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WhatsApp’s AI may soon start to remember your preferences
Meta AI's Personalization Upgrade: WhatsApp's AI chatbot is set to receive a significant enhancement with the introduction of a new Memory feature, allowing for more tailored and relevant user interactions. The upcoming Memory feature will enable Meta AI to remember and utilize information shared by users during conversations, such as food preferences, birthdays, and personal interests. This development aims to provide more personalized and contextually appropriate responses in future interactions. Feature Details and User Control: The Memory feature is designed to balance personalization with user privacy and control. A new Memory section will be added to the Meta AI contact...
read Oct 19, 2024Pinterest boosts ad campaigns with new AI and automation tools
AI-driven advertising revolution on Pinterest: Pinterest has unveiled a suite of new AI and automation features aimed at enhancing advertiser campaigns and simplifying campaign management. The new features were introduced at Pinterest Presents, the company's global advertiser summit, focusing on improving lower-funnel performance advertising campaigns. The updates are part of the newly launched Pinterest Performance+ suite, which leverages AI and automation tools to optimize targeting, manage budgets, and adjust bids automatically. Key features of Pinterest Performance+ suite: The new suite offers a range of lower-funnel ad products designed to support Consideration, Conversions, and Catalog Sales objectives. Advertisers can reduce campaign...
read Oct 19, 2024Amazon boosts electric delivery vans with AI vison
AI-powered efficiency for Amazon's electric delivery fleet: Amazon's new Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR) system aims to streamline the package retrieval process for delivery drivers, potentially revolutionizing the logistics industry. VAPR uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to identify and highlight packages for each delivery stop, projecting green "O" symbols on correct packages and red "X" symbols on others. The system provides audible cues to ensure drivers don't leave packages behind, eliminating the need for manual package organization and label checking. Amazon's Transportation team reports significant improvements in early tests, including a 67% reduction in perceived driver effort and over 30...
read Oct 19, 20245 prompting tips for better results with Google Gemini
Unlocking Gemini's potential: Key strategies for effective prompts: Google's Gemini AI requires thoughtful prompting to deliver optimal results, with users encouraged to approach the interaction as they would with a knowledgeable friend. The quality of prompts significantly impacts the usefulness of Gemini's responses, making it crucial for users to craft their queries carefully. Treating Gemini as a knowledgeable friend rather than a simple search engine can lead to more tailored and helpful interactions. Contextual framing: Setting the stage for precise responses: Providing comprehensive context in prompts enables Gemini to generate more accurate and relevant answers tailored to the user's specific...
read Oct 19, 2024The economics and ROI of big tech’s AI spending
The AI investment landscape: Major tech companies are pouring billions into artificial intelligence development, raising questions about the sustainability and efficiency of these massive expenditures. Google's DeepMind chief, Demis Hassabis, has stated that the company plans to invest over $100 billion in AI over time, underscoring the scale of commitment from industry leaders. Nvidia, a key player in AI chip production, reported that its top customer spent $4.2 billion on chips and services in the last fiscal quarter alone. Microsoft has entered into a power purchase agreement with Brookfield, estimated at $10 billion, to support its AI infrastructure needs. Motivations...
read Oct 19, 2024Southeast Asian nations collaborate on new AI cybersecurity initiative
ASEAN bolsters cybersecurity collaboration in response to evolving threats: Southeast Asian nations have reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation in strengthening the region's cyber defenses, with the launch of a physical Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) facility in Singapore. The ASEAN Regional CERT was officially inaugurated during the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity, held in conjunction with the Singapore International Cyber Week 2024. Singapore, as the current chair of the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting, will fund and host the CERT facility for up to 10 years, with operational costs estimated at $10.1 million over the decade. The physical CERT...
read Oct 19, 2024Perplexity just released 2 new features — here’s what’s inside
Perplexity AI introduces innovative search features: Perplexity, the AI-powered conversational search engine, has unveiled two groundbreaking features that aim to streamline how users interact with information and collaborate on projects. Internal Knowledge Search: Bridging online and offline information: Perplexity's new Internal Knowledge Search feature combines the power of internet searches with access to private databases, creating a unified information source. This feature allows users to simultaneously search online and within their internal knowledge bases, eliminating the need for multiple separate searches. The tool has significant implications for professionals who need to blend company-specific information with the latest online data. Beyond...
read Oct 19, 2024Meta just released Spirit LM, an open-source multimodal AI model
Introducing Meta Spirit LM: Meta has unveiled a groundbreaking open-source multimodal language model that seamlessly integrates text and speech inputs and outputs, challenging competitors like OpenAI's GPT-4o and Hume's EVI 2. Developed by Meta's Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team, Spirit LM aims to address limitations in existing AI voice experiences by offering more expressive and natural-sounding speech generation. The model is capable of learning tasks across modalities, including automatic speech recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS), and speech classification. Currently, Spirit LM is only available for non-commercial usage under Meta's FAIR Noncommercial Research License. Advanced approach to text and speech processing: Spirit...
