Artificial intelligence

G42 aims to transform UAE into AI powerhouse despite challenges

G42, an ambitious AI company based in the UAE, is positioning itself as a central player in transforming the UAE into an AI powerhouse while aiming to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons. Founded six years ago and state-backed, G42 has set its sights on regional and global influence through strategic collaborations and innovative technological advancements. Unlike other AI firms focused on developing large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, G42 prioritises building the infrastructure for the AI economy and creating real-world applications in key sectors such as healthcare and energy.

Recently, G42 has been active in forming partnerships and securing investments, including deals with OpenAI and Cerebras to construct a supercomputer and with AstraZeneca to manufacture innovative medicines in the UAE. A significant highlight is a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft, underscoring confidence in G42’s potential. Additionally, G42 is pursuing global ventures to extend Emirati influence, such as enhancing Kazakhstan’s energy grid and developing data centres and digitising services in several African countries like Angola, Gambia, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia.

However, G42 faces challenges, including local competition from entities like the Advanced Technology Research Council’s AI71 and Equinix. Regionally, Saudi Arabia is also advancing in AI by building the Middle East’s most powerful supercomputer and collaborating with IBM. Geopolitics add complexity, as G42 had to cut ties with Huawei to secure Microsoft’s investment.

Why does it matter?

In summary, G42 is taking a significant role in the UAE’s AI strategy, focusing on infrastructure and practical applications. Its high-profile partnerships and financial backing underline its strategic importance, yet it must navigate competition, geopolitical intricacies, and the challenge of making generative AI profitable.

SoftBank Group launches AI healthcare joint venture with Tempus

SoftBank Group has launched a joint venture called ‘SB TEMPUS Corp.’ with Tempus AI, a leader in AI and precision medicine. The joint venture aims to provide precision medicine services in Japan by applying the expertise and technology that Tempus has accumulated in the US. That includes Tempus’ AI-enabled platform, which works to make diagnostics more intelligent and support healthcare providers in making more informed decisions. The goal is to provide personalised, data-driven therapies to patients, with the aim of helping them live longer and healthier lives.

A key focus of the joint venture will be collecting and analysing siloed and unstructured medical data, such as molecular, clinical, pathological, and medical imaging data. By leveraging AI to analyse this data, the joint venture aims to contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical research, including clinical and drug discovery research and the proposal of treatment plans more suited to individual patients. That approach is expected to reduce side effects and enhance the effectiveness of medications, marking a significant step towards personalised medicine.

To help as many people suffering from cancer as possible, SB TEMPUS plans to establish collaborations with cancer genomic medicine hospitals and Japanese hospitals, medical facilities, pharmaceutical companies, biotech ventures, medical device companies, cancer insurance companies, and testing companies.

Why does it matter?

The collaborative network will support the provision of better diagnosis and treatment for patients, ensuring that they benefit from personalised, data-driven therapies. Also, the joint venture aligns with SoftBank’s corporate philosophy of ‘Information Revolution—Happiness for everyone.’

Audi integrates ChatGPT into vehicle infotainment systems

Audi will integrate ChatGPT into its vehicles’ infotainment systems starting July, leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. This integration will cover approximately two million Audi models equipped with the MIB 3 system since 2021. Drivers can interact with their cars using natural language, benefiting from voice control over infotainment, navigation, and climate systems, alongside accessing general knowledge.

Marcus Keith, Audi’s Vice President of Interior, Infotainment, and Connectivity Development, highlighted the seamless merging of ChatGPT’s capabilities with Audi’s voice control, promising customers an enhanced in-cabin experience with secure AI-based knowledge access.

This move follows Mercedes-Benz’s introduction of ChatGPT into its MBUX Voice Assistant in 2023, expanding AI usage across its US vehicle lineup. Volkswagen Group also showcased Cerence Inc.’s Chat Pro at CES 2024, extending AI integration via cloud updates in European models. Similarly, Škoda Auto announced ChatGPT integration into its Laura voice assistant for selected vehicle platforms, prioritising data security alongside enhanced AI functionalities.

Why does it matter?

These developments underscore the automotive industry’s commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies into vehicles, aiming to elevate user experience through intuitive and informative in-car interactions.

The IATSE’s tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in securing fair wages and job protections for Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers, ensuring that the rapid advancements in technology do not come at the expense of human employment.

