Google's Assistant Gears Up for a Generative Tech Overhaul

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1. Google's Assistant Gears Up for a Generative Tech Overhaul

Google is on course to power its Assistant with generative AI technology, mirroring what's seen in ChatGPT and Google’s Bard chatbot. This strategic move, revealed in an internal email procured by Axios, is a component of Google's restructuring, which has led to a downsizing of the Assistant team and an elimination of a non-specified number of roles.

The integration of AI could equip the Assistant with the capability to respond to queries with information acquired from across the internet. "We're excited to explore how LLMs can help us supercharge Assistant and make it even better," stated Peeyush Ranjan, the vice president of Google Assistant, along with Duke Dukellis, the company’s product director.

The timeline for embedding this technology into Google's smart home products remains indeterminate, prompting queries about potential privacy implications. The industry, as well as the user community, will keenly observe these developments.

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2. Meta to Introduce AI-Generated Labels for Instagram

Meta has started to build new generative AI features for Instagram, which include labels that creators can use to mark images “generated by Meta AI.” This advancement, unveiled via screenshots by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, aligns with the broader industry trend aimed at enabling users to identify AI-generated content.

Addressing growing apprehensions about potential misuse of generative AI tools, many AI companies, including Meta, are implementing safety measures such as watermarks for AI-generated content.

Apart from the AI-generated labels, Meta is also working on additional generative AI features for Instagram. These include a “message summary” feature for condensing lengthy DMs and new artistic tools for editing Stories. The unfolding innovations in the AI arena by Meta hold substantial implications for user experience and content creation on Instagram.

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3. Dell Partners with Nvidia on Advanced Generative Solutions

Dell Technologies is planning to aid customers in the generative AI landscape through a new solutions portfolio. Included in this portfolio is Project Helix, a deep integration with Nvidia that assists enterprises in implementing AI workloads on-premises.

Additionally, the portfolio encompasses professional services that guide enterprises on the beneficial application of generative AI. "Organizations of all sizes, verticals, and geographies are facing a unique urgency to adopt and apply generative AI for business benefits,” expressed Varun Chhabra, senior vice president of Dell Infrastructure Solution Group (ISG).

Dell is also launching Precision workstations targeted at data scientists, equipped to support the construction of generative AI-powered applications. The ongoing innovations by Dell and Nvidia in the AI landscape hold considerable implications for enterprise AI deployment.

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4. News Corp Australia Uses AI to Produce Local News Stories

News Corp Australia has integrated generative artificial intelligence to produce 3,000 local news articles weekly. These articles, focusing on local stories like weather updates, fuel prices, and traffic conditions, are supervised by a team of four and supplement the efforts of reporters across the company's 75 “hyperlocal” mastheads.

These AI-generated articles are overseen by journalists, guaranteeing content accuracy and relevance. Nevertheless, the absence of an AI-generated disclosure on the reports prompts questions about transparency in AI-assisted journalism.

This initiative by News Corp Australia highlights the expanding role of AI in journalism, offering a preview of future news production. As AI progresses, its integration into various sectors, including journalism, will transform conventional practices and workflows.

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5. Samplab Unveils AI Plugin for Music Sample Generation

The team behind the AI-based sample editing software, Samplab, has introduced a free VST3 plugin named TextToSample, which generates music samples from text prompts. Usable within a digital audio workstation (DAW) or standalone, users can type descriptions like “bubbly synth melody” to create corresponding music samples.

TextToSample utilizes Meta’s open-source AI-based sound generation toolset, MusicGen, and has been trained using data provided by the algorithm. The plugin also features drag-and-drop functionality for existing sounds, generating related samples based on the input.

However, the plugin faces limitations. It doesn't consider pre-existing music on your track, and it struggles with recognizing basic music concepts like keys, scales, and BPM. Despite these hurdles, the plugin presents a novel approach to music creation. As the technology matures, its applications in creative fields like music are set to redefine traditional practices.

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