Today:

OpenAI moves to shrink regulatory risk in EU around data privacy

OpenAI, the ChatGPT creator, is tweaking its approach to reduce legal risks in the European Union, particularly around data privacy. In late December, they informed users about changes, mainly shifting service responsibility for EU and Swiss residents to their Irish entity. 

This move, effective February 15, 2024, aims to better align with the EU’s strict data privacy laws (GDPR). OpenAI is engaging with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, hoping to streamline privacy oversight across Europe. They've also updated their privacy policy, hinting at a public interest defense for their data use. 

Meanwhile, ongoing investigations in Italy and Poland into ChatGPT's data handling continue. OpenAI's EU presence, especially in Dublin, is still growing, but they need to prove real decision-making power there to meet GDPR requirements. This shift could influence how AI and privacy intersect in Europe, with Ireland possibly playing a key role in future regulations.

TECHCRUNCH

New Square Enix president pledges "aggressive" AI push in 2024

Square Enix's new boss, Takashi Kiryu, is all in on AI this year. He's taking the company into the world of generative AI, especially in game making. This big shift comes after the previous president, Yosuke Matsuda, left. Kiryu's stoked about AI's potential, not just for cool game ideas but also for making game development smoother. 

He's aiming to amp up how they make and market games short-term, and in the long run, he wants to craft new kinds of entertainment. Blockchain and cloud tech are still on the radar, but AI's the star player now. They're reshaping their team to make this AI dream happen.

GAME INDUSTRY

Galaxy S24 Ultra leaks via marketing posters in Brazil, reveals Galaxy AI

The Galaxy S24 Ultra's design got leaked in Brazil through posters. These images show off its Titanium Gray color, a quad-camera setup, laser autofocus, and a matching S Pen stylus. It looks like it has a strong titanium frame. The posters also hint at 'Galaxy AI', a new feature set powered by AI and Generative AI, unique to the Galaxy S24 series. 

Samsung's upcoming phones, including the S24 and S24+, will come with Android 14-based One UI 6.1, packing cool AI features like live language translation during calls, AI-generated wallpapers, and smart features in Samsung Notes. The S Pen, though, is only for the S24 Ultra.

SAMMOBILE

Accessibility AI tech developer UserWay acquired by Level Access in $99 million deal

UserWay, an Israeli company known for creating AI tools that make digital stuff like websites and apps more accessible, just got bought by Level Access, an American firm specializing in similar tech. The deal's worth a cool $99 million in cash. UserWay's investors are cashing in, getting $21.06 per share, which is a sweet 17% more than the stock's recent price. 

This move follows UserWay's public debut on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2022. Despite doubling its revenue to $6.2 million this year, UserWay's still losing money, though less than before. The deal should wrap up in early 2024, making UserWay a private part of Level Access, but still running under its own name with its founder, Allon Mason, as the big boss.

CTECH

American Medical Association (AMA) Grants Cardio Diagnostics Holdings, Inc.’s AI-Powered Coronary Heart Disease Detection Test, PrecisionCHD, a Dedicated CPT PLA Reimbursement Code

Cardio Diagnostics Holdings just got a big win. The American Medical Association gave their AI-powered heart disease test, PrecisionCHD, its own payment code. This is huge because it means doctors and hospitals can now get paid by insurance for using it. PrecisionCHD is special because it looks at your genes and other health markers to spot heart disease early. 

Heart disease is a big deal—it's the top reason for heart attacks and costs a ton in healthcare. This test is easy to use and can reach more people, even in places without fancy medical equipment. Cardio Diagnostics' boss, Meesha Dogan, says this will make their test more available and help cut healthcare costs.

YAHOO! FINANCE

Shield AI expands massive Series F with another $300M in equity, debt, scaling valuation to $2.8B

Shield AI, a defense tech startup, just pumped up its Series F funding to a whopping $500 million, according to TechCrunch. They bagged an extra $300 million, split between equity and debt, boosting their worth to $2.8 billion. This innovative crew is crafting an "AI pilot" for aircrafts, making them fly solo without needing a human at the controls or even GPS. Their star product, Hivemind, lets fleets of aircraft do their thing independently. 

