Humane Shuts Down AI Pin, Uber for Armed Guards Climbs App Store, and Human Speech Gene Identified
Monday, 24 February 2025 · 2 min read · Listen to the episode ↗
Humane has announced the shutdown of its AI pin due to technical challenges and has been acquired by HP for integration into enterprise technology. The Protector app is rising in popularity for providing private security services, sparking concerns over social stratification. Additionally, researchers identified the NOVA one protein variant linked to human speech evolution, with implications for gene therapy in communication disorders, highlighting the intersection of genetics and advanced technological insights.
Humane has announced the shutdown of its AI pin, effective February 28, 2025, just nine months after its launch. The device faced issues such as unreliable gesture controls, overheating, and limited app integration. HP has acquired Humane's assets for $116 million, planning to integrate its laser projection and voice interaction technology into enterprise devices. Approximately 40% of Humane's workforce will transition to HP, while 60 employees will face layoffs. Tech analyst Maria Chen notes the challenges in developing effective ambient computing devices.
The Protector app is gaining traction, providing private security services in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Users can summon armed guards and armored motorcades, with a minimum booking of five hours at $100 per hour, plus a $129 annual membership fee. CEO Amanda Zhou emphasizes the rigorous training of operatives, while ACLU analyst Jalen Carter raises concerns about potential social stratification from privatized security, noting that over 70% of bookings come from women aged 25 to 45 for late-night transportation.
In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a protein variant called NOVA one, crucial for human speech. Analyzing genetic data from over 650,000 individuals, the study found that nearly all carried the I-197V protein variant, suggesting its importance in human evolution. Experiments with genetically modified mice expressing human NOVA one revealed more complex vocal patterns and changes in neural pathways related to speech. Dr. Elisa Cortes highlights the research's interdisciplinary nature, linking NOVA one’s emergence to fossil evidence of modern vocal tracts from 100,000 years ago. The gene is associated with autism spectrum disorder and childhood apraxia of speech, with children carrying NOVA one mutations being 4.3 times more likely to develop nonverbal autism. Dr. Cortes's team is collaborating with MIT to explore gene therapy applications for communication disorders, using modified mice to gain insights into the genetic changes that may have facilitated the development of complex language in prehistoric humans.
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