# Weekly Tech Recap: Highlights and Lowlights (02/06/23–02/12/23)
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Chapter 1: The Bright Side of Tech
Last week brought us a mix of uplifting and concerning news from the tech world. Let’s dive into the highlights.
Nintendo's Employee Raise
🎮 In a surprising move amid widespread layoffs and declining stock market values, Nintendo announced a 10% salary increase for its Japanese employees. Read more about this decision [here](#).
AI Innovations from Microsoft
💻 Microsoft unveiled an AI-enhanced version of both Bing and Edge, showcasing the company’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its products. Discover more [here](#).
Advancements in Large Language Models
🤖 The race to harness and monetize large language models is intensifying. Google introduced its new AI named Brad, while Baidu plans to launch its AI assistant, Ernie Bot, soon. Further insights can be found [here](#).
PlayStation's VR2 Launch
👓 The start of the year has been eventful in the augmented and virtual reality sectors. PlayStation is now offering pre-orders for its VR2 headset, priced below $600. For additional information, click [here](#).
Breakthroughs in Quantum Computing
🧑🏿🔬 A team from Sussex University, led by Professor Hensinger, achieved a milestone in quantum computing by swiftly and accurately transferring quantum information between computer chips. If you're curious about quantum computing, IBM offers a comprehensive introduction [here](#).
Chapter 2: Challenges in the Tech Sphere
Despite the positive news, the tech industry is still grappling with significant challenges.
Ongoing Layoffs
😥 The wave of layoffs continues, with Affirm reducing its workforce by 19% (details), GitHub cutting 10% (details), Zoom laying off 15% (details), Yahoo 20% (details), and Twilio 17% (details).
New Layoff Rounds
😥 Major companies have initiated additional rounds of layoffs. Microsoft has begun a substantial second round (details), and there are rumors of another round at META (details).
AI Launch Missteps
🤖 In the competitive AI landscape, Google faced setbacks with the launch of its AI, Brad, leading to a staggering loss of $100 billion in market value. More details can be found [here](#).
Tech Tip: Utilizing Sorted Containers
For those working with Python, the Sorted Containers library is a fantastic tool that provides sorted Lists, Sets, and Dictionaries. This library allows for efficient insertion and removal of elements while maintaining sorted order.
Meme of the Week
Stay tuned for the latest meme that captures the spirit of the tech community!
In the video titled "Tech News of the Week 07-23-24," you'll find a recap of the week's biggest tech stories, including exciting innovations and industry shifts.
Another insightful video, "Tech News of The Week 05-14-24," covers the latest developments in technology, providing context and analysis on the evolving landscape.