AI startup EvolutionaryScale has secured $142 million in seed funding, led by investors including Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Lux Capital. Both Amazon Web Services (AWS) and NVIDIA’s venture capital arm participated in this substantial funding round. Lux Capital’s co-founder Josh Wolfe likened EvolutionaryScale’s achievements to a ‘ChatGPT moment for biology,’ highlighting their development of a groundbreaking large language model capable of designing new proteins and biological systems.
EvolutionaryScale aims to deploy its AI across diverse applications, from accelerating drug discovery processes to engineering microbes that can degrade plastic pollution. The company’s chief scientist, Alex Rives, emphasised the growing significance of AI in creating innovative biological solutions. That aligns with broader industry trends where AI is increasingly pivotal in advancing biotech and pharmaceutical research.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential misuse of generative AI in bioweapons development. Despite these ethical considerations, EvolutionaryScale plans to use its newly secured funding to train its AI models further and expand its team for collaborations within the biotech sector. They have also released the ESM3 models, with the smaller variant open-sourced for non-commercial research, while AWS and NVIDIA will offer the larger ESM3 commercially.
Why does it matter?
One notable achievement highlighted by EvolutionaryScale involves engineering a novel fluorescent protein using their ESM3 model. That protein represents a significant departure from naturally occurring variants, a process typically requiring nature millions of years to evolve. The company’s advancements underscore the transformative potential of AI in pushing the boundaries of biological innovation.
Major US record labels are suing AI music startups Suno and Uncharted Labs, accusing them of mass copyright infringement. The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in Massachusetts and New York, represent content creators’ efforts to challenge the use of copyrighted works in the training and operation of generative AI systems, arguing that it does not constitute ‘fair use.’
The plaintiffs, including Sony Music Entertainment, UMG, and Warner Records, seek a declaration of copyright infringement, an injunction to prevent further violations and monetary damages. Mitch Glazier, CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, emphasised the industry’s willingness to collaborate with responsible AI developers but stressed the need for cooperation to succeed.
Suno’s CEO, Mikey Shulman, defended the technology, claiming it generates new outputs without memorising or replicating existing content and stating that prompts referencing specific artists are not allowed.
The lawsuit adds to the growing number of legal challenges from various content creators against generative AI systems, which argue that both the training and output of these systems violate copyright laws. The outcome of these cases could set significant legal precedents for AI and copyright.
Meta faced criticism from photographers after its ‘Made by AI’ label was incorrectly applied to genuine photos. Notably, a photo taken by former White House photographer Pete Souza and an Instagram photo of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL victory were wrongly marked as AI-generated. Photographers have reported that even minor edits using tools like Adobe’s Generative Fill can trigger Meta’s algorithm to label images as AI-generated.
Pete Souza and others have expressed frustration at being unable to remove these labels, suspecting that specific editing processes may be causing the issue. Meta’s labelling approach is also affecting photos with minimal AI modifications, leading to concerns about the accuracy and fairness of such labels. Photographer Noah Kalina argued that if minor retouching counts as AI-generated, the term loses its meaning and authenticity.
In response, Meta stated it is reviewing feedback to ensure its labels accurately reflect the amount of AI used in images. The company relies on industry-standard indicators and collaborates with other companies to refine its process. Meta’s labelling initiative, introduced to combat misinformation ahead of election season, involves tagging AI-generated content from major tech firms. However, the exact triggers for the “Made with AI” label remain undisclosed.
During the 2024 AI Retreat, the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office of the United Arab Emiratesentered a strategic partnership with Rittal FZE, a Rittal and Co KG division based in Herborn, Germany. Rittal, a renowned provider of IT infrastructure solutions, power distribution, climate management, and industrial enclosures, is set to collaborate with the UAE to enhance the implementation and training of AI technologies. This partnership, focusing on advancing technology and training, is poised to inspire and excite the future of AI in the UAE.
The Executive Director of the AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, Saqr Binghalib, underscored that the UAE government prioritises enhancing skills in digital advancement. He stressed that such efforts are vital for enhancing the country’s standing as a leading global AI hub and fostering stronger collaborations with the private sector. Rittal is committed to advancing technology and training through AI advancements and other smart applications, especially to support robotics and Industry 4.0 programming. The AI Retreat in 2024 saw the participation of over 2,000 decision-makers, experts, and representatives from the public and private sectors.
Google is enhancing Gmail with new AI features designed to streamline email management. A new Gemini side panel is being introduced for the web, which is capable of summarising email threads and drafting new emails. Users will receive proactive prompts and can ask freeform questions, utilising Google’s advanced models like Gemini 1.5 Pro. The mobile Gmail app will also feature Gemini’s ability to summarise threads.
However, these upgrades will only be accessible to paid Gemini users. To benefit from these features, one must be a Google Workspace customer with a Gemini Business or Enterprise add-on, a Gemini Education or Education Premium subscriber, or a Google One AI Premium member. Despite their potential usefulness, it’s advised not to depend entirely on these AI tools for critical work, as AI can sometimes produce inaccurate information.
In addition to Gmail, Google is incorporating Gemini features into the side panels of Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. The rollout follows Google’s earlier promises at the I/O conference. Further AI enhancements, including ‘Contextual Smart Reply,’ are expected to arrive for Gmail soon.
Geologists are expressing concerns about potential Chinese censorship and bias in GeoGPT, a new AI chatbot backed by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). Developed under the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) program, which is heavily funded by China, GeoGPT aims to assist geoscientists, particularly in developing countries, by providing access to extensive geological data. However, issues around transparency and censorship have been highlighted by experts, raising questions about the chatbot’s reliability.
