News/New Launches
Cohere launches Aya Vision: Multilingual AI models now support 23 languages
Cohere For AI's new Aya Vision models represent a significant breakthrough in multilingual capabilities for vision-language AI systems. The 8B and 32B parameter models support 23 languages, addressing a critical gap in the AI landscape where most vision models have focused primarily on English content. This advancement could democratize access to multimodal AI technologies across diverse linguistic communities and applications, potentially transforming how visual content is processed across global markets. The big picture: Cohere For AI has released Aya Vision, a new family of open-weight vision-language models designed to bring robust multilingual capabilities to multimodal AI systems. The models build...
read Apr 7, 2025Nvidia’s single-rack exaflop system shrinks supercomputing power by 73x
This exaflop is no flop, let me tell you. The explosive growth of computing power is reshaping AI's possibilities, with recent breakthroughs dramatically compressing the physical footprint needed for supercomputing capabilities. Nvidia's announcement of a single-rack exaflop system represents an astonishing 73x improvement in performance density in just three years from the first exascale supercomputer, signaling how rapidly computational boundaries are collapsing and potentially accelerating AI development beyond previous forecasts. The big picture: Nvidia has unveiled the first single-rack server system capable of one exaflop (a quintillion floating-point operations per second), dramatically shrinking what required 74 racks in 2022's Frontier...
read Apr 7, 2025Microsoft’s Copilot Pages brings order to chaos by turning messy notes into structured documents, for free
Microsoft's new Copilot Pages feature transforms disorganized notes into structured, enhanced documents through AI, representing a significant evolution in digital note-taking. This free tool not only organizes information but adds contextual details on demand, making it valuable for students, researchers, and professionals who need to transform raw information into coherent, detailed documents. The big picture: Microsoft unveiled Copilot Pages at its 50th Anniversary Event as a free, cloud-connected notebook that automatically organizes information and enhances it with additional research and details. The feature works through the Copilot web app and gives users control over how their notes are structured and...
read Apr 7, 2025Microsoft’s AI-generated Quake II redefines game preservation without original code
Microsoft's AI-generated version of Quake II represents a significant shift in how classic games could be preserved and reimagined through artificial intelligence. By leveraging its Muse AI model to create a playable version that doesn't require the original code or hardware, Microsoft demonstrates both the creative potential of generative AI in gaming and raises important questions about the technology's impact on game developers and the industry's future. The big picture: Microsoft has launched a free browser-based version of '90s classic Quake II that's completely generated by AI rather than running on the original game engine. The game is powered by...
read Apr 7, 2025Skip recap? Amazon’s new AI-powered Kindle Recaps helps readers catch up on book series
Amazon's new Kindle Recaps feature uses AI to help readers quickly catch up on book series, providing summaries similar to TV's "previously on" segments. This solution addresses common reading pain points like forgetting plot details or needing a refresher when returning to a series after a long break, expanding Amazon's growing portfolio of AI-powered entertainment tools that streamline content consumption experiences. The big picture: Amazon is rolling out "Recaps," an AI-generated feature for Kindle devices that provides short summaries of previous books in a series, helping readers catch up before starting a new installment. The company confirmed to TechCrunch that...
read Apr 4, 2025OpenAI to release its first open-weight language model since 2019
OpenAI's upcoming open-weight language model marks a significant shift in the company's approach to AI development and sharing. This move represents the first time since GPT-2 in 2019 that OpenAI will make a model's weights available for outside modification and use. The announcement comes amid a flurry of other OpenAI developments, including new image models and feature expansions for free users, reflecting an aggressive push to maintain the company's position at the forefront of AI innovation while balancing the benefits of open development against potential safety concerns. The big picture: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced via X that the company...
read Apr 4, 2025Accenture and Siemens launch 7,000-strong unit to transform manufacturing with AI
Accenture and Siemens are creating a significant industrial partnership that combines their respective strengths in technology and consulting. Their new joint business unit, staffed by 7,000 professionals worldwide, aims to transform manufacturing through AI-supported engineering and software-defined factories. This collaboration represents a major strategic move to accelerate industrial digitalization, with early projects already demonstrating substantial cost savings through digital twins and AI-enabled processes. The big picture: Accenture and Siemens have formed the Accenture Siemens Business Group, a joint business unit employing 7,000 manufacturing and IT professionals globally to develop software-defined products and factories. The collaboration leverages Siemens' Xcelerator portfolio for...
read Apr 1, 2025New framework prevents AI agents from taking unsafe actions in enterprise settings
Singapore Management University researchers have developed a promising solution to a critical challenge facing AI agents in enterprise settings. AgentSpec presents a new approach to improving agent reliability and safety by creating a structured framework that constrains AI agents to operate only within specifically defined parameters—addressing a major barrier to enterprise adoption of more autonomous AI systems. The big picture: AgentSpec is a domain-specific framework that intercepts AI agent behaviors during execution, allowing users to define structured safety rules that prevent unintended actions without altering the core agent logic. The approach has proven highly effective in preliminary testing, preventing over...
read Apr 1, 2025Pika launches AI feature that lets you create videos with your younger self
Pika's new "Selfie With Your Younger Self" feature transforms a popular social media trend into an immersive visual experience, allowing users to create videos where they interact with their past selves. This AI-powered tool builds upon the viral "Met Myself for Coffee" movement that has captivated social media users through narratives of imaginary conversations with their younger selves, creating a technological bridge between nostalgia and modern video creation capabilities. How it works: Pika's feature enables users to generate videos where they interact with younger versions of themselves through a straightforward process. Users record a current video of themselves and upload...
read Apr 1, 2025Pika’s new AI tool lets you create videos with yourself. Your younger self.
