Google Accuses Microsoft of Unfair Cloud Practices in Azure Cloud Unit

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June 22, 2023

Google is going public with its own complaint of Microsoft’s anti-competitive actions after years of defending itself against accusations of monopolistic behavior in the U.S. and Europe. Google said that Microsoft exploits unfair licensing terms to “lock in clients” in order to control the cloud computing business, in a letter sent to the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday.

The letter was written in response to an extensive FTC call for comments on possible anti-competitive behavior in the cloud market. The FTC spokesperson declined to make any additional comments.

Google singled out Microsoft in the complaint, contending that the corporation can make it challenging for its sizable clientele to use anything other than its Azure cloud infrastructure service because of its dominance in the Windows Server and Microsoft Offices markets. Google referred to Microsoft’s licensing requirements as a “complex web” that restricts companies from varying the vendors of their enterprise software.

Read More: Microsoft Announces AI Personal Assistant Windows Copilot for Windows 11

A serious risk to national security and cybersecurity, according to Google, is posed by such control. It drew attention to a series of hacks that involved Microsoft technologies, notably the SolarWinds hack. Both Microsoft and Google have active cybersecurity practises that address and investigate online threats.

Google has frequently faced antitrust issues. The US Department of Justice filed its second antitrust action against Google in a little more than two years in January, this time focusing on its advertising division.

In a previous action brought by the department in October 2020 under the Trump administration, Google was charged with abusing its dominant status to stifle competition in internet search through exclusionary contracts. Trial in that case is anticipated to begin in September. Large groups of state solicitors have also filed three other antitrust claims against Google, one of which is targeted at the company’s advertising division and is being led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Intel Labs Generative AI Model LDM3D Generates 360-Degree Images from Text Prompts

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Sahil Pawar

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June 22, 2023

Latent Diffusion Model for 3D (LDM3D) is a unique diffusion model that employs generative AI to produce realistic 3D visual content. It was developed by Intel Labs in partnership with Blockade Labs. The diffusion technique is used by LDM3D, the first model in the market, to develop a depth map that results in vibrant, immersive 3D images with 360-degree vistas.

With the help of this research, users will be able to interact with their text prompts in previously unimaginable ways, revolutionizing the way we interact with digital content. Users can convert a literary description of a calm tropical beach, a contemporary skyscraper, or a sci-fi cosmos into a 360-degree detailed panorama using the photos and depth maps produced by LDM3D.

A subset of 10,000 samples from the LAION-400M database, which comprises more than 400 million image-caption pairs, served as the basis for the dataset used to train LDM3D. The researchers annotated the training corpus using the Dense Prediction Transformer (DPT) large-depth estimation model, which was previously created at Intel Labs.

For every pixel in a picture, the DPT-large model delivers incredibly accurate relative depth. The LAION-400M dataset was created for research purposes to allow for model training on a bigger scale for the benefit of various research communities. An Intel AI supercomputer with Intel Xeon processors and Intel Habana Gaudi AI accelerators is used to train the LDM3D model. To create 360-degree views for immersive experiences, the final model and pipeline integrate the generated RGB image and depth map.

Intel and Blockade researchers created DepthFusion, a programme that uses common 2D RGB photographs and depth maps to produce realistic and interactive 360-degree view experiences, to show the potential of LDM3D. Text prompts are transformed into engaging digital experiences by DepthFusion using TouchDesigner, a node-based visual programming language for real-time interactive multimedia content.

Dropbox Launches $50M Venture Fund for AI-focused Businesses

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Sahil Pawar

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June 22, 2023

Dropbox has announced Dropbox Ventures, a new $50 million venture effort, to promote the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence in defining the future of work. This project is concentrated on funding the next generation businesses that are using AI in cutting-edge ways to transform business operations.

Dropbox Ventures’ portfolio businesses will benefit from mentorship opportunities in addition to financial resources, enabling them to create and offer novel experiences to Dropbox’s large user base of more than 700 million registered customers.

Dropbox VP and GM Sateesh Srinivasan said, “We at Dropbox have a unique perspective on what it takes to assist these kinds of businesses in moving to the next level of growth and having an effect because we started as an early-stage startup with a straightforward idea that expanded to a service used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.”

Since a few years ago, VCs have progressively boosted their investments in AI, recently encouraged by the rise of generative AI. For instance, the venture capital arm of Salesforce, Salesforce Ventures, intends to invest $500 million in firms creating generative AI solutions. A $175 million fund has also been formed by OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, to invest in AI startups.

“We’ve been investing in AI and machine learning for a long time, and we started incorporating machine learning across our products as far back as 2016 to make work more efficient for our customers’ and help them save time. Recent developments in AI and machine learning have opened up a whole new universe of possibilities in the last several months, and we believe that this will help us advance in our mission to create a more enlightened way of working,” Srinivasan added.

