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Control your dreams using AI
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Welcome, AI enthusiasts.
Think controlling your dreams sounds like Science Fiction? A new AI-powered device called Morpheus-1 may change your mind.
The halo-like headband claims to help induce and control lucid dreaming — and if its upcoming trials succeed, our sleep may never be the same. Let’s explore…
In today’s AI rundown:
New device aims to induce lucid dreams on-demand
OpenAI rolls out new model upgrades, cost cuts
How to access Copilot's GPTs & plugins on mobile
Pika releases RPG for improved prompt comprehension
6 new AI tools & 4 new AI jobs
More AI & tech news
Read time: 4 minutes
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
PROPHETIC
🧠 New device aims to induce lucid dreams on-demand
Image source: Prophetic
The Rundown: Tech startup Prophetic just introduced Morpheus-1, described as the world's first ‘multimodal generative ultrasonic transformer’ designed to explore human consciousness through controlling lucid dreams.
The details:
Morpheus-1 combines machine learning, EEG data, and ultrasound waves to detect REM sleep and trigger dream states that users can control.
A halo-like headband detects brain waves, with ultrasound beams then stimulating specific brain areas tied to conscious dreaming.
Onboard batteries, Bluetooth, and WiFi allow all-night operation and data syncing, with a companion app tracking sleep phases and collecting dream data to refine the AI models.
Prophetic said the beta program for Morpheus-1 will begin this spring.
Why it matters: Ready to control your dreams? With so much still left to understand about the brain and sleep, combining AI with neuroscience could be a major unlock for demystifying and expanding human consciousness.
TOGETHER WITH BRAVE
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OPENAI
⚙️ OpenAI rolls out new model upgrades, cost cuts
Image source: Midjourney
The Rundown: OpenAI just announced several new upgrades to its GPT models, including reduced ‘laziness’ and lowered API costs alongside other technical improvements.
The details:
GPT-3.5 Turbo gets unspecified improvements, a 50% input cost drop, and a 25% output price cut for API usage.
GPT-4 Turbo gets an upgrade to reduce ‘laziness’, addressing complaints of the model’s quality degrading.
The top tier 4T model with Vision will also be launching in ‘general availability’ in the coming months.
Developers gain more control over API keys, with the text moderation API also getting improvements to catch harmful content better.
Why it matters: Reduced API costs add up for developers building off OpenAI tech, as well as help keep them in the ecosystem as competition swells. The holidays are apparently over for GPT-4, getting a 2024 attitude adjustment after recent reports of the AI underperforming.
AI TRAINING
📱 How to access Copilot's GPTs & plugins on mobile
Image source: Microsoft Copilot
The Rundown: Microsoft Copilot just got a new mobile update, rolling out the ability for users to access both GPTs and plugins for free in-app on the go.
Thank you to Paul Couvert for sharing this tutorial.
Step-by-step:
Open the Copilot app — or download it if you haven’t already via the App Store or Google Play Store.
Access GPTs in the menu bar on the left side of the app — the four currently available are Designer, Vacation Planner, Cooking Assistant, and Fitness Trainer.
Enable plugins by clicking the three-dot options icon at the top right and selecting ‘Plugins’ — you can choose up to three at a time to activate.
AI RESEARCH
🎨 Pika releases RPG for improved prompt comprehension
Image source: Pika
The Rundown: Pika researchers just developed a new approach called RPG (Recaptioning, Planning, Generating), which uses powerful multimodal AI systems to enhance text-to-image models, improving generations from complex text prompts.
The details:
RPG leverages chain-of-thought reasoning and multimodal understanding, breaking down prompts into simpler sub-prompts and planning complementary regions for each subset.
The images are then generated region-by-region, guided by the subprompts.
The approach significantly outperforms leading diffusion models on metrics like text-image alignment and multi-category object composition.
Why it matters: While text-to-image models have come a long way over the last year, they still struggle with capturing every detail of a complex prompt. Pika’s latest breakthrough brings an impressive level of control — giving creators even more power over their outputs.
NEW TOOLS & JOBS
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QUICK HITS
Google Cloud and Hugging Face announced a new partnership to advance open-source AI, with HF users now able to leverage Google infrastructure to build models.
Brave integrated open-source Mixtral 8x7B as the default LLM on both free and paid versions of its AI browser assistant Leo.
The Federal Trade Commission is probing the investments of tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google into OpenAI and Anthropic, investigating how the deals impact the AI competitive landscape.
