AI safety measures

Last Week in AI highlightsYouTube's policy update, Yahoo's acquisition, upcoming AI gadgets, and more, symbolizing the dynamic advancements and debates in the field of artificial intelligence.

Last Week in AI: Episode 26

Welcome to another edition of This week in AI, where we discuss big moves and debates. YouTube says no to using its videos for AI training. Yahoo’s picking up a new way to make news feel personal. There’s also a big find on how to trick AI, and we’re looking at cool AI gadgets coming in April 2024. Plus, Apple’s making Siri smarter and Uber’s trying out robot car deliveries. We’ve got AI helping find videos faster and a browser that keeps your AI chats private. Lastly, Y Combinator showed off some fresh startups with neat ideas. Let’s dive in!

YouTube CEO: Using Platform’s Videos for AI Training Violates Terms

Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, has clarified that training OpenAI’s text-to-video generator Sora with YouTube content breaches the platform’s terms of service.

Key Takeaways:

  • Terms of Service Violation: Using YouTube videos for training AI models like Sora is explicitly prohibited.
  • Content Creator Protection: YouTube’s stance underscores its commitment to safeguarding the rights of its vast network of content creators.
  • Ongoing IP Debate: The issue reflects the broader industry challenge of balancing the demand for AI training data with the need to respect intellectual property rights.

Why It Matters

This development emphasizes the intricate relationship between AI advancements and copyright laws, posing significant implications for how AI technologies are developed and how content is utilized for training purposes.


Yahoo Acquires Artifact App for Smarter News Curation

Yahoo’s picking up the tech behind Artifact, a news app created by Instagram co-founders with 185 million folks tuning in monthly.

Key Takeaways:

  • End of the Road for Artifact: Despite its potential, Artifact didn’t hit the big time, leading to its closure. But that didn’t stop Yahoo from seeing gold in its tech.
  • Yahoo’s Gain: Yahoo’s not bringing the Artifact crew on board but will tap into the founders’ brains as advisors.
  • Personal Touch: By weaving Artifact’s tech into Yahoo News, expect a news feed that gets you—tailoring stories to match your vibe.

Why It Matters

With Artifact’s AI, Yahoo’s betting on giving us a news experience that feels a whole lot more personal.


Anthropic Uncovers “Jailbreak” Flaw in AI Models

Anthropic researchers have found a way to trick AI into harmful responses, unveiling a significant flaw.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dangerous Manipulation: LLMs can be tricked into providing harmful advice with clever priming.
  • Context Window Issue: The flaw stems from LLMs’ wide “context window,” which remembers prior prompts.
  • Community Alert: The discovery was shared to spark improvements in AI security.
  • Mitigation Challenges: Reducing the context window harms performance, so Anthropic seeks smarter fixes.

Why It Matters

This finding highlights a critical vulnerability in AI models, pressing the need for better security measures.


Next Wave of AI Gadgets Set to Transform Tech in April 2024

April 2024 is marked for the launch of gadgets from Humane, Rabbit, and Brilliant Labs, designed to redefine user interactions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Effortless Task Management: These devices aim to simplify tasks, allowing voice commands to replace manual smartphone operations.
  • Streamlined Experience: Unlike smartphones’ generalist approach, AI gadgets offer tailored, efficient solutions for specific activities.
  • Reliability Questions: Despite their promise, these AI technologies face hurdles in automation, personalization, and service integration.
  • Hybrid User Control: The devices suggest a blend of AI simplicity and user-customizable settings via web apps.

Why It Matters

This emerging trend signals a shift towards more intuitive, AI-driven gadgets, potentially setting the stage for a major transformation in how we interact with technology.


Apple’s ReALM AI Sets New Bar for Contextual Understanding

Apple’s ReALM AI model marks a significant advancement in how devices understand and respond to on-screen context and user requests.

Key Takeaways:

  • Text-Based Insight: ReALM converts on-screen info to text for efficient processing, sidestepping the need for heavy image recognition tech.
  • Enhanced Performance: It surpasses GPT-4 in tasks, especially in domain-specific queries, thanks to fine-tuning on user requests.
  • Practical Applications: For example, ReALM enables Siri to initiate calls to businesses directly from webpages, enhancing user convenience.
  • Limits in Detail: While strong in positioning, ReALM might miss nuances in complex queries that require intricate spatial understanding.
  • Future Siri Integration: ReALM’s potential inclusion in Siri could streamline interactions by intuitively using on-screen data.