Indian Railways to Install AI-based Cameras During Mahakumbh for Surveillance

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Sahil Pawar

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June 22, 2023

Indian Railways install AI-based cameras Mahakumbh — Image Credits: AIN

In 2025, devotees who come to the city for the Mahakumbh will be closely monitored by Indian Railways, in partnership with the Smart City Project, using “AI-based” cameras placed at strategic locations across the city.

This was decided at a meeting on Monday night to talk about the Mahakumbh 2025 preparations, which was presided over by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) for Prayagraj division.

Chandra Mohan Garg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Smart City Project and Municipal Commissioner, was present at the meeting. Together with their respective expert teams, the two authorities talked about cooperating during the Mahakumbh in 2025.

Administrations in the civil and railway sectors are getting ready to communicate information more promptly. In order to notify devotees of crucial information, live train feeds, the Mela area, and other city areas, it was intended to install sizable LED display boards at various spots.

The artificial intelligence-based cameras, which will be installed at each of the city’s train terminals as well, will help track the movement of millions of worshippers, enabling extensive analysis and predictions.

Cameras will also be an essential component of the worshippers’ security. The DRM, Himanshu Badoni, declared during the meeting that advanced technology would be used to guarantee the Mahakumbh’s success.

“We have asked railway officials to give us a list of places where such high-tech cameras can be installed so that they can be used to monitor the movement of devotees as well as to look out for any fraudulent activities,” Garg continued.

Cisco Launches the Silicon One Series of New AI Networking Chips

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Sahil Pawar

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June 21, 2023

The Silicon One series of networking chips, which mark Cisco Systems’ debut into the AI supercomputing market, have just been introduced. With dedicated chips for AI-driven applications, Cisco will now be able to compete directly with market leaders Broadcom and Marvell Technology.

Five of the six major cloud providers are now evaluating Cisco’s networking chips. The company withheld the names of the cloud providers, however, Bofa Global Research reports that major firms including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are involved.

The importance of effective communication between individual chips has been underscored by the expanding demand for AI applications, such as ChatGPT, making Cisco’s networking solutions more and more important.

Cisco, a well-known manufacturer of networking hardware, including ethernet switches, claims that its newest generation of ethernet switches, the G200 and G202, would perform twice as well as its forerunners. Up to 32,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) can be efficiently connected by these switches.

According to Cisco, their chips would allow AI and machine learning activities to be completed with 40% fewer switches, reducing latency and increasing power efficiency.

The news follows Broadcom’s April launch of the Jericho3-AI processor, which similarly bragged about its ability to link up to 32,000 GPU components. This development is a sign of the intensifying industry competitiveness as key competitors compete for control in the market for AI supercomputing, which is expanding quickly.

Apple’s Ali Farhadi Appointed CEO of Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence

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Sahil Pawar

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June 21, 2023

Apple's Ali Farhadi appointed CEO Allen Institute Artificial Intelligence — Image Credits: LinkedIn

Ali Farhadi, a computer vision expert and startup founder who most recently oversaw Apple’s machine learning programmes, will rejoin the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) in Seattle. He will be the second CEO in the history of the non-profit research organization.

Farhadi developed and served as CEO of AI2 spinout Xnor.ai before selling the AI firm to Apple in 2020 for an estimated $200 million. It is one of the institute’s largest commercial successes to date.

His resignation from Apple and return to AI2 on July 31 coincides with a turning point in the development of artificial intelligence, as the world’s attention is focused on generative AI technologies driven by massive language models.

Farhadi replaces Oren Etzioni, who was chosen by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to lead the launch of AI2 over ten years ago. Last year, Etzioni made the decision to leave his position as CEO, but he promised to stay on as a board member, counselor, and technical director of the AI2 Incubator. Peter Clark, a longtime leader in AI2 research, has been acting as interim CEO.

With the help of AI2’s distinctive status as an independent charity, Farhadi will be entrusted with solidifying and improving AI2’s position. In addition to leading AI2, Farhadi is anticipated to continue teaching at the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering.

Along with his competence in AI, the board members of AI2 claim that Farhadi’s prior positions as the CEO of a startup and a leader within a big business have given him a distinctive viewpoint and range of knowledge for to equip him for this position.

High Court Directs to Halt Payment for Safe Kerala AI Traffic Camera Project Due to Alleged Corruption

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Sahil Pawar

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June 21, 2023

High Court halt payment Safe Kerala AI traffic camera project corruption — Image Credits: Stock Images

On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court ordered the State government to stop paying installments for the Safe Kerala Project, which oversaw installation of artificial intelligence (AI) cameras throughout the State in an effort to lower traffic accidents. The State was instructed by a division bench consisting of Chief Justice SV Bhatti and Justice Basant Balaji not to make any additional payments until further directions are issued by the Court.