read Oct 19, 2024Penguin Random House bans AI training on its books
Publishers take a stand on AI training: Penguin Random House, a major book publisher, has introduced new language on copyright pages to explicitly prohibit the use of their books for training artificial intelligence systems. The updated copyright page now states that no part of the book may be used or reproduced "for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems." This change applies to both new releases and reprinted books, signaling a clear stance against unauthorized AI training using their content. Penguin Random House also reserves the work from text and data mining exceptions in accordance with European Union...
read Oct 18, 2024AI adoption will require solving these massive LLM security vulnerabilities
AI security vulnerabilities exposed: Recent research has revealed alarming security flaws in large language models (LLMs), highlighting the potential for malicious exploitation and data breaches. A study from UCSD and Nanyang Technological University demonstrated that simple prompts could manipulate LLMs into extracting and reporting personal information in a covert manner. The researchers developed an algorithm that generates obfuscated prompts, which appear as random characters to humans but retain their meaning for LLMs. These obfuscated prompts can instruct the LLM to gather personal information and format it as a Markdown image command, effectively leaking the data to attackers. Implications for user...
read Oct 18, 2024Modders are using AI to add talkative NPCs in popular games
AI-powered NPC mods revolutionize gaming interactions: Recent developments in artificial intelligence have enabled modders to create more engaging and interactive non-player characters (NPCs) in popular games like Skyrim and Stardew Valley. Stardew Valley's AI companion mod: The mod for Stardew Valley allows players to have seemingly endless conversations with their favorite farm companions. DualityOfSoul, the mod's creator, reports a surprisingly positive reception from users on Nexus Mods. The mod utilizes OpenAI's API to generate dialogue for characters. While impressive, the implementation has limitations, with characters often adopting a similar jovial personality regardless of their original disposition. Some players appreciate how...
read Oct 18, 2024Terray Therapeutics secures $120M for AI-driven drug discovery
Biotech innovation meets AI: Terray Therapeutics secures significant funding: Terray Therapeutics, a biotech company leveraging artificial intelligence for drug discovery, has successfully raised $120 million in a Series B funding round, marking a significant milestone in the intersection of biotechnology and AI-driven research. Funding details and investor confidence: The substantial Series B round underscores the growing investor interest in AI-powered drug discovery platforms and their potential to accelerate pharmaceutical innovation. • The $120 million funding was secured through a Series B round, indicating strong investor confidence in Terray's approach and potential.• While specific investors were not mentioned in the provided...
read Oct 18, 2024AI child abuse images spark tougher US prosecution efforts
AI-generated child sexual abuse material: A growing concern: The proliferation of artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is posing significant challenges for law enforcement and child protection advocates, as federal prosecutors test the applicability of existing laws to combat this emerging threat. Federal prosecutors have initiated two criminal cases in 2024 attempting to apply current child pornography and obscenity laws to AI-generated CSAM. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports receiving approximately 450 reports of AI-generated child sex abuse content monthly. Law enforcement officials express concern about the potential normalization of AI-generated CSAM as the technology becomes...
read Oct 18, 2024From job placement to disaster relief, McKinsey is leveraging AI for social good
AI's expanding role in social impact: The application of artificial intelligence to address global challenges has seen significant growth, with a threefold increase in AI use cases aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals since 2018. Over 600 AI solutions now target social and environmental issues, with 82% already deployed, showcasing rapid innovation and adoption in this field. McKinsey, through its QuantumBlack AI division, has been at the forefront of developing AI solutions for job placement and disaster relief efforts. Revolutionizing job placement with AI: McKinsey's Generation initiative has leveraged AI to streamline the job matching process for program graduates, improving...
read Oct 18, 2024The top 3 PCs for advanced AI computing tasks
AI-powered laptops revolutionize computing: Intel and leading PC manufacturers are integrating advanced AI capabilities into their latest laptop models, ushering in a new era of intelligent computing. The Intel Core Ultra advantage: Intel's Core Ultra processors are at the heart of these cutting-edge AI PCs, providing the necessary processing power to support sophisticated AI functionalities. Intel Core Ultra chips are designed to handle AI workloads efficiently, enabling seamless integration of AI features into everyday computing tasks. These processors are built to balance performance and energy efficiency, crucial for portable devices like laptops. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition: Elegance meets...
read Oct 18, 2024AI stagnation and the gap between investment and adoption
AI Investment-Adoption Gap Widens: The artificial intelligence industry is experiencing a paradoxical situation where massive investments in AI technology are not translating into widespread enterprise adoption, leading to what can be described as "AI stagnation." A recent survey by Censuswide for Red Hat found that over 80% of IT managers report an urgent AI skills shortage, particularly in areas like generative AI, large language models, and data science. This skills gap has increased from 72% last year, indicating a worsening situation despite growing investments in AI technology. The Investment Landscape: AI funding is reaching unprecedented levels, with significant implications for...
