Category: Artificial intelligence

  • OpenAI and Broadcom Team Up to Create AI Inference Chip

    OpenAI and Broadcom Team Up to Create AI Inference Chip

    OpenAI has been reported to have teamed up with Broadcom, a US-based chip design company, to develop a specialized AI inference chip. Insiders from OpenAI shared with Reuters that the organization is aiming to broaden its supply chains to help lower costs.

    Shift in Manufacturing Plans

    Previously, OpenAI had ambitions to create a network of foundries to produce chips internally. However, those ambitions are currently paused due to the high expenses and the lengthy duration required to establish them.

    New Partnerships and Strategies

    As OpenAI works towards an in-house chip, it has started integrating AI chips from AMD and Nvidia into its operations. The sources mentioned that the company plans to utilize collaborations with other companies to manage chip supplies, combining both internal and external resources.

    Team Expansion and Future Production

    Two insiders informed Reuters that OpenAI is evaluating its chip design components and might bring on additional external partners. The organization has assembled a team of about 20 individuals, which includes Thomas Norrie and Richard Ho, who have prior experience working on TPUs (Tensor Processing Units) at Google.

    OpenAI has successfully arranged for manufacturing capabilities with TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) thanks to Broadcom’s assistance and aims to start the production of its in-house chips by 2026. However, this schedule may be subject to adjustments, according to the insiders.

    Reuters

    Image Source: OpenAI

    Tags: , ,
  • Linus Torvalds Calls AI Industry 90% Marketing

    Linus Torvalds Calls AI Industry 90% Marketing

    The creator of the Linux kernel, Linus Torvalds, isn’t exactly excited about the current state of artificial intelligence, expressing that it seems more focused on hype rather than practical applications.

    Thoughts on AI’s Current Landscape

    During his talk at the Open Source Summit in Vienna, Torvalds remarked that the present AI environment feels like “90 percent marketing and 10 percent reality.” He acknowledged that while machine learning and generative AI hold potential for the future, he wasn’t afraid to criticize the surrounding excitement.

    Waiting for Maturity in AI

    Torvalds expressed that he prefers to wait until the technology is more developed before he embraces it. He anticipates that AI will become clearer in its usefulness over the next few years, with machine learning and generative algorithms gaining more significance and practicality. He believes that soon we will understand better what AI can do to simplify our daily tasks.

    Acknowledgment of Useful Tools

    While he recognized that tools such as ChatGPT are impressive demonstrations of technology and have their applications, especially in fields like graphic design, he consistently returned to the notion that the entire AI sector feels excessively glorified by flashy promotions and inflated market values, with Nvidia being a notable example.

    His viewpoint is consistent with recent comments made by other figures in technology, such as the CEO of Baidu, who forecasted that 99 percent of the existing AI companies would eventually fail.

    Tags: , ,
  • Meta Developing New AI-Powered Search Engine

    Meta Developing New AI-Powered Search Engine

    Meta is working on creating its own AI-driven search engine that will offer answers and summaries about current events and individuals through its Meta AI chatbot. At the moment, this feature depends on Google Search and Microsoft’s Bing for information.

    Reducing Dependence on Major Players

    According to a report from The Information (via Engadget), Meta’s initiative aims to lessen its reliance on Google and Microsoft. A source who wished to remain anonymous mentioned that Meta is looking for a backup solution in case either Google or Microsoft decides to end their partnership in the future.

    New Partnership for Real-Time Updates

    Recently, Meta entered into a multi-year agreement with Reuters, which lets it present real-time news updates to users in the United States through the chatbot. A few months back, Business Insider (via The Verge) shared that Meta’s web crawler was collecting data to train its AI systems.

    Independent Data Indexing

    The Information confirmed this information through its contacts within Meta, who stated that the company has been gathering and indexing data for the past eight months. The strategy behind this move is to make Meta as self-sufficient as possible and minimize its reliance on other major tech companies.

    The Information, Engadget

    Image Credit: By Petar Adžaga – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Stable Diffusion Models for Local Hosting on Google Pixel 10 Pro

    Stable Diffusion Models for Local Hosting on Google Pixel 10 Pro

    Kamila Wojciechowska says she has found multiple clues regarding upcoming AI features that Google intends to roll out on various Pixel devices in the coming years. She references a source from Google’s gChips division for all details concerning unreleased Tensor chipsets.

    New AI Features in Development

    Wojciechowska highlights that Google is working on Video Generative ML, which is anticipated to implement AI algorithms in Google Photos and potentially YouTube Shorts, enhancing video editing capabilities. Additionally, she mentions features like ‘Speak to Tweak’ and ‘Sketch-to-Image’, the latter already seen in some recent Samsung Galaxy models.

