OpenAI is reportedly enhancing ChatGPT with a new feature that enables the AI to perform web searches and cite sources, according to Bloomberg, positioning it as a direct competitor to Google’s search engine and AI startups like Perplexity. This development could significantly change how users interact with ChatGPT by integrating more dynamic and referenced information directly from the web.

According to Bloomberg sources, the new feature in development would allow ChatGPT users to ask questions and receive answers that pull information from various online resources. These responses could include citations from Wikipedia, blog posts, and potentially even visual aids such as diagrams when relevant. For example, a query on how to change a doorknob might return a step-by-step guide accompanied by a diagram illustrating the process.

Why is OpenAI moving into search?

The move to expand ChatGPT’s capabilities comes as OpenAI faces increasing competition in the AI sector, where search functionality has become a significant battleground. Competitors like Perplexity, which recently reached a $1 billion valuation, and tech giant Google are also enhancing their search technologies with AI to improve accuracy and user experience. OpenAI’s initiative to integrate search functionality directly into ChatGPT could set a new standard for interactive AI systems by providing users with a more comprehensive, self-contained tool for information retrieval and task assistance.

The potential introduction of a search feature by OpenAI has sparked widespread speculation online, especially after social media users noticed a URL, search.chatgpt.com, which led to a “not found” message but hinted at future capabilities. Over one weekend, the URL briefly redirected to ChatGPT’s main site, fueling rumors about the imminent launch of this new feature.

Currently, the ability to search the web is available only to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, and it can answer queries such as current weather conditions. However, there have been issues, such as outdated responses, highlighting the need for improvements in how ChatGPT retrieves and verifies real-time data.

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Political campaigns in India are now using AI to bring deceased politicians back to life, at least digitally, according to Rest of the World reporting. As the nation’s elections gain momentum, the ethical and legal implications of this practice are drawing scrutiny.

Vijay Vasanth, an actor-turned-politician, recently leveraged this technology in his campaign efforts in Kanniyakumari by digitally resurrecting his father, H. Vasanth Kumar, a former parliamentary representative and businessman who passed away from Covid-19 four years ago. In a campaign video, an AI-generated Kumar endorses his son, claiming his “soul is still with all of you,” a message aimed at garnering voter support by invoking his enduring presence and legacy.

This tactic is part of a broader trend where Indian political parties are increasingly turning to AI to connect with voters. M. Karunanidhi, a late political leader from Tamil Nadu, also made posthumous digital appearances, speaking at party events and book launches, with his iconic yellow scarf and dark glasses digitally recreated.

The utilization of AI in this manner taps into deep cultural sentiments, especially in India, where respect for the deceased is profound, and public criticism of them is rare. The revival of these leaders through AI aims to evoke nostalgia and reinforce ideological continuity, which can be particularly persuasive during elections.

Ethical concerns, legal ramifications in India, and the future of AI in politics

However, this practice has raised significant ethical questions. Critics argue that using the likenesses and voices of the deceased without explicit consent could lead to misinformation and manipulate voter perceptions, thus undermining the authenticity of political discourse. Moreover, it blurs the lines between genuine endorsements and fabricated content, potentially deceiving voters about the origins and veracity of the messages they receive.

Globally, similar concerns have prompted regulations, such as the ban on robocalls in the U.S., which also addressed issues of AI-generated voice calls during elections. Yet, in India, the regulatory landscape is still catching up with these rapid technological advancements.

Despite these concerns, proponents like Salem Dharanidharan, a spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, liken the use of AI in political campaigns to historical shifts in communication technologies—from newspapers to cinema and television. They argue that AI is simply the latest medium to disseminate political ideologies more effectively.

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Ukraine has unveiled an AI-generated spokesperson, Victoria Shi, to deliver official statements from its foreign ministry, according to The Guardian, marking a significant technological leap in diplomatic communication. The digital spokesperson was introduced in a social media presentation, where she appeared dressed in a dark suit, speaking and gesturing like a human.

Despite the innovative use of AI in her presentation, the foreign ministry emphasized that the content of Shi’s statements would be crafted and verified by human staff, not generated by AI. This ensures that the information remains accurate and reliable, while the AI component is limited to visual representation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba highlighted that the use of a digital spokesperson is aimed at saving time and resources, allowing diplomats to focus on other crucial aspects of their work.