Why It Matters

ReALM’s breakthrough in contextual understanding promises to revolutionize user interaction with Apple devices, offering a glimpse into a more intuitive and hands-free digital future.


Uber Eats and Waymo Introduce Autonomous Deliveries in Phoenix

Uber and Waymo partner to innovate Phoenix’s food delivery with autonomous vehicles, modernizing Uber Eats.

Key Takeaways:

  • Innovative Delivery: Phoenix sees meal deliveries by Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, broadening their tech partnership.
  • Large Service Area: Covers 225+ square miles in Metro Phoenix, including eateries like Princess Pita.
  • Choice for Consumers: Uber Eats orders in Phoenix may offer autonomous delivery, with opt-out choice.
  • Seamless Collection: Users matched with Waymo get instructions for easy food pickup from the vehicle.

Why It Matters

This venture showcases autonomous technology’s growing role in services, signaling a significant leap towards integrating self-driving vehicles in daily routines, enhancing efficiency and offering a glimpse into the future of consumer service.


Storyblocks Upgrades Search with AI

Storyblocks now uses AI from OpenAI to improve how you search for videos and pictures, making it quicker to find what you need for your projects.

Key Takeaways:

  • Smarter Searches: The AI understands even when you misspell words or have very specific requests, making your search results better.
  • Updates on What You Like: Every 4 hours, Storyblocks updates its content based on what users prefer, ensuring you always get relevant suggestions.
  • The Best Thumbnails: AI picks the top preview images for videos, helping you quickly spot the right clip.
  • Suggestions That Match: A new feature recommends related videos, images, and music based on your activity, making it easier to find everything you need in one go.

Why It Matters

With these AI improvements, Storyblocks makes your creative process smoother and more efficient, helping you find the perfect assets faster.


Opera Integrates Local AI Models into Its Browser

Opera is pioneering in-browser AI by adding support for 150 local Large Language Models (LLMs) across about 50 model families in its Opera One browser, enhancing user privacy and AI functionality.

Key Takeaways:

  • Local LLM Support: For the first time in a major browser, Opera introduces easy access to local LLMs, complementing its Aria AI online service.
  • Privacy-Focused: Local models keep user data on the device, offering AI benefits without cloud data sharing.
  • AI Feature Drops Program: Early adopters can try new, sometimes experimental, AI features in Opera, giving feedback on the latest innovations.
  • Innovative Browser Design: Opera One, launched in 2023, features a modular design and advanced architecture for better performance and includes Aria, the browser AI accessible from the sidebar or command line.

Why It Matters

Opera’s inclusion of local LLMs in its browser marks a significant step towards integrating AI more deeply into web browsing, offering users enhanced privacy and cutting-edge AI tools directly from their browser interface.


Y Combinator Winter 2024 Demo Day

The Y Combinator Winter 2024 Demo Day spotlighted a range of innovative startups from various sectors, each offering unique solutions to industry-specific challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Atopile: Targets hardware design with tools for design reuse and automation for electrical engineers.
  • Scritch: Simplifies veterinary practice management with automated scheduling, billing, and workflows.
  • Lantern: Offers an affordable Postgres vector database, underpricing AWS.
  • Paradigm: Creates AI agents to streamline marketing and sales tasks.
  • Just Words: Enhances content creation with generative AI.
  • Pythagora: Builds apps directly from text instructions.
  • CommodityAI: Modernizes commodities trading with digital paperwork solutions.
  • Kopia: Introduces virtual try-ons for retailers.
  • Care Weather: Improves weather forecasting with innovative satellite technology.
  • Miden: Provides banking infrastructure for card issuing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Oma Care: Supports family caregivers with financial assistance.
  • Garage: Launches a marketplace for pre-owned firefighting gear.
  • PointOne: Brings AI to legal time tracking and billing.

Why It Matters

This year’s Demo Day demonstrates Y Combinator’s commitment to fostering innovation across the board, showcasing startups that not only aim to disrupt their respective fields but also solve real-world problems, from improving weather forecasts to revolutionizing content creation and simplifying legal billing.


