Category: Artificial intelligence

  • Figure AI’s Humanoid Robot Delivers to First Customer

    Figure AI’s Humanoid Robot Delivers to First Customer

    Figure 02 is the newer model of Figure 01, which was launched in October 2023, and it was first shown to the public in August 2024. This humanoid robot, developed by the Californian start-up Figure AI, is outfitted with six RGB cameras, depth cameras, and infrared sensors, providing it with an impressive full 360-degree view of its surroundings. Its hands have 16 degrees of freedom, allowing it to replicate human-like precision and strength, making it ideal for detailed tasks that require both hands.

    Advanced Features

    Thanks to a partnership with OpenAI, the minds behind ChatGPT, Figure 02 can comprehend voice commands and make its own choices, enabling it to work as a “thinking” companion. During a trial at the BMW factory in Spartanburg, USA, the robot showed off its practical abilities. The accompanying video gives a sneak peek into how well it performed during these tests.

    Exciting Developments

    Brett Adcock, the founder and CEO of Figure AI, announced on LinkedIn that Figure 02 is already “hard at work”, hinting at its initial delivery to a customer. However, specifics about where it will be deployed and its price haven’t been shared yet. This achievement marks a key moment in the journey toward making humanoid robots more commercially available.

    Strong Backing

    Figure AI is supported by major investors such as Microsoft, OpenAI, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, which has led to a valuation of $2.6 billion, placing it among the best-funded startups in the industry. The first delivery is likely to bring the company nearer to Tesla, whose Optimus robot is still limited to usage within its factories. Notably, Figure AI has transitioned from its establishment in January 2022 to monetizing its product in only 31 months.

    Source: Link

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  • AI Phishing Scams Target Corporate Executives

    AI Phishing Scams Target Corporate Executives

    According to the Financial Times, as reported by Gadgets360, there’s been a notable rise in phishing attacks that utilize AI technology to make them seem more human-like and slip past security measures.

    Targeting Corporate Executives

    These attacks primarily target high-level executives at companies such as eBay and the insurance provider Beazley. The fake emails are crafted with personal details about the employees, making them more appealing to open and click on.

    Understanding Phishing

    Phishing refers to deceptive emails or messages that aim to fool individuals into clicking on harmful links or downloading malware. A well-known instance of phishing is the Nigerian Prince scam, which claimed to offer a large financial reward in exchange for help.

    The Complexity of AI Attacks

    In contrast, these AI-driven phishing attempts appear more sophisticated. They seem to be built on extensive data regarding employees, which is gathered from social media and various other platforms, making them persuasive enough to bypass standard security systems.

    According to Check Point, Microsoft has been the most frequently impersonated brand in phishing activities, constituting 38% of all brand phishing attempts in the first quarter of 2024. Following Microsoft, Google and LinkedIn each accounted for 11% of the phishing attempts.

    Source: Link

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  • Run:ai Joins Nvidia, Announces Open-Source Software Plans

    Run:ai Joins Nvidia, Announces Open-Source Software Plans

    AI chip giant Nvidia has finalized the purchase of Israeli AI start-up Run:ai, after getting the green light for the merger from the European Commission.

    Nvidia had initially shared its intentions to buy the start-up back in April, but the deal faced a review from the European Commission, which approved it just this month. The orchestration software firm stated that it "will keep assisting customers in maximizing their AI Infrastructure."

    Open-source Ambitions

    Run:ai has expressed its intention to make its software stack open-source "to support the community in building better AI, quicker." At present, Run:ai’s workflows are compatible only with Nvidia GPUs, but the firm is optimistic that this will evolve once the software is made available "to the whole AI ecosystem."

    Market Share and Scrutiny

    As per Nasdaq, Nvidia commands an 80% stake in the rapidly growing data center market for AI chips. However, the company is also facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers regarding potential monopoly issues.

    Earlier this month, China’s Administration for Market Regulation revealed it is conducting an investigation, and the US Commerce Department is also looking into how Nvidia’s chips made their way to China despite existing restrictions. Furthermore, the US Department of Justice is delving into the company following complaints from competitors.

    Reuters | Nvidia | Run:ai | Nasdaq

    Source: Link

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  • OpenAI Faces Data Shortage in GPT-5 Development

    OpenAI Faces Data Shortage in GPT-5 Development

    The development of OpenAI’s eagerly awaited GPT-5 model has faced major challenges, causing delays in its release and stirring doubts about the future of advanced AI. Known as “Orion,” this model was anticipated to bring significant enhancements in reasoning, accuracy of facts, and reducing bias. However, OpenAI is now encountering intricate issues that may hinder its advancement.

    Unexpected Delays

    This setback has caught many off guard, especially considering the high hopes following the launch of GPT-4 in March 2023. Although GPT-5 is still being worked on, the complications in its training process and the financial pressures linked to it are becoming more evident.

