Google has partnered with Volkswagen to provide key artificial intelligence capabilities for a new in-app assistant designed to assist drivers. The AI-powered assistant, available through a smartphone app, allows users to ask questions or point their cameras at vehicle dashboards for immediate, relevant information.
The assistant uses Google’s Gemini large language models, which are capable of processing and generating predictive responses based on human language. The tool was developed by incorporating Volkswagen manuals and YouTube videos related to vehicle maintenance into the AI’s database.
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian highlighted the complexity of the project, explaining that it goes beyond simple speech-to-text translation. The AI’s multimodal capabilities, which process text, images, and videos, were essential to its development.
Currently available to around 120,000 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport owners, the assistant will roll out to more models by next year. Google aims to expand its enterprise AI solutions through ventures like this, particularly as cloud computing continues to grow as a key segment of its business.
James Cameron, renowned director of films like Titanic and The Terminator, has joined the board of Stability AI, an AI startup based in London. The company, known for its AI-driven image-generation tools, is aiming to transform visual media through innovative technologies.
Stability AI’s CEO, Prem Akkaraju, highlighted the importance of Cameron’s appointment in helping the firm achieve its goal of providing creators with a comprehensive portfolio of AI tools. The company has raised significant funding, including $80 million earlier this year, and is seen as a competitor to AI tools from Google and OpenAI.
Cameron expressed excitement about how generative AI and computer-generated imagery could revolutionise storytelling, offering artists unprecedented ways to bring their ideas to life. Stability AI’s tools include Stable Video Diffusion, a text-to-video generation platform.
While the relationship between AI and Hollywood has grown closer, it has also sparked controversy. In 2023, writers and actors went on strike, pushing for protections against the unregulated use of AI in film and television production. Cameron joins other notable figures on the board, such as former Facebook president Sean Parker.
OpenAI’s board is considering compensating CEO Sam Altman with equity, though no decision has been made, according to board chair Bret Taylor. The idea emerged as part of a broader conversation on restructuring the company’s core business into a for-profit benefit corporation. Altman holds no stake in OpenAI despite co-founding the organisation in 2015. His initial decision to forgo equity was rooted in the need for a majority of disinterested directors on the board.
The restructuring plan suggests that Altman could finally receive equity in the new for-profit entity. However, this transition comes amid sudden changes at the company, including the departure of several key executives. Speaking at a conference in Italy, Altman dismissed any connection between these exits and the ongoing discussions about the corporate restructuring.
As OpenAI navigates this pivotal transformation, it is also amid negotiations to raise $6.5 billion, with support expected from major players such as Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple. The company’s potential valuation of $150 billion hinges on successfully executing its restructuring, which may include lifting a cap on investor returns.
Why does it matter?
Once restructured, the for-profit entity would no longer be under the control of the non-profit board that has overseen OpenAI since its inception. However, the non-profit organisation will continue to exist, holding a minority stake in the newly formed for-profit company. The shift signals a significant evolution for the AI giant as it seeks to attract further investment and scale its ambitions.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cracked down on five companies for deceptive use of AI. Three cases involved businesses falsely claiming to help consumers generate passive income through e-commerce. The FTC also reached settlements with DoNotPay and Rytr, two companies accused of misleading consumers with their AI tools. DoNotPay, which marketed automated legal services, agreed to a $193,000 settlement and will notify customers of the tool’s limitations, while Rytr faced criticism for allowing users to create fake product reviews through its AI writing feature.
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan stressed that AI tools must comply with existing laws, making it clear that deceiving or misleading consumers with AI is illegal. Despite not admitting wrongdoing, both Rytr and DoNotPay settled with the FTC. Rytr agreed to discontinue its review-generating feature, used to create fake product reviews, while DoNotPay accepted a settlement without admitting fault.
The FTC’s actions have sparked internal debate on how to regulate AI. While all five commissioners supported cracking down on false AI claims, the two Republican commissioners raised concerns about the agency’s authority in the Rytr case. This division highlights differing views within the FTC on the scope of its regulatory powers when addressing AI-related issues.
At its annual Connect conference, Meta Platforms unveiled its first working prototype of augmented-reality glasses called Orion. CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the chunky black glasses as a glimpse into a future where virtual and physical worlds merge seamlessly, referring to them as a “time machine” that could transform user interactions. The announcement also featured improved AI chatbot capabilities and a new Quest mixed-reality headset, contributing to a record closing high for Meta shares at $568.31.
The Orion glasses, made from magnesium alloy and powered by custom silicon designed by Meta, will include features like hand-tracking, voice controls, and a wrist-based neural interface. Meta plans to refine the glasses to make them smaller and more affordable for a projected consumer launch in 2027. However, previous attempts at AR by major tech companies have often encountered challenges. Analysts recognise Meta’s goal of making augmented reality accessible, but public scepticism about AI technology continues to be a significant barrier.
Although Zuckerberg did not demonstrate the glasses’ features live, a video showcased testers, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, interacting with the device. Meta’s existing Ray-Ban smart glasses gained popularity after the introduction of an AI assistant, which will soon allow users to scan QR codes and stream music using voice commands. Future updates for these glasses are set to include real-time language translation and video generation capabilities.
