Artificial intelligence technology is undergoing seismic shifts, evolving at a pace comparable to the rapid blink of an eye. This evolution is epitomized by the advancement of deepfake technology, which is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. Political figures, celebrities, and public personas are increasingly at risk of being replicated or fabricated with AI tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, and OpenAI's Sora, which enable even novices to create convincing deepfakes with a simple prompt.
The potential for harm is significant, with deepfakes having the ability to facilitate scams, identity theft, spread propaganda, and manipulate elections. Henry Ajder, the founder of Latent Space Advisory and a generative AI expert, calls for vigilance as deepfakes become more sophisticated, acquiring an 'electronic sheen' that makes them harder to detect. Vigilance is required, especially when examining inconsistencies in shadows and reflections that may indicate an AI-generated image or video.
On an international level, the United Nations is considering a resolution sponsored by the United States that aims to promote the safe application of AI worldwide. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hails this as a 'historic step forward.' The resolution seeks a global consensus on core principles for AI development and usage, with the goal of harnessing AI for societal benefit while managing risks.
In another breakthrough, the University of Geneva has developed an AI that can perform tasks based on written or oral instructions and can teach its 'sister' AI to do the same through language. This opens the door to a future where AIs can teach and learn from each other, expanding their capabilities autonomously.
The AI boom is also affecting the South Korean memory chip market, with companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix experiencing surging stock prices as demand for high-bandwidth memory chips, essential for AI algorithms, grows. This growth is not limited to memory chips; it's part of a larger trend that includes companies like Nvidia and Micron Technology, each contributing to a grand symphony of innovation.
As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, it brings with it privacy concerns, digital inequality, and ethical dilemmas that require our active participation. We must ensure that our technological ambitions are balanced with caution to serve the greater good.
In the realm of AI startups, Toronto-based Cohere, co-founded by former Google researchers, is on track to secure $500 million in funding, valuing the company at an estimated $5 billion. Cohere, which specializes in foundational AI models like those powering ChatGPT, is witnessing exponential growth and is expanding its services through major cloud providers.
The AI industry is in a race, with companies like Cohere and OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, vying for capital to develop foundation models. This race involves massive computational resources and the pursuit of industry talent. Despite the optimism, some venture capitalists express caution, questioning the sustainability of the rapid pace of investment in these AI labs.
Neuralink, led by Elon Musk, is also in the spotlight with a video demonstrating their first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, playing chess using only his mind, thanks to a Neuralink brain implant. This breakthrough hints at the transformative potential of AI and machine interfaces, from restoring independence to treating disorders and, as Musk envisions, fostering a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI.
The rapid progress in AI is redefining what's possible, setting the stage for potentially world-changing breakthroughs. The intersection of human and artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but an imminent reality, raising questions about the 'when' and 'how' of this convergence.
Links:
One Tech Tip: How to spot AI-generated deepfake images
The UN will vote on its first resolution on artificial intelligence, aimed at ensuring its safety
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Samsung, SK Hynix rally tracking AI hype, strong Micron earnings
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Exclusive-AI startup Cohere seeks $5 billion valuation in latest fundraising, source says
Neuralink Shows Quadriplegic Playing Chess With Brain Implant