They say you can never go home again. Well, Pika somewhat disagrees. Pika's new "Selfie With Your Younger Self" feature transforms the popular social media trend into an interactive visual experience, allowing users to create videos where they interact with their past selves. This AI-powered tool taps into the deeply human desire for self-reflection while showcasing how generative AI can create meaningful personal content beyond typical AI image and video applications. How it works: Pika's tool merges a current video of a user with a photo from their past (or generates one) to create a video featuring both versions interacting...
read Mar 31, 2025Executive high function: Microsoft’s new AI agents will give execs data science powers by year’s end
Microsoft is pushing the boundaries of executive decision-making with two new AI reasoning agents that represent a significant leap in workplace automation. The company's Researcher and Analyst agents, built on OpenAI's advanced models and integrated into Microsoft 365 Copilot, are designed to transform how business leaders process information and extract insights from complex data. These tools, available starting April 2025 through a new Frontier early access program, promise to fundamentally change how executives interact with their organization's information ecosystem. The big picture: Microsoft's two new AI reasoning agents within Microsoft 365 Copilot represent a strategic advancement in AI-powered workplace tools...
read Mar 28, 2025Managing project management: Zoho launches AI-powered Projects Plus platform, unifying management styles
Zoho's new AI-driven Projects Plus platform transforms project management by unifying traditional and agile methodologies with powerful data analytics. Launched on March 11, 2025, this comprehensive solution offers small and enterprise businesses alike a sophisticated yet accessible way to manage projects across various industries including construction, manufacturing, banking, and IT services. The platform's integration of collaborative tools, knowledge management, and AI assistance represents a significant advancement in how businesses can coordinate complex project work. The big picture: Zoho Projects Plus combines traditional project management with agile methodologies, all powered by AI and data analytics. The new platform works alongside or...
read Mar 28, 2025Perplexity brings Circle to Search-like feature to more Android devices
Perplexity's new Android feature mimics Google's Circle to Search functionality, allowing users to interact with on-screen content without leaving the app. This innovation represents a significant enhancement for Android users, potentially expanding this intuitive search capability to devices that couldn't previously access it while keeping users within Perplexity's ecosystem, which some reviewers have found superior to Google's Gemini for certain tasks. How it works: Perplexity's implementation allows users to circle content on their screen and ask follow-up questions about it while staying within the Perplexity app. In the demonstration shared by CEO Aravind Srinivas, a user circled text about Roger...
read Mar 28, 2025Instacart uses AI vision to solve out-of-stock grocery frustrations, satiate consumers
Instacart's new AI vision technology aims to solve a persistent grocery shopping frustration: out-of-stock items. By combining computer vision and predictive algorithms, the company is creating a more accurate real-time inventory system that benefits both shoppers and delivery workers. These innovations represent a significant advancement in how e-commerce platforms bridge the gap between digital shopping interfaces and physical store realities. How it works: Instacart's new Store View feature uses AI and computer vision to analyze footage of store shelves taken by delivery workers to identify what products are currently available. Eligible Instacart Shoppers can earn additional income by filming store...
read Mar 28, 2025Have screenshot, will travel: Google Maps uses AI to turn your screenshots into travel plans
Google Maps is rolling out a new feature that leverages screenshots to simplify travel planning, allowing users to extract points of interest from images saved on their devices. This innovation represents a significant shift in how smartphones utilize screenshots, transforming them from simple image captures into actionable planning tools that integrate with location-based services for more seamless travel preparation. The big picture: Google is enhancing Maps with AI-powered screenshot analysis that can identify travel destinations from images and organize them into lists for future reference. The feature automatically detects points of interest in screenshots taken from social media, blogs, or...
read Mar 27, 2025Bit by the fit bug? Garmin launches Connect Plus subscription with AI fitness insights for $6.99 monthly
Garmin's new Connect Plus subscription service introduces AI-powered fitness insights and enhanced data analytics for smartwatch users. Priced at $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually, this optional add-on represents Garmin's strategic shift toward a recurring revenue model while keeping its core Connect platform free. The move highlights the growing trend of wearable companies monetizing premium software features as hardware margins face increasing pressure. The big picture: Garmin is launching Connect Plus, a premium subscription service that adds AI-powered insights and advanced features to its fitness ecosystem. The service costs $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually, offering a 30-day free trial for users...
