Amazon has recently hired the co-founders and several team members from AI startup Adept in a strategic move to bolster its AI capabilities. Adept’s CEO David Luan and other key employees have joined Amazon. At the same time, the startup will continue to operate independently, with Amazon paying a licensing fee to use some of its technology to automate business functions.
The recruitment is similar to Microsoft’s earlier hiring of Inflection AI’s team, which has drawn regulatory scrutiny. Adept, valued at over $1 billion, has already named a new CEO. Amazon’s recruitment of Adept’s team signals its ambition to advance AI agent tools, an area of focus for major tech labs. The company is also working to update its Alexa voice assistant with generative AI for more complex and responsive interactions.
At Amazon, Luan and others will report to Rohit Prasad, who leads the company’s artificial general intelligence efforts. Previously head of Alexa, Prasad has integrated researchers across Amazon to enhance AI model training. He stated that these new hires will significantly contribute to Amazon’s pursuit of achieving AGI.
Two companies that benefited the most from AI average, Nvidia and Microsoft, are the most exposed to antitrust investigations for AI monopolies. Regulatory authorities have shifted their approach, acting quickly against potential monopolistic practices instead of taking years to intervene.
Notable investigations include the US Department of Justice examining Nvidia’s alleged anticompetitive behaviour in the GPU market and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) probing Microsoft’s $13 billion investment in OpenAI and strategic staff acquisitions from Inflection. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is also investigating, particularly concerned about the over 90 partnerships tech giants have formed with large language model developers since 2019, potentially stifling competition.
Politically, there’s a risk that excessive intervention could be seen as stifling innovation, particularly in the face of global competitors like China. Regulators must balance fostering competition with enabling innovation, ensuring that the rise of generative AI, which promises significant technological upheaval, does not result in a market dominated by a few powerful players.
Türkiye plans to use AI to combat tax evasion, following the example of countries like Italy and the US. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek announced the initiative, emphasising the role of AI in auditing companies. The technology is expected to help identify tax evasion, as many Turkish companies report minimal or no profits.
Simsek highlighted thatTürkiyey lags behind other OECD countries in tax collection relative to its economic output. The minister is advocating for a new bill to introduce additional taxes, which he argues are necessary to stabilise the nation’s finances, especially after the significant impact of last year’s earthquakes.
Adopting AI in tax audits is seen as a crucial step in improving compliance and increasing tax revenues, which are essential forTürkiyey’s financial health and recovery efforts.
In a groundbreaking shift for the academic world, AI now contributes to at least 10% of research papers, soaring to 20% in computer science, according to The Economist. This transformation is driven by advancements in large language models (LLMs), as highlighted in a University of Tübingen study comparing recent papers with those from the pre-ChatGPT era. The research shows a notable change in word usage, with terms like ‘delivers,’ ‘potential,’ ‘intricate,’ and ‘crucial’ becoming more common, while ‘important’ declines in use.
Researchers are leveraging LLMs for editing, translating, simplifying coding, streamlining administrative tasks, and accelerating manuscript drafting. However, this integration raises concerns. LLMs may reinforce existing viewpoints and frequently cite prominent articles, potentially leading to an inflation of publications and a dilution of research quality. This risks perpetuating bias and narrowing academic diversity.
As the academic community grapples with these changes, scientific journals seek solutions to address the challenges as the sophistication of AI increases. Trying to detect and prevent the use of AI is increasingly futile. Other approaches to uphold the quality of research are discussed, including investment into a more solid peer-reviewing process, insisting on replicating experiments, and hiring academics based on the quality of their work instead of quantity, promoted by public obsession.
Recognizing the inevitability of AI’s role in academic writing, Diplo introduced the KaiZen publishing approach. This innovative approach combines just-in-time updates facilitated by AI with reflective writing crafted by humans, aiming to harmonize the strengths of AI and human intellect in producing scholarly work.
