AI at Full Throttle: Big Bets, Bigger Impacts
From Microsoft’s OpenAI ambitions to Amazon's record-breaking investment, today’s stories reveal a world reshaped by smart tech—from quantum chips to pain-sensing robots.
AI boom means regulator cannot predict future water shortages in England
Helena Horton/ The Guardian
The water regulator in England acknowledges that AI demand may disrupt traditional forecasting models. Forecasting future water consumption has become increasingly challenging as data centers grow.
Adobe made a mobile app for its Firefly generative AI tools
Jess Weatherbed/ The Verge
Firefly is becoming mobile! Adobe recently released a stylish new app for its generative AI tools that puts text effects and image creation in your pocket.
Meta sacrifices a heap of money at the altar of AI
Blake Montgomery / The Guardian
Profits are suffering as a result of Meta investing billions in AI. Zuckerberg is wagering that the future is worth the financial flame, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Microsoft Wants a Larger Stake in OpenAI Amid For-Profit Restructuring
Fiona Jackson/ TechRepublic
Microsoft wants a larger share of OpenAI and is no longer merely a partner. Power dynamics are rapidly changing as the business restructures its for-profit organization.
Hugging Face partners with Groq for ultra-fast AI model inference
Ryan Daws/ AI News
Hugging Face + Groq = AI that moves at breakneck speed. With the promise of near-instant inference for the upcoming generation of open-source models, this new collaboration is all about speed.
Microsoft should change its Copilot advertising, says watchdog
Tom Warren/ The Verge
Microsoft's Copilot advertisements may deceive users, according to watchdogs. Regulators are stepping in to demand more clarity—and less smoke and mirrors—as the hype surrounding AI soars.
Robots that feel heat, pain, and pressure? This new “skin” makes it possible
ScienceDaily
Robots can now feel touch, including pain, thanks to a new artificial skin. This innovation moves machines one step closer to having the same level of sensitivity as people.
OpenAI awarded $200 million US defense contract
Jess Weatherbed/ The Verge
The U.S. government recently awarded OpenAI a $200 million defense contract. Innovation and ethical discussion are sparked by the growing military-AI relationship.
Amazon Makes Largest Tech Investment Ever in Australia
Fiona Jackson/ TechRepublic
With its largest-ever tech investment in Australia, Amazon is making a big splash there. The multibillion-dollar move aims to expand infrastructure, cloud, and AI.
Photonic quantum chips are making AI smarter and greener
ScienceDaily
Greetings from cleaner, faster AI. Moore's Law is getting a futuristic boost thanks to photonic quantum chips, which are setting new performance and energy efficiency records.