Curious AI #20
Oliver Rochford
Evangelist @ Auguria | Technologist | Cyberfuturist | Startup Advisor | Former Gartner Analyst
29 March 2024 -? “He’s a megalomaniac”
Welcome to the twentieth issue of the Curious AI Newsletter, curated by cyber futurist and former Gartner Research Director Oliver Rochford , and synthesized by AI.?
Key Themes in this issue:
“You’re ‘not going to beat centralized AI with more centralized AI”
Stability AI founder Emad Mostaque, after stepping down as CEO
(source)
Most Interesting?
Like everything AI, even companies implode at a breakneck pace.?
First, there’s the story of Inflection AI’s CEO, Mustafa Suleyman moving to Microsoft to head a new consumer AI business unit. Inflection AI was barely two years old, developing an OpenAI competitor, and was last valued at $4 billion, having raised $1.3 billion as recently as June 2023.?
The story also broke that the CEO of Stability AI, the startup developing Stable Diffusion, Emad Mostaque was also stepping down so he can pursue “decentralized AI”.
Lastly, The Information reported that another OpenAI rival called Cohere, founded in 2019 by ex-Googlers, was generating only $13 million in annualized revenue by the end of last year, apparently now revised to $22M. Cohere is valued at $5B.
Superficial areas of differentiation, like our chatbot is more liberal, more conservative, more nefarious, or more humorous or amorous, could never realistically sustain the lofty valuations and aspirations these companies espouse. Sooner or later you need a product people will pay for, not just a gimmick where the novelty wears off. It does seem we are coming to an inflection point and cresting the peak of inflated expectations.?
Saddest
In another attempt to abuse, err,?"care" for senior citizens, a company has developed a robotic dog called “MetaDog”. The name’s not exactly warm and fuzzy and doesn’t scream “the companion I always wanted when I was old”. I am absolutely for any technology that can make life easier for seniors, but trying to automate companionship makes me sad. Maybe we can automate something else and free up humans to care for each other instead?
Most curious
The two co-founders of UK-based Builder.ai, Sachin Dev Duggal and Saurabh Dhoot, have been implicated in criminal probes in India for money laundering and a loan fraud case. Builder.ai is backed by Microsoft and SoftBank.
Funniest
In what some may consider the pot calling the kettle black, some VC investors and other Silicon Valley insiders are allegedly complaining about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s leadership style, with one anonymous VC claiming “He’s a megalomaniac”.?
AI and Regulation
UN Adopts First Global Artificial Intelligence Resolution
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first global resolution on AI, initiated by the US and supported by China and 121 nations. The nonbinding resolution, developed over three months, focuses on personal data protection, AI risk monitoring, and human rights. Despite tough discussions, consensus was reached, balancing AI development with human rights protection.?
Sentiment: Neutral to Positive | Time to Impact: Mid to Long-term
Business of AI
Inflection AI Upheaval in Crowded Chatbot Market
Inflection AI's recent upheaval has sent ripples through the chatbot market, highlighting the industry's crowded and competitive landscape. The shift underscores the challenges AI startups face in sustaining momentum amid high expectations and rapidly evolving technology. This development serves as a wake-up call for the sector, emphasizing the need for innovation and strategic adaptation to maintain relevance and success in the dynamic AI market.
Sentiment: Neutral to Concerned | Time to Impact: Immediate
Stability AI CEO Resigns
The CEO of Stability AI stepped down, emphasizing that centralized AI can't outdo more centralized AI. This change marks a significant shift in the company's direction and underscores the ongoing debate about the efficacy and ethics of centralized versus decentralized AI systems. The departure could signal a strategic pivot or reflect deeper industry challenges surrounding AI development and governance.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Immediate
The Next Phase of AI: Reality Check
Business Insider | https://www.businessinsider.com/the-next-phase-of-ai-is-looking-less-pretty-2024-3
The AI industry is encountering significant challenges as its initial hype subsides. Startups that once promised revolutionary AI products are facing reality checks, with key figures leaving for bigger companies and struggles to generate substantial revenue becoming apparent. This shift marks a new era in AI, where success is less assured and the landscape is dominated by established tech giants. It underscores the importance of sustainable business models and realistic expectations in the evolving AI sector.
Sentiment: Neutral to Concerned | Time to Impact: Immediate to Short-term
Men Behind Builder.ai Named in Indian Criminal Probes
Financial Times | https://www.ft.com/content/7ff3c5fc-e390-4ca8-9c7d-11fd56ab7f6f
Sachin Dev Duggal and Saurabh Dhoot, co-founders of UK-based Builder.ai, are involved in criminal probes in India. Duggal faces a money laundering investigation, while Dhoot is accused in a loan fraud case. Builder.ai, backed by Microsoft and SoftBank, faces scrutiny due to these developments. The allegations question the integrity of the company’s leadership, potentially impacting investor confidence and the startup’s future.
