Reddit is expanding its AI-powered translation feature to over 35 countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This marks a significant shift in the platform’s approach to increasing accessibility for non-English-speaking users. Reddit’s latest move follows its earlier translation service for French, broadening its language offerings to accommodate its growing user base.
The new feature enables automatic translation for both posts and comments, allowing conversations across multiple languages without needing manual input. Users can choose their preferred language settings, facilitating smoother interactions in diverse communities. Development like this one allows multilingual conversations to take place seamlessly within a single thread.
Reddit’s AI-powered translations extend beyond user interactions. Search engines will also index translated content, potentially drawing in more users who are searching for content in their local language. Reddit has already rolled out support in Brazil and Spain, with plans to expand to Germany, Italy, the Philippines, and other regions in Latin America soon.
The company continues to see growth in both its user base and ad revenue. Enhancing language support with AI-powered tools is a strategic move to appeal to global audiences, positioning Reddit for further international expansion.
Vietnam’s President To Lam met with leading US firms in New York, pledging to strengthen the domestic tech sector. Discussions focused on boosting Vietnam’s digital transformation and enhancing strategic industries like AI and semiconductors. The Vietnamese president also held talks with major companies including Apple, Blackstone, and Warburg Pincus.
Meta, which already has millions of Facebook users in Vietnam, committed to increasing its investment in the country. Plans include expanding virtual reality production in Vietnam, signalling a stronger presence in the nation’s tech landscape. Meta’s Nick Clegg expressed confidence in Vietnam’s digital potential.
During Lam’s visit, cooperation agreements with US firms were signed. These agreements cover various sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence, and a new data centre initiative, further solidifying ties between the two nations.
The Vietnamese government emphasised that digital transformation will be key to future economic growth. Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to advancing the tech economy and fostering innovation through international collaboration.
France has appointed Clara Chappaz, the CEO of La French Tech, as its first-ever minister dedicated to AI and Digitalisation, marking a significant step in its quest to become a global leader in AI. That appointment aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s vision to transform Paris into the ‘city of AI.’
Chappaz expressed her enthusiasm for the role, highlighting her commitment to public action on digital and AI subjects. The new ministerial title underscores France’s strategic focus on advancing its AI capabilities, further evidenced by its efforts to foster generative AI enterprises like Mistral AI and H and its plans to host the International AI Summit in February.
France’s national AI strategy, published last year, promises a €500 million investment to establish AI clusters by 2030. Chappaz, 35, has significantly contributed to the tech industry and gender equality during her tenure at La French Tech. She launched an optional parity pact that mandates a 20 percent minimum quota of women on boards of directors by 2025 and requires managers to be trained in diversity and anti-discrimination practices.
Why does it matter?
Amid recent political changes in France, including the National Assembly’s dissolution and Michel Barnier’s appointment as prime minister, Chappaz’s new role is seen as a stabilising move. She will report to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, signalling a potential shift towards integrating AI advancements with educational and research initiatives. Chappaz’s appointment and France’s strategic extensions in AI policies highlight the nation’s intent to lead technological innovation while upholding ethical standards and promoting inclusivity.
OpenAI is expanding its Advanced Voice Mode (AVM) to more ChatGPT users, beginning with those subscribed to the Plus and Teams plans, while Enterprise and education customers will gain access next week. The updated AVM includes a redesigned interface, now featuring a blue animated sphere, and introduces five new voices: Arbor, Maple, Sol, Spruce, and Vale. These additions bring the total voice options to nine, replacing ‘Sky,’ which was removed after legal issues arose over its similarity to actress Scarlett Johansson’s voice.
The AVM update also includes improvements like better accent recognition and smoother conversations. OpenAI has incorporated customisation options, including Custom Instructions, which allow users to personalise ChatGPT’s responses, and Memory, which enables ChatGPT to recall past conversations. However, previously showcased features such as video and screen-sharing remain unavailable, with no confirmed timeline for their release.
Despite the updates, AVM is not yet available in certain regions, including the EU, the UK, and several others. OpenAI is actively refining the feature based on early user feedback, working to resolve glitches and improve overall performance for a smoother experience.
Microsoft has introduced a new service, called Correction, aimed at addressing a significant flaw in AI models, hallucinations, or factually incorrect responses. The tool identifies and revises erroneous AI-generated content by cross-referencing with accurate data sources, such as transcripts. Correction, available through Microsoft’s Azure AI Content Safety API, works with various models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4.
While Microsoft promotes Correction as a way to boost AI reliability, experts remain skeptical. Researchers warn that hallucinations are deeply ingrained in how AI models operate. Since these systems rely on statistical patterns rather than actual knowledge, completely eliminating false outputs might be impossible. They also caution that this solution could create new issues, like giving users a false sense of trust in AI outputs.
Despite these concerns, Microsoft is pushing to demonstrate the value of its AI tools, having invested billions in the technology. However, concerns about performance and cost are mounting, with some clients already pausing AI deployments due to inaccuracies and high expenses. Experts argue that AI, still in its developmental stages, is being rushed into industries without fully addressing its flaws.
