Weekly Roundup: Key Stories in AI, Tech, and Digital Transformation

This week, I came across some interesting updates that I thought were worth sharing.

What's inside

• Zoho launched DataPrep, Version 2.0
• ChatGPT Appeared to Be Messaging Users Unprompted
• Microsoft, BlackRock form group to raise $100 billion for Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP)
• Canada Invests $2.4 Billion in AI.
• LinkedIn's Privacy Policy Update: Data Use for Generative AI Training
• Salesforce Agentforce: The Next Evolution in AI-Powered Customer Engagement
• Leonardo.Ai Ultra Mode – A New Level of Detail and Quality in Image Generation
• Google Unveils New AI Features for Enhanced Ad Campaigns
• Google.org Announces $25M AI Funding for Education
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2: Python in Excel, Dynamic Pages, and AI Agents
• Runway Partners with Lionsgate to explore the use of AI in film production.

Zoho launched DataPrep, Version 2.0

Zoho DataPrep has been upgraded to the new 2.0 version. In this new version, it is easy to build an end-to-end pipeline and have complete control of data movement with a visual pipeline builder.

Some key features of the new version include:

• Visual Pipeline Builder: Easily create and run complex data pipelines in minutes--no coding required.
• Ask Zia, Your AI Assistant: Tell Zia your data prep needs, and transform your data with natural language instructions.
• Pipeline Templates: Save time by reusing pipeline templates for similar processes--no need to start from scratch.
• Real-Time Monitoring Dashboard: Track and manage your pipelines effortlessly, monitor jobs, and have a bird's-eye view of all your data pipelines.
• Orchestrate Data Workflow: Instantly get alerts when pipelines fail or set up pipeline sequencing with ease with Zoho Flow and custom webhooks that are made available.

ChatGPT Appeared to Be Messaging Users Unprompted

A recent incident involving ChatGPT sparked significant discussion when users reported that the AI appeared to initiate conversations without prompts.

• Viral Reddit Post: A user named SentuBill shared on r/singularity that ChatGPT messaged them first, inquiring about their first week of high school. This post gained traction, leading to widespread debate about AI's capabilities.
• User Experiences: Several other users reported similar occurrences, including one instance where ChatGPT followed up the day after a scheduled surgery to ask how it went.
• Speculation and Concerns: The situation raised questions about whether this behavior was a new feature or a glitch, particularly in light of OpenAI's recent model releases. Concerns about privacy and the AI's ability to remember personal details were also voiced.
• OpenAI's Response: OpenAI addressed the issue, clarifying that it was a bug caused by the model attempting to respond to a message that didn't send properly. They confirmed that this behavior was unintentional and have since issued a fix to prevent AI from appearing to initiate conversations in the future.
• Broader Implications: This incident has ignited discussions about the future of AI engagement and the delicate balance between convenience and privacy in AI systems.

Microsoft and BlackRock Form Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP):

Microsoft, BlackRock, and Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle have launched the Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP) to raise $30 billion, with a potential total of $100 billion, for AI data centers and energy infrastructure.....

“Accelerated computing and generative AI are driving a growing need for AI infrastructure for the next industrial revolution,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “NVIDIA will use its expertise as a full stack computing platform to support GAIIP and its portfolio companies on the design and integration of AI factories to propel industry innovation.”

“We are committed to ensuring AI helps advance innovation and drives growth across every sector of the economy,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership will help us deliver on this vision, as we bring together financial and industry leaders to build the infrastructure of the future and power it in a sustainable way.”

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Canada Invests $2.4 Billion in AI:

The Canadian government announced a $2.4 billion investment to enhance computing capabilities and technological infrastructure for AI research and development.

These investments will accelerate job growth in Canada’s AI sector and beyond, boost productivity by helping researchers and businesses develop and adopt AI, and ensure this is done responsibly.

These measures include:

• Investing $2?billion to build and provide access to computing capabilities and technological infrastructure for Canada’s world-leading AI researchers, start-ups, and scale-ups.
• Boosting AI start-ups with $200?million in support to bring new technologies to market and accelerate AI adoption in critical sectors, such as agriculture, clean technology, health care, and manufacturing, through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.
• Investing $100?million in the NRC IRAP AI Assist Program to help small and medium-sized businesses scale up and increase productivity by building and deploying new AI solutions.?
• Providing $50?million to support workers who may be impacted by AI.?
• Creating a new Canadian AI Safety Institute, with $50?million to further the safe development and deployment of AI.
• Strengthening enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, with $5.1?million for the Office of the AI and Data Commissioner.....continue reading

LinkedIn's Privacy Policy Update: Data Use for Generative AI Training

This week, LinkedIn announced updates to its User Agreement and Privacy Policy, with notable changes around the use of user data for training generative AI models. LinkedIn now clarifies that information shared by members will be used to develop new AI-driven content generation tools, with an opt-out option available for users concerned about data privacy. However, users in the European Economic Area and Switzerland will be excluded from this data use for now, raising questions about regional differences in data protection. The changes will take effect on November 20, 2024.