Sentiment: Concerned | Time to Impact: Immediate
'He’s a Megalomaniac': VCs Reportedly Fed Up with OpenAI's Sam Altman
Venture capitalists are reportedly losing patience with OpenAI's CEO, questioning his leadership style and decisions. Criticisms focus on his alleged "megalomaniac" tendencies, raising concerns about OpenAI's direction and potential impact on the AI industry.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Short-term
AI and Business
CFOs Evaluate Gen AI's ROI
The Wall Street Journal | https://www.wsj.com/articles/cfos-tackle-thorny-calculus-on-gen-ai-whats-the-return-on-investment-24ebf435
CFOs are scrutinizing the return on investment (ROI) in generative AI technologies. With AI integration escalating in various sectors, CFOs face the challenge of determining the financial viability and practical benefits of these AI tools. The assessment involves balancing innovation and cost-efficiency, considering AI's potential to streamline operations and enhance business models, against the significant investments required for implementation and ongoing maintenance.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Immediate
AI and work
Gen Z's Guilt Over Using ChatGPT and AI at Work
A Forbes article reveals that 36% of Gen Z employees experience guilt for using ChatGPT and AI tools in the workplace. This sentiment stems from concerns about AI replacing human jobs and the ethical implications of relying heavily on AI for professional tasks. The article highlights the complex relationship between young workers and emerging technologies, underscoring the need for a balance between embracing AI benefits and acknowledging its broader impact on the workforce.
Sentiment: Neutral to Concerned | Time to Impact: Immediate
IBM's New Direction: AI Overhauls Workforce
IBM's stock is soaring as the company implements AI in place of traditional workers. This shift, led by IBM's CEO, marks a significant change in workforce management, aligning with modern technological advancements. The move has generated controversy but positions IBM at the forefront of AI-driven corporate strategy.
Sentiment: Neutral to Positive | Time to Impact: Immediate to Short-term
AI and Accounting
领英推荐
AI's Impact on Accountancy
BBC News | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68553123
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize accountancy, taking over tedious tasks like data analysis, allowing human accountants to focus on more complex and subjective decisions. While AI aids in tasks such as document summarization and advanced analytics, it lacks the human judgment needed for intricate business evaluations. This integration of AI in accountancy indicates a shift in skill requirements, with future accountants likely to concentrate more on client relations and system management.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Immediate
AI and Society
Elephant Robotics Develops MetaDog for Elderly Companionship
Elephant Robotics has introduced MetaDog, a robotic companion aimed at assisting the elderly. Designed with advanced features, MetaDog serves not just as a companion but also as an aid in various daily tasks. This innovative robotic solution addresses the growing need for supportive care and companionship among the elderly, highlighting the expanding role of robotics in enhancing the quality of life for aging populations.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Immediate
AI Carbon Footprint
AI's Impact on UK Power Consumption
The UK's energy grid CEO predicts a 500% increase in power consumption due to AI over the next decade. This surge highlights the significant energy demands of AI technologies and raises concerns about sustainable energy use. As AI becomes more prevalent in various sectors, its impact on energy resources becomes a critical issue, emphasizing the need for efficient and renewable energy solutions to support the growing AI infrastructure.
Sentiment: Neutral to Concerned | Time to Impact: Mid-term
AI and Society
Americans' Use of ChatGPT and Trust in Its Election Information
Pew Research Center | https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/03/26/americans-use-of-chatgpt-is-ticking-up-but-few-trust-its-election-information/
Usage of ChatGPT in the United States is increasing, but a Pew Research study reveals skepticism about its reliability, especially concerning election information. While more Americans are turning to ChatGPT for various purposes, a significant portion remains distrustful of its accuracy and impartiality in providing information related to elections. This highlights the challenges faced by AI platforms in gaining public trust, particularly in politically sensitive areas.
Sentiment: Neutral to Concerned | Time to Impact: Immediate
AI in Academia
ChatGPT's Impact on Academic Performance and Memory
A study reveals ChatGPT's potential to impact academic performance and memory. Concerns arise over students' reliance on AI for homework and studying, potentially leading to diminished cognitive abilities and memory loss. The study emphasizes the importance of balancing technology use with traditional learning methods to maintain cognitive skills. This highlights a critical aspect of the AI debate in education, underscoring the need for responsible integration of AI tools in learning environments.
