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China-Based CogVideoX Launches Open-Source AI Video Model
Groundbreaking open-source AI for video generation: CogVideoX, a new text-to-video model developed by researchers from Tsinghua University and Zhipu AI, has the potential to revolutionize video creation and democratize advanced AI capabilities. The open-source model generates high-quality, coherent videos up to six seconds long from text prompts, rivaling proprietary systems from companies like Runway, Luma AI, and Pika Labs. CogVideoX-5B, the most advanced version, boasts 5 billion parameters and produces 720x480 resolution videos at 8 frames per second. The model outperforms competitors like VideoCrafter-2.0 and OpenSora across multiple metrics, according to the researchers' benchmarks. Technical innovations driving performance: The researchers...
read Aug 27, 2024AI Boosts 911 Response in Colorado County
Colorado county leverages AI for emergency communications: Jefferson County Communications Center (Jeffcom 911) in Colorado has adopted a new AI-powered platform to enhance its emergency operations and address staffing challenges. Modernizing emergency response: The new cloud-based system replaces outdated technology, aiming to reduce call times and improve efficiency in handling the county's high volume of emergency and non-emergency calls. Jeffcom 911 receives an average of 2,000 calls per day, with 20-25% being emergencies and the rest requiring public safety responses. The implementation of the new platform is expected to take about two months, transforming the county's 911 operations. The system...
read Aug 27, 2024Anthropic’s ‘Artifacts’ Feature Now Generally Available and on Mobile
Anthropic enhances Claude AI with Artifacts feature: Anthropic, a leading AI startup, has made its innovative Artifacts feature generally available across all user tiers and mobile platforms, marking a significant advancement in AI interaction and productivity. Key feature expansion: Artifacts, previously a manual opt-in feature, is now standard across Anthropic's Free, Pro, and Team tiers, as well as on Claude's official iOS and Android mobile apps. The feature allows users to run code snippets and full programs generated by Claude alongside their chat interface. Users can create interactive visualizations, charts, and even playable games directly within their browser. Mobile integration...
read Aug 27, 2024Google Gemini May Soon Integrate with WhatsApp and Android Notifications
Google Gemini's expanding capabilities: Google is developing new extensions for its AI-powered Gemini chatbot, potentially integrating it more deeply with Android phones and popular messaging apps. Android Authority's APK teardown has revealed three new extensions in development for Gemini: WhatsApp, Google Messages, and Android system notifications. These extensions, while not yet functional in the beta, suggest Google's intention to make Gemini a more integral part of the Android user experience. The new features would build upon Gemini's existing integrations with apps like YouTube, YouTube Music, Calendar, Tasks, and Spotify. WhatsApp integration: The WhatsApp extension appears to be the most comprehensive...
read Aug 27, 2024MIT Researchers Are Developing AI Models for Dance Choreography
AI meets dance: A fusion of technology and human movement: MIT researchers are exploring how artificial intelligence can interact with and enhance traditional dance practices, leading to innovative projects that blend cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. MIT's 'dance with AI' project, led by researchers like Pat Pataranutaporn, aims to develop "choreography intelligence" by deconstructing traditional dances from around the world into teachable events for AI systems. The project seeks to create new choreography through AI-human collaboration, potentially breathing new life into cultural traditions and creating new forms of cultural heritage. Researchers are working on developing AI models that can interpret...
read Aug 27, 2024Nous Research Launches Tool to Train AI Models Across Distributed Networks
Revolutionary AI training breakthrough: Nous Research has unveiled DisTrO, a new optimizer that dramatically increases the efficiency of training powerful AI models across distributed networks. Key innovation: DisTrO significantly reduces the amount of information that must be transmitted between GPUs during AI model training, enabling large-scale models to be trained over consumer-grade internet connections. The optimizer achieves an 857 times efficiency increase compared to the popular All-Reduce algorithm It reduces the amount of information transmitted during each training step from 74.4 gigabytes to 86.8 megabytes DisTrO maintains comparable training performance to conventional methods while drastically reducing communication overhead Implications for...