As AI continues to revolutionize academic writing, the landscape of research and publication is poised for further evolution, prompting ongoing debates and the search for balanced solutions.
G42, an ambitious AI company based in the UAE, is positioning itself as a central player in transforming the UAE into an AI powerhouse while aiming to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons. Founded six years ago and state-backed, G42 has set its sights on regional and global influence through strategic collaborations and innovative technological advancements. Unlike other AI firms focused on developing large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, G42 prioritises building the infrastructure for the AI economy and creating real-world applications in key sectors such as healthcare and energy.
Recently, G42 has been active in forming partnerships and securing investments, including deals with OpenAI and Cerebras to construct a supercomputer and with AstraZeneca to manufacture innovative medicines in the UAE. A significant highlight is a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft, underscoring confidence in G42’s potential. Additionally, G42 is pursuing global ventures to extend Emirati influence, such as enhancing Kazakhstan’s energy grid and developing data centres and digitising services in several African countries like Angola, Gambia, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia.
However, G42 faces challenges, including local competition from entities like the Advanced Technology Research Council’s AI71 and Equinix. Regionally, Saudi Arabia is also advancing in AI by building the Middle East’s most powerful supercomputer and collaborating with IBM. Geopolitics add complexity, as G42 had to cut ties with Huawei to secure Microsoft’s investment.
Why does it matter?
In summary, G42 is taking a significant role in the UAE’s AI strategy, focusing on infrastructure and practical applications. Its high-profile partnerships and financial backing underline its strategic importance, yet it must navigate competition, geopolitical intricacies, and the challenge of making generative AI profitable.
South Korea’s SK Hynix, the world’s second-largest memory chip maker, plans to invest 103 trillion won ($74.6 billion) by 2028 to bolster its chip business with a focus on AI. The announcement comes from its parent company, SK Group, which aims to secure 80 trillion won by 2026 for AI, semiconductors, and shareholder returns while streamlining its over 175 subsidiaries.
The investment plan follows a strategy meeting to revitalise SK Group after heavy losses in its main money-making sectors, SK Hynix and its electric vehicle battery arm. SK Group’s strategy includes improving competitiveness in the AI value chain, focusing on high bandwidth memory chips, AI data centres, and personalised AI services. Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasised the need for preemptive and fundamental changes during this transitional period.
Additionally, SK Group plans to reduce the number of its subsidiaries to a manageable range. Local media reports suggest a potential merger between SK Innovation, which owns the country’s largest oil refiner and battery maker, SK On, and the profitable gas affiliate SK E&S. The group anticipates a profit before tax of around 22 trillion won this year, aiming for 40 trillion won by 2026.
SoftBank Group has launched a joint venture called ‘SB TEMPUS Corp.’ with Tempus AI, a leader in AI and precision medicine. The joint venture aims to provide precision medicine services in Japan by applying the expertise and technology that Tempus has accumulated in the US. That includes Tempus’ AI-enabled platform, which works to make diagnostics more intelligent and support healthcare providers in making more informed decisions. The goal is to provide personalised, data-driven therapies to patients, with the aim of helping them live longer and healthier lives.
A key focus of the joint venture will be collecting and analysing siloed and unstructured medical data, such as molecular, clinical, pathological, and medical imaging data. By leveraging AI to analyse this data, the joint venture aims to contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical research, including clinical and drug discovery research and the proposal of treatment plans more suited to individual patients. That approach is expected to reduce side effects and enhance the effectiveness of medications, marking a significant step towards personalised medicine.
To help as many people suffering from cancer as possible, SB TEMPUS plans to establish collaborations with cancer genomic medicine hospitals and Japanese hospitals, medical facilities, pharmaceutical companies, biotech ventures, medical device companies, cancer insurance companies, and testing companies.
Why does it matter?
The collaborative network will support the provision of better diagnosis and treatment for patients, ensuring that they benefit from personalised, data-driven therapies. Also, the joint venture aligns with SoftBank’s corporate philosophy of ‘Information Revolution—Happiness for everyone.’
