NBC is set to bring sportscaster Al Michaels back to the Olympics with a twist this summer: his voice will be powered by AI. The network announced on Wednesday that AI software will recreate Michaels’ voice to deliver daily recaps of the Summer Games for subscribers of its Peacock streaming platform. That marks a significant milestone for the use of AI by a major media company.
The AI-driven recaps will be part of a new feature called ‘Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock,’ offering 10-minute highlight packages. These packages will include event updates, athlete backstories, and other content personalised to subscriber preferences. NBC claims the highlights can be packaged in about 7 million different ways, drawn from 5,000 hours of live coverage from Paris, showcasing the efficiency of AI in delivering tailored content.
Al Michaels expressed initial scepticism about the project but became intrigued after seeing a demonstration. He is being compensated for his involvement. Michaels, known for his long broadcasting career, including the iconic Miracle on Ice Game at the 1980 Winter Olympics, lent his past NBC broadcast audio to train the AI system. NBC assures that all content will be reviewed by a team of editors for factual accuracy and proper pronunciation. The highlights tool will be available on Peacock via web browsers and iOS and iPadOS apps starting 27 July.
OpenAI has made a pivotal advancement in the AI sector by acquiring Rockset, known for its search and analytical database technology. The acquisition is a strategic move to elevate OpenAI’s data processing and utilisation capabilities.
By integrating Rockset’s advanced infrastructure into its product suite, OpenAI aims to significantly enhance its AI tools, making data retrieval more precise and actionable. Founded in 2016 by former Meta engineers, Rockset excels in cloud-based data management, including real-time streaming data ingestion and sophisticated querying for time series, geospatial, and vector data.
Notably, its recent Approximate Nearest Neighbour (ANN) search upgrade boosts AI efficiency through rapid similarity searches across large datasets. With an acquisition valued at several hundred million dollars, OpenAI seeks to address business challenges in data integration with AI systems, thereby improving the accuracy and utility of its offerings, such as ChatGPT.
Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s COO, highlighted customer benefits, emphasising Rockset’s ability to turn data into actionable insights. He reassured existing Rockset clients of a smooth transition, ensuring service continuity during the integration.
A strategic move like this underscores OpenAI’s dedication to enhancing AI accessibility and functionality, promising significant improvements in data-driven AI applications.
A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) report reveals that Nigeria and several other developing nations need more digital infrastructure to effectively deploy AI. The shortfall persists despite Nigeria’s recent launch of its first Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) and unveiling of an AI strategy in April. The IMF’s ‘AI Preparedness Index,’ which evaluates 174 economies, highlights that many developing countries like Nigeria are trailing in AI readiness due to inadequate digital infrastructure.
According to the Index’s interactive map, most African nations, with exceptions like Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, exhibit low preparedness for AI. Wealthier economies are generally better equipped for AI adoption, and the IMF warns that the disparity could exacerbate existing global inequalities. The report suggests that while AI has the potential to enhance productivity and expand opportunities in countries like Nigeria, it may also widen the gap between those who can leverage the technology and those who cannot.
To address Nigeria’s challenges, the IMF recommends that emerging markets and developing economies invest heavily in digital infrastructure and worker training. For advanced economies, the priority should be on expanding social safety nets and fostering AI innovation and integration. International coordination is also essential to establish regulations that protect against AI risks and abuses while building public trust in the technology.
Infosys is intensifying efforts in generative AI (GenAI) with over 225 programs aimed at client AI strategies, emphasising the role of talent in complex transformations. Chairman Nandan Nilekani highlighted the gradual adoption of enterprise AI compared to consumer AI, citing the need for significant internal adjustments and adherence to global laws.
The company has become a global leader in adopting GitHub Copilot, generating over 3 million lines of code using advanced language models. Nilekani expressed optimism about GenAI’s potential to address business challenges and enhance productivity through tools like GitHub Copilot.
