Google has released new updates for Gmail building on its existing ‘Help me write’ feature. These updates will enable users to polish drafts written by users on both web and mobile devices. Additionally, there will also be ‘help me write’ and ‘refine my drafts’ shortcuts on both Android and iOS devices.
Users paying for Google One AI Premium or those who have paid for ‘Google’s Gemini add-on for Workspace’ will have access to the tools. Just by opening an empty draft, one can access the ‘Help me write’ shortcut that enables Gemini to draft texts. As long as there are 12 or more (regardless of whether it’s written by AI or Humans) words in a draft, the ‘refine my draft’ shortcut appears.
The latest addition expands Google’s array of AI offerings as it competes with Microsoft’s Copilot and ChatGPT in the race to capture market share in the AI chatbot space.
California legislators are poised to vote on a bill, SB 1047, that aims to regulate the development and deployment of AI across the state. The bill, advanced by State Senator Scott Wiener, would require safety testing for advanced AI models that exceed $100 million in development costs or use significant computing power. Developers would need to implement a ‘kill switch’ for malfunctioning AI and face potential legal action from the state attorney general if they fail to comply. The bill also mandates third-party safety audits and protects whistleblowers.
Despite passing the state Senate with overwhelming support, SB 1047 has faced criticism from key California lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi and Ro Khanna, who argue that it could drive AI developers out of the state and harm open-source AI projects. They believe the bill’s regulations might create an unfavourable environment for AI innovation in California.
Tech industry leaders have also expressed concerns, with companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI opposing the bill, fearing it could stifle AI development. They argue that federal regulation would be more appropriate and worry that the bill could negatively impact open-source AI models. However, some notable AI researchers, including Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, have supported the legislation, highlighting the need for robust safeguards in AI development.
A recent report from research firm Arize AI reveals a dramatic surge in Fortune 500 companies identifying AI as a significant risk. Out of the 500 companies, 281—accounting for 56.2%—cited AI as a risk, marking a 473.5% increase from the previous year. The report suggests that while AI is seen chiefly as a risk factor, there are opportunities for businesses to stand out through innovation and transparency in their use of generative AI.
The media and entertainment industry is the most concerned, with 91.7% of its Fortune 500 companies citing AI risks. Netflix and Disney, for instance, highlighted potential competitive disadvantages and unsettled regulations impacting revenue and production processes. Other sectors such as software and tech (86.4%), telecommunications (70%), healthcare (65.1%), financial services (62.7%), and retail (60%) also expressed significant concerns. Conversely, the automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors reported fewer AI-related issues, with only 18.8%, 37.3%, and 39.7% respectively recognising AI risks.
Notable companies have provided concrete examples of AI-related risks. Motorola warned that AI might malfunction or use flawed datasets, potentially harming operational results and reputation. Salesforce highlighted possible governmental scrutiny and reputational damage tied to its AI solutions, especially around human rights and privacy. The importance of AI in cybersecurity was also emphasised, noting both its potential for enhancing security and posing new threats.
The report underscores the need for consumer acceptance of AI’s benefits, with academic experts stressing that public trust is crucial. Overall, the findings indicate that AI risks are now a prominent concern for corporate America, but they also offer a chance for businesses to differentiate through proactive innovation and clear communication.
Three authors have filed a class-action lawsuit against the AI company Anthropic in a California federal court, accusing the firm of illegally using their books and hundreds of thousands of others to train its AI chatbot, Claude. The lawsuit, initiated by writers Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson, claims that Anthropic utilised pirated versions of their works to develop the chatbot’s ability to respond to human prompts.
Anthropic, which has received financial backing from major companies like Amazon and Google, acknowledged the lawsuit but declined to comment further due to the ongoing litigation. The legal action against Anthropic is part of a broader trend, with other content creators, including visual artists and news outlets, also suing tech companies over using their copyrighted material in training AI models.
This is not the first time Anthropic has faced such accusations. Music publishers previously sued the company for allegedly misusing copyrighted song lyrics to train Claude. The authors involved in the current case argue that Anthropic has built a multibillion-dollar business by exploiting its intellectual property without permission.
The lawsuit demands financial compensation for the authors and a court order to permanently prevent Anthropic from using their work unlawfully. As the case progresses, it highlights the growing tension between content creators and AI companies over using copyrighted material in developing AI technologies.
These partnerships are crucial for training AI models but have sparked controversy. Some media organisations, like The New York Times, have taken legal action against OpenAI, citing copyright concerns over the use of their content. OpenAI’s COO, Brad Lightcap, emphasised the company’s commitment to maintaining accuracy and integrity in news delivery as AI becomes increasingly integral to this process.
Roger Lynch, CEO of Condé Nast, highlighted the financial pressures news and digital media faced in recent years, attributing them to tech companies undermining publishers’ ability to monetise content. He sees the partnership with OpenAI as a step toward reclaiming some of that lost revenue.
OpenAI’s introduction of SearchGPT in July, a search engine with real-time internet access, marks a significant move into territory traditionally dominated by Google. The company is actively collaborating with its news partners to gather feedback and refine the performance of SearchGPT, aiming to enhance its role in the evolving landscape of digital news consumption.
