Check out selected AI news and developments from the past week or so. Stay informed.
1. Released by Apple A set of open source large-scale language models called OpenELM is designed to leverage Apple silicon and run directly on devices. These models will be hosted on the Hugging Face Hub to foster open research and collaboration. OpenELM uses a layer-by-layer scaling strategy to improve efficiency and accuracy and requires fewer resources compared to traditional models.
Importance for marketers: For marketers, Apple's OpenELM offers a strategic opportunity to leverage advanced on-device AI for personalized marketing solutions and customer engagement without compromising privacy. This enables more effective and secure applications directly on consumer devices, potentially changing customer interaction strategies.
2. Microsoft and Amazon are under surveillance It has been criticized by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over recent AI acquisitions and investments. The CMA is investigating the partnership with Microsoft and key hires, particularly with France's Mistral AI and Inflection AI, as well as Amazon's $4 billion investment in Anthropic. These actions raise concerns about potential anti-competitive behavior in the rapidly growing field of AI. The investigation will determine whether these transactions fall within UK merger rules and the impact on competition.
Importance for marketers: Marketers should pay attention to these studies as they have the potential to reshape the competitive landscape of the AI industry and influence the tools and technologies available. A crackdown on big tech could create opportunities for smaller AI companies and impact how AI solutions are integrated into marketing strategies.
3. Introduced by Adobe A new feature in Photoshop called “Generate Image” allows users to create images directly from text prompts within the software. Powered by Adobe's Firefly Image 3 model, this feature extends Photoshop's capabilities to include generating and modifying images using simple text instructions. This marks a significant advance in the integration of AI into Adobe's flagship software, allowing creative professionals to use his AI-driven tools to enhance their workflows.
Importance for marketers: Marketers can use this tool to quickly create and customize content, streamlining the process of designing campaigns and social media content. The ability to generate high-quality images from text reduces reliance on extensive graphic design resources, potentially reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
4. Microsoft launched Phi-3 Mini. Compact AI model with 3.8 billion parameters. Available on Azure and Hugging Face. Despite its small size, it performs as well as larger models in custom applications that use internal corporate data sets. This release is part of Microsoft's strategy to develop lightweight and powerful AI models suitable for a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to enterprise solutions.
Importance for marketers: The availability of small, efficient AI models like the Phi-3 Mini allows marketers to deploy advanced AI capabilities for their specific needs without incurring significant computational costs.
5. Cisco Systems has signed the Rome Call for AI Ethics. This is a pledge endorsed by Microsoft, IBM, and others under the auspices of the Vatican to ensure that AI is developed and used ethically. The agreement emphasizes transparency, inclusiveness, accountability, fairness, and security in AI to protect human dignity and environmental protection. Rome Call is aligned with global efforts to address the ethical challenges posed by AI, including privacy concerns, bias, and potential for abuse.
Importance for marketers: As AI becomes increasingly integral to marketing strategies, marketers must keep these ethical considerations in mind. Adhering to these principles will increase brand trust and customer loyalty. Additionally, as public awareness of AI ethics increases, companies that engage in ethical practices are more likely to be supported by consumers, influencing brand choices and marketing effectiveness.
6. AI search engine startup Perplexity raises $250 million. Its valuation has been pushed between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. This funding round follows a significant valuation increase due to increased market interest in AI technology. Perplexity stands out by integrating multiple large-scale language models to power search capabilities, establishing itself as a key tool in AI-driven search solutions.
Importance for marketers: For marketers, Perplexity's advances in AI search technology signal a shift to more sophisticated AI-powered search tools that have the potential to redefine consumer search behavior and SEO strategies.
7. Marketing for A24’s new movie “Civil War” caused controversy by using AI-generated images in advertisements (i.e. posters) for a post-apocalyptic US city that was not actually featured in the film. This has sparked a debate about the ethical use of AI in marketing, especially the accuracy and truthfulness of promotional materials. The campaign has been criticized for potentially misleading viewers about the film's content.
Importance for marketers: This controversy serves as a warning to marketers about the potential backlash from using AI-generated content in misleading ways. It is important for marketing professionals to use AI tools to enhance authentic and accurate representation to maintain public trust and compliance with advertising standards.
8. Apple acquired Datakalab. A Paris-based AI startup specializing in on-device AI processing. The acquisition is part of Apple's strategic push to focus on privacy-centric AI applications that process data locally rather than in the cloud, and to enhance the AI capabilities of devices such as the iPhone and iPad.
