News/New Launches
Asus ‘NUC 14 Pro AI’ Packs Intel’s Latest CPUs and a Copilot Button
Asus unveils innovative mini PC with Copilot AI button: The tech company has introduced its latest NUC mini PC, featuring Intel's new Core Ultra Series 2 processors and a dedicated Copilot button for launching Microsoft's AI assistant. Key features and design: Asus's new mini PC combines advanced technology with unique user interface elements, raising questions about the practicality of certain design choices. The puck-shaped PC includes a dedicated Copilot button on the front, allowing users to quickly access Microsoft's AI assistant. A fingerprint reader is positioned on top of the device for Windows Hello authentication, offering a more practical touch-based...
read Sep 5, 2024Microsoft Confirms Users Can’t Uninstall Its Controversial AI Feature ‘Recall’
Windows 11 Recall AI controversy: Microsoft has clarified that the ability to uninstall Recall AI in the recent Windows 11 24H2 update was a glitch, not an intentional feature. Windows senior product manager Brandon LeBlanc stated that the issue "will be fixed in an upcoming update." The bug appeared in the KB5041865 update, erroneously adding Recall to the "Turn Windows features on or off" dialog. Importantly, this option appeared before Recall itself was implemented, rendering it non-functional. Recall AI's future in Windows: Microsoft's stance on Recall AI suggests it will be a permanent fixture in Windows 11, albeit with some...
read Sep 5, 2024Stability AI Brings 3 Advanced Image Models to Amazon Bedrock
Stability AI expands partnership with AWS: Stability AI has announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), bringing three advanced text-to-image generative AI models to the Amazon Bedrock service. The new models include Stable Image Ultra, Stable Diffusion 3 Large, and Stable Image Core, each offering unique strengths for various use cases. This move broadens Stability AI's presence on Amazon Bedrock, where it previously only offered its older SDXL model. The expansion comes at a time when Stability AI has been facing challenges in establishing its business footing within the competitive generative AI market. Model capabilities...
read Sep 4, 2024Microsoft PowerPoint Embraces AI for Effortless Image Creation
AI-powered image integration in PowerPoint: Microsoft's Copilot AI brings a revolutionary approach to adding visuals to presentations, offering both stock and AI-generated images directly within the PowerPoint interface. Copilot's image integration feature is built on the DALL-E-3 model, also used by ChatGPT, ensuring a robust and reliable image generation experience. The tool provides royalty-free images that can be used exclusively within Microsoft 365 and Office apps without any licensing concerns. This feature significantly streamlines the presentation creation process, eliminating the need for manual image searches and saving valuable time. Adding stock images with Copilot: The process of incorporating pre-existing photographs...
read Sep 4, 2024Anthropic to Release System Prompts for its Newest Feature ‘Artifacts’
Anthropic to release Artifacts system prompts: Anthropic, the AI company behind the Claude family of models, has announced plans to release system prompts for its newest feature, Artifacts, in the coming weeks. The announcement comes after researchers pointed out the exclusion of Artifacts' system prompts from the recent release of Claude family prompts. Artifacts, which became generally available last week, provides a window alongside the Claude chat interface to run code snippets. An Anthropic spokesperson confirmed to VentureBeat that more details about system prompts, including information about Artifacts, will be added in the next few weeks. Incomplete prompt release raises...
read Sep 4, 2024Google Brings AI-Powered Gmail Assistant to Android Devices
Google expands AI-powered email assistance: Google is bringing its Gemini AI chatbot's Gmail Q&A feature to Android devices, with iOS support coming soon, offering users a new way to interact with their email inboxes. The Gmail Q&A feature, which was previously available on the web, allows users to ask Gemini questions about their inbox content and perform various email-related tasks. Users can utilize the AI to find specific details in emails, view unread messages, filter emails from particular senders, or summarize emails on a given topic. Availability and access: The feature is not universally accessible and requires specific subscription or...
