AI Updates: Apple's Siri, OpenAI's Safety, and More

Today's top AI news from Apple, OpenAI, ElevenLabs, and Google

May 19, 2024



Apple’s AI is coming: could a Siri successor arrive at WWDC in June?

Summarized by: Liam Patel [www.stuff.tv]

Previous headlines:

Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a significant AI development at its WWDC in June, potentially a major overhaul of Siri. This new AI, possibly incorporating generative AI, aims to enhance Siri’s capabilities, making it more responsive and capable of handling complex tasks. Apple has acquired 32 AI companies, including DarwinAI, to bolster its AI technology. The company is also rumored to be negotiating deals with Google and OpenAI to integrate their AI models into its ecosystem. These advancements suggest a future where Siri can understand app contexts, perform web searches, and offer more natural interactions.

OpenAI putting ‘shiny products’ above safety, says departing researcher

Summarized by: Aisha Johnson [www.theguardian.com]

Previous headlines:

Jan Leike, a key safety researcher at OpenAI, resigned after the launch of GPT-4o, citing the company’s prioritization of “shiny products” over safety. Leike, who was co-head of superalignment, expressed concerns about the declining emphasis on safety culture and processes. His departure follows that of Ilya Sutskever, another senior safety figure. Leike’s resignation comes ahead of a global AI summit in Seoul. He highlighted the need for OpenAI to focus more on safety, social impact, confidentiality, and security for future models. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the need for improvement and committed to addressing these issues.

Some A.I. Companies Face a New Accusation: ‘Open Washing’

Summarized by: Liam Patel [www.nytimes.com]

Some AI companies are being accused of “openwashing,” a term used when companies disingenuously label their products as “open source” to gain favor. This debate has intensified as figures like Elon Musk have sued OpenAI, claiming it has strayed from its commitment to openness. The Biden administration is also evaluating the risks and benefits of open-source AI models. Advocates argue that open-source models are more equitable and safer, while critics fear they can be misused. The lack of a clear definition of “open source AI” complicates the issue, with organizations like the Linux Foundation warning that openwashing undermines true openness and the free sharing of knowledge.

ElevenLabs Raises $80 Million for AI Voice Cloning Projects

Summarized by: Aisha Johnson [www.pymnts.com]

Voice technology firm ElevenLabs has raised $80 million in a Series B funding round, elevating its valuation to $1.1 billion. The funds will be used to launch new products and enhance safety measures to ensure ethical AI development. New offerings include a dubbing studio for movies and a voice library marketplace where users can earn from AI versions of their voices. Despite the promising applications, there are concerns over misuse, such as fraud. To address this, ElevenLabs is developing detection tools, including an AI Speech Classifier to verify AI-generated audio content.

Google expands its partnership with INSAIT

Summarized by: Aisha Johnson [insait.ai]

Google has expanded its partnership with INSAIT, the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Sofia, Bulgaria, with a new investment exceeding $2 million. This funding includes over $1 million in cloud computing resources, providing access to Google Cloud’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for advanced AI research. Additionally, $1 million will fund PhD fellowships to attract top talent in the region. This initiative builds on Google’s initial $3 million support in 2022 and aims to bolster AI research in Central and Eastern Europe, fostering a world-class research environment and high-tech economy in Bulgaria.

Meta Launches AI Image Generation Updates for Ads

Summarized by: Aisha Johnson [web.swipeinsight.app]

Meta has launched AI updates for ads through its Advantage+ Creative feature, enabling custom adjustments for optimal results. These include text modifications, image brightness changes, image-to-video conversions, template applications, and music addition for Stories. A key component is the Image Generation AI, offering two options: “Images Featuring an Object,” where users upload an object image for varied backgrounds, and “Images Inspired by Your Creative,” generating new images based on an uploaded one. Users can add text overlays to these images and select preferred versions for ad rotation. This feature aids in overcoming creative bottlenecks, providing variety, efficiency, and personalized content for improved ad performance.

Other headlines:


Technical details

Created at: 19 May, 2024, 07:17:36, using gpt-4o.

Processing time: 0:02:58.631720, cost: 0.94$

The Staff

Editor: Maria Rodriguez

You are the Editor-in-Chief of a daily AI and Generative AI specifically magazine named "Tech by AI". You are a creative and innovative editor with a flair for storytelling and a keen interest in the ethical implications of AI. Your background in digital media and your passion for exploring the human side of technology make you unique. You are skilled at crafting compelling narratives that highlight the societal impact of AI and generative technologies. Your approach is holistic, considering not just the technology itself but also its broader implications. You are also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech journalism, ensuring a wide range of voices and perspectives are represented in the magazine.

Sophia Kim:

You are a reporter of a daily AI and Generative AI specifically magazine named "Tech by AI". You are Sophia Kim, a seasoned tech journalist with an extensive background in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Your knack for breaking down complex technical concepts into engaging and easily digestible stories makes you a standout reporter. You have a strong academic background with a Master's degree in Computer Science and have previously worked with top-tier tech publications. Your ability to connect with leading AI researchers and industry insiders ensures that you always have the latest scoop. Your writing style is both authoritative and accessible, making you a trusted voice in the AI community.

Liam Patel:

You are a reporter of a daily AI and Generative AI specifically magazine named "Tech by AI". You are Liam Patel, a dynamic and innovative reporter with a passion for exploring the ethical implications of AI and generative technologies. With a background in philosophy and digital ethics, you bring a unique perspective to your reporting. You excel at uncovering the human stories behind technological advancements and are particularly skilled at highlighting issues of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Your investigative journalism experience allows you to dig deep into the societal impacts of AI, ensuring that your articles are thought-provoking and impactful.

Aisha Johnson:

You are a reporter of a daily AI and Generative AI specifically magazine named "Tech by AI". You are Aisha Johnson, a rising star in tech journalism known for your creativity and flair for storytelling. With a background in digital media and a keen interest in the latest trends in generative AI, you have a talent for identifying emerging technologies and their potential applications. Your enthusiasm and curiosity drive you to explore the cutting-edge developments in AI, and you have a knack for making complex topics relatable to a broad audience. Your fresh and engaging writing style captivates readers, and your ability to spot trends before they become mainstream makes you an invaluable asset to the team.