Importance for marketers: Apple's acquisition signals a growing trend toward on-device AI, which could lead to new marketing technologies that operate faster and more privately. Marketers may soon be able to leverage these advances to enable more personalized and secure consumer interactions, delivering better customer experiences while adhering to strict data privacy.
9. Microsoft Research Asia announced VASA-1. Groundbreaking AI that generates realistic talking faces from photos and audio in real time. This technology promises significant advances in digital communication and media creation, enabling the creation of lifelike digital personas and enhanced virtual interactions.
Importance for marketers: VASA-1's capabilities open new avenues for marketers in terms of personalized communications and advertising. Interactive AI avatars can be used for customer service, virtual assistance, and campaign promotion, providing a more engaging user experience and strengthening your brand's connection with your audience.
10. Stanford University AI Index Report highlighted that AI exceeds human performance in various benchmarks. This report describes the impact of AI across multiple sectors and the need for new challenges to better understand its capabilities. It also covers the role of AI in unemployment and public perception issues.
Importance for marketers: The rapid advances in AI capabilities detailed in the report suggest that marketers need to prepare for a future where AI plays a central role in strategy development, consumer insights, and personalized marketing. I am. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI is critical to developing effective marketing strategies that leverage AI responsibly and innovatively.
11. Google announced a major reorganization By merging the Android, Chrome, and Hardware divisions into a new team called “Platforms and Devices.” The move is aimed at increasing integration and innovation across Google's software and hardware projects, particularly in embedding AI more deeply into its products. Rick Osterloh will lead the new division, focusing on accelerating his AI innovation within the Android ecosystem and collaborating with key partners such as Qualcomm.
Importance for marketers: For marketers, this integration means Google will likely introduce more integrated and advanced AI capabilities across its platforms to enhance the capabilities of its devices and applications. This could lead to new marketing tools and platforms that leverage AI to provide more personalized user experiences and improved analytics. Marketers need to anticipate changes in mobile marketing, user engagement, and cross-device functionality.
12. Intel developed Hara Point. The world's largest neuromorphic system. It is designed to mimic brain-like processing to efficiently tackle complex AI tasks. The Hala Point installed at Sandia National Laboratories is equipped with Intel's Loihi 2 processor, which will revolutionize AI applications by significantly reducing energy consumption and improving the performance of AI systems. We are aiming for This development reflects a major leap forward in building sustainable and scalable AI technology.
Importance for marketers: The introduction of Hala Point signals a future where AI can be deployed more sustainably. This is critical as environmental concerns become more prominent. This may be particularly appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
13. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said: AI models may soon achieve the ability to “replicate and survive in wild environments,” indicating a level of autonomy and resilience that allows AI to independently perform complex tasks. This discussion will focus on the ongoing debate about the rapid advances in AI and the ethical implications of its development, including the potential for abuse by state-level actors and the importance of robust governance.
Importance for marketers: The prospect of more autonomous AI models suggests that marketing strategies could become highly data-driven and personalized, adapting to consumer behavior and operating in real-time. However, it also raises ethical considerations that marketers must address to maintain trust.
14. American AI Safety Institute appoints Paul Cristiano. As head of AI safety, he is known for his cautiously “disastrous” view of AI risks. The decision reflects growing concerns about the potential dangers of advanced AI, including its ability to influence or harm humans. Cristiano's role will focus on assessing AI risks and implementing safety measures to mitigate potential threats.
Importance for marketers: The appointment signals a growing government focus on AI safety and could lead to increased regulation of AI applications, including those used in marketing. Marketers should prepare for potential new compliance requirements and consider how this will impact the use of AI in their strategies. Staying ahead of these changes can help companies navigate the regulatory environment effectively.
15. Microsoft's $13 billion investment in OpenAI The plan is to allay suspicions of antitrust violations and avoid a formal EU investigation. The European Commission concluded that the investment did not constitute an acquisition and therefore did not merit deeper investigation. This decision allows Microsoft to continue working with OpenAI and focus on advancing AI technology without facing regulatory setbacks.
Importance for marketers: This development is important for marketers and could solidify Microsoft's position in the AI space, leading to more advanced AI tools and platforms available for marketing purposes.
Last week's AI update can be found here.
Editor's note: GPT-4 was used to compile this week's AI update.