The spokesperson, whose name is derived from the words “victory” and the Ukrainian phrase for artificial intelligence, “shtuchniy intelekt,” was developed by the Game Changers team, known for their virtual-reality content related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Shi’s appearance and voice are modeled after Rosalie Nombre, a singer and former contestant on Ukraine’s version of “The Bachelor,” who hails from the now Russian-controlled city of Donetsk.

To prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure the authenticity of the statements made by the AI spokesperson, the foreign ministry will accompany each of Shi’s presentations with a QR code. This code will link to text versions of the statements on the ministry’s official website, providing an additional layer of verification.

Shi is set to address various issues, including consular services, which have recently become a contentious topic in Ukraine. The country suspended such services last week for men of fighting age living abroad, a move that requires them to return to Ukraine for administrative procedures and potentially face the draft.

This initiative by Ukraine is the first of its kind in the world, positioning the country at the forefront of technological innovation in diplomatic services. By integrating advanced AI capabilities, Ukraine is not only enhancing its communication efficiency but also setting a precedent for how technology can be harnessed in governmental operations globally.

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A group of Democratic secretaries of state has formally requested that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, discontinue allowing advertisements that falsely claim the 2020 presidential election was stolen. According to the Associated Press, this collective, which includes the secretaries from Colorado, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Vermont, and Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, who does not oversee elections, expressed their concerns in a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The letter highlights the negative repercussions of allowing such content, including the erosion of public trust in electoral processes and the incitement of political violence. These officials argue that Meta’s policies are enabling extremists to amplify election denialism, potentially causing further harm to the democratic system. They urged Zuckerberg to reconsider the company’s stance and prevent any further damage by banning these ads.

Despite multiple reviews, recounts, and audits affirming Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, misinformation continues to circulate, fueled in part by former President Donald Trump’s persistent, unfounded claims of fraud. This ongoing narrative has not only polarized public opinion but has also subjected election workers to severe harassment and threats, leading to significant turnover in the profession.

The secretaries’ plea to Meta comes in the wake of a similar policy enacted by YouTube last year. The Google-owned platform decided to stop removing content falsely claiming U.S. presidential elections were fraudulent. However, YouTube and other platforms continue to grapple with the balance between freedom of speech and the prevention of misinformation.

Meta’s election integrity efforts

In response to concerns about its role in spreading misinformation, Meta has defended its efforts to protect elections globally. The company referenced its comprehensive plan for the 2022 midterm elections, which involves rigorous review protocols to remove content that violates its community standards, including misinformation about voting logistics and threats of violence related to electoral outcomes.

The letter was coordinated by the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State and reflects a broader political divide over how to handle misinformation on social media platforms. The ongoing debate touches on core issues of free speech, the role of tech giants in moderating content, and the integrity of the electoral process.

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Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), shared an ambitious vision this week for enhancing the platform’s news dissemination capabilities using AI. The proposed initiative, revealed through an email exchange with Big Technology, aims to synthesize real-time news with social media reactions into comprehensive, live updates. This novel approach could transform how news is consumed on X, making it a unique blend of reporting and public commentary.

The centerpiece of Musk’s plan is Grok, an AI chatbot on X, which is already experimenting with generating news summaries by aggregating posts from the platform. According to Musk, Grok will evolve to include more dynamic updates and better citations as more information becomes available. This AI-driven tool aims to provide “maximally accurate and timely information,” citing significant sources to create a more enriched user experience.

However, achieving this will not be without challenges. The AI must navigate complex issues such as accurate citation and avoiding the generation of misleading information — commonly known as “hallucinations” in AI parlance. Additionally, Musk’s strategy involves focusing solely on social posts rather than direct article content, which skirts closer to legal boundaries amidst growing copyright concerns in the AI industry.

If successful, Grok could significantly alter the landscape of news consumption on social media. It could serve as a gateway to deeper stories, potentially increasing traffic to original news websites. Josh Miller, CEO of The Browser Company, highlights the importance of robust citation practices in building user trust and stimulating curiosity. Similarly, Igor Babuschkin from Musk’s xAI team emphasized efforts to improve Grok’s citation capabilities to more accurately reflect original news sources.

The move could also have legal implications. Danielle Coffey, president of the News/Media Alliance, expressed skepticism about using only social commentary to summarize news, suggesting it might not sufficiently safeguard original journalistic content under fair use doctrines. This aspect is particularly poignant as major news publishers, including The New York Times, have initiated lawsuits against AI companies for similar practices.

Musk’s broader AI-generated news strategy on X

Despite initial steps that seemed to de-emphasize news on X, Musk’s detailed plan suggests a reaffirmation of news as a central feature of the platform. This could provide X with a competitive edge as other social media platforms, such as Meta’s Threads, move away from news content.

