foot

The US has decided to shoot itself in the foot and destroy one of the best AI companies in the country

by

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, published a few hours ago a statement in which he announced something unusual: the Department of Defense (DoD) has confirmed that “we have been designated as a risk to the national security supply chain” of the United States. This agency thus fulfills the threat it posed a few days ago and automatically turns Anthropic, one of the best AI companies in the country (if not the best) into a pariah company. What implications does that have? Many and all of them huge. I veto Anthropic. This designation prohibits Anthropic from doing business or developing projects for the US military. That is already serious, but it is not just the Pentagon, for example, that will not do it: any company that works with the Pentagon is also prohibited from using Anthropic’s AI services for any government project. We are facing a decision whose collateral effects could be terrible for Anthropic. The loss of revenue could be massive, and if other federal agencies follow the Pentagon’s lead, Anthropic could have a hard time defending its viability against its competitors. That designation is not immediate, and there will be a transition period six months for DoD to migrate to other vendors (like OpenAI). It had never been done with a national company. The ban on Anthropic is absolutely extraordinary, and that designation as a “supply chain risk” was a measure historically reserved for foreign adversaries like Huawei. By applying this label to an American company, the DoD severs its commercial ties and marks the company with a stigma, a kind of “scarlet letter” that could scare away global investors and partners. ethical shock. The core of the conflict is not technical, but moral. Anthropic was born as a spin-off from OpenAI with the aim of avoid existential risks in the development of AI models, and the company has always positioned itself as a great defender of alignment with human values. Its CEO, Dario Amodei, insisted that its AI could not be used for mass surveillance or for the development of lethal autonomous weaponsbut that has collided head-on with the US government and military establishments, which wanted practically total access without restrictions, except those imposed by the US Constitution and laws. to the courts. Amodei has explained in its statement that it will fight the decision in court. His argument, he explains, is that statute 10 USC 3252 It is a tool of protection, not punishment. The defense will need to focus on showing that the Department of Defense did not use the least restrictive means to ensure security. If they succeed, they could invalidate the designation, although the reputational damage has already been done. The dilemma of sovereignty. Can a private company be above the Government? The Pentagon argues that no supplier can slip through the chain of command, and one thing is certain here: for an AI to have usage clauses that limit military operations is to cede national sovereignty to a private algorithm and the terms of service of a board of directors and a CEO who have not been democratically elected. The threat of extreme interventionism. This unusual measure could end up setting a precedent. If the government punishes companies that ask uncomfortable questions or place limits on the use of their technology, AI innovation could change its philosophy. Companies that want to survive would have to do so without questioning the orders out of pure fear of bankruptcy and bankruptcy. Transition period. There is, however, a period of six months granted for the transition and that seems to make it clear that the Pentagon still depends on Anthropic technology for current operations, as demonstrated by the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro or the current intelligence analysis of the conflict in Iran. It remains to be seen how events will evolve, but the outlook for Anthropic is certainly worrying. And for the rest of the companies too, if indeed justice rules in favor of the Department of Defense. Image | Anthropic | Xataka with Freepik In Xataka | Anthropic has become the Apple of our era and OpenAI our Microsoft: a story of love and hate

Catching an offender on a scooter on foot is impossible. So the Valencia police are going to chase them on scooters

