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South African billionaire Elon Musk is known for his desire to swallow up companies and rebrand them with his own trendy vision. The Tesla CEO previously used his familial wealth to purchase stakes in such businesses as PayPal, SpaceX and of course, X (formerly Twitter). Now, according to official statements made by the Trump administration cabinet pick, the emerald mine profiteer is considering buying the rights to Vine, a defunct app which predates TikTok . This would be a major development in the world of social media, since the latter is still potentially facing a long-term ban within the United States, unless the app’s parent company ByteDance can agree to divest to American financial interests. When prompted by a fellow X user about bringing Vine back into the fray to fill in the power vacuum left by TikTok, Musk simply responded, “We’re looking into it.” So, now seems like as good a time as any to examine what Vine is (or was), how Elon could bring it back to compete with...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Over the past week, Los Angeles County has been battling wildfires that have devastated the city. Although some of the fires can be attributed to worsening climate conditions, some politicians blame artificial intelligence. While AI has proven to be a useful tool for wildfire prediction, the substantial amount of energy and water it amasses for its use raises concerns for a state already facing water scarcity. Wildfires aren’t a rare occurrence in California. The state has always experienced either naturally occurring wildfires or arson-related ignitions. But over the past few years, worsening climate conditions have led to more frequent and increasingly destructive fires. As of the most recent occurrence, neighborhoods in Altadena, Malibu, and the coastal Pacific Palisades have sustained the most significant damage. Reports confirm that over 20,000 acres have been burned, and more than 120,000...
As the U.S. government inches closer to banning TikTok, its millions of American users are left with pressing questions: Will the app still work? What happens to creators and businesses that rely on it? And what’s the truth behind those rumors about Elon Musk buying the platform? Let’s break down what this potential ban means for TikTok users — and what steps they can take to prepare. Will TikTok Still Work After The Ban? If no one intervenes and the ban goes into effect, TikTok will be removed from app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store. While current users may still have access to the app, CBS News reports that one likelihood is that they won’t receive updates, which will likely lead to significant performance issues over time. Without updates, key features like bug fixes, video uploads, editing tools, and personalized content recommendations may falter. There’s also the possibility that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) could block TikTok’s servers entirely, making...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. A few weeks ago, a debate surrounding the possible expansion of H-1B visas erupted on X (formerly known as Twitter). Established under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the H-1B visa program is for employers to hire nonimmigrant workers in specialty roles or other roles of distinguished merit or ability. The occupation could refer to nurses, models, and tech workers. The number of workers working in the United States on a H-1B visa has steadily increased over the past decade. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple rely on the program to stay ahead in their competitive market. Last year, Elon Musk’s Telsa emerged as one of the leading companies with H-1B visa workers. This is no surprise, as Musk has supported the program. Sharing his support for the program online drew the ire of strongholds within the MAGA coalition like Laura Loomer, who wants the program to end....
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Corporate companies have gutted and targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs throughout 2024. As we head into 2025, efforts to reverse these changes will only increase. DEI programs have been the center of several political battles since Republicans wrongfully came to attack critical race theory. Just as conservatives have a woeful misunderstanding of critical race theory and where it applies, DEI has become a buzzword associated with the aforementioned cultural wars. What Is DEI? DEI initiatives are implemented in schools, businesses, and government agencies to address inequities within historically marginalized groups. According to Erica Foldy, a professor at NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, initiatives could include training, organizational policies and practices, and organizational culture. DEI isn’t just a rule or legislation created for organizations to pat...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Americans aren’t the only ones prepping for another tedious four years under President-elect Donald Trump. Since the results of the 2024 election projected Donald Trump as the winner, tech leaders from companies like Meta, Amazon, OpenAI, and others have shelled out seven-figure investments to Trump’s inaugural fund. According to CBS News, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has donated $1 million and plans to stream the inauguration on Prime. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, will donate $1 million, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who delivered an optimistic statement about the President-elect’s election win. “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead,” Altman said in a statement, per The Associated Press. Elon Musk, CEO of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, and general pop culture menace has been a lurking presence...
Climbing his way into first place of today’s billionaires , South African-born Elon Musk is making headlines for his political affiliations as much as his business decisions. Two of his most well-known are Musk’s purchase of Twitter (X) in 2022 and founding of artificial intelligence startup xAI in 2023. Since the November presidential election, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has become even richer, by 77% , than he was last year. Selling shares of Space X garnered the surpassing of his own record-setting wealth amount now making him worth more than Costco . Wondering how much that is exactly? Here’s what we know about Elon Musk’s net worth. Who Is Elon Musk? Allison Robbert-Pool / Getty Images Elon Musk received bachelor’s degrees in physics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In 1995, he moved to California to pursue a master’s degree in physics from Stanford University. He would leave, after only two days in the program, as he was certain that the...