Alongside its AR announcements, Meta unveiled several AI updates, including improved audio responses for its digital assistant, Meta AI, which can now mimic celebrity voices. With over 400 million monthly users, Meta is heavily investing in AI and AR technologies, anticipating record capital expenses of $37 billion to $40 billion for 2024. However, despite these investments, the Reality Labs division reported substantial losses of $8.3 billion in the first half of this year.
Blackstone has announced a significant £10 billion investment to build an AI data centre in Blyth, northeast England. The project will create 4,000 jobs, including 1,200 positions dedicated to the site’s construction. The initiative highlights the growing demand for energy-intensive data centres, a sector that remains resilient for investors like Blackstone, despite challenges in other commercial property markets.
Blyth was previously earmarked as a site for an electric vehicle battery factory, but those plans collapsed after Britishvolt, a UK startup, folded last year. Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the new project during his visit to New York, emphasising its potential to drive regional economic growth.
In addition to the data centre, Blackstone will invest £110 million in a local fund aimed at improving skills training and upgrading transport infrastructure in the area. Blackstone’s President, Jon Gray, confirmed the investment, signalling the company’s commitment to supporting the local economy.
This new project represents a shift for commercial landlords, as data centres emerge as a rare growth opportunity in the wake of falling demand for other assets like post-pandemic office spaces.
Meta AI is fast becoming one of the world’s most widely used assistants, with nearly 500 million monthly active users, according to Mark Zuckerberg. Speaking at Meta Connect 2024, he highlighted its growth, pointing out that major markets like the EU have not yet been tapped.
India remains the largest user base for Meta AI, thanks to WhatsApp’s popularity, which boasts over 500 million users in the country. The AI is rapidly expanding its reach, placing it far ahead of competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has around 200 million weekly users.
Alongside usage updates, Meta revealed new developments, including the Llama 3.2 models, offering enhanced multimodal capabilities. These models will be available in Europe, though they do not rely on European user data, due to regulatory concerns.
The event also introduced celebrity voices and new AI-powered features across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Meta AI can now create photos, understand user images, provide answers, and even make edits.
Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $1.3 billion in Mexico over the next three years, aimed at strengthening its cloud computing and AI infrastructure. During an event in Mexico City, CEO Satya Nadella emphasised the company’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and promoting AI adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The initiative is expected to reach 5 million people and support 30,000 SMBs in the region.
Major Mexican companies, including Bimbo and Cemex, are already utilising Microsoft’s AI tools, showcasing the growing integration of technology in the country. Additionally, in partnership with Viasat, Microsoft plans to extend internet access to 150,000 Mexicans without connectivity by the end of 2025.
The investment has been positively received by Mexico’s incoming Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who believes it will significantly accelerate the nation’s AI development.
Several police departments in the United States have begun using AI to write incident reports, aiming to reduce time spent on paperwork. Oklahoma City’s police department was an early adopter of the AI-powered Draft One software, but paused its use to address concerns raised by the District Attorney’s office. The software analyses bodycam footage and radio transmissions to draft reports, potentially speeding up processes, although it may raise legal concerns.
Paul Mauro, a former NYPD inspector, noted that the technology could significantly reduce the burden on officers, who often spend hours writing various reports. However, he warned that officers must still review AI-generated reports carefully to avoid errors. The risk of inaccuracies or ‘AI hallucinations’ means oversight remains crucial, particularly when reports are used as evidence in court.
Mauro suggested that AI-generated reports could help standardise police documentation and assist in data analysis across multiple cases. This could improve efficiency in investigations by identifying patterns more quickly than manual methods. He also recommended using the technology for minor crimes while legal experts ensure compliance with regulations.
The potential for AI to transform police work has drawn comparisons to the initial resistance to bodycams, which are now widely accepted. While there are challenges, the introduction of AI in police reporting may offer long-term benefits for law enforcement, if implemented thoughtfully and responsibly.
OpenAI’s official press account on X was hacked by cryptocurrency scammers, promoting a fraudulent blockchain token, ‘$OPENAI.’ The scammers posted a message claiming the fake token would grant users access to future OpenAI beta programs. The post linked to a phishing website designed to steal cryptocurrency wallet credentials from unsuspecting users. Despite the scam being evident, the post and the associated site remained active, with comments disabled to make the hack less noticeable.
This incident is part of a larger pattern, with OpenAI leadership accounts also targeted in similar phishing campaigns earlier this year. In June 2023, OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s account was hacked, posting a nearly identical message about the non-existent “$OPENAI” token. Other key OpenAI staff, such as chief scientist Jakub Pachocki and researcher Jason Wei, were also hacked recently, further exposing vulnerabilities.
Cryptocurrency scams targeting high-profile X accounts have become increasingly common. In previous years, accounts belonging to Apple, Elon Musk, and Joe Biden were compromised to promote scams. These fraudulent campaigns often use fake offers or phishing schemes to steal funds from victims by tricking them into sending cryptocurrency to scam wallets.
Cryptocurrency scams have cost United States citizens $5.6 billion in 2023 alone, a significant increase from the previous year. With over 50,000 cases reported in the first half of 2024, losses have already reached $2.5 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission, marking an alarming rise in the threat posed by such scams.