The company's latest trick is the V-BAT Teams, a software that lets drone teams handle missions on their own. The founders are pushing hard for the U.S. military to get on board with AI pilots, warning that lagging behind in this tech could cost big in future conflicts.

TECHCRUNCH

Canon, Sony, and Nikon are Joining Forces to Fight AI

Canon, Sony, and Nikon are teaming up to combat fake images created by AI. They're working on tech that stamps real photos with a digital signature, making it easy to spot the phonies. This tech will soon pop up in fancy cameras, especially those without mirrors, and they're even thinking about adding it to videos. 

There's also a new website, Verify, that checks photos for free to see if they're the real deal or AI-made. These camera big shots, owning a whopping 90% of the camera market, are serious about this fight. Sony's planning to update some of their top-notch cameras with this feature and Canon and Nikon aren't far behind, focusing on gear for pros like photojournalists.

YM CINEMA

With $400 Million Infusion, Boston Dynamics Founder Enters The AI Arena

Boston Dynamics' head, Marc Raibert, is stirring things up in the AI world with a cool $400 million from a South Korean car giant. He's set up shop in Kendall Square, launching the Boston Dynamics AI Institute. This place ain't your typical lab; it's gunning to be a major player in melding high-end AI with cutting-edge robotics, potentially putting Boston on the map as a top robotics hub. 

Raibert's hired 150 folks already, aiming for 350, and is tackling big challenges, not just tweaks and cost-cuts. Raibert's old company, now Hyundai's, is focusing on warehouse robots while he's diving deep into next-gen AI, aiming to make robots more human-like in understanding and action. Hyundai might benefit in the long run, but Raibert's clear: this isn't just about making products; it's about pushing the boundaries of research.

BOSTON GLOBE

Look at This Adorable AI Pocket Pet

AIBI Pocket Pet, a tiny AI buddy you can carry around. It's like a virtual pet: you can feed it, comfort it when it's sad, and even put it to sleep. It's smart too! AIBI recognizes your face, snaps photos on command, and shows cute weather animations. Even without Wi-Fi, it understands basic commands. 

AIBI connects to ChatGPT for the tough questions. Plus, it's a handy reminder for stuff like meds or shopping. It's packed with tech like a rotating camera, radar, and mics.

80LV

🛠️TOP TOOLS

RocketAI - RocketAI offers a tool to power up brands using AI. It boosts productivity by creating high-quality product photoshoots, designs, and social media posts, all tailored to your brand's style. Their service includes generating AI-driven Instagram ads, product images, and copywriting, all based on your eCommerce data.

TypingMind - TypingMind amps up ChatGPT's game, letting you manage chats, customize AI responses, and train models with your data. Just plug in your OpenAI and license keys, and you're set. Chat directly, set context, or role-play with AI. 

Heydai - Heydai is an app that makes tracking your time a breeze. It offers a visual timeline, categorization, analytics, and history of your activities, helping you align your time with your priorities. The app features progress tracking, daily recommendations, and check-ins, ensuring your time is spent where it matters most.

Script.It - Script.It is a no-code platform designed for businesses to build and integrate AI workflows easily. It's geared towards enhancing productivity by automating repetitive tasks, ensuring accuracy using contextual data, and enabling rapid integration with existing systems.

VoiceSpin - VoiceSpin offers advanced, AI-powered contact center solutions. It's perfect for businesses needing to handle inbound and outbound communication efficiently across multiple channels. Their cloud-based tools, like AI auto dialers, speech analyzers, and bulk SMS, help improve team productivity and customer engagement. 

📲SOCIAL MEDIA

MISCELLANEOUS

How AI and other technologies are making the world more accessible to the blind

Andrew Leland's memoir, "The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight," delves into his personal journey from sight to blindness, highlighting the evolving relationship between his diminishing vision and technology. He investigates the history and culture of blindness, including its connections to medicine and technology. 

Leland's experiences at a school for the blind, where he learns to navigate daily tasks, emphasize the importance of technology in fostering independence. AI-powered apps that describe images to the blind demonstrate progress, but questions arise about their effectiveness and the accessibility of technology originally designed for sighted individuals.  THE 1A

How copyright law could threaten the AI industry in 2024

In 2024, U.S. copyright law is facing challenges from the booming AI industry. The rise of generative AI, supported by companies like Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Meta Platforms, and others, has led to copyright disputes. Writers, artists, and copyright holders claim AI's success relies on their work. Courts have yet to address whether AI companies infringe copyrights by using vast amounts of internet data for training. 

