AI news stories
Apple cancels work on electric car, shifts team to generative AI
Apple has decided to cancel its work on the electric car project, known as Project Titan, and is shifting its focus towards generative AI. The project experienced various setbacks, including leadership changes and strategic realignments, ultimately leading Apple to reconsider its ambitions towards developing an autonomous vehicle. Instead of pursuing the original vision of a fully self-driving car, Apple is now redirecting resources towards enhancing its AI capabilities, which are already integral to a range of its products and services. This move aligns with the broader tech industry's shift towards leveraging AI for innovation and growth.Microsoft's deal with Mistral AI faces EU scrutiny
Microsoft's investment in French AI startup Mistral AI has drawn European Union scrutiny amid concerns over potential market power consolidation. The EU had previously expressed concerns about Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI, and now the Mistral deal is under the spotlight, particularly regarding its implications for competition and regulatory compliance. Lawmakers are questioning the motivations behind Mistral's lobbying for AI Act exemptions, fearing that these moves might favor big tech dominance under the guise of supporting European tech innovation.
The Humane AI Pin worked better than I expected — until it didn’t
Allison Johnson's review presents the Humane AI Pin as an innovative yet flawed gadget. It offers engaging features like voice interaction and palm projection, but struggles with network dependency and occasional overheating. Despite its potential, the AI Pin is criticized for not living up to its transformative promise, particularly given its high cost. Johnson sees it as a cool but not groundbreaking device, suggesting it still needs refinement to be considered a significant advancement in wearable technology.
Google Is Paying Publishers to Test an Unreleased Gen AI Platform
Google is compensating news publishers for testing an unreleased generative AI platform, where they are required to publish three stories daily using this tool. The initiative, part of the Google News Initiative, aims to aid smaller publishers by providing them with advanced tools to produce content efficiently, albeit with concerns about originality and potential impacts on readership and industry dynamics. Critics argue that while the program may benefit under-resourced publishers, it raises ethical questions about content originality and the broader implications for journalistic integrity and competition.
Alibaba Leads Record Deal to Mint $2.5 Billion China AI Firm
Alibaba Group invested $1 billion in the AI startup Moonshot AI, elevating its value to $2.5 billion, marking the largest AI investment in China. This strategic move positions Alibaba alongside global tech giants like Tencent and Microsoft, focusing on generative AI to boost its growth and revitalize its core business operations.
New AI model could streamline operations in a robotic warehouse
A team of MIT researchers has developed a deep-learning model to improve efficiency in robotic warehouses by addressing congestion among hundreds of robots. This model breaks down the complex environment into smaller, manageable groups, enabling quicker and more effective congestion resolution compared to traditional methods. The innovative approach, which leverages neural network architectures to analyze robot trajectories and optimize their paths, significantly enhances operational speed and could be applied to other complex planning scenarios beyond warehouses.
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