Reading List
The most recent articles from a list of feeds I subscribe to.
Swedish startup unveils Starlink alternative — that Musk can’t switch off

A new pocket-sized Starlink alternative promises secure military communications — safe from interference by billionaire CEOs. The system, named the RU1, was unveiled today by Swedish startup TERASi. It’s billed as the world’s smallest and lightest mm-Wave radio, a form of communications that offers blazing-fast speeds and huge bandwidth. James Campion, the CEO and co-founder of TERASi, describes the portable device as “the GoPro of backhaul radios.” “RU1 can be deployed in minutes to keep units connected in fast-changing environments,” Campion told TNW. The devices, he continued, can be installed on tripods or drones. Multiple RU1s can then link into…
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The next unicorn might not hire anyone

A decade ago, startups often equated success with rapid headcount growth. The formula was simple: build a product, raise a round, hire fast. Bigger teams meant bigger bets. But the rulebook is getting rewritten as a new generation of startups scales with leaner teams and fewer people. They’re not building out sprawling customer support or sales teams, and seem to be automating what once warranted entire departments. Their growth is quite remarkable. Cursor, which became the fastest-growing SaaS company in history, generated $200mn in revenue with 30 employees. Midjourney made $200mnn with 40. Ben Lang’s site Tiny Teams tracks these…
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Is ChatGPT really making us dumb and lazy?

Since ChatGPT’s debut in 2022, generative AI quickly entered our work, study, and personal lives, helping to speed up research, content creation, and more at an unprecedented rate. Enthusiasm for generative AI tools has understandably gained traction experiencing an even faster adoption rate than the Internet or PCs, but experts warn we should proceed with caution. As with every new technology, generative AI can launch society forward in a number of ways, but it can also bring consequences if left unchecked. One of those voices is Natasha Govender-Ropert, Head of AI for Financial Crimes at Rabobank. She joined TNW founder…
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Opinion: Europe can lead the world in legal AI — by out-regulating everyone else

Remember the movie Dodgeball? That ridiculous scene where the coach makes his team run across a busy highway? The logic: “If you can dodge traffic, you can dodge a ball.” Europe’s approach to AI feels similar: if you can survive our labyrinth of rules, you can survive anywhere. Conversations with European companies about AI rarely begin with “What can it do?” Instead, they open with a sigh and ask, “Are we allowed to use this?” For most industries, that’s a creativity-killer, but legal professionals thrive in regulatory swamps. Europe’s swamp is about to become its competitive moat. The paradox: red…
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Subscriptions are creeping from software into everything — even your car’s horsepower

The subscription model beloved of software is now creeping into cars. Volkswagen has become the latest automaker to adopt the pricing structure. The German marque has introduced a monthly subscription fee to access the full performance of some of its ID.3 electric vehicles. Auto Express spotted that the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro and Pro S were listed in the UK as producing 201bhp, but could hit 228bhp — if customers paid extra. For that extra 27bhp, buyers can pay £16.50 per month, £165 annually, or £649 for a lifetime subscription that transfers with the car if it’s resold. Volkswagen described the…
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