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.?

There are just so many things happening all at the same time in this industry and it’s often a job in itself to keep up to date with the latest, so it’s my pleasure to digest it all for you and share with you some of my favourites or most essential developments in the space.

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

OpenAI Unveils Exciting Enhancements to ChatGPT Including Data Analysis Across Multiple Files

OpenAI has announced a series of updates to its ChatGPT model, aimed at providing a more engaging and efficient experience for users. These updates, to be rolled out over the coming week, include a range of features that extend the functionality and ease of use of ChatGPT.

1. Prompt Examples for Inspiration: Recognizing that a blank page can sometimes feel daunting, OpenAI has introduced prompt examples at the beginning of a new chat. These examples provide guidance and inspiration to users, helping them get started with their conversation.

2. Suggested Replies for Depth: ChatGPT will now offer suggested replies, allowing users to explore relevant ways to continue the conversation. This can add depth and direction to the interaction.

3. Default to GPT-4 for Plus Users: Plus users will now find GPT-4 as the default model when they open a new chat. This enhancement removes the need to manually switch from GPT-3.5, streamlining the process.

4. Analyzing Data Across Multiple Files: Perhaps the most intriguing update is the new ability to ask ChatGPT to analyze data and generate insights across multiple files. Available with the Code Interpreter beta for Plus users, this feature brings a new dimension to data analysis and interpretation.

5. Extended Login Duration: Users will now enjoy the convenience of staying logged in, as OpenAI has removed the automatic sign-out every two weeks. When users do need to log in, they will find a more welcoming page.

6. Keyboard Shortcuts for Efficiency: To enhance productivity, OpenAI has added keyboard shortcuts, like ? (Ctrl) + Shift + ; to copy the last code block. Users can try ? (Ctrl) + / to see the complete list of shortcuts.

These updates collectively represent a substantial improvement to the ChatGPT experience. By introducing user-friendly features like prompt examples and suggested replies, OpenAI is encouraging more thoughtful and enriched interactions. The ability to analyze data across multiple files opens new doors for users to explore and understand complex information.

The upgrade to GPT-4 by default for Plus users reflects OpenAI's commitment to providing the latest technology to its community. Together with the enhanced login experience and efficient keyboard shortcuts, these updates affirm OpenAI's ongoing efforts to refine and enhance its offerings.

For both new and seasoned users, these enhancements offer a richer, more engaging, and more streamlined experience with ChatGPT. They are reflective of OpenAI's commitment to continuous innovation and user-centric design. Whether you're exploring creative writing, engaging in deep conversations, or analyzing multifaceted data, the new features of ChatGPT are set to make the experience more enjoyable and effective.

IBM Joins Forces with NASA to Create the Geospatial Model for Earth Science

IBM and NASA are collaborating on an ambitious project to process and make sense of an enormous amount of satellite data. By 2024, NASA's Earth science missions are expected to generate roughly a quarter of a million terabytes of data. Analyzing this vast quantity of information is a complex task, one that has led to a collaboration between IBM, HuggingFace, and NASA to create an open-source geospatial foundation model.

The purpose of this foundation model is to develop a new generation of climate and Earth science AI systems. These systems will have a broad range of applications, such as tracking deforestation, predicting crop yields, and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions.

For the project, IBM is employing its recently launched Watsonx.ai as the foundational model. The model utilizes a full year of NASA's Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 satellite data (HLS), collected by the ESA's Sentinel-2 satellites. These satellites are designed to capture high-resolution optical imagery of land and coastal regions across 13 spectral bands.

HuggingFace, known for its open-source AI platform, is hosting the model. Through fine-tuning specific labelled data, such as flood and burn scar mapping, the team was able to enhance the model's performance by 15 per cent over the current state of the art, while using only half the data.

The collaboration represents a significant step forward in the application of open-source technologies to critical areas like climate change. Sriram Raghavan, VP of IBM Research AI, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in a recent press release. He stated, “By combining IBM’s foundation model efforts aimed at creating flexible, reusable AI systems with NASA’s repository of Earth-satellite data, and making it available on the leading open-source AI platform, Hugging Face, we can leverage the power of collaboration to implement faster and more impactful solutions that will improve our planet.”

This new initiative brings together cutting-edge technology and a powerful commitment to environmental sustainability. By leveraging collective expertise and resources, IBM, HuggingFace, and NASA are setting a new standard for using AI in the service of understanding and preserving our planet.

Apple's $22.6 Billion Research Spend Linked to Generative AI, Reveals CEO Tim Cook

Apple, a company typically reticent about its advances in artificial intelligence (AI), has finally shed some light on its extensive research in the field. The tech giant's CEO, Tim Cook, disclosed that some of its $22.61 billion research and development spend for the current year was driven by its work on generative AI. The figure is a significant $3.12 billion higher than the same period last year.

In an interview with Reuters, Cook emphasized the company's commitment to AI, stating, "We've been doing research across a wide range of AI technologies, including generative AI, for years." He further added, "Obviously, we're investing a lot, and it is showing up in the R&D spending that you're looking at."

Despite the substantial investment in research, Apple's Q3 earnings revealed a drop in revenue and declining sales, particularly in the iPhone sector. The company's stock fell around 2% in premarket trading. Meanwhile, the iPhone sales failed to meet analysts' expectations.

Apple's quiet approach to AI contrasts sharply with its competitors like Meta, Microsoft, and Google, all of whom are actively engaged in the so-called AI arms race to bring innovative products to the market. The company's slow public progress in AI became evident during its June WWDC keynote, where generative AI went unmentioned for the entire two-hour duration. It was only during an earnings call, prompted by an analyst's question about the company's seeming reluctance to discuss AI, that Cook affirmed the technology was "absolutely critical" to Apple. He acknowledged AI and machine learning as "integral to virtually every product."

According to Bloomberg, Apple is not only investing in research but also ramping up its product production in AI. Reports indicate that the company is working on new AI tools, including a large language model, informally referred to by some employees as "Apple GPT."

The disclosure of Apple's investment in generative AI provides insight into a previously hidden aspect of the company's strategy. While competitors have been more vocal and transparent about their AI ambitions, Apple's quiet but substantial financial commitment signals a long-term investment in AI technologies. Cook's statement underlines the importance of AI in shaping the future of technology, and it will be intriguing to see how Apple's approach unfolds in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Whether Apple will join the AI arms race with a public display of its innovations or continue to keep its cards close to its chest remains to be seen. But what's clear is that AI is a crucial part of Apple's future roadmap, and its work in generative AI could lead to groundbreaking products in the years to come.