AI News

Artificial Intelligence and Online Child Safety: Ofcom's New Initiative

Cloudera, once a leading name in the Hadoop ecosystem, raised a staggering $1 billion and went public in 2018, only to be acquired by private equity for $5.3 billion in 2021. Today, Cloudera announced its acquisition of Verta, an innovative AI startup specializing in managing machine learning models, including large language models (LLMs) essential for generative AI.

Yahoo's AI initiatives are far from over. The company has recently introduced AI-enhanced features for Yahoo Mail, including a version inspired by Gmail’s Priority Inbox and AI-generated email summaries. Today, Yahoo is launching an AI-driven version of its Yahoo News app, utilizing technology acquired from its latest investment in Artifact. Moreover, Yahoo has additional AI projects in the pipeline, particularly for its Yahoo News platform on the web.

Elon Musk is generating buzz surrounding the impending launch of Grok, his competitor to ChatGPT. This development serves as another illustration of Musk's persona, which often mirrors the chaotic tendencies of a biological large language model (LLM) shaped by the vast influences of Reddit and 4chan. Grok exhibits traits reminiscent of Musk’s more problematic inclinations, showcasing a sense of humor akin to that of a self-deprecating and regressive internet troll. Its biases reflect those of an individual unaware of the dangerous implications behind their outlook.

The AI skills gap is significant and growing. According to a recent study by Randstad, a recruitment firm, job postings that mention generative AI skills have surged by an astounding 2,000% since March. This skill set ranks as the third most sought-after while remaining one of the least available in the job market.

Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) subsidiary, DeepMind, has been honored with a knighthood in the U.K. for his significant contributions to artificial intelligence. Alongside him, Ian Hogarth, chair of the U.K. government’s newly established AI Safety Institute and co-founder of music startup Songkick, received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to AI. Matt Clifford, AI advisor to the U.K. government and co-founder of the early-stage investor Entrepreneur First, was also recognized with a CBE for his contributions to the field.

Liz O’Sullivan: Pioneering Safer AI Solutions

Malicious hacking is becoming increasingly sophisticated, prompting a significant shift in security technology. To ensure the safety of individuals and organizations, security measures must consistently evolve.

SoftBank Partners with Tempus to Launch AI-Driven Medical Services in Japan

Days after The Wall Street Journal reported on discussions between Apple and Meta regarding the integration of Meta’s AI models, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman clarified that Apple is not pursuing this partnership.

The threat of deepfakes is on the rise as AI tools for creating them become increasingly available. A report from verification provider Sumsub reveals a staggering 245% increase in deepfakes globally from 2023 to 2024, largely driven by upcoming election cycles. This surge is also impacting the corporate landscape; a recent Business.com survey highlights that 10% of businesses have experienced fraud facilitated by deepfakes, including cloned voices.

When Manny Griffiths sought assistance from a personal injury lawyer following his wife's car accident, he was taken aback by the scarce communication and information regarding their claim. The couple often went months without updates, making the entire legal process seem frustratingly opaque.

After years of rivalry, Google Assistant and Alexa are finally collaborating harmoniously. Harman has just unveiled new additions to its JBL Authentics speaker series, which are the first products on the market to seamlessly integrate both Google Assistant and Alexa. The JBL Authentics 200, 300, and 500 models, equipped with features like automatic self-tuning, Bluetooth connectivity, and multi-room playback, will hit the shelves on September 17.

IBM, NASA, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have unveiled a cutting-edge open-source AI model, named Prithvi WxC, aimed at revolutionizing weather and climate forecasting. Unlike conventional models, Prithvi WxC has been trained on four decades of Earth observation data from NASA, enabling it to go beyond standard forecasting capabilities. Its innovative design and training regimen allow it to predict weather patterns on global, regional, and local scales, making it adaptable to various weather studies.

On September 9, Apple launched the iPhone 16 series, marking its entry into "Apple Intelligence" with enhanced AI features. CEO Tim Cook called it a significant update since the iPhone 12. Highlights include an "AI camera control button" and improved Siri. Although initial AI offerings face regional variations, interest is high, especially in China. The iPhone 16 starts at $799, with pre-orders available soon.