Audi will integrate ChatGPT into its vehicles’ infotainment systems starting July, leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. This integration will cover approximately two million Audi models equipped with the MIB 3 system since 2021. Drivers can interact with their cars using natural language, benefiting from voice control over infotainment, navigation, and climate systems, alongside accessing general knowledge.
Marcus Keith, Audi’s Vice President of Interior, Infotainment, and Connectivity Development, highlighted the seamless merging of ChatGPT’s capabilities with Audi’s voice control, promising customers an enhanced in-cabin experience with secure AI-based knowledge access.
.@Audi is taking in-car technology to the next level with ChatGPT, powered by @Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. Come July, nearly two million Audi owners will reap the benefits of enhanced communication with their vehicles. https://t.co/PMyLkvNlr1pic.twitter.com/CpPLXfV9tl
— Microsoft News and Stories (@MSFTnews) June 27, 2024
This move follows Mercedes-Benz’s introduction of ChatGPT into its MBUX Voice Assistant in 2023, expanding AI usage across its US vehicle lineup. Volkswagen Group also showcased Cerence Inc.’s Chat Pro at CES 2024, extending AI integration via cloud updates in European models. Similarly, Škoda Auto announced ChatGPT integration into its Laura voice assistant for selected vehicle platforms, prioritising data security alongside enhanced AI functionalities.
Why does it matter?
These developments underscore the automotive industry’s commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies into vehicles, aiming to elevate user experience through intuitive and informative in-car interactions.
The IATSE’s tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in securing fair wages and job protections for Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers, ensuring that the rapid advancements in technology do not come at the expense of human employment.
In a recent interview, Mark Zuckerberg positioned Meta as a leading advocate for open-source AI, critiquing competitors for their closed-source approaches. Speaking on the YouTube channel Kallaway, Zuckerberg expressed his belief that individual companies should not monopolise AI technology to create singular products. Instead, he envisions a future with diverse AI options, supported by open-source principles.
Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s commitment to open-source AI, emphasising the importance of empowering developers and users to contribute to and innovate within the AI ecosystem. However, some experts question Meta’s open-source claims. Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, argued that Meta’s Llama model is only partially open-source due to certain commercial stipulations. Similarly, Gartner analyst Arun Chandrasekaran noted Meta’s competitive constraints that limit the openness of its models.
Meta is not alone in promoting open-source AI. French startup Mistral AI and Databricks have also made strides in this area, though their offerings include restrictions. The Linux Foundation has announced the Open Platform for Enterprise AI (OPEA) to standardise open-source definitions in AI, reflecting a broader industry movement towards clarity and true openness in AI development.
Google Translate is undergoing its largest expansion yet, adding 110 new languages and reaching nearly a tenth of the global population, thanks to advancements in AI. Google’s PaLM 2 language model has facilitated this growth by efficiently learning languages that are closely related, such as Awadhi and Marwadi, which are similar to Hindi, and French creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole. The expansion includes new languages like Afar, Cantonese, and Tamazight, bringing over 614 million people into the fold, with a significant focus on African languages.
Google’s approach to language variety and dialects involves creating hybrid models that prioritize the most commonly used forms. For instance, the translation model for Romani combines elements from several dialects, including Southern Vlax Romani, to produce a more universally understandable output. The strategy follows their 2022 introduction of 24 new languages using Zero-Shot Machine Translation, which enables translation without prior examples, and their ambitious 1,000 Languages Initiative to support the world’s most spoken languages.
Isaac Caswell, a Google software engineer, highlighted that ongoing partnerships with expert linguists and native speakers will further enhance the diversity and accuracy of Google Translate. The expansion underscores Google’s broader commitment to integrating AI across its platforms, a trend mirrored by competitors like Apple and Microsoft, who are also embedding AI into their services. Google Translate can be accessed at translate.google.com or through its mobile apps for Android and iOS.
