Latest In Web3, AI & Emerging Tech

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of my weekly newsletter, where I bring you updates on the latest happenings in the world of Web3, AI, and Emerging Technologies.

As always, I am excited to share with you the most recent developments and advancements in these fields. With so much happening in the tech world, it can be challenging to keep up, but my goal is to provide you with valuable insights and updates that can help you stay informed and up-to-date.?

So without further ado, let's dive into this week's news!

Google launches its Bard AI to a select number of users in the US and the UK

Google has announced that its Bard AI platform is now available for a limited number of users in the US and UK to test. The generative AI product can be accessed at bard.google.com, and users will need to sign in with a Google account to use it. According to Google, testers will be able to use the platform to boost their productivity, fuel their curiosity and accelerate their ideas. The platform can give tips to help users achieve their goals, explain complex topics in simple terms or even help with creative writing.

Google is putting in place guardrails to ensure that conversations between users and the AI don’t spiral out of control. The company will cap the number of exchanges in a dialogue to try to keep interactions helpful and on topic. However, it won’t limit the number of daily chats. Google expects the testing phase to help it understand how often people engage with Bard, and the feedback it receives from testers will be crucial in improving the platform.

The announcement follows several months of rapid testing since the introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT technology in November 2022. ChatGPT has since been integrated into a limited version of Microsoft's search engine Bing. In January, it was reported that Google had been testing its LaMDA technology in the Bard chatbot and on search pages. Google announced the product the following week.

In addition to opening up the Bard platform to a limited number of users, Google has also said it will be expanding availability over time to more countries and languages. The company has faced criticism from employees and investors after the initial rollout of Bard, which was seen as rushed to compete with Microsoft's Bing integration of ChatGPT. Despite this, Google has continued to push forward with its AI development and has recently opened its AI products to a limited number of users of Workspace, which includes Gmail and Google's productivity tools.

Duolingo introduces AI conversation partner for language learners

Language learning app Duolingo has announced the release of a new subscription tier called Duolingo Max, which includes two AI-powered features designed to help learners deepen their language skills. The features, called Role Play and Explain my Answer, are both powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 technology.

Role Play is an AI conversation partner that allows learners to practice their language skills in a natural, conversational setting. The feature provides learners with prompts for conversations, which are then carried out with the AI partner. The AI partner uses GPT-4 to generate realistic responses based on the learner's input, allowing them to practice their language skills in a realistic way.

Explain my Answer, on the other hand, is designed to help learners understand the rules of grammar by breaking down their mistakes. When a learner makes an error, the feature provides an explanation of the grammar rule they've broken and how to correct it. This feature is also powered by GPT-4, which allows for more accurate and helpful explanations.

Duolingo's decision to incorporate GPT-4 into its platform comes as part of a broader trend in the language learning industry to leverage AI to provide more personalized and effective language instruction. With the new features in Duolingo Max, learners can now take advantage of AI-powered conversation practice and contextual feedback on their mistakes, helping them to deepen their language skills and become more fluent speakers.

Netflix Pursues Cloud Gaming to Bring Games to Every Device

Netflix is moving forward with its cloud gaming service, a project that aims to make its games lineup easier to play and available across multiple devices. The project is still in the early stages, according to Leanne Loombe, the VP of external games, but work is underway. Loombe said the company is being "super thoughtful" about building the service, to avoid pitfalls such as those experienced by Google's Stadia. The streaming giant wants to provide easy access to games on any screen, with frictionless and accessible gaming experiences.

Netflix's mobile games are currently available within the Netflix app, but to play them, you have to download them from the App Store or Google Play. However, the company wants to make the process smoother and more accessible. Loombe said that Netflix's mobile games would continue to operate in the same way for the foreseeable future, as the company is still working on how to combine streaming and mobile app stores. But Netflix is committed to making its titles playable on every Netflix device users have.