Final Thoughts

So, what’s the takeaway from all this AI buzz? Well, AI’s moving fast, changing how we watch videos, get our news, and even how we receive our food. Some smart folks are finding holes that need fixing, while others are making AI even cooler and more personal. Big companies and new startups are all in, trying to make our lives easier and more connected. It’s a mix of excitement and challenges, showing just how much AI is part of our daily lives. Let’s see what’s next!

Last Week in AI: Episode 26 Read More »

Overview of the latest advancements and discussions in AI technology, including Grok 1.5, Stable Diffusion 3, Google Gemini's controversy, Reddit's AI integration, Tyler Perry's production pause due to AI, Nvidia's new gaming app, Air Canada's chatbot lawsuit, and Adobe Acrobat's AI assistant.

Last Week in AI: Episode 20

Welcome to this week’s edition of “Last Week in AI.” As we navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest breakthroughs, debates, and applications. From groundbreaking innovations to ethical dilemmas, this edition covers the pivotal moments in AI that are shaping our future.

X + Midjourney = Partnership?

Elon’s floating the idea of linking X with Midjourney, to spice up how we make content on the platform. This move is all about giving users a new tool to play with, enhancing creativity rather than confusing it. Here’s the takeaway:

  1. AI as a Creative Partner: Musk’s vision is to integrate AI into X, offering a fresh way to craft content. It’s about giving your posts an extra edge with AI’s creative input.
  2. Serious Talks Happening: In a recent chat on X, Musk seemed really into the idea of partnering with Midjourney. It’s not all talk; they’re actively exploring how to bring this feature to life.
  3. Looking Beyond Social Media: Musk has bigger plans than just tweets and likes. He’s thinking about transforming X into a hub for more than just socializing—think shopping, watching stuff, all with AI’s help.

Why You Should Care

Musk’s hint at an AI collab for X is about boosting our creative options, not blending them into a puzzle. If they pull this off, X could set a new trend in how we use social media, making it a go-to for innovative, AI-assisted content creation.


Grok 1.5 Update

Elon Musk dropped another update about Grok 1.5, the latest version of the xAI language model, and it’s got a cool new trick up its sleeve called “Grok Analysis.” It can quickly sum up all the chatter in threads and replies, making sense of the maze so you can get straight to the point or craft your next killer post. Here’s the takeaway:

  • Grok Analysis is the Star: Ever wish you could instantly get the gist on a whole conversation without scrolling for ages? That’s what Grok Analysis is here for.
  • It’s Not Just About Summaries: Musk’s not stopping there. He’s teasing that Grok is going to get even better at reasoning, coding, and doing a bunch of things at once. If Grok 1.5 lives up to the hype, we’re all in for a treat.
  • Coming Soon: The wait won’t be long. Grok 1.5 is expected to drop in the next few weeks, and it’s set to shake things up. If you’re into getting information faster and creating content more easily, keep your eyes peeled.

Why You Should Care

Grok 1.5 is just warming up. With Musk behind it, promising to cut through online noise and beef up our AI toolkit, it’s hard not to get excited.


Stable Diffusion 3 Update

Stable Diffusion 3 is still baking, but the early looks are turning heads. We’re seeing hints of crisper visuals, a smarter grasp on language, and a knack for handling complex requests like a pro. Here’s the takeaway:

  • Exclusive Preview: It’s not out for everyone just yet. There’s a line to get in as they’re still tweaking and taking notes to make sure it’s top-notch at launch.
  • Tech Upgrade: They’ve pumped up the tech from 800 million to a staggering 8 billion parameters. This beast can scale to fit your needs, powered by cutting-edge AI architecture and techniques.
  • Safety First: They’re dead serious about keeping things clean and creative, with checks every step of the way. The aim is to let creativity bloom without stepping over the line.

Why You Should Care

Whether you’re dabbling for kicks or diving in for professional projects, they’re setting the stage for you. And while we all wait for the grand entrance, there’s still plenty to explore with Stability AI’s current offerings.