by

Yes, electric scooter users have to respect traffic rules. In fact, in recent years specific regulations have been created for them. But there is a problem: “catching” an offender on a scooter is almost impossible. And that is why in Valencia they have gotten to work creating a new unit. One who rides a scooter. on scooter. “We are convinced that this unit is going to be a success and will be a benchmark. There are already town councils from all over Spain that have asked us and want to know how it works,” The words are from María José Catalámayor of Valencia, at the presentation of the city’s new municipal police unit. The objective will be to ensure that users of scooters and other personal mobility vehicles circulate in compliance with traffic regulations on the city’s bike lanes. Their powers range from fining those who circulate incorrectly to those who do so with tricked out scooters or under the influence of alcohol. The scooter in Valencia. The information presented by the Valencia City Council specifies that the city has 200 kilometers of bicycle lanes and that between 2019 and 2023 the use of this means of transport skyrocketed, growing by 186% in those years. Creating a specific group with 12 officers to control traffic while patrolling on scooters is the latest decision by a city that is trying to bring non-compliant users into line. In 2024 they already presented their own machine to control which scooters complied or did not comply with the regulations in a kind of mobile MOT. According to data from the City Council collected by elDiario.esaccidents involving scooters have skyrocketed. In 2019, 346 incidents were recorded where they were present but in 2025 they will already reach 1,192. That is, at least three incidents daily throughout the year. Escapism. The press release that the Valencia City Council has published to confirm this information makes it clear what one of the problems they are facing in the city is: The use of the VMP allows a patrol integrated into the urban mobility network, with greater capacity for direct observation and precise detection of infractions such as inappropriate speed, improper circulation or dangerous maneuvers. Its small size and great maneuverability facilitate rapid approach to conflict points and inspection of the state of the lane, signage and safety elements. In interventions with offending users, VMPs offer the necessary agility to safely reach and detain those who try to evade police action. This unit efficiently and sustainably reinforces the police presence in spaces where traditional citizen security vehicles show operational limitations. And the agility and speed with which an electric scooter moves makes it very difficult for an agent to stop it unless, at that very moment, it is riding a bicycle. Even by car, a patrol can have problems if, for example, an offender steps onto a sidewalk or travels on a segregated bike lane. good money. It must be taken into account that, although you do not need a driving license of any kind as is the case with a bicycle, using an electric scooter requires compliance with basic traffic rules. For example: The user must wear a helmet Only one person can circulate per scooter Driving on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings is prohibited. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is prohibited Mobile phone use prohibited It is prohibited to wear headphones It must be taken into account that some of the above infractions are classified as serious or very serious within the Traffic Law and, therefore, a user who drives under the influence of alcohol cannot have points removed from his or her driving license but can be fined 500 euros. More watched. In recent years we have seen how electric scooter users are beginning to be more vigilant. It must be taken into account that we are talking about a device that, almost by default, can circulate at a maximum speed of 25 km/h, which is obliged to move on asphalt and bike lanes but which on many occasions we find them on the sidewalk. This has led the DGT to create a record of all scooters soldwith a type of license plate that must be present on the chassis of the vehicle to demonstrate that it complies with the legal technical characteristics. In addition, users will have to have civil liability insurance for their use. Photo | Valencia City Council In Xataka | Arrested for driving an electric scooter capable of going 111 km/h: more than four times the permitted speed

