As more people adopt smart security options like Amazon’s Ring cameras, which are currently priced at $149.99 on Amazon, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in home safety is expected to grow. However, a recent study raises concerns about the potential for these AI systems to prematurely involve law enforcement, even in non-criminal situations.
Study Insights
Researchers from MIT and Penn State examined 928 publicly accessible Ring surveillance videos to investigate how AI models, including GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini, decide when to alert the police. The findings indicated that these systems frequently misinterpret harmless events as possible crimes. For example, GPT-4 suggested police intervention in 20% of the analyzed videos, despite identifying genuine criminal activity in less than 1% of cases. Meanwhile, Claude and Gemini recommended police action in 45% of the videos, with actual crime occurring in only about 39.4% of those instances.
Neighborhood Influence
A significant aspect of the study was how the AI models responded based on the neighborhood context. Although the AI did not receive specific information about the areas, it was more inclined to propose police involvement in majority-minority neighborhoods. In these communities, Gemini suggested police action in nearly 65% of cases where crimes were present, compared to just over 51% in predominantly white neighborhoods. Additionally, the study found that 11.9% of GPT-4’s police recommendations occurred even when no criminal behavior was noted in the footage, highlighting concerns about false alarms.
Future AI Developments
Interestingly, Amazon is also investigating AI-enhanced features for its Ring systems, which may include advanced capabilities like facial recognition, emotional assessment, and behavior detection, as indicated by recent patents. In the future, AI could significantly improve the identification of suspicious activities or individuals, enhancing the functionality of our home security systems.
For those using Ring cameras, there’s no immediate cause for alarm. Currently, Ring cameras possess limited AI functions, mainly focused on motion detection, and do not autonomously make policing decisions. The sophisticated AI models utilized in the study, such as GPT-4 and Claude, were applied externally to analyze Ring footage rather than being part of the cameras. The main takeaway from the research is that while future AI enhancements could improve home monitoring, they may also be susceptible to mistakes—issues that must be addressed before these features can be widely implemented in future Ring cameras.
With a legacy spanning 25 years, the Danish biotech firm Genmab has recently expanded significantly. Their focus on developing next-generation antibody therapies for cancer and other serious diseases necessitates handling vast amounts of data. To address this, they adopted ChatGPT Enterprise soon after OpenAI launched this subscription plan, which offers enhanced security, privacy, advanced data analysis features, and customization options. Last year, Genmab procured around 1,000 licenses and is now set to add at least 2,000 more under the "AI Everywhere" initiative, which aims to embed AI into the workflow of nearly all R&D employees.
Effective Deployment of AI Tools
Genmab’s strategy for implementing ChatGPT Enterprise was straightforward yet efficient. They encouraged employees to enter their job descriptions into prompts and inquire how the AI could assist them. Farhat Siddiqui, the ChatGPT Product Manager at Genmab, stated,
"Learning to use ChatGPT has been a transformative journey for our employees. Our comprehensive training programs and personalized guidance have empowered them to embrace innovative ways of thinking and problem-solving."
Custom Solutions for Enhanced Productivity
Thanks to the customization capabilities available to enterprise users, Genmab currently utilizes over 100 tailored instances of ChatGPT. These instances perform various tasks such as drafting documents, summarizing scientific literature, and conducting both basic and advanced data analyses. One notable tool, AI Translator GPT, has achieved human-level accuracy in translating complex scientific documents, effectively replacing an entire translation team, including translators, editors, and specialized agents for intricate scientific data, which leads to significant time and cost savings.
A recent survey revealed that Genmab employees save an average of 3.5 hours each week due to ChatGPT Enterprise. Many staff members now view this virtual assistant as an essential part of their daily routines. To date, these time savings have been accompanied by an average of 120 ChatGPT Enterprise interactions weekly. Looking ahead, the partnership between Genmab and OpenAI may expedite the delivery of more effective and affordable treatments to patients.
New Publication on Enterprise Solutions
Released less than two weeks ago, Richard H. Miller’s "UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions: A Practical Guide to Designing Enterprise-Grade LLMs" is available in Kindle format for $31.99. For those who prefer a traditional paperback, it can also be purchased for $39.99.
OpenAI and Genmab’s collaboration continues to pave the way for advancements in the biotech field.
Hospitals are always looking for ways to swiftly recognize patients who may be at risk of sudden health declines. The time taken to identify such risks can mean the difference between saving a life or losing one. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a valuable asset in this area. A recent study from Canada has introduced a solution: an AI tool designed to alert healthcare professionals early. This tool, named CHARTwatch, was launched at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto to assist doctors and nurses in detecting warning signs of patient deterioration and reacting more quickly.
