💻️ Microsoft's First AI Laptop

Hey TEDchats Fam!

Happy Friday! Remember the time when clunky desktops and noisy modems were our gateways to the digital world? How we marveled at the simple magic of emailing someone across the globe? Fast-forward to today, and we're on the cusp of having conversations with AI as casually as we chat with a friend over coffee. It's a fascinating world we're stepping into, one where our digital companions might just know us better than we know ourselves!

👀 SNEAK PEEK

🚨 FEATURE STORY

The Dawn of Microsoft’s AI-Powered Computing

Imagine a laptop that not only follows your commands but responds to your needs, powered by the most advanced AI technology. Now, Microsoft is bringing this vision to life with its next Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6.

A Look at the Next Generation Hardware

Microsoft's Surface series has been a hit in the world of personal computing, blending sleek design with powerful performance. Now, the tech giant is taking another leap forward. According to a Windows Central report, the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are set to become Microsoft's first 'AI PCs'.

These devices will feature a new neural processing unit (NPU), a specialized hardware component designed to accelerate and optimize AI and machine learning tasks, alongside options for Intel and Arm-based processors. The Arm-based devices, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips, promise performance and security enhancements rivaling Apple's silicon (read more). The Snapdragon X series alone already promises to “revolutionize the PC”, offering peak performance with only one third of the power and “4.5 times faster AI processing power than competitors” (read more).

Laptops That Can Handle More AI

Overall, these new hardware components are tailored to enhance AI capabilities. With tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike expecting groundbreaking functionality and seamless integration of AI into their daily lives, the pressure is on for these devices to deliver more than just incremental improvements.

If Microsoft delivers on its promises, the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 could set a new standard for personal computing. With advanced AI features, enhanced displays, and versatile connectivity options, these devices are poised to offer an unprecedented level of personalization and efficiency (read more).

🍕 QUICK BITES

Samsung's 2024 AI-Powered Smart Fridge

Samsung is introducing its 2024 Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with AI Family Hub™+ at the upcoming CES^® 2024. This smart fridge features a “Vision AI” internal camera for the advanced identification of food items and improved recognition of items placed in or taken out of the refrigerator. Users can also manually add expiration dates and utilize the linked app for recipe suggestions based on available ingredients. Additionally, the AI Family Hub™+ integrates with Samsung Health to offer dietary-specific recipe recommendations, enhancing both convenience and personalized cooking experiences (read more).

Canva Graphic Design Tool Employs AI to Expand Reach

Despite recent valuation adjustments, Canva continues to grow, nearly doubling its user base with 80 million new active users in the past year. The company has introduced a range of generative AI tools, enhancing its design capabilities and user experience. This strategic move aims to leverage AI for broader and more innovative content creation, aligning with Canva's mission to make graphic design accessible globally (read more).

AI and Defense Sectors Excel in 2023 Venture Funding

In 2023, we witnessed divergent trends in venture capital, with both AI and defense startups successfully raising funds, reminiscent of the record-breaking year of 2021. In contrast, the fundraising landscape for most other startups remained challenging, illustrating a clear split in investor preferences and market performance. This disparity signals a specific investor interest in AI and defense, despite broader market uncertainties (read more).

🧰 AI TOOLBOX 

🤯 MIND SPARK

In the past few months, PwC surveyed over 1,000 U.S. executives from industries with at least $500 million in revenue on emerging tech (link to full report). Here are some of their findings that may spark your mind:

• When asked about their investment priorities for tech in the next year, 58% answered “Artificial Intelligence”.

• One year post-ChatGPT launch, 54% of executives have already integrated generative AI in their companies.

• Among the respondents, only 33% have implemented “governance around responsible development and deployment” of AI, and only 35% have incorporated AI-related “cybersecurity and privacy enhancements” in their companies. However, 74-75% plan to do so in the next year.

• 35% of these executives stated their company has already hired new generative AI talent, while 74% plan to do so in the coming months.

🎨 AI ART