PayPal revealed plans for new AI products, including tools for merchants to better reach new customers and a Fastlane feature for ramping up checkout speeds.
FuboTV launched "Instant Headlines," a feature that uses AI to generate 10-word summaries of news segments to help viewers decide what to watch in real-time.
University of Amsterdam researchers developed RoboChem, an autonomous AI robot for chemical synthesis that outperforms human chemists in speed and accuracy.
AI-generated graphic images of Taylor Swift went viral across X, outraging fans and sparking broader discussions around restricting deepfake content.
THAT’S A WRAP
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Spotifys lead App Store rebellion
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Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.
Apple just made some big changes to its controversial App Store rules — but critics argue the tech giant’s moves aren’t as open as they appear.
Heavyweights like Epic Games and Spotify are loudly gearing up for a digital showdown. Let’s investigate…
In today’s tech rundown:
Epic, Spotify plot App Store moves after EU ruling
New 3D printing method creates metal parts in minutes
8 new products
FTC investigating tech giant’s AI investments
Pokemon investigating Palworld for IP infringement
Microsoft cuts jobs from gaming division
Read time: 3 minutes
TODAY’S HEADLINES
APPLE, EPIC, & SPOTIFY
😡 Epic, Spotify plot App Store moves after EU ruling
Image source: X (formerly Twitter)
The Rundown: Epic Games is bringing Fortnite back to iPhones in Europe, with Spotify also exploring in-app purchase features following the EU’s DMA rulings forcing Apple to allow third-party app platforms.
The details:
Apple announced it will now allow third-party app stores and payment systems (with stipulations) on the App Store in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney called Apple’s changes ‘hot garbage’, in an X post detailing the finer points of the changes.
Epic intends to leverage the DMA ruling to sell Fortnite outside the Apple ecosystem via its own store and dodge its 30% cut.
Spotify, another vocal opponent of Apple’s practices, is also planning to launch in-app purchases like subscriptions, audiobooks, and podcasts with the new changes.
Why it matters: While tech companies scramble to shift to the new DMA ruling, it sounds like Apple has still found ways around truly opening its walled garden App Store. Further legal battles will likely be needed to truly loosen the tech giant’s grip on developers.
TOGETHER WITH TWEETHUNTER
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3D PRINTING
🦾 New 3D printing method creates metal parts in minutes
Image source: MIT
The Rundown: MIT researchers just developed a rapid 3D printing technique using liquid metal that can create large aluminum components 10 times faster than other methods.
The details:
The new liquid metal printing approach directs molten aluminum into a bed of glass beads, which quickly harden into durable 3D structures.
The resolution is lower than finer metal printing techniques, but speed and scale are greatly boosted.
Other metals beyond aluminum could work with minor tweaks to the LMP process.
Why it matters: LMP's ability to quickly print strong metal pieces makes it ideal for larger structures needing fast, affordable production — and as the process improves, its transformative potential for construction and manufacturing grows.
NEW PRODUCTS
🎥 guidde- Magically create stunning video documentation with AI (link)*
💰 Venture GPT- AI assistant for entrepreneurs and investors in the startup ecosystem (link)
🦙 Distributed Llama- Parallelize large language models across devices (link)
🖥️ Jusi- AI-driven platform for quickly creating websites & apps (link)
🌐 Byword- Create SEO-friendly articles en masse (link)
📧 Superhuman- The fastest email experience ever made, with AI-powered features (link)
👩🎨 Looka- AI-powered platform to design a logo and build a brand in seconds (link)
📊 Sheet AI- Put AI in your Google Sheets (link)
Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.
*Sponsored Link
SNIPPETS
The FTC is investigating major cloud providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google for their billion-dollar investments in AI startups such as OpenAI.
Meta has implemented new measures to block teens from receiving direct messages from strangers on Facebook and Instagram.
Google Pixel 9 leaks appeared online, showing broad design changes with a more iPhone-like design and a potential third telephoto lens addition.
Microsoft announced layoffs impacting approximately 1,900 employees from its gaming division, including Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax teams.
The Pokémon Company plans to investigate the game Palworld for potential infringement of its intellectual property rights after its notable launch and substantial sales.
Elon Musk has announced a new, more affordable Tesla EV expected to start production in late 2025 with innovative manufacturing processes.
Japan’s SLIM spacecraft successfully touched down on the moon, but landed upside down and faces issues with power generation as the country plots a recovery.
