😲Zuckerberg cuts DEI in his own charity🏦

Nothing says "do what you believe in" like what you'd do if you run a charitable org. Well for anyone who was concerned about the morality of Meta's content changes, take a look at how their CEO is also following through in the charitable sector😲

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), founded by Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, announced it would in effect do away with both internal and external diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)👀

Marc Malandro, CZI’s chief operating officer, wrote in the email to all employees: “Given the shifting regulatory and legal landscape, we will no longer have a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility team at CZI.”

The organization also rolled back its Diverse Slate Practice, an effort to ensure that qualified candidates from a diverse set of backgrounds be interviewed for all open roles at the charity📝

CZI has ended all “social advocacy funding”, including work and grants focused on immigration reform and racial equity. “There are a small number of multi-year grant commitments we made previously that we will still honor, but none of these will support political activism,” with the org will now focusing more strictly on grants and work around “biology and AI”🧪

Sound familiar, Yep Meta basically said the same last month📰

Now some may say fair enough, but this is particularly newsworthy because just on Jan 10 leaders at CZI reassured staff that its longstanding support for DEI was not changing🙄. 

Defenders of the shift may say, well if they want to receive certain types of federal funding then this is the shift that the US government will want to see, others may point to the fact that the heads of the charity as of writing are the world's second richest people💰

What do we think, well you'd really have to know little about us to guess incorrectly. We'd just echo a great quote, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. - Maya Angelou"💁🏾‍♂️

Fresh off the news of the story we saw some research by the pew centre that pointed out Mark Zuckerberg manages to be even more unpopular with the US public than Elon musk. Elon may we remind people is the same guy that stood on stage wielding a chainsaw as he reveled in the apparent joy of firing people. We wonder if that will make a point on his 5 things he got done this week list.

🏢What to do now🏢

So we saw an interesting article in the HBR titled, 

The Legal Landscape Around DEI Is Shifting. Your Messaging Should, Too.

We read it but can summarize here or if that's even too long, TLDR, don't say much and get legal advice appears to be the summary

This one also summarises for you but you should probably readit here too

• Review and Revise DEI Policies: Ensure that DEI initiatives align with the latest legal standards to mitigate potential risks.

• Adapt Messaging: Communicate DEI commitments in a manner that reflects current legal and political contexts, emphasizing inclusivity without exposing the organization to legal vulnerabilities.

• Seek Legal Counsel: Regular consultations with legal experts can provide guidance on maintaining DEI efforts that are both impactful and compliant.

🏢Apple shareholders back DEI🏢

Possibly one of the last big tech companies with a back bone, Apple advised its shareholders to vote against proposed DEI cuts🤔

The proposal drafted by the National Center for Public Policy Research — a self-described conservative think tank — urged Apple to follow a litany of high-profile companies that have retreated from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives currently in the Trump administration’s crosshairs the AP reported.🎯

Well after a brief presentation about the anti-DEI proposal, Apple announced shareholders had overwhelmingly rejected it in a regulatory filing submitted which disclosed that 97% of the ballots cast were votes against the measure❌

Of course as a statement of fact, Apple boss Tim Cook has said his company may have to change its diversity practices as the US legal landscape shifts because like most CEO's he doesn't want to get sued, but he's clearly recognised outside of the USA, and even within it, DEI is valuable to Apple and is something that should be protected. You can read more on that but in the end this is good news for DEI.

If you're interested in tech opportunities at Apple, just let us know by replying to this email as we may have something for you😉

🍎We'll lock the backdoor rather than make one🍎

In a move that's raising eyebrows and concerns alike, Apple has decided to pull its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature from the UK market. This decision comes hot on the heels of a reported government demand for backdoor access to user data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. So much for "what happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone," right?📲

🔍 The Crux of the Matter

ADP was Apple's ace in the hole for user privacy, offering end-to-end encryption for iCloud data. This meant that not even Apple could peek into your stored files. But the UK government, citing national security and law enforcement needs, wasn't too thrilled about being kept in the dark. They issued a notice requiring Apple to provide access to encrypted content, effectively asking for a master key to users' private data.🔑

📉 Apple's Response

Faced with the dilemma of compromising its global security standards or clashing with UK authorities, Apple chose to withdraw ADP from the UK. In a statement, the company expressed "grave disappointment" over the move, emphasizing the increasing importance of robust data protection in today's digital landscape. Yet, despite the rhetoric, UK users are now left with diminished privacy protections.🍎

🔒 What's Still Safe?

