ai

AI platform aims to ease electrician shortage with faster tech installations

With the US facing a growing shortage of electricians, Treehouse, a startup, is using AI to help make installations of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, heat pumps, and other tech more efficient and affordable. As the demand for renewable energy and electrification surges, Treehouse has developed AI models to predict job times, materials needed, and to eliminate unnecessary site visits, which typically slow down the process. By gathering data and asking customers key questions, Treehouse can streamline quoting and installation processes, especially for simpler jobs like EV chargers.

Treehouse uses its AI-driven platform to design installations and assist in permitting, often completing jobs with minimal visits from electricians. For more complex installations, like heat pumps, the company may require additional photos or virtual visits. Treehouse works in 40 states, hiring independent electricians for many of the jobs, and plans to expand its operations across all 50 states by the end of the year. With a recent $16 million Series A funding round, the company aims to improve its AI tools and grow its team.

Founder and CEO Eric Owski believes the electrification trend will continue to reshape how consumers think about home energy, with EV chargers being just the starting point. Treehouse’s partnerships with companies like CarMax and ChargePoint also help boost its reach as it tackles the ongoing electrician shortage.

DOJ issues warning on trade association Information exchanges

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a significant Statement of Interest, urging scrutiny of surveys and information exchanges managed by trade associations. The DOJ expressed concerns that such exchanges may create unique risks to competition, particularly when competitors share sensitive information exclusively among themselves.

According to the DOJ, antitrust laws will evaluate the context of any information exchange to determine its potential impact on competition. Sharing competitively sensitive information could disproportionately benefit participating companies at the expense of consumers, workers, and other stakeholders. The department noted that advancements in AI technology have intensified these concerns, allowing large amounts of detailed information to be exchanged quickly, potentially heightening the risk of anticompetitive behaviour.

This guidance follows the DOJ’s withdrawal of long-standing rules that established “safety zones” for information exchanges, which previously indicated that certain types of sharing were presumed lawful. By retracting this guidance, the DOJ signals a shift toward a more cautious, case-by-case approach, urging businesses to prioritise proactive risk management.

The DOJ’s statement, made in relation to an antitrust case in the pork industry, has wider implications for various sectors, including real estate. It highlights the need for organisations, such as Multiple Listing Services (MLS) and trade associations, to evaluate their practices and avoid environments that could lead to price-fixing or other anticompetitive behaviours. The DOJ encourages trade association executives to review their information-sharing protocols, educate members on legal risks, and monitor practices to ensure compliance with antitrust laws.

Electronics and mobility sectors unite in Japan

Japan’s largest annual electronics event opened alongside a mobility show, marking the first joint trade fair of its kind. The collaboration reflects the increasing convergence of technology and automotive industries, especially as vehicles become more autonomous and connected.

The trade show, hosted by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), aims to promote cross-industry innovation. AI emerged as a core theme, with around half of the 800 tech exhibitors presenting AI-driven products and solutions.

Toyota Motor showcased a portable hydrogen tank capable of powering electric generators during disasters, promoting hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. Panasonic highlighted its perovskite solar cells, which can be installed on car windows to enhance power efficiency for electric vehicles, while Sony demonstrated a safety system that uses image sensors to detect driver fatigue.

NEC presented an AI-powered service capable of summarising movies or creating accident reports from dashcam footage, offering applications in various fields. TDK introduced a brain-inspired semiconductor chip that reduces AI electricity consumption to one-hundredth of current levels. The fair runs until Friday at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe, with free entrance for online registrants.

Reach criticised over fake AI-generated adverts of Alex Jones and Rachel Reeves

The publisher Reach has faced criticism for running disturbing adverts on its WalesOnline app, featuring fake AI-generated images of TV presenter Alex Jones and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The images, which showed both figures with visible blood and bruises, directed users to fake BBC News articles promoting cryptocurrency.

Users of the app expressed outrage at the adverts, with Cardiff council’s cabinet member for culture, Jennifer Burke, describing them as ‘disturbing’. She questioned whether the publisher had a duty to vet the content advertised on their platform. Other users criticised the ads, labelling them ‘dystopian’.

The adverts appeared among genuine news articles on the app, which is part of Reach’s operation in Wales. Reach also publishes major United Kingdom news outlets, including the Mirror and the Express.

Both Alex Jones and Rachel Reeves have been contacted for comment, and Reach has been asked to address the situation.

Telecom leaders urge policy reforms for India’s digital future

Telecom leaders emphasised the urgent need for policy reforms to secure India’s digital future at the India Mobile Congress. They highlighted critical issues such as data localisation, AI adoption, and the expansion of satellite services, thereby calling for immediate action to address these challenges.

Specifically, the chairman of Reliance Jio urged the government to expedite updates to the data centre policy to ensure that essential data remains within India. Moreover, he advocated for incentives for local companies to establish AI and machine learning data centres.

In addition to these points, the transformative potential of AI across sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education was recognised, with leaders stressing the importance of rapid adoption to drive productivity and innovation. Furthermore, the chairman of Bharti Airtel underscored the necessity of expanding satellite services to bridge the digital divide, particularly in remote areas. He called for funding through the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) to support this expansion.

In light of these discussions, the leaders also addressed the need for direct spectrum allocation methods for satellite broadband services under the new Indian telecom law, enhancing connectivity for urban and rural consumers.

