Ello raises $15 million to revolutionize child literacy through AI

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1. Ello raises $15 million to revolutionize child literacy through AI

Ello, an AI reading coach startup, has secured $15 million in Series A financing to expand its product and consumer reach. Targeting children from kindergarten through Grade 3, the subscription-based service delivers five books every month for $24.99. "Ello is one of those great companies," said Coddy Johnson, partner at lead investor Goodwater Capital.

The AI coach listens to the child read aloud and corrects mispronunciations and missed words using phonics-based strategies. The app also incorporates gamification mechanics, rewarding children with points that can be exchanged for toys and prizes. "Ello is the patient reading companion that every parent wishes they could be," said Dr. Elizabeth Adams, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer.

Ello is currently running pilot programs with about 30 schools, primarily in San Francisco and New York. "Teachers really want that assessment data. So, we want to make sure we’re building that into the tool," said Tom Sayer, CEO of Ello. With its recent funding and ambitious plans, Ello aims to make a significant impact in the field of child literacy.

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2. eBay's new AI tool creates product listings from a single photo

eBay has launched a new generative AI tool that enables sellers to create entire product listings from just a photo. Currently available only on the iOS app, the tool aims to streamline the selling process, particularly for new merchants.

However, the tool has received mixed reviews, with some sellers questioning the quality of the generated text. Despite its limitations, eBay's new AI tool represents another step in the company's ongoing efforts to improve user experience and simplify the selling process. An Android version of the tool is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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3. Anthropic debuts Claude Pro, a formidable rival to ChatGPT

Anthropic has unveiled Claude Pro, a paid version of its AI chatbot Claude 2, designed to compete with ChatGPT. The new entrant boasts an impressive context capability of 100K tokens, compared to ChatGPT Plus's 32K tokens. "Claude Pro is designed to natively handle extensive conversations," the company stated.

Anthropic recently secured over $400 million in a funding round led by Google. The company plans to offer Claude Pro as a paid subscription model, priced at $25 per month. "Claude Pro promises at least five times more usage compared to the free version," according to the official announcement.

Unlike ChatGPT, Claude Pro employs Anthropic's innovative "Constitutional" training method, allowing the AI model to self-improve without human interaction. With its enhanced capabilities and innovative training methods, Claude Pro is poised to be a strong contender in the AI chatbot market.

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4. New AI technique hides messages in memes

Researchers from the University of Oxford and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a groundbreaking steganography technique using AI. Unlike cryptography, which only hides the content of a message, this new method makes it impossible for an observer to even know that a message is being shared.

The technique uses an algorithm that matches a secret message with a series of memes or text, choosing the content dynamically to suit the context. "The more tools in the toolbox, the better," says Joanna van der Merwe, privacy and protection lead at Leiden University's Learning and Innovation Center.

While the technology is still in its early stages, it has significant potential, especially in environments where information is highly restricted, such as under authoritarian regimes. With AI becoming more human-like, the potential for this steganography technique to become a mainstream method of secure communication is increasingly likely.

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5. AI may be a powerful tool in treating male infertility

Dr. Steven Vasilescu and his team at the University of Technology Sydney have developed SpermSearch, an AI software that identifies sperm in samples from infertile men 1,000 times faster than human experts. The technology aims to assist men with non-obstructive azoospermia, a condition affecting 10% of infertile men.

The technology is still in the proof-of-concept stage but is poised to enter clinical trials. "An actual live pregnancy—that's the next step," says Dr. Vasilescu. The software's speed is crucial, especially when there's a narrow window for fertilization.

While the technology shows promise, it is currently aimed at a very specific group of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. "It's got a long way to go. It's also aimed at the very small group of men," says Prof. Lewis, CEO of Belfast-based fertility firm Examen. Nonetheless, the technology has the potential to make embryologists more efficient and accurate.

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