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Video Game Actors Strike, Demanding AI Protections
The video game industry faces a crisis as voice actors and motion capture artists strike over AI protections, marking a significant labor action that could reshape the future of game development. AI as an existential threat to performers: The unregulated use of artificial intelligence in video games has become a primary concern for voice actors and motion capture artists, who fear their likenesses could be replicated and used without consent or fair compensation: Union leaders argue that the ease and affordability of creating convincing digital replicas of performers' voices using AI pose an even greater threat to video game performers...
read Aug 1, 2024US Chip Innovation Holds Key to AI Dominance and Future Global Leadership
The US faces a critical juncture in maintaining its technological edge in AI and chipmaking, with significant implications for its future economic and geopolitical standing. Government efforts to bolster US chip leadership: The US government has taken notable steps to maintain the country's competitive advantage in semiconductors and AI, recognizing the deep interconnection between these two fields: Export restrictions have been imposed on advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to key geopolitical rivals like China, aiming to protect US technological superiority. The CHIPS Act, passed in 2022, allocates $280 billion to boost domestic microchip manufacturing, signaling a strong commitment to revitalizing...
read Aug 1, 2024Google Integrates Gemini into Looker and BigQuery
Google Cloud has unveiled significant updates to its database and data analytics offerings, aiming to facilitate generative AI deployments and adoption by integrating more flexibility into data usage and access. Key Takeaways: Google Cloud announces a series of updates to its Spanner, Bigtable, BigQuery, and Looker services at the Google Cloud Next event in Tokyo. The updates focus on expanding the capabilities of these offerings to better support generative AI applications and improve data analysis. Gerrit Kazmaier, GM & VP of Data Analytics at Google Cloud, emphasizes the importance of having "incredible data" to achieve "incredible AI." Enhancing Data Analytics...
read Aug 1, 2024Why the Best Path to ROI for Generative AI is Simplicity in Design
The growing need to justify AI projects with clear ROI calculations has led many organizations to adopt a simplified approach that focuses on enhancing existing applications and metrics, rather than building entirely new AI systems. This shift is helping IT teams deliver value faster while reducing the scope and complexity of AI projects. Key Takeaways: Leveraging existing applications and metrics as the foundation for AI projects offers several compelling benefits: Teams can bypass the need to create and gain consensus on new ROI calculations, allowing them to deliver prototypes much faster. Using mostly the same data and application logic simplifies...
read Aug 1, 2024Robot Dentist Performs World’s First Autonomous Dental Procedure
The world's first fully autonomous robotic dental procedure has been successfully completed, marking a significant milestone in the field of dentistry and robotics. Key Takeaways: The AI-controlled robotic system, developed by Boston-based company Perceptive, has the potential to revolutionize dental care by streamlining procedures and improving patient experience: The robot uses a hand-held 3D volumetric scanner with optical coherence tomography (OCT) to create detailed, high-resolution models of the mouth without harmful X-ray radiation. It can prepare a tooth for a dental crown in just 15 minutes, compared to the typical two-hour process that dentists usually split into two visits. The...
read Aug 1, 2024Apple Intelligence vs Google Gemini: Which Will Make Your Phone Smarter?
The rise of AI assistants from Apple and Google is transforming the smartphone landscape, with implications for user experience, privacy, and the future of mobile computing. Apple's holistic approach to AI integration: Apple Intelligence stands out by seamlessly weaving AI capabilities across its ecosystem, making the technology feel invisible and intuitive to users: Rather than confining it to a single app or function, Apple has integrated AI system-wide, enabling Siri to coordinate actions across apps and access contextual information from the user's screen. This holistic approach allows for more personalized and efficient interactions, such as asking Siri to send photos...
read Aug 1, 2024AI is Enabling Faster, More Accurate Results in Animal Health
AI is enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses for improved animal health outcomes. Pioneering AI use in veterinary medicine: The Royston Veterinary Centre in England has successfully employed AI to diagnose and treat several pets, showcasing the technology's potential to transform veterinary practices: AI analyzed samples from Blossom, a cat with aggressive cancer, and two dogs, Scooby Doo and Tara, with skin conditions, leading to accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. By analyzing prepared slides under a microscope, the AI flags areas of concern for surgeons to review, streamlining the diagnostic process. Speeding up diagnoses and expanding capabilities: AI implementation significantly...
read Aug 1, 2024Isle of Man Launches AI Upskilling Program to Drive Growth and Innovation
The Isle of Man has launched an AI upskilling program to drive economic growth and keep pace with rapidly evolving technology. Key Initiatives: The Activate AI program aims to educate and support businesses and residents in leveraging artificial intelligence through various initiatives: A training platform with over 200 hours of online courses, including an "AI for Everyone" course tailored specifically for the island, is set to launch by the end of August. An applied AI service will pair companies with experienced firms to explore how AI can solve business problems at no cost, fostering an "eco-system of partners." Public roadshows...