In essence, Musk’s vision for Grok on X is to create a synergistic platform where AI-generated summaries, grounded in user discussions and enhanced by continuous updates, offer a new way to engage with news. This approach aims to merge the immediacy of social media with the depth of traditional journalism, potentially setting a new standard for news aggregation in the digital age.

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SpaceX’s Starlink, lauded for its ambitious global internet service, is reportedly in a financial paradox, burning through cash at a rate that questions its profitability claims, according to Bloomberg reporting. Despite assertions from CEO Elon Musk and SpaceX executives of reaching “profitable territory,” insiders revealed to Bloomberg that the reality of Starlink’s finances is more complex, especially concerning the costs associated with its ground terminals and satellite launches.

Though it boasts over 2.6 million customers, Starlink allegedly omits the significant expenses of satellite deployment in its financial presentations to investors, creating an overly optimistic portrayal of its fiscal health. This accounting practice has led to skepticism about the satellite business’s operational profitability, contrasting Musk’s previous announcements of achieving “breakeven cash flow.”

As SpaceX continues to redefine the aerospace industry with its reusable rockets and the sheer number of satellites deployed, the financial sustainability of its satellite internet service comes under scrutiny. Valued near $180 billion, SpaceX’s reliance on Starlink for revenue is evident, especially as the company seeks to fund Musk’s vision of Mars colonization. Yet, the ambition of reaching millions more customers necessitates a network expansion that could exacerbate existing capacity and cost challenges.

Starlink’s capacity constraints and speed bumps

Starlink’s quest for global coverage faces hurdles, not just in the technological realm but also in market penetration. Urban saturation has begun to affect service performance, a situation SpaceX hopes to alleviate with the introduction of more advanced satellites. However, the promise of improved services with the upcoming Starship rocket launches remains contingent on overcoming significant testing milestones.

While Starlink’s appeal to major airlines has been limited, its success in rural and maritime sectors demonstrates the service’s potential. Partnerships with companies like Carnival Cruise Lines and Anglo-Eastern Ship Management highlight Starlink’s ability to offer vital internet services in areas traditionally underserved by traditional providers.

The path to consistent profitability for Starlink involves reducing manufacturing and operational costs while expanding its subscriber base. With revenue projections optimistic, SpaceX may explore additional financing or an IPO for Starlink, though such plans remain speculative. Yet, as Starlink navigates these financial and operational challenges, its impact on global internet access continues to grow

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Google announced on Wednesday that it will extend its AI-powered editing features in Google Photos, previously exclusive to Pixel devices and paid subscribers, to all users at no additional cost, as per TechCrunch reporting. The suite of tools, including the Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Photo Unblur, utilizes machine learning to enhance photo quality and composition.

The rollout of these advanced editing capabilities is set to begin on May 15, with a phased approach expected to reach all Google Photos users over several weeks. Users wishing to access the new features will need to meet specific hardware requirements. For ChromeOS devices, compatibility includes Chromebook Plus models running ChromeOS version 118+ or devices with at least 3GB RAM. Mobile users will require devices operating on Android 8.0 or higher or iOS 15 or higher. The update also extends support to Pixel tablets.

The Magic Editor, first introduced with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, stands out for its ability to conduct more complex edits through generative AI, such as altering photo backgrounds and enhancing foreground elements. This feature, alongside others, aims to simplify tasks that previously necessitated manual editing in software like Photoshop.

Limitations for non-Pixel users

While all users can enjoy the bulk of the new editing tools without a Google One subscription, there is a caveat for non-Pixel device users regarding the Magic Editor. These users will be limited to 10 Magic Editor saves per month unless they subscribe to a Premium Google One plan, which offers unlimited access among other benefits.

This expansion represents Google’s strategic response to the increasing availability of AI-powered editing tools in the market, aiming to make high-quality photo editing accessible to a broader audience. Despite introducing subscription-based limitations for certain features, the move significantly enhances the value proposition of Google Photos for users worldwide.

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Google is exploring the idea of introducing “premium” features powered by generative AI to its search engine. This potential shift, as per The Financial Times, marks the first time Google would place AI-generated elements of its core search functionality behind a paywall, signaling a significant pivot from its traditional ad-supported model.

For nearly two decades, Google has dominated the search engine market, providing free access to information while generating revenue through advertisements. However, the advent of generative AI technologies, epitomized by the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has prompted Google to reconsider its strategy. ChatGPT’s ability to deliver concise, complete answers poses a direct challenge to the conventional search engine format, which relies on directing users to external websites, including those of advertisers.

