AI Smartphone

The AI World Today

• OpenAI Blocks China Access

• DHS Launches AI Corps

• AI Assistant for Clinicians

• China Boosts Smart Tech

• China Launches AI Smartphone

• Meta Boosts European AI

• Italian Watchdog Tests AI

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• Good Reads

Chinese AI Companies Offer Migration Solutions

OpenAI announced it will block API services in China, with enforcement starting July 9. This decision, reported by the Securities Times, aims to prevent unauthorized access to OpenAI's platform. Chinese users received notifications about the impending restrictions and were advised of the new measures, according to Reuters. In response, Chinese AI companies collectively talked of initiatives to assist affected users. Baidu announced an "inclusive program" offering free migration to its Ernie platform, with additional Ernie 3.5 model tokens for former OpenAI users. Alibaba Cloud is providing free tokens and migration services through its AI platform, featuring the Qwen-plus model. Zhipu AI also launched a "Special Migration Program" to support OpenAI API users in transitioning to its services.

DHS Hires First Members for AI Corps

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made its first 10 hires for its newly formed AI Corps, a 50-person team aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence across its operations, Axios reports. The AI Corps, inspired by the U.S. Digital Service, will focus on areas like countering fentanyl trafficking, combating online child sexual exploitation, and enhancing cybersecurity. In April, US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas noted the overwhelming interest, with over 3,000 applications received. New flexible hiring practices have enabled DHS to attract talent from Big Tech, startups, and the research community, facilitating quicker hiring. Mayorkas emphasized the importance of AI expertise for advancing DHS's mission responsibly.

Oracle Debuts AI-Powered Clinical Digital Assistant

Oracle Corp. has launched a new Clinical Digital Assistant for Ambulatory clinics in the U.S., announced on June 24. The mobile app integrates clinical intelligence with multimodal voice and screen-driven assistance, powered by generative AI. It aims to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians, allowing more focus on patient care. Integrated with Oracle Health Electronic Records, the app surfaces relevant patient information instantly, such as medical history and test results. It also takes notes during appointments, records important details, and schedules follow-ups. Early adopters, including Billings Clinic and Covenant Health, report saving an average of four and a half minutes per patient and reducing healthcare record update times by 20-40%.

China Supports High-Tech Electronics and Wearables

China will boost consumption of high-tech electronics, including smart wearable devices and AI-powered humanoid robots, according to the country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Monday. Efforts will focus on enhancing human-computer interaction through technologies like flexible displays, supercharging, AI assistants, and on-device large models. Smart wearables will be promoted in communication, entertainment, sports, health monitoring, and mobile payments. The NDRC will also explore AI-based humanoid robots for applications in cleaning, leisure, elderly care, and education. New production models, such as reverse customization and flexible production, will be encouraged, alongside promotional activities to raise consumer awareness and market penetration of smart products.

China Debuts Nubia Red AI Gaming Smartphone

Nubia has announced the launch date for its first AI gaming smartphones, the Nubia Red Magic 9s Pro and Red Magic 9s Pro+, set for July 3 in China, with a global release expected later this year. According to a Weibo post reported by GSMArena, the models are anticipated to feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors optimized for gaming. The Red Magic 9s series will likely include specs similar to the Red Magic 9 series, such as 165W fast charging, large batteries (5,500mAh and 6,500mAh), and 6.78-inch AMOLED displays. The camera setup may include a 50MP primary sensor, 50MP ultrawide sensor, 2MP depth sensor, and 32MP under-display selfie camera.

Meta's AI Startup Program Expands in Europe

Meta announced on June 23 that it is expanding its AI Startup Program across Europe, partnering with Hugging Face and Scaleway. The initiative, running from September 2024 to February 2025 at Paris' STATION F, will select five startups for mentoring, tools, and computing power. The program aims to accelerate European AI innovation while raising data privacy concerns. Selected startups will collaborate with Meta's FAIR lab and access open-source AI models like Llama. Scaleway's participation ensures data remains within EU borders. The first cohort in 2023 supported robotics, retail tech, and cybersecurity startups. Applications are open until August 16, highlighting Europe's growing AI talent and innovation potential.

Italian Watchdog Consob Integrates AI Tools

Italian market watchdog Consob is testing AI to enhance its initial approval process for listing prospectuses and identify insider trading, according to Reuters. AI algorithms can flag errors in three seconds, compared to 20 minutes for human analysts. Testing on two prototypes, developed in-house with Scuola Normale Superiore university in Pisa, began last year, with a third model also in development. Consob aims to integrate AI into regular market regulation activities to improve control quality. Other regulators, like Britain's Financial Conduct Authority, are also leveraging AI, using it to protect consumers from online scams.

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