Discussions of a potential Bitcoin fork in 2024 are fueled by debates on Ordinal inscriptions, block space issues, and rising transaction fees. Tensions within the Bitcoin community are rising, with disagreements over Ordinal inscriptions and concerns about the network's adaptability. The term "bitcoin fork" peaked in global Google Trends in mid-December 2023, reflecting heightened interest and uncertainty.

Alessandro Grande of Edge Impulse addresses challenges in deploying machine learning on edge devices. Key hurdles include data strategy, AI expertise, and cross-team communication. Grande emphasizes lean models, efficient sensor data use, and the transformative potential of on-device AI for personalized health and industrial maintenance.

U.S. Ambassador Marc R. Stanley commends Unblock Computing's bitcoin mining using flared gas in Argentina. The initiative supports climate goals, saves energy, and secures a $15 million investment for operations in Vaca Muerta. The approach is praised for its environmental and financial benefits, aiming to produce $200 million worth of oil with reduced emissions.

Expo Chicago 2024, now owned by Frieze, will offer $100,000 in prizes. The Northern Trust Purchase Prize goes to three US institutions—High Museum of Art, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Two new prizes from Fashion Outlets of Chicago and 21c Museum Hotel aim to acquire contemporary works. The fair continues the Barbara Nessim prizes for women artists and curators, showcasing a broader scope under Frieze ownership.

Generative AI is transforming robotics, enabling natural language communication. Advances in humanoid robots and legged systems are changing perspectives. Manufacturing and warehouses see increased robot use, and home robots for tasks like decluttering are expected within a decade. A key challenge is robot motion planning, with startup Jacobi Robotics addressing singularities to enhance reliability.

Sotheby's auctioned three pixelated images from the "BitcoinShrooms" NFT collection on Bitcoin's Ordinals protocol, fetching $450,000—five times the estimates. This marks Sotheby's first sale of Ordinals inscriptions and indicates rising mainstream interest in NFTs on Bitcoin. The debate over filtering out such transactions within the Bitcoin community continues. The images were created by the pseudonymous artist Shroomtoshi.

The Russian Ministry of Finance proposes treating domestically mined cryptocurrency as an exportable commodity, similar to natural gas. This involves creating a legislative framework for miners to sell their assets internationally, potentially helping Russia generate revenue through cryptocurrency mining and circumvent sanctions. If successful, this model could impact global geopolitics and promote wider cryptocurrency adoption to evade sanctions.

Security researcher and Lightning Network developer Antoine Riard is stepping down due to concerns about replacement cycling attacks, a new threat to the Lightning Network. These attacks could exploit payment channel vulnerabilities. Riard believes fixing this issue may require changes to the Bitcoin network, and community consensus is crucial. He plans to focus on Bitcoin core development but warns of upcoming challenges in the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. The Lightning Network, while gaining popularity, still faces criticisms for complexity and user experience.

Argentina faces a critical presidential election on October 22, with Javier Milei, a pro-Bitcoin candidate, challenging the status quo by vowing to abolish the central bank. His opponent, Sergio Massa, proposes a central bank digital currency (CBDC). High inflation and a massive IMF debt add to the economic challenges. Milei's unconventional stance and pro-Bitcoin views may impact the election's outcome, with potential repercussions for Argentina and global finance.

Chainalysis is cutting around 15% of its workforce, citing ongoing challenges in the crypto market. This is the second round of layoffs in 2023, with approximately 135 employees affected. The company had previously reduced staff by 40-50 employees in February due to market conditions. The cuts primarily impact marketing and business development teams focused on the private sector. The crypto market has been struggling, with declining market capitalization and Bitcoin unable to surpass $30,000. Other companies in the industry have also had to make similar workforce reductions.