4.12.2023
This edition of AI trends highlights significant advancements in artificial intelligence, including DeepMind's molecular mapping, Nvidia's AI chip technology, strategic investments like Google's in Anthropic, and innovations in AI-driven communication, showcasing the dynamic and transformative impact of AI across various sectors.
Cedric May
Chief Technology Officer
Welcome to our November edition of Frontnow - Trends in AI, where we dive into the latest groundbreaking developments and strategic moves that are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. This month, we've witnessed everything from DeepMind's revolutionary advances in molecular mapping to Nvidia's game-changing AI chip technology, not to mention the ambitious quests of tech giants and startups alike as they vie for dominance in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
As the digital horizon expands, AI continues to revolutionize how we interact with the world around us, promising to redefine the boundaries of possibility. Whether it's enhancing drug discovery, boosting computational power, or crafting new realms of user experience, the impact of AI is undeniably profound and far-reaching.
Don't miss out on these insightful reads inside:
Join us as we explore these fascinating developments and more, offering a unique lens into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. Stay ahead of the curve with Frontnow - Trends in AI, your monthly insight into the technologies that are not just shaping the future, but creating it.
DeepMind's latest AlphaFold model can predict the structures of nearly all molecules in the Protein Data Bank, extending beyond protein prediction to include ligands and nucleic acids. This new model is being applied to therapeutic drug design by Isomorphic Labs, a DeepMind spin-off. Unlike previous methods, the new AlphaFold does not require a reference protein structure or suggested position, and can simulate how proteins and nucleic acids interact with other molecules. However, it falls short in predicting the structures of RNA molecules.
Nvidia is launching a new top-of-the-line chip for AI work, the HGX H200, which upgrades the H100 with 1.4x more memory bandwidth and 1.8x more memory capacity, enhancing its ability to handle intensive generative AI work. The H200 is the first GPU to use a new, faster memory spec called HBM3e, increasing the GPU’s memory bandwidth to 4.8 terabytes per second and its total memory capacity to 141GB. The H200 is expected to be compatible with systems that already support H100s, and cloud providers won't need to make any changes as they add H200s. However, the availability of the new chips remains uncertain due to potential supply constraints.
Google has agreed to invest up to $2 billion in Anthropic, an AI startup founded by ex-OpenAI executives. The investment includes a $500 million upfront cash infusion and an additional $1.5 billion to be invested over time. Anthropic, valued at $4.1 billion, is the developer of Claude 2, a chatbot rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and has the ability to summarize up to about 75,000 words. The company has previously received funding from Salesforce and Zoom.
German Generative AI company Aleph Alpha has raised over $500 million in a Series B funding round. The investment was led by the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (Ipai), Bosch Ventures, and the companies of Schwarz Group. The funds will be used for research on foundation models, advanced product capabilities, and commercialisation with key partners. New investors include Christ&Company Consulting, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, SAP, and Burda Principal Investments. Aleph Alpha plans to expand its offerings while maintaining independence and flexibility for customers.
Airbnb has acquired AI startup GamePlanner.AI for around $200 million. GamePlanner was co-founded by Siri co-founder Adam Cheyer and Siamak Hodjat, who previously worked at Viv Labs. The exact purpose of GamePlanner is unclear, but Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky suggested the startup will focus on crafting AI-driven experiences and integrating their tooling into Airbnb's platform. This acquisition aligns with Chesky's vision of using AI to build a "travel concierge" that learns and adapts to travelers.
Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is set to debut its technology, aiming to compete with leading AI companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. The startup, announced in July, seeks to "understand the true nature of the universe" and includes team members from DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Twitter, and Tesla. Musk's plans for a new AI tool called "TruthGPT" were shared in April, with the aim of developing the "theory of everything" for large neural networks.
YouTube is testing a new AI chatbot designed to provide more information about a video, answer questions, recommend related content, and even quiz viewers on educational videos. This experimental feature is part of Google's broader push to integrate AI across its services. YouTube is also testing an AI tool that categorizes video comments into topics. Both tools are currently available as limited experiments, with the chatbot only available in English, on select videos, on Android devices, and to US Premium subscribers over 18.
Samsung is developing a new feature, "AI Live Translate Call," that uses artificial intelligence to translate phone calls in real time. This feature is part of Samsung's "Galaxy AI," a comprehensive mobile AI experience that will be integrated into Samsung's smartphones. The Galaxy AI is expected to launch early next year, likely with the Galaxy S24 lineup. The AI-powered features are becoming increasingly important in the smartphone industry, with companies like Google and Apple also investing heavily in AI.
Amazon is eliminating several hundred roles in its Alexa division as part of a shift towards generative AI, discontinuing unspecified initiatives. This follows previous layoffs in the Devices & Services division amid reports of significant losses. The company is under pressure to compete in the rapidly advancing field of generative AI, with competitors like OpenAI making notable advancements. Amazon is also making cuts in other departments, including music and gaming.
As we close the November edition, we leave behind a trail of innovation and foresight that marks the relentless march of artificial intelligence into every facet of our lives. From DeepMind's pioneering efforts in pharmaceuticals to Airbnb's strategic dive into AI with GamePlanner.AI, and Samsung's breakthrough in real-time translation technology, we're reminded of the boundless potential AI holds to transform our world.
Key takeaways from this edition:
As we look forward to the next wave of AI advancements, let's stay engaged, informed, and inspired by the endless possibilities that AI brings to our doorsteps. Remember, the future is not just something we enter; it's something we create. Let's continue to shape it with intelligence, imagination, and innovation.