For those in the UK, it's not all doom and gloom. Services like iMessage and FaceTime remain end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that your messages and calls are still private—for now. However, the removal of ADP means that a significant chunk of your iCloud data is more accessible than before, raising questions about the overall integrity of user privacy🔑

🤔 So, What's the Real Motive?

This development underscores the ongoing tug-of-war between tech companies striving to uphold user privacy and governments asserting their need for surveillance capabilities. While national security is a valid concern, the blanket weakening of encryption sets a precarious precedent. It begs the question: where do we draw the line between safety and privacy? In a world where they want people to question established norms, governments may not be the people you want with the backdoor to your data 🔑

So what? 

This is a stark reminder that digital privacy isn’t guaranteed—it’s negotiated. Apple’s decision to pull Advanced Data Protection in the UK shows just how fragile user security is when governments push back. If one of the world’s biggest tech firms can be pressured into weakening its encryption standards, what’s stopping other companies from following suit?

For UK users, this means less protection for personal data and more vulnerability to surveillance. For the rest of the world, it’s a cautionary tale—once one government succeeds in demanding access, others might not be far behind.

The real question now is: if Apple won’t stand its ground on privacy here, where else will it fold? 🕵️🔓

👀$500Bn👀

Apple has unveiled plans to invest a whopping $500 billion in the U.S. economy over the next four years. For context Apple itself is only worth ~7x that total figure💸

This initiative promises to create 20,000 new jobs and includes the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub in every tech bro's favourite state, Texas. On the surface, it appears as a robust commitment to American innovation and job creation, however, we think this is just Trump posturing and more about navigating political headwinds than pure corporate altruism. The truth is, Tariffs are likely to make Apple's business around the world and especially in china more difficult and expensive. On the other hand, Trump's promises to favour business that onshore their manufacturing, and well the general idea of carrying favour with that administration all combine to leave this story as a simple one.🇺🇸

Nonetheless it may be some smoke and mirrors🪞

In 2018, during President Trump's first term, Apple announced a $350 billion investment in the U.S. economy over five years, aiming to create... you guess it, 20,000 jobs. We're not sure it worked out quite like that and neither is chat gpt or gemini😅

This raises questions about how much of the current $500 billion commitment represents genuinely new investment versus previously planned expenditures repackaged for political appeasement. Maybe we're cynical, we suppose only time will tell🤔

So what? 

While some initiatives did move forward, others—like Apple's planned North Carolina campus—have faced delays. The pattern here is clear: massive figures, big headlines, but few specifics on delivery. Meanwhile, Apple benefits from tax incentives, avoids political friction, and positions itself favorably amid tariff threats.

For those watching, this raises the real question: Is Apple’s latest pledge about innovation, or just a savvy PR move to keep regulators and policymakers happy? 🚀💰

🎧Airpods becoming hearing aids 🎧

In a significant technological advancement, Apple has released a free software update enabling AirPods Pro 2 users in the UK to utilize their earbuds as over-the-counter, clinical-grade hearing aids. This feature, which has been available across the pond in the US, is now accessible to UK users following recent regulatory approval🦻🏽

🔍 How It Works

• Personalized Hearing Test: Users can perform a five-minute hearing assessment through their iPhone or iPad, generating a personalized hearing profile🦻🏽

  Apple

• Real-Time Sound Adjustment: The AirPods Pro 2 adjust sounds in real-time based on the hearing profile, enhancing conversations, music, and phone calls while reducing harmful noise levels.

  Apple

📈 The Bigger Picture

With nearly seven million individuals in the UK experiencing hearing loss, but only about two million using hearing aids, this innovation offers a discreet and cost-effective alternative to traditional devices, which can be expensive and carry social stigmas.

💡 So What?

Apple's integration of hearing aid functionality into mainstream consumer devices like the AirPods Pro 2 signifies a shift towards more accessible and affordable hearing solutions. This development not only broadens the options for those with mild to moderate hearing loss but also challenges the traditional hearing aid market by normalizing assistive technology in everyday gadgets. An good news equity story here

🔞Genz

Turns out, dragging Gen Z into the office full-time is about as easy as convincing them to get out of bed before 9am🤣.

A new survey reveals that only 1 in 10 Gen Zers actually want to work in an office full-time—because, let’s be honest, why endure awkward small talk by the coffee machine when you can work from bed in your pyjamas?👕

🚀 Work? Yes. Commuting? No Thanks.