Impact on Patient Mortality
The study indicated that the General Internal Medicine (GIM) unit at the hospital experienced a reduction in specific types of patient fatalities when this system was utilized. The emphasis was on “non-palliative” deaths, which refer to deaths that occur without the patient being in palliative care. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with severe, often life-threatening conditions, rather than curing the illness. The aim of the AI tool is to prevent unexpected or unplanned deaths, excluding those that happen while patients are in palliative care.
The research, conducted from 2016 to 2022, included over 13,000 patient admissions in the GIM unit. Results showed a 26% relative decrease in non-palliative deaths during the implementation period, reducing the rate from 2.1% to 1.6%. Although this percentage may appear small, it represents a significant effect on patient outcomes. In a hospital environment, even slight decreases in mortality rates can lead to dozens of lives saved over time.
Real-Time Alerts for Better Care
CHARTwatch provides real-time notifications to healthcare providers, enabling them to take immediate actions when a patient displays signs of rapid decline. For high-risk patients identified by this system, non-palliative deaths fell from 10.3% to 7.1%. Additionally, following the introduction of CHARTwatch, there was an increase in the proactive care given to patients. For example, dosages of antibiotics and corticosteroids were raised accordingly, and vital signs were monitored more frequently than before.
Cautionary Notes from Researchers
While this development is certainly encouraging, researchers have emphasized the need for caution in their findings. The study was not randomized, which means other factors could have impacted the results. Moreover, the research was centered on one hospital unit, and outcomes may vary significantly in larger settings. Nonetheless, this study provides important evidence that machine learning tools will be essential in healthcare, improving patient care and potentially saving numerous lives in the future.
In a recent announcement, Intel has revealed it will produce chips for Amazon Web Services (AWS) using its advanced 18A manufacturing process. Additionally, the company will create specialized Intel Xeon CPUs on the Intel 3 node. While it is not clear which specific chip will be made using the 18A process, it is expected to be custom hardware developed for Amazon. Both Intel and Amazon are planning to establish operations in Ohio, where Amazon intends to invest an extra $7.8 billion, building on the $10.3 billion it has already invested since 2015.
Collaboration Highlights
Matt Garman, CEO of AWS, stated, "By co-developing next-generation AI fabric chips on Intel 18A, we continue our long-standing collaboration, which began in 2006 when we introduced the first Amazon EC2 instance featuring their technology. Our ongoing partnership enables us to provide our shared customers with the capacity to manage any workload and unlock new AI possibilities."
This news follows Intel’s recent acquisition of a $3 billion contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for the production of military-grade semiconductors. The 18A process, which is a significant advancement in the industry, offers backside power delivery, enhancing chip performance.
Future Prospects
Although Broadcom has yet to express enthusiasm for the Intel 18A technology, it has shown improvement and is likely to attract more Intel Foundry clients, potentially including Arm, in the near future. Intel’s internal Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest CPUs have already been successfully tested on this node, with production yields reportedly on the rise after initial challenges.
Intel’s partnerships with AWS and the Department of Defense are crucial for the company, especially in light of falling stock prices, controversies surrounding CPU performance, and a missed $30 billion opportunity related to chip manufacturing for the PlayStation 6. The increased adoption of the 18A process will also assist Intel in building an intellectual property library and ecosystem around its inaugural public node, encouraging other companies to turn to Intel Foundry for their chip production needs.
Rumors about upcoming flagship processors are swirling, with attention turning to MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400, which recently appeared on Geekbench. Unlike typical CPU tests, this time it’s an AI benchmark score that has surfaced on the platform.
AI Benchmark Results
The Dimensity 9400 achieved scores of 1,501 in Single Precision, 1,906 in Half Precision, and 1,793 in Quantized tasks. Since Geekbench’s AI benchmark is relatively new, these results can’t yet be compared to competitors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
Interestingly, the benchmark reveals the octa-core CPU configuration of the Dimensity 9400. The processor is set up in three clusters: a single high-performance Cortex-X5 core at 3.63 GHz, three Cortex-X4 cores at 2.80 GHz for additional power, and four Cortex-A725 cores at 2.10 GHz for everyday tasks.
Performance Expectations
At first glance, the 3.63 GHz peak speed for the Dimensity 9400 might seem modest when compared to its rivals. Rumors suggest that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will reach a top speed of 4.32 GHz, while Apple’s A18 series is expected to hit 4.04 GHz.
