Morning Thrust | Weekly Highlights (75th Edition: 19.05.2024)

Welcome to the 75th edition of Morning Thrust,?your?weekly dose?of?highlights?in future tech,?space economy,?sustainability,?smart cities,?supply chain,?logistics and more! In this edition (19.05.2024), we bring you the?most exciting?developments shaping?our world.?Stay informed and?ahead of the curve?with our curated insights.?Let's dive in!

The UAE's Technology Innovation Institute unveils Falcon 2 AI models, challenging big tech with text-based and vision-to-language capabilities. Amidst global AI competition, UAE showcases its prowess, aiming to rival major players like Microsoft. Advanced plans for Falcon 3 generation signal UAE's commitment to AI innovation and competitiveness.

OpenAI introduces GPT-4o, an 'omni' model capable of text, speech, and video processing, promising improved interaction with machines. ChatGPT's experience is enhanced with real-time responsiveness, emotive voice styles, and vision capabilities, evolving towards natural and collaborative interactions. GPT-4o, available in ChatGPT's free tier, boasts multilingual support and faster performance, with advanced features rolling out gradually, including a refreshed UI and desktop versions.

Ilya Sutskever , co-founder and longtime chief scientist of OpenAI, has departed the company. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed sadness at Sutskever's departure and announced Jakub Pachocki as his replacement. Sutskever's exit follows a period of internal conflict over the company's direction, with Altman briefly ousted and subsequently reinstated.

谷歌 I/O 2024 brought a flood of AI advancements from Google, including a revamped search engine, AI-powered helpers in Workspace apps, and Project Astra's futuristic vision. Notable unveilings also include privacy concerns over AI voice call scans, updated security features for Android, and enhancements to Google TV, Google Maps, and Wear OS. Additionally, new AI models like LearnLM and Gemini received attention, alongside improvements in Google Photos and Google Play.

谷歌 introduces Gemini AI to Gmail at Google I/O 2024, allowing users to search, summarize, draft emails, and more with AI assistance. Gemini can help users process tasks like e-commerce returns and organizing receipts, raising concerns about privacy and data usage despite its efficiency. Gemini will extend to other Workspace apps, offering meeting highlights in Google Meet.

谷歌 introduces Firebase Genkit at Google I/O, simplifying AI integration into apps with JavaScript/TypeScript and forthcoming Go support. Genkit, an open-source framework under Apache 2.0 license, facilitates easy AI implementation in various applications, supporting use cases like content generation, text translation, and image creation. With seamless integration into Firebase's toolchain and support for third-party projects, developers can leverage Genkit for local testing and deployment via Google's serverless platforms, alongside new Firebase offerings like SQL database support and serverless web hosting.

Google Maps Platform will integrate Gemini model capabilities, allowing developers to offer AI-generated summaries of places within their apps. This feature, announced at Google I/O 2024, eliminates the need for developers to manually craft descriptions, enhancing user experience. Contextual search results, displaying relevant reviews and photos, are also introduced to the Places API, initially in the U.S. with plans for global expansion.

谷歌 's I/O keynote emphasized AI with over 120 mentions, highlighting its integration into various platforms. CEO Sundar Pichai cheekily noted the count, reflecting the company's commitment to AI. Despite competition from OpenAI , Google's focus on AI remained prominent.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announces a €7.8 billion investment in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany, reflecting a long-term commitment to Europe's digital sovereignty. The investment aims to accelerate local cloud community growth, support job creation, and contribute €17.2 billion to Germany's GDP by 2040. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud offers customers control over data residency and operational autonomy within the EU, providing more choice for public sector and regulated industry organizations.

亚马逊 announces a ￡1.3 billion investment in France, creating 3,000 jobs. The investment will boost cloud infrastructure and logistics, supporting France's growing AI industry. This move marks Amazon's commitment to France, adding to its existing 22,000 employees and expanding its logistics network to enhance delivery speed and reduce emissions.

Venture capital firm Accel raises $650 million for AI and cybersecurity startups in Europe and Israel, targeting 25 to 30 new companies over 12 years. With a focus on AI's future impact, Accel eyes London and Paris as key hubs for emerging technologies.

Norrsken VC , an early-stage impact investor based in Stockholm, closes its second fund at €320 million, surpassing its initial target of €250 million, making it Europe's largest early-stage impact fund. The fund aims to support startups tackling global challenges, with a focus on sustainability and positive social impact, backed by institutional investors like AP1 and Credit Suisse. With over 50 startups already supported, Norrsken VC seeks to empower founders driving positive change aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Chinese investment in the UAE surged by 16% to $1.3bn in 2023, reflecting strengthened economic ties. The UAE reciprocated with a 120% increase in investments in China. Both countries aim to deepen cooperation in various sectors, bolstered by the UAE's efforts to attract foreign direct investment and China's expansion strategies amidst US trade pressures.

French payments app Lydia Solutions has launched Sumeria, a European banking super app, aiming to invest €100 million and hire 400 staff over three years to establish itself in France before expanding across Europe. Sumeria offers a 4% interest online account and plans to apply for a credit institution license while emphasizing simplicity and accessibility in financial services. Previously known for peer-to-peer payments, Lydia evolves into a comprehensive financial platform offering loans, savings, and cryptocurrency services to its 7 million users.