read Aug 27, 2024North Korean Hackers Exploit AI to Infiltrate US Tech Jobs
North Korean operatives exploit AI for remote IT jobs: AI tools are enabling North Korean workers to apply for numerous remote IT positions in the U.S., raising concerns about the funding of weapons programs. Key details of the operation: Thousands of suspected North Korean operatives are flooding U.S. companies with job applications for remote IT positions. These workers are utilizing AI tools to manage multiple job profiles and apply for hundreds of positions simultaneously. The operation is generating hundreds of millions of dollars, which is believed to be funneled back to the North Korean regime. U.S. government officials suspect the...
read Aug 27, 2024AI’s Ambiguous Role in Addressing Healthcare Disparities
AI's dual potential in healthcare equity: Artificial intelligence is poised to transform healthcare, but its impact on reducing health disparities remains uncertain, with both promising applications and concerning risks. Current state of health disparities: Significant inequities persist in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly affecting communities of color and underserved populations. African Americans and other minority groups continue to face severe health disparities, with many reporting experiences of discrimination and mistrust in healthcare settings. Latino communities encounter obstacles in obtaining quality care, often due to language barriers and lack of insurance, leading to disproportionate rates of certain diseases. Despite targeted solutions...
read Aug 27, 2024Apple Announces Next Event Where iPhone 16 Expected to Launch
Apple's AI-powered iPhone 16 on the horizon: Apple has set the stage for its next major event on September 9, 2024, with the intriguing tagline "It's Glowtime," hinting at the launch of the iPhone 16 with embedded artificial intelligence as a key feature. Anticipation builds for AI-centric iPhone: The upcoming iPhone 16 is expected to be Apple's first smartphone specifically designed with AI in mind, building upon existing AI functionalities while introducing new capabilities. Enhanced Siri functionality is anticipated, potentially allowing the virtual assistant to handle more complex queries related to schedules, emails, and other user data. The gradual rollout...
read Aug 27, 2024Experts Weigh In On Challenges of Implementing AI Safety
The evolving landscape of AI safety concerns: The AI safety community has experienced significant growth and increased public attention, particularly following the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. Helen Toner, a key figure in the AI safety field, notes that the community has expanded from about 50 people in 2016 to hundreds or thousands today. The release of ChatGPT in late 2022 brought AI safety concerns to the forefront of public discourse, with experts gaining unprecedented media attention and influence. Public interest in AI safety issues has since waned, with ChatGPT becoming a routine part of digital life and initial...
read Aug 27, 2024AI Startups Now Represent 75% of Y Combinator’s Summer 2024 Cohort
AI dominates Y Combinator's latest cohort: The renowned startup accelerator Y Combinator's Summer 2024 (S24) cohort reveals an unprecedented focus on artificial intelligence, with 75% of startups working on AI-related products. Out of 208 startups in the YC S24 directory, 156 are developing AI-powered solutions, marking the highest proportion in the accelerator's history. This trend aligns with recent venture capital investments, as nearly half of all US VC funding in the previous quarter went to AI companies. Y Combinator has a track record of producing successful startups, including unicorns like Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase, and DoorDash. Factors driving the AI surge:...
read Aug 27, 2024AI-Powered Pixel Features Falter on Unlocked Devices
Pixel AI features face limitations on unlocked devices: Google's latest AI-powered features for Pixel smartphones appear to be incompatible with devices that have an unlocked bootloader, potentially affecting users who customize their devices. Several new AI features introduced with the Pixel 9 series, including Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Call Notes, and AI weather reports, reportedly cease functioning on devices with an unlocked bootloader. The issue affects both Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series devices, according to user reports on XDA forums. Google's one-year free Gemini Advanced promotion for Pixel 9 Pro users is also unavailable on bootloader-unlocked devices. Technical implications...
