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.
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.
And @pmarca would you open source the manhattan project? This one is more serious for national security. We are in a tech economic war with China and AI that is a must win. This is exactly what patriotism is about, not slogans. https://t.co/AN18VmgVdk
Let's assume, for discussion, that AI in 2024 is like atomic technology in 1943, that AI should therefore be handled like the Manhattan Project, and that the specific risk is that the Chinese Communist Party gains access to American AI. And let's use OpenAI as an example of an…
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.
Razor sharp compliance to an extremist political ideology found only in a small number of elite coastal American enclaves; designed to systematically alienate its creators’ ideological enemies. pic.twitter.com/cH2c1orQg9
Alright, let’s dive into this week. In ‘Last Week in AI,’ we’re touching on everything from Google’s reality check with Gemini to Apple betting big on GenAI. It’s a mix of stepping back, jumping forward, and the endless quest to merge AI with our daily lives. It’s about seeing where tech can take us while keeping an eye on the ground.
Musk Sues Sam Altman, OpenAI, Microsoft
Elon Musk, OpenAI co-founder, has launched a lawsuit against OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and other parties, accusing them of straying from the company’s foundational ethos. Originally established as a beacon of nonprofit AI development, Musk contends that OpenAI’s pivot towards profitability betrays their initial commitment to advancing artificial intelligence for the greater good.
Key Takeaways
Foundational Shift Alleged: Musk’s lawsuit claims OpenAI’s move from a nonprofit to a profit-driven entity contradicts the core agreement made at its inception, challenging the essence of its mission to democratize AI advancements.
AGI’s Ethical Crossroads: It underscores the tension between profit motives and the original vision of ensuring AGI remains a transparent, open-source project for humanity’s benefit.
Visionary Clash: The disagreement between Musk and Altman epitomizes a broader debate. It questions whether the path to AGI should be guided by the pursuit of profit or a commitment to open, ethical innovation.
I’m still confused as to how a non-profit to which I donated ~$100M somehow became a $30B market cap for-profit. If this is legal, why doesn’t everyone do it?
As AI becomes increasingly integral to our daily lives, the outcome of this dispute could set precedents for how AGI is pursued, potentially impacting ethical standards, innovation pathways, and how the benefits of AI are shared across society.
Figure AI’s $2.6 Billion Bet on a Safer Future
In a groundbreaking move, Figure AI, backed by Jeff Bezos, Nvidia and Microsoft, has soared to a $2.6 billion valuation. The startup’s mission? To deploy humanoid robots for tasks too perilous or unappealing for humans, promising a revolution in labor-intensive industries.
Figure Status Update 02/20/24
Key Takeaways:
Massive Funding Success: Surpassing its initial $500 million goal, Figure AI’s recent $675 million funding round underlines investor confidence in the future of humanoid robots.
Strategic Industry Focus: Targeting sectors crippled by labor shortages—manufacturing to retail—Figure AI’s robots could be the much-needed solution to ongoing workforce dilemmas.
Innovative Collaborations: Teaming up with OpenAI and Microsoft, Figure AI is at the forefront of enhancing AI models, aiming for robots that can perform complex tasks, from making coffee to manual labor, with ease and efficiency.
Excited to share: Figure raises $675M at $2.6B Valuation
+ OpenAI & Figure signed a collaboration agreement to develop next generation AI models for robots
The implications are vast and deeply personal. Imagine a world where dangerous tasks are no longer a human concern, where industries thrive without the constraints of labor shortages, and innovation in robotics enriches humanity.
Groq’s Expanding AI Horizons
Groq launches Groq Systems to court government and developer interest, acquiring Definitive Intelligence to bolster its market presence and enrich its AI offerings.
Key Takeaways
Ecosystem Expansion: Groq Systems is set to widen Groq’s reach, eyeing government and data center integrations, a leap towards broader AI adoption.
Strategic Acquisition: Buying Definitive Intelligence, Groq gains chatbot and analytics prowess, under Sunny Madra’s leadership at GroqCloud.
Vision for AI Economy: This move aligns with Groq’s aim for an accessible AI economy, promising innovation and affordability in AI solutions.
Groq’s strategy signals a significant shift in the AI landscape, blending hardware innovation with software solutions to meet growing AI demands. IMO, Groq’s hasn’t even flexed yet.
Mistral AI Steps Up
Paris’s Mistral AI unveils Mistral Large, a rival to giants like OpenAI, with its eye on dominating complex AI tasks. Alongside, its beta chatbot, Le Chat, hints at a competitive future in AI-driven interactions.
Key Takeaways
Advanced AI Capabilities: Mistral Large excels in multilingual text generation and reasoning, targeting tasks from coding to comprehension.
Strategic Pricing: Offering its prowess via a paid API, Mistral Large adopts a usage-based pricing model, balancing accessibility with revenue.