read Sep 4, 2024BBC Sounds Tests AI-Generated Subtitles to Boost Accessibility
BBC Sounds introduces AI-generated subtitles: The BBC is trialing artificial intelligence-powered subtitles and transcripts for select shows on its popular audio platform, BBC Sounds, marking a significant step towards improving accessibility. The three-month trial currently includes five shows: In Touch, Access All, Profile, Sporting Witness, and Economics with Subtitles. Users can access the AI-generated subtitles via a new button in the playbar on the BBC Sounds website. The trial is also expanding to the BBC Sounds app, starting with Android devices and later iOS. How it works: The BBC is utilizing Whisper AI, a speech-to-text artificial intelligence system, to generate...
read Sep 4, 2024YouTube’s AI Comment Organizer Goes Global
YouTube expands AI-powered comment organization: YouTube's experimental feature that uses artificial intelligence to organize comment sections into topics is now available for all languages supported by the platform. The feature aims to help users easily understand and participate in discussions by categorizing comments into relevant topics. Initially tested on English-language videos and Shorts, the tool has now been expanded to include all officially supported languages for YouTube comments. The experiment is currently available to a select group of creators and YouTube Premium subscribers through the mobile app. How it works: Users enrolled in the experiment can now sort comments by...
read Sep 4, 2024ElevenLabs Just Released an AI-Powered SFX Library
AI-powered sound effects library launched by ElevenLabs: The leading artificial intelligence sound generation company, ElevenLabs, has released a comprehensive library of AI-generated sound effects, marking a significant development in the audio production industry. The new SFX Explore library encompasses a wide range of categories, including instruments, nature sounds, emotions, and animal noises. This collection combines sound effects created by ElevenLabs itself and those contributed by individual users of the AI audio platform. The library is designed to enhance various media projects, from AI-generated films and podcasts to video games, by providing easy access to diverse and customizable sound effects. Key...
read Sep 4, 2024Amazon to Launch AI-Powered Alexa Leveraging Anthropic’s Claude
Amazon's AI evolution: Amazon is preparing to launch a new, AI-enhanced version of its Alexa voice assistant in October, leveraging Anthropic's Claude AI models instead of its in-house technology. The decision to use Claude's AI models came after Amazon's internal software reportedly faced performance issues during initial testing, with response times of up to 6-7 seconds. This new "Remarkable" Alexa is expected to offer more advanced capabilities, including complex, context-aware conversations and multi-step task execution. Amazon plans to offer this upgraded version as a paid subscription service, priced between $5 to $10 per month, while maintaining the existing "Classic" Alexa...
read Sep 4, 2024Peloton Launches AI-Powered Strength+ App for Gym Workouts
Peloton expands into gym-based fitness: Peloton's new Strength+ app, launched in beta, offers machine learning-generated workouts and trainer-created programs for strength training at the gym. Key features of Strength+: Custom workouts generated based on user preferences and equipment availability Trainer-created programs for structured, multi-week training plans Vertical video interface designed for easy one-handed use in the gym Integrated digital logbook for tracking progress and personal records (PRs) Customization options: Users can select workout focus (strength, muscle building, or endurance), duration, exercise type, difficulty level, and available equipment The app generates workouts based on these preferences and parameters defined by Peloton's...
read Sep 4, 2024Yi-Coder is a Small But Mighty Open-Source LLM for Coding
Yi-Coder, a new series of open-source code language models, has emerged as a powerful tool for developers, offering state-of-the-art coding performance with fewer than 10 billion parameters. Model overview and key features: Yi-Coder is available in two sizes—1.5B and 9B parameters—with both base and chat versions designed for efficient inference and flexible training. The models are built upon a foundation of 2.4 trillion high-quality tokens sourced from GitHub repositories and filtered code-related data from CommonCrawl. Yi-Coder supports a maximum context window of 128K tokens, enabling project-level code comprehension and generation. The 9B parameter version outperforms similar-sized models and even rivals...
