Uber is set to launch an AI assistant for its drivers in the United States in early 2025, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4.0, aimed at supporting drivers with queries related to electric vehicles (EVs). The assistant will initially help answer questions on topics such as where to charge EVs and which models to buy. In time, the AI may expand its capabilities to include other uses.
The assistant will be accessible from the Uber driver app and will offer personalised responses based on a driver’s location, needs, and available government incentives. Future updates are expected to include voice interaction, allowing drivers to speak directly to the AI, with audio responses.
Uber also announced an ‘EV mentorship program’ to encourage experienced EV drivers to help guide others interested in making the switch to electric vehicles. Mentors will receive financial incentives for sharing their knowledge and insights about owning and driving EVs.
As part of its broader focus on climate action, Uber is enhancing its Uber Green service, with an EV-only option in 40 cities. Riders can now choose electric vehicles in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
Tesla is at a pivotal juncture as CEO Elon Musk is set to reveal the long-awaited Cybercab robotaxi at Warner Bros. Hollywood studio on Thursday. While there are rising doubts about electric vehicle growth, the announcement has reignited interest in Tesla’s stock. The Cybercab will function autonomously on Tesla’s ride-hailing platform, enabling vehicle owners to generate income by utilising their cars as self-driving cabs—an idea Musk describes as a combination of Airbnb and Uber.
Tesla intends to leverage its current camera-based technology and AI for the Cybercab, steering clear of the costly radar and lidar systems used by competitors. Musk is confident that improvements in this technology will allow Tesla to penetrate a tough market where others have faced substantial losses. Investors are keen to view a prototype and learn about the timeline for mass production and profitability. They also seek clarity on the regulatory hurdles and safety issues surrounding the existing partial automation system, known as Full Self-Driving (FSD).
While expectations for the event are high, analysts caution that the announcement may lack immediate deliverables or financial impact. Many observers do not anticipate a fully functional product at this stage, noting Tesla’s history of optimism regarding its FSD technology. The company may also provide updates on more affordable vehicle options and its humanoid robot, Optimus, during the event.
Since Musk announced the shift to robotaxis in April, Tesla shares have surged nearly 50%. However, concerns linger about competition from electric vehicle rivals and the stock’s inherent volatility. The journey to market for self-driving vehicles has proven complicated and expensive for other companies, with Waymo being the only US firm currently operating uncrewed robotaxis. Analysts highlight that reaching high levels of automation without driver supervision will encounter considerable technological, safety, and regulatory challenges, raising doubts about the timeline for achieving Musk’s ambitious goals.
MediaTek has announced that its upcoming Dimensity 9400 chipset will feature support for Gemini Nano, a multimodal AI technology. This integration promises to enhance the chip’s AI capabilities, particularly in image, text, and speech processing areas. The Dimensity 9400 will also feature a next-generation Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for improved on-device AI performance.
Beyond the Dimensity 9400, MediaTek plans to extend Gemini Nano support to other Generative AI-enabled processors. However, specific details about which additional chipsets will receive this functionality still need to be clarified. The company’s collaboration with Google plays a key role in its efforts to enhance AI experiences across the Android ecosystem.
Gemini Nano, which debuted on Google’s Pixel 9 series using the Tensor G4 chipset, has grown in popularity. It powers features like Pixel Recorder, allowing devices to perform smaller-scale AI tasks directly on hardware. This multimodal AI technology is designed to manage complex operations efficiently on smartphones and other devices.
With this new integration, MediaTek promises users more advanced AI features, such as capturing images and receiving detailed descriptions. The Dimensity 9400 is set to launch in October, paving the way for more AI-enhanced experiences across various devices.
Vodafone has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Google in a ten-year deal worth over a billion dollars. This agreement aims to introduce Google’s generative AI-powered devices to customers in Europe and Africa, capitalising on the 5G network. The collaboration will also promote the Android ecosystem in these regions.
Vodafone intends to extend the availability of Google’s AI-powered Pixel devices, enhancing customer access to innovative technology. By 2025, the company will begin offering Google One AI Premium subscription plans, which include advanced features such as Gemini Advanced.
In addition to customer-focused advancements, this multinational telecommunications company will use Google Cloud’s AI platform for enterprise-level applications. The integration of AI will streamline operations and enhance services within the company.
Google remains in fierce competition in the AI sector, vying against other major tech companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. The partnership with Vodafone strengthens its position in this fast-evolving market.
A US judge has ruled that Google must make significant changes to its Play Store, allowing Android users to access third-party app stores and payment methods for three years. The ruling comes after a jury sided with ‘Fortnite’ creator Epic Games, which accused Google of monopolising app access and in-app payments on Android devices.
The order, issued by Judge James Donato, prevents Google from blocking alternative payment options or pre-installing its app store through deals with device makers. The decision is set to take effect on 1 November 2024, giving Google time to comply. However, Google plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that it could harm consumers, developers, and device makers.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney called the decision “big news” and said it could lead to a more competitive Android ecosystem by 2025. Meanwhile, Google is also facing antitrust cases over its dominance in web search and ad technology.