Additionally, they emphasised the importance of securing investments to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness. For instance, the chairman of Vodafone Idea noted the company’s recent ₹18,000 crore fundraising aimed at enhancing service offerings through substantial agreements with network suppliers.

Lastly, the growing relevance of combating digital threats such as spam, fraud, and phishing scams was underscored. In this context, they advocated for collaboration with the government and regulatory bodies to implement innovative solutions and promote public awareness campaigns. These campaigns would educate users on identifying and avoiding scams, ultimately fostering a safer digital environment.

New Adobe AI prototype generates video sound effects

Adobe has revealed an experimental tool called Project Super Sonic, which uses AI to simplify the process of generating sound effects and background audio for video content. Introduced at Adobe’s MAX conference, the prototype allows users to create audio through text prompts, object recognition, or even by mimicking the desired sound with their own voice. This innovation aims to speed up and enhance the audio creation process, giving users more control over their video projects.

While generating sound from text isn’t new, Adobe’s approach goes further. With object recognition, users can click on a video frame, and the tool will generate relevant sound effects for that scene. However, the most impressive feature allows users to imitate sounds themselves, with the AI automatically creating the matching audio in sync with the video.

Although currently just a demo, Adobe’s track record suggests Project Super Sonic may soon find its way into popular tools like Adobe Premiere, offering creators an efficient way to elevate their videos with high-quality audio.

Intel and AMD unite to tackle Arm’s growing influence

Intel and AMD are teaming up to ensure software compatibility across their x86 chips in response to competition from Arm Holdings. For decades, Intel’s x86 architecture has powered laptops, PCs, and servers, with AMD licensing the technology to make its own competing chips. However, Arm’s market share has grown, partly due to its contracts requiring that all Arm chips support Arm software universally.

In response, Intel and AMD have formed an advisory group that includes major industry players such as Broadcom, Dell Technologies, Lenovo, and Oracle. The group’s objective is to establish consistent and compatible standards for x86 chips by combining expertise from the hardware and software sectors.

At a Lenovo event in Seattle, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger highlighted the flexibility of x86 technology for AI-enabled laptops, stating that the architecture is still strong and poised for growth and innovation as AI advances.

AI-powered updates coming to Google’s Shopping tab

Google is enhancing its Shopping tab with AI, building on its previous integration of generative AI into Search in 2023. The company announced it will use AI technology to help users find products that match their specific needs. The update includes a new, personalised feed of shoppable products, offering a scrollable, TikTok-inspired design.

When users search for a product, an AI-generated brief will provide personalised tips and considerations based on their query. For example, if someone searches for a “men’s winter jacket for Seattle,” the AI might recommend prioritising water resistance for the rainy climate and suggest insulation types suitable for the milder temperatures.

Google’s AI will recommend relevant products, offering brief descriptions to explain why each item is a suitable choice. Users can browse categories like “Synthetic insulated winter jackets for Seattle” and use filters to refine their search based on specific sizes or local availability.

The personalised shopping feed will showcase products and videos tailored to user preferences, featuring items like Chelsea boots alongside YouTube Shorts with shopping tips. Google is positioning itself to compete with TikTok, which has gained traction in e-commerce. These new features will roll out in the US in the coming weeks, as Google combines its Shopping Graph with advanced Gemini models to enhance the user experience.

Unily launches Insight Center to streamline AI integration

Unily has introduced its new ‘Insight Center’, a platform designed to help large enterprises integrate and manage digital assistants and language models. The solution provides a central access point for multiple AI tools, streamlining their use across business functions like HR and customer service. It also ensures efficient governance and prioritises simplicity in its user experience.

At its annual event, Unite 24, Unily also announced the launch of ‘Unily Go’, a mobile app focused on improving engagement and communication for frontline workers. The app helps connect employees who don’t have access to desktop computers, offering secure messaging and personalised features to keep teams connected.

By partnering with industry leaders such as Microsoft and Workgrid, Unily ensures its platform offers a comprehensive and secure way for organisations to interact with the digital assistants of their choice. Unily Go, in particular, addresses the need for better communication tools for mobile workers in sectors like retail and manufacturing.

Both the Insight Center and Unily Go will become part of the Unily employee experience platform in 2025. The company plans to offer these features with white-labelling options so businesses can align the tools with their corporate branding.

Legal tech firm DISCO launches AI platform across Europe

CS Disco, Inc. has officially launched its AI-driven Cecilia platform in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Cecilia AI Platform helps legal professionals review large datasets faster, allowing for quicker identification and analysis of crucial documents. The platform offers tools like Cecilia Q&A, which answers fact-based questions from a user’s document set, streamlining the review process.

The company’s generative AI capabilities are designed to boost efficiency in legal work, with features such as single document Q&A and document summaries helping attorneys quickly navigate complex or lengthy documents. The platform also supports documents in multiple languages, offering significant time savings compared to traditional methods.

Early adopters in the United States have already reported success with Cecilia’s tools, praising their speed and accuracy. CS Disco is focusing on enabling legal teams to handle large volumes of data with greater precision, as it expands its services to the European market.

The Cecilia platform is expected to grow further, with additional AI features planned for release in the EU and UK by 2025. DISCO aims to continue its role as a leader in AI-enabled legal technology, improving outcomes for clients across different markets.