Let’s continue our journey through the AI news landscape, now with the updated chapters for the week of February 18th, 2024:
AI News Summary: Week of February 18th, 2024
Massively Multilingual Speech AI
Facebook’s research models continue to astound. In a recent breakthrough, they’ve expanded their language repertoire to recognize over 4,000 spoken languages—an impressive 40 times more than any previous technology. This advancement significantly enhances text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities across 1,100 languages. Imagine the impact on virtual reality, augmented reality, and global communication.
ChatGPT’s Memory Feature
OpenAI’s ChatGPT has leveled up! Now, you can instruct ChatGPT to remember specific details or even selectively forget information in future conversations. This memory feature adds a new layer of interaction and adaptability to AI chatbots, making them more context-aware and engaging.
Nvidia’s Offline Chatbot Tool
Nvidia caters to GeForce RTX 30 and 40 Series card owners with an offline AI-powered chatbot. Now you can run GenAI models directly on your Windows PC, enhancing productivity and unleashing creativity. Imagine the possibilities for personalized assistance and creative content generation.
Cambio’s AI Debt Negotiation
Cambio, the Y Combinator-backed startup, is shaking up the banking industry. Their AI bots specialize in negotiating debt and engaging with customers over the phone. It’s a fresh approach to financial services, powered by artificial intelligence. Debt resolution just got smarter.
EU AI Act Progress
The European Parliament’s committees have taken a significant step toward regulating AI applications. Their draft legislation, based on a risk-based framework, aims to strike a balance between innovation and accountability. Responsible AI adoption in Europe is on the horizon.
US Patent Office’s Stance on AI Patents
While AI continues to advance rapidly, the US Patent Office reminds us that only humans can patent things. This thought-provoking perspective highlights the intersection of AI and intellectual property. What does it mean for innovation and legal frameworks?
And there you have it—a week filled with AI breakthroughs, acquisitions, and regulatory developments. Stay tuned for more exciting chapters in the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence!
Cutting-edge AI and blockchain
Deutsche Telekom has announced a collaboration with UK-based AI startup Fetch.ai to promote cutting-edge AI and blockchain solutions. The convergence of blockchain, AI and IoT is trailblazing the digital transformation of entire industries. Autonomous agents will automate industrial services, simplifying processes securely thanks to blockchain.
Telecom companies are expected to increase their spending on AI for automating network management to $20 billion by 2028, a new report from Juniper Research found. This would represent a 240 percent rise from estimated spending levels in 2024 of $6 billion.
DeepMind will enhance the reasoning abilities of LLMs
Google DeepMind will be enhancing the reasoning abilities of large language models (LLMs). LLMs will engage in self-discovery by copying problem-solving strategies used by humans. And they did it by giving them the ability to use reasoning modules that have been developed through other research efforts. More specifically, they gave them the ability to make use of modules that allow for critical thinking and/or step-by-step analysis of a problem at hand. And that allows the LLMs to build explicit reasoning structures, rather than simply relying on reasoning conducted by others when creating their documents.
Amazon Big Adaptive Streamable TTS
Amazon unveils largest text-to-speech model ever made. The new model, called Big Adaptive Streamable TTS with Emergent abilities, (BASE TTS for short) has 980 million parameters and was trained using 100,000 hours of recorded speech (found on public sites), most of which was in English.
AI investments in Europe
AI investments in Europe are growing. Microsoft will invest about €3.3 billion ($3.5 billion) in Germany over two years to expand its data center capacities for AI and cloud computing applications, reports AP News. Google, meanwhile, is opening an AI research hub in Paris and will host at least 300 researchers.
A report from OpenAI, the University of Cambridge, and multiple others said AI chip hardware is “a strong intervention point for risk-reducing AI policies” and suggested creating a global registry tracking the flow of chips destined for AI supercomputers.
Keysight joined the AI Safety Consortium, which was created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop science-based standards and guidelines for the development and deployment of AI. The consortium has over 200 members.
EdgeQ is using Arteris’ FlexNoC network-on-chip IP in its 5G Base Station-on-a-Chip for small-cell and macro-cell applications. The chip handles both multi-mode 4G and 5G and uses a software-defined physical layer. AI in the chip can handle RF spectrum monitoring, indoor location positioning, 5G massive MIMO scheduling, among others. The chip has a RISC-V architecture.
Flex Logix joined the Intel Foundry Services (IFS) Accelerator IP Alliance, which provides access to Intel’s process design kits, such as Intel 18Å, to provide embedded FPGA and reconfigurable DSP/AI solutions for mutual customers. Intel will provide updates on its foundry business and process roadmap at IFS Direct Connect on Feb. 21 in San Jose, California.
Automotive
The French government suspended an EV leasing program only six weeks after its launch due to demand outstripping supply, reports the Guardian. The lease of €100 (~$107) a month for a European-built car was designed to help low-income households and cut carbon emissions. The program will resume next year.
Stellantis invested €103 million (~$110.9M) in its plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary, including grants and contributions from the Hungarian government to increase its production capacity of electric drive modules (EDMs). The company also announced select models of its battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in North America will adopt the proposed SAE J3400 connector, starting in 2025.
Germany-based Schaeffler extended an agreement to use Ansys‘ tools to drive sustainable product development, including reduced waste from physical prototypes. Schaeffler designs and manufactures precision parts for hybrid/electric powertrains and industrial applications.
Chinese EV maker BYD is considering setting up a plant in Mexico, seeking to establish an export hub to the U.S., reports NikkeiAsia.
Sony and Honda formed an EV joint venture with plans for three models by 2023, reports NikkeiAsia.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled certain Waymo driverless vehicles, which incorrectly predict the future motion of a towed vehicle, leading to a possible collision.
Shell closed some hydrogen light duty passenger fueling stations in California due to supply complications and market factors.
Argonne National Laboratory researchers used generative AI, ML, and simulations to identify environmentally friendly metal-organic framework materials used in catalysts and converters.