Infosys is leveraging its platform, Infosys Topaz, and recent acquisitions like In-tech and InSemi to bolster capabilities, especially in the automotive sector, which focuses on software-defined vehicles. Infosys plans to emphasise cloud and GenAI capabilities through Infosys Cobalt, foreseeing growth opportunities in Northern Europe and sectors such as healthcare.
Financially, Infosys aims for margin expansion and continues to recruit fresh talent to support strategic initiatives amid evolving market demands.
Amazon’s AWS, the leading global cloud computing provider, is intensifying efforts to draw the public sector into the realm of AI amidst fierce competition with Microsoft and Google in the generative AI domain. The initiative aims to demonstrate AI’s potential to enhance public services across health, security, and non-profit sectors, leveraging technologies like ChatGPT to streamline operations and improve outcomes.
Over two years, AWS has allocated a substantial $50 million fund to support public sector entities in exploring AI applications, offering cloud computing credits, training, and technical expertise to kickstart innovative projects. Currently serving thousands of government agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofits worldwide, AWS seeks to transition AI concepts into practical solutions that can effectively address public sector challenges.
Dave Levy, AWS’s vice president overseeing global public sector operations, highlighted the importance of moving from conceptualisation to implementation in public sector AI projects, underscoring the need for robust support to navigate complexities and achieve meaningful impacts. The push comes amid heightened competition as Microsoft and Google Cloud aggressively pursue public sector AI adoption, aiming to leverage vast datasets and AI capabilities to revolutionise service delivery and operational efficiency.
Amazon’s AWS remains committed to addressing challenges such as data privacy, security, and ethical considerations surrounding AI adoption in the public sector, emphasising rigorous security protocols and readiness for large-scale deployment.
Why does it matter?
As generative AI continues to evolve, AWS’s strategic focus on public sector adoption underscores its belief in AI’s transformative potential, aiming to lead the charge in integrating advanced technologies into governmental and non-governmental organisations worldwide.
Amazon is set to unveil its own AI chatbot, named ‘Metis’, following reports from Business Insider about the project’s development. Similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Metis will operate via web browsers, offering conversational text responses, source links, suggested follow-up queries, and image generation capabilities, as revealed in internal documents.
What sets Metis apart is its integration of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), allowing it to fetch information beyond its initial training data. This advanced capability promises to give Metis a competitive edge in the AI chatbot landscape, surpassing the limitations of existing models like ChatGPT, which have cutoff dates for their data reservoirs.
Metis is also poised to function as an ‘AI agent’, potentially serving as a smart home assistant capable of automating tasks such as controlling lights, organising travel itineraries, and booking flights. It operates on Amazon’s new internal AI model called Olympus, an upgraded version of the existing Titan model used in Amazon’s AI ecosystem, with expertise from the Alexa team enhancing its development.
However, opinions within Amazon about Metis are divided. While CEO Andy Jassy is reportedly invested in its development, others view the project as arriving late to an already crowded AI market dominated by advanced competitors. Amazon’s previous AI efforts, including corporate chatbots and AI chips, have seen mixed success, indicating a need for Metis to succeed as a significant player in AI technology.
Why does it matter?
The launch of Metis is tentatively scheduled for September, potentially coinciding with Amazon’s major event, although these plans remain subject to change. As Amazon navigates its entry into AI with Metis, the tech industry eagerly anticipates whether this new venture will mark a breakthrough or another challenge for the retail giant.
European defence technology startup Helsing is currently in negotiations to secure nearly $500 million from investors in Silicon Valley, including Accel and Lightspeed Venture Partners, amounting to $4.5 billion. This valuation marks a significant increase, tripling the company’s value in less than a year, possibly driven by heightened global conflicts which in turn are prompting a surge in private investments within the military supply sector.
Specialising in AI-based software for defence, Helsing was established in 2021 and works with AI to analyse extensive data from sensors and weapons systems, providing real-time battlefield intelligence to assist military decision-making processes. The company’s software is also contributing to the advancement of AI capabilities for drones in Ukraine.
Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that Accel and Lightspeed will be new investors in Helsing, potentially joined by General Catalyst, a previous investor in the company. If finalised, this deal would position Helsing as one of Europe’s most valued artificial intelligence startups in terms of worth, at par with Paris-based Mistral, an AI startup that recently secured €600 million at a valuation nearing €6 billion. The reluctance of venture investors to engage with defence tech firms has notably shifted, particularly in the US and Europe, driven by escalating tensions between major powers and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, leading to increased defence expenditure by nations.
NATO’s recent allocation of its €1 billion ‘innovation fund’ towards European tech firms points towards a notable shift, with Europe rapidly closing the investment gap in defence and dual-use technologies as compared to the US. The evolving landscape of modern warfare, as is the case in the Ukrainian conflict, emphasises the transition towards software-defined technologies over traditional hardware, enabling military forces to enhance strategic capabilities.
Why does it matter?
Helsing has forged partnerships with established defence contractors in Europe, such as Germany’s Rheinmetall and Sweden’s Saab, to integrate AI into existing platforms like fighter jets. Collaborating with Airbus, the startup is also developing AI technologies for application in both manned and unmanned systems.
Bearing AI has unveiled an enhanced Deployment Planner tailored for tramp shipping companies following the success of its liner shipping version. Unlike liners, tramp operators manage one-off contracts between ports, posing challenges for emissions optimisation and profitability.
The latest tool leverages advanced AI to analyse extensive historical and real-time data, offering actionable insights into critical operational issues. It allows chartering, operations, and environmental teams to experiment with vessel deployments, optimising environmental impact and profitability.
Built on robust machine learning models, the Deployment Planner predicts end-of-year performance for every vessel, even those without scheduled contracts. The aforementioned capability provides deep insights into emissions management, enabling tramp operators to achieve superior performance amidst dynamic scheduling.
Kristofer Maanum, Senior Product Leader at Bearing AI, highlighted the tool’s significance for tramp operators, facilitating informed decisions that balance efficiency and sustainability across varied contract scenarios. The Deployment Planner emerges as a crucial asset for managing fleet efficiency, mitigating compliance risks, and optimising operational costs in tramp shipping.
South Korea will begin providing financial aid to chipmakers in July, launching a 26 trillion won ($19 billion) support package to bolster the critical semiconductor industry. The initial phase will include an 18 trillion won package, offering preferential loans and investment capital. Next month, eligible companies can access a 17 trillion-won loan program at the lowest market interest rates. Additionally, the government will help establish two funds totalling 1.1 trillion won to invest in local chipmaking equipment and materials by 2025.
The following initiative aligns South Korea with other nations like the US and China, which are investing heavily in the semiconductor sector amid growing geopolitical tensions and fragmented global supply chains. With Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix leading the way, South Korea remains the world’s largest producer of memory chips. The government is also investing $470 billion to develop a semiconductor ‘mega cluster’ near Seoul, which will become the core of its chip industry.
The aid package comes as the US urges its allies to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology. Reports suggest that American officials want South Korea to restrict the export of equipment and technologies needed for high-end chip production to China. The South Korean government plans to extend tax incentives for eligible firms by three years to support the industry further. It is considering expanding these benefits to include chip materials, parts, and equipment manufacturers.
Qatar is rapidly advancing in technology, positioning itself as a global tech hub. The President of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Dr Jack Lau, highlighted the role of AI in boosting the Qatari and GCC markets, emphasising the need for region-specific, tailored solutions.
AI applications like ChatGPT are well-researched in Qatar. However, optimization for different languages, increased speed, and more accurate responses have yet to be implemented.
Dr Lau noted the satisfaction with emerging AI tools, particularly in translating and customising presentation content. He stressed the importance of cultural sensitivity and corporate-specific needs in AI applications while ensuring data privacy and security, underscoring also that these technologies have significant potential for perfection and further development.
QSTP is crucial in supporting Qatar’s national vision of talent transformation through education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The organisation is exploring opportunities for individuals with the right educational background to contribute significantly to AI, robotics, medical sciences, and sustainable farming.
