Happy Sunday!

Get ready for "AI Weekly Insights #32"! Whether you're an AI veteran or just curious, there's something here to pique your interest. This week we have a jam-packed week with Apple’s AI rumors before WWDC, Humane’s struggles, Google’s coral reef project, antitrust investigations, and Nvidia’s exciting announcements.

Let’s get into the insights!

The Insights

For the Week of 05/26/24 - 06/01/24 (P.S. Click the story’s title for more information 😊):

WWDC 2024: What to Expect from Apple’s Annual Event

• What’s New: Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT, promising a groundbreaking event with new AI-powered features and apps in iOS 18.

• Top 5 (Rumored) Features and Apps:

  • Siri Revamp: Expect a massive upgrade for Siri with more natural-sounding voices, handling complex tasks, and notification summaries. Siri will likely see an upgrade from a Large Language Model (LLM).

  • Apple Photos + AI: AI retouching tools and a “Clean Up” feature could allow users to remove objects from photos using generative AI, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser.

  • More Intelligent Safari: A supposed AI recap of web pages and news articles to make browsing more insightful and efficient. Another company offers a similar feature for its browser.

  • iMessage Makeover: Custom emojis, AI recaps of missed texts, and a potential deeper Siri integration. The RCS support for better Apple-Android texting may come as well.

  • AI-Enhanced Notes: Transcribing audio, solving equations, and more AI integrations in the Notes app.

  • (Bonus) Customizable Home Screen: While not AI, iOS 18 may allow for more flexible app icon placements and color changes, mimicking Android’s personalization experience.

• Why It Matters: Google and Microsoft have both made significant strides in Generative AI, while Apple (and Siri) have been seen as trailing in this area. iOS 18 is likely to bring many AI enhancements, and Apple may even start using the term "Artificial Intelligence" more openly. The company’s dedication to data privacy, coupled with a potential partnership with OpenAI, positions it to offer unique AI experiences while respecting user data. This could be a landmark update for both the software and the forthcoming iPhone 16.

Humane Reportedly Trying to Sell Company After AI Pin Flop

• What's New: Rumors are swirling that HP is in talks to buy Humane's AI Pin business. An acquisition could mark a shift in the wearable AI market.

• $1 Billion Deal: This potential deal came to light shortly after the $699 wearable AI computer pin received less-than-stellar reviews. Humane (led by former Apple employees) has not responded well to the criticism. The Times reported that Humane had received around 10,000 orders for the AI Pin, way behind the 100,000 units it was aiming to sell.

• Why It Matters: Humane’s AI Pin has faced many challenges, including “fire and safety” issues lately. The device's shortcomings also led to internal conflicts, including the firing of a senior engineer who questioned its readiness for market. For HP, this isn't their first rodeo in acquiring struggling tech ventures, and the outcome could shape future wearable AI tech. Meanwhile, Humane's journey underscores the volatile nature of tech markets, where big ideas must meet practical performance to do well.

Google Wants to Use AI to Help Save Coral Reefs

• What's New: Google has developed a tool to assist marine biologists in gaining a deeper understanding of coral reef ecosystems.

• SurfPerch: The tool was trained on many hours of audio reef recordings that allow scientists to be able to “hear reef health” (the sounds that indicate a thriving ecosystem). Google was able to crowd-source its efforts through a website that allows users to listen to coral reefs and click when a fish is heard.

• Why It Matters: In the ongoing conversation about AI's impact, it's crucial to highlight its positive applications. While some technologies raise ethical concerns, SurfPerch demonstrates the potential for AI to be a powerful force for good. By providing insights into the health of coral reefs, it empowers scientists to make informed conservation decisions and protect these vital ecosystems. You can explore the SurfPerch project and even participate in the listening experiment on Google’s Arts and Culture website.

Antitrust Investigations Opening Against Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia

• What's New: U.S. antitrust authorities are preparing to launch investigations into the potentially aggressive tactics of major tech companies in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

• Dual Responsibilities: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have reached an agreement on how to divide their oversight responsibilities. The DOJ will take the lead in investigating Nvidia, focusing on its dominant position in the AI chip market. Meanwhile, the FTC will turn its attention to Microsoft and OpenAI, examining Microsoft's recent deal with Inflection AI. The FTC is already looking into OpenAI’s data collection practices.

• Why It Matters: There are growing concerns that a handful of tech giants could monopolize the growing AI sector. These investigations aim to ensure a level playing field, promoting fair competition and innovation. The outcomes could significantly impact how these companies operate, collaborate, and even develop AI technologies. As AI continues to be a part of our lives, maintaining a diverse landscape is crucial for ensuring that it benefits everyone.

Nvidia at Computex 2024 & Project G-Assist

• What's New: Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, took center stage at Computex in Taiwan to unveil a range of exciting AI developments, both reflecting on the company's progress and offering a glimpse into the future.

• Project G-Assist: This is an AI assistant that provides context-aware help for PC games and apps. It takes voice or text inputs from the player, along with a snapshot of what’s in the game window. The snapshot is fed into AI models that provide context awareness and output an insightful and personalized response based on what’s happening in-game.

• Why It Matters: As a video game enthusiast, I love highlighting how modern AI technologies are used in this space. Imagine having a virtual companion who can instantly answer questions about the game. This type of contextual AI has the potential to revolutionize not just gaming, but also how we interact with all kinds of software. Interestingly, Microsoft hinted at a similar feature during their Build conference. Project G-Assist was just one highlight of Nvidia's keynote. The full presentation is well worth watching, featuring discussions on topics like Digital Humans, Earth-2 simulations, and much more.

Your enthusiasm and curiosity drive our exploration through AI's rapidly evolving landscape. I look forward to your insights, questions, and assistance in spreading our discoveries with the AI community.

Until next Sunday, keep exploring and stay engaged!

Warm regards,

- Kharee