let’s start traveling on foot

by

“It is common in Europe.” With these words, Óscar Puente, Minister of Transport, justified the possibility of traveling standing on medium-distance trains. Puente referred to this possibility in Twenty-something hourprogram of the Chain Being. There, it was assured that the Government is studying this possibility and 2026 aims to be key to carrying out a new way of traveling. “It is not being done”. And it is totally true. Puente pointed out in the aforementioned program that on medium-distance trains in Spain you cannot travel standing. And as in France or Portugal, it is prohibited to use regional trains without reserving a seat (as long as Renfe does not say otherwise, as we will see) so you can only stand in the spaces between carriages or in the area relative to the cafeteria. At that moment, Puente took the opportunity to announce that Renfe welcomes the proposal and that they have on the table launching a pilot test on a short line, one that is not particularly long. In Xataka We have asked Renfe about this possibility but they have not given an answer as to when this pilot test would be launched or where. They assure, in this case, that the decision belongs to Transport. Logroño-Zaragoza. The origin of the statements must be sought on the line between Logroño and Zaragoza passing through Pamplona. There, passengers have seen how medium distance trains have been replaced by Cercanías’ own vehicles for shorter trips. This caused some passengers to have to make the trip standing since there were no seated seats available, since the trains had a smaller number of seats. Already in July 2024Puente pointed out that this was something that had to change. In September 2025Renfe announced that new trains were arriving for the route between Logroño and Zaragoza, with a greater number of seats and cafeteria service since the new vehicles prioritized capacity over this option. Can you travel standing for medium distances? Technically yes, as long as there are any of the circumstances that Renfe points out on its website: Medium distance services without reservation Trains that stop at stations without sales, in which the traveler must buy the ticket en route: since it is not possible to reserve a seat, it is possible that there are no free seats. Travelers who have boarded without a ticket and have to regularize it en route, if at that moment there is no free seat. As an exception, on trains with the right to a seat, if Renfe so determines. And on the company’s own website, two cases are specified in which it is common to travel like this in our country. The first is the regional trains of Catalonia, as Puente pointed out in the Cadena Ser interview. The other is the possibility that a Cercanías train is being used for a medium-distance service, which is exactly what has been happening in Logroño-Zaragoza. In addition, it is specified that “travel insurance is assigned to the ticket, not to the seat. That is, every traveler with a ticket travels insured, regardless of whether they do so standing or sitting.” Europe. In his speech, Puente already pointed out that this is common in some European countries. Although the Minister did not then indicate which trains he was referring to, the truth is that in the Netherlands, Switzerland or Belgium they offer the sale of trains in which a seat is not assigned unless they are indicated. In the countries where this possibility is available, it is because travelers usually make relatively short regional journeys. So, for example, in Germany You buy a ticket for a regional train and the seat reservation is an added bonus. Something similar happens in Italy where their regional trains do not have an assigned seat unless you opt for their first class. And where is the advantage? Mainly, there are two advantages to the service. The first is that if this option is offered, the volume of passengers traveling on each train can be greatly increased. Of course, Renfe would have to use modified trains or versions more similar to those of Cercanías to be able to offer this service. The second is that, as in Italy, the train ticket schedule is flexible. For example, in Italy a travel day is allocated but you can take the train at any time you prefer. In other cases, a time is selected and that same train can be taken in an open time window before and after the original time, which makes the possibilities for the traveler more flexible. Obviously, this requires the train to be able to accommodate a number of passengers that exceeds the seating capacity, so if the seat is not reserved in advance, it is possible that the passenger travels the entire journey standing or has to get up at some point to leave said space for another passenger. Photo | PJH and Xataka In Xataka | We have tried to write this article using the AVE WiFi and we have come up short

In 1969, humans set foot on the Moon for the first time. He did it thanks to a computer less powerful than your cell phone