The request for a court-monitored investigation into the Safe Kerala Project was made in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by Ramesh Chennithala, a fellow Congress leader and member of the Legislative Assembly, and VD Satheesan, a Congress member and the opposition leader in the Kerala assembly.

Senior Advocate George Poonthottam, speaking on behalf of the petitioners during the hearing, informed the Court that the petitioners are only against the alleged corruption in the State government’s decision-making process and not the project as a whole.

The PIL petition claimed that nepotism, favoritism, and corruption, including violation of privacy, arose from the awarding of tenders for the installation of AI cameras. It was argued that the State government had violated both the right to privacy and the terms of the Motor Vehicle Act by entrusting private companies with public information.

Additionally, it was alleged that the project had been corrupted in a pyramidal fashion from the very beginning when a State government company by the name of KELTRON was given the job despite the finance department’s strong concerns about their ability to carry it out.

Jamia Millia Islamia Introduces 3-week Training Programme in AI and Machine Learning

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Sahil Pawar

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June 21, 2023

Jamia Millia Islamia introduces 3-week training programme in AI and machine learning — Image Credits: NDTV

A short-term training programme in machine learning and artificial intelligence has been announced by Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). Registration for the course is already underway.

According to the university’s brochure, the programme, which is being run by the department of computer engineering, will go on for three weeks, from July 4 to July 22. The programme runs from 10 am to 1 pm, Monday through Saturday. Both online and offline classes would be offered, according to the institute.

According to the university, the course consists of both lectures and practical work done under the supervision of qualified experts. There are 80 seats available for the course, with 30 reserved for those taking it in person and 50 for those taking it online. Seats will be assigned according to first come, first served basis. The course is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students as well as faculty members with a background in mathematics.

Applied Data Science with Python, Machine Learning Algorithms, Deep Learning for Computer Vision using Keras and Tensorflow, and Deep Learning for Natural Language Processing using Keras and Tensorflow will make up the majority of the course’s five sections.

The course will be instructed by JMI academics with experience in the industry, as well as by lecturers from the IITs, NITs, and IIITs as well as foreign universities, according to the course brochure. Throughout the course, students would be graded on a variety of quizzes and assignments. After finishing their course, the pupils will also get a certificate from the university.

According to the brochure, the registration fee is ₹4,000 for Jamia students and professors, and ₹6,000 for those from other universities. All students would receive the reference materials and session slides from the lectures.

German Tabloid Bild to Replace Various Editorial Jobs with AI

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Sahil Pawar

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June 21, 2023

German tabloid Bild replace editorial jobs AI — Image Credits: BILD

The biggest-selling newspaper in Europe, the German tabloid Bild, has informed staff via email that it aims to use artificial intelligence to replace a number of editorial positions as part of a €100 million cost-cutting programme.

The newspaper is also restructuring its regional newspaper operations, a move that is anticipated to result in hundreds of layoffs. The newspaper’s owner, Europe’s largest media publisher, Axel Springer SE, informed staff via email that it will “unfortunately be parting ways with colleagues who have tasks that in the digital world are performed by AI and/or automated processes.”

According to the email, which was obtained by the rival Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper (FAZ), editors, print production staff, subeditors, proofreaders, and photo editors will no longer exist as they do today.

The statement comes after the publisher’s chief executive, Mathias Döpfner, said that it would be a “purely digital media company” in February. According to him, ChatGPT and other AI tools might replace independent journalism or make it better than it has ever been.

He asserted that AI would eventually surpass human journalists in the aggregation of information and that only publishers who produced the best original content, such as investigative journalism and original commentary, would endure. The number of jobs that could potentially be lost to AI wasn’t disclosed by Bild.

Google Launches Google News Initiative to Empower Local News Publications in India

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Sahil Pawar

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June 21, 2023

Google News Initiative local news publications India — Image Credits: CNET

Google has unveiled a new programme Google News Initiative (GNI) to assist Indian local news publishers in enhancing their online presence and gaining more readers.

Small and medium-sized news organizations that produce original news in nine languages, including English, Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, and Marathi, will be given training, technical support, and funding as part of the Google News Initiative Indian Languages Programme.

With a variety of tools and best practices, the programme strives to provide publishers with the power to improve user experience and revenue creation on the web. It will have scalable inspiration series and online seminars on subjects including YouTube, News Consumer Insights (NCI), Core Web Vitals, and website optimisation.

The performance of the basic web vitals, page speed, and other pertinent factors will be evaluated as part of the diagnosis process for the chosen publishers. In order to enhance their user experience, some publishers will also profit from specialized advice and technical assistance.

Applications for the GNI Indian Languages Programme are accepted through June 30, 2023. Small or medium-sized Indian language news organizations with a functioning website, at least 50 full-time staff, and at least 12 months of continuous operation are eligible to apply.