🚗 GM Drops Robotaxi Dream, Google vs. Microsoft, WP Engine Wins

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, December 11. Today we are covering:

• GM Calls It Quits on Mary Barra's $50 Billion Robotaxi Dream

• Google Asks FTC to Kill Microsoft's Exclusive Cloud Deal with OpenAI

• WordPress must stop blocking WP Engine, judge rules

• YouTube's new auto-dubbing feature is now available for knowledge-focused content

• Mozilla Firefox removes 'Do Not Track' Feature support: Here's what it means for your Privacy

Let’s dive in

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GM Calls It Quits on Mary Barra's $50 Billion Robotaxi Dream

By David Welch via Bloomberg

• General Motors (GM) is winding down its $50 billion robotaxi venture led by CEO Mary Barra, citing rising competition and high scaling costs.

• The company's autonomous vehicle subsidiary Cruise faced regulatory scrutiny after a pedestrian accident, contributing to the decision.

• The closure marks a dramatic shift from GM's earlier optimism, showcased when Barra took a much-publicized ride in a Cruise robotaxi nearly three years ago.

𝕏: Epic, hall of fame, $1T fumble of an opportunity by GM. Waymo is going to be ubiquitous, Cruise was the viable alternative, and Elon is likely to nudge Trump on the regulatory path. But GM couldn't take the startup bumpy journey. - Nabeel Hyatt (@nabeel)

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Google Asks FTC to Kill Microsoft's Exclusive Cloud Deal with OpenAI

By Aaron Holmes via The Information

• Google has asked the FTC to terminate Microsoft's exclusive cloud deal with OpenAI, citing concerns over competition.

• The request highlights escalating tensions between tech giants in the rapidly growing AI and cloud computing market.

• If successful, the move could reshape cloud service agreements in the AI industry.

𝕏: Note here that Google’s argument is that it is Microsoft that is being “anticompetitive” while Google lobbies the Federal government to damage their competitor. - John William Sherrod (@jwsherrod)

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WordPress must stop blocking WP Engine, judge rules

By Emma Roth via The Verge

• Automattic has been ordered by a judge to stop blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress services, ensuring continued platform functionality.

• The ruling emphasizes the need for fair competition within the WordPress ecosystem, impacting service integration standards.

• WP Engine expressed optimism about restoring operational stability and fostering improved business relations with Automattic.

𝕏: The sad story of how Automattic became the villain they painted WP Engine to be. A judge delivers swift justice for WP Engine - and more embarrassment for Automattic. What was the point of Automattic damaging WordPress and themselves - all for nothing? - Gergely Orosz (@GergelyOrosz)

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YouTube's new auto-dubbing feature is now available for knowledge-focused content

By Lauren Forristal via TechCrunch

• YouTube is expanding its AI-powered auto-dubbing feature to hundreds of thousands more channels, focusing on informational content like cooking and DIY videos.

• The tool supports nine languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Hindi, using Google’s Gemini AI to create translated audio tracks automatically.

• YouTube acknowledges potential accuracy challenges and promises improvements, while also previewing its upcoming Expressive Speech feature for more realistic dubbing.

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Mozilla Firefox removes 'Do Not Track' Feature support: Here's what it means for your Privacy

By Venkat via Windows Report

• Mozilla Firefox is removing the Do Not Track (DNT) feature starting from version 135, citing its limited effectiveness as many websites ignore the setting.

• The company recommends switching to Global Privacy Control (GPC), a privacy feature supported by growing numbers of sites and backed by legal enforcement in some regions.

• While Firefox drops DNT, browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge still offer the feature, though its long-term support across platforms remains uncertain.

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Trending in AI

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• HarperCollins CEO touts Spotify’s audiobooks entry, AI’s impact on publishing

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• The limits of intelligence — Why AI advancement could be slowing down

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Thanks for reading to the bottom and soaking in our Newslit Daily fueled with highlights for your morning.

I hope you found it interesting and, needless to say, if you have any questions or feedback let me know by hitting reply.

Take care and see you tomorrow!

— Jose Montes de Oca

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