Microsoft’s 2024 Surface AI event: news, rumors, and lots of Qualcomm laptops
entspos 11:46 pm May 20, 2024 Microsoft brought together Windows, AI, and Arm processors at their Surface event on May 20th. We tracked all the announcements here and provided live updates and reactions. The major highlight was the introduction of a new class of PCs called Copilot Plus PCs. These computers are equipped with processors that have NPUs (Neural Processing Units) built in, enabling them to perform more AI-oriented tasks directly on the device rather than relying on the cloud. One of the notable AI features is a new Windows capability called Recall. Additionally, Microsoft unveiled a new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro Tablet powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors. These devices are expected to be thinner, lighter, and offer better battery life while handling AI and processor-intensive tasks efficiently. Microsoft wasn’t alone at the event—HP, Asus, Lenovo, Dell, and other manufacturers also showcased their new Copilot Plus PCs. The combination of thinner, more efficient laptops with advanced AI tools like Copilot could redefine our expectations for Windows PCs. As Tom Warren noted in his Notepad newsletter before the event, “Microsoft has clearly grown tired of Intel’s failed attempts at a comeback, so it’s going all in on these latest Qualcomm chips — and bringing its closest PC partners along for the ride.” Recent Posts
Generative AI is speeding up human-like robot development. What that means for jobs
entspos 1:46 pm May 8, 2024 In Beijing, the rise of ChatGPT-like artificial intelligence is accelerating research and pushing humanoid robots closer to reality, particularly in China, a hub for global manufacturing. While OpenAI’s technology isn’t officially accessible in China, local firms like Baidu have introduced similar chatbots and AI models. In the realm of robotics, the advancement of generative AI is enhancing machines’ ability to understand and interact with their surroundings. Li Zhang, COO of LimX Dynamics in Shenzhen, noted that AI has significantly expedited their research and development efforts, shortening the timeline for producing humanoid robots capable of both factory work and household assistance from eight to ten years to an estimated five to seven years. Various companies, including OpenAI and Tesla, are investing in humanoid robot startups, recognizing the potential in this emerging market. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Shanghai showcased a locally developed humanoid robot, highlighting China’s commitment to advancing robotics technology. While AI progress is significant, replacing human labor entirely remains a challenge due to mechanical limitations. Although generative AI doesn’t directly impact robotic motion, it can facilitate advanced task planning, according to Eric Xia, a partner at Future Capital, an investor in LimX. The shift towards using robots in factories could accelerate as costs decrease. Steve Hoffman, chairman of Founders Space, is collaborating with a Chinese startup called Fastra to mass-produce robots within a year. He believes that integrating generative AI into robotics can enhance efficiency and reduce costs, making robots more accessible for widespread adoption. In sectors like pharmaceutical research, generative AI is streamlining processes and cutting costs without diminishing human involvement. Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO of Insilico Medicine, highlights how AI has enabled their company to dramatically reduce the number of experiments needed for drug development, ultimately accelerating the pace of innovation in the industry. Recent Posts
LinkedIn testing Premium Company Page subscription with AI-assisted content creation
entspos 9:28 am April 18, 2024 LinkedIn’s new Premium Company Page subscription service aims to provide small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with enhanced tools to boost their online presence and engagement. Priced at $99/month or $839.88 annually per Page, the service offers AI-driven content generation, follower growth tools, and other features tailored to elevate company profiles. This initiative underscores LinkedIn’s ongoing efforts to diversify its revenue streams and reinforce its utility as a professional networking platform. Amidst concerns about data privacy and content quality on other social platforms, LinkedIn is positioning itself as a trusted space for professionals to establish their digital footprint. Premium Company Page subscribers gain access to various functionalities, including AI-powered content creation, visitor analytics, customizable call-to-action buttons, and prominent display of testimonials. Moreover, the inclusion of AI assistance aligns with LinkedIn’s broader strategy of integrating artificial intelligence into its platform, leveraging its association with Microsoft’s OpenAI. Notably, LinkedIn’s Premium services, including Premium Career, Premium Business, Sales Navigator, Recruiter tiers, and LinkedIn Learning, have become a substantial source of revenue for the company. With Premium user subscriptions reaching $1.7 billion in 2023, LinkedIn continues to capitalize on its diverse offerings tailored to different user segments. In addition to enhancing visibility and engagement, Premium Company Page subscribers may also receive a verification badge, further reinforcing their credibility and trustworthiness on the platform. This premium offering underscores LinkedIn’s commitment to providing value-added services to businesses seeking to maximize their online presence and reach their target audience effectively. Recent Posts
Apple plans Mac line overhaul with AI-focused M4 chips, Bloomberg News reports
entspos 7:28 am April 12, 2024 According to Bloomberg News, Apple is reportedly nearing the production phase of its M4 computer processors, which are expected to feature AI processing capabilities. The company plans to update every Mac model with these new chips, aiming for a release late this year and early next year. The updated lineup is said to include new iMacs, a 14-inch MacBook Pro, both low and high-end versions, as well as Mac minis. The PC industry has seen a decline since the peak of pandemic-driven sales for remote work and learning. To reignite growth, manufacturers are banking on a new wave of laptops and desktops equipped with more powerful chips capable of handling AI tasks locally, without relying on cloud services. Intel, Qualcomm, and reportedly Nvidia are all preparing chips geared towards this purpose. Apple intends to emphasize the AI processing capabilities of its new chips and their integration with the next version of macOS. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment on these reports. This news precedes Apple’s annual developers conference in June, where the company might announce new AI partnerships and unveil significant updates to iOS. Mac sales saw a decline of 27% in Apple’s most recent fiscal year, prompting the company to introduce the current-generation M3 chips and new MacBook Pro and iMac models in October. Recent Posts
OpenAI expands its custom model training program
entspos 7:09 pm April 4, 2024 OpenAI is expanding its Custom Model program to assist enterprise clients in creating tailored generative AI models for specific applications and domains. Launched last year at OpenAI’s DevDay conference, Custom Model has attracted “dozens” of customers, prompting OpenAI to enhance the program to optimize performance further. The expanded program introduces two key components: assisted fine-tuning and custom-trained models. Assisted fine-tuning utilizes advanced techniques, including additional hyperparameters and parameter efficient fine-tuning methods, to improve model performance on specific tasks. Custom-trained models, on the other hand, are built using OpenAI’s base models and tools, allowing customers to deeply fine-tune models or incorporate domain-specific knowledge. OpenAI highlights examples such as SK Telecom and Harvey, who have leveraged Custom Model to enhance GPT-4’s performance for telecom-related conversations in Korean and develop a custom model for legal tools, respectively. With the belief that personalized models tailored to industry, business, or use case will become commonplace, OpenAI emphasizes the importance of custom model development. This initiative aligns with OpenAI’s growth trajectory, with reports suggesting it’s nearing $2 billion in annualized revenue. As the demand for generative AI continues to surge, fine-tuned and custom models offer a solution to alleviate strain on OpenAI’s model serving infrastructure. In addition to the expanded Custom Model program, OpenAI introduces new model fine-tuning features for GPT-3.5 developers, including a dashboard for comparing model quality, third-party platform integrations, and tooling enhancements. However, details on fine-tuning for GPT-4 remain undisclosed following its early access launch at DevDay. Recent Posts