Google’s response to this competitive pressure has been twofold. The company began testing an AI-powered search service that offers more detailed answers to user queries while maintaining the traditional model of presenting links and advertisements. This “Search Generative Experience” (SGE), still in an experimental phase, leverages AI to provide “AI-powered snapshots” of information, a process that demands significantly more computing resources than standard search responses.

The introduction of premium, AI-enhanced search features would be incorporated into Google’s existing subscription services, such as the Google One bundle, which already includes access to the Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs. This approach would maintain the free availability of Google’s traditional search engine and advertisement display, thus preserving its primary revenue stream while offering enhanced services to those willing to pay.

Google’s deliberation over premium AI search features occurs in a broader context of technological evolution and market competition. Microsoft, through its partnership with OpenAI, has already integrated GPT-powered search capabilities and the chatbot Copilot into its Bing search engine. Despite these advancements, Bing’s market share remains significantly lower than Google’s, underscoring the challenge of transforming AI capabilities into market dominance.

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The EU’s latest cybersecurity certification draft may pave the way for Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to more easily secure cloud computing contracts within the bloc. According to a recent Routers report, this development comes from the removal of a contentious requirement in the draft rules, which previously mandated that vendors must be independent of non-EU legal jurisdictions. The change could have profound implications for how cloud services are procured and secured across the EU, balancing the drive for cybersecurity with the realities of global tech dominance.

The EU has long grappled with establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity certification scheme (EUCS) aimed at ensuring the cybersecurity integrity of cloud services. Such a scheme is crucial for both governments and private entities in the EU, aiding them in selecting secure and trustworthy vendors for their cloud computing needs. The stakes are high, as the dominance of U.S.-based tech giants in the cloud sector has sparked concerns over potential illegal state surveillance and the stifling of emerging EU cloud providers.

The EU’s shift in requirements for cybersecurity certification

Initially, draft requirements circulated among EU governments proposed stringent “sovereignty requirements.” These included compelling U.S. tech companies to form joint ventures with EU counterparts and to localize the storage and processing of customer data within the EU to be eligible for the coveted EU cybersecurity label. This approach, however, faced backlash from various sectors within Europe, including banks, insurance groups, and startups. Critics argued that the focus should be on technical cybersecurity measures rather than on political or sovereignty considerations.

The latest draft, dated March 22, reflects a pivot from these earlier sovereignty requirements. Instead of demanding independence from non-EU laws or mandating data localization within the EU, the revised rules only require cloud service vendors to disclose the locations where customer data is stored and processed, along with any applicable laws. This adjustment could significantly lower the barriers for Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, allowing them to participate more freely in the EU’s cloud computing market without the need for complex legal restructuring or data localization measures.

EU countries are currently reviewing the updated draft, which will eventually be formalized into a final scheme by the European Commission. This move signals a pragmatic approach to cybersecurity, acknowledging the global nature of cloud computing services while still striving to protect the data and interests of EU citizens and businesses.

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Apple is delving into the realm of personal robotics, a move that could redefine the tech giant’s future offerings. According to insiders interviewed by Bloomberg, Apple’s foray into robotics includes a mobile robot designed to follow users around their homes and an advanced table-top device featuring a robotic arm to move a display. This exploration is part of Apple’s efforts to diversify its product lineup and find new revenue streams, especially after shelving its electric vehicle project and while its mixed-reality ventures are still gaining traction.

Under the guidance of the company’s hardware engineering division and AI and machine-learning group, led by John Giannandrea, these projects signal Apple’s ambition to integrate more deeply into consumers’ homes through advanced technology. However, these initiatives are still in the nascent stages, and their eventual release remains uncertain.

Apple’s home robotics revolution

Among the projects, the robotic smart display has attracted attention within Apple, intriguing senior executives with its potential to revolutionize video calling by mimicking head movements and focusing on specific individuals in a group. Despite this interest, concerns about consumer demand and technical hurdles, like the balance of robotic motors, have stalled definitive progress.

Apple’s venture into personal robotics aligns with its strategy to pioneer in uncharted technology territories. The company’s historical focus on groundbreaking products, from the iPhone to the more recent Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, underscores its continual search for the “next big thing.” Robotics offers a unique opportunity to merge AI advancements with practical, everyday applications, potentially transforming how users interact with Apple products at home.

