Facebook launched the Libra cryptocurrency, what could possibly go wrong?
Facebook launched the Libra cryptocurrency, what could possibly go wrong?
Good Day! This is my weekly newsletter, with a dose of insights into the future. The topic of this newsletter is the exponential times we live in, hence the title of f(x) = e^x, which is the (natural) exponential function.
Recently, I launched my new concept The Digital Speaker and you can now book me as an avatar or hologram. Also, my tech trend prediction for 2021 is out, read it here!
Libra is Here: What Does a Facebook Cryptocurrency Mean for the World?
My latest article:
After months of speculation, Facebook has revealed its Libra blockchain and the Libra coin to the world. The highly-anticipated cryptocurrency ran into immediate opposition in Europe and the United States. This is hardly surprising seeing the track-record of Facebook when it comes to data security and privacy. The main concerns from regulators and lawmakers around the world are that Facebook is already too massive and careless with users' privacy to launch an initiative like Libra.
However, before we judge too quickly, let's first dive into the Libra blockchain and the Libra coin to understand it better. Libra released all their documents online at Libra.org in a bit for transparency, so let's discuss the different components of it, including the Libra Blockchain, the Libra Reserve and the Libra coin.
Three Useful Nuggets of Information
My weekly tips from around the web to get you thinking.
1. AI can no detect Photoshopped faces.
Artificial intelligence can not only help create fake photos but now it can also detect Photoshopped faces. Researchers from Adobe and UC Berkeley created an algorithm that can correctly identify edited faces 99% of the time during tests, compared to a 53% success rate for humans. (Adobe)
2. Japanese manufacturers are sharing their data.
Mitsubishi Electric and Yaskawa Electric are among 100 major Japanese manufacturers to enter into a data sharing arrangement underpinned by blockchain. The objective of the project is to boost efficiency, lower the risk of data leaks, and reduce operating costs. (Nikkei)
3. More Facebook news: they created virtual spaces for itsAI.
Researchers at Facebook have created various incredibly realistic virtual homes and offices to train their algorithms better and learn how the world works. According to Facebook, Replica and AI Habitat are vital to developing experiences like social presence and intelligent assistants. (Facebook)
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is The Digital Speaker, a world-leading futurist and global AI keynote speaker who helps leaders decide what AI, and the technologies that follow it, mean for their business. He speaks to leadership teams at their retreats and to conference audiences worldwide, and his WAVE framework gives them a way of deciding that they keep using long after he has left the room. His Intelligence Age Scorecard measures how ready an organization is across the four WAVE pillars.
He holds a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney, is a Certified Speaking Professional and Global Speaking Fellow, and ranks among the world’s top futurists on the Global Gurus list (#1 in 2025, #3 in 2026). Salesforce named him one of its 16 leading AI voices. He has written six books, most recently Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change, writes the Synthetic Minds newsletter on Substack, and founded Futurwise. Talk to his digital twin on WhatsApp: +1 (830) 463-6967.
