Sep 10, 2024

OpenAI Just Released 2 New Sora Videos with Stunning Human Realism

OpenAI's Sora AI video model continues to impress with new showcase videos, highlighting its advanced capabilities in character consistency and realistic motion while stoking anticipation for its public release. Cutting-edge demonstrations: OpenAI has unveiled two new 'Sora Showcase' videos on YouTube, created by professional artists, that exhibit the remarkable capabilities of their unreleased AI video generation model, Sora. The videos showcase Sora's ability to maintain character consistency and produce realistic motion, though some minor inconsistencies are present. One video by Singaporean artist Niceaunties explores the theme of aging, while British Korean artist David Sheldrick's creation focuses on fashion and modeling....

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UAE Partners with Mastercard to Accelerate AI Innovation

UAE's AI Ambitions: The United Arab Emirates has partnered with Mastercard to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption, aligning with the country's Vision 2031 for integrating AI across various sectors. The collaboration includes the establishment of Mastercard's Global Center for Advanced AI and Cyber Technology in Dubai, aimed at developing AI solutions for global challenges, particularly in digital and financial ecosystems. This initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the UAE's Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office and Mastercard to enhance AI capabilities in the region. The partnership's initial focus is on leveraging AI to...

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New Film ‘Mothernet’ Explores How AI Influences Emotional Healing

AI-driven family drama explores human-technology relationships: "Mothernet," a new film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ho Wi Ding, delves into the complex interplay between artificial intelligence and human emotions in a near-future Indonesia. Plot and setting: The story centers around 16-year-old Rama as he navigates life after his mother falls into a coma following a tragic accident. An AI program becomes instrumental in helping Rama and his father reconnect and heal from their loss. The film is set in Indonesia's near future, blending real-world locations with virtual production techniques. Star-studded cast and production: "Mothernet" brings together established talent and rising stars...

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New Survey Shows Actors with Unique Voices at Greatest Risk of AI Voice Cloning

AI voice cloning presents significant risks for celebrities: The rapid advancement of AI voice cloning technology has raised concerns about potential misuse, particularly for celebrities with distinctive voices. Survey findings reveal most vulnerable celebrities: Arnold Schwarzenegger tops the list, with 61% of respondents agreeing his voice is the easiest to replicate due to his distinctive accent Donald Trump's voice is considered easy to copy by 39% of respondents, attributed to its familiarity from frequent media appearances Kim Kardashian's consistent tone and pitch make her voice easy to replicate according to 23% of those surveyed Methodology and survey details: The survey,...

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How to Turn Your Old iPhone Into an AI-Powered One — Without the Upgrade

Apple's AI push meets consumer alternatives: Apple's introduction of Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools for the new iPhone 16, has sparked interest in AI capabilities for smartphones, but older iPhone users have options to access similar features. Apple's marketing emphasizes that only the latest iPhone models can run the new AI software due to processing requirements. However, many existing apps can provide comparable AI functionalities on older iPhone models, potentially saving consumers from an expensive upgrade. One journalist, having extensively tested numerous AI apps over the past year, offers insights into alternatives that can match or even surpass...

read Sep 9, 2024

Apple Watch Series 10 Debuts with Sleeker Design and Mini-Intelligence

Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 10 with significant design improvements: The latest iteration of Apple's smartwatch brings a thinner case, lighter weight, and enhanced display technology, marking a notable evolution in the product line. Key design changes: Apple has introduced a slimmer 9.7 mm case for the Series 10, making it the thinnest Apple Watch to date. The new design required miniaturization of various components, including the speaker, logic board, and metal backing. The aluminum version weighs 10 percent less than its predecessor, while the new titanium version, which replaces stainless steel, offers even greater weight reduction. Display enhancements: The...

read Sep 9, 2024

The Complex Web Comprising The U.S. Government’s Approach to AI

AI governance landscape in the US federal government: The United States has a complex network of federal agencies and departments involved in various aspects of artificial intelligence policy, research, and regulation. The Department of Commerce plays a crucial role through its sub-agencies, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which develops AI standards and frameworks, and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which regulates the export of AI technologies. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), also under the Department of Commerce, handles AI-related patents, reflecting the growing importance of AI in intellectual property. Department of Energy's...

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‘Edge AI’ Will Revolutionize How AI is Integrated into Everyday Life

The rise of Edge AI: Edge AI represents a significant shift in artificial intelligence processing, moving computational tasks from centralized cloud servers to local devices, offering improved efficiency, privacy, and real-time capabilities. Edge AI refers to AI processes executed locally on devices rather than in remote cloud servers or data centers. This approach is gaining traction across various industries, including self-driving vehicles, healthcare diagnostics, and agriculture. The shift towards Edge AI is driven by the need for faster processing, reduced latency, enhanced privacy, and improved security. Understanding the concept: Edge AI essentially involves performing AI computations directly on end-user devices...

read Sep 9, 2024

Everything Announced at Apple’s iPhone 16 ‘Glowtime’ Event

Apple's latest product unveiling: Apple has introduced new iterations of its flagship products, including the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4, along with updates to existing devices. iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Subtle enhancements: The new iPhone models maintain a familiar design while introducing minor yet notable improvements to enhance user experience. A new Camera Control button has been added to the bottom-right side, allowing for quick camera access and adjustments. The Action button, previously exclusive to Pro models, is now available on lower-tier iPhones. All iPhone 16 models are equipped with the new A18 chip, promising...

