Bitcoin crowdfunding is Lightning: El Salvador school program hits 1 BTC in donations

May 4, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Bitcoin education program "My First Bitcoin" reaches 1 BTC in donations, with Bitcoin Beach matching contributions, fueling expansion.

There’s a beacon of light in the bear market tunnel. The El Salvador nonprofit program, “My First Bitcoin” (Mi Primer Bitcoin), raised over 1 Bitcoin (BTC) in donations-not from venture capitalists and investors–but from generous Bitcoin education advocates worldwide.

Donations flooded in from Venezuelans, Poles and Canadians as 100s of people around the world sent Satoshis (small parts of Bitcoin) over the Lightning Work, to fund the expansion of My First Bitcoin’s Bitcoin Diploma program.

We did it! We crowdfunded 1 BTC on @geyserfund in April

A matching donation from @Bitcoinbeach put us over the top last night--what a way to end the month :)

Huge THANK YOU to the 250+ donors who got us here

This is a movement that we are all part of & edu is how we will win
— Mi Primer Bitcoin (@MyfirstBitcoin_) May 1, 2023

Cointelegraph wrote to John Dennehy, founder of the My First Bitcoin program to understand how the crowdfunding campaign reached 1 BTC in less than three weeks. Dennehy told Cointelegraph, "Bitcoin’s greatest potential is empowering the individual and making it easy to donate value is a big part of that.”

“Bitcoin crowdfunding makes it possible for anyone to participate, which is revolutionary when compared to the existing fiat system that restricts who can participate. This is a way to level the playing field.”

As opposed to Paypal or GoFundMe, Bitcoin's censorship-resistant and self-sovereign properties make it one of the most efficient ways of sending money online. Plus, it’s far cheaper. Money is sent over the layer-2 Lightning Network, which costs a fraction of legacy payment services. Dennehy explains:

“Bitcoin crowdfunding is an example of how Bitcoin allows people to take control of their own money.”

The crowdfunding campaign was boosted by efforts made by Bitcoin Beach, the Bitcoin circular community in El Zonte, on El Salvador’s Pacific Coast. Bitcoin Beach was the spark that led to Bitcoin being declared legal tender in El Salvador in 2021. On April 27, Bitcoin Beach declared it would match all donations to the project until midnight on April 27:

For those of you waiting to donate till #BTC goes back to $60k You can effectively do that for the next hour——-For the next hour we will match your donations to ⁦@MyfirstBitcoin_⁩ so double your giving power Primer Bitcoin 2- 2023 Expansion | Geyser https://t.co/F4w29zXNYQ
— Bitcoin Beach (@Bitcoinbeach) April 27, 2023

However, the campaign had begun with lightning fast levels of generosity. Metamick, the founder of Geyser, told Cointelegraph it’s “Definitely the biggest educational project on Geyser ever! Insane traction in just a day!” Adding that it's also the third largest crowdfund ever on Geyser after one day.

Indeed, in April, the Bitcoin crowdfunding platform Geyser hit a new record, reaching over 2 BTC sent in donations:

In all, despite the fact that the Bitcoin price grinds lower–and wipes out traders–the Bitcoin community continues to build and educate. Dennehy sums it up:

“We are inspired everyday by the support we receive from the Bitcoin community. We couldn’t do what we do without it.”

To date, My First Bitcoin has educated 6,000 students in El Salvador. Cointelegraph attended the second graduation ceremony in San Marcos in November 2021.

Magazine: What it’s actually like to use Bitcoin in El Salvador

Crypto.com Unveils Amy: An AI-Powered Companion for Crypto Enthusiasts

May 2, 2023 Bitcoin.com

Student interest in ChatGPT skills on Udemy increased by 4,419% since 2022: Report

May 2, 2023 Coin Telegraph

The latest topic consumption report from Udemy shows an increase in interest in ChatGPT as well as skills related to cloud computing and blockchain.

Udemy’s Global Workplace Learning Index for Q1 2023 indicates that ChatGPT, financial services, and courses aimed at developing students' business teaching skills have experienced a massive uptick in interest from the site’s reported 49 million users.

This likely comes as no surprise as we’re currently experiencing what Wired recently described as a “Wet Hot AI Chatbot Summer,” coming on the heels of OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT.

According to Udemy, topic consumption — the number of users taking courses featuring skills specific to ChatGPT — has risen 4,419%.

*Screenshot of Udemy PDF report. Source: Udemy*

Other top tech skills receiving increased interest from students included Nutanix, Azure Machine Learning, and Amazon Elastic MapReduce — all cloud-related courses with applications in the field of machine learning. Artificial intelligence (AI) art generation also showed an uptick in interest, as did illustration.