by

The arrival to the Moon It was one of the scientific and technological milestones most notable of the 20th century and something that remained in those who lived and in those who did not thanks to the images and audios. Something that happened more than 40 years ago, when there were still many technological revolutions to come, such as personal computers or mobile phones. What technologies made it possible for humans to reach the Moon? Something that is already fascinating in itself, but it is even more so if you know the details of the computers, cameras and other devices that were used in the mission, taking into account their characteristics. What technology made it possible for three human beings they reached the moonWould they walk around and tell us in the meantime? We travel in time and space to review. like matryoshkas The Apollo 11 mission was the eleventh of a NASA program that had a total of 22 missions (19 of them being successful), in the 1960s until 1972. Until mission 7 the launches were unmanned and mission 8 was the first to orbit the Moon, but for all of them a Saturn rocket launcher was used. The one for Apollo 11 was the Saturn V, a rocket 110.64 meters high and weighing 2,700 tons with a tank full of fuel (the largest NASA has ever built). Depending on the stage (there were three, S-IC, S-II and S-IVB) the number of engines varied and so did the fuel, which were mixtures of oxygen, kerosene or liquid hydrogen. But the Saturn V was not the one that reached the Moon, but rather the one that went out into space and directed the modules towards it. These modules were the command and service (CM) and the lunar (LEM); The CM contained the engine of the propulsion system that was responsible for entering and leaving lunar orbit and had space for three astronauts, and the LEM was the first ship designed to be able to fly in a vacuum, without aerodynamic capacity. (POT) The LEM separated from the CM as it entered the orbit of the Moon and descended to its surface. It was designed to land only on the Moon since the legs were so weak that they would not support the weight of the LEM in Earth’s gravity (9.8 m/s² versus 1.6 m/s² on the Moon). There was room here for only two astronauts. The speeds that were reached (increasing upon entering the gravitational field of the Moon) were 3,700 kilometers per hour and up to 9,000 km/h due to lunar gravity. And here comes a question: how is it possible to brake at those speeds? To enter lunar orbit, hypergolic braking was used (using hydrazine, dimethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, hypergolic compounds – which explode without a heat source) and engine shutdown. The computers of the Apollo 11 mission To review the computing involved in the Apollo 11 mission, we must take into account the emission and reception, that is, what was on the ground and what the aircraft carried. And it is also worth remembering that at the time a computer was far from being something domestic or common, or from fitting on a desk. On Earth, in the Goddard Space Flight Center and the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, worked with the IBM System/360 75 mainfream, which (along with the 44, 91, 95 and 195) was implemented with hardwired logic instead of microcode like all other IBM S/360 models. For the curious techieshere a configuration diagram and explanation of the team. In the ships, however, the Apollo Guiding Computer (AGC), manufactured by Raytheon and designed by the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory. This team stood out for being one of the first to use integrated circuits. There was one in the LEM and another in the CM. The specifications of these teams are surprising not because the numbers are smaller compared to the current ones, but because even making the effort to place our minds in the 1960s, it is impressive to see that teams like this managed to carry out something as complex as a round trip to the Moon. The AGC had storage of 36,864 14-bit words and RAM of 2,048 words. (POT) Comparing it with later equipment, more or less between the two AGCs they have approximately the same memory as what a Commodore-64 (from 1982) had, but it was about eight times less powerful than an IBM XT (from 1981, which was 4.77 MHz compared to 0.043 MHz for the AGC). In fact, a computer with half a GB of RAM has 100,000 times more memory than AGC. But computers do not live on hardware alone, and software here has considerable weight. 300 people participated in its creation over seven years, at an approximate cost of 46 million dollars (at the time). Among them was Allan Klumpp, a mechanical engineer at MIT whose proposal for landing on the Moon reflects all calculations as well as diagrams and drawings of the situation on the dashboard. The program was called LUMINARY and was written in MAC programming language (MIT Algebraic Compiler), but no terminal or compilation programs, this was done with some punched cards which were prepared with a kind of typewriter (and if a hole was made wrong, a new one had to be made). On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the famous achievement, it was transcribed the code of both modules (transcribing it), where we read that Klumpp said that this was never exempt from bugs. What is notable here is the multitaskgiven that the fact that the software allowed it was already an achievement and that it was not easy for him to carry it out. In fact, there was some alarm due to the high demand on the computers as at the time of the moon landing, which resulted in a slow response and not with all the calculations, so there was one minute of the eleven that lasted the … Read more

Crossing the A-5 works on foot has become a risky sport. The Madrid City Council solution: AI

by

He burial of the A-5 It has become a headache for the neighbors. It is not only that traffic jams are the daily routine or that the works have forced the route to be diverted, creating a kind of Mario Kart where drivers have to avoid unexpected curves, unexpected exits or the appearance of cranes and heavy machinery. Pedestrians also begin to look with horror as his life becomes complicated every time they have to cross from one side of the highway to the other. The promise Being able to cross the road at the top of it surrounded by a park instead of dark and uninviting passageways is closer. But, for now, crossing from the Batán neighborhood to Lucero or Aluche is nothing short of a pipe dream. One in which the Madrid City Council has decided to intervene with artificial intelligence. With a little AI A couple of weeks ago, the large underground work on the A-5 appeared with a couple of unexpected traffic lights around Villagarcía Street, near the junction with Batán. The intention was to regulate traffic at one of the most complicated intersections in the area. Taking advantage of this unnecessary action, the neighbors began to demand that zebra crossings be set up so they could cross on foot to the other side of the road and have a quick access to the neighborhoods of Lucero and Aluche. In this way, residents would also have access, for example, to public transportation that circulates a little less than a kilometer from their homes, schools or work centers but which are much more difficult to reach on foot since the works began. Now we know that the Madrid City Council is going to take advantage of these works to also test one of the latest purchases announced: traffic lights with artificial intelligence. They explain in The World that current traffic lights already have cameras to control road traffic. This will help, taking advantage of an artificial intelligence system, to regulate traffic on demand. The traffic lights will detect the number of pedestrians waiting for the green light to turn and the system will decide when to let vehicles and pedestrians pass. Thus, it will open the way to the latter for a more or less time depending on demand. The area is conflictive because there are schools that are currently wedged between the Casa de Campo and the underground works of the A-5. With the installation of traffic lights with artificial intelligence, an attempt will be made to prioritize the passage of pedestrians at peak times when entering and leaving educational centers. The use of the system, as we said, is not new. a few weeks ago the Madrid City Council confirmed the installation of these systems in various parts of the capital, especially complicated by the large influx of pedestrians. For example, they already adjust the steps at the intersection of Calle Princesa and Alberto Aguilera, on the Segovia and San Isidro bridges (Madrid Río area) or in the Plaza de Grecia next to the Metropolitan Stadium where traffic lights with artificial intelligence regulate the passage if there are concerts or large events to improve fluidity. Photo | Xataka and Madrid City Council In Xataka | The residents of Madrid had been longing for the A-5 to be buried underground for years. Now he’s making their lives miserable.