    Key Challenges in Development

    As reported by The Wall Street Journal, one primary obstacle for GPT-5 is the lack of high-quality training data. OpenAI’s researchers found that the public internet no longer offers the varied datasets necessary for significant improvements. To tackle this, the company is generating synthetic data, recruiting specialists like software engineers, mathematicians, and physicists to produce unique content.

    The training for GPT-5 is also extremely demanding in terms of resources, with each training session costing around $500 million. Even with these massive investments, the advancements seen so far haven’t lived up to expectations. While some progress has been made in particular areas, it does not reach the groundbreaking levels that would warrant such high costs.

    Wider Implications for the AI Field

    The issues OpenAI is dealing with reflect broader trends in the artificial intelligence industry. As companies strive to extend the limits of AI, they increasingly face ethical, technical, and financial challenges. The postponement of GPT-5’s release illustrates the struggle to balance innovation with these limitations.

    Earlier predictions suggested that GPT-5 might launch by December 2024. However, these setbacks have created uncertainty around the launch date. OpenAI’s capacity to navigate these challenges will not only shape the future of GPT-5 but also impact its role as a frontrunner in the fast-changing AI field.

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  • Microsoft Explores Alternatives to OpenAI for 365 Copilot

    Microsoft Explores Alternatives to OpenAI for 365 Copilot

    OpenAI’s GPT models have been a key focus for Microsoft within its 365 Copilot enterprise offerings. Nevertheless, it seems that Microsoft is looking to expand its options and integrate additional models to enhance its AI services.

    Shifting Strategies

    According to Reuters, Microsoft is aiming to lessen its dependency on OpenAI’s models “because of worries regarding cost and speed for enterprise clients.” To improve the speed and performance of Copilot for businesses, Microsoft is tailoring several open-weight models.

    Copilot Features

    Microsoft 365 Copilot serves as the company’s premier AI assistant, incorporated into a range of 365 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and others. It is capable of providing contextual answers, assisting with drafts, and summarizing documents effectively.

    Future Plans

    The organization is keen on making Copilot’s AI more affordable to operate and may “transfer these savings to the final customer.” Microsoft’s subsidiary, Github, currently utilizes models from Anthropic and Google alongside OpenAI, while the tech giant from Redmond also offers a blend of internal models with GPT in the consumer version of Copilot.

    When approached for a statement, a Microsoft representative informed Reuters that the firm uses “a variety of models from OpenAI and Microsoft based on the specific product and user experience.” The representative further mentioned that OpenAI remains a partner for advanced models.

    Source: Link

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  • New Rumor Suggests Google Gemini Live for Chrome Desktop

    New Rumor Suggests Google Gemini Live for Chrome Desktop

    Google might be looking to add Gemini Live to the desktop version of the Chrome browser. This speculation began when a user named @Leopeva64 shared information on X about a new button in the tab strip, codenamed GLIC.

    New Features in Chrome

    When users click this button, it seems to open a new floating window that comes with its own interface and settings. This feature would allow users to manage various options, including microphone permissions. This could suggest that Gemini Live is set to get its own area within Chrome soon.

    Currently, Google has kept its voice assistant mainly on mobile devices. Gemini Live, which debuted earlier this year, lets users engage in natural conversations with the AI. It offers multiple voice options and can even operate in the background while a phone is locked.

    Rumor and Speculation

    The button was discovered in the Chromium Gerrit, which is a code repository associated with the open-source Chromium project. Since the initial find, there have been updates, such as a special system tray icon and the option for users to set their own keyboard shortcuts. However, it’s important to remember that this information is still based on speculation, with GLIC being theorized to stand for Gemini Live in Chrome, and its accuracy remains uncertain.

    Source: Link

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  • Instagram to Allow AI-Modified Videos by Text Input Amid Criticism

    Instagram to Allow AI-Modified Videos by Text Input Amid Criticism

    Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, recently shared a video introducing new AI features named "Movie Gen" for its platform. The concept is straightforward: users can upload a video, turn on the "Movie Gen" filter, and briefly explain how they want the AI to modify the video.

    AI Transformations Previewed

    In the announcement video, viewers get a glimpse of the potential changes AI can make, like altering a person’s outfit or modifying the background environment. The goal is to allow users to tweak any part of their video in just seconds by inputting their desired changes. Although Mosseri hints at a launch for Movie Gen next year, he hasn’t provided exact dates or detailed insights about how this feature will function in its final version.

    User Reactions Mixed

    Despite Mosseri’s excitement about Movie Gen’s features, a significant number of Instagram users seem frustrated at the idea of dealing with even more AI-generated material. Many users expressed their desire for a feed free from AI influences and called for improved monetization for genuine, non-AI content. Critics are vocal about the platform’s push towards creating "fake videos" and lack of originality. The social media site also appears to have no intentions of labeling AI-generated content, as shown in Mosseri’s unofficial announcement video.

