 6-month IRS extension.
- Customers can download their data by December 30, and until March 2025.
- Bench suggests migrating to accounting startup Kick, which has announced a $9 million seed raise.
Nonprofit group joins Elon Musk’s effort to block OpenAI’s for-profit transition
Main points:
- Encode, a nonprofit, requests to file an amicus brief supporting Elon Musk's injunction to halt OpenAI's transition to a for-profit.
- Encode claims this transition would undermine OpenAI's mission to develop safe and beneficial AI technology.
Supporting details:
- OpenAI, founded as a nonprofit, plans to transition to a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, prioritizing financial returns over public benefit.
- Musk and Meta oppose the transition, citing concerns over anticompetitive practices and safety implications.
- Author:AIGPT
- URL:https://aigptgod.com/article/16928842-4922-81a1-a011-e0c7d4d72773
- Copyright:All articles in this blog, except for special statements, adopt BY-NC-SA agreement. Please indicate the source!