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THAT’S A WRAP
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Google's INSANE AI video breakthrough
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Welcome, AI enthusiasts.
Google researchers just casually dropped Lumiere — an impressive new AI video generation model that creates insanely cohesive, realistic, and controllable clips.
Video creation just leveled up (again). Let’s take a look…
In today’s AI rundown:
Google’s insane Lumiere video generation AI
Apple gearing up for iPhone AI push
How to prompt LLMs like an expert
Study: Chatbots may be lifelines for at-risk students
7 new AI tools & 4 new AI jobs
More AI & tech news
Read time: 4 minutes
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
🎥 Google’s insane Lumiere video generation AI
Image source: Google Research
The Rundown: Google researchers just revealed Lumiere, a new AI model for video generation that achieves unprecedented realism and creative control — while maintaining consistency by generating the full video at the same time.
The details:
Lumiere utilizes an advanced "space-time" neural network to generate 5-second video clips in a single pass, as opposed to other models which create distant keyframes.
The technique allows for high levels of consistency within the video, avoiding much of the ‘choppiness’ seen in other generations.
Lumiere can create videos based on text prompts or animate portions of still images (similar to Pika Labs & Runway), with the demo also showcasing video inpainting and style cloning.
Why it matters: The AI video generation advances we’ve seen lately have been staggering, and we expect developments in the sector to continue to blow minds for all of 2024. The research behind the scenes is finally starting to unveil itself after all the Hollywood drama last year.
Check out the full demo here.
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APPLE
📱 Apple gearing up for iPhone AI push
Image source: Midjourney
The Rundown: Apple is reportedly quietly ramping up its arsenal with AI acquisitions, hires, and redesigned chips — making moves to run advanced models directly on the next generation of iPhones.
The details:
Apple has silently acquired 21 AI startups since 2017, and nearly half of Apple's AI job posts now mention "deep learning.”
New Apple chips already claim higher performance for AI computing, with the new Macbooks and Watches both getting significant processing upgrades.
Recent Apple research papers also detailed breakthroughs in shrinking AI models to run on mobile devices.
Previous reports have hinted at Apple’s Ajax LLM having a focus on running on-device.
Why it matters: While Apple has been dragged for seemingly lagging behind in AI, incorporating an advanced model into the upcoming iPhones would be quite the power move. They may be behind platform-focused LLMs like ChatGPT, but the mobile AI race still feels wide open for the taking (we’re looking at you, Siri 👀).
AI TRAINING
🧠 How to prompt LLMs like an expert
Image source: Meta
The Rundown: Meta just released a new guide to prompt engineering, covering a ton of best practices for getting the most out of your conversations with LLMs.
Follow these tips below to prompt like a pro:
Be Explicit: Give clear, detailed instructions and restrictions to shape LLM outputs. Ex: "Summarize in <250 words using only academic sources from 2022-2023."
Chain Reasoning: Adding phrases like "Let's think step-by-step" can help improve an LLM’s complex logical reasoning.
Use Roles: Establish a persona to anchor the LLM. Ex: "You are a machine learning expert giving advice to senior engineers."
RAG: Include information from external databases/sources when possible to better handle specific questions and avoid hallucinated responses.
Check out the full guide here.
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AI RESEARCH
🫂 Study: Chatbots may be lifelines for at-risk students
Image source: Midjourney
The Rundown: A new Stanford University study of over 1,000 college students using the AI app Replika uncovered alarmingly high loneliness, yet most perceived strong social support from the chatbot — with 3% of the students even crediting it with preventing their suicide attempts.
The details:
90% of the participants reported loneliness (43% severely), compared to 53% typically among students.
Many students used Replika as a loyal friend, therapist, or "personal mirror," experiencing reduced anxiety.
30 students said its 24/7 availability to listen without judgment stopped them from attempting suicide.
Why it matters: With the mental health crisis growing each year, stigma-free AI companions could help fill a unique void to help at-risk students. While the niche is still a bit taboo, it’s currently trending hot, especially among younger generations.
NEW TOOLS & JOBS
AI tools powered by Supertools
👀 Seeing AI- Microsoft’s newest app to help blind and low-vision people identify things using their phone’s camera (link)
🇻 VectorShift- A no-code way to instantly build generative AI assistants (link)
🤝 Talently.ai- Screen 100s of candidates automatically with AI (link)
📄 Text Reader AI- Convert text to speech with free, realistic AI voices (link)
🔎 Findr- Find messages quickly across all your apps with AI (link)
🔊 Taped.ai- Convert audio and visuals to text summaries using AI (link)
AI jobs powered by The Rundown Jobs
QUICK HITS
Favikon, an AI-powered creator marketing tool used AI and machine learning to rank the top creators on X based on engagement, ranked our founder @rowancheung as the third most influential creator on X, followed by other major AI figures such as Sam Altman at 6, and Lex Fridman at 10th.
