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Google accidentally leaks Jarvis AI, an autonomous web browsing agent
Google's AI agent leak unveils future of web browsing: Google accidentally leaked its upcoming AI agent, Jarvis AI, on the Chrome extension store, revealing plans for an AI-powered web browsing assistant. The internal preview, codenamed Jarvis, was briefly available on the Chrome extension store before being quickly removed. The listing described Jarvis as "a helpful companion that surfs the web with you," aligning with earlier reports of Google developing an AI agent to assist with online shopping and travel booking. Users who managed to download the prototype were unable to use it due to specific access permission requirements. Key features...
read Nov 6, 2024How the nation’s capital thinks about AI implementation, and the values that guide it
AI initiatives in Washington, D.C. driven by core values: The nation's capital is taking a strategic approach to implementing artificial intelligence, guided by six core values established by Mayor Muriel Bowser in February 2024. An executive order signed by Mayor Bowser defined these AI values and established two key groups: a public AI Advisory Group and an internal AI Taskforce. The district's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Stephen Miller emphasizes that only AI solutions aligning with all six core values will be adopted. This value-driven approach aims to ensure that AI advancements meet the standards set by the mayor and benefit...
read Nov 6, 2024Stanford study investigates how good AI truly is at medical diagnostics
AI's potential in medical diagnostics: A new Stanford study reveals that ChatGPT-4, a large language model AI, demonstrates significant capability in medical diagnosis and clinical reasoning, potentially surpassing human physicians in some aspects. The study presented real patient cases to ChatGPT-4 and 50 physicians, asking for diagnoses and clinical reasoning. ChatGPT-4 achieved a median score of 92 (equivalent to an "A" grade) when evaluating cases independently. Physicians, both with and without AI assistance, scored median grades of 74 and 76 respectively, indicating less comprehensive diagnostic reasoning compared to the AI. Unexpected findings in physician-AI collaboration: Despite ChatGPT's strong performance, its...
read Nov 6, 2024Microsoft’s $30B fund aims to vertically integrate AI infrastructure
Unprecedented AI infrastructure investment: Microsoft, BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, and MGX have joined forces to create the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP), a $30 billion equity fund that could mobilize up to $100 billion with debt financing. The fund aims to invest in new and expanded data centers and energy infrastructure, primarily in the United States, to support the growing demands of AI technology. This initiative represents one of the largest alternative investment funds ever raised, highlighting the significant opportunity Microsoft sees in AI infrastructure. The partnership's focus on both data centers and energy infrastructure addresses the critical challenge...
read Nov 6, 2024More AI products aim to control your computer — here’s why that could be cool
Generative AI as a digital assistant: Anthropic has introduced a new feature for their AI product Claude, allowing it to interact directly with computer interfaces by taking control of the keyboard and mouse. This advancement aims to enable AI to perform tasks on behalf of users, such as filling out online forms, composing emails, and booking travel arrangements. The AI operates by analyzing a series of screen snapshots, moving the mouse, and entering data on the keyboard, mimicking human interaction with computers. Anthropic describes this capability as a significant breakthrough in AI progress, potentially unlocking a wide range of applications...
read Nov 6, 2024Why AI may not be so bad for Hollywood after all
AI's transformative impact on Hollywood visual effects: Artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of film production, with companies like Metaphysic leading the charge in developing groundbreaking visual effects technologies. Metaphysic, a Los Angeles-based company, is at the forefront of AI-powered visual effects, demonstrating capabilities that allow real-time facial transformations and age manipulation of actors. Ed Ulbrich, Metaphysic's chief content officer and a veteran of traditional visual effects, recognizes AI as a disruptive force in the industry, capable of achieving results that were previously impossible or prohibitively expensive. The viral Tom Cruise deepfake videos from 2021 served as a...
read Nov 6, 2024Apple’s Visual Intelligence rivals Google Lens — here’s how to use it
Apple's latest AI innovation: Visual Intelligence, a feature of iOS 18.2 developer beta, brings Google Lens-like functionality to iPhone 16 models, enhancing the way users interact with their surroundings through their device's camera. Key features and functionality: Visual Intelligence allows users to perform a variety of tasks using their iPhone's camera, including object description, price lookup, and business information retrieval. The feature utilizes ChatGPT to provide detailed descriptions of captured images and can answer follow-up questions. Visual Intelligence can extract important information like email addresses and phone numbers from images. Users can opt to use Google search instead of ChatGPT...
read Nov 6, 2024Skepticism toward AI software tools is fading as more organizations adopt them
The evolving landscape of software quality assurance: Generative AI is emerging as a significant tool in managing software quality, with organizations increasingly integrating it into their quality engineering processes. A survey by Capgemini and Sogeti reveals that 68% of organizations are now using generative AI to assist their quality efforts, marking a significant shift in attitudes over the past year. 29% of organizations have fully integrated generative AI into their test automation processes, while 42% are actively exploring its potential. The evolution of large language models and AI tools, particularly Copilot, has enabled seamless integration into existing software development lifecycles,...