Critics like Prof. Paul Cleverley have pointed out potential censorship and lack of transparency in GeoGPT’s responses. Although DDE representatives claim that the chatbot’s information is purely geoscientific and free from state influence, tests with its underlying AI, Qwen, developed by Alibaba, suggest that certain sensitive questions may be avoided or answered inadequately. That contrasts with responses from other AI models like ChatGPT, which provide more direct information on similar queries.
Further concerns are raised about the involvement of Chinese funding and the potential for biassed data usage. Geoscientific research, which includes valuable information about natural resources, could be strategically filtered. Additionally, the terms of use for GeoGPT prohibit generating content that undermines national security or incites subversion, aligning with Chinese laws, which may influence the chatbot’s outputs.
The IUGS president, John Ludden, has stated that GeoGPT’s database will be made public once appropriate governance is ensured. However, with the project being predominantly funded by Chinese sources, geoscientists remain sceptical about the impartiality and transparency of GeoGPT’s data and responses.
Nvidia has signed a new partnership with Qatari telecom group Oreedoo to bring its AI technology to data centres in five Middle Eastern countries. Signed at the TM Forum in Copenhagen last week, the deal makes Ooredoo a Nvidia cloud partner (NCP) that will contribute significantly to enhancing AI capabilities in the region.
Central to this partnership is Ooredoo’s plan to deploy thousands of Nvidia’s Tensor Core GPUs in its AI data centres. In a news release, the company said these GPUs are essential in providing advanced AI and machine learning services, including generative AI. This deployment is part of Ooredoo’s broader strategy to innovate and expand its technological infrastructure. The company has not disclosed the specific types of Nvidia technology that will be installed, although it says this will depend on availability and customer demand.
Why is this important?
The question of whether these centres will receive the most or less advanced versions of Nvidia’s AI chips remains open in light of US export controls. Last year, US policies expanded restrictions on the export of sophisticated AI chips from Nvidia and AMD beyond China to include certain Middle Eastern countries. In response, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have announced plans to develop less powerful AI chips that can be exported to restricted regions like China. In the absence of details given by the partners, it is unsure which AI-capable chips will be deployed in Ooredoo’s data centres.
This partnership is part of Ooredoo’s larger strategic vision to transform into the region’s leading telecom and infrastructure holding company. The company’s CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said that a $1 billion investment will expand its data centre capacity from 40 to 60-65 megawatts, with the goal of tripling it by the end of the decade. In a region that is still determining its AI strategy, Ooredoo’s expansion is set to shape those same policies. As for Nvidia, this partnership means another region in which the company asserts its market dominance.
Shopify is launching its new AI chatbot, ‘Sidekick,’ in early access as part of its 2024 Summer Edition updates. Sidekick, initially revealed last year, is designed to assist merchants with tasks such as creating discount codes, generating store reports, and suggesting blog post ideas. Currently, Sidekick is available to merchants with English stores in North America, but Shopify plans to expand its availability to other languages and regions.
In addition to Sidekick, Shopify announced several other AI tools to improve merchant efficiency. One notable feature is AI-powered product categorisation, which helps merchants by automatically suggesting taxonomy for product listings, making items more discoverable. Another tool provides suggested replies for customer chats in Shopify Inbox, although these replies need to be finalised by the merchant. Shopify is considering allowing AI to handle customer chats independently in the future.
Shopify is also enhancing its AI-powered image generator, which was launched in January, by integrating it into its iOS and Android apps and expanding its use within the Shopify admin. Over the past six months, Shopify merchants have saved over one million AI-generated images, highlighting the tool’s popularity and effectiveness.
The United States has introduced draft rules to regulate investments in China, particularly in AI and other advanced technology sectors that could pose national security threats. The US Treasury Department released these proposed rules following President Joe Biden’s executive order in August, which targets semiconductors, quantum computing, and AI investments. The draft rules require US individuals and companies to identify and report transactions that may be restricted or banned, aiming to prevent US expertise from aiding China’s technological advancements.
The Treasury’s proposed rules include various exceptions, such as transactions in the US national interest or involving publicly traded securities. The regulations would specifically ban transactions involving AI for certain end uses and systems using significant computing power but require notifications for other AI-related investments. These rules focus primarily on China, Macau, and Hong Kong, though they might be expanded later.
Former Treasury official Laura Black highlighted that these rules would necessitate increased due diligence by US investors when dealing with Chinese companies in the specified sectors. The regulations also align with existing export controls on advanced semiconductors to China, aiming to hinder China’s military modernisation efforts. Violations of these rules could result in criminal and civil penalties, including unwinding investments.d
Why does it matter?
Treasury officials have engaged with international partners to discuss these investment restrictions, with the European Commission and the United Kingdom considering similar measures to address outbound investment risks. Public comments on the proposed rules are open until 4 August, with final regulations expected by the end of the year.
Meta Platforms, Facebook’s parent company, is in talks to integrate its generative AI model into Apple’s newly announced AI system for iPhones. The integration comes as Apple plans to incorporate technology from various AI companies into its devices. There are also reports that Apple is considering a partnership with Google, its long-time search partner.
Additionally, Apple is exploring partnerships with other AI companies, including in regions like China, where OpenAI’s ChatGPT is banned. AI startup Anthropic has been discussing bringing its generative AI to Apple Intelligence with Apple. Though Meta and Anthropic have not commented, and Apple has not responded to requests for comment, these talks, if successful, could significantly expand the reach of these AI technologies.
The financial details of these potential deals remain unclear, but they could involve AI companies selling premium subscriptions through Apple Intelligence. AI search startup Perplexity is also discussing with Apple the incorporation of its generative AI technology. Apple recently announced its AI strategy, aiming to integrate the new Apple Intelligence technology across its apps, including Siri, and differentiate itself from competitors by emphasising privacy.
