🗞️ AI News Recap

Hey TEDchats Fam!

Happy Monday! Ever felt like the AI news train zoomed by, and you were stuck at the station? Joining the conversation late is a bit like missing a high-speed train – you're left on the platform, wondering about the exciting destinations you've skipped. Our AI recap is your express ticket to catch up on the fast-moving tracks of the past week's tech adventures, so let's get straight into the big AI news from the past week!

🐇 QUICK BITES — THE PAST WEEK

Apple Unveils a Mixed-Reality Future

Apple Vision Pro, set for release on February 2nd (U.S.), blends the digital and physical worlds with a 4K display for each eye and smooth VR/AR transitions. Priced at $3,499 and available for pre-order, the device, powered by the visionOS platform, promises a new level of interaction through eye, hand, or voice navigation. Despite challenges in a market adapting to mixed-reality, the Vision Pro's M2 chip, R1 processor, and versatility as a portable monitor underscore Apple's commitment to innovation. Boasting features like face-scanning and compatibility with Mac screens and iPhone/iPad apps, it has the potential to reshape how we work, learn, and entertain. As it hits stores, the consumer response on February 2nd will be pivotal (read Apple’s full announcement).

Expect to See Humanoid Robots at BMW!

Figure, a California-based AI robotics company, has signed a commercial agreement with BMW. Specializing in humanoid robots — machines designed to resemble and imitate human characteristics — Figure plans to deploy these robots to automate challenging, unsafe, and monotonous tasks throughout the automotive manufacturing process. This strategic integration of AI and robotics is expected to result in increased productivity, reduced costs, and the creation of a safer work environment (see announcement).

AlphaGeometry: AI's Logical Advancement

Google DeepMind's AlphaGeometry, an AI system, achieves Olympiad-level geometry problem-solving, solving 25 out of 30 benchmark problems within the standard time limit—outperforming the previous state-of-the-art system, which solved only 10. AlphaGeometry highlights AI's logical reasoning and capacity to discover and validate new knowledge, reaching a significant milestone. Overall, this advancement represents progress toward more advanced and general AI systems. The open-sourcing of AlphaGeometry's code and model aims to unlock new possibilities in mathematics, science, and AI (read more).

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Comes with Live Translation!

Samsung's latest Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones feature a new Live Translation tool, capable of translating phone calls and texts in real-time. Supporting up to 13 languages, this function is processed entirely on the device, ensuring user privacy. Designed to simplify international communication, it automatically recognizes and translates languages during calls, making it a practical tool for global users and regular travelers (read more).

Arizona State University Has Become the First University to Partner with OpenAI

Arizona State University partners with OpenAI, bringing ChatGPT Enterprise's advanced capabilities to enhance teaching, learning, and research. The collaboration aims to explore generative AI's potential while prioritizing privacy and security. ASU President Michael M. Crow emphasizes the importance of responsible AI evolution. In February, an open challenge will be launched for faculty and staff to propose innovative use cases (read more).

Valentine's Fashion Unraveled Drama

Selkie, renowned for extravagant dresses on Instagram and TikTok, faced controversy over a Valentine’s Day release designed by the AI image generator Midjourney. Founder Kimberley Gordon argues it's akin to past practices, using generated images as a design base. In a TechCrunch interview, she defends it as the future of art, emphasizing the transformative nature of the patterns. Despite concerns, no public accusations of art copying for the new collection have surfaced (read more).

EU's Deepfake Concerns in Music

On Wednesday, the European Parliament called for EU rules to ensure fairness and sustainability in the music streaming sector, emphasizing the need for a new legal framework. The resolution, adopted with 532 votes in favor, 61 against, and 33 abstentions, addresses the current imbalance in revenue distribution, leaving many authors and performers with low compensation. Members of the European Parliament propose labeling AI-generated songs and addressing the unauthorized use of authors' identities and voices, particularly in the context of deepfakes in music streaming (read more).