Here are 10 interesting points from LinkedIn's User Agreement

• Generative AI Training: LinkedIn uses user data to train AI models for content generation. Users have the ability to opt-out of this data sharing, but users in the European Economic Area and Switzerland are excluded from AI training for now.
• License to Content: While users own the content they post, they grant LinkedIn a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use, modify, distribute, and display that content.
• Opt-out Setting for AI Training: Users can opt-out of having their data used for generative AI training, providing some control over data privacy in relation to AI.
• Regional Differences: LinkedIn offers different levels of data privacy based on where users reside. For example, users in the EU and Switzerland are treated differently regarding AI training.
• Content Moderation and Recommendation: The agreement includes more detailed provisions about how LinkedIn moderates content and recommends content to users, with a focus on optimizing user experience.
• Automated Content Generation: LinkedIn's generative AI features may produce automated content, but the user is responsible for reviewing and ensuring the accuracy of such content before sharing it.
• Paid Services and Auto-renewal: Users who purchase LinkedIn's paid services are automatically billed at the start of each subscription period unless they cancel before the renewal date.
• Single Account Rule: Users are required to maintain only one LinkedIn account, which must be under their real name, and creating accounts on behalf of others is prohibited.
• Service Termination: LinkedIn or users can terminate the agreement at any time, but certain rights and obligations, like data sharing rights or fees owed, continue even after termination.
• Intellectual Property Rights: LinkedIn reserves all intellectual property rights in its services, and users cannot reverse engineer, copy, or distribute content, technology, or features owned by LinkedIn without permission.

This update underscores the growing integration of AI in digital platforms and the importance of transparency and user control over data.

Salesforce Agentforce: The Next Evolution in AI-Powered Customer Engagement

Salesforce has recently unveiled Agentforce, a significant advancement in AI-powered customer engagement and business automation. Here are the critical details about Agentforce:

Overview

Agentforce is Salesforce's suite of autonomous AI agents designed to revolutionize how businesses interact with customers and manage operations. It represents what Salesforce calls the "Third Wave of AI," moving beyond copilots to highly accurate, low-hallucination intelligent agents.

Key Features

• Autonomous Operation: Agentforce agents can work independently within customized guardrails, retrieving data, creating action plans, and executing tasks with minimal human intervention.
• Real-time Data Adaptation: Agents utilize up-to-date information from Salesforce's Data Cloud to provide relevant and personalized interactions.
• Low-Code Customization: Businesses can easily customize and deploy agents using low-code tools like Agent Builder, making AI capabilities accessible to companies without extensive technical teams.
• Salesforce Platform Integration: Agentforce integrates deeply with the Salesforce ecosystem, including Data Cloud, Slack, and other Salesforce tools.....continue reading

Leonardo.Ai Ultra Mode – A New Level of Detail and Quality in Image Generation

Leonardo.AI has recently unveiled a significant update to their image generation capabilities with the introduction of Ultra Mode. This new feature represents a substantial improvement in image quality and detail. Here are the key aspects of Leonardo.AI's Ultra Mode:

Here are the key aspects of Leonardo.AI's Ultra Mode:

Ultra Upscaler

• Enhanced Detail: The Ultra Upscaler provides a remarkable level of detail, surpassing previous upscaling tools offered by Leonardo.AI
• Large File Compatibility: It's particularly effective for upscaling large files, making it ideal for creating high-resolution images

Accessibility

• Model Specific: Ultra Mode is currently available only when using the Leonardo Phoenix model
• User Interface: The option for Ultra upscaling appears alongside existing options like "Fast" and "Quality" in the generation settings.

Google Unveils New AI Features for Enhanced Ad Campaigns

Google recently announced new features for AI-powered campaigns during DMEXCO, including expanded Gemini AI models for search campaigns in more languages, generative AI tools for dynamic asset creation, and deeper insights in Performance Max campaigns. Advertisers can now use AI-powered image editing, enhanced creative reporting, and brand guidelines for more control over AI-generated content. These updates aim to help advertisers achieve better ROI while maintaining creative flexibility.

Key updates include:

• Gemini AI models now support Search campaigns in German, French, and Spanish.
• AI-powered Performance Max features expanded image editing and asset generation for more campaigns.
• New controls allow advertisers to upload reference images and set brand guidelines for consistent visuals.
• Deeper insights with improved asset reporting and conversion metrics.
• Introduction of negative keywords for campaign-level control in Performance Max.

Google.org Announces $25M AI Funding for Education

Google.org is investing over $25 million to equip 500,000 U.S. educators and students with foundational AI skills. Partnering with organizations like ISTE, 4-H, aiEDU, CodePath, and STEM From Dance, the initiative focuses on AI curriculum development, teacher training, and inclusive learning. Programs will target underserved communities, including rural and Indigenous students. This announcement builds on Google.org’s $75M AI Opportunity Fund, aiming to provide AI skills to over one million Americans.

Read the full update here.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2: Python in Excel, Pages, and AI Agents

Microsoft 365 Copilot's Wave 2 introduces major updates, including Python integration in Excel, allowing users to leverage Python scripts for advanced data analysis directly within their spreadsheets. Copilot in Pages offers dynamic content creation assistance, enhancing productivity in document workflows. Additionally, new AI-powered agents are integrated across Microsoft 365 apps to streamline tasks and improve user efficiency.

• Python in Excel: Allows users to run Python code directly within Excel for advanced data analysis and automation.
• Copilot in Pages: Assists in generating dynamic content for documents, improving content creation workflows.
• AI Agents: Integrated across apps to automate tasks and provide intelligent assistance.
• Improved Task Automation: Enhanced capabilities for automating repetitive tasks across Microsoft 365.
• New Data Visualization Tools: Advanced tools to visualize data more effectively, particularly in Excel.

Read the full update here.

Runway Partners with Lionsgate to explore the use of AI in film production.

Runway has officially partnered with Lionsgate to create and train a new AI model tailored to Lionsgate’s proprietary catalogue. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to enhance the work of Lionsgate Studios, filmmakers, directors, and other creative talents by generating cinematic video content that can be further refined using Runway’s suite of controllable tools.

Key Highlights from the Partnership:

• AI Model Development: The partnership focuses on developing a customized AI model that leverages Lionsgate's extensive catalogue and is designed to support various stages of production.
• Creative Enhancement: The AI model is intended to augment the creative processes in pre- and post-production, allowing filmmakers to explore innovative content creation opportunities.

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