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Hello Tuesday! It’s officially January 65th. We’re almost there, hang in there people!
Bard wants to know what you’re texting about.
And Amazon has hit a major stumbling block…
Oh, and you’re invited to a Steampunk Guild! Can you build a ship? 🚢
Here is what you need to know about AI today.
Read time: 5 minutes
AI PRIVACY CONCERNS
Big news from Google, folks.
They just dropped a major upgrade for its AI, Bard.
Bard claims it is going to be able to read your messages, understand your tone and even personalise responses based on who you’re chatting with…
What’s the catch?
Google wants to read all your texts!
Bard will analyse your private messages, and these requests stay in the cloud for 18 months - even if you disable the AI.
Cue the privacy concerns!
Here’s the deal: Google’s pushing the envelope, but can they convince users it won’t be another privacy nightmare?
Meanwhile, Apple is working quietly to deliver the goods.
They’re testing different models, including using ChatGPT.
The iOS 18 update might be a game-changer too.
Apple is wrestling with the choice of on-device or cloud-based AI.
Privacy is a big deal for Apple so this decision will shake things up for sure.
Bard, Google’s AI, says it’ll do all its analysis on your device, not the cloud.
BUT there’s a call for caution, between what Google has promised and what might actually happen.
As Bard gets ready to hit Google Messages sometime in 2024, users are advised to think twice before unlocking those message privacy settings.
Privacy is the buzzword, and users need to be cautious.
Our View:
Exciting AI advancements, but privacy concerns loom. Google and Apple's AI race could redefine messaging. Users, stay vigilant!
Are you comfortable with AI analysing your private messages? |
Vote for live results and see results + opinions from yesterday at the bottom of the email.
PRESENTED BY MINDSTUDIO
Unlock the power of AI without any coding. Join a free, in-depth two-hour course on Thursday, February 1st at 2 PM PT / 4 PM ET and learn how to build custom AI apps.
The MindStudio team will walk through:
How to leverage foundational AIs
How to create prompts with MindStudio’s AI generator
How to build out complete apps with prompting, automations, and even the ability to query custom data sources.
Whether you're a seasoned AI enthusiast or a novice, this webinar will give you the skills to launch your own AI applications quickly.
CONTINUE THIS
Continue an interesting conversation we have primed for you in ChatGPT…
Steampunk Inventors Guild
Help design a groundbreaking mode of transportation that blends Victorian charm with futuristic marvels.
Test your creativity and your mechanical skills!
AMAZON TECH DEAL
Amazon’s plan to acquire the maker of Roomba, iRobot, has hit a roadblock.
The deal is reportedly off because the European Union has blocked it, fearing it might limit competition in the robot vacuum cleaner market.
The EU regulators were worried that Amazon, being the giant it is, could sideline other robot vacuum brands on its platform leading to higher prices and less innovation.
Talk about competition!
As a result, iRobot is going through some changes, they’re saying goodbye to around 350 employees, about 31% of their workforce and even their CEO Colin Angle is stepping down.
The company’s interim CEO will be Glen Weinstein, Andrew Miller will take over as the new chair.
As part of a restructuring move, iRobot is also hitting pause on projects like air purifies and lawn mowers to focus on their core floor-cleaning products.
There’s a kicker!
Amazon has to pay a hefty $94 million termination fee to iRobot.
That is going to help iRobot pay off $200 million loan it took out last year.
In the financial department, iRobot is expecting to report an operating loss between $265 and $285 million for the last quarter of 2023.
This isn't the first time a big tech deal has fallen apart due to regulatory hurdles.
Remember Adobe’s Figma deal or Nvidia’s Arm deal? It’s the same situation.
Amazon, usually a pro at making smart home acquisitions, couldn’t convince the EU this time.
The SVP and general counsel, David Zapolsky, expressed disappointment claiming the deal’s failure would hinder innovation and competitive prices for consumers.
But hey, let’s not forget Amazon’s history of smart home acquisitions: Blink, Ring and Eero.
Despite this setback, they’ve still got a strong lineup. Oh and in case you missed it, Amazon’s devices and services business has a new boss, Panos Panay, who took over in October 2023.
So, what’s next for Amazon in the ever-evolving tech landscape?
Our View:
It’s like a robot romance turned into one messy breakup, leaving companes to sweet up the pieces.
MINDSTREAM PICKS
The Kansas City Chiefs secure their fourth Super Bowl appearance in five years, overcoming a mid-season slump with a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ghostbusters' director Jason Reitman wants an international setting for the next film, exploring the supernatural adventures of the spook-stopping squad beyond America.
Putin aims to secure victory in Ukraine by fueling conflicts worldwide, garnering support in the Global South while diverting attention from the West with other disputes.
Zoom's Vision Pro app, launching alongside Apple's new headset on February 2nd, introduces a "persona" feature, enabling users to employ digital avatars based on face scans.
EnsiliTech, awarded a £1.7 million contract, is pioneering ensilication technology to develop the world's first thermally stable mRNA vaccine, potentially eliminating the need for ultra-cold storage.
AI ART
Our Daily Image Prompt submitted by Mindstream reader Patricia B. “time travelling train emerging from a wormhole”
Get art inspiration by trying this prompt in your image generator of choice.
A concert where the instruments are animals
Happy with the result, or have some other artwork you’re proud of?
You can send in your artwork and we will feature it, with credit to you.
We get a lot of submissions, but we do look at every single one! So please don’t hesitate to send us your art.
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