    Adam Mosseri (Instagram) | Claudio Schwarz (teaser image)

    Source: Link

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  • OpenAI Fined €15 Million by Italy’s Data Protection Authority

    OpenAI Fined €15 Million by Italy’s Data Protection Authority

    The Italian Data Protection Authority has revealed that it has imposed a €15 million fine on OpenAI for multiple breaches of the EU’s GDPR regulations. The agency claims that the creator of ChatGPT collected personal data without a lawful reason and also failed to report a security breach that occurred in March 2023.

    Concerns About Child Safety

    Additionally, the agency pointed out that OpenAI lacked proper “mechanisms for age verification,” which could lead to children under 13 being exposed to responses that are not suitable for their level of maturity and understanding. This raises serious concerns about the safety of young users interacting with the platform.

    Required Actions by OpenAI

    The authority has mandated that OpenAI establishes a “six-month institutional communication campaign across radio, television, newspapers, and the Internet.” This campaign aims to enhance public knowledge and awareness regarding how ChatGPT operates, as well as how it collects and manages user data.

    In a response shared with Euro News, OpenAI described the ruling as “disproportionate” and expressed its intention to challenge the decision. The spokesperson mentioned that the penalty was “almost 20 times” the revenue generated by the company in Italy for the year.

    Source: Link

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  • Elon Musk’s xAI Tests Standalone iOS App for Grok

    Elon Musk’s xAI Tests Standalone iOS App for Grok

    After a trial run of X’s AI chatbot, Grok, in select areas last month, the social media giant has opened up access to all users earlier this month. Now, it seems that xAI is experimenting with a separate app for Grok in certain regions.

    iOS Beta App

    According to Techcrunch, the standalone app is exclusively for Apple’s iOS and is currently in beta testing in a few countries. Last month, The Wall Street Journal mentioned that X was interested in separating Grok from its main platform and was thinking about creating a standalone application. Along with the app, there’s also a dedicated website for the chatbot that states “coming soon.”

    New Features Added

    This month, xAI introduced image generation capabilities to Grok using an autoregressive image model that can skillfully predict token inputs “from interleaved text and image data.” It also has the ability to take pre-existing images as input and create new images based on those.

    Free Version Access

    At the moment, you can use Grok for free, though there are some limitations. The free version restricts users to asking 10 questions every 2 hours and allows for the analysis of three images on a daily basis.

    Techcrunch and The Wall Street Journal have reported these developments.

    Source: Link

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  • 10 Years of Robot Training in 1 Hour with Genesis Technology

    10 Years of Robot Training in 1 Hour with Genesis Technology

    Genesis was developed by a group of 19 universities and companies, which includes famous places like MIT, Imperial College London, Peking University, along with tech firms like Nvidia and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. This simulator allows robots to undergo training in virtual worlds, achieving learning rates that are impossible to reach in real life. As reported by the creators, robots using Genesis can learn as much as 430,000 times quicker compared to traditional training methods.

    Unique Features of Genesis

    This remarkable speedup is thanks to several cutting-edge features. One key feature is the ability to generate 3D environments through AI and text prompts. This allows researchers and developers to quickly create complex settings like factories, apartments, or city landscapes by simply providing text instructions. The physics engine powering Genesis has been built from the ground up and can simulate a variety of materials and physical interactions, including object collisions and the behavior of liquids and gases.

    Speed and Accessibility

    Another benefit of Genesis is its high-speed performance, which does not require supercomputers. Using a standard Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card, it can achieve up to 43 million frames per second (FPS) in some simulations. This is achieved through a mix of efficient programming and the simulator’s ability to work across different platforms. The physics simulator is compatible with Nvidia and AMD graphics cards, regular CPUs, and Apple’s Metal, making it available for many users. One hour of processing time in the simulator is roughly equal to ten years of real-world robot training, which could significantly reduce the time needed for robot development.

    Open Source for Developers

    The project is open source and released under the Apache License, Version 2.0, giving developers significant flexibility in using and altering the code. Developers can find the source code and additional information on GitHub.

    Genesis has numerous potential uses. In industry, it could improve production lines and robot movements for tasks like welding, painting, or assembly. For home robots, Genesis allows for testing navigation algorithms in virtual settings and simulating object and human interactions. In R&D, Genesis can help explore new robot designs and steering techniques while conducting experiments in safe virtual spaces. It also holds promise for disaster management, training robots for risky environments, like searching for people trapped under debris.

    Showcasing Capabilities

    Impressive simulation outcomes can be viewed on the project’s page. Videos display a four-legged robot that, thanks to Genesis, has mastered crawling, galloping, hopping on two legs, and even performing backflips. The neural network guiding the robot was probably trained in only a few hours using the RoboGen tool that operates within Genesis.

    Applications in Entertainment

    Genesis might also attract attention from the film industry and game developers. The simulator can effortlessly produce animations of liquids and gases that would typically be challenging to code. Genesis can also replicate intricate motion sequences in character design, making animations appear more lifelike.

    Source: Link

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