Until our next exploration in December, keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI.
Welcome to our November edition of Frontnow - Trends in AI, where we dive into the latest groundbreaking developments and strategic moves that are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. This month, we've witnessed everything from DeepMind's revolutionary advances in molecular mapping to Nvidia's game-changing AI chip technology, not to mention the ambitious quests of tech giants and startups alike as they vie for dominance in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
As the digital horizon expands, AI continues to revolutionize how we interact with the world around us, promising to redefine the boundaries of possibility. Whether it's enhancing drug discovery, boosting computational power, or crafting new realms of user experience, the impact of AI is undeniably profound and far-reaching.
Don't miss out on these insightful reads inside:
Join us as we explore these fascinating developments and more, offering a unique lens into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. Stay ahead of the curve with Frontnow - Trends in AI, your monthly insight into the technologies that are not just shaping the future, but creating it.
DeepMind's latest AlphaFold model can predict the structures of nearly all molecules in the Protein Data Bank, extending beyond protein prediction to include ligands and nucleic acids. This new model is being applied to therapeutic drug design by Isomorphic Labs, a DeepMind spin-off. Unlike previous methods, the new AlphaFold does not require a reference protein structure or suggested position, and can simulate how proteins and nucleic acids interact with other molecules. However, it falls short in predicting the structures of RNA molecules.
Nvidia is launching a new top-of-the-line chip for AI work, the HGX H200, which upgrades the H100 with 1.4x more memory bandwidth and 1.8x more memory capacity, enhancing its ability to handle intensive generative AI work. The H200 is the first GPU to use a new, faster memory spec called HBM3e, increasing the GPU’s memory bandwidth to 4.8 terabytes per second and its total memory capacity to 141GB. The H200 is expected to be compatible with systems that already support H100s, and cloud providers won't need to make any changes as they add H200s. However, the availability of the new chips remains uncertain due to potential supply constraints.
Google has agreed to invest up to $2 billion in Anthropic, an AI startup founded by ex-OpenAI executives. The investment includes a $500 million upfront cash infusion and an additional $1.5 billion to be invested over time. Anthropic, valued at $4.1 billion, is the developer of Claude 2, a chatbot rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and has the ability to summarize up to about 75,000 words. The company has previously received funding from Salesforce and Zoom.
German Generative AI company Aleph Alpha has raised over $500 million in a Series B funding round. The investment was led by the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (Ipai), Bosch Ventures, and the companies of Schwarz Group. The funds will be used for research on foundation models, advanced product capabilities, and commercialisation with key partners. New investors include Christ&Company Consulting, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, SAP, and Burda Principal Investments. Aleph Alpha plans to expand its offerings while maintaining independence and flexibility for customers.
Airbnb has acquired AI startup GamePlanner.AI for around $200 million. GamePlanner was co-founded by Siri co-founder Adam Cheyer and Siamak Hodjat, who previously worked at Viv Labs. The exact purpose of GamePlanner is unclear, but Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky suggested the startup will focus on crafting AI-driven experiences and integrating their tooling into Airbnb's platform. This acquisition aligns with Chesky's vision of using AI to build a "travel concierge" that learns and adapts to travelers.
Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, is set to debut its technology, aiming to compete with leading AI companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. The startup, announced in July, seeks to "understand the true nature of the universe" and includes team members from DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Twitter, and Tesla. Musk's plans for a new AI tool called "TruthGPT" were shared in April, with the aim of developing the "theory of everything" for large neural networks.
YouTube is testing a new AI chatbot designed to provide more information about a video, answer questions, recommend related content, and even quiz viewers on educational videos. This experimental feature is part of Google's broader push to integrate AI across its services. YouTube is also testing an AI tool that categorizes video comments into topics. Both tools are currently available as limited experiments, with the chatbot only available in English, on select videos, on Android devices, and to US Premium subscribers over 18.
Samsung is developing a new feature, "AI Live Translate Call," that uses artificial intelligence to translate phone calls in real time. This feature is part of Samsung's "Galaxy AI," a comprehensive mobile AI experience that will be integrated into Samsung's smartphones. The Galaxy AI is expected to launch early next year, likely with the Galaxy S24 lineup. The AI-powered features are becoming increasingly important in the smartphone industry, with companies like Google and Apple also investing heavily in AI.
Amazon is eliminating several hundred roles in its Alexa division as part of a shift towards generative AI, discontinuing unspecified initiatives. This follows previous layoffs in the Devices & Services division amid reports of significant losses. The company is under pressure to compete in the rapidly advancing field of generative AI, with competitors like OpenAI making notable advancements. Amazon is also making cuts in other departments, including music and gaming.
As we close the November edition, we leave behind a trail of innovation and foresight that marks the relentless march of artificial intelligence into every facet of our lives. From DeepMind's pioneering efforts in pharmaceuticals to Airbnb's strategic dive into AI with GamePlanner.AI, and Samsung's breakthrough in real-time translation technology, we're reminded of the boundless potential AI holds to transform our world.
Key takeaways from this edition:
As we look forward to the next wave of AI advancements, let's stay engaged, informed, and inspired by the endless possibilities that AI brings to our doorsteps. Remember, the future is not just something we enter; it's something we create. Let's continue to shape it with intelligence, imagination, and innovation.
Until our next exploration in December, keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI.
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