read Nov 5, 2024The latest MacOS update introduced these 3 useful features
MacOS 15.1 update brings subtle yet useful improvements: The latest update to Apple's operating system introduces a handful of practical features that enhance user experience, even for those not interested in AI or iPhone integration. Key features for non-AI enthusiasts: While Apple Intelligence is the headline feature of MacOS 15.1, there are several other upgrades that cater to users who prefer traditional functionality. Apple Mail now offers email summaries, allowing users to quickly grasp the content of lengthy emails without reading them in full. The battery indicator for MacBooks has been improved, providing easier access to low-power mode and visual...
read Nov 5, 2024The next time you interview for a job it may be with an AI
AI-powered recruitment on the rise: Job seekers are increasingly encountering artificial intelligence during the hiring process, with some companies utilizing AI interviewers to screen candidates. Graphic designer Paloma Canseco recently shared her experience of a phone interview with a "virtual recruiter" on LinkedIn, highlighting the growing prevalence of AI in recruitment. Canseco chose to end the interview prematurely, expressing her unwillingness to work for a company that employs AI for candidate screening. Current landscape of AI in recruitment: The use of AI recruitment software is not a new phenomenon, with several companies already incorporating various forms of AI into their...
read Nov 5, 2024How AI is being used to tackle K-12 chronic absenteeism
Innovative AI solution targets chronic absenteeism in schools: Edia, an ed-tech company, has introduced a new AI-powered tool designed to combat the rising issue of chronic absenteeism in K-12 education. The software integrates with existing student information systems (SIS) to monitor attendance and parent contact details in real-time. Within 15 minutes of an unexpected absence being recorded, the system automatically sends a personalized text message to parents, with support for over 100 languages. The tool aims to streamline communication between schools and families, reducing the workload on administrative staff who struggle to manage increased absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism on the rise:...
read Nov 5, 2024Microsoft’s ‘Magentic-One’ framework directs multiple AI agents to complete your tasks
A new multi-agent AI infrastructure: Microsoft researchers have introduced Magentic-One, an open-source framework designed to manage multiple AI agents working together to complete complex, multi-step tasks. Magentic-One is described as a generalist agentic system that aims to enhance productivity and transform daily life by enabling AI agents to solve tasks requiring multiple steps. The framework is available to researchers and developers for both research and commercial purposes under a custom Microsoft License. Alongside Magentic-One, Microsoft released AutoGenBench, an open-source agent evaluation tool built on their previously released Autogen framework. System architecture and functionality: Magentic-One operates with an Orchestrator agent that...
read Nov 5, 2024Anthropic justifies price increase on AI model with ‘increased intelligence’
AI model pricing shift: Anthropic's launch of Claude 3.5 Haiku, their smallest AI model, marks a significant departure from typical pricing trends in the AI industry. The new model costs four times more to run than its predecessor, with Anthropic citing increased "intelligence" as the reason for the price hike. Claude 3.5 Haiku now costs $1 per million input tokens and $5 per million output tokens, compared to 25 cents and $1.25 respectively for the previous version. This pricing strategy contrasts with the industry norm, where newer versions of AI language models typically maintain similar or lower prices compared to...
read Nov 5, 2024How AI can make pesky passwords totally obsolete
The password predicament: Cybersecurity professionals widely agree that passwords are an outdated and problematic method of authentication, with many users having to enter their credentials multiple times daily. A recent RSA ID IQ report surveying over 2,000 cybersecurity and tech professionals across 62 countries found that 51% had to enter their password at least six times a day at work. Passwords are difficult to remember, easy for hackers to compromise, and costly for IT support to manage. Most data breaches begin with compromised credentials, highlighting the urgent need for more secure authentication methods. AI as a potential solution: Artificial Intelligence...
read Nov 5, 2024Amazon’s Alexa turns 10: A decade of triumph and tribulation
The dawn of smart speakers: Amazon's Alexa, launched with the Echo device on November 6, 2014, marked the beginning of the smart speaker era and promised a new way of interacting with technology. The Echo's release was low-key, with no grand launch event or bold proclamations about its potential impact. Alexa quickly became a household name, spawning numerous devices and inspiring competitors to enter the market. The technology represented a shift towards "ambient computing," where voice-controlled assistants would seamlessly integrate into daily life. Alexa's mixed legacy: Despite widespread adoption, Alexa has fallen short of Amazon's ambitious vision for a versatile,...
read Nov 5, 2024The performance gap between open and closed AI models is shrinking
The AI landscape evolves: Open AI models are catching up to closed models in performance, with only a one-year lag, according to a new report by Epoch AI. Meta's Llama 3.1 405B, released in July, took about 16 months to match the capabilities of GPT-4's first version. The gap between open and closed models could shrink further if Meta releases its next-generation AI, Llama 4, as an open model. Researchers analyzed hundreds of notable models released since 2018, measuring performance on technical benchmarks and computing power used for training. Implications for policymakers: The narrowing gap between open and closed AI...
read Nov 5, 2024Apple Intelligence rollout is measured and cautious — but is that a good thing?