    Innovations in Pixel Devices

    Moreover, a new ‘NanoTPU’ could be introduced with the Pixel 11 series, which would assist in monitoring sleep patterns, detecting falls, and managing sleep apnea. Google’s Stable Diffusion-based LL models are also expected to operate locally on the Pixel 10 and later, as opposed to the cloud-based system currently in use.

    Timeline for Release

    It is said that the new image signal processors (ISPs) and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) found in the Tensor G5 and Tensor G6 are responsible for these AI-driven innovations. Reports suggest that Google is unlikely to unveil any of these features until the Pixel 10, which is expected to arrive in summer 2025. However, it’s possible that the launch could be pushed back a year to align with the rollout of Android 17 and the Pixel 11 series.

    Sources: Android Authority & Kamila Wojciechowska

    Tags: , ,
  • Google Developing AI Agent to Control Web Browsers

    Google Developing AI Agent to Control Web Browsers

    According to a report from The Information, Google is developing an AI tool that can manage web browsers to make boring tasks easier, like filling out forms or reserving flights.

    Project Jarvis Unveiled

    This AI agent, known as Project Jarvis, is set to launch alongside the upcoming Gemini AI model, which might be released in December of this year. The name "Jarvis" stands for "Just Another Very Intelligent System," inspired by a fictional AI helper in the Marvel films who assists Tony Stark.

    Features of the AI Agent

    Google plans to restrict the agent’s functionality to browsers like Chrome. It will assist users with activities such as booking cinema tickets or buying goods online. People will have the ability to interact with the agent directly and give commands for various tasks.

    If this sounds a bit like something you’ve heard before, it’s because it bears a resemblance to Anthropic’s recent Claude 3.5 Sonnet, which enables app developers to "guide Claude to operate computers like humans do". OpenAI is also believed to be creating similar solutions.

    The Information, Anthropic, Reuters, Image Source.

    Tags: , ,
  • Survey Reveals What Smartphone Users Want Beyond AI

    Survey Reveals What Smartphone Users Want Beyond AI

    In the past few years, top smartphone companies have really focused on adding artificial intelligence into their devices. A clear example is Apple’s advancements in AI technology. Google’s Pixel phones stand out, now featuring the Gemini AI platform. This platform offers a language model that supports natural conversations, real-time translations, text generation, and various AI-driven photography tools. Samsung and Xiaomi have also entered the competition with their own AI systems, named Galaxy AI and MiLM, respectively. Despite these innovations, it seems that many consumers are not particularly interested in AI features, indicating that they might not be a priority for most people.

    Consumer Preferences

    A large survey conducted by CNET (Computer Network) asked 2,484 Americans about what features they consider most important when buying a smartphone. The results showed that 61% preferred a big battery, while 46% looked for sufficient storage space, and 38% focused on camera quality. In contrast, only 18% of those surveyed placed importance on AI features in their purchasing decisions. Nearly half of the respondents even said they would not pay more for smartphones with AI capabilities.

    The Limits of AI Interest

    While artificial intelligence can be beneficial in daily life, the general interest seems low. One reason for this could be worries over personal data security, as 34% of participants expressed concerns in this area. Additionally, some critics claim that AI is primarily a marketing gimmick, used to create a sense of advancement without real hardware improvements. Although this critique wasn’t directly addressed in the survey, it might contribute to the overall lack of enthusiasm for AI features in smartphones.

    CNET

    Image source: Tim Dougles/Pexels

    Tags: , ,
  • Google Gemini 1.5 Successor Expected in December 2023

    Google Gemini 1.5 Successor Expected in December 2023

    Announced in early December 2023, Google’s Gemini lineup of multimodal large language models includes Gemini Ultra, Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, and Gemini Nano. This family powers the chatbot of the same name, which was previously known as Google Bard. It started its journey in early February, rolling out to 10,000 testers for less than a month of trials before its general launch. Gemini faces stiff competition from ChatGPT, Copilot, and other AI systems. If everything goes according to plan, we can expect version 2.0 to be released this December.

    Current Versions and Updates

    At the moment, the stable releases for Google Gemini are version 1.5 for the model, dated May 14th, and the Android app, which is at build 1.0, number 668480831. This app was launched less than two months ago on August 29th and received several language updates on October 1st while maintaining the same build number. In June, Google introduced a free and open-source series of LLMs based on Gemini, called Gemma. This lighter version is already at version 2. It’s important to note that this does not mean it is derived from Gemini 2.0. The most recent updates to the Gemini models were launched last month, with Gemini-1.5-Pro-002 and Gemini-1.5-Flash-002 coming out on September 24th.