Le Chat Beta: A glimpse into future AI chat services, offering varied models for diverse needs. While free now, a pricing shift looms.
Why You Should Care
Mistral AI’s emergence is a significant European counterpoint in the global AI race, blending advanced technology with strategic market entry. It’s a move that not only diversifies the AI landscape but also challenges the status quo, making the future of AI services more competitive and innovative.
Google Hits Pause on Gemini
Google’s Sundar Pichai calls Gemini’s flaws “completely unacceptable,” halting its image feature after it misrepresents historical figures and races, sparking widespread controversy.
Key Takeaways
Immediate Action: Acknowledging errors, Pichai suspends Gemini’s image function to correct offensive inaccuracies.
Expert Intervention: Specialists in large language models (LLM) are tapped to rectify biases and ensure content accuracy.
Public Accountability: Facing criticism, Google vows improvements, stressing that biases, especially those offending communities, are intolerable.
Why You Should Care
Google’s response to Gemini’s missteps underscores a tech giant’s responsibility in shaping perceptions. It’s a pivotal moment for AI ethics, highlighting the balance between innovation and accuracy.
Klarna’s AI Shift: Chatbot Outperforms 700 Jobs
Klarna teams up with OpenAI, launching a chatbot that handles tasks of 700 employees. This AI juggles 2.3 million chats in 35 languages in just a month, outshining human agents.
Key Takeaways
Efficiency Leap: The chatbot cuts ticket resolution from 11 minutes to under two, reducing repeat inquiries by 25%. A win for customer service speed and accuracy.
Economic Ripple: Projecting a $40 million boost in 2024, Klarna’s move adds to the AI job debate. An IMF report warns that AI could automate 60% of jobs in advanced economies.
Policy Need: The shift underlines the urgent need for policies that balance AI’s perks with its workforce risks, ensuring fair and thoughtful integration into society.
Why You Should Care
This isn’t just tech progress; it’s a signpost for the future of work. AI’s rise prompts a dual focus: embracing new skills for employees and crafting policies to navigate AI’s societal impact. Klarna’s case is a wake-up call to the potential and challenges of living alongside AI.
AI’s Data Hunt
AI seeks vast, varied data. Partnering with Automattic, it taps into Tumblr, WordPress user bases—balancing innovation with regulation.
Key Takeaways
Data Diversity: Essential. AI thrives on broad, accurate data. Constraints limit potential.
Regulatory Agility: Compliance is key. Legal, quality data sources are non-negotiable.
Data’s role in AI’s future is pivotal. As technology intersects with ethics and law, understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone invested in the digital age’s trajectory.
Stack Overflow and Google Team Up
Stack Overflow launches OverflowAPI, with Google as its first partner, aiming to supercharge AI with a vast knowledge base. This collaboration promises to infuse Google Cloud’s Gemini with validated Stack Overflow insights.
Key Takeaways
AI Knowledge Boost: OverflowAPI opens Stack Overflow’s treasure trove to AI firms, starting with Google to refine Gemini’s accuracy and reliability.
Collaborative Vision: The program isn’t exclusive; it invites companies to enrich their AI with expert-verified answers, fostering human-AI synergy.
Seamless Integration: Google Cloud console will embed Stack Overflow, enabling developers to access and verify answers directly, enhancing development efficiency.
Why You Should Care
The initiative not only enhances AI capabilities but also underlines the importance of human oversight in maintaining the integrity of AI solutions.
Apple’s AI Ambition
At its latest shareholder meeting, Apple’s Tim Cook unveiled plans to venture boldly into GenAI, pivoting from EVs to turbocharge products like Siri and Apple Music with AI.
Key Takeaways
Strategic Shift to GenAI: Apple reallocates resources, signaling a deep dive into GenAI to catch up with and surpass competitors, enhancing core services.
R&D Innovations: Apple engineers are pushing the boundaries with GenAI projects, from 3D avatars to animating photos, plus releasing open-source AI tools.
Hardware Integration: Rumors hint at a beefed-up Neural Engine in the iPhone 16, backing Apple’s commitment to embedding AI deeply into its ecosystem.
Why You Should Care
For Apple enthusiasts, this signals a new era where AI isn’t just an add-on but a core aspect of user experience. Apple’s move to infuse its products with AI could redefine interaction with technology, promising more intuitive and intelligent devices.
Wrapping Up
This week’s been a ride. From Google pausing to Apple pushing boundaries, it’s clear: AI is in fact, changing the game. We’re at a point where every update is a step into uncharted territory. So, keep watching this space. AI’s story is ours too, and it’s just getting started.
It’s been a busy week in AI so let’s jump right in.