The report also summarizes the top three surging skills by popularity for 15 countries. Despite the increase in topic consumption, ChatGPT only managed to break into the top three for the U.S. market, where it sits at the top spot. Artificial intelligence topped the list in Argentina and came in second in Canada.

Also of note, manufacturing, government, and financial services topped the list of surging industries, with related skills seeing outsized growth.

Beyond the tech industry, the report provides figures for skills in the “professional power skills” category. Leading the list is “teaching.” With a 764% increase in topic attention in Q1 2023, related skills were second only to ChatGPT in consumption.

While the report doesn’t state any direct conclusions, it does include a quote from instructor Diego Davilla who says:

"Having a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and other emerging AI technologies will be imperative to quickly pivot in today’s era of rapid digital transformation.”

Chatbot technologies are already impacting the cryptocurrency world, with the advent of advanced trading bots capable of interfacing with third party plugins built on ChatGPT and similar platforms becoming increasingly popular.

But the Udemy report also indicates that technologies underpinning blockchain development are seeing a rise in interest as well. Python certifications saw an uptick of 272% and FastAPI skills consumption increased by 102% — both are widely used in the development of blockchain tech.

Binance integrates ChatGPT into the Web3 Academy

April 24, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Binance released a new AI-driven tool it named the “Binance Sensei” that uses machine learning to generate answers from its education platform to help users learn about Web3.

The artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT took the world by storm after its latest release in late November 2022. While initial reactions included much opposition to the technology, the technology continues to witness growing implementations.

Cryptocurrency exchange and blockchain developer Binance announced that it is integrating ChatGPT into its education platform Binance Academy. In a blog post on April 24, the company introduced its new AI-driven tool which it calls the “Binance Sensei.”

Introducing #Binance Sensei, your personal crypto assistant powered by AI.

Learn all there is to know about crypto and Web3 with our new AI chatbot, trained to educate you on more than 1,000 articles and courses available on @BinanceAcademy.

Try it now ⤵️
— Binance (@binance) April 24, 2023

The bot uses machine learning to source answers from Binance's education platform, Binance Academy to help answer user questions on various topics in the Web3 space.

This new “AI-powered mentor” has users prompt it with a specific question or keywords, from which the Sensei should provide a “concise, approximately 150-word summary” for each user.

On Twitter the Binance community has already begun to react to the news of the AI-driven coach with users questioning allowing a “robot to be our teacher.”

Would you let a robot be your teacher? I don't think I will
— Jenny (@keanajones1) April 24, 2023

Binance’s new AI-based learning tool is far from the first use case of the technology in the crypto space, with AI even finding a role in bringing more efficiency to the memecoin community.

BigTech giants like Microsoft, Google and ecommerce behemoth Alibaba have announced their own versions of ChatGPT.

Although the race to AI has led to adoption of the technology, it has also sparked an increase in concern over its capabilities if left unchecked. Italy was early to put a brief ban on the usage of the technology, while regulators across the European Union have decided to probe the AI-algorithms of BigTech companies.

Industry insiders are speculating an upcoming regulatory crackdown on AI as it becomes more pervasive.

Authorities in China also are set to enforce mandatory security reviews for all AI services in the country.

Magazine: Bitcoin glory on Chinese TikTok, 30M mainland users, Justin Sun saga: Asia Express

9 Tech YouTube channels to follow

April 18, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Blockchain

Discover nine tech-focused YouTube channels covering topics such as programming, machine learning, cybersecurity, blockchain and Web3.

Learning tech via YouTube channels can be a great way to supplement traditional learning methods, as it provides a more interactive and engaging experience. Many YouTube channels dedicated to tech provide in-depth tutorials and explanations of complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand, making it accessible to learners of all skill levels.

Additionally, YouTube channels often provide access to industry experts, giving learners the opportunity to learn from individuals with real-world experience and knowledge. For instance, Cointelegraph’s YouTube channel provides news, interviews and analysis on the latest developments in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. The channel’s content is well-produced and features engaging visuals, making it an accessible and entertaining way to learn about these topics.

Here are nine other YouTube channels to follow and learn beyond cryptocurrencies.

Ivan on Tech

Ivan on Tech is a popular YouTube channel focused on blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (DApps). The channel is hosted by Ivan Liljeqvist, a software developer and blockchain expert.

Liljeqvist offers educational material on his YouTube channel on a range of subjects relating to blockchain technology, such as crypto trading, the creation of smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) and more. Also, he offers updates on the most recent events and trends in the sector.

Liljeqvist also maintains an online school called Ivan on Tech Academy in addition to his YouTube channel. This school includes classes on blockchain development, cryptocurrency trading and other relevant subjects.

Andreas Antonopoulos

Andreas Antonopoulos’ YouTube channel is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking in-depth knowledge and insights into Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies, featuring a wealth of informative talks, interviews and Q&A sessions.

