It’s the wrap for August. So many crazy stories from Robots to new case law in AI copyright. There so much to cover, so let’s jump right in!
What if your home is smarter than you?
Avnet is teaming up with Macso Technologies to bring a whole new level of intelligence to everyday IoT devices, making your world smarter and more responsive. IOT is something that has always been very exciting to me. I love the idea that everything I use it connected to each other and can work together to give me a comfortable experience. My first encounter with smart living was in Las Vegas. I was so blessed to be upgraded to a premier suite at the Wynn Hotel, and they had an Alexa smart speaker that could open the blinds and turn on the lights. I was completely blown away by this technology I thought I was getting epilepsy from turning on and off the overhead lights. Back to Masco’s technology, they engage various sensors around your home, capturing data to deliver real-time insights. This means that when seasons are changing, your thermostat will know to adjust the heating/cooling functions to match the weather changes. This also means that light sensors will pick up the brightness of the living space and turn on and off the light as needed. I know these changes seem small, but this provides limitless options for what could be possible with IOT products. With Avnet’s IoTConnect platform, you’ll soon be able to plug into these AI-driven solutions right out of the box, giving you immediate access to cutting-edge tech without the hassle of complex setup. It’s the future of smart living, and it’s here!
Tech with their Monopolistic Tendencies
Amazon’s massive $4 billion investment in Anthropic has caught the attention of U.K. antitrust regulators. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating whether Amazon’s growing stake in the startup could disrupt the competitive balance in the AI space. Imagine the race between AI giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and others—this probe could shape the future of who controls the most cutting-edge AI technology. With Anthropic already benefiting from Amazon’s powerful cloud infrastructure and custom AI chips, the concern is whether Amazon’s influence might unfairly limit competition. The CMA’s inquiry, which follows a similar U.S. investigation, highlights the global focus on Big Tech’s role in the rapidly evolving AI industry. It sparks an important question: How much control should tech giants have over the future of AI innovation? The outcome could have a major impact on the AI landscape. What do you think?
Swipe Right on ChatGPT Voice
OpenAI is throwing a fun curveball with its new ChatGPT Voice Mode, giving you real-time, natural conversations with AI—but heads up, you might get a little too attached. Some testers have already felt an emotional spark, referring to ChatGPT in personal terms and even drawing similarities to parting with a date! OpenAI is concerned that such behavior could lead to over-reliance on AI, reducing social interaction with humans and possibly influencing social norms. The company plans to investigate these emotional and behavioral impacts further.
Democratize Healthcare
Healthcare fintech startup PayZen raised $232 million in Series B funding to expand its AI-driven platform that simplifies healthcare payments. The platform creates personalized payment plans, making medical care more affordable for patients while improving financial outcomes for providers. Led by NEA and with backing from top investors, PayZen will use the funds to reach more Americans and develop new AI solutions. The company has seen impressive growth, with six times year-over-year increases and a 100% customer retention rate, reflecting its transformative impact on healthcare affordability.
Self-Driving Cars are Coming!
Uber is teaming up with British AI company Wayve to accelerate the development of self-driving cars, aiming to bring Level 4 autonomous vehicles to its global network. Level 4 autonomous vehicles are self-driving cars capable of fully controlling driving tasks in specific conditions or locations, such as designated highways or urban areas. Level 4 vehicles can operate without any driver input in these predefined environments. Wayve’s innovative Embodied AI tech enables vehicles to navigate without relying on maps or geofencing, making it highly adaptable. Uber’s strategic investment will help Wayve work with automakers to introduce advanced driver assistance and automation features. This collaboration further solidifies Uber’s commitment to autonomous technology, following its partnerships with Cruise, BYD, and Waymo.