The US Defence Department has tested an AI-powered autonomous robotic gun system called 'Bullfrog'. It can target and shoot down small drones using computer vision. Currently, human authorisation is required before firing, but the system is capable of fully autonomous operation. This development raises ethical concerns about autonomous weapons in warfare.
Generative AI is being integrated into media and marketing operations at all levels. It's used to improve client results, boost sales, and enhance product launches. This adoption shows the industry now sees generative AI as a practical business tool rather than just a novel technology.
Monash University and Apollo Hospitals in India are collaborating on clinical AI research, using data from 200 million patients to train disease-detection algorithms. Separately, the Australian government has allocated A$13 million to support AI and digital technology implementation in aged care.
Chinese scientists have developed an AI-powered robot lifeguard that operates autonomously 24/7. It uses AI, big data, and navigation technologies. The robot is being tested at a riverside location in China, where it will be permanently stationed.
A Swiss foundation has launched a $500 million programme to support AI platforms in Africa, focusing on agriculture and finance. This aligns with the African Union's recent AI strategy to drive digital development on the continent.
U.S. firm Vantiq has donated AI software worth $500,000 to develop smart cities in Ukraine. The project, in partnership with local organisations, aims to establish over 100 industrial parks, potentially impacting 2.5 million citizens. The AI software analyses data to improve city management, enhance wartime communication, and aid post-war reconstruction. The initiative seeks to optimise resource allocation, streamline data collection, and attract foreign investment through increased transparency.
Nvidia's CEO envisions 'AI employees' working in various roles, including marketing and chip design. These AI agents would be specialised, rented by companies, and instructed through missions and conversations. They could boost productivity, potentially improving company performance, and collaborate with humans and other AI agents in workplace platforms.
AI is being widely adopted in healthcare to address challenges from ageing populations and limited resources. Virtual healthcare platforms use AI to support clinical decisions, improve patient outcomes, and boost efficiency. They automate routine tasks, provide real-time insights, and facilitate team communication. AI-powered virtual nursing and predictive monitoring are gaining traction. One healthcare institution reported a 40% reduction in nursing documentation time using AI. AI is also being integrated with wearables and home monitoring systems for post-discharge care.
Intuit is launching an AI assistant called Intuit Assist across its software, including QuickBooks. It aims to improve workflow efficiency, with claims of 45% faster invoice generation. The AI features target specific workflow bottlenecks rather than being broadly implemented.
Yandex, a leading Russian AI company, plans to invest in Indonesia's AI ecosystem and expand its search engine there. This comes as Indonesia attracts investments from global tech firms like Nvidia and Microsoft, while Russia faces Western technology restrictions due to the Ukraine conflict. The investment details were not disclosed.
The global Multimodal Learning market is set to grow from £1.2 billion in 2024 to £3.5 billion by 2032, with a 14% annual growth rate. This technology combines multiple input types to improve learning and AI applications. The market covers various learning types and applications across industries. North America and Asia-Pacific currently lead, with Asia-Pacific and Europe expected to grow fastest.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, experienced rapid growth after the chatbot's launch, transitioning from research to a large-scale, customer-facing organisation. The CEO discussed challenges of this rapid scaling, noting the lack of a playbook and need for quick adaptation. OpenAI's success has prompted responses from competitors like Google and Meta.
Zoom and Suki have partnered to integrate an AI notetaker into Zoom's telehealth service. The AI will record, transcribe, and extract key details from doctor-patient video appointments. After doctor approval, notes will be added to electronic health records, potentially reducing paperwork time by up to 70%. This aligns with a broader trend of AI integration in healthcare administration, with other major tech companies developing similar tools.
Google accidentally revealed Jarvis, an AI program designed to perform web-based tasks by taking over a user's computer. It was briefly available as a Chrome extension before being removed. Jarvis is similar to Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet in its ability to operate computers like a human. Such AI agents could potentially handle tasks like purchasing tickets or making reservations.
Anthropic has partnered with AWS and Palantir to provide AI models to U.S. defence and intelligence agencies. AI-related federal contracts in the U.S. have increased significantly, with the Department of Defense as a major player. Other tech companies like Meta and Microsoft have made similar partnerships for defence applications.
Bitcoin mining companies are diversifying into AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data centres. While Bitcoin miners can adjust energy consumption quickly, AI and HPC operations require constant, massive energy supply. This high demand poses challenges for utility providers. Bitcoin mining facilities are significantly cheaper to build and run than AI/HPC data centres. To meet energy demands, tech giants are turning to nuclear power providers.
ChatGPT visits rose 116% year-over-year to 3.7 billion in October 2023. Other AI tools like NotebookLM, Microsoft CoPilot, Perplexity, Claude, and Google's Gemini also saw significant growth. Business leaders are increasingly familiar with generative AI, with 72% using it weekly. Average budgets for generative AI more than doubled to £8.2 million. Many firms are expanding AI teams, with some appointing Chief AI Officers. Concerns about accuracy, privacy, and integration remain.
An AI robotics startup has raised $400 million, valuing it at $2.8 billion. The company's foundation model, π0, powers robots to follow text instructions and output motor commands. They've published research on enhancing flexible, general-purpose robotic systems.
Ars Technica hosted an event featuring panel discussions on AI, infrastructure, security, and compliance in business computing. The event highlighted the potential impact of generative AI on business and discussed how companies can manage compliance amid rapid technological changes.
Microsoft has integrated Copilot Pro AI features into Microsoft 365 subscriptions, replacing the previous $20 monthly add-on. This brings AI capabilities to core Office applications. The decision came after user feedback on standalone pricing. Microsoft 365 subscription prices have slightly increased to accommodate this change. The new pricing is available in select Asia-Pacific countries, with plans for global expansion.