Tech firms argue that these lawsuits could hinder the AI industry, while plaintiffs demand compensation. The defense asserts that AI training is akin to human learning and falls under "fair use" copyright law. A lawsuit involving Thomson Reuters could set a precedent for AI copyright issues, with a trial potentially starting in August. REUTERS

Why the New York Times’ Case Against OpenAI is Stronger Than Sarah Silverman’s

The New York Times has a strong case against OpenAI, and it's clearer than Sarah Silverman's comedy. The dispute revolves around OpenAI's text-generation technology, GPT-3. The Times claims that OpenAI provided misleading information about GPT-3's capabilities and potential risks. 

They argue that OpenAI's secrecy undermines transparency and accountability in AI development. This dispute highlights the need for clear rules and oversight in the world of AI, which is growing faster than a New York minute. The case could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI and the responsibility of tech giants. THE INFORMATION

Beware AI’s hidden costs before they bankrupt innovation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of business innovation, but its hidden costs are a looming threat. AI heavily relies on cloud services for power and storage, which can lead to unforeseen expenses. The Wall Street Journal highlighted how AI impacts cloud cost control. With the growing demand for AI tools, businesses face financial strain. 

GenAI, in particular, adds to technical debt. As innovation accelerates, the AI cloud's growth could lead to bankruptcies in 2024. These hidden costs hinder CIOs and CFOs from sustaining digital transformation. In essence, AI's financial sustainability risks could jeopardize innovation. TECHCRUNCH

Cybersecurity guru Mikko Hyppönen’s 5 most fearsome AI threats for 2024

Cyber whiz Mikko Hyppönen, a 54-year-old malware buster from Helsinki, is now eyeing AI's dark side. He's a big shot in cybersecurity, even got a nod in Vanity Fair and heads up research at a top Nordic firm. Hyppönen, known for his ponytail and running an online Malware Museum, reckons AI's a game-changer, bigger than the internet. He's upbeat about AI's good stuff but flags five nasty trends for 2024:

1. Deepfakes: Fake videos are on the rise. Like, a scam ad showed MrBeast selling iPhones for two bucks. Hyppönen's advice? Use safe words in video calls to dodge these tricks.

2. Deep Scams: Think big-time cons using AI. Imagine the Tinder Swindler, but on steroids, fooling thousands at once.

3. LLM-Enabled Malware: AI's writing viruses that change every time they spread. OpenAI's trying to block these, but it's a tight race.

4. Zero-Day Discovery: AI's good at finding hidden software bugs, but bad guys can use it to attack systems before there's a fix.

5. Automated Malware: The big worry for 2024. We might see AI versus AI in cybersecurity.

Hyppönen's also watching out for super smart machines that could outdo us. He believes we might see them in his lifetime and warns we better make sure they get us and our goals.

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MEET 5 WORKERS WHO QUIT THEIR JOBS TO  WORK IN AI — AND FIND OUT HOW THEY PIVOTED INTO TECH'S HOTTEST FIELD

Five individuals from various backgrounds, including accounting, product management, defense, and music, made the bold decision to leave their jobs and venture into the world of AI. They were enticed by the burgeoning opportunities in this rapidly expanding field. Some of them established their own AI-related companies, while others acquired new AI skills independently.

Moritz Kremb - a product manager, was inspired to explore AI during his parental leave after experiencing the efficiency of OpenAI's ChatGPT in his work.

Justin Fineberg - started Cassidy.ai, an AI assistant company, after achieving social media success with AI-related content.

Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra - saw the potential of AI in her corporate role and transitioned to become a generative AI expert. 

Ted Lebantino - underwent extensive training to enter the AI field

Javier Orman - leveraged skills from his previous career in music.

These five individuals exemplify the growing trend of professionals leaving their jobs to embrace the flourishing AI industry, where opportunities abound for those willing to adapt and learn.

READ THE ARTICLE ON BUSINESS INSIDER