NEWS
►OpenAI’s voice cloning AI model only needs a 15-second sample to work. OpenAI is offering limited access to a text-to-voice generation platform it developed called Voice Engine, which can create a synthetic voice based on a 15-second clip of someone’s voice. The AI-generated voice can read out text prompts on command in the same language as the speaker or in a number of other languages.
►Microsoft, OpenAI plan $100 billion data-center project. Microsoft, and OpenAI are working on plans for a data center project that could cost as much as $100 billion and include an artificial intelligence supercomputer called "Stargate" set to launch in 2028, The Information reported on Friday.
►Varjo and FORCE Technology partner to bring XR training to the maritime industry. Varjo, a provider of industrial-grade virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) hardware and software, and FORCE Technology, a provider of simulation-based maritime technology, engineering and training, have recently announced that they have signed a strategic frame agreement. According to Varjo, the collaboration aims to launch a compact, highly portable, immersive training solution that can be transported and deployed anywhere.
► Premier League takes stake in VR firm Rezzil, strikes licensing deal. English soccer’s top-tier Premier League (EPL) has agreed a four-year licensing and investment tie-up with virtual reality (VR) software firm Rezzil. The pair will work together on a VR game, which is expected to launch later in 2024.
►Amazon’s palm-scanning service now lets you sign up from your phone. Amazon now lets you sign up for its palm recognition service directly from your phone. It’s launching a new Amazon One app on iOS and Android you can use to take a photo of your palm and set up your account, allowing you to start scanning your palm at locations that support the verification tech.
►US requiring new AI safeguards for government use. The White House said last Thursday it is requiring federal agencies using artificial intelligence to adopt "concrete safeguards" by Dec. 1 to protect Americans’ rights and ensure safety as the government expands AI use in a wide range of applications.
► Apple Announces WWDC 2024 with Plans to Highlight “visionOS advancements”. Apple finally revealed when its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is happening this summer, and the company says it’s also slated to highlight some “advancements” on Vision Pro’s operating system, visionOS. Coming June 10th – 14th, WWDC is set to feature updates to visionOS.
► New York City welcomes robotaxis — but only with safety drivers. New York City announced a new permitting system for companies interested in testing autonomous vehicles on its roads, including a requirement that a human safety driver sit behind the steering wheel at all times. “This technology is coming whether we like it or not,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement to The Verge, “so we’re going to make sure that we get it right.”
►OpenAI is pitching Sora to Hollywood. The AI company is scheduled to meet with a number of studios, talent agencies, and media executives in Los Angeles to discuss partnerships.
►Stability AI’s CEO resigns . Emad Mostaque resigned from his role as CEO of Stability AI and from his position on the Board of Directors of the company to pursue decentralized AI. The Board of Directors has appointed Shan Shan Wong, the Chief Operating Officer, and Christian Laforte, the Chief Technology Officer, as the interim co-CEOs of Stability AI.
PERSPECTIVE
► How AI could explode the economy. Artificial intelligence is already making people rich. But some researchers think this is only the beginning — that AI won’t just make a few techies wildly rich, the way social networking, smartphones, and personal computers did before. Believers in a growth explosion argue that AI is set to make society much, much richer by causing economic growth at a scale it has never experienced before.
►Sora: first impressions. OpenAI has been working with visual artists, designers, creative directors and filmmakers to learn how Sora might aid in their creative process. Here you can find a few examples of the artists’ work, with early thoughts from them on how they see Sora fitting into their workflows and businesses.
►Apple's big WWDC 2024 announcement may be an AI App Store. Apple's AI strategy may not necessarily be to only offer the best AI apps it can produce, but instead deliver an enhanced AI App Store that may debut at WWDC.
►Why is AI so bad at spelling? Because image generators aren’t actually reading text. For all the advancements we’ve seen in AI, it still can’t spell. If you ask text-to-image generators like DALL-E to create a menu for a Mexican restaurant, you might spot some appetizing items like “taao,” “burto” and “enchida” amid a sea of other gibberish.