read Aug 27, 2024How to Leverage AI to Transform Sales Teams
The AI revolution in sales: Artificial Intelligence is poised to transform sales organizations by optimizing time allocation, customizing pitches, and enhancing sales skills, creating a new paradigm for sales excellence. The widespread adoption of AI since ChatGPT's launch in November 2022 has sparked intense interest and investment in AI applications across various industries. While AI's potential is clear for repetitive tasks, its impact on high-value interpersonal work, such as sales and account management, is becoming increasingly apparent. Top 10 AI Sales Tools to Boost Your Bottom Line AI-powered sales analytics: Advanced AI tools are emerging that can provide comprehensive analyses...
read Aug 27, 2024NVIDIA Launches AI Microservices for Japan and Taiwan Markets
AI localization advances: NVIDIA has launched four new NIM microservices to accelerate the deployment of sovereign AI applications with enhanced cultural and language fluency in Japan and Taiwan. The new microservices support popular community models tailored to meet regional needs, improving user interactions through more accurate understanding and responses based on local languages and cultural heritage. This initiative aligns with the growing global trend of nations pursuing sovereign AI to ensure AI systems are in harmony with local values, laws, and interests. ABI Research projects that generative AI software revenue in the Asia-Pacific region alone is expected to surge from...
read Aug 27, 2024AI-Powered Oncology Fund Raises $30M for Cancer Tech Startups
Oncology Ventures has successfully closed its first fund, raising $30 million to invest in early-stage healthcare technology companies focused on improving cancer care and research. Fund details and focus: Oncology Ventures' inaugural fund will make seed investments in startups leveraging data and artificial intelligence to advance oncology. The $30 million fund was raised in a relatively quick 16-month timeframe, suggesting strong investor interest in the firm's specialized focus. Investments will target companies developing data-driven and AI-powered solutions to enhance various aspects of cancer care and research. By focusing on seed-stage investments, Oncology Ventures aims to support promising innovations at an...
read Aug 27, 2024JD Power Survey Reveals In-Car Tech Drivers Don’t Want
Advanced car technology meets mixed reception: A recent JD Power Tech Experience Survey reveals that while some new automotive technologies are appreciated by drivers, many are perceived as unnecessary or even problematic. The survey measures problems encountered and user experience with advanced technologies as they first enter the market. JD Power emphasizes that advanced technology in cars needs to solve real problems, and too much tech often fails to meet this criterion. ADAS systems: A tale of two receptions: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have generally been well-received by drivers, but partially automated driving systems have scored poorly in terms...
read Aug 27, 2024Hugging Face Releases New Tutorials to Build AI-Powered Robots
Hugging Face democratizes robotics development: The AI community platform has released comprehensive tutorials aimed at empowering developers to build and train AI-powered robots, marking a significant step towards making robotics more accessible. The tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from sourcing components to deploying AI models, enabling users to train neural networks for controlling low-cost robotic hardware. Developers can learn to program neural networks via laptop to control robots, teaching them tasks such as object detection, grasping, and manipulation. The guides are designed to be user-friendly, catering to individuals with varying levels of robotics experience, including information on 3D...
read Aug 27, 2024Australian Pension Fund Acquires Bandwidth Infra Company to Capitalize on AI
Australian pension fund invests in European fiber network: Aware Super, an Australian pension fund, has acquired a minority stake in euNetworks, a London-based bandwidth infrastructure company, aiming to capitalize on the growing artificial intelligence sector. The investment was made through a vehicle led by Stonepeak, a global infrastructure and real assets manager, along with other investors including Investment Management Corporation of Ontario and APG Asset Management. Aware Super, which manages A$180 billion in assets, did not disclose the size of its stake or the investment amount. EuNetworks operates deep fiber networks in 18 European cities and a long-haul network across...
