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Are community-trained AI models the future of LLM development?
The open source AI revolution: Nous Research, a pioneering organization in open source AI, is spearheading efforts to democratize AI model training and development through innovative projects like DisTrO. Nous Research, led by Bowen Peng and Jeffrey Quesnelle, is focused on accelerating open source AI research and empowering independent builders in the AI community. The organization's latest project, DisTrO, demonstrates the feasibility of training AI models across the public internet at unprecedented speeds. Nous Research is also behind other successful open source AI initiatives, including the Hermes family of "neutral" and guardrail-free language models. The DisTrO project: Addressing potential setbacks...
read Oct 1, 2024Third-party breaches and AI dominate state CISOs’ threat concerns
State CISOs face evolving challenges in 2024: The latest Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study reveals that state Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are grappling with expanding responsibilities and emerging threats while contending with persistent workforce and funding issues. The average tenure of state CISOs has decreased from 2.5 years in 2022 to 1.9 years in 2024, with hiring for these positions often taking six months or more. Many CISOs now oversee privacy responsibilities, with 86% of states having CISOs handle privacy matters, up from 60% in 2022. The top cybersecurity threats identified by CISOs include security breaches involving third parties, AI-enabled attacks,...
read Oct 1, 2024Microsoft unveils framework for data-enhanced AI apps
A new framework for categorizing RAG tasks: Microsoft researchers have proposed a four-level framework for categorizing retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) tasks for large language models (LLMs), based on the complexity of external data retrieval and reasoning required. The framework aims to help enterprises make informed decisions about integrating external knowledge into LLMs and understanding when more complex systems may be necessary. The categorization ranges from simple explicit fact retrieval to complex hidden rationale queries requiring domain-specific reasoning. This approach recognizes the varying levels of sophistication needed for different types of user queries and LLM applications. Breaking down the four-level categorization: The...
read Oct 1, 2024AI chipmaker Cerebras challenges Nvidia with IPO filing
AI chipmaker Cerebras aims for IPO amid tech industry excitement: Cerebras, a Silicon Valley-based AI chip company, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO), positioning itself as a challenger to industry giant Nvidia in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence market. Cerebras's IPO filing comes at a time when investor interest in AI-related companies is at an all-time high, following the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022. The company's move to go public could potentially break the current drought of high-profile tech IPOs and capitalize on the widespread enthusiasm for AI-related investments. Market context and IPO landscape: The tech...
read Oct 1, 2024PyTorch’s releases ‘torchao’ to boost AI model performance
PyTorch Introduces torchao: Boosting Model Performance with Advanced Optimization Techniques: PyTorch has officially launched torchao, a native library designed to enhance model speed and reduce size through low-bit data types, quantization, and sparsity, offering significant improvements for both inference and training workflows. Key features and performance gains: torchao provides a toolkit of optimization techniques written primarily in PyTorch code, making it accessible and easy to implement. The library has been benchmarked on popular GenAI models, including LLama 3 and Diffusion models, with minimal accuracy loss. Impressive results for LLama 3: 97% speedup for LLama 3 8B inference using autoquant with...
read Oct 1, 2024Robert Downey makes Broadway debut as AI-conflicted novelist
A provocative exploration of AI's impact on art: Ayad Akhtar's new play "McNeal" delves into the tension between traditional human creativity and emerging AI technologies, set against the backdrop of a near-future literary world. Robert Downey Jr. makes his Broadway debut as Jacob McNeal, a renowned novelist grappling with the encroachment of artificial intelligence on his craft. The play, directed by Bartlett Sher, opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Manhattan, transforming the space into a sleek, futuristic setting reminiscent of an Apple store. Set in the "very near future," the story pits computer-mediated interactions against traditional artistic processes, raising...
read Oct 1, 2024How Apple’s AI-powered AirPods could challenge Meta’s smart glasses
AI-Powered Wearables: The Next Frontier in Tech Competition: Apple and Meta are gearing up for a potential face-off in the AI wearables market, with each company taking a distinct approach to integrating artificial intelligence into everyday accessories. Meta's Smart Glasses: A Visual-First Approach: Meta's latest offerings in the smart glasses category showcase the company's focus on visual interaction and content creation. The upgraded Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses offer hands-free photo capture, video live streaming, and voice-controlled functionality. Meta AI, the company's virtual assistant, is integrated into the device, allowing for conversational interactions. The upcoming Orion smart glasses promise to take...
read Oct 1, 2024Why AI-powered infrastructure demands robust connectivity
AI infrastructure demands robust connectivity: The growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) applications is creating a pressing need for resilient infrastructure and enhanced connectivity to support increasing data demands. Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association), highlighted the critical role of robust infrastructure in supporting AI applications. The surge in AI adoption is driving a significant increase in data consumption, necessitating stronger and more reliable connectivity solutions. GSMA, as a leading industry organization, recognizes the importance of preparing telecommunications infrastructure for the AI-driven future. Connectivity as the foundation for AI growth: The development and deployment...
