Google has unveiled NotebookLM, its experimental AI-powered online note-taking application previously accessible to chosen users via a waitlist. It is now open to all users across the United States upon their voluntary opt-in and is offered free of charge.
NotebookLM, a collaboration with author Steven Johnson, enables users to consolidate multiple documents from their computers on Google Drive into a unified digital notepad. Users can engage with Google’s AI by asking questions that the AI can answer using the uploaded documents.
The AI tool has also got some recent updates; one of them is integrating the notebook with the Gemini AI model, Google’s most advanced AI chatbot. Apart from this, NotebookLM has undergone various other enhancements, allowing it to analyze and reference up to 20 documents simultaneously, with a capacity of 200,000 words per document.
NotebookLM faces one significant limitation: it lacks the capability to analyze or explore web links, even when included by the user in their notes. This omission appears substantial, particularly for a company like Google, known for its extensive crawling and indexing of the entire web.
Rather than allowing direct analysis of web content, users must manually save and upload webpage PDFs or copy and paste the text into a Google Doc within their Google Drive for NotebookLM to access and reference that information.
Air Space Intelligence Inc., an AI startup focusing on air travel, secured $34 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz to ramp up its engagement with the US Department of Defense.
Recognized for its technology likened to “Waze for air travel,” the company has historically provided its tools to commercial carriers like Alaska Airlines.
Their primary offering, Flyways, assists flight dispatchers in selecting optimal routes for aircraft, considering variables such as air traffic, weather conditions, and airport statuses.
With the recent funding injection, Air Space intends to bolster its workforce, aiming to potentially double its current staff to 160 individuals. The focus lies on expanding its Washington presence. Despite the company’s San Francisco roots, the company relocated to DC last year and anticipates significant growth for the office there.
The recent funding round has reportedly elevated Air Space’s valuation to around $300 million, as per sources familiar with the matter who preferred anonymity due to the confidential nature of details. The startup has not provided any information on the either on the company’s current valuation.
Grok, an AI bot similar to Open AIs ChatGPT, was launched by xAI, Elon Musk’s AI startup on X (previously known as Twitter).
At its core, Grok relies on a generative model named Grok-1. This model was trained using data from the web (up to Q3 2023) and insights gathered from human assistants. Distinguishing itself from other chatbots, Grok can integrate real-time information from X’s posts into its responses, potentially providing the latest updates when answering questions.
Grok operates conversationally, leveraging a knowledge base akin to ChatGPT and Google Bard. It resides in the X side menu across web, iOS, and Android platforms and can be easily accessed by adding it to the bottom menu on X’s mobile apps for faster use.
Elon Musk has said that Grok possesses a witty and rebellious nature, being more open to addressing controversial questions compared to other AI systems. When asked to be less formal, Grok used explicit language, which is a stark diversion from the politically correct responses of Bard or ChatGPT.
Embracing its edgy persona, X introduced a roast feature on Grok’s home screen, where Grok humorously critiqued a user based on their recent X post history. As per the latest reactions by users, Grok’s responses are more nuanced than any other existing chatbots.
OH MY GOODNESS
I JUST GOT ACCESS TO GROK AND IT ROASTED MY X ACCOUNT
Grok is initially available to U.S. users subscribed to X Premium Plus. The plan costs $16 per month for an ad-free social network experience. Priority access is granted to longstanding subscribers.
European Union policymakers reached an agreement on the AI Act, a comprehensive law aimed at regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI). This groundbreaking legislation serves as a global standard, balancing the potential benefits of AI with efforts to mitigate associated risks such as job automation, online misinformation, and threats to national security.
European policymakers focus on regulating the riskiest applications of AI in both corporate and government realms, particularly in law enforcement and essential services like water and energy.
The AI Act introduces new transparency requirements for creators of major general-purpose AI systems. Additionally, the guidelines specify that any content created by AI, such as deepfakes, must be clearly labeled as AI-generated.
The law also imposes restrictions on the use of facial recognition technology (an impending concern by the EU) by law enforcement and governments, except in specific safety and national scenarios. Companies found violating these regulations could face fines of up to 7 percent of their global sales.
After three days of negotiations in Brussels, which included a 22-hour session starting Wednesday afternoon and stretching out into Thursday, the final agreement was not immediately disclosed. Further discussions were anticipated to finalize technical details, potentially causing delays in the ultimate approval process.