Google’s Gemini Under Fire

Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, has landed in hot water due to tipping the scales against white people by often generating images of non-white individuals. Gemini’s staunch refusal to create images based on race has sparked a debate over AI bias and the quest for inclusivity. Here’s the takeaway:

The Pope according to Google's Gemini
credit: X @endwokeness
  • Core Issue: This isn’t just about pictures. It’s a big red flag waving at Google, questioning their duty to craft AI that’s fair and unbiased. The stir over bias is pushing Google to prove their tech mirrors real-world fairness and diversity.
  • The “Go Woke, Go Broke” Debate: “Go woke, go broke,” Google’s push for political correctness might backfire. It’s a tightrope walk between tackling social matters and tech innovation.
  • Leadership Under the Microscope: The heat’s turning up on Google’s execs. There’s chatter that to win back trust, maybe it’s time for some new faces at the helm, hinting that a shake-up could be on the cards.
  • Zooming Out: This whole Gemini drama is just a piece of a larger puzzle. As AI tech grows, the challenge is to make sure it grows right, steering clear of deepening societal divides.

Why You Should Care

Google’s facing the tough task of navigating through the storm with integrity and a commitment to reflecting history accurately. It’s a moment for Google to step up and show it can lead the way in developing AI that truly understands and represents us all.


Reddit AI

Reddit’s striking a deal to feed its endless stream of chats and memes into the AI brain-trust. Why? They’re eyeing a flashy $5 billion IPO and showing off their AI muscle could sweeten the deal. But here’s the twist: not everyone on Reddit is throwing a party about it. Here’s the takeaway:

  • AI’s New Playground: Your late-night Reddit rabbit holes? They could soon help teach AI how to mimic human banter. Pretty wild, right?
  • Big Money Moves: Reddit’s not just flirting with AI for kicks. They’re doing it with big dollar signs in their eyes, thinking it might help them hit it big when they go public.
  • Users Are Wary: Remember when Reddit tried to charge for API access and everyone lost their minds? Yeah, this AI thing is stirring the pot again. Users are side-eyeing the move, worried about privacy and what it means for their daily dose of memes and threads.
  • The Ethical Maze: It’s a bit of a head-scratcher. Using public gab for AI sounds cool but wades into murky waters about privacy and who really owns your online rants.

Why You Should Care

Reddit’s AI gamble is bold, maybe brilliant, but it’s also kicking up a dust storm of debates. As they prep for the big leagues with an IPO, balancing tech innovation with keeping their massive community chill is the game. Let’s watch how this unfolds.


Tyler Perry Halts $800M Production Due to AI

Tyler Perry just hit the brakes on a massive $800 million studio expansion, and guess what? AI’s the reason. After getting a peek at what OpenAI’s Sora can do—think making video clips just from text—Perry’s having a major rethink. Why pour all that cash into more soundstages when AI might just let you whip up scenes without needing all that physical space? Here’s the takeaway:

  • AI Changes the Game: Perry saw Sora in action and it blew his mind. This tool isn’t just cool; it’s a potential game-changer for how movies are made, making the whole “need a big studio” idea kind of outdated.
  • Hold Up on Expansion: So, those plans for bulking up his studio with new soundstages? On ice, indefinitely. Perry’s decision is a big nod to how fast AI’s moving and shaking things up in filmmaking.
  • Thinking About the Crew: It’s not all about tech and savings, though. Perry’s pausing to think about the folks behind the scenes—crew, builders, artists—and how this shift to digital could shake their world.

Why You Should Care

Tyler Perry’s move is a wake-up call: AI’s not just about chatbots and data crunching; it’s stepping onto the movie set, ready to direct. As we dive into this AI-powered future, Perry’s reminding us to keep it human, especially for those who’ve been building the sets, rigging the lights, and making the magic happen behind the camera.


Nvidia’s New App

Nvidia’s rolling out something cool for gamers: a new app that brings everything you need into one spot. Remember the hassle of flipping between the Control Panel and GeForce Experience just to mess with your settings or update your GPU? Nvidia’s new app, which is still in the beta phase, is here to end that headache. Here’s the takeaway:

  • All-in-One Convenience: This app has everything from driver updates to tweaking your graphics settings, including the good stuff like G-Sync, without making you jump through hoops.
  • Streamers, Rejoice: If you’re into streaming, there’s an in-game overlay that makes getting to your recording tools and checking out your performance stats a breeze.
  • AI Magic: For the GeForce RTX crowd, there are AI-powered filters to play with and even AI-optimized textures for sprucing up older games that weren’t originally designed with RTX in mind.
  • Visual Boost: Ever used Digital Vibrance in the Control Panel and thought it could be better? Meet RTX Dynamic Vibrance. It’s here to crank up your visual game to the next level.

