Picture this: You’re walking through a state-of-the-art facility, and alongside human workers, there are humanoid robots, seamlessly integrating into tasks that are either too hazardous, monotonous, or just plain undesirable for humans. Welcome to the future Figure AI is creating, and trust me, you’ll want to see this.
What’s on Offer?
We’re not talking about distant sci-fi dreams here; we’re discussing real, tangible innovation with Figure AI’s latest creation, Figure 01. This humanoid robot is designed to revolutionize industries struggling with labor shortages by taking on roles in manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and retail. And the best part? It’s happening right now, with a potential $500 million boost from big names like Microsoft and OpenAI.
The Genius Behind Figure 01
Figure 01 is a meticulously crafted solution designed to work alongside humans, enhancing workplace safety and efficiency. With the backing of tech giants and a pre-money valuation of $1.9 billion, Figure AI is not just aiming for improvement but complete transformation.
Why This Matters to You
Here’s the deal: embracing humanoid robots like Figure 01 means stepping into a future where businesses can thrive without compromising on safety or human dignity. It’s about augmenting human potential, not replacing it. For industries plagued by shortages and safety concerns, this is a huge upgrade.
The Future Is Here, and It’s Humanoid
This isn’t a pitch for a future possibility; it’s a reality that’s unfolding as we speak. BMW’s already on board, leveraging these robots in their US facilities. The question isn’t if this will become the norm but when.
Join the Revolution
Figure AI is offering a pathway to a safer, more efficient, and ultimately more human work environment. With the potential to reshape the global workforce, the opportunity here is immense.
Are you ready to lead your industry into the future? With Figure AI’s humanoid robots, you’re not just investing in technology; you’re investing in a future where human and machine collaboration unlocks potential we’ve only begun to imagine. Let’s make history together. Are you in?
Let’s jump right in and break down the key AI highlights from last week.
xAI
Elon Musk’s new AI venture, xAI, is making big moves. They’re on the hunt for a cool $6 billion in funding, tapping into sources across the globe – from the Middle East to East Asia. Musk’s vision? To craft AI that’s not just smart, but also safe and responsible.
Key Takeaways:
Global Money Game: xAI is casting a wide net for funding, showing that AI’s future is a global affair.
Safety First in AI: Musk’s pushing for AI development that’s not just about progress but also about responsibility.
Grok vs. ChatGPT: xAI’s Grok is setting up to be a major player, challenging the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
In short, Musk’s xAI is a statement about where AI should be heading – safer, globally engaged, and with heavy-hitters like Grok. This isn’t just about technology; it’s about shaping the future of AI ethics and innovation.
OpenAI
OpenAI’s latest updates are upgrading their models and dropping prices, aimed at making AI more accessible and efficient.
Key Takeaways:
Enhanced Models: New embedding models are in play, improving performance and cost. The text-embedding-3-small offers better performance with a major price cut, while the text-embedding-3-large model ups the ante with larger embeddings. The GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-3.5 Turbo models are also getting a boost.
Reduced Prices: Cost is key. The GPT-3.5 Turbo model sees a 50% reduction in input costs and 25% in output costs. This is big for those watching their budget.
Platform Improvements: Beyond models, there’s a stronger moderation tool coming out, text-moderation-007, and better visibility and control for developers using the API.
Overall, OpenAI’s move is about bringing AI closer to more people and applications, making it not just smarter, but also more attainable.
Prophetic AI
Prophetic AI’s Morpheus-1 is all about getting into your dreams – literally. It uses ultrasonic brain stimulation to induce lucid dreams. They’re also rolling out the Halo, a headband that works with Morpheus-1 to make this happen during REM sleep.
Key Takeaways:
Innovative Dream Tech: Morpheus-1 is a first-of-its-kind, aiming to make lucid dreaming a regular thing.
Non-Invasive Approach: The Halo headband brings this tech to your bedroom, no surgery needed.
Dream Control: You get to choose your dream theme in advance, thanks to AI-driven ultrasonic signals.
Essentially, this startup is transforming how we control our dreams, reshaping our sleep experiences. Its benefits could become increasingly apparent in the years ahead.
Nightshade
The University of Chicago’s Nightshade project is innovatively defending artists against the unauthorized use of their work by AI. This initiative disrupts AI training by “poisoning” image data, making it unsuitable for AI model development. Spearheaded by Professor Ben Zhao, Nightshade aims to compel AI companies to use licensed work rather than relying on scraped images.
Key Takeaways:
Protecting Artists’ Rights: Nightshade and Glaze are safeguarding artists from AI exploitation.
Innovative Approach: These tools subtly change images to deter AI training on unlicensed work.
Non-Profit Motive: Funded by various sources, the team is committed to not commercializing the project.
Nightshade represents a creative, legal approach to protect artists in the digital era, offering a free solution until more comprehensive regulations are established. Despite some criticisms, it stands as an important protective measure for artists’ rights.
Chef Robotics
Chef Robotics, based in San Francisco, is stirring up the food tech scene. They’ve just secured $14.75 million in a mix of equity and debt funding, boosting their total funding to $22.5 million. Founded in 2019, Chef Robotics is more about assembling food than cooking it. Their robots are already working in five cities across the U.S. and Canada, including at major Fortune 500 food companies, and they’ve seen a fourfold increase in recurring revenue from 2022 to 2023.
Key Takeaways:
Focused on Food Assembly: Chef Robotics stands out in the robot kitchen space with its focus on assembly, not cooking.
ChefOS Driving Innovation: Their unique software, ChefOS, is the key to their robotic arm’s smart decisions.
Growth and Expansion: With new funding, they’re set to expand their team and deploy their RaaS model more widely.
In summary, Chef Robotics is on a fast track in the automated food assembly sector, leveraging innovative software and a service-based business model to reshape how food companies operate.
Impact of Generative AI on Job Market
A Cognizant and Oxford Economics study is ringing alarm bells in the job market. They’re saying generative AI could flip the script on 9% of US jobs within the next decade. The study looks at how fast companies might adopt AI and what that means for workers.
Key Takeaways:
Job Disruption Ahead: About 9% of jobs in the US are at risk due to AI advancements.
Rapid AI Adoption: From 2026 to 2030, we’re looking at a big jump in AI use in businesses.
Upskilling is Key: The study stresses upskilling workers to keep pace with AI.
In short, this study is a call to action. It’s about prepping the workforce for an AI-dominated future and making sure we’re not just smart about tech, but also about people’s careers.
Digit by Agility
Humanoid robots are becoming a practical reality. Bill Gates is among those hyped about this trend, pointing to companies like Agility’s Digit that are pushing the boundaries of what humanoid robots can do.
Key Takeaways:
Humanoid Robots Rising: There’s a renewed focus on humanoid robots, with startups and big players jumping in.
Unique Advantages: These robots boast abilities like walking up stairs and dexterity, offering versatility over single-purpose robots.
Bill Gates’ Endorsement: Gates’ excitement about humanoid robot startups adds mainstream credibility to the field.
In essence, the resurgence of humanoid robots marks a significant shift in robotics. With endorsements from tech giants like Gates, they’re moving from niche concepts to potentially transformative tools in various industries.
Google
Google dodged a major legal bullet, settling an AI chip patent lawsuit that could have cost them billions. The case centered on chip technology powering Google’s AI, with the plaintiff alleging unauthorized use of patented tech. The lawsuit initially demanded $1.67 billion but escalated to a potential $7 billion – over twice the largest patent infringement award in U.S. history. Google, however, maintains they didn’t infringe any patents.
Key Takeaways:
High-Stakes Lawsuit: Google faced a massive $7 billion patent infringement claim related to its AI chips.
Settlement Reached: The case was settled just before closing arguments, avoiding a potentially historic payout.
Google’s Legal Challenges: This follows another settlement over privacy violations, showing Google’s ongoing legal hurdles.
In conclusion, this settlement is a significant moment for Google, navigating complex legal waters around technology and privacy while affirming its stance on patent rights.
Activision
Activision’s “Call of Duty” is fighting a different kind of battle – against in-game “abuse”. They’ve deployed an AI voice moderation tool that’s already flagged over two million “abusive” voice chats. The tool, initially launched in North America and now global, enforces the game’s code of conduct, penalizing rule-breakers. It’s active in titles like Modern Warfare II and III, as well as Warzone, with more languages to be added.
Key Takeaways:
AI Against Toxicity: Activision’s AI tool is targeting hate speech and bad behavior in Call of Duty.
Millions Detected: Over two million toxic chats have been identified and acted upon.
Positive Impact: The implementation has led to fewer repeat offenders and a drop in severe online abuse.
In summary, Activision is making a significant stride in creating a healthier gaming environment, demonstrating the potential of AI in moderating online spaces.
That’s a Wrap on the AI Front!
And that’s the scoop from last week in AI! From Elon Musk’s big plans with xAI to Chef Robotics spicing up food tech, it’s clear that AI is not just a buzzword – it’s reshaping our world in real-time. Remember, it’s about how we adapt and grow with it. See you next week for more AI updates!