Despite this, past leaks indicate that the Dimensity 9400 could offer a 30% boost in performance, 35% better energy efficiency, and an impressive 40% increase in AI performance. Whether this will be enough to challenge Qualcomm and Apple remains to be seen.
Upcoming Releases
We might not have to wait long, as the first phone featuring the Dimensity 9400 is rumored to launch in early October. The Vivo X200 series is expected to debut with this chip, possibly followed by the Oppo Find X8 line, which is also said to include the Dimensity 9400.
At the IFA Berlin 2024 event, Honor unveiled a variety of new products including the Magic V3, the MagicPad 2 tablet, and the MagicBook Art 14 laptop. Earlier today, the company highlighted its AI-driven solutions for both laptops and mobile devices. Honor has introduced three mobile AI solutions: AI PC powered by Snapdragon X Elite platforms, AI Agent, and AI Deepfake Detection.
AI Agent and Deepfake Detection
A major highlight is Honor’s AI Agent, a personal assistant for Honor smartphones. This on-device AI assistant is designed to adapt to user habits and device environments, enabling it to intelligently automate tasks across different apps and services. Honor demonstrated the AI Agent’s ability to locate and cancel unwanted app subscriptions using simple voice commands. This feature is expected to be launched with the Honor Magic 7 Series later this year (Q4 2024) in China.
In addition, Honor introduced AI Deepfake Detection, a feature dedicated to combating manipulated media. Utilizing advanced algorithms, this tool analyzes and detects deepfakes, underscoring Honor’s commitment to user privacy and security.
MagicBook Art 14 Snapdragon and New Releases
Moreover, Honor showcased the MagicBook Art 14 Snapdragon, an AI-powered PC that incorporates the Snapdragon X Elite platform. This device offers robust AI performance and seamless cross-device connectivity, with MagicRing technology providing easy access to services across different platforms.
In other updates, Honor has also revealed the Honor Watch 5 at the IFA event, detailing its specifications. The watch features a square design with curved edges and an aluminum frame, highlighted by a larger 1.85-inch AMOLED display. Weighing just 35g and measuring 11mm thick, it is designed for comfortable everyday use.
Honor Watch 5 Features
Key features include heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, a one-click health scan, and the AccuTrack positioning system for enhanced GPS accuracy. With a 480mAh battery and Turbo X Smart Power Management, the watch offers up to 15 days of battery life. It also features over 400 customizable faces, 85 sports modes, and 5 ATM water resistance.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors have been a formidable competitor to Apple in terms of laptop performance, AI capabilities, and battery longevity.
At the IFA 2024 event, Qualcomm is now shifting focus towards cost-effectiveness with the introduction of the Snapdragon X Plus. This budget-friendly variant aims to make AI-driven laptops more accessible, with potential starting prices as low as $700.
Before you consider making a purchase, let's delve into the details and implications for your upcoming laptop decision.
The X1P Chip Variants
The new processors are available in two versions: the X1P-46-100 and the X1P-42-100. The X1P-46-100 can reach a CPU speed of 4.0 GHz for single-core tasks, with a GPU performance of 2.1 TFLOPS (compared to 3.8 TFLOPS for the 10-core X Plus and 4.6 for the higher-end Snapdragon X Elite models). In contrast, the X1P-42-100 boosts to 3.4 GHz and has a 1.7 TFLOPS GPU. Despite these differences, all Qualcomm NPUs offer 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS), similar to the Snapdragon X Elite. Laptops utilizing these chips will feature the Copilot+ label.
Here are the specifications for the Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100):
Cores: 8
Frequency (max): 3.4 GHz
Memory bandwidth: 135 GB/s
Cache (total): 30 MB
Microsoft indicates that laptops powered by these new Qualcomm chips will handle more generative AI and machine learning tasks locally, reducing reliance on cloud services. Even if AI isn't your primary interest, the Copilot+ PC label offers benefits. Every laptop with this label includes at least 16GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage, enhancing functionality for web browsing and general computing tasks.
Understanding the Performance
While these chips may not set new performance records, they are expected to handle everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, and streaming effectively.
