GT Protocol AI Digest №5: AI’s Expanding Frontier

Intro

This week, the world of AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed. From landmark investments and new technological breakthroughs to ongoing ethical debates, AI is now influencing everything from literature to city planning. Whether you’re tracking how AI is shaping industries or curious about its impact on creative fields, this digest will bring you up to speed on the most critical stories of the past week. We’ve grouped the top stories into key themes to make it easy to follow the latest developments!

1. AI’s Impact on Creative Fields and Literature

• AI and Literature: As AI begins to play a larger role in creative industries, some are questioning whether the backlash from writers and artists is rooted in deeper issues of class and accessibility. Critics argue that fears over AI-generated content could come from a privileged position, where only human-created art is seen as “worthy.” This debate brings up important points about how technology could democratize creativity but also the possible exclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups. Read more here
• An AI Bot Takes Over Local Reporting: In an interesting turn of events, a local reporter reflects on how an AI bot named James has replaced their old job. This raises questions about what AI automation means for industries like journalism, which rely heavily on human intuition, nuance, and emotional intelligence. While automation brings efficiency, it may also strip jobs of their personal touch. Read more here

2. AI Technology Breakthroughs

• IBM AI Models for the Future: IBM is making headlines with the launch of PowerLM-3B and PowerMoE-3B, two new AI language models that boast 3 billion parameters each. These models are designed to handle complex, large-scale tasks efficiently by using advanced power schedulers. This innovation promises to make AI training more resource-efficient, which is crucial as we move toward more sustainable AI models. Read more here

• Oracle’s Game-Changer in Cloud Computing: Oracle is set to revolutionize cloud computing with the introduction of the world’s first zettascale AI cluster. This breakthrough will dramatically enhance the speed and efficiency of AI applications, allowing businesses to process data on an unprecedented scale. Such technological leaps could transform sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics, where vast amounts of data need to be processed in real-time. Read more here
• Chinese Chipmakers Prepare to Challenge Nvidia’s Dominance: China’s ambition to take a larger share of the AI hardware market is heating up. Two Chinese AI chipmakers are preparing for IPOs, signaling their intent to challenge Nvidia, the current leader in AI chips. The upcoming IPOs highlight how China is quickly closing the gap in this critical area, making the AI chip industry more competitive and diverse. Read more here
• Apple Intelligence Rolls Out Next Month: Apple is launching Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system integrated into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This system leverages generative models combined with personal context to offer features such as advanced writing tools, more natural interactions with Siri, and the Clean Up tool in Photos. Apple Intelligence will be rolled out with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. The system aims to simplify daily tasks while maintaining user privacy. Read more here
• Google DeepMind Enhances Robotic Dexterity: Google DeepMind has introduced two new AI systems, ALOHA Unleashed and DemoStart, to improve robot dexterity. These systems enable robots to perform complex tasks, like tying shoelaces and manipulating objects with multi-fingered hands, by learning from human demonstrations and simulations. This leap forward could make robots more capable and useful in everyday environments. Read more here
• Runway’s Gen-3 Alpha Video-to-Video Editing: Runway has launched Gen-3 Alpha, an advanced video editing tool that allows users to transform existing videos with new styles and prompts. By maintaining the shapes and movements of the input video, Gen-3 Alpha offers phenomenal control over video content, setting a new standard for creative video editing. Read more here

3. AI in Business and Investment

• Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs Actions to Revolutionize AI: Fei-Fei Li, a well-known figure in AI, has secured $230 million for her startup, World Labs. Her new company aims to rethink how AI integrates into everyday life, focusing on building ethical, human-centered AI. With this massive investment, Li hopes to tackle some of the biggest challenges in AI, including transparency, ethics, and bias, while also pushing the technology’s limits. Read more here
• Sequoia Capital Shifts Focus Toward AI-Linked Software: Venture capital giant Sequoia Capital is pivoting toward AI-linked software, viewing it as a more lucrative opportunity than AI models themselves. Their latest move reflects an emerging trend where businesses see more value in applying AI to solve industry-specific problems rather than in developing general-purpose AI. This shift could define the next wave of AI business models. Read more here

• Datricks and Its AI-Powered Compliance Platform: Datricks, an AI startup focused on risk and compliance, has raised $15 million in its latest funding round. With backing from major players like SAP, Datricks is positioning itself as a leader in helping businesses manage regulatory risk with the power of AI. The company’s AI platform is designed to automate compliance checks, reducing the time and cost typically required for these processes. Read more here
• Salesforce Ventures Expands Its AI Fund: Salesforce Ventures is doubling down on AI by expanding its fund to $1 billion, further proving the tech industry’s appetite for AI-powered solutions. This money will be used to back startups focused on AI technologies, and it comes at a time when competition in AI investment is growing fast. Salesforce sees AI as key to the future of enterprise solutions, particularly in customer relationship management (CRM) and automation. Read more here
• AI is Driving Retail Transformation: Retail giants Walmart and Amazon are investing heavily in AI to enhance their business models. AI is being used to optimize everything from supply chain management to customer engagement. Both companies are using AI to predict consumer demand and streamline operations, which allows them to stay ahead in the ultra-competitive retail sector. Read more here
• YouTube’s Dream Screen for Shorts: YouTube is bringing advanced generative AI models, Veo and Imagen 3, to creators through Dream Screen, allowing users to generate custom backgrounds and six-second video clips for Shorts. These AI-generated videos will be watermarked and labeled, making the technology more accessible and clearly identifiable for viewers. Read more

4. AI in Society: Ethical Considerations

• AI in Housing: The use of AI in tenant screening is creating new challenges for those seeking housing. Fair housing advocates are raising concerns that AI-powered systems might reinforce existing biases, making it more difficult for some people to pass background checks or qualify for rentals. As AI becomes more prevalent in housing, there’s a growing call for regulation to ensure these tools are used fairly. Read more here

• Generative AI and Urban Development: Generative AI is now playing a role in city planning and urban development. By analyzing historical data and predicting future needs, AI is helping planners create more efficient and livable urban environments. This merging of new AI technology with traditional architectural practices could reshape how cities are designed and built in the future. Read more here
• NHS and AI’s Potential in Healthcare: While the NHS is eager to embrace AI, the outdated state of its IT infrastructure is a significant obstacle. Experts warn that before AI can improve healthcare services and patient outcomes, the NHS must first address its current technology challenges. The potential for AI to revolutionize healthcare is enormous, but it can only be realized if the foundational IT systems are modernized. Read more here

5. AI in Science and Research

• AI Enables Virtual Genomic Experiments: CRISPR CREME, a new AI-powered tool, is revolutionizing the field of genomics by allowing scientists to conduct virtual experiments. This platform uses AI to simulate genetic modifications, reducing the need for physical lab work. The potential impact on gene-editing research is enormous, as it could accelerate discoveries and reduce research costs significantly. Read more here

• AI’s Path from Good Intentions to Exploitation: A thought-provoking analysis has surfaced, detailing how AI, initially built to assist humanity, is now becoming a tool of supremacy and exploitation in some cases. This shift is largely driven by commercial interests, and the piece explores how AI is being misused, warning that unchecked growth could have dangerous societal consequences. Read more here

Outro:

As AI continues to reshape our world, it’s clear that this technology holds incredible promise — and significant challenges. From improving business efficiency to transforming city landscapes, AI’s influence is far-reaching. But these advancements also raise ethical and societal questions, especially in areas like job displacement, fairness, and accessibility. As the field matures, the onus is on developers, policymakers, and society at large to ensure that AI is used in ways that benefit everyone, not just a privileged few.

Stay tuned for next week’s GT Protocol AI Digest, where we’ll continue to explore the latest developments in this fast-moving field.