AIR#129 - July 14, 2024
Good morning, AI aficionados! As you sip your morning coffee, get ready to dive into today's edition of AIR: The AI Recon. Leading the headlines is YouTube's new policy allowing users to request the removal of AI-generated content that simulates their face or voice. This move is a significant step forward in the fight for digital privacy and personal security, and it's a must-read for anyone concerned about the ethical implications of AI in media.
But that's not all! We've got an in-depth look at 28 US AI startups that have raised over $100 million in 2024 alone, with a staggering $35.5 billion invested globally in AI. Notable mentions include xAI's impressive $6 billion and Scale AI's $1 billion, showcasing the relentless momentum and investor confidence in the AI sector. If you're a business-savvy reader, this roundup offers valuable insights into the booming AI startup ecosystem.
And for a touch of the uncanny, an AI system has achieved a remarkable 96% accuracy in determining sex from dental X-rays, providing a powerful tool for forensic experts. This breakthrough highlights the transformative potential of AI in the medical and forensic fields. Whether you're here for groundbreaking tech updates, ethical debates, or the latest industry buzz, today's edition is packed with stories that will both intrigue and challenge you. So, sit back, sip your coffee, and let's delve into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence together!
Business
28 US AI Startups That Raised $100M+ in 2024
28 US AI startups raised $100M+ in 2024, with $35.5B invested globally in AI. Notable: xAI's $6B and Scale AI's $1B.
YouTube lets you request removal of AI content that simulates your face or voice
YouTube now allows users to request removal of AI-generated content simulating their face or voice as a privacy violation.
Is Your Data Safe from Google Docs AI Scraping?
Google Docs may not use your data for AI training now, but its privacy policy doesn’t rule it out. For true privacy, consider Proton Drive.
Disinformation from AI-Driven Russian Spam Farm Tops Google Search
Russian AI-driven disinformation about Ukraine's First Lady buying a Bugatti tops Google, highlighting AI's role in spreading fake news.
Whistleblowers Accuse OpenAI of 'Illegally Restrictive' NDAs
Whistleblowers claim OpenAI's NDAs illegally restrict employees from reporting to regulators, urging SEC investigation.
AI Standup Bot for Slack: HowsThisGoing 🚀
Deploy HowsThisGoing AI standup bot on Slack in 30 secs. Automate workflows, get instant AI summaries, and boost team efficiency! 🚀
AI and the Duty of Care
AI-generated hiking app summaries mislabel dangerous routes, risking users' safety. Accurate, expert-crafted content is critical for outdoor apps.
OpenAI Nears Breakthrough with "Reasoning" AI, Reveals AGI Progress System
OpenAI reveals a 5-tier system marking progress toward AGI, nearing a breakthrough in "reasoning" AI, aiming to attract investors.
OpenAI's New Scale Tracks Path to Superintelligent AI
OpenAI introduces a 5-level scale to track progress toward superintelligent AI, aiming to reach human-level problem-solving soon.
Doctors Use A.I. to Battle Insurance Denials
Doctors use A.I. chatbots to speed up insurance approvals, drastically reducing denial rates and paperwork time.
Threat of AI Earthquake Sparks Political Rift in Silicon Valley
AI earthquake fears ignite political tensions in Silicon Valley, deepening divides among tech leaders and policymakers.
OpenAI's Secret IPO Plans Revealed
OpenAI's IPO plans are no secret; they’re pushing PR to show their models as superior, but the gap isn’t as big as they claim.
Engineering
🔥 [Paper] The Illustrated AlphaFold: A Detailed Visual Guide to AlphaFold3's Architecture
A new visual guide explains AlphaFold3's complex architecture, detailing its enhanced protein structure prediction capabilities.
MIT Researchers Unveil GenSQL: Generative AI for Databases
MIT unveils GenSQL, a generative AI system simplifying complex database analyses with just a few keystrokes, enhancing speed and accuracy.
Narwhals and scikit-Lego Achieve Dataframe-Agnosticism
Scikit-lego 0.9.0 now supports Polars, Modin, cuDF, and more via Narwhals, achieving dataframe-agnosticism without extra dependencies.
Math.bot – Free, Instant Math Solver Powered by GPT-4
Solve math problems instantly with Math.bot, a free AI-powered tool using GPT-4. Upload, chat, and learn math on the go!
[GitHub] NeuAI: Adaptive AI Assistant with Long-Term Memory
NeuAI on GitHub: AI assistant with long-term memory, adaptive tools, and visible thought process. Open-source for personalized, context-aware interactions.
Academic
AI System Achieves 96% Accuracy in Determining Sex from Dental X-Rays
AI achieves 96% accuracy in determining sex from dental X-rays, aiding forensic experts with jaw and teeth analysis.
OpenAI Whistleblowers Urge SEC to Investigate NDAs Blocking AI Risk Warnings
OpenAI whistleblowers urge SEC probe into NDAs preventing staff from warning about AI risks.
Ex-OpenAI Staff Demand "Right to Warn" About AI Risks Without Retaliation
Ex-OpenAI and DeepMind staff demand the right to warn about AI risks without retaliation, urging transparency and protection for whistleblowers.
Prepare for AI Hackers | Harvard Magazine
AI hackers are evolving fast, posing threats to financial, political, and social systems. Are we ready for this new era of cyber warfare?
OpenAI Researcher Quits Over Alarming Safety Concerns
OpenAI researcher quits, citing safety concerns and profit prioritization. He compares OpenAI to the Titanic, risking AI disaster.
When Facial Recognition Targets Black Faces
Facial recognition tech is flawed and biased, leading to wrongful targeting of Black individuals and raising ethical concerns.
Teaching AI in Schools: Best Practices and Recommendations
Integrating AI in schools equips students with essential digital skills and critical thinking, preparing them for a tech-driven future.
Is AI Truly Democratizing Creativity or Creating New Monopolies?
AI claims to democratize creativity but may create new monopolies, benefiting only those who can afford it. Is this true democratization?