Google is testing a new feature that adds blue check marks next to verified companies in its search results to help users identify trustworthy sources, a company spokesperson confirmed on Friday. This move aims to protect users from fraudulent websites that impersonate official businesses, potentially spreading false information and damaging brands.
The spokesperson mentioned that Google frequently tests new features to help users identify credible businesses online, with this checkmark initiative being a limited trial. While Google already employs automated systems to block ‘scammy’ or fake content from its search results, this additional feature offers an extra level of verification.
According to The Verge, some users have noticed these blue checkmarks next to official site links for companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple. However, the feature is not yet widely available, suggesting that Google is still in the early stages of testing.
TSMC is advancing its 2nm chip production, but a significant challenge is emerging regarding power supply. A report from S&P indicates that the foundry’s electricity consumption could nearly triple by 2030, potentially accounting for 24% of Taiwan‘s total electricity usage. In 2023, TSMC consumed nearly 250 GW of electricity, representing 8% of the island’s total power and 16% of the industrial sector’s demand.
The slow growth in Taiwan’s power generation could hinder TSMC’s production, which relies heavily on energy. Projections suggest that by 2030, TSMC’s power consumption could rise to 794 GW, driven by a 90% increase in wafer shipments. The report highlights that advanced manufacturing processes, such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, require significantly more power than older systems.
Taiwan’s electricity reserve margin is falling short of the government’s target, currently below 15%. The Economic Daily News warns that if it drops below 10%, power supply stability could be compromised. Furthermore, Taiwan’s transition from coal and nuclear energy to natural gas and renewable sources might result in higher electricity prices, adding further pressure on the power supply.
Samsung Electronics has announced the mass production of its PM9E1, a PCIe 5.0 SSD that boasts the highest performance and largest capacity in the industry. Built on a 5nm controller and eighth-generation V-NAND technology, the PM9E1 offers enhanced power efficiency and powerful performance, making it an ideal choice for on-device AI PCs. Compared to its predecessor, the PM9A1, key attributes like speed, storage capacity, and security have all seen significant improvements.
The new SSD features an eight-channel PCIe 5.0 interface, enabling sequential read speeds of up to 14.5 gigabytes per second (GB/s) and write speeds of 13GB/s, more than doubling the capabilities of the previous generation. This impressive performance facilitates rapid data transfer for demanding AI applications, allowing large models to be transferred from the SSD to DRAM in less than a second.
Available in multiple storage options—512GB, 1 terabyte (TB), 2TB, and a market-leading 4TB—the PM9E1 is particularly suited for users needing high-capacity storage for large files, including AI-generated content and high-resolution videos. Its improved power efficiency, exceeding 50%, also supports longer battery life for on-device applications.
To enhance security, Samsung has implemented Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM) v1.2, which includes features like secure channels and device authentication to prevent data manipulation during production or distribution. With the PM9E1, Samsung aims to expand its advanced SSD offerings to global PC manufacturers and plans to introduce additional PCIe 5.0-based consumer products to strengthen its position in the on-device AI market.
Facebook, once the go-to platform for connecting with family and friends, is shifting its focus to attract younger users, according to Tom Alison, head of Facebook at Meta. With younger generations favouring apps like Instagram and TikTok, Meta aims to revitalise Facebook by helping users expand their networks and make new connections, aligning with how young adults use the platform today.
To achieve this, Facebook is testing two new tabs, Local and Explore, aimed at helping users find nearby events, community groups, and content tailored to their interests. This initiative aligns with Meta’s efforts to compete with TikTok, which has 150 million US users, by introducing its short-form video feature, Reels, in 2021. Data reveals that young adults on Facebook spend 60% of their time watching videos, with over half engaging with Reels daily.
Facebook also reported a 24% increase in conversations initiated through its dating feature among young adults in the US and Canada. At a recent event in Austin, Texas, the platform promoted its new direction with the slogan ‘Not your mom’s Facebook,’ emphasising its push to attract a younger audience.
Google is adding ads to AI-generated summaries, known as AI Overviews, which appear in response to certain search queries. These ads, labelled ‘Sponsored,’ will appear alongside non-sponsored content, offering users quick access to relevant products and services. This marks Google’s latest effort to monetise its AI search feature and boost user engagement, particularly among younger audiences.
Along with ads, Google is also rolling out AI-organised search results. These new pages will display more diverse content, including videos, articles, and forum posts. While these AI-organised results will not include ads, they aim to make search results more relevant and visually appealing, offering users a more tailored experience.
As Google continues to expand its AI-driven search features, there are concerns about the impact on web traffic for publishers. Some studies suggest AI-generated summaries could reduce page views and ad revenues, potentially costing publishers billions. However, Google says it is working to address these concerns while continuing to refine its AI search technology.
