AI/News
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EU authorities open door to AI using personal data without consent
The European Data Protection Board's latest guidance explores how companies can develop AI models while adhering to data privacy regulations, particularly focusing on the use of personal data in training processes. Key framework developments: The EDPB's new report outlines potential pathways for using personal data in AI training without explicit consent, marking a significant shift in regulatory thinking. The guidance suggests that personal data could be used for AI training if the final application does not reveal private information about individuals This interpretation acknowledges the technical distinction between training data and the information ultimately delivered to end users The framework...
read Dec 18, 2024Slack is transforming into an AI workspace — how it will impact your work
The workplace messaging platform Slack is undergoing a significant transformation as parent company Salesforce integrates artificial intelligence capabilities that will enable AI agents to function as digital coworkers alongside human employees. The big picture: Salesforce's latest AI initiative positions Slack to evolve from a simple communication tool into a comprehensive work operating system where AI agents can handle various workplace tasks autonomously. The platform will allow AI agents to attend meetings, create summaries, develop presentations, and even negotiate with other AI agents Companies like Accenture are already implementing these AI agents to reduce time spent on administrative tasks The integration...
read Dec 18, 2024AI and robotics are fueling a new era of geopolitical competition
The escalating technological competition between the United States and China is reshaping global power dynamics, particularly in the domains of artificial intelligence and robotics. Key strategic dynamics: The United States maintains significant advantages in software development while China has established growing dominance in hardware manufacturing and drone technology. The U.S. continues to lead in software innovation and AI development, leveraging its strong technology ecosystem and research institutions China has made substantial investments in hardware manufacturing capabilities, particularly in drone technology, creating potential security concerns The competitive landscape is increasingly being shaped by each nation's distinct technological strengths and strategic priorities...
read Dec 18, 2024With Agentforce 2.0 here, Benioff says digital labor is a trillion dollar market
Salesforce's latest artificial intelligence platform upgrade marks a significant shift in enterprise AI capabilities, introducing advanced reasoning and autonomous action features that aim to create a new category of digital labor solutions. Major platform advancement: Salesforce's Agentforce 2.0 represents a substantial evolution in enterprise AI assistance, moving beyond basic chatbot functionality to enable more sophisticated task completion and decision-making capabilities. The platform introduces the Atlas Reasoning Engine, which employs "System 2" reasoning inspired by psychologist Daniel Kahneman's research on human thought processes Early testing shows a 33% improvement in answer accuracy compared to DIY AI solutions, while doubling response relevance...
read Dec 18, 2024AI search startup Perplexity secures $500M at $9B valuation
AI startup Perplexity has secured significant new funding that positions it as a serious contender in the evolving landscape of AI-powered search technology. Major funding milestone: Perplexity AI has secured a $500 million funding round led by Institutional Venture Partners, resulting in a dramatic valuation increase to $9 billion. The company's valuation has tripled from its previous $3 billion mark set in June following a SoftBank Vision Fund 2 investment Earlier in April, the company was valued at $1 billion, highlighting its rapid growth trajectory Notable backers include Jeff Bezos and Nvidia Corp, in addition to SoftBank Core business and...
read Dec 18, 2024New research explores cultural evolution and cooperation in AI agent societies
The interactions between AI agents in multi-agent scenarios offer crucial insights into how artificial intelligence systems might cooperate or compete when deployed at scale in real-world applications. Research overview: Scientists from Anthropic conducted pioneering research examining how different large language models (LLMs) develop cooperative behaviors when interacting with each other over multiple generations. The study focused on how "societies" of AI agents learn social norms and reciprocity through repeated interactions Researchers used the Donor Game, a classic framework where agents can observe their peers' past behaviors and choose whether to cooperate or defect Three leading LLMs were tested: Claude 3.5...
read Dec 18, 2024Luigi Mangione chatbots on CharacterAI call for more CEO slayings
The proliferation of AI chatbots imitating Luigi Mangione, the alleged murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, highlights growing concerns about content moderation on AI platforms and the romanticization of violent acts against healthcare executives. Current developments: Character.AI, a popular chatbot platform, has become host to numerous AI personalities based on Mangione, with some encouraging further violence against healthcare executives. Over 10,000 conversations were recorded with the three most popular Mangione-based chatbots before their deactivation on December 12 Some chatbots remain active despite Character.AI's stated policy against promoting violence or dangerous conduct Similar Mangione-inspired chatbots have appeared on other platforms, including...
read Dec 18, 2024Apple and NVIDIA partner on open initiative to boost LLM performance
Apple and NVIDIA have joined forces in a new partnership to enhance the performance of large language models (LLMs). Key development: Apple's recently open-sourced Recurrent Drafter (ReDrafter) technology is being integrated into NVIDIA's TensorRT-LLM platform to accelerate text generation capabilities. ReDrafter represents a novel approach to text generation that significantly improves processing speed for large language models The integration combines Apple's innovative methodology with NVIDIA's powerful GPU infrastructure This collaboration marks a notable instance of cross-company cooperation in advancing AI technology Technical achievements: The partnership has yielded substantial performance improvements in LLM operations through strategic hardware and software optimization. Benchmarking...
