$750M Bitcoin Recovery Stopped, Meta's Policy Shift, and MIT's Stacked 3D Chips
Jan 13, 2025
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A legal battle over a $750 million Bitcoin fortune ends with a judge favoring the city's claim, leaving the massive cache buried in a landfill. In corporate news, Meta is undergoing a significant restructuring in its diversity and inclusion programs, signaling a change in priorities. Finally, MIT showcases revolutionary stacked 3D chip technology that could double processing power, promising exciting developments in AI and computer efficiency. Tune in for insights on technology and corporate shifts that could reshape the future!
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Quick takeaways
A legal ruling has permanently halted the recovery attempts of $750 million worth of Bitcoin, highlighting risks associated with digital asset storage.
Meta's overhaul of its diversity programs signifies a corporate shift towards less inclusive practices, reflecting reactions to changing legal climates and political landscapes.
Deep dives
Bitcoin Recovery Efforts Stalled
A significant legal setback has occurred for a Welsh IT specialist attempting to recover 8,000 Bitcoin accidentally discarded in 2013, with a judge ruling against his latest recovery bid. The cryptocurrency, valued at around $750 million, is currently entombed in a landfill, and the court declared it became the property of the local council upon disposal. The specialist had proposed several innovative recovery methods, including using AI robots and metal detectors, along with a team of experts for a targeted approach, but the local council has denied excavation permissions based on environmental concerns. Despite this, the individual remains resolute in his fight, even announcing plans for a new cryptocurrency backed by his inaccessible Bitcoin, vowing to keep pursuing the case until a higher court rules otherwise.
Meta's Shift in Diversity Policies
Meta has initiated significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, reflecting a broader trend among corporations responding to a shifting political landscape. The company has overhauled its hiring strategies, eliminating its diverse slate approach and scaling back support for employee resource groups aimed at underrepresented communities. This restructuring has led to a reassignment of top leadership roles in DEI and the disbanding of several diversity teams, marking a stark departure from its previous commitment to enhancing minority representation. The realignment in DEI policies is seen as a reaction to recent Supreme Court decisions, aligning Meta with other major corporations that have similarly reduced their diversity initiatives.
Innovations in 3D Chip Technology
Engineers at MIT have introduced a groundbreaking method for creating high-rise 3D computer chips using a monolithic 3D integration technique. This innovative approach employs two-dimensional materials that can be layered without damaging the components below, allowing for a significant increase in transistor density and efficiency. As a result, these chips could potentially double processing power while conserving space, making them particularly advantageous for AI applications that demand high computational capabilities. The technology is moving toward commercialization, with a spin-out company focused on bringing these 3D chips to market, promising to revolutionize the semiconductor industry and enhance the performance of consumer electronics and AI-driven devices.
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Bitcoin Recovery Setback and MIT's 3D Chip Innovation
In this episode of 'Discover Daily', we delve into a groundbreaking legal decision involving a $750 million Bitcoin fortune forever lost in a Newport landfill. James Howells' decade-long battle to recover his 8,000 Bitcoin reached a decisive end as Judge Keyser KC dismissed his case, ruling in favor of Newport City Council's ownership claims. Despite innovative proposals involving AI-powered robots and specialized recovery teams, the massive cryptocurrency cache remains buried, serving as a cautionary tale for digital asset storage.
Meta's dramatic restructuring of its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs marks a significant shift in corporate culture. The company announced immediate changes to hiring practices, supplier diversity efforts, and employee resource groups, with Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams being reassigned. This sweeping overhaul, effective January 10, 2025, aligns with similar moves by other major corporations and reflects responses to recent Supreme Court decisions and evolving legal landscapes.
The episode culminates with an exploration of MIT's revolutionary advancement in computer chip technology. Engineers have developed a groundbreaking method for creating 'high-rise' 3D computer chips using stacked single-crystal 2D semiconductors. This innovation promises to double processing power while maintaining current chip footprints, potentially transforming AI hardware efficiency and opening new possibilities for edge computing, autonomous vehicles, and medical imaging applications.
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