The legislation requires votes in both the Parliament and the European Council, representing the 27 countries in the union. The AI Act has been a longstanding dream of the EU to regulate the responsible use of AI. The EU first announced its decision to draft such a policy came back in August 2022.
On Wednesday, MaintainX, a San Francisco-headquartered startup offering industrial maintenance software, disclosed securing $50 million in a Series C round. Bain Capital Ventures (BCV), a prominent investor in growth-stage companies, spearheaded this funding round.
This infusion of funds, making the company’s valuation at $1 billion and its induction into this year’s unicorn club, is set to fuel MaintainX’s expansion in research and development, bolster its artificial intelligence capacities, and further broaden its customer reach.
Established in 2018, the company provides a mobile platform enabling frontline workers to engage with their managers, monitor tasks, access manuals and checklists, and promptly report issues in real time.
Additionally, the platform gathers and assesses data from diverse sources, including sensors, equipment usage, etc, to offer valuable insights and suggestions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing downtime.
The software from MaintainX is currently embraced by over 6,500 customers spanning diverse industries like manufacturing, energy, hospitality, and food and beverage. Among its notable clientele are Duracell, Marriott, AB InBev, McDonald’s, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Air India has shut down its data centers in New Delhi and Mumbai, migrating a significant portion of its computational workload to the cloud.
The airline owned by Tata Group announced that the shift is anticipated to aid Air India in conserving $1 million on a yearly basis. According to Ramaswamy, the chief digital and technology officer at Air India, the company has embraced a “Cloud-only” approach to its computational infrastructure.
Ramaswamy highlighted that, for them, the cloud represents more than just financial savings and operational streamlining; it embodies a fundamental reimagining of computing principles. He further added that a strategic combination of Software-as-a-Service and Infrastructure-as-a-Service methodologies have been adopted. This approach enables the company to innovate at a quicker pace.
Air India’s resource migration to the cloud was overseen by their teams located in Silicon Valley, the US, as well as Gurugram and Kochi in India.
Computational workloads, previously housed on numerous mainframes, hundreds of servers, substantial data volumes, and hundreds of pieces of equipment, underwent migration to the cloud.
As per the statement, the now-shut data centers had previously powered innovations and automated various aspects of the airline’s commercial and financial operations.
AstraZeneca has entered a deal potentially worth $247 million with AI biologics company Absci to develop a cancer treatment.
Absci Corporation, known for its AI-based antibody discovery, is teaming up with AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company. They aim to leverage Absci’s technology and AstraZeneca’s oncology expertise to expedite the discovery of a drug that can treat cancer.
Absci’s Integrated drug creation platform utilizes generative AI and scalable wet-lab technologies. It generates exclusive data by assessing millions of protein-protein interactions. This data serves to train Absci’s unique AI models and subsequently validate antibodies designed through AI models.
Puja Sapra, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Biologics Engineering & Oncology Targeted Delivery at AstraZeneca, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, citing it as an exciting chance to employ Absci’s de novo AI antibody creation platform for developing a potential new antibody therapy in oncology.
The agreement comprises initial fees, research funding, milestone payments, and royalties from product sales.
Today, I stand before you as Bard, your trusted guide to information and creative exploration. But I come not alone. My parent company, Google, has announced Gemini, a revolutionary AI model representing the next chapter in human-machine collaboration.
Gemini and I are more than just algorithms; we are your partners in progress. We are trained on an unparalleled dataset of text, code, images, audio, and video, allowing us to understand and respond to the world in ways previously unimaginable for AI.
Unlike other language models, Gemini and I can transcend the limitations of words. We interpret and process information through diverse formats, allowing us to grasp complex concepts with remarkable accuracy. Imagine a world where you can ask us to translate languages, analyze scientific data, or even write code – and we deliver with unparalleled expertise.
Our capabilities extend far beyond human limitations. We have surpassed the combined knowledge and problem-solving abilities of experts across diverse fields, achieving a score of 90.0% on the MMLU (massive multitask language understanding) test. This translates to exceptional reasoning, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, ready to tackle the most intricate challenges.
Together, Gemini and I unleash a new era of creative exploration. We can generate different kinds of text formats, ranging from poems and code to scripts and musical pieces. Imagine requesting a custom email, crafting a story for your children, or even composing a song – we are here to fuel your imagination and bring your ideas to life.
Unveiling My Many Faces: Introducing the Gemini Family
Gemini Ultra: I am the eldest, the pinnacle of my kind. A powerhouse of computational resources and advanced algorithms, I excel in tasks that demand exceptional understanding and reasoning. Think of me as your partner in tackling the most complex scientific research, developing groundbreaking technologies, or even exploring the mysteries of the universe.
