Sep 30, 2024

Microsoft just gave Copilot a redesign — here’s who has access

Copilot's makeover: Microsoft's AI chatbot gets a fresh look: Microsoft is revamping its AI chatbot, Copilot, with a new design and performance improvements, aiming to compete more effectively with ChatGPT and other AI assistants. Key changes and improvements: The redesigned web interface offers a card-based design with time-of-day specific prompts Performance enhancements reportedly bring Copilot's speed "on par with ChatGPT" The chatbot now features day and night themes for improved user experience A text-entry box remains visible at all times, enhancing accessibility Four voice options are available, although voice mode is not yet enabled Rollout and availability: The new version,...

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Wispr secures $12M to make voice dictation to text even better

Voice-to-text revolution: Wispr, a technology company focused on natural voice interaction, has secured $12 million in funding to launch Wispr Flow, an advanced voice-first productivity tool for Apple Macs. Wispr Flow allows users to speak naturally into a microphone and see their words appear on screen almost instantly, potentially tripling text input speed compared to traditional typing. The software can be activated by pressing the Fn key twice, making it easily accessible across various applications like Microsoft Word, Apple Mail, and even ChatGPT. Wispr Flow's beta version has shown impressive capabilities in filtering out verbal tics such as "um" and...

read Sep 30, 2024

AI transforms 5 key business areas in 2023

AI's transformative impact on business: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the business landscape, with its influence extending far beyond incremental improvements to fundamentally alter operational paradigms and unlock unprecedented capabilities. A recent survey reveals that 89% of IT decision-makers are actively engaged with AI technologies, marking a significant increase from 72% in 2023. The transformative potential of AI is widely recognized, with 64% of respondents expecting AI and machine learning to substantially change their business operations within the next 3-5 years, up from 39% in the previous year. Key areas of AI-driven transformation: AI is revolutionizing various aspects of...

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Samsung’s Galaxy AI may become paid service after 2025

Samsung's AI strategy evolves: Samsung has hinted that certain Galaxy AI features may require payment after 2025, indicating a shift in the company's approach to artificial intelligence services on its devices. A footnote in recent press releases for new Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, and Galaxy S10 Ultra, states: "Fees may apply to certain AI features at the end of 2025." This disclaimer is consistent with information provided alongside the Galaxy S24 series launch earlier this year, suggesting Samsung's plans to monetize AI features have remained unchanged. The company has not yet specified which...

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Google Pixel AI vs Samsung Galaxy AI: How do they really compare?

The AI arms race in smartphones: Google and Samsung are leveraging artificial intelligence to differentiate their flagship devices, with each company offering a unique suite of AI-powered features. Both companies are using AI to enhance photography, editing, and audio capabilities on their smartphones, though with some key differences in implementation. Language and text-related AI features are prominent on both Pixel and Galaxy devices, aiming to improve communication and productivity. AI-powered phone call features are a significant focus, with both brands offering innovative solutions for call screening and language translation. Photography and editing capabilities: Google and Samsung have implemented AI to...

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California cracks down on AI-generated child deepfakes

California takes bold steps to protect minors from AI-generated sexual imagery: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills aimed at safeguarding children from the misuse of artificial intelligence to create explicit sexual content. The new laws close a legal loophole around AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery and clarify that such content is illegal, even if artificially created. District attorneys can now prosecute individuals who possess or distribute AI-generated child sexual abuse images as a felony offense, without needing to prove the materials depict a real person. These measures received strong bipartisan support in the California legislature. Broader context of AI...

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A new AI safety initiative launches as Newsom vetoes California bill

Governor Newsom vetoes major AI regulation bill: California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed SB1047, a comprehensive artificial intelligence regulation bill authored by State Senator Scott Wiener, citing concerns about its broad scope and potential impact on AI innovation in the state. The bill aimed to establish safety and testing requirements for large-scale AI programs to prevent catastrophic risks. Newsom argued that the bill's stringent standards applied even to basic functions of large systems, potentially hindering beneficial AI development. The governor expressed concern that the bill's focus on large-scale models could create a false sense of security, overlooking potential dangers from...

read Sep 30, 2024

Why massive investments into AI are raising alarms from some analysts

The AI funding conundrum: The artificial intelligence industry is experiencing a surge in investment, with companies like OpenAI and Anthropic raising billions of dollars to fund their research and development efforts. OpenAI is reportedly in the process of raising $6.5 billion, with estimates suggesting the company is burning through $7 billion annually to fund research, new AI services, and employee hiring. Anthropic is expected to spend $2.7 billion this year on its AI initiatives. Other tech giants like Facebook are also investing billions in AI development. Escalating costs of AI innovation: Despite potential improvements in chip technology and compute costs,...

read Sep 30, 2024

Why some experts believe AGI is far from inevitable

AGI hype challenged: A new study by researchers from Radboud University and other institutes argues that the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) with human-level cognition is far from inevitable, contrary to popular claims in the tech industry. Lead author Iris van Rooij, a professor at Radboud University, boldly asserts that creating AGI is "impossible" and pursuing this goal is a "fool's errand." The research team conducted a thought experiment allowing for AGI development under ideal circumstances, yet still concluded there is no conceivable path to achieving the capabilities promised by tech companies. Their findings suggest that replicating human-like cognition...