Elon Musk forcibly revealed X’s shareholders. The Hollywood Reporter mentions that Musk, who acquired Twitter in October 2022 for a reported $44 billion and later renamed it X, is facing a lawsuit that former employees of Twitter have filed stating he has not honored their employee contracts. As part of that proceeding, X initially shared a redacted list of company investors in 2023. NBC News notes that releasing a list that reflects investors in a company is common practice. However, journalist Jacob Silverman pushed for the full list to be shared publicly, with the aid of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), and a motion was filed to request that X’s full records be revealed in July 2024. On Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, X was told to share a more detailed list of its investors due to an order from U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco, CA, stating that X “did not show good cause” to hide its list from the public, according to RCFP. “The Court GRANTS the...
Journalist Don Lemon has sued Elon Musk. Lemon was a co-host on CNN until he was let go from the network in April 2023, AP News mentioned. After his exit, Lemon was presented an offer from Musk, who acquired X in 2022, to form a partnership that would allow him to host his own show, “The Don Lemon Show.” According to a new lawsuit, Lemon claimed to be a “top prospect” for Musk who was seeking to onboard “reputable figures” to maintain advertiser interest, per CNBC. Variety noted the show was intended to allow Lemon to be “bigger, bolder, freer,” and he said it would “be available to everyone, easily, whenever and wherever you want it, streaming on the platforms where conversations are happening. And you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning so stay tuned.” Taping for the show kicked off with Lemon interviewing Musk....
Elon Musk has shared a fake AI video that labels Vice President Kamala Harris as the “ultimate diversity hire.” Harris is actively campaigning to receive the official Democratic nomination as she looks to become the 47th U.S. president, facing off against former President Donald Trump. She has already received the blessing of President Joe Biden, who will no longer be running for re-election. “On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” Harris wrote on Instagram. “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris) Harris’s announcement has been met with skepticism. As AFROTECH™ previously...
The next chapter in the legacy of Verzuz is here. On June 19 — Juneteenth — Swizz Beatz and Timbaland announced that their Verzuz music battle platform has a new home at X, Blavity reports. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!” Swizz Beatz, producer and co-founder of Verzuz, wrote in a post shared on Instagram. “Verzuz is back and 100% Black owned again. Let’s give the people what’s been missing.” In a separate statement, he called X, formerly Twitter, “the best partner for Verzuz.” “Not only are we excited to have Verzuz on X, we’re excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world,” Swizz Beatz said. “I would like to thank Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brett Weitz, Mitchell Smith, and the entire X team for believing in the Verzuz vision. We can’t wait to get to work.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swizz Beatz (@therealswizzz) Launched during the height of the pandemic in 2020, Verzuz gave music lovers battles between favorites like...
While working in the music industry, many artists make the smart move and don’t limit themselves to only excelling in music. Will.i.am is among such musicians who are the definition of “multi-hyphenate.” As an entertainer, record producer, tech entrepreneur, and founder, the East Los Angeles, CA, native has built an extensive resume for himself. “Investor” is yet another title under his growing list of endeavors. In an interview with the “Drink Champs” podcast, Will.i.am recounted two specific investments he’s made thus far. When asked by host N.O.R.E. whether he’d choose Steve Jobs or Elon Musk — like in a game of “This or That” — Will.i.am was prompted to share how both CEOs have made an impact on his life. “I invested in Tesla in 2006 before Elon took over [the company] — around the same time,” Will.i.am explained on the podcast. He continued, “And then, I was a part of Beats. And then, Apple bought Beats from us. So you’re talking about two companies that changed my life. So, I...
A partnership between Don Lemon and Elon Musk has seemingly soured. In January 2024, TV journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon announced on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that his show, “The Don Lemon Show,” would soon be available for everyone to see — starting with X. “You’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world,” Lemon wrote at the time. “I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors.” pic.twitter.com/ZO9g546oYo — Don Lemon (@donlemon) January 9, 2024 However, in an Instagram post, Lemon stated that Tesla Motors CEO and X Corp. owner Elon Musk is now retracting from teaming up with him despite the platform’s goal to magnify “new and diverse voices.” “Elon Musk has canceled the partnership I had with X, which they announced as part of their public commitment to amplifying more diverse voices on their platform,” Lemon noted on Instagram. He added, “Elon publicly...