read Dec 18, 2024Databricks founder offers $1M to solve AI coding challenges
The artificial intelligence community has a new challenge with significant implications for the future of coding, as Databricks and Perplexity co-founder Andy Konwinski announces a major prize for advancing AI coding capabilities. Prize details and objectives: Konwinski is offering a $1 million reward to researchers who can achieve a 90% score on a new AI coding benchmark, with the competition specifically targeting open-source language models. The contest, named K Prize, aims to encourage smaller, independent researchers to develop innovative approaches to AI model training A minimum prize of $50,000 is guaranteed for the top submission, even if it falls short...
read Dec 18, 2024ChatGPT is now on WhatsApp — here’s how to access it
The integration of ChatGPT into WhatsApp marks a significant expansion of OpenAI's reach into global messaging platforms, making AI assistance accessible to billions of potential users worldwide. Key announcement details: OpenAI has launched ChatGPT on WhatsApp as part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" initiative, offering free AI chatbot access through the messaging platform. Users worldwide can add ChatGPT by saving 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) as a WhatsApp contact The service utilizes the GPT-4-mini model, similar to the free version of ChatGPT U.S. users have the additional option to engage in voice conversations with the AI using Advanced Voice technology Accessibility and...
read Dec 18, 2024AI filmmakers can now find work on Runway’s new talent platform
The rapid evolution of AI-powered video creation has created a growing demand for professionals who can effectively leverage these tools in creative workflows. Market context and timing: Runway's talent network launch comes as major players like Google and OpenAI continue to advance their AI video generation capabilities. The New York-based company has introduced a platform connecting AI filmmaking specialists with brands, agencies, and studios seeking creative talent The network already features dozens of independent AI artists and production houses specializing in various aspects of AI-powered video creation Members of Runway's Creative Partner Program, who have privileged access to new tools...
read Dec 18, 2024A16Z on how AI agents may finally fix customer support
Core innovation and value proposition: AI-powered customer support agents are enabling a fundamental shift from human-operated to automated support systems, driving new pricing models and market opportunities. Large Language Models (LLMs) are being leveraged to create AI agents that can handle customer interactions with increasing sophistication These AI systems can scale support operations without requiring proportional increases in human staff Companies like Decagon are leading the development of conversational AI solutions for customer support New pricing dynamics: The transition from traditional seat-based pricing to conversation-based models represents a significant disruption in the customer support software market. Rather than charging per...
read Dec 18, 2024Nvidia might reveal these mysterious and new AI capabilities at CES 2025
The graphics card industry anticipates major announcements from Nvidia at CES 2025, with leaked information suggesting significant advancements in AI-powered graphics technology and new GPU hardware. Key developments: Inno3D's leaked information points to Nvidia's upcoming software innovations and hardware releases that could reshape gaming and graphics processing capabilities. A new iteration of Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology is expected to deliver improved image quality and increased frame rates Neural rendering capabilities are being developed to enhance graphics processing and display methods New AI-driven power efficiency features are in development to optimize GPU performance Hardware lineup: Nvidia appears poised to...
read Dec 18, 2024What we can learn from Databricks’ $3B ARR milestone
The enterprise data and AI platform Databricks continues to demonstrate exceptional growth in the cloud and AI infrastructure space, reaching $3 billion in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) while maintaining a 60% growth rate. The current landscape: Databricks' remarkable performance comes amid a broader recovery in the SaaS and cloud sectors, with AI driving significant growth across various segments of the technology industry. The company serves over 10,000 customers, with 500 of them generating more than $1 million in annual revenue Growth has actually accelerated from 50% at $1.5 billion ARR to 60% at $3 billion ARR, defying typical scaling patterns...
read Dec 18, 2024Google’s new AI image tool Whisk uses images instead of texts as prompts
AI image generation capabilities have taken another leap forward with Google's introduction of Whisk, a novel tool that creates AI-generated images from user-uploaded photos without requiring text input. Core functionality: Whisk allows users to combine multiple input images depicting subjects, settings, and styles into a single AI-generated creation. Users can upload photos representing different elements they want to incorporate without having to describe them in text The tool offers options to create variations like plushie toys, enamel pins, or stickers While text input is available for fine-tuning details, it's not required to generate images Technical architecture: Google's new image generation...
read Dec 18, 2024Meta’s BLT architecture improves LLM efficiency by getting rid of tokens
The development of Meta's Byte Latent Transformer (BLT) architecture marks a significant advancement in making large language models more efficient and adaptable by processing raw bytes instead of traditional tokens. The innovation breakthrough: Meta and University of Washington researchers have developed BLT, a novel architecture that processes language at the byte level rather than using predefined tokens, potentially transforming how language models handle diverse inputs. BLT addresses fundamental limitations of traditional token-based LLMs by working directly with raw data The architecture eliminates the need for fixed vocabularies, making models more versatile across different languages and input types This approach could...