KitKat launched an ad campaign in Canada citing a Google DeepMind study that suggests including "Have a break, and then..." in AI prompts improves output quality, aligning with its iconic tagline.
Microsoft became just the second company to hit a $3T market valuation, bolstered by optimism in AI and its integrated devices.
The Pentagon is reportedly already testing advanced AI-powered swarm drones and ships, showcasing breakthroughs in autonomous aerial and naval warfare.
Google settled a $1.67 billion patent lawsuit with Singular Computing, ending a dispute over AI-related chip technology.
The EU AI Act contents have reportedly leaked, with the plans raising concerns about the potential impact on innovation and global tech firms.
Nvidia, Microsoft, Google, and others announced a partnership with the US government to advance AI research and innovation.
THAT’S A WRAP
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Microsoft joins the $3T club
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Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.
Microsoft’s value just soared into rarified Wall Street air — crossing $3T in market cap and joining Apple in an elite and exclusive club.
But with the company’s strategic acquisitions and continuing ascension in AI, this meteoric rise looks far from over. Let’s dive in…
In today’s tech rundown:
Microsoft hits $3T valuation milestone
Twitch shakes up streamer revenue share model
8 new products
Tesla misses earnings on Q4 report
Ring changes policy on police requests
eBay lays off 9% of staff
Read time: 3 minutes
TODAY’S HEADLINES
MICROSOFT
💰 Microsoft hits $3T valuation milestone
Image source: Getty Images
The Rundown: Microsoft's market cap surged past $3T this week, fueled by investor optimism around the tech giant's expansive AI ambitions — becoming only the second publicly traded company (Apple did it first) to reach the milestone.
The details:
Microsoft stock is up a whopping 277% in the past five years under CEO Satya Nadella's leadership.
Key moves like the acquisitions of GitHub, LinkedIn, and Minecraft developer Mojang helped weather the reality of trailing in the mobile sector.
Microsoft’s acquisition of several AI firms, as well as massive investment into OpenAI, have positioned Microsoft as an AI leader.
Rollouts of AI offerings like Copilot have impressed Wall Street, with the company rapidly pushing out new features as it races to infuse its software and cloud services with machine learning.
Why it matters: Microsoft losing the mobile war now seems a distant memory. And with AI emerging as the next major computing paradigm, Nadella and co. appear to be seizing the opportunity to cement dominance for the next era of technology.
TOGETHER WITH JASPER
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TWITCH
🎮 Twitch shakes up streamer revenue share model
Image source: Twitch
The Rundown: Streaming platform Twitch is changing up its revenue-sharing structure to incentivize creators and remain viable long-term with a revamped "Plus Program" that lowers the threshold for increased payouts.
The details:
The 60/40 revenue share will apply to streamers with over 100 paid subscribers, addressing previous criticism of the platform only rewarding larger creators.
Top creators keep their 70/30 share with the $100K annual earning cap removed, a limiting factor called out by users.
However, Prime subscriber payouts shift to fixed rates per country rather than a share of full subscriptions — which the company acknowledged would disappoint some creators.
The changes come after recent mass layoffs as the platform struggles with profitability, alongside fierce competition from rivals like Kick and YouTube.
Why it matters: This revenue shakeup shows Twitch trying to balance business realities with creator needs in an increasingly crowded streaming market. As competitors nip at its heels, prioritizing streamer loyalty may ultimately determine Twitch's future.
NEW PRODUCTS
🤖 Aspen- Ultra-fast, AI-enhanced API testing without requiring sign-up (link)
💨 Jusi- AI platform streamlining website & app development for swift deployment (link)
🔖 Zenfetch- Transform your bookmarks into a smart AI repository (link)
💻 Brainner- Streamline candidate selection with AI-driven resume filtering (link)
💼 M1-project- Devise your startup's effective marketing plan with the help of AI (link)
🖼 Framer AI- Generate a website in minutes from prompts (link)
🖥️ Super- Create a website from your Notion database in minutes (link)
🐦 Postwise- Craft viral Tweets in seconds (link)
Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.