Midjourney: Style Tuner
Exciting news coming from Midjourney with the introduction of the Style Tuner, a cool tool that lets you jazz up your images in your own unique way! It lets people change how their pictures look. You tell it what kind of look you want, and it shows you some examples. You pick the ones you like, and it gives you a special code. Later, you can use this code to tell the tool how to color your new pictures. This tool is exclusive to Midjourney Model Version 5.2 and works only in Fast Mode. Here’s a step-by-step on how to use the Style Tuner.
I Am Grok
Elon Musk’s xAI has launched Grōk, an AI chatbot with a flair for wit and boldness. Still in its beta phase, Grok is undergoing testing by a limited number of users, showing promising results, especially in logical and programming tasks. With a personality that stands out and exclusive data advantages, Grok is getting ready to change the way we think about AI chatbots.
Key Points about Grok:
Developed by xAI: Elon Musk’s latest AI endeavor.
Beta Testing: A select group is currently assessing Grok’s skills.
Performance: Excelling in math and coding challenges.
X Premium+ Service: Grok will be a feature of this upcoming premium service.
A recent lawsuit accusing Stability AI, Midjourney, and DeviantArt of copyright infringement was largely dismissed by U.S. Judge William H. Orrick, due to issues including unfiled copyrights by two artists. Orrick invited the artists to amend and refile their claims with specified infringed images, but only allowed one count of direct infringement against Stability AI to proceed.
Google: Product Studio
Google has come up with a neat tool called Product Studio for folks in the US who want to advertise stuff. This tool lets them type what they want a picture to look like, and like magic, the tool creates it using Generative AI. Here’s a bit more about what it can do:
Creating New Images:
Advertisers just type in what they want, and the tool creates a picture for them.
Types of Changes:
Simple Stuff:
Change the background color.
Cool Stuff:
Show the product in a cool scene like at a beach or in a room.
Fixing Images:
Make blurry pictures clear.
Get rid of things in the background that shouldn’t be there.
Who Can Use It:
People using certain Google services in the US, like Merchant Center Next and a special app on Shopify.
Availability:
The tool is rolling out, which means it’s starting to be available for people to use now!
New ChatGPT Upgrades
OpenAI has come up with some cool new features for ChatGPT Plus members, making it even handier. Now, members can upload files and the chatbot can help in various ways, like summarizing data or answering questions. It even gets smarter in understanding what users want just from the chat. Here’s a breakdown of these new features:
Uploading Files:
Members can now upload files in different formats, including pictures.
Working with Files:
Summarizing Data:
The chatbot can give a summary of the data in the files.
Answering Questions:
If members have questions about the info in the files, the chatbot can answer them.
Creating Visuals:
It can also create visuals like charts from the data.
New Office Features:
Some features from the fancier ChatGPT Enterprise are now available in ChatGPT Plus, making it more useful for individual members.
Smarter Interactions:
The chatbot can now guess what members want based on the chat, so they don’t have to pick certain options like they did before.
Availability:
These cool features are in beta, which means they are being tested and are available for ChatGPT Plus members to try out!
Brave Browser Introducing Leo
Brave, a browser that cares a lot about keeping users’ information private, has introduced a new helper named Leo. Leo is like a smart buddy within the Brave browser that can help answer questions, translate languages, and even summarize long web pages among other things. The cool part is that Leo is designed to respect user privacy more than other similar helpers. Below are some more details about Leo and what it offers:
Availability:
Leo is free for anyone using a certain version (1.60) of the Brave browser on their computers.
Core Features:
Answering Questions:
Got a question? Leo can help answer it.
Translation:
Leo can help translate text from one language to another.
Summarizing Web Pages:
If a webpage is too long, Leo can provide a summary.
Generating New Content:
Leo can help create new text based on what you ask.
Privacy Focus:
Unlike some other smart helpers, Leo is built to provide “unparalleled privacy” which means it tries to keep your information really safe.
Standard Version:
The usual version of Leo is free and uses a smart brain called Meta’s Llama 2.
Premium Version:
For $15 a month, folks can get Leo Premium which uses a different smart brain called Claude Instant from Anthropic and offers even better conversations, quicker responses during busy times, and a sneak peek at new features before others get them.
Expandability:
One of the co-founders of Brave mentioned that Leo is made in a way that they can add more smart brains to it over time, giving people more options to choose from.
Caution:
Brave mentions that while Leo is smart, the answers it gives should be checked for any mistakes or wrong info, just to be safe.
Instagram
Instagram is working on a new feature called “AI friend” where users can create a chatbot buddy to talk to. They can choose how the chatbot looks and acts, like its age or hobbies. Some people are worried because this fake friend might trick users into thinking they are talking to a real person, which can be risky. This new idea is still being worked on, and it raises the question, should Meta be building something like this?