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James Earl Jones’ Passing Marks Milestone for Debate about AI-Generated Voices

Iconic voice preserved through AI: James Earl Jones, who passed away at 93 on Monday, had given Lucasfilm permission to recreate his legendary Darth Vader voice using artificial intelligence. Jones, known for voicing Darth Vader in numerous Star Wars properties, expressed interest in concluding his role as the Sith Lord after providing lines for "The Rise of Skywalker." Lucasfilm partnered with Ukrainian company Respeecher to create an AI-generated version of Jones' Vader voice, based on his past performances. The AI-generated voice was used in the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series, with Jones' approval to use his archive for training the speech model....

read Sep 9, 2024

Why Some Analysts Think This iPhone ‘Supercycle’ May Not Be So Super

Apple unveils AI-powered iPhone 16 lineup: The tech giant's latest smartphone release features advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, sparking debates about its potential to drive a new sales "supercycle." The big picture: Apple's introduction of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, dubbed the "AI iPhone," has ignited discussions among industry analysts about the potential for unprecedented sales growth. Some experts predict these new models will usher in an extended period of robust sales, potentially surpassing previous records. The inclusion of AI features is seen as a key differentiator, with Apple claiming enhanced intelligence and security compared to competitors' offerings. However,...

read Sep 9, 2024

Galaxy Tab S10 Pricing and Feature Details Leak

Samsung's AI-focused tablet upgrade: Samsung is set to launch its Galaxy Tab S10 series, bringing notable updates to its high-end Android tablet lineup while maintaining familiar pricing and design elements. Pricing and model lineup: The Galaxy Tab S10 series is expected to maintain competitive pricing in the premium tablet market. The Galaxy Tab S10+ is rumored to start at $999 for a 256GB model, matching the price of its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S9+. A 512GB model of the Tab S10+ is expected to be priced at $1,119. Leaks suggest the absence of a base Galaxy Tab S10 model, with...

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New Study Shows People Place ‘Alarming’ Trust in AI for Life and Death Decisions

AI influence on high-stakes decisions: A recent US study reveals an alarming level of human trust in artificial intelligence when making life-and-death decisions, raising concerns about the potential overreliance on AI systems. The study, conducted by scientists at the University of California – Merced and published in Scientific Reports, simulated assassination decisions via drone strikes to test human reliance on AI advice. Participants were shown a list of eight target photos marked as friend or foe and had to make rapid decisions on simulated assassinations, with AI providing a second opinion on target validity. Unbeknownst to the participants, the AI...

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Apple Announces iPhone 16 with New Camera Button, Colors and Chip

Apple unveils iPhone 16 with innovative features: The tech giant has introduced its latest smartphone models, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, focusing on AI capabilities, camera improvements, and new design elements. New hardware additions enhance user experience: Apple has incorporated two new buttons into the iPhone 16 design, expanding functionality and ease of use. The 'Camera Control' button, a capacitive side button, allows for easier photo and video capture. The Action button, previously exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models, replaces the mute switch on the iPhone 16 series. Camera upgrades promise improved photo and video quality: The iPhone...

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Apple Announces Visual Intelligence, a Direct Challenge to Google Lens

Apple introduces Visual Intelligence: Apple has unveiled a new AI-powered feature called Visual Intelligence, set to be part of the iOS 18 Apple Intelligence suite later this year. Visual Intelligence is comparable to similar features offered by other multimodal AI systems, such as Google Lens or OpenAI's image recognition capabilities. The feature aims to provide instant information about objects or scenes captured by the iPhone's camera. Visual Intelligence is enabled by a new hardware feature called Camera Control, which is a capacitive camera button on the side of iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models. How Visual Intelligence works: Users can...

read Sep 9, 2024

What to Know about Grok’s New Updates and How They Affect Your Privacy

Grok AI emerges as a controversial AI assistant: Elon Musk's xAI has launched Grok, a new AI assistant that promises a unique blend of humor and rebellion, setting it apart from its more constrained competitors. Grok is designed with fewer restrictions than other AI assistants, which has led to concerns about its propensity for hallucinations, bias, and potential for spreading misinformation. The AI's integration with X (formerly Twitter) has raised eyebrows, particularly due to its automatic opt-in policy for using users' posts as training data. Grok-2, the latest iteration, introduces image generation capabilities that have sparked worries about the ease...

read Sep 9, 2024

Major Tech Brands Are Offering Big Discounts on Flagship and AI-Powered Devices

OnePlus and Samsung lead tech deals: The latest Discover Samsung Fall sale and OnePlus promotions offer significant discounts on tablets, smartphones, and accessories, highlighting competitive pricing in the mobile tech market. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 series sees price drops of up to $250, with enhanced trade-in credits of up to $800 available. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6 are offered with free storage upgrades and trade-in values reaching $1,200. OnePlus Pad 2 is available for $500, a $50 discount, with a free pair of OnePlus Buds 3 valued at $100. Foldable smartphones see substantial discounts: Both Samsung...

