Google is enhancing Gmail with new AI features designed to streamline email management. A new Gemini side panel is being introduced for the web, which is capable of summarising email threads and drafting new emails. Users will receive proactive prompts and can ask freeform questions, utilising Google’s advanced models like Gemini 1.5 Pro. The mobile Gmail app will also feature Gemini’s ability to summarise threads.
However, these upgrades will only be accessible to paid Gemini users. To benefit from these features, one must be a Google Workspace customer with a Gemini Business or Enterprise add-on, a Gemini Education or Education Premium subscriber, or a Google One AI Premium member. Despite their potential usefulness, it’s advised not to depend entirely on these AI tools for critical work, as AI can sometimes produce inaccurate information.
In addition to Gmail, Google is incorporating Gemini features into the side panels of Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. The rollout follows Google’s earlier promises at the I/O conference. Further AI enhancements, including ‘Contextual Smart Reply,’ are expected to arrive for Gmail soon.
Geologists are expressing concerns about potential Chinese censorship and bias in GeoGPT, a new AI chatbot backed by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). Developed under the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) program, which is heavily funded by China, GeoGPT aims to assist geoscientists, particularly in developing countries, by providing access to extensive geological data. However, issues around transparency and censorship have been highlighted by experts, raising questions about the chatbot’s reliability.
Critics like Prof. Paul Cleverley have pointed out potential censorship and lack of transparency in GeoGPT’s responses. Although DDE representatives claim that the chatbot’s information is purely geoscientific and free from state influence, tests with its underlying AI, Qwen, developed by Alibaba, suggest that certain sensitive questions may be avoided or answered inadequately. That contrasts with responses from other AI models like ChatGPT, which provide more direct information on similar queries.
Further concerns are raised about the involvement of Chinese funding and the potential for biassed data usage. Geoscientific research, which includes valuable information about natural resources, could be strategically filtered. Additionally, the terms of use for GeoGPT prohibit generating content that undermines national security or incites subversion, aligning with Chinese laws, which may influence the chatbot’s outputs.
The IUGS president, John Ludden, has stated that GeoGPT’s database will be made public once appropriate governance is ensured. However, with the project being predominantly funded by Chinese sources, geoscientists remain sceptical about the impartiality and transparency of GeoGPT’s data and responses.
Nvidia has signed a new partnership with Qatari telecom group Oreedoo to bring its AI technology to data centres in five Middle Eastern countries. Signed at the TM Forum in Copenhagen last week, the deal makes Ooredoo a Nvidia cloud partner (NCP) that will contribute significantly to enhancing AI capabilities in the region.
Central to this partnership is Ooredoo’s plan to deploy thousands of Nvidia’s Tensor Core GPUs in its AI data centres. In a news release, the company said these GPUs are essential in providing advanced AI and machine learning services, including generative AI. This deployment is part of Ooredoo’s broader strategy to innovate and expand its technological infrastructure. The company has not disclosed the specific types of Nvidia technology that will be installed, although it says this will depend on availability and customer demand.
Why is this important?
The question of whether these centres will receive the most or less advanced versions of Nvidia’s AI chips remains open in light of US export controls. Last year, US policies expanded restrictions on the export of sophisticated AI chips from Nvidia and AMD beyond China to include certain Middle Eastern countries. In response, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have announced plans to develop less powerful AI chips that can be exported to restricted regions like China. In the absence of details given by the partners, it is unsure which AI-capable chips will be deployed in Ooredoo’s data centres.
This partnership is part of Ooredoo’s larger strategic vision to transform into the region’s leading telecom and infrastructure holding company. The company’s CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said that a $1 billion investment will expand its data centre capacity from 40 to 60-65 megawatts, with the goal of tripling it by the end of the decade. In a region that is still determining its AI strategy, Ooredoo’s expansion is set to shape those same policies. As for Nvidia, this partnership means another region in which the company asserts its market dominance.
