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Tim Cadogan, CEO of GoFundMe, relies on a group of trusted advisers for guidance and support. These advisers include Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, who helps Cadogan with employee motivation and maintaining a sustainable business model; Scott Wagner, interim CEO of GoodRx, who provides insights on acquisitions and advises Cadogan to focus on what works; Jonathan Mildenhall, CMO of Rocket Cos., who helps increase brand awareness and connects Cadogan with valuable contacts; and John Gentry, CEO of OpenX, who offers support in managing senior-level talent. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Cadogan has successfully grown GoFundMe and doubled its staff size, raising over $20 billion through the platform. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Microsoft laying off 650 employees from its videogame division as part of cost-cutting measures following its 75 billion U.S. dollars acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Topics include the impact of layoffs on the gaming industry, Microsoft's increased investment in artificial intelligence, and the company's strategy to enhance its Xbox Game Pass service amid declining consumer spending on games.

The videogame industry is experiencing a wave of mass layoffs, leaving many workers struggling to find new roles. This industry, which has long been competitive to break into, has provided reliable employment for those lucky enough to find their place. However, over the past year, studios have been shutting down, games have been canceled, and layoffs have become commonplace. Factors such as rising costs, industry consolidation, and increased competition for audience attention have contributed to this downturn. Thousands of workers are now questioning whether they can continue pursuing their passion for videogames or if they need to find a new career path. [Extracted from the article]

Amazon has appointed Matt Garman as the new head of its cloud-computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), replacing Adam Selipsky. The change in leadership comes as Amazon aims to position itself in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, with AWS playing a crucial role in the company's growth strategy. AWS has experienced recent turbulence but has rebounded, and its cloud business is expected to benefit from the increasing demand for AI capabilities. Garman, a long-time Amazon executive, will take on the new role on June 3 and plans to make organizational adjustments as part of the transition. [Extracted from the article]

Amazon reported record first-quarter sales, driven by the growth of its cloud-computing unit fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Revenue rose 13% to $143.3 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations, and profit surged to $10.4 billion. CEO Andy Jassy has focused on AI innovations to reaccelerate growth in the company's cloud business, and sales in the Amazon Web Services arm increased over 17% to about $25 billion. Amazon's stock rose 2% after hours, and the company projected second-quarter sales of $144 billion to $149 billion. [Extracted from the article]

Discord, a social-media startup, has announced that it will begin showing advertisements on its free platform in an effort to boost revenue. The ads will be from videogame makers and will offer users rewards for completing in-game tasks while their friends watch on Discord. This decision represents a pivot for Discord, as its CEO has previously stated that the platform would not rely on ads like other social media platforms. While some users may be alienated by this change, Discord has stated that users will have the option to turn off the ads in their settings. [Extracted from the article]

Studios are increasingly turning to video games for inspiration in creating TV shows and films, as audiences grow tired of comic book-based storylines. The success of adaptations relies on appealing to die-hard fans while staying true to the original game. The pandemic-induced spike in gaming during lockdowns has further fueled the popularity of video game adaptations, with movies based on video games grossing over $700 million at the domestic box office in 2023. Studios are now seeking feedback from game communities to ensure authenticity and are incorporating Easter eggs to delight fans. [Extracted from the article]

Reddit, the social-media platform, is offering its users the opportunity to own shares in its upcoming initial public offering (IPO). This is a unique opportunity for individual investors, as IPO shares are typically reserved for big investors. However, investing in an IPO can be risky, and Reddit has listed small investors as a risk factor in its IPO filing. Some Reddit users are excited about the chance to own a piece of the platform, while others have concerns about potential losses and the volatile nature of individual investors. The IPO market has been spotty in recent years, but 2024 could see a comeback for IPOs. [Extracted from the article]

