Throughout 2024, we saw further development of artificial intelligence, AI systems, and
new legal action brought against technology companies.
Here is a look back at some of the biggest tech stories we covered in 2024.
During the year, companies continued developing and deploying new AI tools.
Among these were a new set of AI offerings announced by American software company Microsoft.
Officials explained the new tools included personal agents designed to help users complete
business activities with little or no human involvement.
Microsoft says it designed the agents to expand on so-called chatbots, AI tools that work
by themselves to produce human-level writing or discussions.
The company said it expects a full release of the agents sometime in 2025.
In September, technology company Apple announced it was launching several new iPhones equipped
with special chips to support AI operations.
Apple chief Tim Cook said the new models had been designed for Apple intelligence from the ground up.
We reported in October about an effort by researchers to use AI to improve existing weather prediction models.
One system works by combining past weather predictions with modern methods to provide
the most complete picture of weather and climate data.
In California, three legislative measures were enacted to ban the use of AI tools to
create false images and videos during election campaigns.
One main goal was to fight deepfakes.
These are pieces of video or audio created to make it appear that people in it are saying
or doing things they never said or did.
Deepfakes were used in several world election campaigns in 2024.
In May, an international gathering of major AI developers and top government officials
in Seoul agreed on measures that aim to ensure that AI systems are safely built and deployed.
Attendees from 16 different technology companies signed a promise to develop AI technology
in ways that limit possible public harms.
About one year ago, an American jury found that Google's App Store operates as an illegal monopoly.
Then in August 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google had violated trade laws by operating
its search engine as a monopoly.
The ruling accused Google of paying smartphone makers to ensure that its search engine was
set as the default system on new devices.
As part of the case, the US government proposed in November a series of measures to limit
Google from anti-competition business activities.
Google criticized the court's ruling as an example of government overreach.
US officials have long warned that TikTok presents national security concerns.
Earlier this month, video sharing service TikTok asked a US appeals court to block a
law requiring its Chinese parent, ByteDance, to divest itself of TikTok or face a US ban.
The request came after the same court had upheld a law forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok
by January 19 or face the ban.
Lawyers for ByteDance and TikTok are seeking to have the US Supreme Court rule on the case.
In May, US-based Aurora Innovation said it was preparing to launch a series of driverless
trucks to transport goods on a major public highway.
Many officials said it planned to begin the service in Texas with 20 tractor trailers
transporting goods between Dallas and Houston.
The company hopes to expand the service to thousands of tractor trailers within three to four years.
In October, the US Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, announced it had issued final rules for operating air taxis.
It also set training and approval requirements for pilots.
The FAA said air taxis belong to a kind of aircraft known as Advanced Air Mobility, AAM, flyers.
They generally operate on their own on electrical power with vertical takeoff and landing abilities.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said such aircraft represent the first new category
of aircraft in nearly 80 years.
He added that the new rules are meant to mark the beginning of possible widespread AAM operations
across the US in the future. I'm Brian Lynn.