Shopify is launching its new AI chatbot, ‘Sidekick,’ in early access as part of its 2024 Summer Edition updates. Sidekick, initially revealed last year, is designed to assist merchants with tasks such as creating discount codes, generating store reports, and suggesting blog post ideas. Currently, Sidekick is available to merchants with English stores in North America, but Shopify plans to expand its availability to other languages and regions.
In addition to Sidekick, Shopify announced several other AI tools to improve merchant efficiency. One notable feature is AI-powered product categorisation, which helps merchants by automatically suggesting taxonomy for product listings, making items more discoverable. Another tool provides suggested replies for customer chats in Shopify Inbox, although these replies need to be finalised by the merchant. Shopify is considering allowing AI to handle customer chats independently in the future.
Shopify is also enhancing its AI-powered image generator, which was launched in January, by integrating it into its iOS and Android apps and expanding its use within the Shopify admin. Over the past six months, Shopify merchants have saved over one million AI-generated images, highlighting the tool’s popularity and effectiveness.
The United States has introduced draft rules to regulate investments in China, particularly in AI and other advanced technology sectors that could pose national security threats. The US Treasury Department released these proposed rules following President Joe Biden’s executive order in August, which targets semiconductors, quantum computing, and AI investments. The draft rules require US individuals and companies to identify and report transactions that may be restricted or banned, aiming to prevent US expertise from aiding China’s technological advancements.
The Treasury’s proposed rules include various exceptions, such as transactions in the US national interest or involving publicly traded securities. The regulations would specifically ban transactions involving AI for certain end uses and systems using significant computing power but require notifications for other AI-related investments. These rules focus primarily on China, Macau, and Hong Kong, though they might be expanded later.
Former Treasury official Laura Black highlighted that these rules would necessitate increased due diligence by US investors when dealing with Chinese companies in the specified sectors. The regulations also align with existing export controls on advanced semiconductors to China, aiming to hinder China’s military modernisation efforts. Violations of these rules could result in criminal and civil penalties, including unwinding investments.d
Why does it matter?
Treasury officials have engaged with international partners to discuss these investment restrictions, with the European Commission and the United Kingdom considering similar measures to address outbound investment risks. Public comments on the proposed rules are open until 4 August, with final regulations expected by the end of the year.
Meta Platforms, Facebook’s parent company, is in talks to integrate its generative AI model into Apple’s newly announced AI system for iPhones. The integration comes as Apple plans to incorporate technology from various AI companies into its devices. There are also reports that Apple is considering a partnership with Google, its long-time search partner.
Additionally, Apple is exploring partnerships with other AI companies, including in regions like China, where OpenAI’s ChatGPT is banned. AI startup Anthropic has been discussing bringing its generative AI to Apple Intelligence with Apple. Though Meta and Anthropic have not commented, and Apple has not responded to requests for comment, these talks, if successful, could significantly expand the reach of these AI technologies.
The financial details of these potential deals remain unclear, but they could involve AI companies selling premium subscriptions through Apple Intelligence. AI search startup Perplexity is also discussing with Apple the incorporation of its generative AI technology. Apple recently announced its AI strategy, aiming to integrate the new Apple Intelligence technology across its apps, including Siri, and differentiate itself from competitors by emphasising privacy.
As China edges closer to the proverbial ‘splinternet’ there is more talk of the advent of AI on the continent. According to IBM, ASI is a hypothetical software-based AI system with an intelligence scope beyond human intelligence, possessing cognitive functions and thinking skills well beyond that of known humans.
According to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, at the implementation level, ASI will bring about real change to our societies in about ten years. The CEO assured investors of his company’s plans to tap in to the trend, pinpointing the company’s majority shareholder portfolio in the chip design firm, Arm.
Similar developments in China see Huawei releasing HarmonyOS, the beta version of a mobile operating system, and rival to Android on the continent. Versions of the software are carded to come to market housed in smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, smart glasses and earbuds by year end. The company also plans to build an ecosystem around the OS. Such technological developments in China further behooves the East and West to approach the table of negotiations as equals in the field of AI and other emerging technologies governance.
ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, is collaborating with US chip designer Broadcom to develop an advanced AI processor. This 5-nanometer chip, compliant with US export restrictions, will be manufactured by Taiwan’s TSMC. The initiative is aimed at securing a stable supply of high-end chips amid ongoing US-China tensions.
Unannounced to the public, the partnership represents one of the few recent collaborations involving advanced technology between US and Chinese firms since Washington’s 2022 export controls on cutting-edge semiconductors. ByteDance’s tie-up with Broadcom, an existing partner, is expected to reduce costs and ensure a steady supply of sophisticated chips, which are essential for ByteDance’s AI initiatives.
The new chip is still in the design phase, with manufacturing not expected to start this year. ByteDance’s push in generative AI requires advanced chips, which have become more challenging to obtain due to US sanctions. The company has been stockpiling Nvidia chips and has purchased AI accelerators from Huawei, emphasising the critical need for powerful algorithms across its platforms, including TikTok and Douyin.
ByteDance is actively hiring for semiconductor-related roles, including ASIC chip designers, and has been recruiting top talent from other Chinese AI chip firms. The company’s strategic efforts highlight its commitment to overcoming challenges posed by restricted access to advanced technology.
The EU antitrust regulators have accused Apple of violating the bloc’s tech rules, potentially leading to a substantial fine. The European Commission, responsible for antitrust and technology regulation, announced its preliminary findings following an investigation initiated in March. That move marks the first charge under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law designed to curb Big Tech’s dominance and foster fair competition. Apple could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover if it fails to address the concerns.
EU’s antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, highlighted issues with Apple’s new terms, which allegedly restrict app developers’ ability to communicate freely with their users and establish contracts. Apple maintains that it has made several changes to comply with the DMA based on feedback from app developers and the Commission. However, the Commission criticised Apple’s business terms, particularly allowing app developers to redirect customers to external websites to complete transactions and the fees charged for initial customer acquisition through the App Store.
The Commission is also investigating Apple’s new contractual requirements for third-party app developers and app stores. Key issues include the core technology fee, the multi-step process to download alternative app stores on iPhones, and eligibility criteria for developers to offer alternative app stores or distribute apps directly. Apple’s recent fee implementations in the EU have drawn criticism, notably from ‘Fortnite’ creator Epic Games. Additionally, Vestager criticised Apple’s delay in launching AI-powered features in the EU, which the company attributed to the DMA, suggesting that Apple might consider its AI integration anti-competitive.
Next month, athletes worldwide will converge on Paris for the eagerly awaited 2024 Summer Olympics. While competitors prepare for their chance to win coveted medals, organisers are focused on defending against cybersecurity threats. Over the past decade, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated due to the misuse of AI. However, the responsible application of AI offers a promising countermeasure.
Sports organisations are increasingly partnering with AI-driven companies like Visual Edge IT, which specializes in risk reduction. Although Visual Edge IT does not directly work with the Olympics, cybersecurity expert Peter Avery shared insights on how Olympic organisers can mitigate risks. Avery emphasised the importance of robust technical, physical, and administrative controls to protect against cyber threats. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive incident response plan and the necessity of preparing for potential disruptions, such as internet overload and infrastructure attacks.
The advent of AI has revolutionised both productivity and cybercrime. Avery noted that AI allows cybercriminals to automate attacks, making them more efficient and widespread. He stressed that a solid incident response plan and regular simulation exercises are crucial for managing cyber threats. As Avery pointed out, the question is not if a cyberattack will happen but when.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also embraces AI responsibly within sports. IOC President Thomas Bach announced the AI plan to identify talent, personalise training, and improve judging fairness. The Summer Olympics in Paris, which run from 26 July to 11 August, will significantly test these cybersecurity and AI initiatives.