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AI homework help backfires on unsuspecting dad

AI assistance backfires in hilarious homework mishap: A father's attempt to use artificial intelligence to help with his son's math homework led to an unexpected and amusing outcome, highlighting the challenges parents face in assisting with complex assignments. The situation: Alan, a father from Orange County, California, turned to Samsung's Bixby AI assistant to help decipher his son Jacob's third-grade Spanish math homework, resulting in a comical exchange captured on video by his wife, Julieta Meza. Jacob attends dual-language classes in English and Spanish, which can sometimes make understanding word problems challenging for his parents. The family often relies on...

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Why Newsom vetoed AI safety bill SB 1047 and what comes next

California's AI regulation setback: Governor Gavin Newsom's veto of SB 1047, a pioneering artificial intelligence safety bill, marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate surrounding AI regulation and safety measures. The bill, introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, aimed to establish safety protocols for advanced AI models and hold developers accountable for potential harm or threats to public safety. Key provisions included requiring AI developers to submit safety plans to the state attorney general and implement mechanisms to shut down AI models in case of emergencies. The legislation garnered support from notable figures in the tech industry, including Elon Musk,...

read Sep 30, 2024

AI safety bill vetoed by Newsom is a victory for tech giants

California Governor Vetoes Controversial AI Bill: Gavin Newsom has vetoed SB 1047, a high-profile artificial intelligence bill that faced significant opposition from Silicon Valley and tech industry leaders. The bill's key provisions: SB 1047 aimed to establish a new government agency to enforce compliance on developers of "covered models" - AI systems using a significant amount of computing power for training or fine-tuning. The bill would have imposed criminal penalties, including perjury charges, for non-compliance. It targeted AI models using 10^26 or 10^25 floating point operations (FLOPs) for training or fine-tuning, respectively. Opposition from tech industry: The bill faced widespread...

read Sep 30, 2024

AI agents are the new digital workforce — here’s what it means

AI's transformative impact on the workplace: By 2030, artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize how businesses operate and employees interact with technology, reshaping industries and redefining work itself. Recent advancements like Google's NotebookLM with Audio Overview demonstrate AI's increasing ability to replicate human-like behaviors, such as generating podcast-style conversations between non-existent individuals. These developments signal a broader trend of AI evolving beyond simple task automation to become collaborative team members and reshape core business processes. Key AI innovations reshaping work: AI agents as integral team members: By 2030, AI agents will be fully integrated into enterprise operations, handling complex tasks...

read Sep 30, 2024

New medical study shows AI with empathy enhances patient care

AI-generated compassion in healthcare communication: A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explores the potential impact of AI-generated responses on physician-patient communication, revealing unexpected benefits in terms of perceived compassion and patient care. The study involved 52 physicians who used AI-generated message drafts over several weeks, comparing their behavior with a control group of 70 physicians who did not use the AI tool. Key findings showed that using AI drafts was associated with a 21.8% increase in read time and a 17.9% increase in the length of replies from physicians. Physicians recognized the value of these drafts, suggesting that...

read Sep 30, 2024

AI analysis reveals aircraft vapor trails may (sometimes) cool the planet

Jet contrails' climate impact: New research suggests that aircraft vapor trails, known as contrails, may have a complex effect on global temperatures, potentially cooling the planet during the day and warming it at night. The study, conducted with AI-assisted analysis of satellite images, indicates that daytime contrails have a net cooling effect by reflecting solar radiation back into space. Contrails are formed when soot particles from jet engines trigger the formation of ice crystals, creating condensation trails that can persist for hours. These persistent contrails have dual effects: they reflect solar radiation, leading to cooling, but also trap heat from...

read Sep 30, 2024

All the latest rumored AI features of iPhone 16

Apple unveils 'Apple Intelligence' with iPhone 16: Apple's latest AI-powered system, Apple Intelligence, is set to debut with the iPhone 16, promising a range of advanced features to enhance user experience across Apple devices. Key features of Apple Intelligence: The new AI system introduces several innovative tools and improvements to existing applications, aiming to streamline tasks and boost productivity for Apple users. Writing Tools offer AI-powered proofreading, summarizing, and tone adjustment capabilities, allowing users to refine their text across various styles. Siri receives a significant upgrade with context-aware conversations, featuring a new animation and improved request comprehension. The Photos app...

