DeepMind and BioNTech build AI lab assistants for scientific research

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1. DeepMind and BioNTech build AI lab assistants for scientific research

Google DeepMind and BioNTech are collaborating to develop AI lab assistants to enhance scientific research. Google's AI division is developing an AI model called Laila, which aims to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and uncover unexpected connections in scientific research.

Meanwhile, BioNTech's subsidiary InstaDeep introduced Laila, built on Meta's Llama 3.1 model, which automates routine tasks in experimental biology. These AI agents aim to boost productivity and assist BioNTech in identifying new cancer treatment targets. Google DeepMind's shift from research-centric to commercial services signifies a strategic pivot to commercial services, potentially disrupting traditional research paradigms.

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2. AI-Coding Startup Poolside Raises Massive $500M Series B

Poolside, an AI coding startup, has raised $500 million in a Series B led by Bain Capital Ventures, valued at $3 billion. The round included investment from Nvidia, DST Global, StepStone Group, Citi Ventures, and HSBC Ventures.

Poolside aims to bring AI for software development, a capability where AI will surpass human-level intelligence. The company has raised $626 million since May 2023. Other recent big deals in the AI coding space include Magic's $320 million round, and Codeium's $150 million Series C round.

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3. Amazon Asks Employees to Use Its New, Internal Chatbot That's 'Safer Than ChatGPT'

Amazon has introduced an internal AI bot called Cedric, which allows employees to ask questions and generate document summaries without ChatGPT. The tool aims to boost productivity and is "safer than ChatGPT."

Amazon has previously warned employees against sharing code or confidential information with ChatGPT. The company is also planning to incorporate AI into other parts of its business, with CEO Matt Garman stating that AI will fill in gaps in coding.

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4. Video editing app Captions launches an AI-powered social media manager for sites

AI-powered video editing app Captions is launching a tool for websites that manages content publishing schedules and generates videos based on relevant topics. The tool scans a site to pull content, keywords, service offerings, and key selling points, and creates a content plan. The company primarily focuses on Instagram Reels and TikTok videos, but plans to explore other formats in the future.

The tool can help small cafes spotlight chefs or dental clinics generate videos about services. In June, Captions launched a feature to create and edit videos automatically based on a prompt with 12 AI characters. The tool also allows sellers to upload their profiles to create a digital twin and apply their brand identity to videos. Captions plans to allow businesses to include more pages apart from the website for better content planning. The company raised $60 million in Series C funding in July.

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5. Google brings ads to AI Overviews as it expands AI’s role in search

Google is introducing ads in AI Overviews, its AI-generated summaries for Google Search queries, and rolling out AI-organized search results pages in the U.S. This move is part of Google's effort to prevent users from switching to alternatives like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Perplexity, which use AI to answer traditional questions. AI Overviews has faced controversy for its questionable statements and advice, and has been found to cite websites that aren't entirely reliable or evidence-based.

Google has made changes to AI Overviews, including limiting answers related to current events and health topics. However, Google says AI Overviews has led to a boost in Google Search engagement, especially among people aged 18 to 24. The ads, with a "Sponsored" label, will appear alongside other, nonsponsored content in the AI summaries and will be drawn from advertisers' existing Google Shopping and Search campaigns. The redesign includes highlighted links to relevant web pages.

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