Google Invests $2 Billion in Anthropic
If you’ve been following the blog, you already know that AI is a big deal these days. Now, Google is giving up to $2 billion to a new company called Anthropic to help them make even smarter AI. Anthropic has big plans for the future like creating virtual helpers and smarter search engines. Big companies like Google are teaming up with new companies to see who can make the coolest AI first. Anthropic even has a chat buddy named Claude, and they think the race to lead in AI could be decided as soon as next year!
Apple Health: An Apple a Day…
Apple is diving into the world of healthcare with some new tech ideas, one of which is a special blood sugar monitor for people with diabetes that doesn’t need to poke the skin. This idea started back in 2011, called Avolonte Health, and was something Steve Jobs really wanted to do. While Apple is cooking up other healthcare projects too, there’s a bit of a debate among the people working there about whether they should create stuff for healthy people or for those who are sick. Here’s a bit more detailed breakdown:
Main Project:
A noninvasive blood sugar monitor for diabetics, which means it can check blood sugar levels without having to poke the skin.
Project Origins:
Started in 2011 with a fancy name, Avolonte Health, and was a special mission from Steve Jobs.
Other Healthcare Initiatives:
Apple is also working on more healthcare projects besides the blood sugar monitor.
Internal Debate:
There’s a discussion among Apple employees about whether they should focus on making things for healthy people or for sick people.
Goal:
Ultimately, Apple is stepping into the healthcare world to possibly make it better with their technology.
AI Safety Summit
The UK hosted the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park. This meeting gathered people from governments, universities, and companies who are creating super smart computer programs known as “frontier AI” to talk about keeping the technology safe. Some really important people from around the world attended this meeting. The UK wants to help bring together big regions like the US, China, and Europe to talk about AI safety.
During this event, a US official also shared the news about a new place focused on AI safety. This new place will work with others around the world to make sure AI is handled correctly. Below is a more detailed explanation:
New Policy Paper:
Introduction of the Bletchley Declaration, which is a big plan on dealing with AI’s challenges safely.
Core Principles:
AI should be:
Safe
Focused on humans
Trustworthy
Used responsibly
Future Meetings:
More gatherings like this are planned:
One in Korea in six months
Another in France six months after that
New AI Safety Institute:
U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, announced a new place for AI safety within the Department of Commerce.
International Cooperation:
This new institute aims to work with other AI safety groups from different countries, including a new one planned in the U.K.
Political Leaders’ Thoughts:
They talked about being inclusive and responsible with AI, but there are still many questions on how to make these ideas real.
This event and the announcements made there are big steps towards making sure AI is developed and used in a safe and responsible way globally!
The Beatles Final Song
The Beatles have released a new song “Now and Then,” marking their first since 1995, crafted using machine learning to refine an old John Lennon demo. Initially attempted in the ’90s, the project faced technical hurdles until recently when technology developed during Peter Jackson’s “Get Back“ documentary enabled the separation of music components into distinct tracks. McCartney and Starr revisited “Now and Then,” and despite mixed fan reactions, all parties involved are satisfied with the outcome. Check out the short film below.
That’s all folks. If you missed last week’s ‘Last Week in AI,’ check it out here. Until next week, stay engaged, stay curious, and continue exploring the digital frontier that AI unfolds.
Elon Musk has entered the AI chatbot scene with a new project called xAI, and their first creation is a chatbot named Grok. Right now, Grok is in the early stages of learning and is being tested by a small group of people. Musk aims for xAI and Grok to be big players in the AI world, competing with other AI companies. Grok is not your average chatbot; it’s designed to be witty and a bit bold, ready to tackle the tricky questions others might not.
Here’s more on Grok:
Company and Product:
xAI is Elon Musk’s new AI company.
Grok is the first AI chatbot from xAI.
Current Phase:
Grok is still learning, with two months of training done.
It’s in the early beta phase, which means it’s still being tested and improved.
Availability:
Only a select group of users can use Grok for now.
A wider release is planned after this test phase.
Characteristics:
Grok has a personality inspired by “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”.
It’s supposed to be witty, a little rebellious, and ready to answer spicy questions.
Data Access:
Grok can use data from 𝕏 (another Musk venture), which could give it an advantage.
Future Plans:
Grok will be part of 𝕏 Premium+, costing $16 per month.
Performance:
In tests with middle school math and Python coding tasks, Grok did better than other models like ChatGPT-3.5 and Inflection-1.
It was only outdone by bots that have access to more data.
Early Access to Grok
If you’re in the U.S., you can sign up and maybe get a chance to test it. And when you do, you can tell the Grōk team what you think so they can make it even cooler. Just so you know, this is just the start—they’ve got a bunch of new stuff they’re going to add to Grōk later on. Grōk is shaping up to be an interesting and unique addition to the AI chatbot market!
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