Oman has launched the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Advanced Digital Technologies, aiming to secure global digital leadership and enhance the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in the economy. That initiative, running from 2024 to 2026, is part of the broader Oman Vision 2040 objectives, which seek to align the country with global advancements in AI.
The National Programme for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Oman aims to establish a national open data platform to support entrepreneurs and decision-makers, create a research centre for AI, and develop a collaborative AI studio for technological solutions. It will also produce an Omani language model using generative AI and establish a centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in partnership with the World Economic Forum, alongside quantum computing initiatives.
Minister H E Saeed bin Hamood al Mawali emphasised the government’s commitment to integrating AI across sectors to enhance the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 2% in 2021 to 10% by 2040. Additionally, the programme includes the AI Makers Initiative, opportunities for startups, and AI and data analysis training for Omani youth to prepare them as future innovators and creators.
Israel is proactively shaping its AI landscape by establishing a national expert forum on AI policy and regulation. Led by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, this initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to responsibly harnessing AI and unites experts to address its challenges and opportunities.
Its primary goal is to develop a comprehensive strategy for AI’s safe and ethical use, fostering innovation and maximising social and economic benefits. Specifically, by addressing data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ethical considerations, the forum aims to create a regulatory framework that supports technological advancements while protecting public interests.
Moreover, regular meetings will foster collaboration and dialogue among members, providing valuable insights to help the ministry navigate the complexities and risks of AI deployment. This collaborative environment will encourage sharing best practices and lessons learned from international AI governance experiences. Additionally, members will play a crucial role in shaping Israel’s policies in response to global developments in AI.
By actively monitoring international trends, the forum will ensure that Israel remains a leader in AI research and application while adhering to responsible governance practices. Ultimately, carefully selecting diverse and expert members will enrich discussions, thereby creating a comprehensive approach to AI governance that benefits all sectors of society.
OECD and the UN have established a significant partnership to enhance global governance for AI. That collaboration recognises the rapid advancement of AI technology and highlights the necessity for cohesive policy ecosystems to tackle its associated opportunities and challenges effectively.
By joining forces, the two organisations aim to provide comprehensive support to member states, ensuring that AI governance evolves with technological progress. The partnership underscores the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders, including scientists and academic institutions, to create a robust framework that addresses the complexities of AI governance. This inclusive approach guarantees that policy responses are well-informed and reflect the multifaceted impact of AI on society.
Furthermore, the OECD and UN will conduct regular assessments of AI-related risks and opportunities to ensure their initiatives remain aligned with the ever-evolving AI landscape. The proactive strategy will empower member states to navigate the intricacies of AI governance while fostering an inclusive approach that addresses both the benefits and challenges.
They share a vision of human-centred AI governance that prioritises safety, security, and trustworthiness, placing human interests at the forefront. This commitment to responsible governance is crucial for effectively managing the risks and disruptions posed by advancing AI technologies.
Why does this matter?
Ultimately, this collaboration emphasises the importance of rigorous scientific assessments and the role of the OECD’s AI Policy Observatory in understanding AI’s implications and fostering responsible innovation. The OECD and UN aim to equip countries with the necessary tools to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks, thereby promoting a globally inclusive approach to AI policy.
Generate: Biomedicines has entered a new partnership with Novartis to develop advanced protein therapies. Novartis is committing $65 million upfront, including $50 million in cash and $15 million in equity, with future milestone payments potentially exceeding $1 billion.
The partnership mirrors similar deals, including Generate’s ongoing work with Amgen, focusing on protein-based therapeutics such as antibodies, enzymes, and cytokines. AI-driven biotech firms are increasingly sought after by large pharmaceutical companies, with Novartis also striking deals with other AI-focused players like Alphabet’s Isomorphic Labs.
Led by CEO Mike Nally since 2021, Generate has rapidly expanded, raising over $600 million and pushing nearly 20 drug programs forward. The Novartis collaboration will enable Generate to further leverage its AI-based molecular design technologies, potentially filing up to six new drug applications within 18 months.
Generate’s financial position is strong, with over $350 million in cash reserves. CEO Nally stated that while an IPO could be an option, the company is well-positioned to continue without needing to go public, backed by its solid group of investors.
Tech giants Google and Nvidia are increasing their focus on AI in India. The companies made the announcement following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent US visit, signalling plans for deeper involvement in AI development across the country.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang commended Prime Minister Modi’s keen interest in AI and its potential to transform industries. Huang also recognised growing tech talent and startup ecosystem, which he views as vital to AI innovation and development. Nvidia has formed various partnerships in India to help scale AI capabilities.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasised the Prime Minister’s push for India to adopt AI across sectors, including healthcare, education, and agriculture. Pichai confirmed Google’s intention to continue robust investments in AI to help further India’s digital transformation and ensure AI benefits the wider population.
Both Google and Nvidia are committed to supporting India’s technological growth, recognising its pivotal role in shaping the future of AI globally. Their collaboration with the Indian government aims to boost innovation and provide advanced AI solutions for various industries.
