Notes I took from the artificial intelligence news that caught my eye between January 10 and January 18.

  • Announced at CES 2024 and creating a storm for a few days, the Rabbit company introduced its AI-powered device called ‘R1’. As far as I understand, it aims to make things easier with a generative AI that comes alongside the hardware. The way the device works, which you can control by chatting, has been described as a ‘Large Action Model’ (LAM). Unlike the LLM (Large Language Model) we know, the sim card-supported device, which works as push-to-talk instead of chatting, provides the necessary information from the internet. The device, sold for 200 dollars, has already received 20,000 pre-orders. It didn’t create much excitement in me, but… I will follow the fate of the product that will be released in the spring months.

By the way, Microsoft CEO stated that the Rabbit R1 AI Gadget was the ‘most impressive’ demo since Steve Jobs’s iPhone unveiling.

  • I learned that Sam Altman, one of the founders of OpenAI, got married. But that’s not the sensational part. It turns out the guy is gay. I didn’t have the heart to post the wedding photo. I am closing this topic here.
  • Let’s continue with OpenAI. OpenAI launched the GPT Store service. They announced it with a published blog post. It hosts custom GPT applications that allow users to generate text and images specific to their own needs using OpenAI’s GPT-4 and DALL-E 3 models. The revenue model of the service, which only paid members can benefit from, will reportedly be announced later. Meanwhile, OpenAI, which was supposedly founded as open-source, has now quietly removed the ‘cannot be used for military purposes’ clause from its terms of service. Let’s see what kind of problems this update will cause.

After writing this article, I saw a news piece like this: “ChatGPT’s new app store is struggling to keep a lid on all the AI girlfriends.” Yes, another problem regarding artificial intelligence (actually regarding humans) is pornography.

  • Sheryl Crow made artificial intelligence (AI) the subject of her new song “Evolution”. In the song, she talks about the rapid advancement of technology and its potential dangers. She sings that artificial intelligence could potentially make the world a better place, but it could also be a dangerous force that leads to destruction.
  • According to the news from AndroidAuthority , it is rumored that a paid option will come to Microsoft’s free artificial intelligence assistant Copilot service. Researchers examining the codes of the latest Edge browser updates for Android found a hint of an option called Copilot Pro. According to what they say, Copilot Pro benefits could include access to the latest artificial intelligence models, high-quality image generation, and more.
  • The article published today on the IMF blog literally dropped like a bomb on AI news sites. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, in the article where she highlighted the significant challenges that advances in artificial intelligence could create in the labor market, stated that artificial intelligence will affect 60% of jobs in advanced economies and 40% of jobs globally. The article, titled “AI Will Transform the Global Economy. Let’s Make Sure It Benefits Humanity”, states that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the global economy. AI has the potential to increase productivity, accelerate global growth, and raise incomes worldwide. However, it also warns that it could cause negative effects by increasing unemployment and deepening inequality. Furthermore, the article evaluates the potential benefits and risks of AI and explains the steps that need to be taken to ensure this technology benefits humanity. Those who are curious can examine the article in-depth.
  • Samsung introduced its new phones S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra. The presentation started, continued, and ended with ‘AI this, AI that’. The real-time language translation with artificial intelligence was really nice. A truly useful feature that touches life. The years when the language barrier will begin to disappear are coming. Apart from this, they focused heavily on the use of artificial intelligence in taking and editing photos, and searching with Google. And of course, minor improvements in other features. Finally, they gave a hint for the highly anticipated legendary Samsung Galaxy Ring. According to rumors, a smart ring might also come out next year. Speaking of smart, it is naturally AI-powered. A ring was all we were missing.
  • An interesting outburst came from Elon Musk. On the X/Twitter platform he owns, he openly warned Tesla that unless his ownership in Tesla increased to 25 percent, he would be “uncomfortable growing the company to be a leader in AI and robotics”. He also asked why major investors like Fidelity, who own similar shares to him in Tesla, where he currently owns a 13% stake, do not “show up for work”. He also added to the continuation of the tweet that he believes 25 percent is a fair share ratio for him. 🙂

I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I can’t be overturned.

Unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla. You don’t seem to understand…— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 15, 2024

  • Every statement and interview Sam Altman makes becomes news. According to CNBC’s news , Altman said that human-level artificial intelligence is coming but it will change the world much less than we think. This statement seemed to me a bit like ‘frightening the little lambs’. They had revealed the potential of artificial intelligence by turning the OpenAI project, which they started as open-source, into a closed and commercial one on the grounds that things could get out of hand. If you ask me, things have already gotten out of hand anyway… Anyway!
  • Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates said that artificial intelligence (AI) will radically change our lives in the next five years. In an interview with CNN, Gates predicts that artificial intelligence will make many of the technologies we currently use in our daily lives smarter and more efficient. Also touching on the potential risks, Gates stated that the benefits artificial intelligence will provide outweigh them.