Meta unveils five AI models for multi-modal processing, music generation, and more

Meta has unveiled five major new AI models and research, including multi-modal systems that can process both text and images, next-gen language models, music generation, AI speech detection, and efforts to improve diversity in AI systems.

The releases come from Meta's Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team which has focused on advancing AI through open research and collaboration for over a decade. As AI rapidly innovates, Meta believes working with the global community is...

19 June 2024 | Artificial Intelligence

AI comes to Ireland’s remote Islands through Microsoft’s ‘Skill Up’ program

On Inishbofin, a small island off the western coast of Ireland where the population hovers around 170 and the main industries are farming, fishing and tourism, a quiet technology revolution has been taking place.

Artificial intelligence (AI), once thought to be the exclusive domain of big cities and tech hubs, is making its way to the furthest corners of rural Ireland, empowering locals with cutting-edge tools to boost their businesses and preserve their traditional...

19 June 2024 | Applications

NVIDIA presents latest advancements in visual AI

NVIDIA researchers are presenting new visual generative AI models and techniques at the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) conference this week in Seattle. The advancements span areas like custom image generation, 3D scene editing, visual language understanding, and autonomous vehicle perception.

“Artificial intelligence, and generative AI in particular, represents a pivotal technological advancement,” said Jan Kautz, VP of learning and perception research at...

17 June 2024 | Applications

Apple is reportedly getting free ChatGPT access

Apple's newly-announced partnership with OpenAI – which brings ChatGPT capabilities to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia – comes without any direct money exchange.

According to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, "Apple isn't paying OpenAI as part of the partnership."

Instead, the Cupertino-based company is leveraging its massive user base and device ecosystem as currency.

"Apple believes pushing OpenAI's brand and technology to hundreds of millions of...

13 June 2024 | Apple

Musk ends OpenAI lawsuit while slamming Apple’s ChatGPT plans

Elon Musk has dropped his lawsuit against OpenAI, the company he co-founded in 2015. Court filings from the Superior Court of California reveal that Musk called off the legal action on June 11th, just a day before an informal conference was scheduled to discuss the discovery process.

Musk had initially sued OpenAI in March 2024, alleging breach of contracts, unfair business practices, and failure in fiduciary duty. He claimed that his contributions to the company were made "in...

12 June 2024 | Apple

DuckDuckGo releases portal giving private access to AI models

DuckDuckGo has released a platform that allows users to interact with popular AI chatbots privately, ensuring that their data remains secure and protected.

The service, accessible at Duck.ai, is globally available and features a light and clean user interface. Users can choose from four AI models: two closed-source models and two open-source models. The closed-source models are OpenAI's GPT-3.5 Turbo and Anthropic's Claude 3 Haiku, while the open-source models are Meta's Llama-3...

7 June 2024 | Applications

AI pioneers turn whistleblowers and demand safeguards

OpenAI is facing a wave of internal strife and external criticism over its practices and the potential risks posed by its technology. 

In May, several high-profile employees departed from the company, including Jan Leike, the former head of OpenAI's "super alignment" efforts to ensure advanced AI systems remain aligned with human values. Leike's exit came shortly after OpenAI unveiled its new flagship GPT-4o model, which it touted as "magical" at its Spring Update...

6 June 2024 | Artificial Intelligence

Amazon will use computer vision to spot defects before dispatch

Amazon will harness computer vision and AI to ensure customers receive products in pristine condition and further its sustainability efforts. The initiative – dubbed "Project P.I." (short for "private investigator") – operates within Amazon fulfilment centres across North America, where it will scan millions of products daily for defects.

Project P.I. leverages generative AI and computer vision technologies to detect issues such as damaged products or incorrect colours and...

4 June 2024 | Amazon

X now permits AI-generated adult content

Social media network X has updated its rules to formally permit users to share consensually-produced AI-generated NSFW content, provided it is clearly labelled. This change aligns with previous experiments under Elon Musk's leadership, which involved hosting adult content within specific communities.

"We believe that users should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed. Sexual expression,...

3 June 2024 | Applications

OpenAI disrupts five covert influence operations

In the last three months, OpenAI has disrupted five covert influence operations (IO) that attempted to exploit the company's models for deceptive activities online. As of May 2024, these campaigns have not shown a substantial increase in audience engagement or reach due to OpenAI's services.

OpenAI claims its commitment to designing AI models with safety in mind has often thwarted the threat actors' attempts to generate desired content. Additionally, the company says AI tools have...

31 May 2024 | Artificial Intelligence