Humanoid robots are grabbing headlines. They’re designed to mimic human actions – reaching, walking stairs, gripping objects. This isn’t just cool, it’s potentially game-changing. And who’s leading the cheer? None other than tech giant Bill Gates. He’s backing robotics startups like Agility’s Digit, pushing for robots that aren’t just one-trick ponies but more like us – versatile and adaptable.
But here’s the kicker. When Gates throws his weight behind humanoid robots, it’s a big deal. It’s like he’s saying, “This isn’t just a geeky dream; it’s real, and it’s important.” This endorsement brings humanoid robots into the mainstream conversation. But, and it’s a big but, is Gates’ influence potentially skewing our perspective? Are we too quick to jump on the bandwagon just because a tech mogul nods his approval? Could his excitement be leading us to overlook potential limitations or better alternatives?
The Versatility Debate: Jack of All Trades, Master of None?
Versatility is a major selling point for humanoid robots. They’re not limited to a single function; they’re more like Swiss Army knives. But is this always a good thing? Could a focus on making robots more human-like lead us away from simpler, more efficient solutions? It’s a tough question. On one hand, you’ve got the cool factor of a robot that can do a bit of everything. On the other, is it better to have specialized machines that are top-notch at their specific tasks?
What’s Next for Humanoid Robots?
The future of humanoid robots is like walking into unknown territory. There’s potential for incredible innovation – robots helping in homes, factories, even space. Yet, there’s the shadow of job displacement. How do we balance the awe-inspiring possibilities with the practical realities?
Wrapping It Up
Humanoid robots are a fascinating topic. They’re getting a lot of attention, especially with big names like Gates showing interest. But it’s vital to keep asking questions. Are we too dazzled by their potential because of who’s endorsing them? Are we thinking critically about where and how they should be used? The future of robotics is unfolding, and it’s up to us to navigate it wisely. What are your thoughts?
Welcome to another edition of Last Week in AI where we cover AI innovations and trends! This year at CES 2024, the spotlight was on AI advancements across various sectors, from AI-powered pillows to AI-powered birdfeeders. From the launch of the GPT Store to robots making coffee, the world of AI is evolving rapidly. Let’s dive in.
GPT Store
Big news of the week for many were the launch of the GPT Store, now open for ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise users, offers a variety of GPTs for different interests, like design, coding, and AI.
Key Points:
Wide range of GPT categories, including DALL·E, writing, and programming.
New GPTs featured weekly, like trail guides from AllTrails.
Easy GPT creation for users, with no coding needed.
Quality maintained through a review system and user reports.
GPT Builder Revenue Program allows creators to earn based on user engagement (US only).
In short, the GPT Store is making AI more accessible and offering creative and earning opportunities for users. Interestingly enough, the GPT Store is full of AI girlfriend bots.
OpenAI vs NYT
OpenAI has responded to The New York Times’ lawsuit, underlining its dedication to working with news outlets and supporting the news ecosystem. They aim to develop AI products to aid journalists and editors, utilize historical content for training AI models, and incorporate real-time content with proper attribution in ChatGPT.
Key Points:
OpenAI is focused on assisting the news industry through AI technology.
They claim that using publicly available internet materials for AI training is fair use.
OpenAI offers an opt-out for publishers and is addressing the issue of AI content regurgitation.
Despite the lawsuit, OpenAI is committed to constructive partnerships with news organizations like The New York Times and is actively working on solutions to support and enhance the news industry with AI.
Figure AI
Figure AI is advancing in AI robotics. They train robots for everyday tasks. Their robot, Figure-01, can now make coffee. This is a big step in robot skills.
Brett Adcock, the founder, sees a big future. He wants robots to help in many areas, like caring for the elderly. The focus is on jobs humans don’t want.
Key points:
Figure-01 making coffee is a breakthrough.
Robots could be useful in many fields.
The aim is to help humans, not replace them.
All in all, Figure AI is all about making life easier with robots handling the less desirable tasks. Pretty exciting future ahead.
Nvidia
India’s data center providers are buying thousands of Nvidia’s advanced GPUs, aiming to boost the country’s AI sector. This move follows Nvidia’s business loss in China due to US export controls on high-tech semiconductors. However, Nvidia believes global demand will compensate for this loss.
Yotta plans to deploy 32,000 Nvidia H100 and H200 GPUs by 2025.
This surge in GPU purchases in India reflects the growing AI market across various economic sectors.
India’s investment in Nvidia GPUs marks a significant growth in its AI industry, offering a promising opportunity for Nvidia amidst challenges in other markets.