read Sep 4, 2024Luma AI Releases Dream Machine 1.6, an AI Video Generator with 12 New Camera Motions
Luma AI enhances AI video generation with camera motion controls: Dream Machine 1.6, Luma AI's latest release, introduces 12 different camera motions to its AI video generator, marking a significant advancement in user control over AI-generated content. The new update allows users to apply various camera movements, including panning, orbiting, craning, and more, by simply typing "camera" at the beginning of their prompts. This feature aims to provide users with more precise control over their AI-generated videos, bridging the gap between AI-generated content and traditional filmmaking techniques. Early feedback from AI video creators has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising...
read Sep 4, 2024Volkswagen Elevates In-Car AI with ChatGPT-Powered Assistant
Volkswagen introduces enhanced AI voice assistant: Volkswagen is set to launch an improved version of its in-car AI voice assistant, IDA, incorporating ChatGPT and other cloud-based models to provide more comprehensive responses to drivers' queries. Rollout timeline and vehicle availability: The new AI-powered IDA will debut on September 6th, with a phased introduction across Volkswagen's lineup. The 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI, along with the 82-kWh battery version of the 2024 ID.4, will be the first models to receive the upgraded assistant. Most 2025 Volkswagen models, including the ID.4, ID Buzz, GTI, Golf R, and Tiguan, will feature the new...
read Sep 4, 2024AI Image Analysis Comes to Opera Android Browser
AI-powered image analysis comes to Opera Android: Opera has introduced an AI-powered "Image Understanding" feature to its Android browser, allowing users to analyze and interact with images using the built-in Aria AI chatbot. The new functionality, previously available on desktop versions, enables users to upload images from their Android devices and ask questions or get information about the content. Opera's Aria AI can interpret the context of images, identify elements, and provide responses based on user queries. This feature is similar to the image analysis capabilities of other AI models like Google's Gemini, offering Opera users on Android access to...
read Sep 4, 2024GoDaddy Launches AI-Powered Digital Marketing Tools for Entrepreneurs
Digital marketing revolution for small businesses: GoDaddy has unveiled its new Digital Marketing tools, aiming to empower entrepreneurs with AI-powered solutions to common marketing challenges. The big picture: GoDaddy's latest offering responds to a growing need among small business owners for more effective and accessible marketing strategies, as indicated by a recent survey where 73% expressed doubts about their current approaches. The new tools are designed to address time, money, and skill constraints faced by many small businesses. GoDaddy's Digital Marketing is an all-in-one product that simplifies management of marketing efforts across multiple channels. The platform is compatible with websites...
read Sep 4, 2024Microsoft Copilot Is Coming to Intel and AMD Laptops This November
AI-powered laptops set to launch: Microsoft's Copilot AI features are coming to new Intel and AMD laptops in November, expanding the availability of Windows AI capabilities beyond Qualcomm-powered devices. Hardware requirements and rollout timeline: Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC features will be available on select AMD and Intel laptops that meet specific hardware requirements. AMD has already launched laptops capable of supporting Copilot Plus PC features. Intel is introducing new Core Ultra 200V processors, codenamed Lunar Lake, which will support these AI features. The rollout is scheduled to begin in November, with some features potentially previewed earlier through the Windows Insider...
read Sep 4, 2024Intel’s New Lunar Lake CPUs Promise 50% Faster Graphics
Intel unveils Lunar Lake processors: Intel has launched its new Intel Core Ultra 200 series (Lunar Lake) mobile processors, aiming to reestablish its dominance in the AI PC market and compete effectively against AMD and Qualcomm. Key features and performance claims: The Lunar Lake chips boast a rebuilt microarchitecture focused on energy efficiency and performance, promising significant improvements over the previous Meteor Lake series. Intel claims up to 50% better graphics performance with the new Intel Xe2 graphics cores. The Neural Processing Unit (NPU) is said to achieve performance of up to 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Battery life...