I’ve been using Google Maps for years and I didn’t know this button. It is wonderful to follow routes on foot

by

Although There are more and more optionsGoogle Maps is still The queen of navigation apps. But even the most used app, there are functions that not everyone knowsI the first. Today we talk about an option that makes Google Maps is much more intuitive on foot routes. Google Maps on foot is not the same as by car It is obvious, but the simple fact that the car moves faster makes it very easier to know what direction we have to go. When we use the routes on foot, sometimes the pointer does not move until we walk a considerable distance and, If we have confused ourselves, we will have to return to where we have come. I confess that it has happened to me many times. In addition, although generally the compass indicates the direction without having to move, but that lifts our hand who has not had problems with this. Many times the compass does not work well and It is necessary to calibrate it. With this function the headaches are over. The augmented reality to rescue 13 tricks to get the most out of Google Maps If you are going to follow a route on foot, Live View is your best ally. It is a function that uses augmented reality and indicates why we must continue in a much more visual and intuitive way. To activate it you just have to click on The camera button which appears on the icons on the right side of the screen. When you activate Live View for the first time, a notice like the one you can see on these lines appears and you will also have to accept the camera permits. Then he will ask you to notice with the camera to your surroundings to be able to “scan” the buildings and, once completed, you will see an arrow superimposed on the image which tells you where you should keep walking. Live View is a veteran function on Google Maps (arrived in 2019) and is available in all areas where we have the option to use Google Street View. However, it is not a super known option and, at least, it has turned out Very useful especially being traveling In new cities. In Xataka | A small town in Holland has the solution to mass tourism: to fool Google Maps

China promised them very happy with day 996. Until they realized that it was shot in the foot

by

You enter to work at 9 in the morning and leave at 9 at night. So Monday to Saturday, with a single rest day. 72 hours per week. It may seem crazy, but it is known as Day 996 They have followed many Chinese companies in the technological sector for years. The Chinese government ended up taking letters in the matter Upon realizing that the endless days were not only bad for workers, they were also bad for the country. Culture 996. A few years ago, working 12 hours a day was common in Chinese technological. Richard Liu, founder of JD.com He described these “blessing” and Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, said that “if you don’t work from nine in the morning at nine o’clock at night when you are young, when are you going to do it?”. The term 996 was coined in 2019 following a protest against this work model to which they baptized 996-Icua word game that referred to that day would take workers to the ICU. This movement unleashed a wave of criticism at the national level and it is believed that it was the seed that The Government prohibited it. The change. In 2021, with the marathon days at the point of view of the government, there were many companies that turned back and brought back the weekend of two days. There were also companies like Tencent that cut the daily work hours from 10 to 6 in the afternoon, from 996 to 1065. Why this change? Fed up workers. Day 996 has been gasoline for the growth of the Chinese technological sector and its end responds to several reasons. The most obvious is that the workers were fed up in these exploitation conditions in which there were even cases of deaths due to exhaustion. The government said in its ruling that “workers are entitled to rest and take a vacation”, but we must not forget that it is the same government known for go against unions and imprison activists. National consumption. Inhuman working hours were a shot in the foot for the Government’s development objectives. In 2021, Xi Jinping promoted the idea of the “Common prosperity”an initiative that intended to grow the economy both outside and within its borders. However, promoting internal consumption was not compatible with 12 -hour working days. Technological workers charged more than in other sectors, but if they spent all their awake weather inside the office, they had no chance to spend it. Birth. Birth problems in China come from afar, but before the problem was that There were too muchnow it is Just the opposite And schedule 996 did not play in his favor. They counted in This articlethat in Chinese companies there is an entrenched idea that they call “ascend or out.” This is the belief that if a worker does not rise to a high position before having children, he runs the risk of replacing him with someone younger. In addition, men who have children and work with these schedules cannot take care of them or home, which in many cases expels women in the labor market. This makes many workers delay the time of having children, some even completely renounce. All happy? Ending 996 benefits workers, but also plays in favor of these objectives. The labor market expands because there is no age roof so low, birth rate and domestic consumption rises. All perfect, or almost. The end of 996 has not left many workers for free, when Bytedance announced that its employees would not work on weekends, He did it together with a 20%salary cut. In addition, for many workers the nightmare is not over. Last year, the head of Baidu media published a series of videos in which he denounced that he was forced to be available 24 hours a day. Culture 996 is still rooted above all in citiesmaking many young people choose to go to smaller nuclei where life is calmer. Image | Amparo Babyloni, Xataka In Xataka | Deepseek marked a turning point in the AI race. Now another Chinese company wants to imitate its success: Kimi K2 is born