Zuckerberg critiques closed-source AI development

In a recent interview, Mark Zuckerberg positioned Meta as a leading advocate for open-source AI, critiquing competitors for their closed-source approaches. Speaking on the YouTube channel Kallaway, Zuckerberg expressed his belief that individual companies should not monopolise AI technology to create singular products. Instead, he envisions a future with diverse AI options, supported by open-source principles.

Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s commitment to open-source AI, emphasising the importance of empowering developers and users to contribute to and innovate within the AI ecosystem. However, some experts question Meta’s open-source claims. Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, argued that Meta’s Llama model is only partially open-source due to certain commercial stipulations. Similarly, Gartner analyst Arun Chandrasekaran noted Meta’s competitive constraints that limit the openness of its models.

Meta is not alone in promoting open-source AI. French startup Mistral AI and Databricks have also made strides in this area, though their offerings include restrictions. The Linux Foundation has announced the Open Platform for Enterprise AI (OPEA) to standardise open-source definitions in AI, reflecting a broader industry movement towards clarity and true openness in AI development.

OpenAI improves GPT-4 with CriticGPT

OpenAI has launched CriticGPT, a new model based on GPT-4, designed to identify and critique errors in ChatGPT’s outputs. The tool aims to enhance human trainers’ effectiveness by assisting them in providing feedback on the chatbot’s performance.

According to OpenAI, CriticGPT-assisted trainers have demonstrated a 60% improvement over those without assistance, particularly in reducing false outputs. However, challenges remain, especially in handling complex tasks and scattered errors.

Similar to ChatGPT’s training process, CriticGPT learns through human feedback, focusing on identifying intentionally inserted errors in ChatGPT’s code outputs. Evaluations showed that CriticGPT’s critiques were preferred over ChatGPT’s in 63% of cases involving naturally occurring bugs, highlighting its ability to minimize irrelevant feedback.

OpenAI plans to further develop CriticGPT’s capabilities, aiming to integrate advanced methods to improve human-generated feedback for GPT-4. The initiative underscores the ongoing role of human oversight in refining AI technologies despite their increasing automation capabilities.

AI brings 110 new languages to Google Translate

Google Translate is undergoing its largest expansion yet, adding 110 new languages and reaching nearly a tenth of the global population, thanks to advancements in AI. Google’s PaLM 2 language model has facilitated this growth by efficiently learning languages that are closely related, such as Awadhi and Marwadi, which are similar to Hindi, and French creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole. The expansion includes new languages like Afar, Cantonese, and Tamazight, bringing over 614 million people into the fold, with a significant focus on African languages.

Google’s approach to language variety and dialects involves creating hybrid models that prioritize the most commonly used forms. For instance, the translation model for Romani combines elements from several dialects, including Southern Vlax Romani, to produce a more universally understandable output. The strategy follows their 2022 introduction of 24 new languages using Zero-Shot Machine Translation, which enables translation without prior examples, and their ambitious 1,000 Languages Initiative to support the world’s most spoken languages.

Isaac Caswell, a Google software engineer, highlighted that ongoing partnerships with expert linguists and native speakers will further enhance the diversity and accuracy of Google Translate. The expansion underscores Google’s broader commitment to integrating AI across its platforms, a trend mirrored by competitors like Apple and Microsoft, who are also embedding AI into their services. Google Translate can be accessed at translate.google.com or through its mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Examiners fooled as AI students outperform real students in the UK

In a groundbreaking study published in PLOS One, the University of Reading has unveiled startling findings from a real-world Turing test involving AI in university exams, raising profound implications for education.

The study, led by the university’s tech team, involved 33 fictitious student profiles using OpenAI’s GPT-4 to complete psychology assignments and exams online. Astonishingly, 94% of AI-generated submissions went undetected by examiners, outperforming their human counterparts by achieving higher grades on average.

Associate Professor Peter Scarfe, a co-author of the study, emphasised the urgent need for educational institutions to address the impact of AI on academic integrity. He highlighted a recent UNESCO survey revealing minimal global preparation for the use of generative AI in education, calling for a reassessment of assessment practices worldwide.

Professor Etienne Roesch, another co-author, underscored the importance of establishing clear guidelines on AI usage to maintain trust in educational assessments and beyond. She stressed the responsibility of both creators and consumers of information to uphold academic integrity amid AI advancements.

The study also pointed to ongoing challenges for educators in combating AI-driven academic misconduct, even as tools like Turnitin adapt to detect AI-authored work. Despite these challenges, educators like Professor Elizabeth McCrum, the University of Reading’s pro-vice chancellor of education, advocate for embracing AI as a tool for enhancing student learning and employability skills.

