CNBC

McDonald’s acquires AI company trying to automate the drive-thru

by dldamore

McDonald’s acquires AI company trying to automate the drive-thru:

“McDonald’s said Tuesday it has agreed to acquire a company that is trying to automate the drive-thru. It’s the fast-food giant’s third tech-focused deal this year.

Apprente, a Silicon Valley company founded in 2017, uses artificial intelligence to understand drive-thru orders, which could cut down on service times. McDonald’s said the technology also could be used someday in its self-order kiosks and mobile app.”

*Not only can technology be used to show people different menu items based on time of day to increase order size, AI could be used to reduce labor costs.

Facebook ‘closed’ groups weren’t as confidential as some thought

by dldamore

Social networking site not covered by HIPAA

During his research, Trotter found that he could use Grouply.io or a manual process to download the personal details of members of other closed Facebook groups – including other sensitive circles, such as those meant for people recovering from drug addiction, men living with HIV or individuals identifying as gay in countries where same-sex partnerships are criminalized. That functionality has since been disabled.
— Read on www.cnbc.com/2018/07/11/facebook-private-groups-breast-cancer-privacy-loophole.html

Canada makes retaliatory tariffs official: ‘We will not back down’ 

by dldamore

Canada’s announcement is part of larger fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcements on trade. The U.S. has levied tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum on Canada, the EU and other nations. As a result, some of the U.S.’ biggest trading partners have retaliated with counter-tariffs.
— Read on www.cnbc.com/2018/06/29/canada-makes-retaliatory-tariffs-official-we-will-not-back-down.html

A 24-year-old made $345,000 by beating Kickstarters to market

by dldamore

A 24-year-old made $345,000 by beating Kickstarters to market:

“You can talk to economists that are 60-years-old and they’ll tell you, ‘Oh, yeah, if you open up a business you should aim to be profitable within 18 months,” says Jack. ‘None of that is relevant anymore. You can be profitable within four days.”

*The Internet enables ideas and dreams to take hold. Competition, no holds barred, can come from anywhere.