Daily AI NEWS - July 16, 2024
AI, Privacy, and Innovation

Google's Gemini AI platform is under scrutiny for unauthorized scans of user files on Google Drive. This issue surfaced when Kevin Bankston, Senior Advisor on AI Governance at the Center for Democracy & Technology, reported that Gemini summarized his private tax return without permission.

Bankston's discovery has raised questions regarding privacy, as users did not provide consent for their private files to be accessed and analyzed. Concerns are mounting about what other information the AI might be processing without user knowledge.

Adding to the conversation, it was revealed that in 2023, Microsoft and Google's electricity consumption surpassed that of over 100 countries, highlighting the immense resources these companies use to power their AI technologies.

Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott asserted that AI advancement is not slowing, emphasizing that large language model scaling laws will sustain progress. This suggests continuous growth in AI capabilities.

Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, incorporating new AI features, enhancing their One UI experience. This release highlights their commitment to integrating AI into consumer electronics.

Apple approved the first PC emulator for iPhone and iPad, indicating a strong confidence in AI, as seen in their new HomePod mini features. Meanwhile, HP unveiled tools to address bias and hallucinations in AI models, emphasizing ethical AI development.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 6 now features Galaxy AI, introducing capabilities such as PDF translation and real-time interpretation. These functionalities add significant value to the foldable phone, although many argue they should have been included from the start.

Exclusive features of the Galaxy Ring, available only to Samsung phone users, further enhance the brand's ecosystem. This exclusivity might influence consumer choices towards Samsung devices.

The recent launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 raises debates on its worthiness compared to the Z Flip 5. Evaluations and comparisons of the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 6 Classic are also underway, helping consumers decide whether upgrading to the latest technology is beneficial.

Amid ongoing debates about ethics in AI, the hacker group NullBulge has reportedly stolen over a terabyte of Disney's internal Slack messages. Approximately 10,000 channels were compromised, allegedly in protest against Disney’s use of AI-generated art. This incident highlights the growing clash between technology advancements and ethical considerations.

In another controversy, Lattice faced backlash after it announced plans to create official employee records for AI bots, a move that was quickly canceled following public outcry. The incident underscores the complexities and challenges of treating AI with the same status as human employees.

On a different note, OpenAI is secretly developing a project codenamed Strawberry to help ChatGPT achieve human-like reasoning and address issues such as AI hallucinations. This effort is part of broader attempts to enhance the reliability and intelligence of AI systems while navigating ethical dilemmas.

AI stocks have surged 127% in value since late 2022, adding about $10 trillion in market cap, despite lagging earnings. This significant rise highlights the market's excitement but raises questions about sustainability.

Google's potential $23 billion takeover of cloud cybersecurity startup Wiz may face regulatory challenges. The tech giant's bold move is poised to reshape the cybersecurity landscape but risks provoking a clash with Washington, D.C. regulators.

Meanwhile, rising competition from Chinese brands like Xiaomi is chipping away at Apple's iPhone market share, even as global smartphone sales rebound. Cathie Wood's Ark Invest regrets selling Nvidia shares amid market rewards, reflecting the volatile dynamics influencing investor decisions.