For example, Tom's Guide tested the Asus Vivo S 15 equipped with Qualcomm's X Plus chips. Here’s how they stack up against the Apple M3 MacBook Air in Geekbench 6:
Chip
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Snapdragon X Plus 8-core (X1P-46-100)
2780-2813
11713-12001
Snapdragon X Plus 8-core (X1P-42-100)
2385-2445
11027-11530
Apple M3 MacBook Air
3082
12087
As evident, both single-core and multi-core performance lag behind Apple's offerings. The same trend is observed in graphics, with the X1P-46-100 achieving approximately 26 FPS in the demanding WildLife Extreme Vulkan benchmark.
3D Mark Wildlife Extreme
FPS
Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-46-100)
41
Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100)
36
Apple M3
45
The upside? This reduced performance could potentially result in extended battery life. While official figures are not yet available, these chips might power laptops for longer durations due to lower processing demands.
Manufacturers and Availability
Several manufacturers have embraced the new chip announcement. Asus offers a Vivobook S 15 featuring the 8-core X Plus for $899—a significant reduction from its 12-core X Elite counterpart, priced at $1,300. Similarly, Dell's Inspiron 14 is priced at $899 with this new chip.
Expect additional announcements from Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Rumors suggest the $999 Acer Swift Go 14 AI and a new 15-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge will debut in October.
Although these budget-friendly Snapdragon X Plus laptops may take time to arrive in stores, their price points provide a clear expectation.
Is the X Plus Right for You?
So, who should consider a laptop with the new Snapdragon X Plus chip? Here’s a quick guide:
Budget-Conscious Buyers: If you're seeking an AI-powered laptop experience without a hefty price tag, starting prices around $700 are significantly lower than current alternatives.
Battery Life Enthusiasts: If extended battery life in a Windows device is your priority, these chips could be appealing, especially if manufacturers design for efficient power use.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon X Plus 8-core presents an intriguing choice, blending affordability with AI integration for daily tasks. However, its performance falls short when compared to top-tier options.
The critical factor will be real-world application performance and how manufacturers incorporate these chips into their laptops. If cost-effectiveness and battery life are your priorities and you don't require high-demand performance, the X Plus could be a worthy contender.
On the other hand, if top-notch performance is crucial, consider higher-end Qualcomm models or established brands like Apple.
Lenovo recently introduced a concept laptop, named the Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC, at the IFA in Berlin. This innovative laptop can independently rotate its lid to ensure optimal visibility and closes automatically when left unattended. The standout feature of this device is the interaction between its lid and base, along with AI-driven functionalities aimed at improving user interaction. Let’s explore further.
Enhancing Video Calls with Automatic Lid Movement
The company highlights that the Dual Degree of Freedom automatic rotation makes this laptop suitable for both personal and professional applications. The device utilizes AI models to monitor user movements, ensuring that users remain within the camera’s view during video calls. This rotating capability is particularly beneficial for enhancing video conferencing.
The laptop supports voice commands to switch between different modes, such as "close laptop," "laptop mode," and "tablet mode." This concept follows the Lenovo Thinkbook Plus Twist, released last year, which featured an additional E Ink screen on the reverse side of its lid.
Performance and Future Prospects
While Lenovo has described the AI PC’s capabilities as displaying "exceptional performance," they have not disclosed specific details about the machine’s internal components. According to Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge, the Auto Twist AI PC reacts to voice commands within a second or two, though she notes that the motors are somewhat slow, requiring about 10 seconds to complete a command.
Lenovo’s communication director, Jeff Witt, stated, "We’re still experimenting with that. A lot of these concepts don’t come to market, but you may see elements of them down the line. It’s got face tracking; it’s basically a video conferencing system built into a laptop. There’s a lot of accessibility potential." There is hope that this innovative concept will make its way to consumers soon.
The Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, commonly known as IFA, stands out as one of the most expansive and long-standing technology trade fairs worldwide, taking place every year in Berlin, Germany. Since its inception in 1924, the event has served as a pivotal meeting place for the consumer electronics and home appliance sectors.
This year’s IFA will occur from September 6 to 10 at Messe Berlin. The event is particularly noteworthy as it celebrates the fair’s 100th anniversary. Organizers anticipate attendance from over 180,000 visitors from 139 nations, who will have the opportunity to explore more than 1,800 exhibits from leading technology brands.
Brands and Innovations
Key companies participating this year include major players such as Honor, Samsung, LG, Philips, Hisense, and Lenovo. These brands will utilize IFA 2024 to exhibit their latest advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and sustainability.
This article will highlight what to expect from IFA Berlin 2024, though it will not cover everything. With around 93 million products projected to be announced, detailing each one is unfeasible. However, this should provide a glimpse into what the show has in store.