Recogni, an AI chip and software startup backed by BMW, Bosch, and Mayfield, has unveiled a new computing method that could revolutionise the efficiency of AI systems. The patented system, called Pareto, uses a logarithmic approach to outperform current methods in running large AI models, potentially making AI chips smaller, faster, and less costly to operate. This new method significantly reduces power consumption by converting multiplication operations into simpler additions, all while maintaining accuracy.
Recogni has already tested Pareto on AI models from companies like Meta Platforms and Stability AI. The company’s first chip was developed using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s seven-nanometer process. Recogni is now collaborating with an undisclosed partner to make Pareto more widely accessible, with further details expected in the coming months. The startup is also considering offering its technology through data centres, allowing broader access to its innovative AI computing solution.
An AI-based system has successfully prevented nearly 6,000 deer from crossing busy rail lines in England, enhancing safety for both wildlife and train operations. Network Rail and train operator LNER first installed the system at Stoke Junction in May 2023, later expanding it to Little Bytham in December 2023. The technology uses AI to detect approaching deer and activates alarms to deter them, with cameras monitoring the animals until they are safely away from the tracks.
The trial showed promising results, with 2,765 deer deterred at Little Bytham and 3,147 at Stoke Junction. Network Rail officials expressed optimism about the system’s effectiveness and plan to expand its use. Deer are a significant concern on Britain’s railways, with 349 incidents reported in the past year, the highest among animal-related incidents. Deer population in the UK has risen dramatically to two million, the highest in a millennium, due to factors like milder winters and increased woodland.
A new AI-driven device, the Bzigo Iris, is poised to change how we deal with mosquitoes at home. Equipped with advanced technology, the device detects and tracks pests using AI and infrared LEDs, even in complete darkness. Once detected, the Bzigo Iris marks its location with a safe laser pointer and sends an alert to your smartphone, guiding you to the precise spot.
Designed primarily for use in bedrooms, the Bzigo Iris offers a chemical-free, eco-friendly solution to mosquito control. It stands out by distinguishing them from other insects, ensuring minimal false alarms, and operates continuously without the need for refills or batteries. The device is easy to set up, requiring only a plug-in and a simple app download to start working.
However, while the Bzigo Iris excels at locating mosquitoes, it doesn’t kill them. Users must still rely on the included rechargeable electric swatter to eliminate the pests. Despite this, the device offers significant advantages, particularly for those seeking a safe, non-toxic method to manage gnats.
Priced at $339, the Bzigo Iris represents a significant investment, but its potential to provide a mosquito-free environment around the clock could make it a valuable addition to homes struggling with these persistent insects.
A new phenomenon in the digital world has taken the internet by storm: AI-generated cats like Chubby are captivating millions with their peculiar and often heart-wrenching stories. Videos featuring these virtual felines, crafted by AI, depict them in bizarre and tragic situations, garnering immense views and engagement on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Chubby, a rotund ginger cat, has become particularly iconic, with videos of his misadventures, from shoplifting to being jailed, resonating deeply with audiences across the globe.
These AI-generated cat stories are not just popular; they are controversial, blurring the line between art and digital spam. Content creators are leveraging AI tools to produce these videos rapidly, feeding social media algorithms that favour such content, which often leads to virality. Despite criticisms of the quality and intent behind this AI-generated content, it is clear that these videos are striking a chord with viewers, many of whom find themselves unexpectedly moved by the fictional plights of these digital cats.
The surge in AI-generated cat videos raises questions about the future of online content and the role of AI in shaping what we consume. While some see it as a disturbing trend, others argue that it represents a new form of digital art, with creators like Charles, the mastermind behind Chubby, believing that AI can indeed produce compelling and emotionally resonant material. The popularity of these videos, particularly those with tragic endings, suggests that there is a significant demand for this type of content.
As AI continues to evolve and integrate further into social media, the debate over the value and impact of AI-generated content is likely to intensify. Whether these videos will remain a staple of internet culture or fade as a passing trend remains to be seen. For now, AI-generated cats like Chubby are at the forefront of a fascinating and complex intersection between technology, art, and human emotion.
Taiwan experienced a robust increase in export orders in July, with a 4.8% rise to $50.03 billion, surpassing expectations. The surge was primarily driven by the growing demand for chips used in AI and other advanced technology products. The Ministry of Economic Affairs noted that high-speed computing and preparations for new consumer electronics were significant factors behind the growth.
Orders from the United States saw a notable increase, jumping 14.3% in July compared to a 3.7% rise in June. In contrast, orders from China remained flat, showing a slight decrease of 0.1% after a 3.5% gain in the previous month. The mixed performance highlights the varying demand for Taiwanese products across different regions.
The Ministry also reported growth in orders from other regions, including a 6.1% rise from Europe and a 2.4% increase from Japan. These figures suggest that technology sector of Taiwan remains resilient amid global economic uncertainties, with strong demand for its products across multiple markets.
Looking ahead, the Taiwanese government is optimistic about sustaining this momentum. Officials predict that export orders will continue to grow, with an expected increase ranging from 6.7% to 11.0% in August.
