Google Bets Big on AI With Huge Upgrades
Plus: Amazon's new AI shopping assistant, Meta plans to deploy second-gen custom AI chips.
Hello Engineering Leaders and AI Enthusiasts!
Welcome to the 202nd edition of The AI Edge newsletter. This edition brings you “Google Bets Big On AI With Huge Upgrades.”
And a huge shoutout to our incredible readers. We appreciate you😊
In today’s edition:
🔥Google bets big on AI with huge upgrades
.✨Amazon launches an AI shopping assistant for product recommendations
🚀 Meta to deploy custom in-house chips to reduce dependence on costly NVIDIA
📚 Knowledge Nugget: Featuring Quick Essay: Large Language Models, How to Train Them, and xAI’s Grok by
Let’s go!
Google rolls out huge AI upgrades:
1. Launches an AI image generator - ImageFX
It allows users to create and edit images using a prompt-based UI. It offers an "expressive chips" feature, which provides keyword suggestions to experiment with different dimensions of image creation. Google claims to have implemented technical safeguards to prevent the tool from being used for abusive or inappropriate content.
Additionally, images generated using ImageFX will be tagged with a digital watermark called SynthID for identification purposes. Google is also expanding the use of Imagen 2, the image model, across its products and services.
2. Google has released two new AI tools for music creation: MusicFX and TextFX
MusicFX generates music based on user prompts but has limitations with stringed instruments and filters out copyrighted content.
TextFX, conversely, is a suite of modules designed to aid in the lyrics-writing process, drawing inspiration from rap artist Lupe Fiasco.
3. Google’s Bard is now Gemini Pro-powered globally, supporting 40+ languages
The chatbot will have improved understanding and summarizing content, reasoning, brainstorming, writing, and planning capabilities. Google has also extended support for more than 40 languages in its "Double check" feature, which evaluates if search results are similar to what Bard generates.
4. Google's Bard can now generate photos using its Imagen 2 text-to-image model
Bard's image generation feature is free, and Google has implemented safety measures to avoid generating explicit or offensive content.
5. Google Maps introduces a new AI feature to help users discover new places
The feature uses LLMs to analyze over 250M locations and contributions from over 300M Local Guides. Users can search for specific recommendations, and the AI will generate suggestions based on their preferences. It’s currently being rolled out in the US.
(Source)
Why does this matter?
These new AI capabilities will enhance Google's products and services, providing more creative tools for image and music generation, smarter search through Bard, and personalized recommendations in Maps. This brings more intuitive, conversational interactions. However, concerns about potential misuse remain.
For competitors like Microsoft and Meta, this raises the stakes in the AI race. Google is rapidly matching or exceeding capacities in generative AI. The free access to powerful models like Imagen 2 poses a challenge.
Amazon launches an AI shopping assistant for product recommendations
Amazon has launched an AI-powered shopping assistant called Rufus in its mobile app. Rufus is trained on Amazon's product catalog and information from the web, allowing customers to chat with it to get help with finding products, comparing them, and getting recommendations.
The AI assistant will initially be available in beta to select US customers, with plans to expand to more users in the coming weeks. Customers can type or speak their questions into the chat dialog box, and Rufus will provide answers based on their training.
Why does this matter?
Rufus can save time and effort compared to traditional search and browsing. However, the quality of responses remains to be seen. For Amazon, this positions them at the forefront of leveraging AI to enhance the shopping experience. If effective, Rufus could increase customer engagement on Amazon and drive more sales. It also sets them apart from competitors.
Meta to deploy custom in-house chips to reduce dependence on costly NVIDIA
Meta plans to deploy a new version of its custom chip aimed at supporting its AI push in its data centers this year, according to an internal company document. The chip, a second generation of Meta's in-house silicon line, could help reduce the company's dependence on Nvidia chips and control the costs associated with running AI workloads. The chip will work in coordination with commercially available graphics processing units (GPUs).
Why does this matter?
Meta's deployment of its own chip could potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars in annual energy costs and billions in chip purchasing costs. It also gives them more control over the core hardware for their AI systems versus relying on vendors.
Enjoying the daily updates?
Refer your pals to subscribe to our daily newsletter and get exclusive access to 400+ game-changing AI tools.
When you use the referral link above or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get the credit for any new subscribers. All you need to do is send the link via text or email or share it on social media with friends.
Knowledge Nugget: Quick Essay: Large Language Models, How to Train Them, and xAI’s Grok
This informative article by
discusses LLMs and how they are trained. LLMs, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and xAI's Grok, are neural networks that can generate text and understand context. They are trained by collecting a massive amount of data and using it to predict the next word in a sequence.
The models go through a training stage and a fine-tuning stage to improve their performance. xAI's Grok stands out with its access to a constantly evolving dataset of tweet activity and its distribution through the X platform, giving it the potential to be a highly context-aware language model.
Why does this matter?
AI researchers benefit from understanding how these models are trained and provide insights into their capabilities and limitations. Analyzing the training data and techniques allows researchers to improve LLMs. And for tech companies, the ability to train advanced LLMs provides a competitive advantage in deploying AI services. The massive datasets and compute resources required pose barriers to entry.
What Else Is Happening❗
🌐 The Arc browser is incorporating AI to improve bookmarks and search results
The new features in Arc for Mac and Windows include "Instant Links," which allows users to skip search engines and directly ask the AI bot for specific links. Another feature, called Live Folders, will provide live-updating streams of data from various sources. (Link)
🧠 The Allen Institute for AI is open-sourcing its text-generating AI models
The model is OLMo, along with the dataset used to train them. These models are designed to be more "open" than others, allowing developers to use them freely for training, experimentation, and commercialization. (Link)
🍎 Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that AI features are coming ‘later this year’
This aligns with reports that iOS 18 could be the biggest update in the operating system's history. Apple's integration of AI into its software platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, is expected to include advanced photo manipulation and word processing enhancements. This announcement suggests that Apple has ambitious plans to compete with Google and Samsung in the AI space. (Link)
👩🔬 Scientists use AI to create an early diagnostic test for ovarian cancer
Researchers at the Georgia Tech Integrated Cancer Research Center have developed a new test for ovarian cancer using AI and blood metabolite information. The test has shown 93% accuracy in detecting ovarian cancer in samples from the study group, outperforming existing tests. They have also developed a personalized approach to ovarian cancer diagnosis, using a patient's individual metabolic profile to determine the probability of the disease's presence. (Link)
🌑 Anthropic launches a new ‘dark mode’ visual option for its Claude chatbot. (Link)
Just click on the Profile > Appearance > Select Dark. 
New to the newsletter?
The AI Edge keeps engineering leaders & AI enthusiasts like you on the cutting edge of AI. From ML to ChatGPT to generative AI and LLMs, We break down the latest AI developments and how you can apply them in your work.
Thanks for reading, and see you tomorrow. 😊