December Current Events 2023: Science & Technology News

Updated December 31, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

World News | U.S. News | Disaster News | Current Events This Week

The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the Science & Technology news events you need to know so far for December 2023.

  1. Tesla Cyber Truck Makes A Comeback Debut After Four Years
  2. IBM has unveiled a New Quantum Computing Chip
  3. Google, Meta, Qualcomm, And Other Tech Companies Team Up For Open Digital Ecosystems
  4. X Is Back Online After A Global Outage And Mild Outrage
  5. The U.K. Transport Secretary Says Autonomous Cars To Be In Use In The Nearest Future

 

Tesla Cyber Truck Makes A Comeback Debut After Four Years

A Tesla Cybertruck is on display at the Tesla showroom in Buena Park, Calif. on Sunday Dec. 3, 2023.

Photo Source: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

Thursday, November 30, 2023 – Tesla boss, Elon Musk pioneered the relaunching of his cyber truck after a faulty launch Four years ago. Traditional sedans have fallen so far from the trend that certain automakers have ceased producing them for the US market, leaving trucks as one of the most popular automobiles sold in the country.

Rival firms have released their electric vehicle products since the cyber truck's auspicious 2019 launch ceremony, and critics claim that Mr. Musk's controversial social media presence has damaged the reputation of the automaker.

That issue that plagued the launch in 2019 was resolved four years later as the business began shipping the futuristic product to customers. However, it's unclear if the truck's unique design will increase or decrease its chances of success. The angular vehicle, which is constructed of bulletproof steel and resembles a rocket, has been called by Elon Musk the company's "best product ever".

Source: BBC

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IBM has unveiled a New Quantum Computing Chip

Darío Gil, senior vice president and director of IBM Research, speaks at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Oct. 13, 2023 in Troy, N.Y.

Photo Source: AP Photo/Hans Pennink

Monday, December 4, 2023 – IBM, a company that deals with computer and artificial intelligence technology, unveiled on Monday a new quantum computing chip and machine. According to IBM, the chip and machine could serve as the building blocks of much larger and faster systems than traditional silicon-based computers.

According to IBM, it confirmed that it has come up with a new way of connecting chips inside machines and then connecting machines, which when combined with a new error-correction code would be able to produce quantum machines by 2033.

IBM confirmed that it had installed one of the new machines at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where the chief research officer said that the technology could eventually be used to model the behavior of proteins and the shapes they take depending on their functions.

Source: The Guardian

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Google, Meta, Qualcomm, And Other Tech Companies Team Up For Open Digital Ecosystems

Attendees visit the Meta booth at the Game Developers Conference 2023 in San Francisco on March 22, 2023.

Photo Source: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 – Google, Meta platforms, Qualcomm, and seven other tech companies have agreed to team up to push for open digital ecosystems. The decision is because of European Union tech rules which may also edge off possible future legislation. The group, which refers to itself as the Coalition for Open Digital Ecosystems (CODE), confirmed that it wants to promote more open platforms and systems to boost growth and innovation in Europe.

According to the group, it said it would work with academics, policymakers, and companies on digital openness and how it can be achieved in Europe, through the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and in future European Union regulatory framework developments.

According to the group, it said the aim is to open up digital ecosystems through cross-industry collaboration and promote seamless connectivity and interoperable systems.

Source: Reuters 

 

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X Is Back Online After A Global Outage And Mild Outrage

Computer monitors and a laptop display the X, formerly known as Twitter, sign-in page, July 24, 2023

Photo Source: AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File

Thursday, December 21, 2023 – After a global outage on Thursday, the social media network X, formerly known as Twitter, has been restored. Thousands of users complained that they couldn't get on the site. The website Downdetector, which analyzes online outages, received over 30,000 reports regarding the site and app between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. in the UK, and over 260,000 in the US over the same period.

Since the rich businessman took over in October 2022, the site has experienced numerous difficulties. Within six months of Musk's arrival, the workforce was reduced from 7,500 to around 2,000. The engineers in charge of resolving and averting service disruptions were among the numerous personnel who were laid off.

Users on X were unable to access postings and instead received the message "Welcome to X!" According to NetBlocks, a business that monitors internet outages, X experienced a "significant international outage," with timelines failing to load and posts failing.

Source: The Guardian 

 

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The U.K. Transport Secretary Says Autonomous Cars To Be In Use In The Nearest Future

Mark Harper the new Transport Secretary arrives for a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.

Photo Source: AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Wednesday, December 27, 2023 – Autonomous vehicles could be on UK roads as early as 2026, according to the transport secretary, as governments attempt to capture up to £42 billion of the international self-driving industry over the next decade. In his statement, He said; "This technology exists, it functions, and what we're doing is putting in place the proper regulations so that people cannot doubt the safety of this innovation."

The government promised last year that the first self-driving cars will be allowed on British roads by 2025. The government cleared another step towards self-driving cars in April when the first hands-free self-driving technology was certified for British highways.

The statements came as a plan to govern the use of automated vehicles was being debated in the House of Lords. However, critics have raised safety concerns and said that the proposed legislation is not prepared for a transition period between autonomous and regular vehicles.

Source: The Guardian 

 

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