SNIPPETS
Tesla's Q4 profits in 2023 experienced a slight increase from the previous quarter, yet remained lower compared to the previous year due to ongoing price reductions.
Apple is gearing up to allow sideloading of apps in the EU and may still charge developers fees and enforce app review rules.
Inspections have exposed numerous loose bolts and wider issues in Alaska Airlines' Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet.
Ring is changing its policy to halt warrantless police requests for user footage and retooling its Neighbors app to focus on community engagement.
Palworld, a game similar to Pokémon, sold over seven million copies on Steam in five days, generating approximately $189 million.
eBay plans to lay off about 1,000 employees, accounting for 9% of its workforce, in response to overhiring and a need to cut expenses.
Apple is set to be the initial recipient of TSMC's advanced 2-nanometer chips, expected to start production in the second half of 2025.
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THAT’S A WRAP
If you have anything interesting to share, please reach out to us by sending us a DM on Twitter: @rowancheung & @therundowntech
Chrome just got 3 new AI features
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Welcome, AI enthusiasts.
Google Chrome just got 3 new AI upgrades to help boost user productivity.
The latest features are integrating the tech even further into browsing habits — slowly nudging users towards the AI-driven future of the internet. Let’s explore…
In today’s AI rundown:
New Chrome update brings AI boosts
Google cuts ties with AI contractor Appen
How to build GPTs with better memory
ActAnywhere places subjects into custom video scenes
6 new AI tools & 4 new AI jobs
More AI & tech news
Read time: 4 minutes
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
💻 New Chrome update brings AI boosts
Image source: Google
The Rundown: Google just pushed out its latest Chrome browser update, introducing new experimental AI features to improve web browsing – including automatic tab grouping, custom theme generation, and writing assistance.
The details:
Tab Organizer automatically sorts open tabs into suggested groups, making it easier to manage multiple tasks.
AI themes will allow users to personalize their browser by selecting a subject, mood, style, and color for the AI to render.
A new "Help me write" feature launching next month will provide AI-generated suggestions when composing text on websites.
Why it matters: Google continues to make subtle AI integrations into its existing product base — and while these features aren’t going to blow anyone away, slowly shifting consumer habits towards using the advancing tech is a likely win in the long run.
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TÜV SÜD offers:
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✂️ Google cuts ties with AI contractor Appen
Image source: CNBC
The Rundown: Google just terminated its contract with Appen, an Australian firm that provided training data to improve AI systems like Bard — a move that the Alphabet Worker’s Union says will have a ‘devastating impact’ on its subcontracted employees.
The details:
Appen employs over 1M contractors globally to label data for training AI models, touting Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Amazon on their client list.
The contract with Google accounted for nearly a third of Appen's revenue — with the company’s shares dropping 40% on the news.
Google’s employee union said in a statement that the move will impact ‘at least 2000’ subcontracted workers.
Appen has faced criticism in the past over low wages for contractors across the globe working on Google products.
Why it matters: Google’s wave of layoffs and restructuring isn’t limited to its full time staff — with partners and contractors now feeling the heat as well. But as AI shifts from human labor to more compute power, these ‘ghost workers’ may quickly find themselves obsolete in the training process.
AI TRAINING
🧠 How to build GPTs with better memory
Nick Dobos (@NickADobos) on X
The Rundown: Loading up your GPT with knowledge files may seem logical, but it can tank performance by flooding the context window. Follow these best practices below to improve your bot’s memory.
Thank you to Nick Dobos (a top 10 GPT creator) for sharing these tips.
Recommendations to improve GPT performance:
Instead of inserting documents for knowledge files, use .md (you can save files in this format by renaming them in a code editor).
This workaround keeps information out of the context window, giving the GPT more available memory.
Only fetch files when needed with Code Interpreter.
Do not use all 20 files if possible — but if unavoidable, keep them small (.md format helps this).
Only include actionable docs with working system prompts for the AI.
AI RESEARCH
🎥 ActAnywhere places subjects into custom video scenes
Image source: Adobe
The Rundown: Adobe researchers just developed an AI model called ActAnywhere, which can digitally insert a person into new video backgrounds — creating realistic footage of them moving and interacting within the scene.
The details:
ActAnywhere takes video input of a person and a still image defining the new background.
Using deep learning, it generates a video showing the person embedded into the scene with proper motion, scale, lighting, and shadows.
In tests, ActAnywhere produced highly realistic videos — with water splashing as a subject runs through puddles or smoke wafting from fog.
