Researchers at Western University have developed an AI model that detects strawberry diseases and predicts ripeness with nearly 99% accuracy. The system, designed by Joshua Pearce and Soodeh Nikan, could significantly enhance crop quality and reduce waste. Tested in a controlled hydroponic environment, the technology aims to extend Canada’s strawberry growing season while improving fruit quality.
The model is free and open-source, enabling farmers to tailor it to their needs. It can notify them via email or phone when diseases are detected or fruit is ripe. This adaptable AI system could prove crucial for increasing agricultural efficiency.
By minimising food waste and lowering production costs, the AI model has the potential to reduce grocery prices for consumers. Researchers hope the technology will support food security and help farmers meet growing demands for fresh produce.
Future plans involve testing the AI outdoors, possibly with drones monitoring larger fields. The innovation could bring smarter, more sustainable farming to outdoor environments, further boosting efficiency in agriculture.
Researchers are currently developing AI tools to help predict and manage future pandemics, which some experts believe will likely within the next decade. Teams from UC Irvine and UCLΑ, part of the US National Science Foundation’s Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention grant programme, are working on an AI-based early warning system that analyses social media posts to detect early signs of outbreaks. They aim to track billions of posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to identify public health trends and assess the potential outcomes of public health policies. However, the reliance on specific platforms and US-focused data limits its global application. Researchers are working to expand its reach.
Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford have created a tool called EVEScape, which predicts virus mutations. This tool helps in developing vaccines and treatment strategies. Pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca are also utilising AI to accelerate the discovery of antibodies, which could potentially reduce the response time to new viral threats. These initiatives demonstrate how AI can enhance pandemic response by providing faster and more accurate data for decision-making.
“Despite its potential, experts warn that the effectiveness of AI depends on the quality of the data it receives. Biases or misrepresentations in the data could lead to skewed results, and there are ethical and fairness concerns. Although AI can improve preparedness and response times, human judgement, trust, and collaboration are essential for effectively managing future pandemics.”
WhatsApp is set to enhance its AI features with a two-way voice chat option. Users will soon interact with the Meta AI chatbot using voices of public figures, including well-known celebrities. The update will allow for more personalised and engaging communication experiences.
A recent beta update revealed that the voice feature will offer a range of options, including different accents and pitches. Users can select from various voices, possibly from both UK and US accents, though exact details remain unclear. The feature is designed to add a custom touch to AI interactions.
Meta previously introduced AI personalities on Messenger that mirrored celebrities and influencers. The new voice chat feature on WhatsApp builds on those efforts, bringing further AI-driven experiences to its user base.
Upon launch, the feature will display a simple interface with a prominent ‘Meta AI’ label, providing easy access to the voice options. Lastly, this marks another step forward for WhatsApp in delivering innovative AI solutions for users.
O’Reilly has launched its AI Academy, designed to help businesses upskill their workforce in generative AI technology. The Academy offers hundreds of learning materials, including books, live events, and on-demand courses, to enhance productivity through GenAI tools.
The demand for GenAI skills has surged, with global executives planning to invest more in AI technologies. Despite this, a vast number of workers remain untrained in the tools required to implement GenAI. Only 10% of workers have gained these skills, and confidence in executives’ understanding of AI remains limited, highlighting a clear need for upskilling.
O’Reilly’s AI Academy addresses this gap, providing tailored learning tracks to meet specific industry needs. Courses focus on essential skills such as productivity enhancement and AI integration, covering roles from HR to project management. Additional role-specific tracks will be introduced, enabling even greater personalisation.
Completing these learning tracks earns participants badges and certificates, which can be shared on platforms like LinkedIn. This helps employees showcase their expertise in GenAI, empowering them to adapt and drive business outcomes in an AI-driven world.
Connectly, a startup specialising in conversational commerce through AI-driven personalised messaging has secured $20 million in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Alibaba and included participation from several notable investors, such as Unusual Ventures and Volpe Capital. This new investment boosts Connectly’s total funding to $37.2 million and brings its valuation close to $100 million.
The funds will be used to advance AI research and support Connectly’s expansion into the US and European markets. Additionally, the company plans to strengthen its engineering presence in Greece, aiming to make it a key hub alongside San Francisco. Connectly, a company that uses AI models to help retailers enhance customer engagement and drive sales, has experienced significant growth in the past year.
The successful funding round follows Connectly’s launch of its advanced AI recommendation tool, ‘Sofia AI,’ and its expansion into the US market. The partnership with Alibaba is expected to accelerate Connectly’s global reach further, integrating its AI solutions into Alibaba’s international e-commerce platforms. With plans to grow its workforce to 80 by year-end and a current client base of 300, Connectly is well-positioned to continue its impactful growth in the retail industry.
