News/Partnerships
Microsoft, The Vatican partner on AI-powered digital replica of St. Peter’s Basilica
The Vatican and Microsoft have partnered to create an AI-powered digital replica of St. Peter's Basilica, marking a significant advancement in the intersection of technology and cultural preservation. Project overview and scope: The digital twin initiative represents a comprehensive effort to capture and recreate one of Christianity's most important monuments in virtual form. Over 400,000 high-resolution images were captured using drones, cameras, and lasers during a dedicated month-long documentation period The project required processing 22 petabytes of data, equivalent to five million DVDs worth of information The technology combines advanced photogrammetry and artificial intelligence to create a detailed 3D model...
read Nov 11, 2024UAE and Google join forces to transform digital landscape
Digital transformation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the Middle East's technological landscape as Dubai forges a landmark partnership with Google to accelerate innovation and economic growth. Strategic alliance formation: Dubai's leadership and Google executives have established a transformative partnership aimed at positioning Dubai as a global technology hub and advancing digital capabilities across the region. Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with Google's President Ruth Porat to discuss expanding collaboration in digital technologies The partnership aligns with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33, which targets AED100 billion in annual economic value through digital transformation High-level UAE officials,...
read Nov 8, 2024Anthropic, the AI safety poster child, is going into the defense industry
AI safety startup pivots to military partnerships: Anthropic, known for prioritizing safety in AI development, has formed partnerships with defense contractor Palantir and Amazon Web Services to provide AI services to US intelligence and defense agencies. Anthropic's AI chatbot Claude will be made available to US military and intelligence agencies through these partnerships, raising questions about the company's commitment to safety-first AI development. The collaboration aims to enhance data processing, pattern recognition, and decision-making capabilities for US officials in time-sensitive situations. Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar announced that they are the first to bring Claude models to classified environments, potentially giving...
read Nov 6, 2024Toyota and NTT launch $3.3B AI mobility project
Groundbreaking AI mobility collaboration: Toyota and NTT have announced a joint $3.3 billion investment to develop an advanced driver assistance system powered by artificial intelligence, aiming to prevent accidents and enhance road safety. The project, dubbed the "mobility AI platform," is set to collect and analyze vast amounts of traffic data in real-time to predict and prevent collisions. The system will use sensors to gather information on surrounding traffic environments and autonomously control vehicles to avoid accidents. Toyota and NTT plan to have the initial version of the system ready for use by 2028, with widespread adoption targeted from 2030...
read Nov 6, 2024Microsoft and UAE firms partner on AI and sustainable energy initiatives
A new alliance for sustainable energy: ADNOC, Masdar, and Microsoft have signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement at ADIPEC 2024 in Abu Dhabi, aiming to advance AI and low-carbon initiatives for reshaping the energy landscape. The partnership seeks to evaluate powering Microsoft's data centers with renewable energy from Masdar, explore AI applications in carbon capture and low-carbon projects, and accelerate AI deployment across ADNOC's operations. This collaboration follows the release of a joint report titled "Powering Possible: AI and Energy for a Sustainable Future," highlighting the potential synergies between AI and sustainable energy. The agreement marks a significant step towards integrating...
read Nov 5, 2024Meta partners with Lumen to drive network expansion and AI adoption
Meta and Lumen forge strategic partnership: Meta has teamed up with Lumen Technologies to expand its network capacity and advance its AI objectives. The collaboration aims to strengthen Meta's AI development capabilities and provide dedicated interconnection to its infrastructure. This partnership is part of one of the most significant network capacity expansions in recent history, according to Ashley Haynes-Gaspar, Lumen's executive vice president and chief revenue officer. The expanded network is expected to support Meta's growing AI services across its platforms, ensuring a seamless and flexible network to meet increasing demands. Key benefits for Meta: The partnership with Lumen offers...
read Nov 5, 2024US government agencies convene in first ever AI bioscience event to foster global cooperation
Groundbreaking global summit on AI and bioscience: The U.S. Department of State, National Science Foundation, and National Institute for Standards and Technology convened the first-ever government-led global summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled bioscience, marking a significant milestone in international cooperation on emerging technologies. The AI-Bioscience Collaborative (AIBC) Summit, co-hosted by Microsoft, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, took place on November 1, 2024. The event aimed to explore innovative solutions to major societal challenges, including healthcare, food security, and climate change. High-level government officials from 14 countries, industry leaders, and representatives from global...
read Nov 4, 2024Big Tech is throwing its lot in with the defense industry
Meta opens Llama AI model for US national security use: Meta has announced that it will allow US government agencies and defense contractors to utilize its open-source Llama AI model for national security applications. The company is collaborating with major tech and defense firms including Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Oracle to make Llama accessible to the government. This decision marks a significant shift from Meta's previous "acceptable use policy," which prohibited the use of Llama 3 for military, warfare, nuclear industries, espionage, or related applications. Potential applications and ongoing projects: The expanded access enables the US military to...