Rabbit R1
The Rabbit R1, unveiled at CES 2024, is a new AI-powered virtual assistant and handheld device. It goes beyond a typical smartphone, featuring a sophisticated AI called the Large Action Model (LAM). This AI enables smoother and more conversational task performance compared to traditional virtual assistants like Alexa or Siri.
Key Points:
The LAM is adept at using various apps and can learn new tasks.
The R1 is a compact device with a 2.88-inch touchscreen, a rotating camera, and robust technical specs.
Priced at $199, it’s designed to transform the AI personal assistant market.
In summary, the Rabbit R1, with its advanced AI and impressive features, is generating excitement in the AI personal assistant space, promising a more intuitive and capable device experience.
Rabbit R1 broke the Internet after it was announced at CES2024 but can the $199 AI Companion change our lives like the Smartphone did?
When Teenage Engineering took the stage at CES2024 last week, and introduced the world to their Rabbit R1, the internet was basically broken for… pic.twitter.com/0ubHhaHZUy
ARRES (Autonomous Road Repair System) PREVENT, a robot for preventing potholes, is gearing up to hit the roads of Hertfordshire, England. Developed by Robotiz3d and the University of Liverpool, this AI-powered robot identifies and repairs potholes. It’s been in lab tests since 2020 and can autonomously locate and fix potholes, especially in residential areas.
Key Points:
ARRES uses AI to detect potholes and automatically repair surface cracks.
The technology promises to save time and money, reducing road maintenance disruptions.
This innovation is a collaboration between Robotiz3d, the University of Liverpool, and Hertfordshire County Council Highways Engineers, targeting the persistent pothole issue in the UK.
In summary, ARRES PREVENT is set to revolutionize road maintenance in the UK, using AI to tackle the long-standing problem of potholes, offering efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
This robot identifies potholes in roads using AI and fills them to keep out surface water 👇
The technology, developed by Robotiz3d and the University of Liverpool, could save time and money, as well as reducing disruption.
At CES 2024, Amazon unveiled new AI tools for its Alexa personal assistant. This includes innovative AI experiences like Character.ai for interactive conversations with generated characters, and Splash, an AI-driven music creation tool. Additionally, Volley introduced an AI “20 questions” game.
The video game industry is facing challenges with AI integration, focusing on augmenting human capabilities without replacing jobs. Companies and unions are actively negotiating to protect workers’ rights and ensure AI is used in a worker-friendly way. For example, the Zenimax game workers union and Microsoft agreement emphasizes AI’s role in boosting productivity and growth without harm.
Key Points:
The industry aims to use AI to assist, not replace, human workers.
There are ongoing discussions to balance AI’s role in supporting existing jobs.
Agreements are being made to safeguard worker rights in the AI integration process.
The video game sector is keen on maintaining a balance where AI enhances job roles without threatening employment, reflecting a cautious yet optimistic approach towards AI’s growing role in the industry.
Google
Google is in a major patent infringement lawsuit over AI technology. Singular Computing, started by ex-MIT professor Joseph Bates, alleges that Google used its unique technology in various Google services. Singular is seeking up to $7 billion in damages, arguing that Google’s use of its patents would have merited a massive royalty payment.
Key Points:
Singular Computing claims Google infringed on its AI technology patents.
Google denies these claims, insisting on independent development of its processors.
The case, with potential damages of $7 billion, is heading to a federal jury.
Google faces a significant legal challenge with this patent infringement case, adding to its history of legal battles over technology patents.
Project Mockingbird
McAfee has introduced Project Mockingbird, an AI-powered technology to detect Deepfake Audio, aiming to tackle AI-generated scams. Revealed at CES 2024, this tool focuses on protecting users from AI-manipulated audio scams and misinformation.
Key Points:
Project Mockingbird uses AI models to identify AI-generated audio with over 90% accuracy.
It alerts users to maliciously altered audio in videos, helping differentiate real from fake content.
This innovation is part of a larger effort to combat AI challenges in cybersecurity.
Project Mockingbird by McAfee marks a significant advancement in fighting AI-generated scams, providing a crucial tool for digital safety in an era of rising AI-generated content threats.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up, it’s clear that the boundaries of technology are being pushed further than ever before. The introduction of platforms like the GPT Store is making AI more accessible and versatile, while advancements in transportation and robotics are paving the way for a more efficient and interconnected world. These developments highlight the endless possibilities of AI in our daily lives. The future is bright and AI-driven, and we can’t wait to see what the next big breakthrough will be.