Sentiment: Neutral to Concerned | Time to Impact: Immediate
AI in Healthcare
ChatGPT in Medical Practice: Faster Note-Taking
L?kartidningen | https://lakartidningen.se/aktuellt/nyheter/2024/03/chat-gpt-tio-ganger-snabbare-pa-anteckningar-an-lakare-i-ny-studie/
A study reported by L?kartidningen shows that ChatGPT can generate medical notes ten times faster than doctors. This discovery highlights the potential of AI tools to streamline administrative tasks in healthcare. While ChatGPT's speed is impressive, the study also emphasizes the importance of ensuring accuracy and clinical relevance in AI-generated notes. This technology could significantly reduce the time spent on documentation, giving healthcare professionals more time for patient care.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short to Mid-term
Nvidia announces AI-powered health care 'agents' that outperform nurses — and cost $9 an hour
Fox Business | https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/nvidia-announces-ai-powered-health-care-agents-outperform-nurses-cost-9-hour
NVIDIA has introduced AI-powered health care agents that reportedly outperform nurses in certain tasks and are more cost-effective, priced at $9 per hour. These agents are designed to enhance healthcare services by efficiently handling routine tasks, potentially transforming the medical field. However, this raises questions about the impact on nursing jobs and the nature of patient care, balancing technological advancement with the vital human elements in healthcare.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Short to Mid-term
Generative AI for Designing Novel Antibiotics
Nature Machine Intelligence | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-024-00809-7
A Nature Machine Intelligence article presents SyntheMol, an AI model for designing new, easily synthesizable antibiotics. SyntheMol can explore a vast chemical space of around 30 billion molecules, specifically targeting the growth inhibition of Acinetobacter baumannii, a challenging bacterial pathogen. Out of 58 synthesized molecules, six showed antibacterial activity against various pathogens. This research signifies a leap in using generative AI for creating structurally novel and effective antibiotics.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short to Mid-term
AI and Music
Tennessee Makes A.I. an Outlaw to Protect Its Country Music and More
The New York Times | https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/21/us/politics/tennessee-ai-music-law.html
Tennessee introduced legislation concerning the use of AI in music production. This law, reflecting the growing influence of AI on creative industries, addresses copyright, royalties, and ethical considerations. It underscores the complexities and legal challenges emerging from AI's involvement in areas traditionally driven by human creativity. The move could influence similar regulations in other states, highlighting the need for a careful balance between innovation and protecting artists' rights.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Immediate to Short-term
AI and Robotics
Restaurant Robots at Forefront of Automation Trends
Yahoo Finance | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/restaurant-robots-vanguard-automation-top-112900778.html
Robots are increasingly prominent in restaurants, leading the charge in automation trends. These technological innovations are not only enhancing efficiency in food preparation and service but are also addressing labor shortages in the hospitality sector. The adoption of robotics is transforming the dynamics of the restaurant industry, offering a glimpse into a future where automation plays a crucial role in daily operations, and potentially redefining the customer experience in dining establishments.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Immediate
Chinese Humanoid Robot Defeats Speed Record, See The Machine In Action
Giant Freakin Robot | https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/sci/chinese-robot-speed.html
China has developed a high-speed robot, showcasing remarkable advancements in robotics and automation. This innovation reflects China's growing expertise in technology and its potential impact on various industries. The robot's speed and efficiency highlight significant progress in robotics, indicating a shift towards more advanced and capable automation solutions globally.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid-term
Ethical AI
Adobe's Non-Exploitative AI Strategy
MIT Technology Review | https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/03/26/1090129/how-adobes-bet-on-non-exploitative-ai-is-paying-off/
Adobe's strategic focus on ethical and non-exploitative AI development is yielding positive results. The company's approach involves prioritizing user privacy and data protection, avoiding exploitative labor practices, and promoting responsible AI usage. This strategy not only enhances Adobe's reputation but also drives innovation in a socially conscious direction. Adobe's success in this area showcases the viability and benefits of ethical AI practices in the tech industry, influencing broader standards and expectations.
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Immediate
About the Curious AI Newsletter
AI is hype. AI is a utopia. AI is a dystopia.
These are the narratives currently being told about AI. There are mixed signals for each scenario. The truth will lie somewhere in between. This newsletter provides a curated overview of positive and negative data points to support decision planners and makers in forecasts and horizon scanning. The selection of news items is intended to provide a cross-section of articles from across the spectrum of AI optimists, AI realists, and AI pessimists and showcase the impact of AI across different domains and fields.
The news is curated by Oliver Rochford, Technologist, and former Gartner Research Director. AI (ChatGPT) is used in analysis and for summaries.
Want to summarize your news articles using ChatGPT? Here's the latest iteration of the prompt. The Curious AI Newsletter is brought to you by the Cyber Futurists.
Business Cyber Risk Expert | NIST CSF & Zero Trust Assessment Leader | CISO Advisor | IT Market Analyst | Polymath-Autodidact
8 个月I’m laughing for all of you that have been around a long time seeing these things accelerate but not necessarily deal with root issues. The obsession with pressing forward begs the questions: 1. Is this the right direction? How can we know? 2. Is there greater evidence this will address the “issue” and not just hide more symptoms? How can we know? 3. What does our past tell us? If we’ve dug ourselves into a hole (risk) then the questions must be what is the best direction to dig ourselves out? Climbings not an option as my friend Jason Keirstead says we are all in this “together”…the hole. Down does not seem like an appealing direction imho.
Digital Marketing Analyst @ Sivantos
8 个月Exciting AI updates! Can't wait to dive in! ??
? ? Product | Solution Marketer ? ? Quantum Ambassador ? ? Planning & Executing to Market Success
8 个月Oliver Rochford It seems that there is no line that AI cannot cross or bend. Yes, the pot is calling the kettle back.
???? ???? ?? I Publishing you @ Forbes, Yahoo, Vogue, Business Insider and more I Helping You Grow on LinkedIn I Connect for Promoting Your AI Tool
8 个月Wow, Curious AI #20 sounds like quite the rollercoaster of developments in the AI space!