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The AI World Today

• College Adopts AI Assistants

• Genie: TikTok's New Chatbot

• Baidu Upgrades AI Model

• Ola Launches Krutrim AI

• Canberra Launches AI System

• UK Seeks AI Talent

• AI Prize to Talk to Animals

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Morehouse College Introduces AI Teaching Assistants

In the US, Morehouse College is integrating AI teaching assistants to enhance education. Within three to five years, every Morehouse professor will have an AI assistant, according to Professor Muhsinah Morris. This initiative, in collaboration with VictoryXR, involves creating virtual 3D spatial avatars using OpenAI for interactive lessons. These avatars, the world's first spatial AI teaching assistants, provide 24/7 access and can communicate in students' native languages. Starting this September, five professors will adopt AI assistants. This follows the 2021 launch of the "metaversity," which inspired VR classrooms at historically Black colleges. However, a 2023 Pew Research Center survey found 32% of public K-12 teachers believe AI tools offer a mix of benefits and harms, with 25% seeing more harm than good.

TikTok Files Trademark for AI Chatbot

TikTok has filed a trademark for “Genie,” an AI chatbot software, aiming to expand its tech offerings. Semafor reported that according to a US Patent and Trademark Office filing in May, the chatbot will simulate conversations, facilitate human-AI interactions, and produce human-like speech and text. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has previously tested an AI recommendation chatbot called Tako and has developed AI capabilities for ad services. This trademark indicates a move towards a full-fledged chatbot beyond search recommendations. The filing comes as TikTok faces potential divestment or a ban in 2025 due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership, which it is challenging in court as unconstitutional.

Baidu Debuts Enhanced Ernie 4.0 Turbo

Baidu launched Ernie 4.0 Turbo, an upgraded AI model, on June 28, 2024, reinforcing its position in China’s AI race. This new iteration, following Ernie 4’s launch last October, aims to rival OpenAI's GPT-4. 300 million users have utilized Ernie since its debut, enhancing Baidu’s reputation. Ernie 4.0 Turbo will be available via web and mobile interfaces, with integration supported through Baidu’s Qianfan AI platform. Concurrently, Baidu improved its PaddlePaddle AI ecosystem, now supporting 14.65 million developers and 370,000 businesses. This launch comes as OpenAI plans to block API access in China, presenting an opportunity for Baidu and other local firms to attract new users and investments.

Bhavish Aggarwal Unveils Rupee-Priced AI Service

Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola Electric, announced the launch of Krutrim AI Cloud's new GPU on-demand service, priced in Indian Rupees, via X. This initiative aims to make advanced AI resources more accessible to Indian developers. Aggarwal's post invited developers to share their AI project ideas, with the top 10 innovative proposals receiving full sponsorship for their AI cloud needs. The contest ends Sunday at midnight. By removing the barrier of foreign currency pricing, Ola Electric hopes to democratize access to high-performance computing, fostering innovation in various sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education. This move is expected to empower the local developer community and drive AI advancements in India.

CSIRO, Dell Create AI-Optimized HPC System

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has collaborated with Dell Technologies to create the high-performance computer (HPC) system, Virga. Launched on June 28, 2024, Virga is designed to enhance AI workflows and is housed at CDC’s Hume Data Centre in Canberra. Built on Dell PowerEdge XE9640 servers, it uses NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs and 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, featuring advanced AI capabilities like the Transformer Engine. Virga will support AI in fields like medical imaging, robotics, and environmental research. This initiative aims to boost Australia's industry and economy by accelerating scientific discoveries through AI-driven data analysis.

UK Businesses Offer Higher Wages for AI

A new report by Fiverr's 2024 U.K. Workforce Index reveals that U.K. businesses are willing to pay 45% more for candidates with AI skills, such as natural language processing, AI content creation, and chatbot development. However, over 40% of business leaders struggle to find these skills in full-time employees. The survey, which included 2,200 U.K. business decision-makers, knowledge workers, and freelancers, found that nearly half cited low-skilled talent as the main hiring barrier. AI and social media skills are particularly in demand. The report highlights that companies are proactively attracting AI talent, recognizing its critical role in driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness.

AI Contest Aims for Human-Animal Dialogue

British financier Jeremy Coller has launched the Coller Dolittle Challenge, offering $10 million to anyone who can develop a method for humans to communicate with animals using AI. The contest aims to pass a modified interspecies Turing Test to mimic animal communication. Yossi Yovel, professor at Tel Aviv University’s Sagol School of Neuroscience, chairs the competition. Coller, known for his animal rights advocacy, believes understanding animal cognition will improve their treatment. The challenge joins other AI contests like the ARC Prize, incentivizing innovative solutions outside traditional academic and corporate environments. These competitions aim to drive AI advancements in novel and impactful ways.

Take Note

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AI Ruling: EU to Rule on HP-Juniper Deal

AI Marketing: Motorola Unveils AI-Generated Campaign

AI Politics: AI MP Stands in UK Election

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