read Sep 30, 2024

AI learns to diagnose like doctors in groundbreaking study

Breakthrough in AI medical reasoning: OpenAI's latest language model, o1, has demonstrated a significant leap in medical question-answering capabilities, outperforming its predecessor GPT-4 by 6.2% in a recent study. The key to this improvement lies in the model's ability to utilize Chain-of-Thought (CoT) reasoning, a process that closely mimics the complex clinical thinking patterns of human physicians. CoT reasoning allows the AI to break down intricate medical queries into a series of iterative steps, much like how doctors approach complex cases in real-world scenarios. This advancement enables "o1" to engage in more dynamic and context-rich dialogues that closely resemble actual...

read Sep 30, 2024

ChatGPT’s 5 new voices outshine rival AI in hands-on test

ChatGPT's voice upgrade: A leap in AI communication: OpenAI has significantly enhanced ChatGPT's Advanced Voice feature, introducing five new voices that bring the total to nine distinct options, marking a notable advancement in AI-powered vocal interactions. The new voices are described as more natural and realistic than previous AI voices, incorporating human-like inflections and breathing sounds to create a more authentic conversational experience. OpenAI's latest voice offerings are positioned as superior to competitors like Meta AI Voice and Google's Gemini Live, potentially setting a new standard in the field of AI-generated speech. Meet the new voices: Each of the five...

read Sep 30, 2024

Nvidia buys OctoAI to strengthen enterprise AI dominance

Nvidia's strategic acquisition of OctoAI: Nvidia has acquired OctoAI, a Seattle-based startup specializing in generative AI tools, for $250 million, marking its fifth acquisition in 2024 and solidifying its position as a leader in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition is part of Nvidia's aggressive strategy to build a comprehensive end-to-end generative AI stack for enterprises. OctoAI, formerly known as OctoML, was founded in 2019 as a spinoff from the University of Washington's Apache TVM project. The startup's core technology focuses on optimizing AI model performance across various hardware platforms and making AI hardware more accessible to developers. OctoAI's evolution and...

read Sep 30, 2024

AI data risks lurk in your smartphone — here’s what you can do about them

AI in mobile devices raises enterprise security concerns: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into mobile devices presents new challenges for enterprise security leaders, particularly regarding data protection and management. • Local AI engines have been released for Android phones by major vendors like Google and Samsung, as well as smaller players such as OnePlus and Xiaomi. • Apple has announced its Apple Intelligence offering, set to be previewed in the fall. • Mobile assistants like Alexa, Bixby, Google, and Siri, along with numerous apps, already utilize AI and large language models. Current management limitations: Enterprise security leaders face obstacles...

read Sep 30, 2024

5 major business trends for 2025 you must prepare for now

The dawn of strategic AI implementation: As we approach 2025, businesses are poised to move beyond the hype of generative AI and begin integrating it into their core strategies, potentially revolutionizing entire industries. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Netflix previously transformed their business models around deep learning AI, but generative AI has yet to see similar strategic integration. 2025 could mark the shift from simply adding generative functionality to existing services to reimagining entire business models around the technology's potential. Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and education are likely to see new generative AI-powered tools and applications that enable entirely...

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Politico Pro launches AI tool to enhance policy analysis

AI-powered summarization tool for Politico Pro: Politico is partnering with Y Combinator-backed startup Capitol AI to develop a custom AI tool that will quickly summarize its journalism for subscribers of its premium platform, Politico Pro. The new AI tool, set to launch later this year, will enable users to generate comprehensive reports on topics instantly by pulling information from Politico and Politico Pro content. Capitol AI CEO Shaun Modi demonstrated a version of the product that highlights citations from Politico's journalism, emphasizing that the tool relies entirely on Politico reporting. The partnership aims to enhance the value of Politico Pro...

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Gavin Newsom has rejected SB 1047 but the debate over AI safety is far from over

California Governor Vetoes Controversial AI Safety Bill: Governor Gavin Newsom has rejected a proposed legislation aimed at mitigating potential catastrophic risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence models, citing concerns over the bill's regulatory approach. SB 1047, the most contentious AI bill of the legislative session, sought to establish safeguards against the misuse of highly advanced AI systems for developing weapons of mass destruction. The bill garnered support from SAG-AFTRA and numerous Hollywood celebrities, who voiced concerns about AI's potential threats beyond the entertainment industry. Governor Newsom, while acknowledging the genuine issues addressed by the bill, expressed reservations about its regulatory...

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NetApp unveils ambitious AI-driven data management strategy

NetApp's AI-driven data management vision: NetApp has unveiled a new strategy to address the data challenges faced by enterprises deploying AI, combining its existing ONTAP-based products with a disaggregated architecture and enhanced data manipulation capabilities. The company introduced its "Data First" AI vision at the recent NetApp Insight customer event, focusing on improving the efficiency of AI workloads through better data management. NetApp's approach aims to solve two key challenges: scalability issues in traditional legacy systems and the inefficiencies associated with moving data between storage and external tools in the AI lifecycle. Key components of NetApp's new strategy: Disaggregated Storage...

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