read Oct 1, 2024Perplexity’s AI-powered search will come to Mac desktops next month
AI-powered search comes to macOS: Perplexity AI, a generative AI-based conversational and search tool, is set to launch its native Mac app on October 15, 2024, expanding its platform to desktop users. Perplexity, founded in 2022, utilizes its own large language models (LLMs) to provide precise answers and better summarize web content, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The app will be available for download on the Mac App Store, setting it apart from ChatGPT's macOS app, which is not distributed through Apple's official store. Users can pre-save and enable notifications for the app's release, ensuring they're among the first to access...
read Oct 1, 2024The improvisational nature human thought and AI models
The rise of cognitive jazz: Large Language Models (LLMs) are ushering in a new era of creative thinking, blending structure and spontaneity in ways that mirror the improvisational nature of jazz music. It is possible to draw parallels between jazz improvisation and the interactive nature of LLMs, highlighting how both push the boundaries of traditional thought and creativity. Just as jazz musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane redefined musical boundaries, LLMs are reshaping how we approach knowledge and idea generation. LLMs as collaborative instruments: These AI models serve as intellectual partners, enabling a dynamic interplay between human creativity and...
read Oct 1, 2024Perplexity vs ChatGPT: which is better for you?
AI-powered search and chat tools revolutionize information access: Perplexity AI and ChatGPT represent two distinct approaches to leveraging artificial intelligence for information retrieval and content generation, each with its own strengths and limitations. Perplexity AI's real-time web search capabilities: Perplexity AI distinguishes itself through its ability to provide up-to-date information by conducting real-time web searches, offering a significant advantage in accuracy and relevance. The platform integrates diverse sources, including academic journals, industry reports, and social media, to provide comprehensive and current information. Transparent source citation is a key feature, allowing users to verify the origin and credibility of the information...
read Oct 1, 2024California AI safety bill veto may give smaller AI models a chance to flourish
California's AI bill veto: A win for innovation and open-source development: Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to veto SB 1047, a bill that would have imposed strict regulations on AI development in California, has sparked mixed reactions from industry leaders and policy experts. The vetoed bill would have required AI companies to implement "kill switches" for models, create written safety protocols, and undergo third-party safety audits before training models. It would have also granted California's attorney general access to auditors' reports and the right to sue AI developers. Critics of the bill argued that it could have a chilling effect on...
read Oct 1, 2024MIT develops AI simulation to give people a glimpse of their potential future self
Innovative AI system simulates conversations with future selves: MIT researchers have developed "Future You," an AI-powered system that allows users to engage in text-based conversations with simulated versions of themselves at age 60, aiming to enhance long-term decision-making and self-continuity. How Future You works: The AI-driven system creates a personalized chatbot representing the user's potential future self, based on information provided about their current life, values, and aspirations. Users answer questions about their present circumstances, beliefs, and goals to help the AI generate "future self memories" that form the chatbot's backstory. The system produces an age-progressed photo of the user...
read Oct 1, 2024Using AI to transform landfills for sustainability
The landfill crisis: A pressing environmental challenge: Landfills pose significant threats to the environment and public health, contributing to climate change, water pollution, and habitat loss while exposing communities to hazardous substances. Methane emissions from landfills are a major concern, with over 1,100 municipal landfills emitting 3.7 million metric tons of methane in 2021, equivalent to the emissions from 66 million gasoline-powered vehicles over a year. Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., accounting for 15.1% of emissions. Uncaptured methane is 84 times more harmful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Key challenges posed...
read Oct 1, 20245 AI prompt writing mistakes you’re probably making
The rise of generative AI in professional workflows: Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini are rapidly integrating into various industries, making prompt engineering a critical skill for professionals. Generative AI acts as a powerful assistant capable of tackling diverse tasks, from creating marketing copy to debugging complex code. The quality and relevance of AI-generated output directly depend on the quality of the prompts provided by users. Mastering prompt writing is becoming essential for unlocking the full potential of these AI tools and avoiding potential pitfalls. Understanding prompts and their importance: A prompt in generative AI is the...
read Sep 30, 2024AI drama and breakthroughs shake up tech landscape
OpenAI's corporate transformation and leadership changes: OpenAI is undergoing a significant shift towards a for-profit model, aiming to attract external investors and potentially secure a massive funding round that could elevate its valuation to around $150 billion. The company's transition has been marked by the departure of several high-ranking executives, including Chief Technical Officer Mira Murati, Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, and VP of Research Barret Zoph. Despite their resignations, the departing executives have expressed continued support for OpenAI, citing personal reasons such as exploring new opportunities or taking breaks. Meta's breakthrough in multimodal AI: Meta has released Llama 3.2,...