read Aug 27, 2024Samsung Introduces AI-Generated Wallpapers for Smart Refrigerators
Samsung unveils AI enhancements for smart appliances: The tech giant is introducing AI-generated wallpapers for select refrigerators and upgrading its Bixby voice assistant with advanced capabilities for certain Bespoke appliances. AI-generated wallpapers for Family Hub refrigerators: Samsung is bringing a creative touch to its smart home devices with a new feature for refrigerators released after 2022 in the US and Korea. Users can create custom wallpapers by selecting from seven themes and six art styles, with the AI generating unique designs based on these choices. The new wallpapers can be displayed on the fridge's cover screen or whiteboard, or saved...
read Aug 27, 2024AI Startup Aleph Alpha Launches Open-Source Language Models
Aleph Alpha's release of open-source AI models signals a shift towards transparent and EU-compliant machine learning, potentially reshaping the landscape of AI development. Breakthrough in open-source AI: German startup Aleph Alpha has unveiled two new large language models (LLMs) under an open license, challenging the closed-source approach of many tech giants. The models, Pharia-1-LLM-7B-control and Pharia-1-LLM-7B-control-aligned, each have 7 billion parameters and are designed to deliver concise, length-controlled responses in multiple European languages. Aleph Alpha claims their performance matches leading open-source models in the 7-8 billion parameter range. The company has also open-sourced its training codebase, called "Scaling," allowing researchers...
read Aug 27, 2024Navigating These Tradeoffs Will Help You Better Implement AI
Predictive AI deployment: Balancing competing factors: Deploying predictive AI in business operations requires careful consideration of various tradeoffs to maximize benefits while minimizing potential drawbacks. Predictive AI uses machine learning to calculate probabilities from historical data, helping businesses improve operations by making informed decisions based on these probabilities. The deployment of predictive AI involves striking a balance between multiple factors, such as cost savings, accuracy, and operational constraints. A case study on misinformation detection in social media illustrates the complexity of these tradeoffs and the importance of comprehensive analysis. Understanding the savings curve: The savings curve for misinformation detection provides...
read Aug 27, 2024NVIDIA Launches ‘AI Blueprints’ to Accelerate Enterprise Development
Revolutionizing enterprise AI development: NVIDIA has introduced NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints, a catalog of pretrained, customizable AI workflows designed to simplify the creation of generative AI applications for businesses. The new offering aims to provide an "easy button" for enterprises to kickstart their development of AI-powered solutions across various use cases. NVIDIA NIM Agent Blueprints is built on NVIDIA NIM, a set of microservices composed of downloadable software containers that accelerate the deployment of enterprise generative AI applications. The catalog is intended to help scale the impact of generative AI by enabling enterprise app developers to create in-house applications more...
read Aug 27, 2024Victoria Secret Is Case Study of Using AI to Hyper-Personalize Emails
AI revolutionizes e-mail marketing: Artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of e-mail newsletters, offering unprecedented levels of personalization and efficiency for customer relationship management. The traditional approach: E-mail newsletters have long been a staple in marketing strategies, but they come with significant limitations. Newsletters are often prepared well in advance, with last-minute updates causing substantial rework and disruption. Customization is minimal, typically limited to basic A/B testing. Performance measurement tends to focus on large-scale averages rather than nuanced insights into individual customer preferences. AI-driven transformation: Companies like Victoria's Secret are leveraging AI to revolutionize their e-mail marketing strategies. Victoria's Secret...
read Aug 27, 2024Nvidia’s ‘Golden Handcuffs’ Keep Employees Despite Grueling Work Culture
AI chip giant's demanding work culture: Nvidia, the leading AI chipmaker, has cultivated a high-pressure work environment where employees are expected to work long hours, including weekends and late nights. Employees at Nvidia are reportedly expected to be at their desks seven days a week, often until 2 a.m., according to a Bloomberg News report. The work culture is described as a pressure cooker, with meetings frequently devolving into shouting matches. One former marketing employee reported attending up to 10 meetings per day, each involving more than 30 people. Lavish compensation as retention strategy: Despite the demanding work environment, Nvidia...
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