This week’s roundup of news in AI contains many themes that we all recognize. From exciting advancements and experiments that are shaping the future of AI to terrifying statistics on how the technology could negatively impact us. The landscape of technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. While we say this every week, it never ceases to be true.
Join us as we explore the latest fascinating developments in Artificial Intelligence around the world.
Introducing the AI PC
Intel has confirmed that Microsoft’s Copilot AI service will soon operate locally on PCs, marking a significant shift from cloud-based processing. This local operation is expected to bring latency, performance, and privacy improvements. To support this, next-gen AI PCs will require 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of performance from the Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a substantial increase over current capabilities. Intel’s roadmap includes next-gen processors like the Lunar Lake, designed to meet these demands with enhanced AI performance. This evolution highlights a growing trend towards more powerful, AI-capable devices, promising significant advancements in how we interact with technology at a personal level.
OpenAI Unveils Sora’s Potential Through Artistic Collaboration
News from OpenAI and their Sora model seem to dominate every AI roundup, but for good reason. OpenAI has showcased the capabilities of its generative video creation platform, Sora, by collaborating with artists to create experimental video clips. Unlike anything seen before, these videos range from the abstract to the surreal, demonstrating Sora’s ability to blend reality with imagination. The project highlights Sora’s potential not just in creating visually stunning content but also in revolutionizing storytelling and creative expression. As Sora is still in its experimental phase and not yet publicly available, this glimpse into its capabilities suggests a future where AI can assist in the rapid conceptualization and production of creative works, challenging traditional creative processes.
Apple Joins Generative AI?
Apple’s development of the MM1 AI model signifies a major step into generative AI. Unlike its competitors, Apple has been relatively quiet about its foray into AI, but a research paper released by the company on the MM1 model—capable of analyzing images and answering questions—demonstrates Apple’s growing investment in this area. This multimodal large language model (MLLM) could potentially be integrated into Apple products, enhancing functionalities such as Siri and creating new tools for interacting with digital content. Apple’s research into AI, while traditionally secretive, suggests a strategic approach to developing technologies that could redefine user experience, emphasizing privacy and on-device processing. Although it seems Apple is late to the party, they’re most likely staying quiet on the topic until they have something spectacular to release. Who else is excited to try out an AI from our beloved Silicon Valley darling?
The Potential Impact of AI on the UK Job Market
A new study by the IPPR highlights a pressing concern: the potential for an imminent ‘job apocalypse’ in the UK, with over eight million careers at risk unless there is swift government action. The study delineates two phases of AI adoption, with the initial wave already impacting 11 percent of tasks performed by UK workers, particularly in routine cognitive functions. A second, more daunting wave could see AI taking over 59 percent of tasks, extending its reach to higher-earning, non-routine cognitive jobs.
The implications are profound, with roles such as copywriters, graphic designers, and personal assistants facing significant disruption. Bhargav Srinivasa Desikan, a Senior Research Fellow at IPPR, emphasizes the critical juncture we face, urging a reimagining of technological advancement to ensure broad-based economic benefits and novel job opportunities. The IPPR’s report underscores the urgency for a strategic, job-centric approach to AI, integrating fiscal incentives, regulatory frameworks ensuring human oversight, and initiatives supporting sectors less susceptible to automation like green jobs.
The study also highlights the disproportionate impact of AI on certain demographics, particularly women and younger workers, who are more likely to occupy roles vulnerable to displacement. This calls for a concerted effort from governments, employers, and unions to navigate this technological transition thoughtfully, avoiding a worst-case scenario of widespread job losses without corresponding economic gains.
Federal Rules for AI in the US
The Biden administration has introduced new rules to regulate the federal government’s use of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need for safety, transparency, and accountability. These policies stem from an executive order signed by President Joe Biden, addressing concerns about AI’s impact on the workforce, privacy, national security, and discrimination. Agencies are now required to publicly list AI systems in use, along with risk assessments and management strategies. A chief AI officer is to be appointed in each agency to oversee AI applications. Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting the collaborative effort behind these policies, stressed their potential as a global model for AI governance. The rules aim to protect citizens’ rights while harnessing AI’s benefits, illustrated by the government’s extensive AI use in various sectors, from healthcare to national defense. Agencies are mandated to implement safeguards by December, ensuring AI systems are free from bias and safe for public use, with an emphasis on rigorous testing and standards development.
Conclusion
This week, the world of artificial intelligence has continued to evolve, showcasing both its vast potential and the challenges it presents. As technology companies make strides in developing AI that’s both powerful and user-friendly, the implications for privacy, performance, and the way we interact with digital content are becoming more prevalent. Meanwhile, the conversation around AI’s impact on the job market is gaining urgency, highlighting the need for thoughtful policy and strategic planning to mitigate risks and ensure that the benefits of AI are distributed equitably. This is why we’re so passionate about building bitgrit, an AI competition and recruiting platform for data scientists, powered by web3. Home to a community of over 30,000 engineers worldwide, bitgrit is enabling impactful developments in AI and providing opportunities for data scientists around the world. Check out our blog if you want to learn more.