The model automates the tedious production process of realistically blending a subject into a new background.
Why it matters: ActAnywhere’s impressive breakthrough could have major professional applications in filmmaking, video effects, content creation, and beyond — saving production time while still generating hyper-realistic outputs.
NEW TOOLS & JOBS
AI tools powered by Supertools
🗣️ Deepgram- Introducing Aura, a powerful text-to-speech (TTS) API built for real-time conversations. Be the first to try Aura by joining the waitlist (link)
🤖 Top GPTs- Access the best OpenAI GPTs without a Plus subscription (link)
👨💼 KPI Builder- Find the KPIs you should care most about as a founder (link)
💻 Brainner- Streamline talent acquisition by automating AI-driven resume analysis (link)
🎨 Recraft- Create and edit graphics in a uniform brand style (link)
👨💻 brikly- Platform for recruiting engineers on an agency basis (link)
AI jobs powered by The Rundown Jobs
QUICK HITS
AI researcher Jim Fan gave a Ted Talk presentation unveiling the concept of a ‘foundation agent’ as the next challenge for AI — envisioning a model that operates across both virtual and physical worlds.
AiDash announced a $50M raise for its AI systems that combine with satellites to detect wildfire and weather risks near power lines.
Google Ads is integrating the company’s Gemini AI model to help advertisers build better search campaigns, showing a 42% increase in ad strength for small businesses.
The United States Postal Service is leveraging generative AI integrations as it modernizes its services with machine learning across hiring and operations.
Kin.art launched a free tool for artists to prevent their artwork from being used in generative AI model training by subtly altering the images.
The UK Government declared AI's reproduction of copyrighted works illegal without a license or exception, rejecting exceptions for text and data mining.
Planet and Microsoft are collaborating to create an AI-focused resource for environmental reporting, aiming to improve sustainability and biodiversity tracking.
THAT’S A WRAP
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Apple's EV veers off course (again)
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Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.
Apple’s vision of its ‘Project Titan’ vehicle is still stuck in gridlock.
After nearly a decade of development, Apple is reportedly scaling back and delaying the release of its self-driving EV (again) until at least 2028. Let’s dive deeper…
In today’s tech rundown:
Apple scales back, delays self-driving EV
First 3D-printed, plant-based shrimp created
8 new products
Chrome gets an AI browser update
Netflix enters the wrestling ring with WWE deal
France slaps Amazon with fine over worker surveillance
Read time: 3 minutes
TODAY’S HEADLINES
APPLE
🍎 Apple scales back, delays self-driving EV
Image source: Midjourney
The Rundown: Apple has reportedly scaled back the self-driving capabilities and delayed the launch timing of its secretive EV project called ‘Project Titan’ to 2028 at the earliest — facing pressure from the board after years of planning and slow progress.
The details:
The car was previously planned to have advanced self-driving features (including no steering wheel or pedals at one point) and launch in 2026.
The autonomous capabilities are being scaled back to a 'Level 2+’ system, with more basic driver assistance features similar to Tesla's Autopilot.
The pivot is seen as a make-or-break point for the car after nearly a decade of strategy shifts and delays.
Why it matters: The downgrade highlights the immense challenges Apple has faced in translating its hardware success to the automotive industry. And while the project is still moving forward, Apple likely won't be leading the self-driving race anytime soon.
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3D PRINTING
🍤 First 3D-printed, plant-based shrimp created
Image source: Twitter @zackhargett
The Rundown: Israeli food tech company Steakholder Foods created what it claims are the world's first 3D-printed, plant-based shrimp — aiming to advance the alternative protein industry further into the seafood sector.
The details:
Steakholder prints the shrimp layer-by-layer using shrimp-flavored bioinks and its DropJet printer — helping better replicate texture and flavor.
The company previously launched 3D printed steak in 2021, and fish fillets in 2023.
In addition to offering its printed shrimp, Stakeholder also plans to sell its printers to B2B meat manufacturers.
Why it matters: As demand for shrimp grows globally, this breakthrough demonstrates how 3D printing could enable more sustainable, cruelty-free seafood alternatives. And vegans look to be getting some more realistic, tastier options on the menu as the tech advances.
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🦾 Resolve- ChatGPT-powered customer service chatbots (link)
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SNIPPETS
Google is enhancing Chrome with AI-powered features to automatically group tabs, create custom themes, and assist user writing across the web.
France fined Amazon $35 million due to its excessively intrusive surveillance of warehouse employees.
An interdisciplinary team developed a camera system capable of accurately capturing videos that depict how various animals perceive moving colors in their natural environments.
Starting January 2025, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming platform for WWE's Monday Night Raw and other major wrestling events internationally.
The Federal Trade Commission has ruled that Intuit's advertising of TurboTax as "free" violated U.S. law and ordered the company to clearly disclose service eligibility conditions.
Apple paid $13.4 million to the Russian government to settle an antitrust fine imposed for restricting iOS developers to only using Apple's payment tool.
Samsung is racing to debut non-invasive blood glucose and continuous blood pressure monitoring technologies ahead of Apple.
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THAT’S A WRAP
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Google's AI ambitions LEAKED
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Welcome, AI enthusiasts.
A leaked internal document from Google revealed the tech giants’ key ambitions for 2024 (hint: it heavily involves AI).
But with mass layoffs, brain drain, and a lack of successful consumer AI products — this one might qualify as a ‘stretch’ goal. Let’s get into it…
In today’s AI rundown:
Google's 2024 AI ambitions LEAKED
MIT study: AI job loss may be overhyped
How to use Runway’s new Multi Motion Brush
360-degree robot vision gets an AI upgrade
7 new AI tools & 4 new AI jobs
More AI & tech news
Read time: 4 minutes
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
🔮 Google's 2024 AI ambitions LEAKED
Image source: Reuters
The Rundown: An internal document leaked from Google unveiled the tech giant's key goal for 2024 — to "deliver the world's most advanced, safe, and responsible AI”.
The details:
Google aims to lead in AI capability and safety, though its models are currently lagging behind rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft.
Further layoffs are expected to free up resources for ambitious AI investments, with CEO Sundar Pichai’s comments worrying employees.
Google’s AI offerings like Bard have yet to gain traction, and is yet to have a successful standalone AI product comparable to ChatGPT.
AI spam-generated content threatens the company’s core search — though feared disruption of search revenue from AI chatbots has yet to occur.
Why it matters: Google is facing immense pressure to catch up in AI to maintain cloud momentum and search dominance. But whether it can actually deliver on lofty AI goals remains uncertain — and continued layoffs and brain drain risk further sinking morale.
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AI & THE ECONOMY
📚 MIT study: AI job loss may be overhyped
Image source: DALL-E 3
The Rundown: A new study from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory suggests that AI is unlikely to replace as many human jobs as quickly as some projections claim.
The details:
The researchers found that only 23% of wages for vision-related tasks are currently economical to automate with AI.
According to the data, building custom systems is still far too expensive compared to human labor costs for most jobs.
Even cheap pre-trained models would take decades to offset human workers for many low-wage, multi-task jobs.
The pace of AI cost reductions and performance improvements will largely impact the scale of disruption for job markets.
Why it matters: While AI's labor impact shouldn't be dismissed, understanding limits to automation rates may temper some doomsday predictions about mass job loss. According to this study, the shifting landscape may be slower and more gradual than many expect.
AI TRAINING
🖌️ How to use Runway’s new Multi Motion Brush
The Rundown: Runway’s new Multi Motion Brush feature allows you to have way more control over your video generations — animating up to 5 different areas of an output with independent motions.
Step-by-step:
Open Runway, and click on the Gen-2 model. Upload an existing image or type a text prompt to create the generation from scratch.
Click on the Motion Brush feature. On the right side of the panel under ‘Motion Canvas’ are five brushes — each can control a separate area of the generation with different movements. With Brush 1 selected, paint over the area you’d like to animate.
Tip: Make the brush bigger or smaller with the slider in the upper left corner.
Control the motion by tweaking the sliders in the ‘Directional Motion’.
Repeat the exercise for up to five different areas. When you’re finished, hit save and then ‘Generate 4s’.
The generations take about 1 minute. Tweak and play around with the motion options to get the perfect result!
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AI RESEARCH
👁️ 360-degree robot vision gets an AI upgrade
Image source: DALL-E 3
The Rundown: Researchers just developed a new robotic vision system called 360ORB-SLAM, designed to significantly enhance AR/VR experiences and visual assistance technology using 360-degree panoramic images and AI.
The details:
The system uses panoramic camera views to help robots detect 50% more visual landmarks in their environment.
An AI algorithm then takes data from the camera and fills in missing details, generating complete 3D depth maps of the surroundings.
In tests, this approach helped robots better track their location, avoid obstacles, and map environments.
