Technology industry has changed rapidly in half of 6/2024. In this article, EDUTO will show you some remarkable news.

Internet addition and brain changes in young people

A recent study suggests that internet addiction may alter brain chemistry in young people, potentially leading to further addictive behaviors. Researchers at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH) reviewed existing research on internet addiction using fMRI scans.

The study, published in PLOS Mental Health, found changes in brain activity across multiple networks in adolescents with internet addiction. Interestingly, some brain regions showed increased activity during rest, while others linked to active thinking and decision-making displayed decreased connectivity.

These brain changes could explain the addictive tendencies and broader behavioral issues observed in internet-addicted youth. The study linked addiction to difficulties with mental health, development, cognitive function, and even physical coordination.

The researchers analyzed data from 12 previous studies, encompassing over 200 participants aged 10-19 diagnosed with internet addiction between 2013 and 2023. Notably, nearly half of British teenagers report feeling addicted to social media according to a separate 2024 survey.

Max Chang, the lead author, highlights the crucial developmental stage of adolescence where brains are particularly susceptible to internet addiction's influence. He emphasizes the potential for compulsive internet use, cravings, and excessive media consumption during this period.

"The findings from our study show that this can lead to potentially negative behavioral and developmental changes that could impact the lives of adolescents," Chang explains. These changes might manifest as struggles with social interaction, lying about online activity, or disrupted sleep and eating patterns.

Chang concludes by expressing hope that the research sheds light on how internet addiction affects brain networks in adolescents. This understanding could pave the way for more effective interventions to address early signs of internet addiction.

US regulators scrutinize AI giants over antitrust concerns

Major players in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry are facing increased scrutiny from US regulators. The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have reportedly agreed to investigate potential antitrust violations by Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia.

Focus of Investigations:

• Nvidia: The DoJ will examine whether the leading chipmaker for AI systems has engaged in practices stifling competition.
• OpenAI and Microsoft: The FTC will investigate both OpenAI, developer of the ChatGPT chatbot, and Microsoft, a significant investor in OpenAI and other AI companies. The FTC will determine if their partnership gives them unfair advantages in the AI market.
• Microsoft's Deal with Inflection AI: Additionally, the FTC is reportedly looking into a recent deal between Microsoft and AI startup Inflection AI, suspecting it might be structured to avoid antitrust scrutiny.

This increased scrutiny follows previous actions by the FTC. In January, they requested information on collaborations between AI companies and cloud service providers. Last year, they also investigated OpenAI for potential consumer protection violations concerning personal data.

Jonathan Kanter, head of the DoJ's antitrust division, emphasized the urgency of ensuring a fair and competitive AI landscape, preventing powerful tech companies from monopolizing the market.

These investigations coincide with Nvidia's recent surge in valuation, reaching a record high of $3 trillion, surpassing Apple for the first time.

Above are some of the latest technology news in UK that EDUTO has collected. Please follow EDUTO to updated with the latest news!