Meta Leaps into Artificial General Intelligence

Under CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Meta is consolidating AI research units FAIR and GenAI, hastening the development of generative AI products. This strategic move aims to seamlessly integrate AI breakthroughs into the daily lives of billions, driven by anticipation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Meta acknowledges challenges, such as intense competition for AI experts and substantial computational requirements, yet boldly invests in 350,000 Nvidia H100s. Meta's AGI journey adopts an open-source approach, advocated by Zuckerberg, challenging industry norms and potentially democratizing access to advanced AI (watch Zuckerberg explain it here).

NASA Launches AI for Space

NASA introduces the Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS), a groundbreaking approach to space construction. This technology features robotic systems that autonomously assemble structures in space environments, such as the moon and Mars. Developed by NASA Ames Research Center, the self-reprogrammable system combines metamaterial building blocks, known as voxels, with specialized robots to create sturdy, adaptable structures. Ideal for building communication towers and shelters in space, ARMADAS represents a significant advancement in extraterrestrial construction techniques (read more).

Microsoft Launches Copilot Pro with Enhanced AI Features

Microsoft announces the release of Copilot Pro, priced at $20 per user per month. This new plan integrates advanced AI features from the Copilot GenAI suite into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It offers subscribers additional benefits such as 100 daily boosts in Designer, Microsoft's AI image tool, and premium access to new GenAI models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during peak times. Overall, Copilot Pro aims to enhance productivity and creativity for its users by offering quicker generation of answers, content, and AI images (read more).

Microsoft Introduces Free AI Reading Tutor

Microsoft's Reading Coach, an AI-powered tool designed to enhance reading skills, is now available for free to all Microsoft account holders. This tool, previously part of Microsoft Teams for Education, allows learners to practice reading with AI assistance, including features like text to speech and syllable breakdown. Microsoft also announced additional features for Teams for Education, including a Classwork feature that enables teachers to leverage AI for making assignments. Additionally, Microsoft Reflect assists students in identifying and expressing emotions, pinpointing specific reasons behind each feeling (read more).

Tesla's Optimus Robot Attempts to Fold Laundry

In a recent demonstration, Tesla's humanoid robot Optimus successfully folded a T-shirt (see demonstration). However, Elon Musk disclosed that the robot was following a pre-scripted routine rather than operating autonomously. This revelation highlights the current limitations of robotic technology in performing everyday tasks independently, emphasizing the distinction between mechanical execution and true AI-driven autonomy. Despite the impressive physical capabilities displayed by the robot, the demonstration underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving full robotic autonomy.

Adobe Enhances Premiere Pro with AI Audio Editing Tools

Adobe's latest update to Premiere Pro introduces AI-powered features for audio editing. The Enhance Speech tool is now fully released, offering improved dialogue clarity and background noise reduction. Additionally, new interactive fade handles and clip effect badges have been added to speed up the editing process. These updates aim to minimize manual editing tasks, enabling a more efficient workflow for users (read more).

Free Giveaways with Rabbit r1 Purchases!

Unveiled at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and priced at $199, the rabbit r1 stands out as a notable gadget. Both Perplexity AI and the rabbit r1 confirmed that the device will utilize Perplexity AI's technology to respond to user queries. Perplexity also announced that the initial 100,000 purchasers of the r1 will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro (see announcement).

🧰 AI TOOLBOX — RECAP

👋 UNTIL NEXT TIME

As we disembark from the AI express and conclude this week's journey through the technological landscape, take a moment to appreciate the view. The fast-paced world of artificial intelligence continues to unfold, leaving us with exciting glimpses into the future. What groundbreaking innovations lie just around the corner? How will the evolving AI narrative shape our digital experiences? With each recap, we embark on a collective exploration of the possibilities ahead. Stay tuned for our next issue, where we'll delve deeper into the unfolding chapters of AI, providing you with fresh insights and captivating stories. Until then, keep your curiosity fueled, and let's continue this exhilarating ride together!