This week in tech brings a mix of investigations, new features, and funding initiatives. From potential chip violations to enhanced iPhone capabilities and AI research grants, there's a lot to unpack.
DeepSeek Under Scrutiny
The US Commerce Department is reportedly investigating Chinese AI company DeepSeek after it launched a free AI assistant to compete with US models like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The probe focuses on whether DeepSeek used restricted AI chipsets in its product, potentially violating US export controls. This investigation highlights the ongoing tensions and regulatory scrutiny surrounding the use of advanced technology between the US and China.
If DeepSeek is found to have used restricted chipsets, it could face significant penalties and further restrictions on its ability to access US technology. This case underscores the importance of compliance with export regulations in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
iPhone 15 Pro Gets Smarter with Visual Intelligence
Good news for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users! The upcoming iOS 18.4 update will bring Visual Intelligence, an Apple Intelligence feature previously exclusive to the iPhone 16 line. Visual Intelligence uses AI models from Google and OpenAI to identify objects, add information from flyers to your calendar, and even identify dog breeds. Think of it as Shazam, but for everything you point your camera at.
“Considering the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro chip offers enough RAM to enable other Apple Intelligence features, it makes sense that its Action Button shouldn't be left out of the fun,” reports Engadget. The update also enables the Action Button to activate Visual Intelligence, making it even more accessible. Alongside Visual Intelligence, iOS 18.4 will launch a new recipe section in Apple News called Apple News+ Food. An upgraded Siri launch has been postponed.
OpenAI Invests in Future AI Research
OpenAI is investing $50 million in NextGenAI, a new consortium focused on supporting AI-assisted research at top universities. The funding will provide research grants, compute resources, and API access to 15 founding academic partners, including Harvard, the University of Oxford, and MIT. This initiative aims to accelerate advancements in AI and foster collaboration between industry and academia.
By supporting NextGenAI, OpenAI is demonstrating its commitment to responsible AI development and investing in the next generation of AI researchers. This investment could lead to breakthroughs in various fields, from healthcare to climate change.
The Rise of Realistic AI Voices
Finally, the article "I tried the most realistic AI voice companion ever created" highlights the impressive capabilities of Sesame's AI voice technology. Sesame's AI voice successfully mimics human speech almost perfectly. If ChatGPT or Gemini ever gets this good, reality is in trouble.
The article suggests that if advanced AI models like ChatGPT or Gemini were to achieve similar levels of realism, it could have significant implications for how we perceive digital interactions and reality. This highlights the ethical considerations and potential challenges associated with increasingly sophisticated AI technology.