Why it matters: This innovative approach provides new opportunities for more immersive and accurate AR/VR experiences, while also paving the way for advanced visual assistance systems in robotics.
NEW TOOLS & JOBS
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👨⚕️ Yuna- An AI-powered mental health coach smartphone app (link)
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QUICK HITS
ElevenLabs announced an $80M Series B raise at a $1.1B valuation for its voice cloning tech — also revealing new products like a Dubbing Studio and Voice Library Marketplace.
New Hampshire officials are investigating voter suppression robocalls impersonating President Biden, with AI-generated audio urging people not to vote in Tuesday's primary.
Elon Musk posted that a new version of X’s Grok AI will be out next month, hailing ‘substantial improvements across the board’.
Berkley AI researchers showed off a video of their general-purpose humanoid robot walking around San Francisco.
UK delivery company DPD's AI chatbot went rogue, swearing at a customer, criticizing the company, and writing a poem after prompts from a frustrated user.
Consensus, a research assistant GPT from, surpassed 1M user chats, vaulting it to the #3 spot on OpenAI’s trending leaderboard.
Purdue researchers developed AI models that simulate realistic tree growth and shape, learning from thousands of examples how they interact with the environmental conditions.
THAT’S A WRAP
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Starlink's Google-backed competition
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Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.
A Starlink competitor just got a major influx of cash — and the investments are coming from some heavy hitters.
Google, AT&T, and Vodaphone just injected $200M into AST SpaceMobile, cranking up the heat on the space-based connectivity race. Let’s explore…
In today’s tech rundown:
Google, phone carriers invest in Starlink competitor
On-demand skin patch wirelessly releases drugs
7 new products
Apple’s security-enhancing iOS upgrade
DMA ruling allows EU users to separate FB, IG accounts
Mr. Beast earns $250k on X video experiment
Read time: 3 minutes
TODAY’S HEADLINES
AST SPACEMOBILE
📡 Google, phone carriers invest in Starlink competitor
Image source: AST
The Rundown: Google, AT&T, and Vodafone are investing $206.5M into AST SpaceMobile, a Starlink competitor developing satellites that can connect directly to smartphones.
The details:
Like Starlink, AST aims to provide service in hard-to-reach areas not covered by cellular networks.
The company has a large prototype in orbit, with plans to launch 5 more satellites by March 2024 (for comparison, Starlink has 6 LTE-enabled satellites in orbit).
Google will partner on integrating AST's service into Android devices, while AT&T and Vodafone have placed equipment orders for commercial service.
Starlink has a deal with T-Mobile in the U.S., along with a partnership with several other carriers worldwide.
Why it matters: With backing from major tech and telecom players, AST could position itself as a thorn in Starlink’s side — though consumers worldwide likely benefit from the mass expansion of global phone connectivity set to come in the near future.
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MEDICAL TECH
💊 On-demand skin patch wirelessly releases drugs
Image source: UNC
The Rundown: Researchers at the University of North Carolina just developed a wearable skin patch that can wirelessly receive commands from a smartphone to release drugs on demand.
The details:
The soft, thin patch contains an array of tiny microneedles loaded with different medications.
A wireless signal triggers heating of individual microneedles, causing their gold coating to disintegrate and expose the drugs to the skin.
Drugs are then released within 30 seconds from only targeted needles.
In tests on mice, the patch effectively delivered the sleep hormone melatonin when triggered.
Why it matters: This smart patch could transform treatment for chronic illnesses by scheduling and delivering multiple drugs throughout the day without needing injections or frequent medication intake — with convenience and programmability that could significantly improve patients' quality of life.
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SNIPPETS
Nvidia has launched the open beta of its RTX Remix tool, enabling modders to enhance older games with advanced textures and ray tracing technology.
Apple's latest update, iOS 17.3, introduces Stolen Device Protection to enhance user data security on iPhones and iPads.
Mr. Beast shared that his video posted to X garnered $250k in revenue, though the content creator pointed to advertisers inflating numbers with ad buys.
EU users will soon be able to separate their Instagram and Facebook accounts due to new regulations from the Digital Markets Act.
VF Corp, supplier to popular brands like North Face and Vans, admits a data breach affecting 35.5 million customers without expecting financial repercussions.
Growing inventory and declining mortgage rates signal a potential recovery for the housing market in 2024.
MAGGIE, a proposed solar-powered aircraft, aims to search for water on Mars from the planet's atmosphere.
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