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, who co-founded the social-media platform in 2005, is overseeing the company's initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange. Reddit, known for its user-led communities and meme-stock frenzy, will be the first social-media platform to go public since 2019. Huffman has made changes to the company, including redesigning the site, embracing advertising, and focusing on sustainability. However, Reddit is not yet profitable, with a loss of $90.8 million last year. The IPO is targeting a market value of up to $6.5 billion. [Extracted from the article]

Disney has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game "Fortnite." This investment will help Epic Games continue its growth plans and expand its licensing of characters and storylines from Disney franchises within the game. The deal also aligns Disney and Epic Games more closely, with Disney getting a larger equity stake in the company. The investment shows Disney's commitment to working with third parties to grow in interactive entertainment and recognizes the popularity of video games among younger generations. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the world of daily puzzle games, focusing on the popular game Wordle. Players go to great lengths to maintain their streaks, even in challenging situations such as being on a plane without Wi-Fi or during a power outage. The article highlights the dedication and routines of players, as well as the sense of community that can develop among players. The limited window for completing daily games adds to their allure, and players often feel a sense of accomplishment when they successfully complete a challenge. The article also touches on the competitive nature of some players and the enjoyment they derive from using their brains in a fun and engaging way. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft is laying off approximately 8% of its videogaming staff following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October. The layoffs will affect around 1,900 employees, mostly from Activision, and represent less than 1% of Microsoft's total workforce. The company is working to create a sustainable cost structure and has identified areas of overlap for growth. This comes after several other companies in the videogame sector, as well as the tech industry at large, have announced layoffs due to various factors, including excess hiring during the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Apple's new App Store payment policies have sparked outrage among software developers. The policies require developers to pay a 27% commission if they use an alternative payment method, which critics argue will cost developers and consumers more money. Apple's changes come in response to a legal dispute with Epic, the developer of the popular game "Fortnite," and the company believes the changes comply with the court's ruling. However, developers and legal experts are concerned about the implications of Apple's actions and the potential impact on competition and user choice. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal related to Apple's App Store, prompting the company to issue new policies that have been criticized by third-party software makers. The decision theoretically allows apps to promote alternative payment options outside of Apple's App Store, potentially at a lower price. However, Apple will still collect a commission, albeit at a reduced rate. The Supreme Court's decision could impact Apple's App Store business, but the extent of the impact will depend on how Apple complies with the decision and how developers respond. [Extracted from the article]

"Cyberpunk 2077," a highly anticipated videogame featuring Keanu Reeves, initially faced a disastrous launch with numerous bugs and glitches, leading to its removal from the PlayStation store and widespread complaints from players. However, the game has since made an improbable comeback, selling 25 million units and winning a major industry award. The turnaround involved significant investment and efforts to fix bugs, as well as the release of a major expansion featuring Hollywood stars Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves. The success of "Cyberpunk 2077" highlights the unique second chances that the videogame industry offers compared to other forms of entertainment. [Extracted from the article]

Unity Software, a San Francisco-based company that creates tools for creating video games and other applications, is planning to lay off about 25% of its workforce, or approximately 1,800 employees. This decision comes after the company faced backlash from customers over new fees implemented in September. Unity had already laid off over 1,100 employees in the past two years due to economic conditions. The company's CEO, John Riccitiello, retired in October, and it is now being led by interim CEO James Whitehurst. Other video game companies, such as Epic Games and Electronic Arts, have also made significant workforce reductions in recent months. [Extracted from the article]

Epic Games, the company behind the popular game "Fortnite," has recently defeated Google in court and is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. This success is the result of years of work by CEO Tim Sweeney and his team. "Fortnite" initially faced legal battles with Google and Apple after being removed from their app stores due to in-game payment systems that bypassed fees. Despite these challenges, Epic has continued to improve the game and expand its reach through new features, acquisitions, and partnerships. Sweeney's victory over Google has reinvigorated the company, and while an initial public offering is not currently planned, it remains a possibility in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Activision Blizzard has agreed to pay over $50 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the state of California. The lawsuit alleged sexual harassment, discrimination, and pay disparity within the company. The settlement, if approved by the court, will require Activision to pay nearly $55 million, with the majority going to a settlement fund for compensating employees. Activision has denied the allegations and stated that an internal investigation found them to be false. This settlement follows similar actions against other gaming companies, including Riot Games. [Extracted from the article]