Adobe has announced the upcoming release of a generative AI-powered video creation tool named Adobe Firefly Video Model. Scheduled for a limited beta release later this year, this tool will extend Adobe’s Firefly suite, which currently includes applications for generating still images and designs. The new model will allow users to create a five-second video clip from a single text or image prompt, with options to specify camera angles, motion, and zoom.
The introduction of this tool marks Adobe’s entry into the competitive AI video generation market, which already features offerings from companies like OpenAI and Stability AI. Adobe aims to differentiate itself by focusing on quality and user-guided prompt understanding, addressing specific needs of videographers.
Adobe assures that the model is trained exclusively on public domain or licensed content from its Adobe Stock database, which includes 400 million curated images and videos, avoiding any intellectual property issues. Additionally, Adobe is launching Generative Extend, a feature for Premiere Pro that extends video clips by generating content to fill gaps.
The US government is reportedly considering allowing Nvidia to export advanced AI chips to Saudi Arabia. These chips would assist the kingdom in developing and operating cutting-edge models. The move could play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s AI strategy, which was a key focus at the recent GAIN summit.
Efforts are underway in Saudi Arabia to meet US security requirements, which could expedite the acquisition of Nvidia’s H200 chips. These chips are expected to boost Saudi Arabia’s capabilities, as they are also used in advanced platforms like OpenAI’s GPT-4. Saudi officials have expressed their intention to comply with US regulations.
The Biden administration had imposed restrictions on AI chip exports, particularly targeting China, but also extending to the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries. However, Saudi Arabia has been careful to manage its relationship with both the US and China, ensuring access to key technologies remains open.
Nvidia and the US Department of Commerce declined to comment on the potential chip sales. The Department of Commerce noted that export control decisions involve multiple government departments, including Defense, State, and Energy.
Top executives from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are set to meet with senior US officials at the White House to discuss the energy infrastructure needed to support the growing demand for AI. The meeting will bring together key figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google’s Ruth Porat, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, along with government representatives such as Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Discussions are expected to focus on how the US can strengthen its AI leadership while managing the strain on energy resources.
The Biden administration, led by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and other top officials, is pushing for the construction of more data centres in the US while ensuring that AI is developed responsibly. A White House spokesperson emphasised the government’s commitment to balancing technological advancement with national energy demands.
The rise of generative AI, which can produce text, images, and videos, has highlighted its potential benefits and risks. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday tasks, it raises concerns about energy consumption, with technology companies vying for an increasingly limited supply of electricity to fuel their AI and cloud computing operations.
Salesforce has launched its Hyperforce cloud platform in Israel, marking its 17th global cloud location. The new platform will allow sensitive data from government entities and regulated companies to remain within Israel, ensuring compliance with local privacy laws. Initially, Hyperforce will operate on Amazon Web Services (AWS), with plans to potentially expand to Google Cloud in the future.
Before the launch, Israeli companies stored data at Salesforce’s Frankfurt facility, which had been approved for government use. The local cloud platform will now provide a more secure and convenient option for Salesforce’s customers in Israel, with all companies set to migrate soon.
Salesforce, which employs 750 people across three sites in Israel, has been heavily investing in AI. Its Israeli R&D centre plays a key role in developing AI and other advanced technologies, positioning the country as one of the company’s three major development hubs alongside the U.S. and India.
The company’s move to expand its cloud services in Israel aligns with its broader strategy to integrate AI into its product offerings and drive future growth in revenue and profitability.
Apple’s iPhone 16 has struggled to generate excitement as its long-anticipated AI features remain in the testing phase. Meanwhile, Huawei is gaining momentum, unveiling a tri-fold smartphone that has attracted significant attention in the competitive global market.
After the release, Apple’s shares fell by 1.7%, reflecting concerns over the limited upgrades to the phone’s design and AI technology, which will only be available in beta next month. The lack of full AI integration has led to dissatisfaction in China, where users expressed frustration over missing features.
Huawei’s latest Mate XT smartphone, boasting advanced AI capabilities and priced at $2,800, has already secured over 4 million pre-orders. Analysts predict that, despite production constraints, the Mate XT’s innovative design could present a significant challenge to Apple.
As Huawei continues its resurgence following US sanctions, its dominance in China grows. In contrast, iPhone sales in China have dropped, and Apple now faces increased pressure from Huawei’s cutting-edge technologies in the high-end market.