Antonopoulos is a renowned advocate, speaker and author in the field of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. He is widely regarded as a leading expert on blockchain technology and has written several books on the subject, including Mastering Bitcoin and The Internet of Money.

He is renowned for his fervent defense of decentralized systems and his capacity to concisely and clearly convey difficult ideas. Since the beginning of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, Antonopoulos has been a vocal proponent of their development and use.

Many years ago I "coined" the phrase #NotYourKeysNotYourCoins to teach people the concept of self-custody for #bitcoin& other #cryptoassets.

My workshop "Path to Self-Custody" teaches you how to put it in practice, step by step.

Knowledge is power: https://t.co/xseygIq4Yi
— Andreas (aantonop) (@aantonop) December 15, 2022

Crypto Daily

Crypto Daily is a popular YouTube channel dedicated to providing daily news, analysis and commentary on the world of cryptocurrencies. With over 500,000 subscribers, the channel covers a broad range of topics, from the latest developments in cryptocurrencies to initial coin offerings and blockchain technology.

James, the host of the channel, makes his insights interesting for both inexperienced and seasoned crypto aficionados by combining wit, humor and intellect in his delivery. The channel also offers interviews with industry leaders, product reviews and educational content, making it a well-rounded resource for anybody interested in the world of cryptocurrency.

Cybersecurity Ventures

Cybersecurity Ventures is a YouTube channel focused on providing educational content on cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyberwarfare. The channel offers in-depth analyses of new trends and technology, news updates on the most recent cyber threats and assaults, and interviews with top industry experts.

The channel, which has over 20,000 members, offers guidance and best practices for people and businesses wishing to safeguard themselves against online risks, making it a useful tool for both inexperienced and seasoned cybersecurity professionals.

Machine Learning Mastery

Machine Learning Mastery also has a YouTube channel that complements its website by providing video tutorials on machine learning topics. The channel, which is hosted by Jason Brownlee, provides a range of content, including lessons, interviews with business leaders, and discussions of the most recent developments and difficulties in the field of machine learning.

The videos are well-made and very educational, covering everything from the fundamentals of machine learning to more complex subjects, such as neural networks and computer vision. The channel, which complements the substantial materials already offered on the Machine Learning Masters website, has a growing subscriber base and is a great resource for anybody wishing to learn about machine learning in a visual format.

How Do I Get Started In Machine Learning? (the short version) https://t.co/ghUq8QJgis pic.twitter.com/GCNeYLvbwg
— Machine Learning Mastery (@TeachTheMachine) April 12, 2023

Two Minute Papers

Two Minute Papers is a popular YouTube channel that summarizes and explains complex research papers in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer graphics in two minutes or less.

The channel, hosted by Károly Zsolnai-Fehér, provides an easy way to stay up-to-date on the most recent developments and discoveries in these areas. The professionally made videos include simple visual explanations and can help viewers understand even the most challenging studies.

In order to personalize the information, Two Minute Papers also includes interviews with researchers and subject-matter experts. Two Minute Papers, a popular and useful resource for people interested in cutting-edge research and advancements in AI and related subjects, has more than 1.5 million subscribers.

Web3 Foundation

The Web3 Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and building the decentralized web, also known as Web3. Its YouTube channel provides educational content and updates on the latest developments in Web3 technology, including blockchain, distributed systems and peer-to-peer networks.

The channel offers talks by prominent authorities in the field, including programmers, researchers and businesspeople, as well as discussions and interviews on subjects pertaining to Web3 technology. Also, it provides updates on the progress of the Polkadot network, an open-source platform for constructing interoperable blockchain networks. Overall, the Web3 Foundation YouTube channel is a great resource for anyone interested in the decentralized web’s future because it has over 20,000 followers.

Dapp University

Dapp University’s YouTube channel complements its educational platform by providing video tutorials on blockchain development, smart contracts and decentralized application (DApp) development. Hosted by developer and entrepreneur Gregory McCubbin, the channel features clear and concise explanations of complex topics in blockchain technology, making it accessible to beginners and experts alike.

The videos cover a wide range of topics, including Ethereum, Solidity and other blockchain tools and technologies. With over 300,000 subscribers, the Dapp University YouTube channel is a valuable resource for individuals looking to learn how to develop decentralized applications on the blockchain.

Tech With Tim

Tech With Tim is a popular YouTube channel dedicated to teaching programming and computer science concepts to beginners and intermediate learners. The channel offers tutorials on a range of programming languages, including Python, Java and C++, as well as web development, game development and machine learning.

It is hosted by Tim Ruscica, a software engineer and seasoned tutor. The well-produced videos have straightforward explanations and examples of programming topics, making them understandable to a variety of students. Tech With Tim is a great resource for anybody wishing to learn programming and computer science skills, with more than 800,000 members.

Education