The tech world is buzzing with discussions and developments this week, ranging from debates on the future of AI to consumer disappointments with product availability and the unsettling realism of new AI voice technology. Let's dive into the highlights.
AI Development: Proceed with Caution?
A new policy paper is making waves in the AI community. Authored by prominent figures like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, and Center for AI Safety Director Dan Hendrycks, the paper argues against a "Manhattan Project" style push for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This approach, they suggest, could be too aggressive.
The paper, titled "Superintelligence Strategy," suggests that a more measured and thoughtful approach to AI development might be more beneficial. The authors caution against rushing headlong into creating systems with "superhuman" intelligence. It's a crucial conversation as AI continues to advance at a rapid pace.
Google TV Streamer: Not Coming to a Country Near You?
In less positive news for consumers, the new Google TV streamer won't be available in many regions. This leaves users who were hoping to upgrade stuck with the older, now discontinued, Chromecast with Google TV. It's a disappointing development for those eager to experience the latest Google TV features.
For those outside the lucky regions, the situation presents a challenge. Finding alternatives or settling for older technology seems to be the only option for now.
The Rise of Hyper-Realistic AI Voices
Sesame AI has unveiled its new Conversational Speech Model (CSM), and the results are both fascinating and a little unnerving. This advanced voice AI boasts incredibly human-like qualities, reminiscent of Google's Duplex and OpenAI's Omni. The demo showcases two AI voices named 'Miles' (male) and 'Maya' (female), and their realism is captivating the internet.
The level of realism achieved by CSM raises some interesting questions. As AI voices become more indistinguishable from human voices, it opens up new possibilities for communication and interaction. However, it also raises concerns about potential misuse and the blurring lines between human and artificial intelligence.
Adding to the changing landscape, Google's planned AI mode for Search is causing concern. This mode skips traditional search results, replacing them with a single, long AI-generated response. Some worry this will reduce the need to click on links, changing the way people access information online. It's a bold move that could significantly alter the search experience.
These developments highlight the rapid pace of innovation in the tech world. From debates about responsible AI development to the evolution of voice technology and changes to how we search for information, the future is shaping up to be both exciting and potentially unsettling.