read Aug 1, 2024Mayo Clinic Is Using AI for Early Dementia Detection
The Mayo Clinic is leveraging AI to enhance the detection of early signs of dementia in EEG tests, potentially changing how medical professionals approach the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorders. AI-enhanced EEG analysis: The Mayo Clinic Neurology AI Program (NAIP) has developed an AI-based method to analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) tests with increased speed and precision, enabling the detection of subtle abnormalities that may indicate cognitive issues: Researchers used machine learning to distill complex brain wave patterns into six specific features, allowing the AI to focus on indicators of cognitive problems such as Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. The...
read Aug 1, 2024Researchers Are Exploring How AI Could Help with End-of-Life Decisions
A new AI tool, which hasn't been built, but whose potential benefits are under careful consideration, aims to help with end-of-life decisions. The challenge of end-of-life decision-making: When patients are unable to make their own medical decisions, the responsibility falls on surrogates, often family members, which can be emotionally distressing and lead to disagreements: In the case of Sophie, a woman in her mid-50s who suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, her family members couldn't agree on whether to continue medical treatments or let her die peacefully. Surrogates often struggle with the burden of making life-or-death decisions on behalf of their loved...
read Aug 1, 2024Why CIOs Are Considering Small Language Models
The integration of generative AI in enterprise products is prompting CIOs to carefully evaluate the technology's potential and risks, with a focus on sustainability, governance, and building internal AI expertise. Balancing technological excitement and commercial propositions: CIOs are studying generative AI to stay current while maintaining a pragmatic approach: The rapid advancements in AI, such as GPT-4 passing the Turing test and the availability of AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot and Gemini Advanced, are driving CIOs to closely monitor the technology. However, CIOs are cautious about adopting generative AI without proper considerations, recognizing the risks of overestimating its capabilities and...
read Aug 1, 2024Japanese Automakers Join Forces in Autonomous Driving Tech Race
Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi announce collaboration on electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology, aiming to adapt quickly to industry changes and stay competitive in the green car market. Key partnership areas: The Japanese automakers will work together in critical areas to accelerate their electric vehicle (EV) development and autonomous driving capabilities: Nissan and Honda will share components for EVs, including batteries, and adopt the same specifications for motors and inverters for EV axles. The companies will jointly research software for autonomous driving, pooling their resources and expertise to advance this technology. Adapting to industry shifts: The collaboration is driven by...
read Aug 1, 2024Google Phone App to Introduce AI-powered Scam Call Detection
Key features and distinctions: The upcoming Google Phone update will differentiate between spam calls and scam calls, providing a more granular approach to identifying and handling potentially malicious callers: Users will be able to manually report calls as either spam or scam, allowing for a more targeted classification of unwanted calls. The AI-powered system, codenamed "Sharpie," will automatically detect scam calls, potentially reducing the burden on users to identify and report such calls themselves. The scam detection feature will be opt-in, giving users control over whether they want to utilize the AI-powered system or not. Evidence of upcoming release: APK...
read Aug 1, 2024DJI Neo is Affordable Indoor Drone with AI-Subject Tracking
DJI's upcoming indoor-friendly Neo drone promises to be a lightweight, affordable, and feature-packed addition to the company's lineup, potentially expanding the accessibility of aerial photography and videography to a wider audience. Key specifications and features: The leaked retail packaging reveals several notable aspects of the DJI Neo drone that highlight its user-friendly design and capabilities: Weighing just 135 grams, the Neo is designed to be highly portable and easy to handle, making it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced drone enthusiasts looking for a compact, indoor-friendly device. The drone boasts 4K ultra-stabilized video, ensuring high-quality footage even in...
read Aug 1, 2024AI Chatbots Are Transforming Creator-Fan Interactions on OnlyFans
The rise of AI chatbots in the world of OnlyFans is transforming how content creators engage with their audience, as they increasingly rely on these tools to manage the demands of constant communication with their fans. AI chatbots taking over simp management: OnlyFans models are turning to AI chatbots to help them handle the workload of sexting with their numerous clients, replacing human employees who previously acted as "chatters": Firms like NEO Agency and Botly provide chatbot services specifically designed for OnlyFans performers, despite the use of AI being against the platform's terms of service. These chatbots have become more...
read Aug 1, 2024Anthropic’s AI Assistant Claude Launches in Brazil
Anthropic's AI assistant Claude launches in Brazil: Anthropic, a leading AI company, has announced the availability of its trusted AI assistant Claude in Brazil, offering consumers and businesses access to cutting-edge AI technology through various platforms and pricing plans. Claude can be accessed via the web-based Claude.ai, free mobile apps for Android and iOS, and the Anthropic API for developers to integrate AI into their own applications and services. Claude.ai offers a free plan and two paid plans: Pro at R$ 110 per user per month with 5x more usage compared to the free tier and early access to new...
