Your weekly briefing on all things AI

This week underscores a simple truth: AI is reshaping industries, from Silicon Valley giants to the US Government. Google's $2 billion bet on Anthropic stakes a claim in the fiercely competitive AI chatbot market. Meanwhile, the US government disclosed over 700 AI-focused projects across 21 departments. Across the board, from Apple's AI upgrades to Boston Dynamics' latest robotic tricks, the message is clear: AI is at the forefront, and it's making waves.

💪 Google's Power Play: With a massive investment in Anthropic, Google is positioning itself to take on leading AI chatbot players, marking a potential shift in tech dominance.

🏛️ New Executive Order: President Biden issued an executive order on 10/30/23 around safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.

💡 Diverse AI Impacts: From Boston Dynamics’ talking dog robot to Canva’s education offerings and Shutterstock's creative AI integration, it's evident: AI is steering the direction for multiple industries.

⚖️ AI Governance Takes Center Stage: With AI's omnipresence, its governance becomes crucial. The UN's new AI board, featuring tech behemoths, highlights the growing focus on overseeing AI's global impact.

This week's stories spotlight a world where AI isn't just an afterthought—it's leading the charge.

📰 AI in the News

Google Joins the Anthropic Party With $2 Billion Investment

Google has announced a $2 billion investment in Anthropic, an AI startup known for its chatbot Claude. This investment comes on the heels of Amazon's announcement to invest up to $4 billion in the same company. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google's investment will be disbursed over an unspecified period, with an immediate cash payment of $500 million. This follows Google's initial investment of $300 million in February 2023. Anthropic is currently valued between $20 billion and $30 billion. The startup is projected to generate $200 million in revenue by the end of this year and $500 million by the end of 2024.

The investment is a strategic one for Google, aimed at breaking the duopoly of OpenAI and Microsoft in the chatbot and LLM-API market. Microsoft's Azure cloud business has been growing thanks to generative AI, while Google and Amazon's AWS cloud growth has slowed. Google's cloud business, which is behind the investment, aims to offer a robust AI cloud offering, leveraging Anthropic's models to compete with Microsoft's GPT models.

This investment not only solidifies Google's commitment to advancing AI technology but also signals a shift in the competitive landscape. With tech giants like Google and Amazon backing Anthropic, the startup is poised to become a formidable competitor in the AI industry. Full Story

U.S. Government's Bold Leap into AI: Transforming Governance for the Digital Age

The race to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) has predominantly been led by the private sector, with tech behemoths and nimble startups alike vying for dominance. However, especially after the executive order issued yesterday, we’d be remised to miss a formidable contender emerging on the AI scene: the U.S. government. Recent data unveils a concerted effort by various governmental departments to tap into AI's transformative potential, signaling a paradigm shift in how governance might look in the near future.

With a staggering 710 AI projects currently in motion, the U.S. government's commitment to AI is undeniable. The Department of Energy is at the forefront with 178 projects, focusing on areas such as energy optimization and infrastructure advancements. The overarching theme across these initiatives is the emphasis on "Machine Learning & Data Analysis," with 691 projects dedicated to this domain. This data-centric strategy underscores the government's ambition to be more proactive, leveraging data to derive actionable insights and make informed decisions.

The maturity of these AI endeavors is also noteworthy. A significant 159 projects have already transitioned from their experimental phases to operation and maintenance, indicating their integral role in departmental functions. Innovations like NASA's CLASP Coverage Planning & Scheduling and the Department of Homeland Security's Automated Item of Interest Detection software stand out as potential game-changers. Looking ahead, 85 projects are in the initiation phase, poised to address future challenges and ensure the government remains agile in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In a nod to fostering transparency and collaboration, the government has made the source code for 17 of its projects publicly available. While this represents a small fraction, it's a significant step towards open governance. As the U.S. government continues its AI journey, it's evident that the focus is not just on technology adoption but on reshaping governance, enhancing public services, and future-proofing operations. The global AI revolution is in full swing, and the U.S. government is determined to be at its forefront. Full Story

More Stories

• Apple is making significant strides in AI, including revamping Siri and other apps. The company is also focusing on privacy-centric AI. (link)

• Canva released an entire suite of new tools focused on helping teachers build enhanced education materials. (link)