• Remote is King 👑 – Over 20% of Gen Zers say they already spend most of their working hours at home, with another 17% wanting to work remotely all the time. And honestly? Who can blame them? Between overpriced train tickets, office air conditioning that’s either Antarctic or Sahara Desert, and the ever-present risk of a forced team-building exercise, the WFH life makes perfect sense.

• Self-Reflection Gone Wrong 🤦 – In an almost admirable display of self-awareness, 52% of Gen Z admit they’re lazier than their parents. Only 5% think they work harder. (And honestly, that 5% probably just got out of a LinkedIn hustle-culture seminar.)

Older generations love to warn that working from home means fewer networking opportunities and less career growth. But hey, who needs watercooler chats when you’ve got Slack emojis, the occasional “Great work!” from your boss in a random Teams message and can make more money day trading gamestop than arranging boxes on a powerpoint?

Turns out Revolut want a gold star this week for saying they'll continue to be hybrid. Given the direction of a lot of the other banks it is bound to be a welcome competitive perk💰

💡 So What?

The reality is, Gen Z doesn’t hate work—they just hate the old-school way of doing it. They’ve grown up digital, and they know that sitting at a desk for eight hours doesn’t automatically mean you’re productive. Employers can either adapt or keep whining about “kids these days” while their best talent logs in from a café in Lisbon.

🚀 Microsoft’s Majorana 1: A Quantum Breakthrough (Not a Weed Strain, We Checked)💻

Microsoft has just dropped Majorana 1, a brand-new quantum computing chip that could finally make quantum computing actually useful.👀

We got confused the first time we read the name too😅

Quantum computing has been a thing for years, but it's been about as reliable as a politician’s promise—big on potential, short on delivery. Microsoft says Majorana 1 changes that by using topoconductors (fancy materials that make qubits way more stable). In english? Less randomness, more actual computing power.

Quantum computing isn't just for physicists with whiteboards full of equations—it has lots of real-world implications that could affect well everyone. Here’s what this tech could actually do:

• Supercharge AI & Machine Learning 🤖 – AI models today take ages to train. Quantum computing could reduce that from months to minutes, unlocking next-gen AI that’s smarter, faster, and (hopefully) less biased.
• Revolutionize Cryptography & Cybersecurity 🔐 – Quantum computers could break today's encryption like a child opening a birthday present. That’s both terrifying (hello, hackers?) and exciting (time for new security systems!).
• Drug Discovery & Healthcare 💊 – Simulating molecules for new medicines? Way too complex for classical computers. But a quantum system like this could find breakthrough treatments in record time.
• Climate Science & Finance 🌍💰 – Whether it’s modeling weather patterns or running financial simulations, quantum could crunch numbers faster than any supercomputer today.

🤔 So What?

For years, quantum computing has been like hoverboards in sci-fi—cool in theory, but not actually practical. Microsoft is now saying that Majorana 1 could be the breakthrough that makes quantum useful at scale. If they’re right, we’re not just talking about slightly faster computers—we’re talking about an entirely new way to process information, one that could upend industries and change how we solve some of the world’s hardest problems.

📈 The tools behind the tech📉

📦Product📦

• Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government
  

📏Design📏 

• The top 50 genAI use cases in marketing

• Colour pallet for internet lovers

👩🏿‍💻Code👩🏿‍💻

• A deep dive into LLMs

🏢The business behind the tech🏢

• Trumps tariffs are impacting Temu and Shein

🙌🏾Depop🙌🏾

Take a look below and - 

click source or flag that you heard it about from Colorintech to help make sure you application gets a thorough look😉

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See more info here 

🙌🏾ARM jobs🙌🏾

Check out the latest roles at arm as there is something for everyone from Software to Social Media and Hardware to ... well Accounts

Senior Revenue Analyst
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🙌🏾An event🙌🏾

Microsoft for Startups and Level39 are inviting you to their upcoming "Women Founders Get Together" event that will take place on Thursday 6th of March. Women Founders Get Together: Securing Investment Tickets, Thu, Mar 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

This event aims to empower women founders and prepare them for their next fundraising endeavours. The event will start with a panel discussion featuring Microsoft, Auquan, Playfair Capital and Conduit Connect followed by a networking session.

Your expertise and insights would be invaluable to these inspiring entrepreneurs, and your presence will help cultivate connections that could lead to future collaborations.

When: Thursday, March 6th, 2025, from noon to 3pm UK time

Where: Level39, London, UK

To attend, please register here.

😃What we are consuming😃

🧠Ben Evans' annual tech write up - 'AI eats the world’.