read Aug 1, 2024MIT Survey Shows Crucial Connection Between Cloud Investment and AI Strategy
Key Takeaways: Generative AI is already transforming business operations and boosting bottom lines, but realizing its full potential requires significant investment in cloud infrastructure and strategy: Early AI investments are yielding impressive results in areas such as knowledge management, search, software development, and customer service across various industries. The cloud has evolved beyond storage and cost savings to become a crucial driver of innovation, transformation, and disruption, especially when combined with AI. Most companies are still experimenting and preparing their cloud infrastructure for AI, with many planning additional investments to accelerate progress. Cloud as an AI Enabler: The cloud plays...
read Aug 1, 2024Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” Tech Is New Milestone for Frictionless Shopping
The development of Amazon's new AI-based Just Walk Out (JWO) technology represents a significant advancement in frictionless shopping experiences, leveraging multi-modal foundation models and transformer-based machine learning to accurately track customer interactions and purchases. Key Takeaways: Amazon's upgraded JWO system uses AI to analyze data from various sensors, improving accuracy in complex shopping scenarios and making the technology easier for retailers to deploy. The system's self-learning capabilities reduce the need for manual retraining, allowing it to adapt to store layout changes and accurately identify misplaced items. JWO's integration of RFID technology offers a more cost-effective and less complex solution for...
read Aug 1, 2024Google’s Gemma 2 2B is a Small Model with Big Impact
Google's Gemma 2 2B represents a significant breakthrough in AI efficiency, offering performance on par with industry leaders despite its compact size. This development could potentially reshape the AI landscape, making advanced capabilities more accessible and deployable. Gemma 2 2B challenges the notion that bigger is better in AI: With just 2.6 billion parameters, Google's new language model achieves results comparable to or surpassing models like GPT-3.5 and Mistral 8x7B, which have around ten times more parameters. Independent testing by LMSYS saw Gemma 2 2B score 1130 in their evaluation arena, slightly outperforming GPT-3.5-Turbo-0613 (1117) and Mixtral-8x7B (1114). The model...
read Aug 1, 2024Runway Announces Gen-3 Alpha Turbo for Faster, Cheaper AI Videos
The AI model Runway Gen-3 Alpha Turbo sets a new bar for fast and affordable video generation, though questions about the company's training data practices persist. Key Takeaways: Runway's latest AI video model, Gen-3 Alpha Turbo, promises significant speed and cost improvements over its predecessor: Gen-3 Alpha Turbo is reportedly 7 times faster than the original Gen-3 Alpha model, capable of generating a 10-second video in just 11 seconds. The new model will be rolled out with "significantly lower pricing" compared to Gen-3 Alpha, which currently costs 10 credits per second of generated video. Runway is also working on bringing...
read Aug 1, 2024Reddit CEO Defends Decision to Block Web Scrapers
The CEO of Reddit, Steve Huffman, is defending the company's recent decision to block web scrapers from accessing the site's content without an AI agreement, which has sparked controversy and raised concerns about competition in the search engine market. Key developments: Reddit's move to restrict web scraping has significantly impacted search results and the competitive landscape: Reddit updated its robots.txt file to block bots from scraping the site, stating that it believes in an open internet but opposes the misuse of public content. As a result, search engines other than Google were temporarily unable to list recent Reddit posts in...
read Aug 1, 2024Artists Band Together to Sue AI Image Generators
The rise of A.I.-generated art has sparked a contentious debate about intellectual property rights and the future of creativity, as demonstrated by a recent class-action lawsuit filed by artists against popular A.I. imagery tools. Key developments in the legal battle: Three artists have joined forces to sue Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DreamUp, claiming that these A.I. generators are infringing on their copyrights and profiting from their work without consent or compensation: The artists allege that their names and distinctive styles are being used to create derivative works without their permission, with one artist's name appearing in over 12,000 public prompts...
read Aug 1, 2024How AI and Blockchain Offer Hope for Fairer Concert Access
The concert ticketing system faces challenges, but technology may offer solutions to make it fairer for fans and prevent excessive resale prices and fraud. Fans facing exorbitant resale prices: The high cost of resold tickets for popular concerts like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has led some fans to seek more affordable options abroad: Tickets for Swift's US shows are being resold for up to $2,500, prompting some fans to fly to Europe where tickets are significantly cheaper due to regulations on resale prices in certain countries. While some European nations cap resale prices or prohibit selling above face value, the...
read Aug 1, 2024Biden Administration Calls for Increased Monitoring of Open-Weight AI Models
The Biden administration is calling for increased monitoring of open-weight AI models to assess potential risks and inform future regulations, while acknowledging the current lack of capacity to effectively respond to these risks. Key focus areas for monitoring open-weight models: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) suggests focusing on three main areas to address the risks posed by open-weight AI models: Collecting evidence on the capabilities of the models to monitor specific risks Evaluating and comparing indicators of these risks Adopting policies that target the identified risks Defining open-weight models and their unique challenges: Open-weight models are foundation models...
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