read Oct 18, 2024Renowned horror film studio teams with Meta to leverage AI video tech
AI in Hollywood: Blumhouse Productions Partners with Meta for Movie Gen Access: Blumhouse Productions, the renowned horror film studio, has entered into a partnership with Meta to utilize an early version of their AI video generation model, Movie Gen, sparking discussions about the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Industry collaboration and technology exploration: Blumhouse Productions, known for franchises like "Halloween" and "The Purge," is taking steps to incorporate AI technology into its creative process through a partnership with Meta. The collaboration grants Blumhouse access to an early version of Meta's recently unveiled AI video generation model, Movie Gen. Jason...
read Oct 18, 2024China’s Pony.ai files for US IPO to advance autonomous driving
Chinese autonomous driving company seeks US public listing: Pony.ai, a prominent Chinese autonomous driving and robotaxi developer, has filed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), aiming to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Founded in 2016, Pony.ai specializes in fully autonomous mobility and has gained recognition through partnerships with major automotive manufacturers like Toyota, GAC Group, and NIO Capital. The company has pioneered commercial autonomous taxi services in Chinese cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou, and has expanded operations to US cities like Tucson, Arizona. Pony.ai's decision to go public follows a...
read Oct 18, 20243 key AI policy decisions facing the next Congress
AI policy in limbo: Congress faces critical decisions: The 118th U.S. Congress has failed to pass any of the more than 100 AI-related bills introduced, leaving the rapidly evolving technology sector without clear regulatory guidance. Despite high public interest and concern about AI-related issues, including workplace discrimination, deepfake child sexual abuse material, and fraudulent robocalls, Congress has not taken concrete action. A 2020 Gallup survey found that 59% of Americans believe elected officials are paying "too little" attention to technology-related issues. While some states have introduced legislation to address specific AI harms, there has been no corresponding federal action. The...
read Oct 18, 2024How AI startup Abel is addressing the police shortage
AI-powered police tech startup aims to revolutionize law enforcement: Abel, a new police technology company, has launched with the goal of automating paperwork for patrol officers using AI to process body camera footage and generate reports. The startup aims to reduce the time officers spend on writing reports from an average of one-third of their time to zero, potentially increasing available police hours by 50%. Abel's mission is to restore citizens' confidence in law enforcement agencies by allowing officers to focus more on active policing and community engagement. The company has secured $5 million in seed funding, led by Day...
read Oct 18, 2024Upwork enhances AI offerings in Fall 2024 product lineup
Upwork's Fall 2024 release revolutionizes freelance collaboration: Upwork has unveiled a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools and features aimed at transforming how businesses and freelancers interact, hire, and manage work on the platform. Uma takes center stage: Uma, Upwork's AI-powered assistant, is at the heart of the new release, offering expanded capabilities to streamline the hiring process and improve work outcomes. Uma now generates tailored proposal drafts for freelancers, leveraging AI models trained on successful bids to help professionals win more projects. For businesses, Uma assists in identifying top freelancers based on project requirements and provides side-by-side comparisons of professionals'...
read Oct 18, 2024Microsoft and OpenAI consider the value of $14B in for-profit switch
Valuation challenge for AI giants: Microsoft and OpenAI are grappling with the complex task of determining how Microsoft's substantial $14 billion investment will translate into equity as OpenAI transitions to a for-profit structure. Microsoft's investment in OpenAI, totaling $14 billion, is set to be converted into equity as the AI startup moves towards becoming a for-profit entity. The transition to a for-profit structure must occur within a two-year timeframe, or recent investors in OpenAI's $6.6 billion funding round will have the right to reclaim their investments. To navigate this intricate valuation process, both companies have enlisted the expertise of major...
read Oct 18, 2024ChatGPT Canvas adds tracked changes feature
ChatGPT Canvas update enhances editing capabilities: OpenAI has introduced a new feature to ChatGPT's Canvas that allows users to track changes made to generated text and code, improving the editing experience for subscribers. Key features of the update: A "show changes" button has been added to Canvas, highlighting additions in green and deletions in red This feature applies to both text and code generated by GPT-4 The update addresses user requests for a track changes function since Canvas launched in early October Canvas functionality and availability: Canvas allows users to edit ChatGPT's responses directly within the app The feature includes...
read Oct 18, 2024Meta shares massive AI materials database to accelerate research
Meta's game-changing contribution to materials science AI: Meta has released a massive open-source data set and AI models called Open Materials 2024 (OMat24) to accelerate the discovery of new materials using artificial intelligence. The big picture: The OMat24 release addresses a critical bottleneck in materials discovery by providing researchers with an extensive, high-quality data set and AI models that were previously unavailable or proprietary. Meta's decision to make OMat24 freely available and open-source stands in contrast to other industry players like Google and Microsoft, who have kept their competitive models and data sets secret. The data set contains approximately 110...
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