    The Future of Gemini

    Unfortunately, details about Gemini 2.0 are still unclear. However, sources close to Google’s operations have disclosed to The Verge that this new model is on track to be released in December, coinciding with OpenAI’s anticipated launch of its next major AI model. But since Sam Altman has recently refuted this rumor, Google might seize the opportunity to launch its next-generation AI at least a few weeks ahead of its main competitor.

    When it comes to features and capabilities, many are speculating that Google Gemini 2.0 will advance toward achieving reasoning skills that could match or even surpass those of humans. The Android app will surely undergo necessary updates to support the new advancements in the model.

    Tags: , ,
  • Google’s Gemini Boosts Android AI with Lock Screen Control

    Google’s Gemini Boosts Android AI with Lock Screen Control

    Google is enhancing Gemini’s features on Android, making it possible for the AI assistant to manage calls and messages even when your phone is locked. Recent code discoveries in a forthcoming update indicate that Gemini will soon incorporate functions that were previously exclusive to Gemini Live.

    New Lock Screen Functionality

    A fresh settings option will enable users to activate Gemini’s functionality from the lock screen. However, for safety, you’ll still have to unlock your device if the response involves sensitive information, such as details from Gmail.

    User Interface Improvements

    In addition to these new messaging capabilities, the update will also refresh the AI assistant’s appearance. The floating text overlay will now adapt vertically to accommodate longer messages more effectively, and Gemini Extensions will be organized into various categories like Communication, Device Control, Travel, Media, and Productivity.

    Simplified Commands and Increased Usability

    Moreover, the command examples are being reduced from three to just one in each category, making it easier to use. This aligns with Google’s wider strategy to establish Gemini as the top AI assistant on Android.

    The new lock screen features are particularly useful for hands-free situations, such as when you’re driving or engaged in activities that demand your full attention.

    Tags: , ,
  • Sam Altman Refutes December OpenAI Model Release Claims

    Sam Altman Refutes December OpenAI Model Release Claims

    OpenAI is gearing up to unveil a new AI model known as "Orion" in December, according to a recent report from The Verge. It suggests that the model will first be available to some of OpenAI’s close partners, with Microsoft set to host Orion on its Azure cloud platform starting in November.

    Details on the New Model

    The report highlights that OpenAI considers Orion to be the next step after GPT-4, although it’s not certain if the official name will be GPT-5 when it launches. Both OpenAI and Microsoft have chosen not to comment on this initial report, leaving many details about the new model under wraps. Back in September, Shaun Ralston from OpenAI shared a graph on X that illustrated the advancements made by the models since the release of GPT-3.

    Insights from Shaun Ralston

    In his post, Ralston mentioned a "GPT-Next" model expected to be released this year. He noted that this model was trained on a "compact Strawberry (OpenAI o1) version" and boasts a staggering 100 times more "computational volume" compared to GPT-4. Notably, Orion was also referenced in his post but as an independent model that was trained on "10K (Nvidia) H100 GPUs".

    Conclusion

    As of now, details remain scant regarding the capabilities and features of Orion. Both the AI community and industry watchers are eager to learn more as the December launch approaches.

    Tags: , ,
  • Reliance and Nvidia Join Forces for AI Infrastructure in India

    Reliance and Nvidia Join Forces for AI Infrastructure in India

    First revealed in September 2023, Nvidia has reaffirmed its dedication to establishing a foundation for AI infrastructure in India. They have teamed up with Reliance Industries, a major conglomerate based in Mumbai.

    A Great Moment for India

    During Nvidia’s AI Summit in Mumbai, Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance, stated, “This presents a fantastic chance for India” to leverage its “large pool of computer engineers.” Together, the two firms will work towards creating a scalable power infrastructure, which will have a capacity of 1 gigawatt and utilize green energy sources.

    Building AI Infrastructure

    “To lead in artificial intelligence, it’s crucial to have AI tech that India possesses, data, and finally, an AI infrastructure,” Huang noted, as reported by Mint. He announced the partnership between Reliance and Nvidia to construct this AI infrastructure in India.

    Previous Collaborations

    In the previous year, the two companies had pledged to develop AI supercomputers in India, aiming to create extensive LLMs that are trained in local languages. Nvidia will supply the necessary technology while Reliance will oversee the infrastructure’s maintenance. In addition to Reliance, Nvidia has also disclosed collaborations with several Indian IT companies, such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Wipro.

    Nvidia, Mint

    Tags: , ,