Category: Artificial intelligence

September 20, 2024
Indian Filmmaker Transitions from Human Artists to AI Music
With around 2,000 films and 25,000 songs released each year, India is a key player in the media sector. Though this industry currently offers abundant employment opportunities, a well-known filmmaker has expressed frustration over delays caused by human musicians. He has decided to delegate all music-related tasks to artificial intelligence moving forward. Ram Gopal Varma has introduced RGV Den Music, a project that intends to showcase exclusively AI-generated music. The tracks will be sourced from various applications, including Suno and Udio, as noted by Varma.
A Shift in Filmmaking
The filmmaker announced that all his upcoming projects will eliminate human involvement in music creation. He revealed that his latest film, Saree, features a soundtrack that is completely generated by AI. After voicing dissatisfaction with composers for their inability to meet deadlines and manage schedules, Varma also criticized lyricists for failing to capture the true essence of songs. He argued that human involvement often hampers the creative process, while AI can produce results almost instantaneously and at minimal cost.
Industry Reactions
While many directors, like Christopher Nolan, are opposed to the extensive use of AI in filmmaking and believe that human-generated art cannot be easily replaced, Varma is convinced that human composers, lyricists, musicians, and singers "will be vastly affected and then completely disappear in the near future." He predicts that as applications for generating multimedia content become increasingly affordable and efficient, the need for human artists will diminish.
Ownership and Rights
Addressing the contentious issue of ownership regarding AI-generated works, Varma highlighted Reclaim Protocol and Story Protocol, two startups designed to protect the rights of his AI-created soundtracks through cryptographic proofs.
For those musicians eager to adapt to the AI revolution rather than resist it, Bobby Owsinski’s The Musician’s AI Handbook: Enhance And Promote Your Music With Artificial Intelligence may be worth exploring. This 277-page guide is available for purchase at $9.99 in Kindle format and $39.99 in paperback.
Tags: AI-generated music, Ram Gopal Varma, Reclaim Protocol
September 20, 2024
TECNO and MediaTek Partner for Next AI Revolution
TECNO and MediaTek have come together to start a new AI lab, aiming to boost innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This initiative was officially launched in Shenzhen on September 19, 2024, with the goal of enhancing AI applications for smart devices and enriching mobile experiences, especially in emerging markets.
Key Figures at the Launch Event
The launch event featured several notable attendees, including Mr. Shi Tuanwei, General Manager of the TECNO TEX AI Center; Ms. Liu Longzhi, Global Head of PR at TECNO; Dr. Lu Zhongli, Deputy General Manager of MediaTek’s Computing and AI Technology Business Unit; and Mr. Li Shaoding, Associate Director of MediaTek’s Wireless Product Software Development Department.
The main aim of this partnership is to advance AI technology through collaborative efforts, specifically focusing on AI solutions for smart devices like smartphones. The lab plans to deliver improved AI experiences that make smart devices more effective and beneficial in daily life, particularly in rapidly growing markets.
Focus Areas of the AI Laboratory
The TECNO and MediaTek AI Laboratory will prioritize several key innovation areas, including:
- Large Language Models (LLMs) – Utilizing advanced AI models to enhance communication and data comprehension.
- Intelligent Agents and AI Assistants – Creating smart assistants that help users manage tasks efficiently.
- AI Imaging on Mobile Devices – Enhancing mobile photography and video capabilities with AI-driven improvements.
- Generative AI Solutions – Developing AI solutions that can function directly on devices (edge deployment), ensuring quicker and more efficient AI services.
These advancements are expected to popularize AI technology in emerging markets, offering users improved services and smarter mobile applications.
TECNO’s Vision in the Collaboration
TECNO has extensive experience catering to users in emerging markets. Their involvement in this collaboration is crucial to ensure that AI innovations are not only state-of-the-art but also practical for everyday use. TECNO’s vision revolves around deeply integrating AI into users’ lives with useful and user-friendly applications.
TECNO is particularly focused on AI-powered products like their smart assistant, Ella. Ella helps users with daily tasks such as writing, translation, searching, schedule management, and photo editing. A notable feature of Ella is its deep connection with localized language recognition, making it especially valuable in areas with limited global language support.
In addition to their AI vision, TECNO is also innovating in areas like large models, AI-generated content (AIGC) for imaging, and AI voice assistants that cater to minority languages. These innovations aim to make AI more accessible and useful for a wider range of users.
MediaTek’s Role in the AI Laboratory
MediaTek, a leader in chip design and computing platforms, plays an important role in enabling efficient AI operations on mobile devices. Their mobile computing platform is tailored to run AI algorithms that power various applications, from intelligent agents to generative AI solutions.
MediaTek’s contributions to this partnership will focus on several key areas, including:
- Generative AI – Developing AI that can autonomously generate content or perform tasks.
- Multimodal AI – Enhancing AI’s ability to process and understand a variety of data types, including images, text, and audio.
- Agent Intelligence – Creating intelligent agents that can assist users with complex tasks.
During the launch event, leaders from both TECNO and MediaTek highlighted the significance of this collaboration for the future of AI technology. Mr. Shi Tuanwei from TECNO remarked, “AI technology will lead technological development over the next 20 years. This partnership will enhance the AI application experience, ushering in a new generation of AI smartphones.” Dr. Lu Zhongli from MediaTek added, “Generative AI, multimodal, and agent intelligence are the future trends in AI. This joint effort will revolutionize the terminal application ecosystem through edge AI technology.”
Significance of the Collaboration
The formation of this joint AI laboratory represents a key moment in the smartphone industry. By embedding AI into smart devices, TECNO and MediaTek aim to speed up the development of AI-enabled smartphones and make these technologies more accessible to users in emerging markets.
This collaboration is poised to drive AI innovation and influence the future of smart devices, boosting productivity, creativity, and convenience for users worldwide. As AI becomes more integrated into daily technology, users can anticipate more intelligent, efficient, and personalized mobile experiences.
Tags: AI Laboratory, MediaTek, Tecno
September 20, 2024
AI Misinterpretation of Ring Camera Footage Risks False Police Calls
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.
MIT News
Tags: AI bias, GPT-4, Ring cameras
September 19, 2024
Genmab Launches AI Everywhere Initiative with ChatGPT Enterprise
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.
Tags: AI Translator GPT, ChatGPT Enterprise, Genmab
September 17, 2024
AI System Reduces Unexpected Deaths by 26% in Canadian Hospital
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.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Tags: AI in healthcare, CHARTwatch, patient outcomes
September 16, 2024
Intel Announces Amazon as New Customer for 18A Node Technology
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.
Tags: Amazon Web Services, Intel 18A, Intel Xeon CPUs
September 12, 2024
MediaTek Dimensity 9400: Benchmark Shows Slower CPU Than 8 Gen 4
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.
Tags: AI Benchmark, MediaTek Dimensity 9400, Vivo X200 Series Models
September 7, 2024
Honor Magic 7 Launches Q4 2024 with AI Agent Assistant
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.
Tags: Honor Magic V3, HONOR Watch 5, smart AI agent
September 6, 2024
Why Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 8-Core Transforms Budget Laptops
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.
Tags: AI integration, Budget Laptops, Snapdragon X Plus
September 6, 2024
Lenovo Concept Laptop Rotates and Closes Lid via Voice Command
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.
Tags: AI-enabled laptop, Concept technology, Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC