Apple integrates AI into Siri

Pivot 5: 5 stories. 5 minutes a day. 5 days a week.

1. Apple integrates AI into Siri

Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to showcase a significant update in AI technology. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that this includes an array of generative AI tools in iOS 18, with enhancements to Siri and Apple's core applications such as Pages and Keynote. A key feature is the "Ajax" LLM, expected to offer auto-completion and summarizing in Apple's software.

AI enhancements in Apple Music may automate playlist creation. While Gurman notes that Apple's complete AI vision extends to 2025, the WWDC announcement represents a substantial step in integrating AI across its ecosystem, setting a competitive benchmark in the tech industry.

Read the full story here 

2. Microsoft appoints Dee Templeton to OpenAI Board

Dee Templeton, with over 25 years at Microsoft, has been appointed as a nonvoting observer on OpenAI's board, a strategic move reflecting the deepening relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI. This appointment follows OpenAI's recent governance changes, including the reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman and a board overhaul.

Templeton's role, vice president for technology and research partnerships at Microsoft, will now encompass participation in OpenAI's board meetings. The collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI, marked by Microsoft's substantial investment and regulatory scrutiny, positions Templeton at the heart of advancing AI technology and partnerships.

Read the full story here 

3. Siemens and Microsoft collaborate on AI-powered industry tools

Siemens and Microsoft have announced a major collaboration to drive cross-industry AI adoption. At the forefront of this partnership is the Siemens Industrial Copilot, an AI-powered assistant developed jointly by the two companies, designed to enhance human-machine collaboration, especially in manufacturing. The tool promises to revolutionize industrial operations by rapidly generating, optimizing, and debugging complex automation code, significantly reducing task completion times.

The collaboration extends beyond manufacturing, with visions of AI copilots aiding in industries like infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare. Moreover, the integration of Siemens Teamcenter software with Microsoft Teams aims to facilitate virtual collaboration across various business functions, connecting frontline workers to engineering teams.

Read the full story here

4. Duolingo cuts contractor workforce, AI takes bigger role

Duolingo has laid off 10% of its contractors as it shifts towards greater reliance on AI technology. The company is now utilizing AI tools to perform tasks previously handled by these contractors. The change is partly attributed to AI's capability to create new content, like scripts, more rapidly. Duolingo's CEO, Luis von Ahn, highlighted in November that AI is being used to expedite content creation, which includes generating the in-app voices and introducing customer-facing AI features. 

Duolingo Max, a premium tier, offers a chatbot for language correction and a Roleplay feature for practicing real-life scenarios. This move reflects the broader industry trend where modern generative AI's rise is reshaping job roles, leading to concerns about technology replacing human jobs. However, Duolingo clarifies that no full-time employees were affected by this decision and that AI is not completely replacing human workers but rather augmenting and streamlining certain tasks.

Read the full story here 

5. Sony and Siemens launch mixed reality Headset for industrial Metaverse

Sony and Siemens have collaborated to develop a new mixed-reality headset, unveiled at CES 2024, as part of their vision for an 'industrial metaverse.' The device, yet unnamed and referred to as Sony's "spatial content creation system," is slated for release later in 2024. It features 4K OLED microdisplays and comes with innovative controllers, including a finger-worn unit and a larger, more traditional VR controller.

The headset is designed to play a pivotal role in manufacturing and design processes within businesses, highlighting its industrial applications. One notable use case presented was its adoption by Red Bull Racing for visualizing the cockpit of a Formula One car.

Read the full story here 

Advertise with Pivot 5 to reach influential minds & elevate your brand

Get your brand in front of 50,000+ businesses and professionals who rely on Pivot 5 for daily AI updates. Book future ad spots here.