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Google Just Dropped 3 New Experimental Gemini AI Models

Google unveils enhanced Gemini AI models: The tech giant has introduced three new experimental Gemini models, showcasing improved performance and capabilities across various domains. Key model updates: Google's latest release includes a smaller Gemini 1.5 Flash-8B variant, an upgraded Gemini 1.5 Pro model, and a significantly enhanced Gemini 1.5 Flash model. The Gemini 1.5 Flash model has demonstrated substantial performance gains, positioning it as a top choice for developers according to Logan Kilpatrick, product lead for Google AI Studio. Gemini 1.5 Pro exhibits improvements in areas such as math, coding, and handling complex prompts. Both new models boast an impressive...

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Stanford and German Institute Launch Human-Centered AI Research Program

New collaboration bridges AI and human-computer interaction: Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) and Germany's Hasso Plattner Institut (HPI) launch a joint research program focusing on the human aspects of artificial intelligence. Program structure and goals: The Program on Artificial Intelligence and Human Computer Interaction aims to foster breakthroughs by combining diverse perspectives and expertise from both institutions. The initiative pairs students and faculty from HAI and HPI to work on five core research areas: explainability, social computing system design, AI in fabrication, AI-assisted communication, and privacy-preserving AI smart tools. The program includes active exchanges between PhD students, co-supervision, and...

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Audible Launches Program for Narrators to Create AI-Generated Voices

AI-powered narration comes to Audible: Amazon's Audible is launching a beta program allowing narrators to create AI-generated voice clones, potentially revolutionizing audiobook production while raising questions about the future of human narration. The big picture: Amazon aims to expand its audiobook catalog by enabling faster production through AI technology, while attempting to balance the interests of authors, narrators, publishers, and listeners. The beta program, initially limited to a small group of US-based Audible narrators, will later extend to rights holders such as authors, agents, and publishers. Participants will submit voice recordings to train their AI replicas, retaining control over project...

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Oscar-Nominated XTR Acquires AI Animation Studio

AI-powered animation studio acquisition: XTR, an Oscar-nominated film and television studio, has acquired Late Night Labs, an AI film and animation studio, marking a significant development in the integration of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. XTR is launching a new holding company, Asteria Film Co., which will focus on producing animation, fiction, and non-fiction content for film and television. Asteria Film Co. will also house XTR's streaming platform and Fast channel Documentary+. The new company is named after the Greek goddess of constellations and was co-founded by filmmaker and entrepreneur Bryn Mooser. Technological innovation in filmmaking: Late Night Labs...

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AI Model Sparks Fraud Allegations as Benchmark Claims Unravel

AI model controversy erupts: The release of Reflection 70B, touted as the world's top open-source AI model, has sparked intense debate and accusations of fraud within the AI research community. HyperWrite, a small New York startup, announced Reflection 70B as a variant of Meta's Llama 3.1 large language model (LLM) on September 6, 2024. The model's impressive performance on third-party benchmarks was initially celebrated but quickly called into question. Performance discrepancies emerge: Independent evaluators have failed to reproduce the claimed benchmark results, raising doubts about Reflection 70B's capabilities and origins. Artificial Analysis, an independent AI evaluation organization, reported that their...

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How to Use AI to Decode Hidden Meanings in Human Communication

The power of AI in decoding human communication: Generative AI is emerging as a valuable tool for interpreting the hidden meanings and subtleties behind what people say, offering insights into the complex world of human communication. Generative AI can be used to analyze statements and dialogues, providing potential interpretations of underlying meanings that may not be explicitly stated. This technology draws on the concept of "say-meaning" from academic research, which explores the distinction between explicit statements and implicit intentions. The ability to decipher hidden meanings is considered an important life skill, as people often say one thing while intending to...

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AI Expertise Drives Record 7% Surge in CIO Salaries

Rising prominence of CIOs: Chief Information Officer (CIO) salaries and compensation packages are experiencing significant growth, reflecting the role's increasing strategic importance in modern organizations. Since 2023, compensation for CIOs and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) has increased by over 7%, with a more than 20% rise observed since 2019. Over half of CIOs now report directly to CEOs, up from approximately 40% five years ago, underscoring the elevated status of the position in corporate hierarchies. Companies are implementing retention strategies, including annual bonuses and increased equity, to retain top CIO talent in a competitive market. AI's impact on CIO compensation:...

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