read Nov 1, 2024US Commerce and Energy agencies partner to ensure responsible AI development
Government collaboration on AI safety: The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Department of Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly advance the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence. The partnership, announced on October 30, 2024, focuses on safety research, testing, and evaluation of advanced AI models and systems. This collaboration is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's whole-of-government approach to ensuring responsible AI development and deployment. The agreement follows the release of the first-ever National Security Memorandum on AI, which designated the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (US AISI) as a key hub for...
read Oct 31, 2024AI industry dynamics through a game theory lens
The AI industry's evolving landscape: As we approach the end of 2024, the enterprise AI sector is experiencing significant consolidation and technological advancements, reshaping the competitive dynamics and capabilities of AI systems. A recent Sequoia essay highlights the current inflection point in AI technology, focusing on the emergence of more sophisticated reasoning models and their impact on the industry. The essay, authored by Sonya Huang, Pat Grady, and 01, provides insights into the latest developments in AI and their implications for the market. Emergence of advanced reasoning models: The next generation of AI systems is moving beyond mimicking human thought...
read Oct 31, 2024DigitalOcean and Hugging Face launch 1-click AI models
AI Accessibility Breakthrough: DigitalOcean and Hugging Face have formed a strategic partnership to democratize artificial intelligence, particularly for startups and small to medium-sized businesses. The collaboration introduces "1-Click Models," a solution designed to simplify the deployment of machine learning models in cloud environments. This initiative aims to provide faster and more affordable access to generative AI capabilities, leveling the playing field for organizations with limited technical resources. Key Features and Benefits: DigitalOcean supports popular models from Google, Meta, Mistral, and NousResearch at launch. Models are deployed in GPU Droplets, DigitalOcean's virtual machines, and placed within inference containers. Developers can access...
read Oct 31, 2024Google, Samsung XR smart glasses launch delayed to 2025
Extended Reality Devices Delayed: Key Players Push Launch to 2025: Samsung's recent earnings release reveals that the highly anticipated AI-powered eXtended Reality (XR) devices, developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, will not hit the market until 2025, a year later than initially expected. Project timeline and expectations: The delay in the launch of these XR devices has implications for both consumers and the tech industry. Samsung's official earnings release slide confirms the 2025 release date, dispelling hopes for a 2024 launch. The partnership between Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm aims to produce advanced AI-infused XR headsets, potentially reshaping the landscape...
read Oct 31, 2024AI search competition intensifies as tech giants vie for dominance
AI search revolution: Meta is developing its own AI search engine to integrate with its Meta AI tool, signaling a shift away from traditional search engines like Google and Bing. The new AI search engine aims to replace current search operations within Meta AI that rely on Google and Bing. This move aligns with the broader trend of transitioning from conventional search engines to more intelligent AI-powered tools. Meta's initiative reflects the growing importance of AI-driven search capabilities in the tech industry. Enhanced user experience: Meta AI's new search functionality is designed to offer more advanced and tailored search results,...
read Oct 31, 2024Meta urges government adoption of its AI technology
Meta's AI ambitions expand to government sector: Mark Zuckerberg revealed Meta is collaborating with the US government to adopt its Llama AI model, raising questions about the scope and implications of this partnership. During Meta's Q3 earnings call, Zuckerberg announced the company is working with the public sector to implement Llama across various government agencies. The announcement lacks specific details about which government departments will use Llama or the intended applications of the AI model. Meta's spokesperson declined to provide additional information beyond Zuckerberg's brief statement to investors. Timing and political context: The push for government adoption of Meta's AI...
read Oct 30, 2024OpenAI is reportedly partnering with Broadcom on its first custom AI chip
OpenAI's strategic move into custom silicon: OpenAI is reportedly partnering with Broadcom to develop its first custom AI chip, potentially set for production by 2026, as part of a broader strategy to reduce the costs associated with running AI-powered applications. The development of a custom AI chip marks a significant step for OpenAI in its efforts to optimize performance and reduce expenses for its AI models and applications. This move comes as OpenAI experiences a surge in developers utilizing its platform, with three million developers worldwide currently using its API. The custom chip is expected to focus on running AI...
read Oct 29, 2024Entertainment company Dolphin partners with deepfake protection firm Loti AI
AI-powered protection against deepfakes and unauthorized content: Dolphin, an entertainment marketing and production firm, has partnered with Loti AI to combat the rising threat of AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorized content distribution. The partnership aims to safeguard companies and celebrity clients from fake accounts, false endorsements, deepfakes, and unlicensed content distribution. Dolphin will provide its subsidiaries, including 42West, The Door, Shore Fire, Special Projects, and Elle Communications, access to Loti's advanced detection and takedown tools. The collaboration will also involve Dolphin offering feedback to assist Loti in further developing and expanding its services. Industry response to AI-generated content challenges: The partnership...