read Mar 27, 2025OpenAI integrates image generation directly into GPT-4o, boosts creation of practical designs for common use
OpenAI's new image generation technology represents a significant advancement in AI creative tools by directly integrating image generation capabilities into its language model. This native multimodal approach allows for more accurate text rendering and better understanding of complex prompts, positioning the technology beyond merely creating surreal imagery toward practical applications like diagrams and logos. The integration raises important questions about the future of visual creation as AI becomes increasingly capable of producing high-quality, contextually appropriate images. The big picture: OpenAI has integrated multimodal image generation directly into its GPT-4o language model, making it the default image generator in ChatGPT and...
read Mar 27, 2025Taking requests: YouTube Music adds conversational AI playlist tuning for Premium subscribers
YouTube Music is enhancing its AI capabilities with new features that give users more control over their music discovery experience. Building on last year's Ask Music introduction, the platform now allows Premium subscribers to fine-tune AI-generated playlists through natural language prompts, making music exploration more interactive and customizable across several English-speaking markets. The big picture: YouTube Music is expanding its AI-powered personalization features with the ability to tune AI radio playlists, Gemini-generated playlist titles, and enhanced customization options for playlist artwork. Key details: Users can now refine Ask Music playlists with follow-up prompts like "more upbeat" or "just jazz songs"...
read Mar 26, 2025Observe.AI launches VoiceAI agents to automate routine customer service calls
Observe.AI's launch of VoiceAI agents represents a significant advancement in contact center automation, blending various AI technologies to handle routine customer interactions. This solution addresses growing enterprise interest in automating basic customer service tasks while allowing human agents to focus on more complex issues, potentially transforming the economics and experience of customer service operations. The big picture: Observe.AI has released VoiceAI agents to automate routine customer service interactions, positioning itself as the only complete AI-powered platform supporting the entire customer journey. The new solution is designed to handle everything from simple FAQs to multi-step conversations, eliminating long hold times and...
read Mar 26, 2025Google’s new AI-powered Gmail search prioritizes relevance over chronology
Google's integration of AI into Gmail search represents a significant shift in how users will interact with their personal data. By prioritizing relevance over chronology, Google is leveraging artificial intelligence to make email management more intuitive, while simultaneously raising questions about data privacy and AI training. This development highlights the growing tension between convenience and control as AI systems become more deeply embedded in tools managing our personal information. The big picture: Google is rolling out an AI-powered search function in Gmail that will organize search results by relevance rather than chronology, potentially giving its Gemini assistant access to users'...
read Mar 26, 2025Global village: Telecom giants expand connectivity worldwide through network sharing, AI solutions
Telecom giants are forging strategic partnerships and deploying new technologies to expand connectivity and enhance digital security across multiple continents. MTN Group and Airtel Africa's network-sharing agreements aim to bridge the digital divide in Africa, while Bell and MTS are introducing specialized security and testing solutions in Canada and Russia, respectively. These initiatives reflect the telecom industry's shift toward resource optimization, expanded coverage, and service diversification in response to evolving market demands. The big picture: Major telecom operators across three continents are launching strategic initiatives focused on infrastructure sharing and specialized B2B services to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency....
read Mar 26, 2025Krisp’s AI accent converter transforms speech to American English, aiding call center communication
Krisp's new AI Accent Conversion tool represents a significant development in audio processing technology, allowing users to transform their accents into American English during real-time conversations. While addressing legitimate communication challenges in global workplaces, the technology raises important questions about cultural identity, authenticity in communication, and the broader implications of AI-mediated speech modification in professional environments. How it works: Krisp's new AI tool converts a speaker's accent to American English in real time with a 200ms latency across major video conferencing platforms. The technology preserves the speaker's natural voice while modifying their accent, though demo versions showed somewhat robotic-sounding speech....
read Mar 26, 2025Sharper Image: Reve takes top spot in AI image generation with superior text rendering
Reve Image 1.0 emerges as a new contender in the AI image generation space, bringing superior prompt adherence, aesthetic quality, and typography capabilities to the increasingly competitive field. While available as a free preview through the company's website, Reve AI has positioned its first product with standout text rendering performance—addressing a persistent weakness in competing AI image generators—and has already claimed the top spot in quality benchmarks against established players like Midjourney and Google's Imagen. The big picture: Palo Alto-based startup Reve AI has launched Reve Image 1.0, an advanced text-to-image model that currently ranks #1 in image generation quality...
read Mar 26, 2025Aura launches AI-powered app to monitor kids’ online activity with $140M funding
Boston cybersecurity firm Aura is launching a new AI-powered smartphone monitoring app designed to help parents track their children's online activities while respecting their privacy. The company, which has raised $140 million in fresh venture capital funding, has developed this tool in response to growing concerns about children's digital safety and wellbeing. With annual recurring revenue of $165 million and a goal to reach profitability within two years, Aura's expansion into family safety technology represents a significant evolution in how parents might approach digital supervision. The big picture: Aura's new smartphone monitoring app uses artificial intelligence to help parents keep...
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