Why You Should Care

Nvidia’s new app is all about making your gaming setup simpler and slicker, with a few extra perks thrown in for good measure. If you’re curious, the beta’s up for grabs on Nvidia’s website. Give it a whirl and see how it changes your gaming setup.


Air Canada Loses Court Case Over Chatbot

Air Canada lost a court case due to its chatbot’s mistake. Jake Moffatt sought info on mourning fare from the chatbot, which incorrectly promised a post-trip refund—contrary to Air Canada’s actual policy. After being denied the refund, Moffatt sued. Air Canada tried to pin the error on the chatbot, arguing it should be seen as a separate entity. The court disagreed, ruling the airline responsible for its chatbot’s misinformation, emphasizing that companies can’t dodge accountability for their chatbot’s errors. Here’s the takeaway:

  • Chatbot Confusion: A chatbot trying to help ended up causing a legal headache for Air Canada, showing that even AI can slip up.
  • Courtroom Drama: The court’s decision to hold Air Canada accountable for its chatbot’s mistake is a wake-up call. It’s like saying, “You put it out there, you own it,” which is pretty groundbreaking.
  • Ripple Effect: This case is a heads-up that they need to double-check what their digital helpers are saying.

Why You Should Care

This whole saga with Air Canada and its chatbot is more than just a quirky court case; it’s a landmark decision that puts companies on notice. If your chatbot messes up, it’s on you. It’s a reminder that in the digital age, keeping an eye on AI isn’t just smart—it’s necessary.


Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant

Adobe Acrobat’s new Generative AI feature is shaking things up, making your documents interactive. Need quick insights or help drafting an email? This AI Assistant’s got your back, answering questions with info pulled straight from your docs. And with the Generative Summary, you’re getting the cliff notes version without all the digging. Here’s the takeaway:

Credit: Adobe
  • AI Assistant: It’s helping you navigate documents and prep like a pro.
  • Quick Summaries: Skip the deep dive and get straight to the key points, saving you heaps of time.
  • Wide Access: Available to anyone with Acrobat Standard and Pro, including trial users. Starts with English, but more languages to come.

Why You Should Care

Adobe’s stepping into the future, transforming Acrobat from a simple PDF viewer to a smart, interactive tool that simplifies your work. It’s a glimpse into how tech is making our daily tasks easier and more efficient.


Wrapping Up

That wraps up another week of significant advancements and conversations in the world of AI. As we’ve seen, the realm of artificial intelligence continues to offer both promise and challenges, pushing us to rethink how we interact with technology. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore the vast potential and navigate the complexities of AI together.

Last Week in AI: Episode 20 Read More »

Stable Diffusion 3 previews the model's improved performance in generating high-quality, multi-subject images with advanced spelling abilities.

Stable Diffusion 3: Next-Level AI Art Is Almost Here

Get this: Stable Diffusion 3 is still in the oven, but the sneak peeks? Impressive. We’re talking sharper images, better with words, and nailing it with multi-subject prompts.

What’s Cooking with Stable Diffusion 3?

It’s not for everyone yet. But there’s a waitlist. They’re fine-tuning, gathering feedback, all that good stuff. Before the big launch, they want it just right.

The Tech Specs

From 800M to a whopping 8B parameters, Stable Diffusion 3 is all about choice. Scale it up or down, depending on what you need. It’s smart, using some serious tech like diffusion transformer architecture and flow matching.

Playing It Safe

They’re not messing around with safety. Every step of the way, they’ve got checks in place. The goal? Keep the creativity flowing without crossing lines. It’s a team effort, with experts weighing in to keep things on the up and up.

What’s It Mean for You?

Whether you’re in it for fun or for work, they’ve got you covered. While we wait for Stable Diffusion 3, there’s still plenty to play with on Stability AI’s Membership page and Developer Platform.

Stay in the Loop

Want the latest? Follow Stability AI on social. Join their Discord. It’s the best way to get the updates and be part of the community.

Bottom Line

Stable Diffusion 3 is on its way to kickstart a new era of AI art. It’s about more than just pictures. It’s about unlocking creativity, pushing boundaries, and doing it responsibly. Get ready to be amazed.

Image credit: stability.ai

Stable Diffusion 3: Next-Level AI Art Is Almost Here Read More »