Meta has announced the expansion of its AI chatbot to 21 new markets, including the UK and Brazil, as it intensifies competition with ChatGPT. The chatbot is now available to millions of users, offering support in several additional languages. The expansion reflects the ongoing race among technology companies to capture global interest in AI tools.
The AI chatbot already boasts almost 500 million monthly active users and is expected to be accessible in 43 countries by the end of the year. Its broadening reach includes more languages, with Meta aiming for it to become the leading AI assistant by the end of 2024.
While Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, revealed new character voices for the chatbot at the company’s Connect event, these will be rolled out at a later stage. Meta clarified that the new voices are part of a separate timeline, indicating a phased approach to the overall AI development.
In addition, Meta AI will soon be available through Ray-Ban Meta glasses in the UK and Australia, marking another innovative feature as the company seeks to integrate its technology into daily life.
Amazon has introduced AI-powered Shopping Guides to help customers navigate its vast product selection more efficiently. Starting Thursday, the guides will cover over 100 different product types, offering key information such as trusted brands, use cases, and popular features to simplify decision-making. The goal is to speed up the shopping process by consolidating research into an easy-to-navigate format.
The AI guides will not only focus on larger purchases like TVs or appliances but will also assist with everyday items such as dog food and running shoes. By using generative AI technology, Amazon aims to refine the search process and reduce the overwhelming number of choices shoppers face. Each guide is updated regularly through Amazon’s AI platform, Bedrock, ensuring users get the most current and relevant information.
Available first in the US via Amazon’s mobile apps and web, the AI Shopping Guides will appear during search suggestions and through personalised browsing prompts. Amazon also plans to expand the feature across more product categories in the coming months.
Mexico has become the focal point for cybercrime in Latin America, accounting for over 50% of all reported cyber threats in the region during the first half of 2024, according to a study by cybersecurity firm Fortinet. With 31 billion cybercrime attempts, hackers are taking advantage of Mexico’s strategic ties with the US and booming industries like logistics and manufacturing, which are being targeted for larger ransom payouts.
Fortinet’s report highlighted how cybercriminals are using advanced tools, such as AI, to streamline attacks and focus on specific sectors for maximum impact. The rapid shift of production closer to the US, known as nearshoring, has made Mexico’s electronics and automotive industries prime targets. Despite a slight dip in attack numbers compared to last year, the overall threat level remains significant.
Experts, including Fortinet executives, emphasised the need for Mexico to strengthen its cybersecurity laws. While President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to establish a cybersecurity and AI center, there has been no mention of legal measures yet. Cybersecurity professionals warn that urgent action is needed as Mexico’s role in global supply chains continues to grow.
OpenAI has teamed up with Hearst Communications Inc. to incorporate content from its magazines and newspapers into the ChatGPT chatbot. This partnership, announced on Tuesday, enables Hearst to license material from well-known publications such as Esquire, Cosmopolitan, and Elle, along with more than 40 newspapers for use in OpenAI’s products. The content will be displayed in ChatGPT with proper attribution, providing transparency and easy access to the original sources.
Jeff Johnson, President of Hearst Newspapers, highlighted the significance of including journalism from professional journalists in AI products as generative AI advances. He stated that this partnership enables Hearst’s trusted and curated content to enrich OpenAI’s offerings, resulting in more timely and relevant information.
OpenAI has been working to establish similar licensing agreements with a range of publishers, such as Condé Nast, News Corp., and Time magazine, to train its AI models and ensure access to authoritative information. Many of these agreements include commitments to provide news summaries with proper attribution. However, not all media outlets are on board; the New York Times filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in December, alleging the unauthorised use of its copyrighted articles. OpenAI has contested these claims, asserting that the newspaper is not presenting the full context of the situation.
OpenAI is expanding its global presence with plans to open new offices in key cities, including Singapore, Paris, and Brussels. These will add to its existing hubs in San Francisco, London, and Tokyo, positioning the company for broader international reach. The company’s efforts follow a substantial $6.6 billion funding round and leadership changes.
Oliver Jay, formerly of Asana and Dropbox, will lead OpenAI’s international operations from Singapore. The new Singapore office, expected to open by the end of the year, will serve as a hub for the Asia Pacific region. The company is actively hiring engineers to build out its team in the region, which has seen rapid growth in ChatGPT usage.
The decision to expand into Singapore is partly driven by the country’s strong engagement with AI technology. OpenAI noted that Singapore has one of the highest per capita uses of ChatGPT, with usage doubling since the start of the year. This new office will be OpenAI’s second in Asia, after Tokyo.
As part of the expansion, OpenAI is partnering with AI Singapore, a national programme that promotes the development and adoption of AI in the region. CEO Sam Altman highlighted Singapore’s leadership in AI and its role in tackling complex societal issues, as well as fostering economic growth.
Three scientists, David Baker, John Jumper, and Demis Hassabis, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on proteins. Baker, an American professor at the University of Washington, was recognised for his innovations in computational protein design. At the same time, Hassabis and Jumper, both from Google DeepMind, were honoured for their advancements in predicting protein structures using AI. Their research has opened new doors in drug development and other scientific fields.
