The Future of AI

"Last Week in AI" including OpenAI, Stack Overflow, Apple's new Photos app, YouTube Premium, Microsoft MAI-1, Eli Lilly, Audible, Apple's M4 chip, Google's Pixel 8a, machine learning in whale communication, and more.

Last Week in AI: Episode 31

Hey everyone, welcome to this week’s edition of “Last Week in AI.” This week’s stories provide a glimpse into how AI is reshaping industries and our daily lives. Let’s dive in and explore these fascinating developments together.

OpenAI and Stack Overflow Partnership

Partnership Announcement: OpenAI and Stack Overflow have formed a new API partnership to leverage their collective strengths—Stack Overflow’s technical knowledge platform and OpenAI’s language models.

Impact and Controversy: This partnership aims to empower developers by combining high-quality technical content with advanced AI models. However, some Stack Overflow users have protested, arguing it exploits their contributed labor without consent, leading to bans and post reverts by staff. This raises questions about content creator attribution and future model training, despite the potential for improved AI models. Read more

Apple’s New Photos App Feature

Feature Introduction: Apple is set to introduce a “Clean Up” feature in its Photos app update, leveraging generative AI for advanced image editing. This tool will allow users to remove objects from photos using a brush tool, similar to Adobe’s Content-Aware Fill.

Preview and Positioning: Currently in testing on macOS 15, Apple may preview this feature during the “Let Loose” iPad event on March 18, 2023. This positions the new iPads as AI-equipped devices, showcasing practical AI applications beyond chatbots and entertainment. Read more

YouTube Premium’s AI “Jump Ahead” Feature

Feature Testing: YouTube Premium subscribers can now test an AI-powered “Jump ahead” feature, allowing them to skip commonly skipped video sections. By double-tapping to skip, users can jump to the point where most viewers typically resume watching.

Availability and Aim: This feature is currently available on the YouTube Android app in the US for English videos and requires a Premium subscription. It complements YouTube’s “Ask” feature and aims to enhance the viewing experience by leveraging AI and user data. Read more

Microsoft’s MAI-1 Language Model Development

Model Development: Microsoft is developing a new large-scale AI language model, MAI-1, led by Mustafa Suleyman, the former CEO of Inflection AI. MAI-1 will have approximately 500 billion parameters, significantly larger than Microsoft’s previous models.

Strategic Significance: This development signifies Microsoft’s dual approach to AI, focusing on both small and large models. Despite its investment in OpenAI, Microsoft is independently advancing its AI capabilities, with plans to unveil MAI-1 at their Build conference. Read more

AI in Drug Discovery at Eli Lilly

Innovative Discovery: The pharmaceutical industry is integrating AI into drug discovery, with Eli Lilly scientists noting innovative molecular designs generated by AI. This marks a precedent in AI-driven biology breakthroughs.

Industry Impact: AI is expected to propose new drugs and generate designs beyond human capability. This integration promises faster development times, higher success rates, and exploration of new targets, reshaping drug discovery. Read more

AI-Narrated Audiobooks on Audible

Audiobook Trends: Over 40,000 AI-voiced titles have been added to Audible since Amazon launched a tool for self-published authors to generate AI narrations. This makes audiobook creation more accessible but has sparked controversy.

Industry Reaction: Some listeners dislike the lack of filters to exclude AI narrations, and human narrators fear job losses. Major publishers are embracing AI for cost savings, highlighting tensions between creative integrity and commercial incentives. Read more

Apple’s M4 Chip for iPad Pro

Processor Introduction: Apple’s M4 chip, the latest and most powerful processor for the new iPad Pro, offers groundbreaking performance and efficiency.

Key Innovations: The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, advanced AI capabilities, and power efficiency gains. These innovations enable superior graphics, real-time AI features, and all-day battery life. Read more

Google’s Pixel 8a Smartphone

Affordable Innovation: The Pixel 8a, Google’s latest affordable smartphone, is priced at $499 and packed with AI-powered features and impressive camera capabilities.

Key Highlights: The Pixel 8a features a refined design, dual rear camera, AI tools, and enhanced security. It also offers family-friendly features and 7 years of software support. Read more

OpenAI’s Media Manager Tool

Tool Development: OpenAI is building a Media Manager tool to help creators manage how their works are included in AI training data. This system aims to identify copyrighted material across sources.

AI Training Approach: OpenAI uses diverse public datasets and proprietary data to train its models, collaborating with creators, publishers, and regulators to support healthy ecosystems and respect intellectual property. Read more

Machine Learning in Sperm Whale Communication

Breakthrough Discovery: MIT CSAIL and Project CETI researchers have discovered a combinatorial coding system in sperm whale vocalizations, akin to a phonetic alphabet, using machine learning techniques.

Communication Insights: By analyzing a large dataset of whale codas, researchers identified patterns and structures, suggesting a complex communication system previously thought unique to humans. This finding opens new avenues for studying cetacean communication. Read more

Sam Altman’s Concerns About AI’s Economic Impact

CEO’s Warning: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed significant concerns about AI’s potential impact on the labor market and economy, particularly job disruptions and economic changes.