Adam D'Angelo, a former Facebook executive and founder of Quora, is the only director who played a role on both sides of the surprise ouster and restoration of Sam Altman as chief executive at OpenAI. D'Angelo was one of four board members who fired Altman but was also named to the new board of the artificial-intelligence company. He will now help shape the future governance of the company as Altman returns as CEO. D'Angelo is known for his principled nature and ability to ask direct questions, and he will ensure active oversight and communication with employees on the new board. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a new trend in the dollhouse hobby, where enthusiasts are creating modern and contemporary miniature homes instead of traditional ones. These dollhouse devotees, who are often younger than the previous generation of hobbyists, are using social media and reality shows as inspiration. The hobby serves as a creative outlet and a way to relax for many individuals, allowing them to express their personal style and preferences. Some artisans are embracing technology like 3-D printers, while others prefer to stick with traditional tools. The article highlights the diverse perspectives and motivations of dollhouse enthusiasts, showcasing their passion for the hobby. [Extracted from the article]

Emmett Shear, the co-founder of Twitch, has been appointed as the interim CEO of OpenAI following the sudden departure of the former CEO, Sam Altman. Shear has expressed his commitment to the company and plans to hire an independent investigator to review the events leading to the leadership shake-up. While Shear is cautious about the pace of AI development, he is also a vocal critic of rushing the development of new AI tools. OpenAI employees have demanded the reinstatement of Altman, but Shear's appointment remains supported by the board. [Extracted from the article]

Apple has announced plans to support the rich communications systems (RCS) messaging standard, which will improve messaging with Android phones and enable new features. This move aims to ease the stigma for Android users and create a more evenhanded texting experience between iPhone and Android users. While the green-blue bubble divide is unlikely to disappear completely, the changes may make text exchanges between the two platforms more productive and less divisive. Apple's support for RCS will be added next year, but iMessage will remain exclusive to Apple devices. [Extracted from the article]

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According to Michael Wolf, co-founder and CEO of consulting firm Activate, people will increasingly turn to applications powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) instead of traditional search engines for information. Currently, about 13 million U.S. adults use generative AI for web searches, but Wolf predicts that number will grow to over 90 million by 2027. Generative AI provides more precise and customized results, which is why applications with customer data, such as TikTok and Amazon, are expected to benefit the most from this shift. Wolf also believes that generative AI will disrupt other areas of the internet, such as content creation. [Extracted from the article]

Netflix is expanding its presence in the video game industry by developing games based on its popular movies and TV shows. While the company has primarily focused on mobile games, it is now looking to expand into higher-end games that can be streamed on TVs or PCs. Some of the upcoming games will be based on hits like "Squid Game," "Wednesday," and "Black Mirror." Netflix's game offerings are part of a strategy to retain subscribers and attract new ones, especially during periods when their favorite shows are between seasons. However, the company faces significant competition in the gaming industry, which is dominated by major tech companies. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft has completed its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, making it the largest deal in the company's history. The acquisition strengthens Microsoft's videogame business and moves it further into gaming content that spans platforms and devices. This purchase is part of a series of major moves by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who has used the company's financial strength to expand into new areas such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Despite the large investment, gaming remains a small part of Microsoft's overall revenue, with AI being a more significant focus for the company. [Extracted from the article]

Elon Musk's social media platform, X Corp., is facing challenges in moderating content related to the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. The platform has struggled with misidentified videos, fabricated information, and violent content. Experts believe that X is in a precarious position due to Musk's reduction of content and safety policy jobs and increased reliance on volunteers for fact-checking. The platform has been criticized for failing to rapidly remove graphic and violent posts. X, along with other social media platforms, has been urged by a top EU official to detail their plans for tackling illegal content and disinformation. [Extracted from the article]