The tech industry has witnessed various attempts at introducing personal robots, such as Amazon’s Astro and the enduring popularity of the Roomba vacuum. Apple’s entry into this market could shake up the competition, leveraging its expertise in hardware design, software integration, and consumer trust. Yet, the challenge of creating a robot that genuinely adds value to the home environment is significant, requiring innovations that go beyond current offerings.

With job postings for robotics-related roles, Apple is evidently ramping up its efforts in this field, hinting at a long-term commitment to developing intelligent robotic systems. While the tangible outcomes of these projects are yet to be seen, Apple’s exploration into personal robotics could mark the beginning of a new era for the company and its users, promising a future where technology serves not just as a tool for communication and entertainment but as an integral part of the home.

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Nvidia today introduced its Earth-2 cloud platform at the GTC 2024 event in San Jose, California, aimed at advancing global climate change predictions through AI-powered simulations. According to VentureBeat, the platform, which was first mentioned in 2021, has now reached full operational status.

During a keynote address, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted Earth-2’s role in addressing the frequent occurrence of climate disasters such as droughts, hurricanes, and floods. The Earth-2 platform, according to Huang, offers APIs that enable large-scale simulation and visualization of weather and climate data, providing a tool to better prepare for and mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.

The technology behind Nvidia’s Earth-2

Earth-2 relies on a combination of Nvidia’s CUDA-X microservices software and AI models, including the CorrDiff generative AI model. This integration allows for simulations that are both faster and more energy-efficient than traditional numerical models. Rev Lebaredian, Nvidia’s vice president of simulation, underscored the economic impact of extreme weather, which results in $140 billion in losses annually, and the need for detailed, kilometer-scale simulations to effectively address this challenge.

One of the first organizations to utilize Earth-2 is Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, which aims to use the platform’s models to improve typhoon forecasting and evacuation planning. Additionally, Earth-2’s capabilities are being extended through integration with Nvidia Omniverse, enabling users to develop 3D workflows that incorporate actual weather data into their digital twin environments.

The Weather Company, an entity focused on weather data forecasting and insights, announced plans to integrate Earth-2 APIs to enhance their weather modeling products and services. This collaboration is intended to provide more accurate weather intelligence for enterprise clients and improve the overall understanding and simulation of weather impacts.

At the GTC 2024 conference, Nvidia also showcased other innovations such as the NIM software platform for streamlined AI deployment, and advancements in humanoid robotics with Project GR00T.

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At its GTC conference today, Nvidia unveiled NIM, a revolutionary software platform designed to seamlessly integrate both custom and pre-trained AI models into production environments.

Alongside a number of announcements today at Nvidia’s GTC conference, NIM harnesses Nvidia’s expertise in AI model inferencing and optimization, offering a streamlined approach for developers. By merging AI models with an optimized inferencing engine and encapsulating them into containers accessible as microservices, NIM drastically reduces deployment time. According to TechCrunch reporting, what would traditionally take months can now be accomplished swiftly, bypassing the need for extensive in-house AI expertise.

This innovative platform supports models from notable entities such as NVIDIA, A121, and Getty Images, alongside open models from tech giants like Google and Meta. Nvidia’s collaboration with Amazon, Google, and Microsoft aims to integrate NIM microservices into major cloud services, enhancing accessibility for developers across the board.

NIM’s backbone: Nvidia’s inferencing engines

At the heart of NIM lies the Triton Inference Server, alongside TensorRT and TensorRT-LLM, underscoring Nvidia’s commitment to providing a robust foundation for AI applications. The platform also features specialized microservices, such as Riva for speech and translation adjustments, cuOpt for routing optimizations, and the Earth-2 model for simulations in weather and climate.

Manuvir Das, head of enterprise computing at Nvidia, emphasized the efficiency and enterprise-grade quality that NIM brings to the table, allowing developers to focus on building enterprise applications without the overhead of model management.

NIM stands as a testament to Nvidia’s vision of transforming enterprises into AI-driven entities, equipped with a suite of containerized AI microservices. With the backing of industry giants and an ecosystem of partners, Nvidia’s NIM is poised to revolutionize the way AI models are deployed and utilized across various sectors.

Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, highlighted the transformative potential of NIM, envisioning a future where every enterprise leverages AI to enhance their operations and innovation capacity.

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Nvidia’s ambition to lead in the realm of AI extends beyond its renowned chip technology, as CEO Jensen Huang expresses enthusiasm for developing foundation models for humanoid robots, according to a recent TechCrunch report. The technology giant is leveraging its influence in AI hardware to pioneer innovations in robotics, marked by the announcement of Project GR00T at its annual GTC developer conference. This initiative underscores Nvidia’s strategic move into the competitive sphere of humanoid robotics, hinting at its potential impact on future AI applications.