Looking ahead, Professor McCrum expressed confidence in the university’s proactive stance in integrating AI responsibly into educational practices, preparing students for a future shaped by rapid technological change.

Why does it matter?

The IATSE’s tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in securing fair wages and job protections for Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers, ensuring that the rapid advancements in technology do not come at the expense of human employment.

Instagram tests AI for creator interactions

Instagram is trialling a new feature called ‘AI Studio’, allowing creators to develop AI versions of themselves. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently revealed on his broadcast channel that the feature is undergoing an initial test phase with selected creators and users in the United States.

Zuckerberg highlighted that AI avatars from popular creators and interest-based AI models will soon appear in Instagram messaging. These AI entities are initially designed to interact within messaging threads and will be clearly marked as AI-generated.

During the broadcast, Zuckerberg demonstrated early examples featuring AI-powered chatbots developed in collaboration with creators such as the team behind the meme account ‘Wasted’ and Don Allen Stevenson III. These chatbots aim to assist creators by engaging with their followers and responding to messages on their behalf.

Creators on Instagram can initiate interactions by tapping the ‘Message’ button, prompting users to acknowledge that the responses may be AI-generated and potentially not entirely accurate or appropriate. Each AI-generated message will be prefaced with ‘AI’ and marked with a ‘beta’ tag, indicating ongoing development and testing.

Meta’s launch of AI Studio last year enabled businesses to create AI chatbots for platforms like Messenger, Facebook, and Instagram. The initiative reflects Meta’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced AI technologies into its social media platforms, enhancing user engagement and interaction capabilities.

Why does it matter?

The IATSE’s tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in securing fair wages and job protections for Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes workers, ensuring that the rapid advancements in technology do not come at the expense of human employment.

The rise of AI in financial services: balancing opportunities and challenges

According to industry executives, AI is increasingly seen as a game-changer in the financial services sector, offering significant opportunities for efficiency and client service enhancements. At a recent investor conference hosted by Morningstar in Chicago, discussions highlighted AI’s potential to improve tasks such as explaining portfolio allocations or lending decisions, often influenced by subconscious biases that are difficult for humans to articulate. Zack Kass, formerly with OpenAI, emphasised the potential of AI to enhance these processes, cautioning that careful implementation is crucial to avoid exacerbating existing challenges.

Investors and technology experts believe AI will streamline routine financial tasks, such as compliance form filling and portfolio development, freeing financial professionals to focus more on personalised client interactions and complex problem-solving. Morningstar’s senior research analyst Karen Zaya noted the growing prevalence of AI-powered chatbots in simpler tasks like customer service inquiries but highlighted the complexity of utilising AI for more nuanced financial planning decisions, such as retirement investments.

While AI adoption holds promise, US regulators are actively soliciting public input on its implications for financial inclusion and equity. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has cautioned that while AI could reduce transaction costs, it also introduces significant risks that need careful management by financial firms. Despite concerns about job displacement, experts like Margaret Vitrano from ClearBridge Investments argue that AI will likely complement rather than replace human expertise, particularly in software development and customer service roles requiring nuanced decision-making.

Financial advisers like Brenda Ingram in Chicago are optimistic about AI’s potential to streamline mundane tasks such as compliance reporting, anticipating that AI could enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs in the industry. As financial firms navigate the adoption of AI, the emphasis remains on thoughtful implementation to maximise benefits while mitigating risks, ensuring that AI enhances rather than disrupts the client-adviser relationship and operational workflows.

Baidu unveils Ernie 4.0 Turbo to compete in AI market

Chinese search engine giant Baidu has introduced an upgraded version of its AI model, Ernie 4.0 Turbo, to stay competitive in China’s AI market. The new feature follows the October 2023 release of Ernie 4, which Baidu claimed had capabilities on par with OpenAI’s GPT-4. The new model will be available to the public through web and mobile interfaces, with developers able to integrate it via Baidu’s Qianfan AI platform. Since its launch, Ernie has amassed 300 million users.

At the same event, Baidu also announced enhancements to its PaddlePaddle AI ecosystem, which now supports 14.65 million developers and serves 370,000 businesses and institutions. The introduction of Ernie 4.0 Turbo comes as OpenAI plans to block access to its API from China and other countries starting 9 July, impacting many Chinese startups relying on OpenAI’s technology. In response, Baidu and other domestic firms like Alibaba have launched initiatives to attract these users by offering free migration services and incentives.