• Shutterstock is integrating Creative AI to enhance its platform, offering better search and creative capabilities. (link)

• Boston Dynamics has integrated GPT-4 with its robot dog, Spot, leading to new and unexpected capabilities. (link)

• Forbes is using generative AI for its search engine, Adelaide, aiming to revolutionize content discovery. (link)

• Google Maps is incorporating new AI features, including real-time navigation updates and personalized recommendations. (link)

• The UN forms a high-level board for AI governance, featuring OpenAI, Google, and a digital anthropologist. (link)

• Startup 1337 (Leet) is focusing on creating AI-driven virtual influencers, marking a new era in digital marketing. (link)

• Stability AI, once a promising startup, is facing challenges including the loss of key personnel and a struggle to secure funding. (link)

💡 Industry Insights

🏥 Healthcare

Apple Watch & Parkinson's: The FDA has cleared apps for the Apple Watch that monitor Parkinson's disease, marking significant progress in the wearable's healthcare capabilities. The apps track typical symptoms like tremors and involuntary movements, providing valuable data for both patients and doctors. (link)

Neurostimulation Breakthrough: Houston-based startup Motif Neurotech has developed a pea-sized brain implant for at-home neurostimulation, aiming to treat depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. The implant takes just 20 minutes to insert and eliminates the need for regular clinic visits. (link)

AI's Impact on Healthcare Costs: A report by the Nationwide Retirement Institute reveals that 59% of respondents lack confidence in affording healthcare as AI extends lifespans. Specifically, 26% of Americans expect AI to add over a decade to their life, affecting healthcare and retirement planning. (link)

🏠 Real Estate

The Hype is Real: The industry is embracing AI as a transformative "megatrend," with its potential likened to the rise of personal computers in the '80s. Howard Tager, CEO of Ylopo, highlights AI's role as a time-saver and its ability to produce realistic AI-generated calls. (link)

AI's Growing Role in Real Estate: A survey by the National Association of Realtors revealed that 75% of millennials and 65% of Gen Z respondents are keen on using AI for their real estate needs. (link)

⚖️Legal

Generative AI in E-Discovery: The legal industry is actively exploring the implications of generative artificial intelligence, especially within the realm of e-discovery. E-discovery professionals anticipate encountering generative AI in multiple capacities: as evidence, as a tool to enhance the discovery process, and as a focal point in legal disputes. (link)

AI-Led Corporations: Researchers from Vanderbilt University and Stanford suggest that as AI advances, it could become a legal entity like a corporation. They point out that AI could register itself as a zero-member limited liability company, making it challenging for the legal system to control its activities. The authors argue for a legal framework that can target AI for compensatory damages and guide AI governance. (link)

📈 Venture Deals

• Employment Hero nabs a whopping $263 million, setting sights on a fintech super app. (link)

• Databricks, valued at $43 billion, acquires data startup Arcion for $100 million. (link)

• Abridge secures $30 million, aiming to revolutionize U.S. healthcare with generative AI. (link)

• Cranium lands $25 million, bolstering its enterprise AI monitoring and security platform. (link)

• Signos clinches $20 million, sprinkling AI magic over the weight-loss industry. (link)

• Spec garners $15 million, fortifying defenses against AI-powered cyberattacks. (link)

• Oxolo attracts €13 million, transforming SEO and e-commerce with its text-to-video platform. (link)

• Credit Genie bags $10 million, redefining behavioral finance through AI. (link)

• Luzia secures $10 million, expanding its WhatsApp chatbot empire. (link)

• Ai Build raises $8.5 million, offering cloud solutions to slash manufacturing costs and waste. (link)

• Harmonic lands $7 million, tackling the 'wild west' of unregulated AI apps. (link)

• Nortech AI nabs €2.5 million, sailing into IoT solutions for the maritime industry. (link)

🛠️ Latest AI Tools

• Olle.ai is chatGPT for your Mac

• AudioFlare transcribes, translates, and/or analyzes audio files

• ResolveAI.io is an autonomous agent that can close out support tickets

• WritersBrew.app is an AI assistant to help turn notes into final drafts

• HelpBar.ai connects to your help center to offer AI answers

• Spoke.ai is an AI powered inbox to help product builders prioritize tasks

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