索尼 Music Group has issued warnings to over 700 tech companies and music streaming services, cautioning against unauthorized use of its content for training AI. The company, representing artists like Harry Styles and Beyoncé, emphasizes the importance of respecting copyrights and ensuring appropriate compensation. This move reflects growing concerns about copyright infringement amid the rise of AI-generated content and legislative efforts to protect artists' rights.

Slack faces backlash for its AI training policy, as users discover they must opt out via email from data usage. The confusion arises from outdated privacy terms and undisclosed AI features, raising concerns about user data privacy and transparency. Users express frustration over Slack's approach, emphasizing the importance of clear terms regarding data usage in AI development.

苹果 and 谷歌 have collaborated to introduce a standard alert system on iOS and Android devices, notifying users of potential tracking by unknown Bluetooth devices. This initiative, called "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers," aims to combat issues like airtag stalking, with alerts appearing regardless of device pairing. The move follows instances of Bluetooth trackers, such as Apple's AirTags, being misused for stalking, prompting the industry-wide initiative and future compatibility commitments from Bluetooth tag companies.

苹果 introduces new accessibility features for iPhone and iPad users, including eye-tracking technology, vocal shortcuts, and music haptics. These innovations aim to enhance user experience for diverse needs, with features like Dwell Control and Motion Cues to aid navigation and reduce motion sickness. Additionally, updates to CarPlay and upcoming features in visionOS expand accessibility across Apple's ecosystem.

微软 is set to introduce its custom Cobalt 100 chips at the Build conference next week, boasting 40% better performance than other Arm chips. Alongside, AMD 's MI300X accelerators will also be available for Azure clients, marking AMD's strides in the AI space. Additionally, Microsoft will unveil pricing drops for large language model access and a real-time intelligence system, with plans to integrate Copilot for Azure resource management using natural language.

英特尔 is nearing an $11 billion deal with Apollo Global Management, Inc. to build a chip factory in Ireland, aiming to bolster its global manufacturing presence amidst plans for a $100-billion spending spree across the US. The exclusive talks with Apollo signal Intel's strategic expansion efforts amid competition with chipmaking rival 台积公司 . Other investment firms were also in contention, with Intel and Apollo yet to comment on the reported deal.

英伟达 's CUDA-Q platform accelerates quantum computing centers in Germany, Japan, and Poland, enhancing research with QPUs integrated into supercomputing systems. Supercomputing sites utilize QPUs from various manufacturers to explore quantum applications in diverse fields like AI, energy, and biology, facilitated by NVIDIA's quantum-computing platform, CUDA-Q. This open-source platform enables tight integration of quantum and classical computing, fostering innovative research and the development of efficient algorithms.

Startups like Overland AI and Potential , supported by VC funding and military contracts, pioneer off-road autonomous vehicle technology, targeting military operations and industrial sectors. These ventures, diverging from urban robotaxis, prioritize software that navigates without detailed maps or remote assistance. Investors recognize the potential, with a focus on addressing labor shortages and enhancing safety in off-road environments, paving the way for a new era of autonomy beyond public roads.

Yandex and Grubhub partner to introduce driverless food delivery robots at U.S. college campuses, leveraging Yandex's autonomous technology. This initiative aims to enhance campus food delivery efficiency, overcoming obstacles faced by traditional vehicles. The service will debut this autumn, marking a significant step in Yandex's global commercialization of self-driving technology.

Uber has struck a $1.25 billion deal with Delivery Hero for foodpanda Taiwan, aiming to bolster liquidity amidst rising competition in Asia's food delivery sector. The acquisition is expected to enhance Uber's delivery business by at least $150 million annually, with regulatory concerns looming over the combined 90% market share held by Uber and Delivery Hero in Taiwan.

SpaceX 's Starlink is forecasted to reach record revenue in 2024 despite delays, with analysts projecting $6.6 billion, surpassing its launch business. The satellite internet company, with over 2.7 million subscribers across 75 countries, continues rapid growth, fueled by reusable Falcon 9 rockets and plans for expansion, including its Starship rocket. Despite concerns about light pollution, Starlink's success marks a significant milestone in the space economy.

Revolutionary rocket engine by Howe Industries LLC promises a Mars journey in just two months, a significant leap from the current nine-month duration. Utilizing pulsed plasma technology driven by nuclear fission, the system offers higher speeds and fuel efficiency. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration collaborates with Howe Industries, foreseeing a transformative impact on manned space missions, reducing exposure to cosmic radiation and enabling heavier spacecraft.

The Saudi Center for Space Futures, in collaboration with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration , aims to support lunar missions and foster a $2 trillion global space economy by 2035. NASA Chief Bill Nelson highlights plans to return to the moon with commercial and international partnerships during his visit to Riyadh, emphasizing the significance of public-private collaboration in advancing space exploration and economic growth.

European Space Agency - ESA and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration collaborate for Europe's Mars rover, Rosalind Franklin, with key US contributions including launch services and propulsion elements. New agreement formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Paris. Rosalind Franklin, set to land on Mars in 2030, aims to drill up to two meters below the surface to search for signs of past life, showcasing vital technologies for future exploration missions.

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