Today the world discovered who had been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Hassabis and Jumper, through their AI model AlphaFold2, achieved a breakthrough by predicting the structure of nearly all known proteins. The advancement has broad applications, including a better understanding of antibiotic resistance and even designing enzymes to break down plastics. Baker, meanwhile, focused on creating entirely new proteins that can be used to tackle global challenges such as climate change and emerging diseases.
The Nobel Prize, considered among the highest honours in science, comes with a reward of 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.1 million). Hassabis expressed his excitement about the recognition, calling it surreal and thanking his colleagues. The award highlights the growing importance of AI and machine learning in scientific innovation.
Baker, who was caught off guard by the announcement, explained how his work in protein design has been driven by the goal of solving critical global problems. His research into creating new proteins has already led to developments in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and nanotechnology, opening the door to future solutions in other areas.
The recognition marks the second Nobel Prize this week for research involving AI, underlining AI’s transformative role in science. During the prestigious Nobel banquet in Stockholm, the laureates will receive their medals from the Swedish king in December.
Elon Musk has reignited his legal fight with OpenAI, accusing the company’s co-founders of manipulating him into investing in the nonprofit startup before turning it into a for-profit business. Musk claims they enriched themselves by draining OpenAI’s key assets and technology. OpenAI, however, has dismissed these claims, describing the lawsuit as part of Musk’s efforts to gain a competitive edge.
OpenAI, which transitioned to a for-profit subsidiary in 2019, attracted billions in outside funding, including from Microsoft. Musk argues the company deviated from its original mission, but OpenAI maintains it remains committed to developing safe and beneficial AI. The startup also suggested Musk’s departure came after his attempt to dominate the organisation failed.
OpenAI has had a turbulent year with leadership changes and rapid growth. The company’s headcount more than doubled, and despite losing key figures, it remains a major player in AI innovation. Recent investments pushed OpenAI’s valuation to $157 billion, underscoring continued investor confidence.
Musk’s ongoing rivalry with OpenAI coincides with his other AI ventures, including xAI, which he launched in 2023. He’s also facing allegations in a Delaware lawsuit accusing his AI company of draining talent and resources from Tesla, potentially harming shareholders.
MediaTek is reportedly collaborating with NVIDIA to develop a new AI processor, which is expected to be manufactured using 3nm technology and is slated for tape-out later this month. This move comes alongside MediaTek’s recent launch of its Dimensity 9400 smartphone chipset, indicating the company’s ambition to diversify its product lineup. The new AI processor is projected to enter mass production by late 2025 and aims to fill a gap in the market for Windows-on-Arm devices, especially given the comparatively weaker graphics performance of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite.
The new chip is expected to work alongside NVIDIA’s GPU, aiming at major laptop brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus as potential clients. Priced at approximately $300, this processor signifies MediaTek’s move into the AI PC sector, marking a significant shift from its usual collaborations with AMD. However, MediaTek has previously partnered with NVIDIA, notably in their recent unveiling of automotive SoCs that incorporate NVIDIA technology, highlighting their mutual interest in enhancing AI capabilities.
As the AI landscape evolves, MediaTek’s partnership with NVIDIA could bolster its position in a competitive market, especially given NVIDIA’s dominance in AI processors. This collaboration underscores MediaTek’s strategic shift and opens avenues for innovative products in the AI-driven technology sector.
Roli, the London-based company known for its innovative musical products, has introduced the Airwave system, designed to make learning the piano easier by integrating AI and hand-tracking technology. Airwave works with Roli’s existing keyboards, utilising 3D cameras to track hand movements, providing a personalised and immersive learning experience. This system, compatible with Roli’s Seaboard and the newly rebranded Piano M, aims to simplify piano lessons while enhancing creativity.
Airwave’s key feature combines light-up keys and hand-tracking, giving users real-time feedback on their playing. The system is powered by Roli Music Intelligence (MI), an AI platform trained on large language models. Users can interact with the system through voice commands for tips, chord help, and access to complete songs, making it a versatile educational tool.
Beyond education, Airwave also caters to musicians seeking creative expression. The system allows players to manipulate sounds and instruments through gestures, much like a conductor. Priced at $299, Airwave is available for preorder.
Schools in Liverpool are trialling AI to reduce teachers’ marking workload and help personalise lessons. The initiative, supported by a partnership between Century Tech and Mayor Steve Rotheram, aims to give teachers more time for other tasks while improving educational outcomes.
Runnymede St Edwards Primary in West Derby has already adopted the AI tool for three years, offering insights into how it can tailor homework based on students’ strengths and weaknesses. Year Six pupil Noah explained how the platform adjusts tasks according to each pupil’s needs, balancing focus areas like science and maths.
The AI system also marks the homework, freeing teachers from hours of manual grading. It generates detailed reports on pupils’ abilities, providing educators with crucial information on where extra attention is needed.
Mayor Rotheram hopes the scheme will address the city’s lagging educational standards, with plans for a national rollout. Improving students’ skills in key subjects like English and maths at an early stage could help avoid costly interventions later.
