AI Business Weekly: Top Stories & Key Moves - April 15, 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of AI Business Weekly, your go-to source for the most recent developments and trends in the dynamic field of artificial intelligence. Dive into groundbreaking research, industry dynamics, and investment trends that are shaping the future of AI.

AI Innovations and Research Advances:

• ETA's Llama 3 Release: Reports suggest that ETA could unveil the next version of its large language model, Llama 3, as early as next week. The Information claims that a smaller version of Llama 3 might be released beforehand, with the full open-source model slated for July. The model is expected to compete with Claude 3 and GPT-4. (Read more)
• OpenAI's ChatGPT Upgrade: OpenAI has recently enhanced ChatGPT with the GPT-4 Turbo upgrade, extending the knowledge cutoff to December 2023 and introducing various improvements. (Read more)
• Udio: AI-Powered Music Creation App: Former Google DeepMind researchers have launched Udio, an AI-powered music creation app that simplifies the process of creating full audio tracks in seconds. Backed by big names like a16z and celebrities, Udio aims to democratize music creation. (Read more)
• Intel's Gaudi 3 AI Accelerator Chip: Intel unveiled its new AI accelerator chip, Gaudi 3, at the Vision 2024 event. Positioned as an alternative to Nvidia's H100, Gaudi 3 boasts strong performance, particularly in running large language models like ChatGPT. (Read more)
• Meta's MTIA Chip: Meta has launched its latest custom artificial intelligence chip, the Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA), advancing its hardware capabilities. Learn more about this development and its significance for the social media giant. (Read more)
• Therabot: AI-Powered Therapeutic App: Dartmouth researchers are conducting a clinical trial for Therabot, an AI-powered therapeutic app designed to improve access to mental health care. Therabot, a text-based AI app, aims to provide support and guidance to users. (Read more)

Industry Dynamics, Politics, Governance, and Trends:

• Federal Government Use of AI: New research reveals that Canada's federal government has utilized artificial intelligence in nearly 300 projects and initiatives, ranging from predicting tax case outcomes to promoting diversity in hiring. (Read more)
• Ukraine's AI Drone Attacks: Ukraine-launched drones have targeted Russian oil refineries, leading to disruptions in refining capacity and impacting energy markets. JPMorgan estimates significant offline capacity due to these strikes. (Read more)
• Instagram's Modi AI Images: Instagram has faced scrutiny for boosting AI-generated images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that violate platform rules. The incident occurred before India's elections, raising concerns about political advertising. (Read more)
• AI President in Lebanon: A Lebanese newspaper has introduced the world's first artificial intelligence tool designed to assume presidential duties, aiming to break political deadlock. The "AI President" analyzes historical data and current events to provide insights into political, legal, and governmental matters. (Read more)
• China's Military AI Investments: China is significantly investing in military AI, augmenting its arsenal of missiles, jets, and ships with advanced artificial intelligence technologies. (Read more)

Investments and Growth:

• Collaborative Robotics' Funding Round: Collaborative Robotics, a robotics startup, has raised $100 million in a Series B round led by General Catalyst. The funding will support the company's continued growth and innovation in robotics. (Read more)
• Microsoft's Investment in Japan: Microsoft announced a $2.9 billion investment over the next two years to expand its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan. The investment aims to enhance digital skilling programs and cybersecurity collaboration while fostering innovation. (Read more)
• SiMa.ai's Funding Round: Silicon Valley-based startup SiMa.ai has raised a $70 million extension funding round to bring its second-generation chipset, designed for multimodal generative AI processing, to market. The funding will support the company's efforts to advance embedded machine learning technology. (Read more)
• Cathie Wood's Ark Investment in OpenAI: Cathie Wood's Ark Investment Management has announced a stake in OpenAI, making it 4% of Ark Venture Fund, just behind Anthropic. Ark's Winton has described the foundation model progress as 'mind-blowing'. (Read more)

Conclusion:

As we wrap up another enlightening edition of AI Business Weekly, we're reminded of the profound impact artificial intelligence continues to have on our world. From powering innovative products to shaping geopolitical dynamics, AI's influence knows no bounds.

We extend our gratitude to our dedicated readers for joining us on this journey of exploration and discovery. Together, we navigate the complexities of AI, envisioning a future that is both intelligent and inclusive.

Let's continue to harness the power of AI to drive innovation, foster ethical practices, and create a world where everyone can thrive. Until next time, stay inspired by the endless possibilities that AI brings.

Thank you for being part of our esteemed AI community.