Economic Threat: Studies suggest AI could automate up to 60% of jobs in advanced economies, leading to job losses and lower wages. Altman emphasizes the need to address these concerns proactively. Read more

AI Lecturers at Hong Kong University

Educational Innovation: HKUST is testing AI-generated virtual lecturers, including an AI version of Albert Einstein, to transform teaching methods and engage students.

Teaching Enhancement: AI lecturers aim to address teacher shortages and enhance learning experiences. While students find them approachable, some prefer human teachers for unique experiences. Read more

OpenAI’s NSFW Content Proposal

Content Policy Debate: OpenAI is considering allowing users to generate NSFW content, including erotica and explicit images, using its AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E. This proposal has sparked controversy.

Ethical Concerns: Critics argue it contradicts OpenAI’s mission of developing “safe and beneficial” AI. OpenAI acknowledges potential valid use cases but emphasizes responsible generation within appropriate contexts. Read more

Bumble’s Vision for AI in Dating

Future of Dating: Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd envisions AI “dating concierges” streamlining the matching process by essentially going on dates to find compatible matches for users.

AI Assistance: These AI assistants could also provide dating coaching and advice. Despite concerns about AI companions forming unhealthy bonds, Bumble’s focus remains on fostering healthy relationships. Read more

Final Thoughts

This week’s updates showcase AI’s transformative power in areas like education, healthcare, and digital content creation. However, they also raise critical questions about ethics, job displacement, and intellectual property. As we look to the future, it’s essential to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring AI advancements benefit society as a whole. Thanks for joining us, and stay tuned for more insights and updates in next week’s edition of “Last Week in AI.”

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Elon Musk announces Grok, by xAI, to go open source, challenging AI development norms and advocating for transparency and collaboration.

Musk’s Grok to Go Open Source in a Bold Move for AI

Elon Musk has made headlines yet again. Musk announced that xAI, will open source Grok, its chatbot that rivals ChatGPT. This decision comes hot on the heels of his lawsuit against OpenAI, sparking a significant conversation about the direction of AI development.

Breaking New Ground with Grok

Launched last year, Grok has distinguished itself with features that tap into “real-time” information and express views unfettered by “politically correct” norms. Available through 𝕏’s $16 monthly subscription, Grok has already carved a niche for itself among AI enthusiasts seeking fresh perspectives.

Musk’s plan to open source Grok remains broad in its scope. He hasn’t detailed which aspects of Grok will be made publicly available, but the intention is clear: to challenge the current AI status quo and reiterate the importance of open access to technology.

A Founding Vision Betrayed

Musk’s critique of OpenAI, an organization he helped to establish alongside Sam Altman, is pointed. He envisioned OpenAI as a bulwark against monopolistic tendencies in AI, pledging to keep its advancements open to the public. Yet, Musk contends that OpenAI has strayed from this path, becoming a “closed-source de facto subsidiary” focused on profit maximization for Microsoft.

The Open Source AI Debate Intensifies

Vinod Khosla, an early OpenAI backer, sees Musk’s lawsuit as a distraction from the pursuit of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and its potential benefits. Conversely, Marc Andreessen criticizes the push against open source research, championing the openness that has driven significant technological advancements.

Musk’s promise to open source Grok aligns him with other startups like Mistral, who have already shared their codes. His commitment to open source isn’t new. Tesla’s open patent initiative and Twitter’s (now 𝕏) algorithm transparency efforts reflect a consistent philosophy: innovation should be accessible to all, fostering a collaborative rather than competitive approach to solving humanity’s greatest challenges.

OpenAI: A Misnomer?

In a candid critique, Musk declared, “OpenAI is a lie,” challenging the organization to live up to its name. This bold statement, coupled with the upcoming open sourcing of Grok, marks a pivotal moment in the AI narrative. Musk is not just advocating for the free exchange of ideas and technology; he’s taking concrete steps to ensure it.

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The Pope according to Google's Gemini

Google’s AI Gemini Under Fire Over Bias and Inclusivity

Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, is under fire. Some claim it’s biased against white people, preferring to generate images of non-white individuals. Despite producing diverse images, Gemini refuses to create images based on race, sparking debates on AI bias and inclusivity.

The Core Issue

The controversy isn’t just about image generation. It questions Google’s responsibility in developing unbiased AI. Accusations of bias challenge Google to ensure their AI reflects fairness and diversity.

The “Go Woke, Go Broke” Debate

People use “go woke, go broke” to argue that prioritizing political correctness could harm Google. This highlights the challenge of balancing social issues with technology development.

Leadership Accountability

The criticism extends to Google’s leadership. To restore credibility, some suggest significant changes are needed, implying a leadership overhaul might be necessary.

The Bigger Picture

The Gemini debate reflects broader societal challenges in the digital age. As AI evolves, it must do so without reinforcing biases or inequalities.

Conclusion

Google must confront these challenges head-on with honesty and a true representation of history to earn its stripes in AI.

Image credit: X @endwokeness

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