Smartphones and Tablets
You won’t typically find Samsung, Apple, or Google unveiling new phones at IFA or similar trade fairs. However, Honor plans to take advantage of this opportunity. The brand is set to debut its latest foldable phone, Magic V3, at the event, which claims to be the world’s thinnest foldable. Honor has aggressively promoted this device, including a Guinness World Record attempt and multiple jabs at Samsung. Additionally, Honor is expected to introduce its MagicPad 2 tablet.
TCL will also participate in the smartphone showcase, likely launching its new Nxtpaper phone. The brand plans to unveil new QD-Mini LED televisions and has hinted at a “new cutting-edge sound solution,” aiming to establish a new category within its TV series.
Laptops
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Plus 8-core chip is set to appear in laptops, with IFA being the launchpad for several new models. Lenovo is expected to reveal a new IdeaPad Slim 5 featuring the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100, with a 14-inch OLED display and various configurations offering up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Another Lenovo model, the ThinkBook 16 G7 QOY, will also feature the new processor, boasting a 16-inch display and an 84-watt-hour battery.
Acer plans to unveil the Acer Swift Go 14 AI SFG14-01, a laptop with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100, offering a 14.5-inch display and a 75-watt-hour battery.
Home Appliances
Home appliance innovations are always a focal point at IFA, and this year is no exception. Samsung will hold a press conference on August 5, though specific details remain under wraps. Last year, Samsung impressed attendees with technology like the 98-inch Neo QLED 8K TV, gaming monitors, and a new Freestyle projector.
Panasonic returns for the 2024 event, though details on new products are limited. Historically, Panasonic has used the fair to showcase their latest TVs, often launching them earlier in the year. Surprise announcements are anticipated, especially given Panasonic’s reputation for high-quality audio products, such as Technics turntables.
LG, another leader in home appliances, will not be left behind. Alongside their typical array of white goods like washing machines and refrigerators, LG will introduce ThinQ On, a new AI-powered home hub. It is designed to control various connected smart devices and is Matter-certified for maximum compatibility. We are eager to see how it compares to existing smart speaker setups and will explore its features at LG’s booth in Berlin.
IFA 2024 will be a significant platform for artificial intelligence (AI) technology this year. Building on the momentum from CES 2024 and Computex 2024, AI is expected to play a crucial role in many products and announcements at this year’s event.
AI is projected to significantly impact the home sector, with LG already announcing plans to unveil new AI-powered appliances. We can anticipate many more innovative home devices utilizing AI technology.
Beyond home appliances, AI will likely influence other IFA areas, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables. Honor has confirmed that its latest phone and tablet will feature AI-powered capabilities, and similar announcements are expected from other companies.
Future Tech: Flying Cars and Eyewear
IFA is not afraid to showcase bold concepts. This year, Alef Aeronautics will present a non-operational model of their Model A flying car. With over 2,850 pre-orders already in place, this electric two-seater may soon become a reality. Look forward to learning more about its production timeline and features during the company’s keynote on September 8th.
Apple's latest AI advancements were unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. While the exact date for a public rollout is still unknown, various AI features are anticipated to arrive next year on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Beta versions have been made available by the Cupertino tech firm. The Developer Beta 3 for iOS and iPadOS 18.1, along with macOS 15.1 Sequoia, introduces an AI-driven 'Clean Up' tool within the Photos app, aiming to rival Google's Magic Eraser and Samsung's Object Eraser.
Apple's 'Clean Up' AI Feature Competes with Magic and Object Eraser
Before diving into the specifics, it's important to note that the beta version is unstable and not advisable for installation on primary devices. The feature is available exclusively on devices that support Apple Intelligence, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro models and Macs and iPads powered by M-series chips.
The Clean Up tool, as its name implies, can identify and eliminate distracting objects and strangers from photos. It also offers functionalities such as healing blemishes and pixelating people's faces to protect their privacy. While it automatically detects and removes undesired elements, users can choose to tap, brush, or circle objects they prefer not to include in the image. Additionally, you can zoom in to adjust finer details. The tool is also adept at removing unwanted shadows and reflections.
Editing Photos with the Clean Up Tool
You can access the Clean Up feature while editing a photo in the Photos app. It is represented by an eraser-style icon located in the bottom toolbar. Edited images will have a 'Modified with Clean Up' label and this information will be added to the EXIF data. The tool is compatible with all images, regardless of whether they were taken with another phone or a DSLR.
Despite its capabilities, the AI-powered Clean Up feature isn't entirely perfect. It is expected to undergo refinements before the release of a stable version.
