AI News

The Rabbit R1, debuting at CES for $199, features a large language model powered by San Francisco startup Perplexity, enhancing user interactions without a subscription. Pre-order buyers receive a year of complimentary Perplexity Pro, offering advanced AI capabilities. Ships March/April.

Meta is restructuring its AI teams to accelerate research in artificial general intelligence (AGI) and enhance the metaverse experience. CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to merge existing AI teams and hire new talent, while investing in infrastructure with 350,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, aiming to lead in generative AI.

Microsoft is launching the Reading Coach app to improve literacy in students, offering personalized feedback via AI. The app will be free for Microsoft account users and integrates with classroom tools to enhance digital learning, including features for teacher assignments and student engagement.

Arizona State University (ASU) partnered with OpenAI to enhance education through AI. The initiative will focus on student success, innovative research, and streamlining processes. Starting February 2024, ASU plans to provide access to ChatGPT and develop AI tutors, despite mixed perceptions of AI's role in academia.

Anthropic has filed a response to copyright claims from music publishers alleging that its AI chatbot Claude infringed copyright by using song lyrics for training. The company argues its use is transformative, minimal, and covered under fair use, disputing claims of irreparable harm. Anthropic also contests the lawsuit's venue and highlights ongoing tensions in generative AI copyright disputes.

Google's ASPIRE approach teaches AI to express uncertainty with “I don’t know,” enhancing trustworthiness in digital assistants. Presented at EMNLP 2023, ASPIRE equips AI with a confidence meter to evaluate responses, promoting cautious decision-making and prioritizing honesty in interactions.

The rise of large language models (LLMs) has increased interest in embedding models, crucial for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and enterprise applications. Embeddings translate diverse data into numerical forms, enhancing LLMs with context. While RAG is significant, embeddings also aid in tasks like anomaly detection and sentiment analysis. There’s potential for growth in fine-tuning these models despite challenges, as companies enhance their capabilities. Expect further innovations in this field in 2024.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the development of open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI) in an Instagram Reel. The company aims to consolidate its AI research teams for creating widely accessible general intelligence, supported by extensive computational resources. This initiative ties into the evolving relationship between AI and the metaverse, raising discussions on the benefits and risks of open-source AI.

London-based startup Recraft has raised $12 million in Series A funding to enhance its AI-powered graphic design platform, targeting professional needs. It aims to develop a proprietary model for consistent branding and advanced design features, standing out in the $412 million creative AI market.

Credo AI's governance platform is now integrated with the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, allowing customers to manage AI risk and compliance effectively. This partnership enhances AI development transparency and aligns with emerging regulations, promoting responsible AI practices.

Runway, a New York City-based generative AI startup, has launched an updated Gen-2 model with the Multi Motion Brush tool, enabling independent motion in multiple video areas. This innovation enhances video control, allowing users to animate specific regions. Runway's advancements position it competitively against other AI video platforms.

The IMF report warns that AI could reshape economies like the industrial revolution, risking job displacement and widening inequality. With 60% of jobs in advanced economies exposed to AI, policymakers must focus on enhancing digital infrastructure, workforce skills, and ethical regulations to ensure an equitable transition.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next week is set to mark a significant moment in the company’s history. While the Vision Pro was unveiled at last year's event, hardware announcements won’t take center stage at WWDC 2024, which kicks off Monday at 10 a.m. PT.

Following Elon Musk's decision to open source the Grok large language model in March, he announced on Tuesday that X, formerly known as Twitter, will soon provide its Grok chatbot to a wider audience of paying subscribers. In a post on X, Musk shared that this week, Grok will be accessible to all Premium subscribers, expanding its availability beyond just the higher-priced Premium+ tier.