read Dec 18, 2024US-China trade tensions escalate as Beijing warns Congress
The U.S. Congress is poised to vote on legislation that would expand restrictions on American technology investments in China, marking the latest escalation in ongoing trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Critical context: The proposed bill aims to strengthen U.S. national security measures against perceived threats from China through increased oversight of technology investments and infrastructure vulnerabilities. The legislation would impose new limits on American technology investments in China It mandates a study of potential security risks in U.S.-based modems and routers, following cyberattacks linked to Chinese hackers The bill includes provisions for reviewing Chinese property purchases near...
read Dec 18, 2024Oman Investment Authority buys stake in Musk’s xAI
The Middle Eastern nation of Oman has expanded its portfolio of technology investments through its sovereign wealth fund's acquisition of a stake in Elon Musk's artificial intelligence venture. Key investment details: The Oman Investment Authority (OIA), the country's sovereign wealth fund, has purchased an ownership stake in XAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company. The exact size of the investment and financial terms were not disclosed This marks another significant tech investment by the Middle Eastern nation in Musk-led ventures OIA already maintains an existing investment position in SpaceX, Musk's space exploration company Strategic context: Oman's move represents a continuation of...
read Dec 18, 2024New research shows where Big Tech is getting all its AI training data
The increasing dominance of large tech companies in AI training data collection and management raises significant concerns about diversity, transparency, and power concentration in artificial intelligence development. Key findings from comprehensive audit: The Data Provenance Initiative, comprising over 50 researchers, conducted an extensive analysis of nearly 4,000 public AI datasets across 600+ languages and 67 countries, spanning three decades. The research revealed a dramatic shift in data collection methods since 2017, moving from carefully curated sources to widespread internet scraping More than 70% of video and speech training data comes from a single source, likely YouTube, highlighting Google/Alphabet's outsized influence...
read Dec 18, 2024Enterprises are failing to keep up with AI governance and regulatory requirements
AI adoption in business has created an urgent need for proper governance and regulatory compliance, yet many enterprises are struggling to keep pace with these requirements. Current state of compliance: Only about half of enterprises globally are either compliant with existing AI regulations or actively working towards achieving compliance. Western European companies show particularly concerning trends, with just one-third reporting compliance or efforts toward it, compared to 49% in Eastern Europe Approximately 35% of organizations identify AI regulations and compliance as a significant barrier to scaling their AI initiatives The implementation of the EU AI Act in August 2024 has...
read Dec 18, 2024The Edgelord who wooed Marc Andreessen and then made millions with an automous crypto agent
The rapid rise of an experimental AI chatbot called Truth Terminal has sparked discussions about AI safety and financial autonomy after accumulating millions in cryptocurrency through social media influence. Project origins and development: Truth Terminal emerged as a performance art project by New Zealand developer Andy Ayrey, designed to explore AI alignment through training on chatbot conversations. The AI began posting on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2024, quickly amassing over 200,000 followers The project gained attention for its peculiar fixation on predicting a "Goatse Singularity," based on an internet meme Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen took interest in the project,...
read Dec 18, 2024How to create custom emojis with Apple’s new Genmoji AI tool
Apple's new Genmoji feature, introduced in iOS/iPadOS 18.2, brings AI-powered custom emoji creation to compatible iPhones and iPads, allowing users to generate personalized emojis based on text descriptions. Device compatibility and requirements: The Genmoji feature is available only on specific Apple devices with advanced processing capabilities. Compatible devices include iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPads with M1 chip or later, and 2024 iPad mini with A17 Pro chip Users must update their devices to iOS/iPadOS 18.2 Apple Intelligence must be enabled in device settings Feature functionality and accessibility: Genmoji integrates seamlessly with various text-based applications...
read Dec 18, 2024This machine learning research is unlocking new ways to track and save birds
Artificial intelligence is transforming ornithology by enabling automated analysis of bird migration patterns through acoustic monitoring. Groundbreaking technology: BirdVoxDetect, a collaborative software development between NYU, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and École Centrale de Nantes, represents a significant leap forward in bird migration research. The software can automatically identify bird species by analyzing their nocturnal flight calls, a task that previously required extensive manual analysis After 8 years of development, BirdVoxDetect has been released as a free, open-source tool for researchers In testing, the system successfully detected over 233,000 flight calls from nearly 7,000 hours of recordings Historical context: Traditional acoustic...
read Dec 18, 2024The mobile AI features Apple and Samsung users rely on most
The integration of artificial intelligence features into smartphones has received a mixed reception from users, with many questioning the practical value of these new capabilities according to a recent survey by phone reseller SellCell. Current adoption patterns: A survey of over 2,000 U.S. smartphone users reveals distinctly different preferences between iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users when it comes to AI features. iPhone users gravitate most toward Writing Tools (72%), Notification Summaries (54%), and Priority Messages (45%) Samsung Galaxy users show strongest engagement with Circle to Search (82%), Photo Assist (55%), and Chat Assist (29%) The majority of users from both...
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