AI Weekly: Issue 4

Welcome to the fourth edition of my newsletter, where I keep you updated with the latest groundbreaking advancements, research, and debates surrounding Artificial Intelligence. This is meant to be useful for everyone - from experts to non-experts.

Headlines in AI

1. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nod.ai

Overview: AMD is set to acquire open-source AI startup, Nod.ai , aiming to augment its software capabilities to contend with Nvidia.

Analysis: The blend of software and hardware is reminiscent of a well-balanced investment portfolio. AMD's acquisition of Nod.ai suggests a foresight in recognizing undervalued assets with high growth potential.

2. Lenovo's Bold Stride into AI

Overview: Tech giant Lenovo commits to a $1.2 billion AI investment, aiming to seize a significant portion of the projected $29 billion AI server and storage market.

Analysis: Taking the ethos of "buying a quality stock at a fair price," Lenovo's hefty investment portrays a bullish stance on AI. Their comprehensive strategy seems akin to diversifying investments to capture market breadth.

3. Medium’s Stance against GPTBot

Overview: Medium has joined the ranks of other media giants in blocking OpenAI's GPTBot from scraping its web pages for content, spotlighting the increasing concerns over AI's influence on content rights and accessibility.

Analysis: By sidestepping from the AI fray, Medium elucidates a fundamental dilemma: the balance between technological progress and content authenticity. Their stance can be likened to a careful portfolio adjustment in the wake of market volatility.

4. ASEAN's Approach to AI Ethics

Overview: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is reportedly drafting an AI ethics guide, diverging from the European Union's stringent "AI Act." The guide aims to reconcile AI's economic benefits against its potential risks.

Analysis: Navigating the intricacies of AI regulation is reminiscent of adjusting to ever-evolving market dynamics. ASEAN's tentative approach underscores the region's willingness to craft its AI narrative, distinct yet inclusive.

Startups and Innovations

1. Orbem's Revolution in Egg Scanning

Overview: Munich-based startup Orbem pioneers an industrial MRI scanner paired with AI. This innovation drastically accelerates egg scanning, offering an impressive improvement over traditional methods.

Analysis: Much like a discerning investor spotting an undervalued gem, Orbem's fusion of AI with MRI exemplifies the magic of technology meeting niche needs. Their journey symbolizes the essence of spotting potential early on.

2. Captions Introduces Lipdub

Overview: Captions, an AI-driven video editing startup, unveils Lipdub, an app that translates clips into multiple languages, altering lip movements to match.

Analysis: In the realm of investments, it's about finding gaps and filling them effectively. Lipdub's inception, with its unique offerings, is a testament to the adage "identify a need and meet it innovatively."

3. Moonhub ?? : Reshaping Recruitment with AI

Overview: Moonhub, an AI-powered recruitment platform, boasts of a vast database sourcing from LinkedIn, GitHub, and more. The startup demonstrates the potency of AI in revolutionizing the hiring process.

Analysis: In the vast job market, Moonhub’s approach stands out, much like a discerning investor who capitalizes on overlooked sectors. Their blend of human touch with AI insights heralds a transformative phase in recruitment.

4. Zip: The Disruptor in Procurement

Overview: Zip, through its co-founder Lu Cheng, highlights the complexities in the procurement domain, underscoring the untapped potential for AI-led solutions in streamlining workflows.

Analysis: Tackling inefficiencies in procurement mirrors the essence of value investing: identifying undervalued sectors and optimizing them. Zip's narrative suggests a forward-leaning approach in the procurement realm, harnessing AI's capabilities.

Ethical Challenges in AI

1. Political Undercurrents and Audio Deepfakes

Overview: A possibly manipulated audio file has surfaced at the UK's largest opposition party conference, drawing attention to the implications of AI-generated content in shaping political narratives.

Analysis: In a world awash with information, discerning fact from fiction becomes paramount. The emergence of this audio file underlines the pressing need to tread carefully in a landscape where AI can both enlighten and deceive.

2. The Anthropic/FTX Controversy

Overview: FTX faces a lawsuit with allegations of misappropriating customer deposits for investments. Anthropic, an AI company in which FTX had previously invested, has seen significant gains recently, including a potential Amazon investment of up to $4 billion. This surge in valuation could potentially help FTX pay back its creditors. The Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that the potential for repayment is immaterial to the fraud allegations.

Analysis: This unfolding situation highlights the intricate web of investments and stakes in the rapidly evolving tech and AI sectors. The potential gains from Anthropic's dealings might be seen as a lifeline for FTX, but the legal landscape is clear – the end doesn't justify the means. The DOJ's position underscores the importance of ethical financial practices, irrespective of eventual outcomes. As the trial unfolds, with significant personalities set to take the stand, the tech and investment communities will watch closely, not only for the verdict but for its implications on future investments and partnerships.Research Spotlight: Risk Assessment via GPT-3.5 Turbo

Research Spotlight:

Overview: A new research paper explores GPT-3.5 Turbo's capability in assessing corporate risks, with a focus on earnings calls. GPT was asked to analyze over 69,000 earnings calls from 4800 unique firms. The study primarily zeroes in on political, climate change, and AI-centric risks, pitting the AI's assessments against established bigram-based risk proxies. To me, this is really important work, given that such analysis needs to be reliable.

Analysis: The foray of AI into risk assessment is akin to introducing a novel asset class into an investment portfolio. The study's emphasis on AI risks' growing significance over time suggests a seismic shift in corporate strategy and decision-making. The comparative approach adopted provides a nuanced understanding, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in risk evaluation. Yet, as in investments, it's essential to temper enthusiasm with caution, ensuring a balanced perspective.

Stay Informed, Stay Ahead.

(Note: For a deeper dive, readers are encouraged to research the latest news and read the research papers in their entirety for a comprehensive and thorough understanding.)