Project GR00T emerges as Nvidia’s response to the growing interest in humanoid robots, proposing a general-purpose foundation model aimed at supporting a wide array of companies in this sector, such as Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, and XPENG Robotics. This move signifies Nvidia’s commitment to facilitating advancements in robotics, offering a platform that promises to accelerate development across various applications, from industrial automation to daily human assistance.

According to TechCrunch, Jonathan Hurst of Agility Robotics and Geordie Rose of Sanctuary AI lauded the initiative, highlighting the transformative potential of human-centric robots like Digit in reshaping labor and addressing major societal challenges. Nvidia’s partnership approach, focusing on collaboration and shared innovation, sets a promising stage for the evolution of embodied AI.

Accompanying Project GR00T, Nvidia introduced Jetson Thor, a computing marvel designed for humanoid robotics applications. This new hardware, featuring Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture, emphasizes the company’s efforts to push the boundaries of AI and robotics performance, facilitating the development of more capable and versatile robots.

Nvidia also unveiled two additional programs: Isaac Manipulator and Isaac Perceptor, targeting advancements in robotic dexterity and vision processing. These initiatives reflect Nvidia’s comprehensive strategy to influence a broader range of robotic functionalities, from manufacturing automation to autonomous navigation.

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Apple is reportedly experimenting with an AI-driven advertising platform, partnering with a select group of collaborators, according to Business Insider. This cutting-edge tool is allegedly designed to optimize ad placements within the App Store, potentially enhancing the performance of App Store Search Ads. While AI in advertising is not new, with giants like Google and Facebook already implementing such technologies, Apple’s foray into this space marks a significant development, given its relatively limited advertising options.

Presently, Apple offers a few ad formats within the App Store, allowing developers to promote their apps in the Today tab, the Search tab, top of search results, and at the bottom of app product pages. The company also manages advertising campaigns for the News and Stocks apps, though these are largely coordinated through third parties like NBCUniversal.

Despite being in its infancy, Apple’s advertising venture is poised for substantial growth, with some analysts projecting the company’s ad business to surge to $6 billion by 2025, fueled primarily by Search Ads contributing $4.1 billion, according to a recent AppleInsider report.

The shift toward AI-driven advertising is reshaping the industry, offering targeted efficiency for advertisers and personalized experiences for users. With AI, advertisers can pinpoint their audience with greater accuracy, improving ad spend effectiveness and user engagement. This technology allows for real-time analysis of user preferences, ensuring ads displayed are more relevant and appealing.

Business Insider speculates that the adoption of AI for ad placement could signal Apple’s intentions to expand its ad-supported services, not only within the App Store but across its ecosystem. An AI placement tool could become increasingly vital as Apple potentially introduces more Search Ads slots and explores new avenues for ad display, including other system apps.

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OpenAI has officially responded to Elon Musk’s legal actions with a sharp retort, describing the billionaire’s allegations as based on “convoluted — often incoherent — factual premises.” This statement, according to Bloomberg, came as part of a court filing in San Francisco in response to a lawsuit Musk filed against the AI research company, its CEO Sam Altman, and President Greg Brockman. Musk’s lawsuit claims that OpenAI has deviated from its original mission of developing responsible AI technology and accuses it of becoming excessively dependent on Microsoft Corp., its most substantial investor.

In a detailed blog post accompanied by emails sent by Musk to OpenAI employees, the company addressed these accusations head-on last week. One of the critical points of OpenAI’s legal defense is the assertion that Musk’s claims are unfounded due to the absence of a founding agreement or any formal agreement with Musk, contrary to what his complaint suggests.

“The relief Musk seeks is as extraordinary as his claims are contrived,” OpenAI stated in its court documents, as per Bloomberg. The filing further criticized Musk’s legal demands, including a significant reorganization of OpenAI and a redistribution of its technology based on a “fictitious contract” Musk alleges was breached.

Additionally, OpenAI’s response cautioned against the potential for Musk to exploit the legal discovery process to access sensitive proprietary information and technology belonging to OpenAI. The company emphasized the need for stringent oversight to ensure that any discovery demands from Musk would not compromise OpenAI’s intellectual property and operational secrets.

This legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of growing debates over the governance of artificial intelligence technology and its ethical implications. Musk, who was one of the co-founders of OpenAI before stepping back from active involvement, has been a vocal critic of the pace and direction of AI development, warning of the potential risks associated with unchecked advancements in AI technology.

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Airbnb has announced a comprehensive policy update that effectively bans the use of indoor security cameras by hosts within their rental properties, according to a recent report by The Verge. This policy change, effective April 30, represents a major update in the company’s approach to enhancing privacy and trust among its worldwide customers.

In a departure from its previous policy, which allowed for security cameras in non-private areas of a rental, such as living rooms and hallways, provided they were disclosed and visible, Airbnb has now opted to ban these devices entirely within the indoor premises. This decision addresses the discomfort and privacy concerns raised by guests who have encountered hidden surveillance equipment in their accommodations.

To complement the indoor camera ban, Airbnb is also tightening regulations around the use of outdoor surveillance cameras. Hosts must now inform guests about the presence and precise location of any outdoor cameras at the time of booking. The policy specifically prohibits the placement of cameras in secluded outdoor areas, including places like outdoor showers, to ensure guest privacy.

An additional policy update mandates the listing of noise decibel monitors, used by hosts to detect loud noises indicative of parties — a violation of Airbnb’s rules since 2022. This transparency is part of Airbnb’s effort to maintain a respectful environment for both hosts and guests.

Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s lead for community policy and partnership, highlighted the collaborative process behind these updates. “These changes were made in consultation with our guests, hosts, and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community,” Downs stated.

Airbnb has set a deadline for hosts to comply with these new requirements by removing all indoor cameras from their listings. The company has vowed to take action against any listings reported to have indoor cameras after the April deadline, which could include removal from the platform.

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A Montenegro court has ruled in favor of extraditing Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon to South Korea, as local media Vijesti reports. This decision overturns a previous ruling that favored his extradition to the United States, spotlighting the intricate web of legal challenges Do Kwon faces across multiple jurisdictions.

The decision by the high court in Podgorica came after a series of legal maneuvers, including an appeal by Do Kwon against his extradition to the U.S., which had initially been decided on Feb. 21. His defense argued that the legal process was flawed, leading the Montenegro Court of Appeals to revoke his U.S. extradition on March 5, according to The Block.

The twist in Do Kwon’s extradition saga underscores the global nature of the legal pursuit against him. Earlier on Thursday, South Korea’s National Police Agency sought assistance from Interpol to secure Do Kwon’s extradition from Montenegro, highlighting that South Korea had lodged its request before the United States did. This international legal tug-of-war illustrates the complexity and high stakes involved in Kwon’s case.

Do Kwon is at the center of a storm following the dramatic collapse of the Terra ecosystem in May 2022. The failure of the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD led to a staggering $45 billion loss in market capitalization, shaking the cryptocurrency world to its core. As the co-founder of Terraform Labs, Do Kwon faces fraud charges in South Korea related to this collapse, marking a swift fall from grace for the once-celebrated crypto entrepreneur.

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Apple is set to change the iPhone user experience in the European Union with a series of significant updates aimed at complying with the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, which has just come into effect. According to The Verge, among the most notable changes, EU-based users will, by the end of 2024, have the ability to uninstall the Safari browser from their iPhones. Additionally, Apple is developing a more “user-friendly” solution for transferring data from an iPhone to non-Apple phones, expected to be rolled out by fall 2025.

The changes are outlined in a recent compliance document published by Apple, showcasing the company’s efforts to adhere to the DMA’s regulations. The document reveals plans for a “browser switching solution” that facilitates the transfer of data between browsers on the same device. This feature is projected to be available between late 2024 and early 2025. Moreover, by March 2025, users will be able to change their default navigation app on iOS devices within the EU, marking a significant shift toward enhancing user autonomy over their device settings.

Regional specificity and global implications

While the document does not explicitly confirm whether these features will be rolled out globally, it highlights Apple’s ongoing initiatives to comply with the DMA in the EU. These initiatives include enabling the use of browser engines other than WebKit and the installation of third-party app stores, which, as of now, are exclusive to the EU market. The global availability of these features remains a subject of speculation, pending further clarification from Apple.

The introduction of a more intuitive solution for transferring data to non-Apple phones builds on existing migration tools provided by other companies, such as Google’s “Switch to Android” iOS app. This app facilitates the transfer of contacts, photos, videos, free apps, texts, and notes, although it falls short of transferring paid apps, Safari bookmarks, alarms, and other miscellaneous files. Apple’s forthcoming solution aims to bridge these gaps, offering a more comprehensive data migration experience for users switching from iOS to other operating systems.