Apple's AI strategy unfolds: Apple has launched Apple Intelligence, a comprehensive suite of AI features for its devices, marking a significant but gradual entry into the AI landscape. Apple Intelligence encompasses various AI-powered tools, including Writing Tools, Siri enhancements, and Memory Movies, available on iPhones, Macs, and iPads with M1 chips or newer. The company is taking a phased approach, with some features like Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, and Image Playground slated for release in iOS 18.2 in December, while others are planned for future iOS 18 updates. This staggered launch strategy is unprecedented for Apple, raising questions about...
read Nov 5, 2024Being polite to AI chatbots leads to higher quality outputs, study shows
The rise of AI courtesy: Recent research suggests that being polite to AI systems like ChatGPT can lead to improved output quality and enhance human leadership capabilities. Scientists have found that polite prompts consistently outperform rude ones in AI interactions, with some models showing up to a 30% performance drop when faced with impolite queries. The study examined AI behavior across English, Chinese, and Japanese languages, revealing that cultural context matters in AI communication, mirroring human interactions. Performance benefits of politeness: Treating AI with respect isn't just about etiquette; it measurably improves the quality of AI-generated content and responses. Impolite...
read Nov 5, 2024This AI model transforms sketches into playable games
AI-powered game generation breakthrough: Oasis, a new AI model developed by Decart in collaboration with Etched, has demonstrated the ability to generate playable Minecraft-like gameplay from images in real-time. Oasis is described as "the world's first real-time AI world model," processing user input and visual data to create dynamic gaming experiences. The system generates gameplay frames at approximately 20 frames per second, simulating physics, game rules, and graphics internally. Netflix is exploring generative AI for gameplay, even closing its own game studio to focus on this technology. Technical innovations behind Oasis: The AI model combines Vision Transformer technology with a...
read Nov 5, 2024Why art auction houses are embracing AI
AI revolutionizes auction house operations: Artificial intelligence is significantly enhancing translation and data processing services in the art market, particularly benefiting auction houses with international reach. Julia Marie Wendl, CEO of Kunst-Auktionhaus Wendl, notes that AI's self-learning capabilities have improved the accuracy of art-specific translations, reducing reliance on staff for manual checks. Antoine de Rochefort, head of Drouot.com, highlights AI's crucial role in managing large volumes of data, including automated categorization of items from numerous partner vendors. AI-enhanced services are particularly valuable for platforms offering a wide array of items, helping to quickly direct users to products and provide content...
read Nov 5, 2024AI models lack true understanding of the world, despite impressive output
Generative AI's limitations in understanding the world: Recent research reveals that large language models (LLMs) lack a coherent understanding of the world, despite their impressive capabilities in various tasks. A study conducted by researchers from MIT, Harvard, and Cornell shows that even advanced LLMs fail to form accurate internal models of the world and its rules. The research focused on transformer models, which form the backbone of popular LLMs like GPT-4. These findings have significant implications for the deployment of generative AI in real-world applications, as models may unexpectedly fail when faced with slight changes in tasks or environments. Testing...
read Nov 5, 2024Video: Apple Intelligence ads showcase workplace problem-solving
Apple showcases AI capabilities in workplace settings: Apple has released two new videos highlighting the practical applications of Apple Intelligence in office environments, focusing on the MacBook Pro and its AI-powered features. The videos demonstrate how macOS 15.1's new AI writing tools can assist users in common workplace scenarios, showcasing the technology's potential to enhance productivity and communication. These advertisements mark a shift in Apple's marketing strategy, moving from previously highlighted iPhone 16 features to workplace-oriented solutions on the MacBook Pro. Key features demonstrated: The videos illustrate two specific AI-powered writing tools that can help users navigate potentially awkward office...
read Nov 5, 2024New research explores how to train AI agents with an ‘evolving online curriculum’
Breakthrough in training open-source AI web agents: WebRL, a novel self-evolving online curriculum reinforcement learning framework, has been developed to train high-performance web agents using open large language models (LLMs). Researchers from multiple institutions have created WebRL to address key challenges in building LLM web agents, including the scarcity of training tasks, sparse feedback signals, and policy distribution drift in online learning. The framework aims to bridge the gap between open-source and proprietary LLM-based web agents, potentially democratizing access to powerful autonomous web interaction systems. Key components of WebRL: The framework incorporates three main elements to enhance the capabilities of...
read Nov 5, 2024AMD overtakes Intel in datacenter sales for first time
AMD's historic milestone in datacenter CPU sales: For the first time, AMD has overtaken Intel in datacenter CPU revenue, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the semiconductor industry. AMD's datacenter segment revenue reached $3.549 billion in Q3, surpassing Intel's datacenter and AI group earnings of $3.3 billion. This achievement represents a dramatic reversal from just two years ago when Intel's datacenter group was consistently earning $5-6 billion per quarter. The shift is largely attributed to the competitive advantages of AMD's EPYC processors over Intel's Xeon CPUs, which has forced Intel to implement price discounts to remain competitive....
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