read Aug 28, 2024How NVIDIA’s AI Blueprint Is Accelerating The Drug Discovery Process
Revolutionizing drug discovery with AI: NVIDIA has released a new NIM Agent Blueprint for generative AI-based virtual screening, aiming to accelerate and enhance the drug discovery process. The innovative approach focuses on improving the crucial "hit-to-lead" transition in drug development, moving from traditional fixed database screening to AI-driven molecule design and pre-optimization. This advancement has the potential to significantly reduce the time and cost of developing life-saving drugs, potentially leading to quicker access to critical treatments for patients. Key components of NVIDIA's solution: The NIM Agent Blueprint integrates several cutting-edge AI models and technologies to create a powerful drug discovery...
read Aug 28, 2024AI Video Generator Hotshot Debuts with Free Clips — Here’s How to Try It
AI video generation heats up: Hotshot, a new AI video generator created by a team of four, enters the competitive landscape with an impressive free offering. Hotshot joins established players like Runway, OpenAI's Sora, and Luma's Dream Machine in the rapidly evolving field of text-to-video AI models. The tool's ability to produce up to 10 seconds of footage based on text prompts showcases the potential of AI-driven video creation. Hotshot's model was trained on 600 million video clips over four months, resulting in high-quality output despite its small development team. Key features and capabilities: Hotshot's flexible design allows for various...
read Aug 28, 2024Tesla Unveils Groundbreaking AI Networking Protocol for Dojo Supercomputer
Tesla's innovative networking solution for AI training: Tesla has developed a new networking protocol called Tesla Transport Protocol over Ethernet (TTPoE) to address the high bandwidth and low latency requirements of its Dojo supercomputer for AI training in automotive applications. TTPoE is designed to replace TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) in Tesla's supercomputing environment, offering microsecond-scale latency and simple hardware offload capabilities. The protocol runs over standard Ethernet switches, maintaining compatibility with existing network infrastructure while optimizing performance for AI workloads. Key features of TTPoE: The new protocol simplifies traditional TCP processes to reduce latency and improve efficiency in high-performance computing...
read Aug 28, 2024AI-Powered Upscayl Transforms Low-Res Images for Free
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing image processing, allowing users to enhance low-resolution pictures into high-quality versions without cost. The open-source application Upscayl offers a straightforward method to achieve this transformation. The big picture: Upscayl, an AI-powered image upscaling tool, provides a free solution for converting low-resolution images into higher-quality versions, though it requires local installation and some experimentation with different models. The app is continuously updated and well-documented on GitHub, making it a promising tool for image enhancement enthusiasts. Upscayl is available for MacOS, Linux, and Windows, with the latest versions typically found on the developer's GitHub page. While a cloud...
read Aug 28, 2024New Book ‘AI Mirror’ Asks What It Means To Be Human In The Age of AI
The rise of AI and its impact on humanity: Shannon Vallor's book "The AI Mirror" explores the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and human cognition, highlighting the limitations of AI and the importance of preserving our human essence. Vallor, a professor in the ethics of data and AI at the University of Edinburgh, uses the metaphor of a mirror to illustrate that AI systems are reflections of human thought and behavior, not true intelligence. The book emphasizes the risk of mistaking computational tools for genuine intelligence, potentially underestimating human complexity and overestimating AI capabilities. AI's limitations and human uniqueness: Vallor...
read Aug 28, 2024Smartphone Maker Honor’s “AI Defocus Display” Is a Game-Changer for Eye Health
Pioneering smartphone display technology: Honor is set to unveil its groundbreaking AI Defocus display on the upcoming Magic V3 handset at IFA 2024, aiming to combat eye strain and transient myopia associated with prolonged screen use. How AI Defocus technology works: The innovative display system employs on-device AI algorithms to mimic traditional optical methods used in specialized eyewear, reducing eye strain and fighting nearsightedness. Defocus signals are embedded into display layers, effectively reducing eye stress and providing a more comfortable viewing experience. According to Honor, the display and AI model combination can reduce near work-induced transient myopia by an average...
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