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Salesforce launches Einstein Studio for training AI models with Data Cloud

Salesforce, that big software company everyone's heard of, just rolled out Einstein Studio. It's a fancy new tool that lets businesses train their own artificial intelligence (AI) using their own data right inside Salesforce. This makes the whole process of getting AI to work for a company's apps a lot quicker and cheaper.

With Einstein Studio, it's like Salesforce handed over a shortcut. Instead of using a bunch of different tools and data sources, companies can now just use data they've got in Salesforce, point and click on what they want, and boom, they've got an AI model ready to go. And if someone's worried about how their data is being used or shown, there's a control panel to manage all of that.

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Microsoft kills Cortana in Windows as it focuses on next-gen AI

Microsoft's pulling the plug on its digital sidekick, Cortana, this month. Instead, they're diving deep into newer AI tech, like a chatbot inspired by ChatGPT and other smart tools in Windows and their Edge browser. While they didn't spill all the beans on why, it seems they view Cortana as a stepping stone to this fancy AI future. This isn't a complete goodbye; Cortana will still pop up in some Microsoft apps.

But heads up, folks, even that might change, as Microsoft's planning to roll out their new Bing Chat to big-time businesses. For now, they're guiding users to other voice command tools in Windows 11 and pointing out alternatives to Cortana. Oh, and if you noticed Cortana acting wonky lately, you're not alone. A recent update made it kaput, and a website named Windows Latest was the first to spot it.

By the way, Microsoft's move might be a hint of things to come. Amazon and Apple are also shaking things up in the digital assistant world.

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Toyota, Pony.ai plan to mass produce robotaxis in China

Toyota is joining hands with Pony.ai, a cool startup in China, to mass-produce taxis that drive themselves. That's right, robotaxis. They're setting up a joint venture this year, aiming to create cars packed with Pony.ai's self-driving tech and to be used for ride-hailing.

Along with GAC-Toyota (a collab between Toyota and a big Chinese automaker called Guangzhou Automobile Group), they're dropping some serious cash into this – more than $140 million.

Now, the head honcho at Pony.ai, Peng Jun, thinks this will give a big boost to the whole connected car game. And speaking of Pony.ai, they're not newbies. They've got self-driving taxi services running in major Chinese cities and even have some offices in the U.S.

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Coming soon to TikTok in Europe: A ‘For You’ feed without the TikTok algorithm

TikTok users in Europe will soon have the option to nix the usual algorithm that suggests videos just for them. Instead, they can go for a more general 'For You' feed without all the tracking and personalization.

The EU wants to give people the power to choose how they're shown content. No more just being served stuff based on past activity or the usual "we-know-what-you-like" deal. If users opt out of the fancy AI suggestions, they'll get videos that are just popular in their area and in their language.

And for the youngsters out there, if you're between 13 and 17, TikTok won't be serving you personalized ads based on your activity. Also, if you're in Europe and you see some shady stuff on TikTok, soon you'll have a new way to report it, picking from categories like hate speech or financial crimes.

As for the creators, if TikTok takes down or limits a video, they're going to be a lot more chatty about why they did it.

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Another major university is supporting generative AI use but with serious guardrails

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is diving headfirst into the AI world! They're pushing teachers and students to hop on the AI train by giving them free tools, like OpenAI's ChatGPT. They've got five main areas they want folks to get smart in, with generative AI being the latest addition.

HKU isn't just throwing these tools out there without a lifeline; they're offering training and online classes to help folks use AI in the right way. Teachers can use AI to boost student learning, create snazzy activities, and even grade assignments. But they've got to be transparent about how they use it and ensure everything's above board. HKU's also mixing things up with different testing methods to get students involved.

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Harvard Business School A.I. guru on why every Main Street shop should start using ChatGPT

According to Harvard Business School professor Karim Lakhani, small businesses stand to gain a lot from the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. Lakhani has been studying technology for 30 years and states that "Machines won't replace humans, but humans with machines will replace humans without machines."

Lakhani highlights three key areas where AI can make a significant impact:

Customer Interaction: AI can help in managing all consumer contact effectively.

Ideation: AI can serve as a thought partner for new business ideas.

Work Efficiency: AI can act as a super assistant that handles much of the routine work that business owners currently deal with alone.

For instance, businesses with limited English proficiency can use ChatGPT to translate their communications into perfect English, saving on the cost of translation services. It can also help address customer complaints, craft marketing copy, and come up with social media campaigns.

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How MIT’s Liquid Neural Networks can solve AI problems from robotics to self-driving cars

Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed Liquid Neural Networks (LNNs), a novel type of deep learning architecture, to tackle some of the challenges posed by traditional deep learning models. LNNs can potentially solve problems in fields where traditional models struggle, such as robotics and self-driving cars.

Inspired by the neuron structures of small organisms like the C. Elegans worm, LNNs utilize less computationally expensive mathematical formulations and have a different wiring architecture. Their unique differential equation approach allows them to adjust dynamically after training, a feature not present in typical neural networks.

One of the significant advantages of LNNs is their compactness. While a conventional deep learning network might require around 100,000 artificial neurons and half a million parameters to perform a task, an LNN can accomplish the same task with just 19 neurons. This compactness means LNNs can run on smaller computers in robots and other edge devices, and their decision-making processes can be more readily interpreted.

Furthermore, LNNs appear to have a better understanding of causal relationships, enabling them to better generalize to unseen situations. This ability to focus on tasks and not on the context of tasks allows them to adapt when the environment changes.

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Massachusetts regulators launch probe into AI in securities industry

Massachusetts securities regulators are investigating the ways investment firms are using artificial intelligence (AI) in their interactions with investors. The move comes amidst concerns regarding the unchecked use of such technology. Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, who also serves as the state's top securities regulator, has sent letters of inquiry to several firms using or developing AI, including JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley. Other firms involved are Tradier Brokerage, US Tiger Securities, E*Trade, Savvy Advisors, and Hearsay Systems.

Galvin expressed concerns about the potential harm to investors if AI technology is used without proper disclosure and conflict considerations. His investigation comes on the heels of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's proposal to require broker-dealers to eliminate potential conflicts of interest resulting from the use of AI on trading platforms. This proposal was partially inspired by the 2021 "meme stock" frenzy, where predictive analytics were used to drive the gamification of retail investor behavior.

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Wendy's Is The Latest Fast-Food Company To Adopt Artificial Intelligence In Their Stores As Restaurants Continue To Struggle With Staffing Shortages

Wendy's, a major player in the global fast-food industry, has joined forces with Google to bring artificial intelligence (AI) technology to a drive-thru restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. This move is seen as a response to staffing shortages and the drive to enhance customer experiences. Wendy's CEO Todd Penegor has emphasized that Google Cloud’s generative AI technology presents an enormous opportunity for improving customer experiences while freeing up employees to focus on food preparation and customer relationship building.

With approximately 75% to 80% of Wendy's customers opting for the drive-thru experience, AI automation appears to be a strategic move to streamline the ordering process, making it simpler and more efficient. This development could also potentially lead to an improved standard of service across the quick-service industry, according to Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud.

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