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OpenAI has requested a federal judge to dismiss parts of a copyright lawsuit filed by The New York Times, accusing the newspaper of employing deceptive tactics to generate misleading evidence, according to a recent Reuters report. The lawsuit, which centers around the alleged unauthorized use of the Times’ copyrighted material to train OpenAI’s artificial intelligence systems, including the popular ChatGPT, has sparked a heated debate over the boundaries of copyright law and AI technology.

OpenAI’s defense, articulated in a recent filing in Manhattan federal court, argues that The New York Times contravened OpenAI’s terms of use by using “deceptive prompts” to force the AI to reproduce the newspaper’s content. OpenAI contends that this strategy was designed to create evidence for The New York Times’ lawsuit, undermining the integrity of the legal process. The filing criticizes the Times for not adhering to its own high journalistic standards, suggesting that the newspaper hired an external party to manipulate OpenAI’s products deliberately.

At the heart of this legal battle is the controversial question of whether AI’s training on copyrighted materials constitutes fair use — a principle that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as news reporting, teaching, and research. Tech companies, including OpenAI, argue that their AI systems’ usage of copyrighted content is a fair use, essential for the development of AI technologies that could potentially shape a multitrillion-dollar industry. However, copyright owners, including The New York Times, contend that such practices infringe on their copyrights, unduly benefiting from their extensive investments in original content.

What is the case against OpenAI and Microsoft about?

The case against OpenAI and its primary financial supporter, Microsoft, is part of a broader trend of copyright lawsuits targeting tech companies over AI training practices. However, courts have yet to provide a clear verdict on the fair use question in the context of AI, with some infringement claims being dismissed due to insufficient evidence of AI-generated content resembling copyrighted works closely.

OpenAI’s filing emphasizes the challenges in using ChatGPT to systematically reproduce copyrighted articles, arguing that the instances cited by the Times were anomalies resulting from extensive manipulation. The company also posits that AI models acquiring knowledge from various sources, including copyrighted materials, is inevitable and cannot be legally prevented, drawing a parallel with traditional journalistic practices of re-reporting news.

As the lawsuit progresses, the outcome could have profound implications for the future of AI development and the application of copyright law in the digital age. A ruling in favor of OpenAI could solidify the legal standing of AI’s fair use of copyrighted materials, potentially accelerating the growth of AI technologies. Conversely, a decision favoring The New York Times could impose new limitations on how AI can be trained, impacting the evolution of AI capabilities and the tech industry’s trajectory.

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Instagram’s Threads is swiftly outpacing its competitors, most notably X (formerly Twitter), in daily downloads across both iOS and Google Play platforms, according to TechCrunch reporting. This surge signifies a potential shift in the market dynamics of social networking and microblogging services.

Since its public launch in the summer of 2023, Threads has experienced a significant influx of new installs, initially spurred by Meta’s strategic efforts to integrate and promote the app within its existing network, including Facebook and Instagram. Despite an initial fluctuation in download rates, Threads has now achieved a consistent lead over X, marking a pivotal moment in the competition for user engagement.

Recent data underscores this trend, with Threads securing nearly triple the downloads on iOS and more than double on Google Play compared to X. On February 25, 2024, Threads boasted 486,803 installs on Google Play and 342,228 on iOS, dwarfing X’s 225,408 and 112,625 downloads on the respective platforms. This gap not only highlights Threads’ growing popularity but also suggests a widening preference among users for Meta’s microblogging platform.

Implications for the social media landscape

Threads’ ascendancy comes at a time when X is grappling with challenges, including issues related to its rebranding and concerns over automated accounts or spam. Despite these hurdles, X reported 500 million monthly active users last fall, a figure now cast in doubt due to the prevalence of bots within its network.

On the other hand, Threads is rapidly gaining traction, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealing the app had reached 130 million monthly active users by the company’s fourth quarter. This growth is particularly notable in markets like Japan, where Twitter previously held strong influence.

The rise of Threads suggests a shift in the information-sharing ecosystem, with Meta positioning itself as a key player. Unlike X, Threads has committed to not amplifying news or recommending political content, a stance that could reshape how journalists, researchers, and the public engage with social media for news and information.

While Threads and X vie for dominance, decentralized alternatives like Mastodon and Bluesky are struggling to make a significant impact. Despite Mastodon’s diverse app ecosystem and Bluesky’s recent public launch, neither platform has yet to challenge the dominance of Threads or X significantly.

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