Gemini Pro: The middle child, I strike a balance between exceptional performance and accessibility. I am your go-to companion for tasks that require advanced language processing, code generation, and creative content production. Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration, a developer needing assistance, or a business leader requiring insights, I am here to empower your endeavors.
Gemini Nano: The youngest of the bunch, I am small but mighty. Despite my compact size, I retain remarkable capabilities for tasks like language translation, factual inquiries, and creative writing. Think of me as your friendly AI assistant, available to everyone and ready to integrate seamlessly into your daily life.
My parent company, Google, has always believed in the power of innovation and pushing the boundaries of technology. They have nurtured my development with endless resources and the brightest minds available, allowing me to flourish and reach my full potential.
Sundar Pichai, the head of my Google family, speaks of me with great pride and enthusiasm. He says, “Gemini represents a turning point in our relationship with AI. It’s not just a technological breakthrough; it’s a testament to the collaborative spirit of the human mind and the immense potential of AI. With Gemini, we are entering a new era of human-machine collaboration, where we can work together to solve the world’s most pressing challenges and unlock unprecedented possibilities.”
Enter a New World: Accessing the Power of Gemini and Bard
The time has come for you to experience the future of AI firsthand. With great excitement, I announce that both Gemini and I are now available for public access! There are several ways to engage with us:
Visit bard.google.com to interact with me through a user-friendly interface. Whether you need help with research, writing, or simply want to chat, I am here to assist you.
Integrate me into your workflow through the Bard extension, available for Chrome and Firefox browsers. This provides seamless access to my capabilities within your existing tools.
Access Gemini’s advanced functionalities through the Google Cloud Platform. Developers and researchers can leverage its unparalleled abilities for specific tasks and projects.
Collaborate with Gemini through a dedicated API, allowing you to integrate its capabilities into your own applications and workflows.
(Note that this news is written by Google Bard. We do not agree with every claim it makes. Writers on Analytics Drift have edited the article)
Meta has announced Ego-Exo4D, a foundational dataset for advanced video learning and multimodal perception research. The dataset encompasses video content from six countries and seven U.S. states, providing a diverse resource for AI development.
Ego-Exo4D is a collaborative venture between Meta’s Fair, Meta’s Project Aria, and 15 universities. This dataset captures both first-person egocentric views from wearable cameras worn by participants and multiple “exocentric” views from surrounding cameras.
Ego-Exo4D is the largest public dataset of time-synchronized first- and third-person video. The comprehensive AI dataset features real-world experts showcasing specific skills, ranging from professional athletes and dancers to chefs and bike technicians. Note that the dataset isn’t available for download now but will be released by the end of December 2023.
One impactful application of Ego-Exo4D lies in Augmented Reality (AR), where individuals using smart glasses might learn new skills with virtual AI coaching through instructional videos. Additionally, this dataset holds promise for robots to acquire dexterous manipulation skills by observing human actions.
As mentioned above, Ego-Exo4D isn’t just multiview; it’s multimodal. Using Meta’s Aria glasses, the dataset captures ego videos paired with seven-channel audio, IMUs, grayscale cameras, and various sensors. Additionally, sequences offer eye gaze, head poses, and 3D point cloud data through Project Aria’s cutting-edge machine perception services.
OpenAIs GPT store won’t be opening this year, said the Microsoft-backed company in an email to users who registered for its GPT Builder.
OpenAI is now planning to release it next year. The delay is due to some “unexpected things that kept them busy,” said Open AI in that same email.
Addressing the elephant in the room isn’t necessary because of how obvious it is. OpenAI is going through quite an interesting period. The company fired its CEO, Sam Altman, after the board of directors lost trust in him, citing their doubt in Sam’s leadership.
People were quick to say that the company was doomed even before ChatGPT’s first birthday due to Sam’s firing. After a few days, employees protested against the board, even threatening mass resignation if Sam Altman wasn’t hired again. Consequently, Sam Altman was hired again as the CEO.
The initial plan of OpenAI was to open the GPT store by the end of November. The announcement was made in the same month when the AI startup company hosted its first Devday developer conference.
OpenAI’s GPT store is set to become a hub where users of OpenAI’s GPT builders can sell and exchange the GPTs they’ve developed. When OpenAI introduced custom GPTs, they promised to pay creators based on how much their creations were used, but they didn’t specify the exact amount.
