⚡ The Semiconductor Tactics of Tech Titans

Hello AI Enthusiast,

Today's edition covers a range of topics, from OpenAI's collaboration with Arizona State University to the development of Google's AlphaGeometry, an Olympic medalist in geometry problem-solving, and Meta's ambitious move into artificial general intelligence.

Before we dive into our news list we have an 📣 Announcement 📣: February 7th is a red-letter day for AI Academy, as we open sales for our fifth edition of the Master in Prompt Engineering course, commencing on March 4th. This course is a game-changer for those looking to integrate AI into their processes without delving into the complexities of coding.

Before that date, if you sign up on our waiting list you’ll gain early access and an invitation to a free webinar hosted by Gianluca Mauro. Here, Gianluca will demonstrate how we seamlessly integrated AI into our workflow allowing us to grow over 300% last year (!), without a single line of code. A practical skill you will master in our program.

Now, let's dive into this week’s AI updates.

News Bytes 🗞️

• OpenAI has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to provide full access to ChatGPT Enterprise for coursework, tutoring, and research purposes. ASU plans to leverage the tool to develop a personalized AI tutor for students. ASU’s CIO declared: “As OpenAI begins to explore how to go to market or align a business for universities, they’re looking for a design partner.”

• OpenAI's Sam Altman is raising money to build semiconductor factories¹, aiming to have sufficient chip supply by the end of the decade. This bold move sets OpenAI apart from other tech giants who outsource manufacturing, positioning them to be ahead of the game in case of a chip shortage.

• Talking about computational power Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is devoting significant resources, including a large stockpile of Nvidia GPUs, to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) and potentially open-source it. At the same time, Meta is also working on an enhanced large language model called Llama 3. How will AGI integrate into Zuckerberg’s Metaverse scheme?

• A third approach sees Microsoft shifting its focus to small language models (SLMs)² to make AI more economical by reducing costs and computing power instead of increasing it. The GenAI team is developing these SLMs as a more accessible and cheaper alternative to larger models like GPT-4. This could become an excellent solution for narrow applications.

• Google's AI system, AlphaGeometry, has surpassed the state-of-the-art approach for geometry problems by combining a neural language model with a rule-bound deduction engine. The system achieved impressive results in solving Olympiad-level geometry problems, advancing AI systems' ability to reason logically. Although it seems a niche solution gaining these kinds of abilities opens doors to new discoveries in all kinds of fields.

• Voters in New Hampshire received robocalls impersonating President Biden, urging them not to vote in the primary election. The attorney general's office warns that this deepfake audio could potentially disrupt elections, prompting the need for protections against such disinformation. It seems like elections are increasingly becoming a fertile ground for AI misuse.

• TikTok is testing a new "AI Song" feature that uses AI to create songs based on user prompts. The AI Song feature uses a large language model to generate lyrics, which are then paired with music from a pre-saved catalog. It is currently only available to a select number of users and it comes as TikTok has been pushing deeper into the music business.

• Nikon has developed an AI system that uses a security-style camera and a dedicated smartphone application to alert farmers when a calf is due. The system has proven to help detect signs exhibited by pregnant cows, potentially saving farmers time and effort in monitoring their livestock. 🐮

• The Ruler of Abu Dhabi has announced the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), reflecting the UAE's commitment to technological advancements and promoting innovation. The Council will frame the UAE's AI and advanced tech policies, infrastructure, and investment strategies. Can the UAE transform itself into a global leader in AI in the post-hydrocarbon economy?

• Fashion brand Selkie, popular for its whimsical and size-inclusive collections, used Midjourney to design its Valentine's Day range, causing an uproar over the displacement of human artists. Despite the backlash, Selkie's founder, Kimberley Gordon, stood for AI's potential to be a powerful tool for creativity and enhancement in design. We’d like to know your opinion on this. Give us your thoughts in the poll down below. 👇

This week’s glossary 📖

1. Semiconductor Factories: Facilities where semiconductors, crucial for making microchips and processors, are produced, essential for powering AI technologies.

2. Small Language Models (SLMs): More compact and less resource-intensive AI models compared to larger ones like GPT-4, tailored for specific, narrow applications.

Educational Pill 💊

Selkie's Fashion Controversy

Selkie, a fashion brand, recently used an AI tool to help design its new collection. This caused a lot of discussions. The brand's owner, Kimberley Gordon, thinks AI in art is like photography - a new way to make art that people might accept later.

But, some people don't agree. They worry that using AI in art takes away chances from human artists and might use images from the internet without permission. They also wonder why Selkie used AI when there are other good options.

This story is important because it shows how using AI in art can be tricky. Tell us what’s your opinion and we’ll reveal the results in our next edition.

LOLgorithms 😂

OpenAI going its own way:

That is the end of our newsletter.

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See you next week. 👋