read Sep 30, 2024Raspberry Pi unveils $70 AI camera compatible with all models
New AI Camera for Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi has introduced a $70 AI Camera compatible with all Raspberry Pi models, expanding AI capabilities to users of older devices. The new AI Camera is built around a Sony IMX500 image sensor with an integrated AI accelerator, allowing it to run various neural network models efficiently. Unlike the earlier AI Kit, which only works with Raspberry Pi 5, this camera is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models and connects via a camera ribbon cable. The camera boasts low power consumption and low latency, leaving the Raspberry Pi's processor free for other tasks....
read Sep 30, 2024Marketing executives grapple with AI adoption, Fiverr study finds
AI anxiety persists in marketing industry: A new Fiverr survey reveals that marketing executives in the U.S. continue to express concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on their field, despite its growing prominence. 63% of marketing executives surveyed remain worried about AI's effect on the industry, indicating a cautious approach to integrating AI-driven technologies. This persistent anxiety suggests that many marketing leaders are still grappling with how to effectively incorporate AI into their strategies without disrupting established practices. Freelancers become integral to marketing teams: The report highlights a significant increase in the utilization of freelance talent to fill skill gaps and...
read Sep 30, 2024AI-powered notebook rival built in 24 hours challenges Google
Open-source AI challenges Google's NotebookLM: A data scientist in Singapore has created an open-source alternative to Google's NotebookLM, highlighting the growing capabilities of individual developers in the AI space. Rapid development and key features: Gabriel Chua, a data scientist at Singapore's GovTech agency, built "Open NotebookLM" in just one afternoon using publicly available AI models. The tool transforms PDF documents into personalized podcasts, mirroring a key feature of Google's NotebookLM. It utilizes Meta's Llama 3.1 405B language model and MeloTTS for voice synthesis. A user-friendly interface built with Gradio and hosted on Hugging Face Spaces makes the tool accessible to...
read Sep 30, 2024Apple is no longer considering an investment into OpenAI
Apple withdraws from OpenAI investment talks: Apple has decided not to participate in a funding round for OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, despite previous discussions about a potential investment. The funding round for OpenAI is expected to raise approximately $6.5 billion and is set to close this week. Apple's reasons for exiting the negotiations remain unclear, leaving room for speculation about the company's AI strategy. The decision comes just a month after reports suggested Apple was considering an investment in OpenAI as part of a fundraising effort that could value the AI company at over $100 billion. Competitive landscape in...
read Sep 30, 2024AI-generated podcasts are coming. Would you listen?
AI-generated podcasts: A new frontier in content consumption: Google's recent launch of a feature that can generate podcast conversations from articles represents a significant advancement in AI-driven content creation, potentially transforming how we consume information. The technology in action: Google's AI-powered podcast generation tool demonstrates impressive capabilities, producing human-like conversations complete with natural interactions and content awareness. The AI-generated podcasts include elements such as chuckling, question-asking, and interplay between "hosts," mimicking the style of traditional radio shows or podcasts. The system can reference images mentioned in the original article, adding depth to the audio content. However, the current output lacks...
read Sep 30, 2024In the banking AI revolution, customer trust takes center stage
The future of banking: AI-driven transformation and customer-centricity: The banking industry is poised for significant changes as artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (genAI) technologies offer new opportunities to enhance customer relationships, personalize digital experiences, improve customer service, and combat fraud. These technologies have the potential to shift banking from a product-centric to a relationship-centric approach, potentially increasing customer trust. The future of banking is expected to be characterized by invisibility, connectivity, data-driven insights, and purposefulness. Customers will expect banking services to be embedded at their point of need and aligned with their values, emphasizing financial well-being. Key drivers of...
read Sep 30, 2024MIT research investigates how AI models really perceive faces
Groundbreaking study explores AI pareidolia: MIT researchers have conducted an extensive study on pareidolia, the phenomenon of perceiving faces in inanimate objects, revealing significant insights into human and machine perception. Key findings and implications: The study introduces a comprehensive dataset of 5,000 human-labeled pareidolic images, uncovering surprising differences between human and AI face detection capabilities. Researchers discovered that AI models struggle to recognize pareidolic faces in the same way humans do, highlighting a gap in machine perception. Training algorithms to recognize animal faces significantly improved their ability to detect pareidolic faces, suggesting a potential evolutionary link between animal face recognition...
read Sep 30, 2024Meta’s new AI voice feature will be available ‘in the coming days’
Meta AI Introduces Celebrity Voices: Meta AI is set to launch a new feature that allows users to interact with their AI assistant using the voices of popular celebrities, bringing a personalized touch to AI interactions across Meta's platforms. Meta's Generative AI lead, Ahmad Al-Dahle, shared a behind-the-scenes video on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing the recording process with celebrities. The 48-second clip features Keegan-Michael Key, Kristen Bell, John Cena, Awkwafina, and Dame Judi Dench recording lines for the AI assistant. Dame Judi Dench appears to be taking the recording process most seriously among the featured celebrities. Rollout and Availability: The...
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