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SHOWING NEWS 241–250 OUT OF 710

January 26, 2023

THE PRECIPICE

Artificial intelligence is a hot topic among freelancers right now. But relatively little is being said about the risk it poses. This is what Toby Ord describes in his book The Precipice, about existential risks and the future of humanity.

Ord describes general artificial intelligence as one of the greatest risks facing humanity in the coming century. As a proponent of effective altruism, he ends the book by trying to motivate readers to get involved in their professions to prevent this and other major threats.

If you work in IT or are interested in the future of AI, this is a book not to be missed.

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January 26, 2023

CLEAR-VOICE CALLS WITH KRISP

Making online calls in a busy environment? Check out Krisp, an AI-powered noise cancelling app that efficiently removes unwanted noise like background voices, keyboard clicks, barking, or fan humming. It works with most of the popular apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Teams etc. and is available in a basic version for free (60 minutes of calls per day).

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January 23, 2023

❌ NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS

U.S. Federal Trade Commission proposes a ban on non-compete agreements that would also cover independent contractors (freelancers) and interns in addition to full-time employees.

The Economist welcomes FTC’s proposal, citing an estimate that as many as one-fifth of American workers are restricted by non-compete clauses, reducing innovation and productivity spread as a result.

Our take: If this goes through in the USA (and later in the EU), it could be one of the most important pieces of legislation to support freelancers. Many independents who work for established companies are expected to sign non-compete agreements without adequate compensation, making them less competitive and tying their expertise to a limited number of clients. Breaking these shackles would be a good thing.

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January 20, 2023

RES ON FREELANCING.EU

Here’s a new testimonial from our member Jakub Res, who is based in the UK:

“Opportunities don't happen, you create them — such as by joining Freelancing.eu. As well as significantly improving your visibility on the Internet, the website gives you a sense of belonging to a vibrant and inspiring community where a can-do attitude is the norm.”

⭐ Are you a freelancer too? Join us and reach out to new clients.

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January 19, 2023

DEEPL WRITE

The creators of the phenomenal AI-driven DeepL Translator have just released DeepL Write — a free AI writing companion for correcting grammar, improving vocabulary and style.

The beta version of DeepL Write runs in a browser and currently supports American and British English, as well as German. However, if you want something a little more sophisticated, try Grammarly.

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January 17, 2023

ANCHOR CLIENTS

Working with important, anchor clients that “provide steady work and make up a good chunk of your freelance income” has a number of pros and cons, as stated in Rudri Patel’s article:

  • Pros — Steady work and reliable revenue; Freedom to focus on side projects; Plan for the future with clarity; Attract the attention of other clients
  • Cons — They can drop you unexpectedly; It’s easy to become complacent; You can get stuck in a low pay grade

Our take: Best practice for freelancers who work with anchor clients is to stay ambitious and make sure that their side of the deal is well-represented in an ongoing collaboration.

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January 13, 2023

AI VOICE GENERATOR

Play.ht is an online AI voice generator that can produce very realistic text-to-speech audio.

This can be useful for narrating articles, producing podcasts, video voice-overs, or online courses. While some voices are still a bit synthetic, many sound quite like real people. The app supports 142 languages and accents.

There is also a new feature of voice cloning, which enables you to have a copy of your own voice created once you’ve met certain requirements.

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January 11, 2023

HRACHOVEC ON FREELANCING.EU

Here’s a new testimonial from our member:

“Since leaving my corporate career in 2010 and becoming a sole trader, I was dependent on any kind of promotion of my brand. I finally realized that the most effective way is having quality references. Being listed on a trusted portal like Freelancing.eu gives you a nice kick of trustworthiness you definitely need. Thanks to Freelancing.eu my profile and brand grow on the European level. Going beyond our home country is something we should all embrace. The world is full of clients. Thank you!”Radek Hrachovec

⭐ Are you a freelancer too? Join us and reach out to new clients.

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January 11, 2023

BOOKS OF 2022

Robert Vlach has picked his books of 2022, some of which are relevant to freelancers:

  • This Book Could Save Your Life by science publicist Graham Lawton presents a mind-opening evidence-based look at overall human health.
  • Think Again by Adam Grant is something of a thinking guide for professional knowledge workers.
  • The Last Leonardo by Ben Lewis offers a fascinating and unique look behind the scenes of the art trade.
  • Freezing Order by Bill Browder is the true story of an independent professional—activist who managed to turn the wheel of history.
  • Robert also mentions his book The Freelance Way, which was published worldwide last year by HarperCollins and is now also available as an audiobook on Audible.

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January 9, 2023

FREELANCE ISN’T FREE LAW VETO

New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed state-level Freelance Isn't Free Law, delivering a major blow to the Freelancers Union’s campaign to protect freelancers against non-payers above the level enjoyed by other businesses. The legislation has been a hallmark of the Union’s effort that was supposed to serve as a model for other cities and states across the U.S.

In her letter, Hochul claims that the new legislation would require an expense of at least several million dollars annually, regulation of private contracts, and a new complaint process that would functionally displace civil courts.

Note that since 2017, the city-level Freelance Isn’t Free Act has recovered ca. $2 million in wages owed to freelancers, according to Graphic Artists Guild.

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