Goal approaches 100,000 million invested in metoverso, and has no intention of raising the foot of the accelerator

by

More than ten years have passed since Mark Zuckerberg announced the purchase of Oculus And he began to profile his idea of ​​’Metaverso‘, although the concept did not gain prominence until 2021, When Facebook, Inc. was called Platforms goal, Inc. Reality labs, the division that promotes this initiative, is on the way to burn 100,000 million dollarsand everything indicates that there is still a long way before those promises of incredible virtual worlds, where to work, play and socialize, come true. Virtual and mixed reality glasses, such as Quest Pro goal, Quest 3 goal either Apple Vision Prothey are the entrance door to this type of experience. However, these devices are not yet powerful, light and affordable to gain ground in the general public. A reflection of this reality is Tim Cook’s statements last year, when Apple’s CEO recognized that their glasses are “an early adoption product” intended for “people who want to have tomorrow’s technology.” Goal continues to burn money in metaverso Between 2014 and 2024, Meta has invested more than 80,000 million dollars in its virtual and augmented reality ambitions. The data comes from your financial ones that reflect an expense of 19,875 million dollars and a benefit of 2,146 million dollars to throughout the last year. In other words, the reality Labs division closed 2024 with losses of 17,729 million dollars. Far from lifting the accelerator’s foot, the giant of social networks remains convinced that this is the way, so he anticipates a 2025 with more investment and more losses in reality labs. Few companies in the world can afford with such long term. Meta, of course, is one of them: in 2024 he recorded net profits of 87,109 million dollars in family of apps (FOA), the segment that encompasses products and services such as Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp. Although reality labs is closely linked to metoverso, its reach goes much further. Immediately, this division is the epicenter of commercial products with relative successlike the family of target quest glasses and Ray-Ban Metadeveloped in collaboration with Essiloruxotic. But it is also the laboratory where the future of the company is being built. Last year we first saw Oriona prototype of augmented reality glasses that, According to Zuckerberg himselfit could one day replace the smartphone as we know it. At first glance, Orion glasses are more bulky and robust than the finish lines, probably due to the internal components necessary to project images. And they integrate micro LED projectorscapable of superimposing information in the real world. The idea is to use the physical environment as a canvas for 2D and 3D apps. But there is more. Reality labs is working on the powerful, light and affordable glasses that we mentioned at the beginning. And that, of course, requires a lot of work. At the visualization level, the objective is to achieve a practically indistinguishable experience of reality. But it is not enough with high resolution screens in next -generation glasses, but it is necessary develop technologies that still do not exist to adapt to the complex human visual system. In addition, projects include the exploration of new interfaces, such as electromiography based, which allow controlling devices through neuromuscular signals. As the company itself recognizes, its bet is to develop products that we will not see soon, but will reach its maximum splendor “in the next decade” It will be necessary to see if this goal is still standing with the advance of artificial intelligence (AI), a field in which Meta is investing billions and that, at some point, converges with its vision of metavers. Images | Goal In Xataka | Samsung and Google already have almost lists their own vision pro. And they have two fundamental advantages: Gemini and La Voz

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.