🗞️ AI News Recap

Hey TEDchats Fam!

Happy Monday! Imagine previewing your entire road trip without leaving your couch or hearing a classic Beatles tune revived with modern finesse. With AI's advancements, what was once a dream is becoming our everyday reality.

🐇 QUICK BITES — THE PAST WEEK

Significant Moves in the AI Industry

Google has recently pledged a substantial $2 billion investment in the AI startup, Anthropic. This move closely follows Amazon's contemplation of a hefty $4 billion investment in the same startup. These major financial commitments underscore the increasing importance and potential of large language models in reshaping the tech landscape. As the race intensifies, tech giants are vying for a dominant position in this transformative sector. (read more)

Apple's AI Investment

Apple plans to invest an impressive $1 billion each year for generative AI advancements. Recent job listings highlight their focus areas, seeking expertise in "human-like conversation agents" and "machine intelligence". This surge in investment and recruitment signals Apple's ambition to deepen AI integration across its entire product range, aiming to elevate everything from the Siri experience to personalized features in Apple Music. (see more)

Google Maps' Next-Gen Navigation

Google's latest enhancement to its mapping platform introduces the "Immersive View for Routes". This state-of-the-art feature, powered by artificial intelligence, combines billions of Street View and aerial shots, offering users a comprehensive pre-journey visualization. From major intersections to scenic byways, users can now anticipate every aspect of their route, bringing unparalleled depth and clarity to digital navigation. (read more)

AI Safety Takes the Lead

President Joe Biden has put forth a comprehensive executive order targeting generative AI. This directive not only emphasizes the importance of AI safety and user privacy but also underscores the need for equity and civil rights in AI usage. All of this comes as a proactive step, even before lawmakers finalize official legislation on the subject. (read more)

Enhancements for ChatGPT Plus Subscribers

OpenAI introduces new beta features for ChatGPT Plus members, including the ability to upload files and enjoy an intuitive multimodal experience without manual mode switching. The system now auto-selects modes like "Browse with Bing" based on context. Additionally, users can leverage DALL-E 3 for image transformations. The update even brings certain office functionalities from the ChatGPT Enterprise plan to individual users. (read more)

Nvidia Dives Deep with AI!

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and MIT introduce CUREE, an autonomous underwater robot powered by NVIDIA Jetson. Its mission? Investigating the rapid decline of coral reefs, with 25% vanishing in the last 30 years. The robot uses advanced AI to build 3D models of reefs and track marine life, with the ultimate aim to understand human impacts on these vital ecosystems and develop mitigation strategies. (read more)

AI Resurrects Beatles' Last Song

Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, the long-awaited Beatles track "Now and Then" has been revived from a 1970s demo. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Sean Ono Lennon reflect on the emotional experience of bringing John Lennon's vocals back to life as a part of this song, with the song set to release on November 2nd. (see more)

YouTube’s AI-Powered Playlist Covers

YouTube Music introduces a “new experimental feature” enabling users to generate playlist art using AI. Users can select from themes such as travel, nature, or animals and further customize by choosing specific artistic styles. The update is currently available for English-speaking users in the U.S. with plans for wider rollouts in the future (read more).

GoodOnes Rebrands as Ollie

The AI-powered photo-sorting app, GoodOnes, has undergone a name change to "Ollie" after sorting over 400 million photos since its debut six months ago on the Apple App Store. The rebrand aligns with their octopus mascot, which symbolizes the app's AI capabilities. The app's key feature allows users to swiftly sift through photos, marking favorites and identifying those for deletion, all while learning user preferences for enhanced accuracy over time. (read more)

Next-Gen Snapdragon Details Leaked

Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 boasts enhanced AI capabilities, including AI camera tools and support for advanced AI models. The chip promises a 30% faster central processing unit (CPU) and a 25% faster graphics processing unit (GPU). Expected first in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 in 2024, this chip will be a game-changer for Android devices and more (read more).

AI Data Workers Want Protection

As the Senate prepares for its AI Insight Forum, data workers have raised concerns they would like addressed. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, they've requested protections against surveillance and low wages, underlining the critical role they play in AI development. They also urge policies that prevent tech companies, such as Amazon, from exploiting data workers (read more).

🧰 AI TOOLBOX — RECAP 

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From the roads we travel to the songs we cherish, AI is reshaping our experiences, making them more insightful and memorable. With every advancement, we're given a glimpse of what the future holds. Keep exploring, stay updated, and join us as we uncover the next big thing in AI.