Coca-Cola unveils AI-created soda

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1. Coca-Cola unveils AI-created soda

Coca-Cola has launched a limited edition soda, Coca-Cola Y3000, developed using AI. The flavor creation involved a two-step process: researchers first collected key flavor preferences and trends, which were then processed by Coca-Cola's AI system. "The Y3000 is the first futuristic flavor co-created with human and artificial intelligence," said a representative for Coca-Cola.

AI was not only instrumental in flavor development but also in designing the soda's futuristic packaging. The slim can features a pixelated logo and clean chrome colors, accented with pops of purple, pink, and blue. "With the help of AI-powered technology, Coca-Cola Y3000 Zero Sugar imagines how a Coca-Cola from the future could taste," said Oana Vlad, Coca-Cola’s senior director of global strategy.

The AI-created soda will be accompanied by a clothing collection this fall, as Coca-Cola teams up with luxury streetwear brand Ambush. This collaboration adds another layer to Coca-Cola's innovative use of AI, extending its impact beyond the beverage itself and into the realm of fashion. As AI continues to make inroads into various industries, Coca-Cola's Y3000 offers a glimpse into the future of food and beverages.

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2. Druid raises $30 million to enhance conversational AI

European AI startup Druid has secured $30 million in a Series B funding round, signaling its intent to double down on U.S. growth. Founded in Romania, Druid offers "conversational business applications" that integrate with ChatGPT to provide 24/7 automated customer support. "By integrating generative AI, Druid is able to tap into a vast reservoir of knowledge and quickly generate answers for more generic queries," said a company spokesperson.

The conversational AI market is crowded, with competitors like Germany's Cognigy and Florida's Kore.ai. However, Druid differentiates itself through its ChatGPT integration, which enhances its ability to handle general customer queries and detect intent. "Think of it [GPT models] as adding new powers to an already powerful engine," the spokesperson added.

With the new funding, Druid plans to extend its global footprint, particularly in the U.S., which currently makes up 60% of its revenue. The company also intends to shift its headquarters to Austin, Texas. This move aligns with Druid's aggressive expansion strategy and its aim to become a key player in the conversational AI landscape.

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3. Salesforce introduces Einstein copilot

Salesforce has announced a significant update to its AI suite, Einstein, with the introduction of Einstein Copilot, a new generative AI conversational assistant. Integrated natively into Salesforce's CRM and all supported apps, Einstein Copilot aims to assist with a plethora of application-specific tasks. "We truly believe every industry CEO of any level needs to adopt this," said Muralidhar Krishnaprasad, Salesforce’s EVP of software engineering.

Enterprise customer administrators can customize Einstein Copilot using a new feature called Einstein Copilot Studio. This allows for the integration of third-party LLMs like OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 and offers configurability across various consumer-facing channels such as websites, Slack, WhatsApp, and SMS. "Einstein Copilot Studio contains a 'Prompt Builder' that lets non-technical users describe what they want, and the system turns it into the right prompt," the article notes.

As AI adoption in business continues to grow, Salesforce's Einstein Copilot seems poised for widespread adoption. Early adopters like Heathrow Airport are already experiencing the benefits, using the assistant to create personalized interactions based on real-time data. With its versatile capabilities and focus on security, Einstein Copilot is setting a new standard in the realm of AI-powered CRM solutions.

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4. Alibaba's new CEO emphasizes the need for an AI-driven course amidst company shake-up

Alibaba's new CEO Eddie Wu is steering the company in a new direction, emphasizing the need to be "user first" and "AI-driven." Just days into his role, Wu is calling for Alibaba to adopt a startup mindset to navigate one of the most tumultuous periods in its 24-year history. "Times are changing, and so must Alibaba! As the world progresses, Alibaba needs to evolve even faster," Wu stated in a letter to employees.

Wu outlined two main strategic focuses for Alibaba: "technology-driven internet platforms" and significant investment in artificial intelligence. This marks a departure from Alibaba's traditional approach of keeping users within its ecosystem. "Each of our businesses generates massive numbers of use cases; therefore, we must transform these use cases into applications for AI technology," Wu said.

The urgency in Alibaba's new strategic direction is palpable, with Wu warning that the company risks being displaced if it doesn't keep up with AI advancements. Alibaba Cloud already has its large language model, Tongyi Qianwen, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. As Alibaba gears up to be a leader in AI within China and globally, the company's new focus serves as a cautionary tale for businesses that are lagging in AI adoption.

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5. AI poised to revolutionize patent enforcement

Artificial intelligence is set to make patents more "salient," according to professor Janet Freilich. In an interview with Marketplace, Freilich explained that AI can sift through millions of patents to identify relevant ones, making it easier to root out patent violations. "Even I can't read millions of patents, but artificial intelligence probably can," Freilich said.

However, the cost and complexity of challenging patent infringement remain significant barriers. "It costs a lot of money to bring a lawsuit—millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands at least," Freilich noted. This makes it less likely for patent holders to pursue legal action, despite the capabilities of AI.

While AI could revolutionize patent enforcement, it also raises questions about the broader implications for the American patent system. Small inventors could potentially benefit from more licensing fees, but the system's complexities remain. "It works in certain circumstances, in certain industries, for certain companies. And then there are many, many, many ways in which it does not work at all," Freilich concluded.

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