read Oct 29, 2024Universal Music partners with Klay Vision on new ‘Large Music Model’
AI and music industry collaboration: Universal Music Group (UMG) has entered into a partnership with Klay Vision to develop an "ethical" foundational model for AI music generation, marking a significant step in the intersection of artificial intelligence and the music industry. UMG and Klay Vision are working on a "Large Music Model" called KLayMM, which is expected to launch as a product within months. Klay Vision's founder and CEO, Ary Attie, expressed ambitious goals, stating that "the next Beatles will play with KLAY." The partnership aims to create AI music models that respect copyright and name and likeness rights, addressing...
read Oct 29, 2024Box and Amazon partner to simplify AI app creation for enterprises
Box and AWS join forces to streamline generative AI app development: The content management platform Box has expanded its partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to simplify the creation of generative AI applications for enterprise clients. Box customers can now access foundation models through Amazon Bedrock, including Anthropic's Claude and Amazon's Titan, as part of Box AI. This integration allows companies to quickly build generative AI applications by combining advanced AI models with Box's Intelligent Content Management platform. The partnership aims to provide both accuracy and security for businesses looking to accelerate their AI initiatives. Key features of the collaboration:...
read Oct 29, 2024ServiceNow and Rimini Street partner to bring AI to global ERP systems
ServiceNow and Rimini Street forge groundbreaking partnership: ServiceNow has announced a strategic alliance with Rimini Street, a leading third-party software support provider, to bring AI innovations to on-premises ERP systems worldwide. The partnership, revealed as part of ServiceNow's Q3 2024 financial results, aims to create a new enterprise software model that allows existing on-premises ERP systems and other enterprise applications to leverage ServiceNow's AI platform. This collaboration combines ServiceNow's single architecture and data model with Rimini Street's proven third-party software support capabilities to enhance customer innovation across key business areas such as procurement, finance, supply chain, HR, customer service, and...
read Oct 28, 2024Microsoft gears up for OpenAI’s new model amid partnership tension
OpenAI's next frontier: Microsoft is gearing up to host OpenAI's upcoming model, Orion, amid reports of growing tension between the two AI powerhouses. Orion, OpenAI's next-generation AI model, is slated for release by the end of the year, according to exclusive information. Microsoft engineers have been actively preparing to host the Orion model in recent weeks, despite being kept in the dark about specific details to maintain secrecy. The tech giant has declined to comment on the matter, further fueling speculation about the nature of the preparations and the model itself. Behind the scenes: The preparations for Orion's launch are...
read Oct 28, 2024British self-driving vehicle startup to begin testing across the US
Wayve expands self-driving AI operations to the US: British start-up Wayve is taking its autonomous vehicle technology across the Atlantic, launching a testing program in San Francisco and opening an office in Sunnyvale, California. Key developments in Wayve's expansion: The company is conducting its first on-road trials outside the United Kingdom A small fleet of Ford Mustang Mach-Es equipped with Wayve's technology will be deployed in San Francisco and the Bay Area Human test drivers will be present in the vehicles during the trials The initial focus will be on developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) rather than fully autonomous...
read Oct 28, 2024Google, Hugging Face launch SynthID to detect AI-generated text
New tool for watermarking AI-generated text: Google DeepMind and Hugging Face have released SynthID Text, a tool designed to mark and detect text produced by large language models (LLMs) without compromising output quality or altering the underlying model. Key features and functionality: SynthID Text encodes a watermark into AI-generated text, allowing for the identification of content produced by specific LLMs. The tool doesn't require retraining of the underlying LLM and preserves the quality of generated text. It offers configurable parameters to balance watermarking strength and response preservation. Enterprises can use different watermarking configurations for various models, with secure storage of...
read Oct 26, 2024Reuters partners with Meta for AI content collaboration
Meta's groundbreaking AI news deal: Meta has entered into a multi-year agreement with Reuters, allowing the tech giant to use Reuters content for its AI chatbot responses, marking Meta's first major AI deal for news content. The partnership will enable Meta AI to respond to news-related questions with summaries and links to Reuters content, enhancing the chatbot's ability to provide current event information. This deal represents a significant shift in Meta's approach to news content, particularly in light of its previous stance on news on platforms like Threads. The agreement is set to launch for US users on Friday, with...
read Oct 23, 2024McAfee and Yahoo form alliance to combat deepfakes
AI-powered deepfake detection: A new frontier in media integrity: McAfee and Yahoo News have joined forces to combat the growing threat of deepfakes with an innovative AI-powered detection tool, aiming to preserve the credibility of news imagery in an era of digital manipulation. The rising tide of deepfakes: The proliferation of AI-generated content that convincingly mimics reality has raised significant concerns across industries, particularly in media and journalism. Deepfakes have become increasingly accessible and sophisticated, posing a threat to information integrity. While some applications of deepfake technology are benign, such as entertainment and art, its potential for spreading misinformation is...
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