The Latest from OpenAI, DeepMind, and Anthropic
Emerging Tech Roundup — October 25
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: DeepMind researchers find LLMs can serve as mediators, Anthropic’s latest AI update can use a computer on its own, Air taxis and other electric-powered aircraft gain final FAA rules, OpenAI and Microsoft are funding $10 million in grants for AI-powered journalism, Meta is bringing back facial recognition with new safety features for Facebook and Instagram, Spotify now lets you create custom cover art for your playlists, and Amazon adds gasoline discounts for Prime members with EV charging savings to follow.
DeepMind Researchers Find LLMs Can Serve as Effective Mediators
(Tech Xplore, October 18)
A team of AI researchers from Google's DeepMind London group has found that certain large language models (LLMs) can act as effective mediators between groups with differing political viewpoints. In their study, they introduced "Habermas Machines" (HMs), LLMs trained to identify common ground between opposing views without trying to change opinions. They tested HMs ability to summarize volunteers' political views using a crowdsourcing platform, with the results suggesting that LLMs could help reduce division and diffuse political tension.
Anthropic’s Latest AI Update Can Use a Computer On Its Own
(The Verge, October 22)
Anthropic has introduced a new feature called "computer use" in its Claude 3.5 Sonnet AI model, currently in public beta. This feature allows Claude to control a computer, moving the cursor, clicking buttons, and typing text — similar to how a human operates a device. Available via API, it is one of the first tools released to the public with such capabilities, setting it apart from similar tools offered by Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google.
Air Taxis and Other Electric-Powered Aircraft Cleared For Takeoff With Final FAA Rules
(The Verge, October 22)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released final regulations for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, marking the first new category of aircraft since helicopters in 1940. These "powered-lift" vehicles will be used for air taxis, cargo delivery, and rescue operations, with the rules addressing pilot training, minimum safe altitudes, and visibility requirements. The regulations pave the way for widespread Advanced Air Mobility operations, supporting startups like Joby Aviation, Archer, and Wisk, which are planning to launch commercial air taxi services in the coming years.
OpenAI and Microsoft are Funding $10 Million in Grants for AI-Powered Journalism
(Engadget, October 22)
OpenAI and Microsoft are providing up to $10 million in grants to bring AI tools into the newsroom, funding five publications including Chicago Public Media, the Minnesota Star Tribune, Newsday, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Seattle Times. Each organization will hire a two-year AI fellow to develop AI-related projects and enhance business sustainability, with three more outlets to receive grants in a second round. This initiative comes amid tensions between AI companies and media outlets, with some suing OpenAI and Microsoft for scraping content, while others have negotiated licensing deals for content rights.
Meta is Bringing Back Facial Recognition With New Safety Features for Facebook and Instagram
(Engadget, October 22)
Meta is reintroducing facial recognition technology on Facebook and Instagram, over three years after shutting down its previous system. The tech will first be used to detect scam ads that misuse the faces of celebrities and public figures. If an ad contains a suspicious image, facial recognition will compare it to the public figure’s profile photos on Facebook or Instagram and if it is confirmed to be a scam, the ad will be blocked.
Spotify Now Lets You Create Custom Cover Art For Your Playlists
(Tech Crunch, October 22)
Spotify has introduced a new feature allowing users to design and customize their own playlist cover art directly within the app. Previously, users could only upload custom images, but now they can create their designs using various elements like text styles, colors, effects, background colors, gradients, and stickers. This feature is rolling out in beta on iOS and Android across 65 markets and is available to both free and premium users.
Amazon Adds Gasoline Discounts for Prime Members, EV Charging Savings to Follow
(Tech Crunch, October 23)
Amazon is now offering Prime members a 10-cent per gallon discount at approximately 7,000 BP, Amoco, and AM/PM gas stations across the U.S., potentially saving them around $70 annually on fuel. Amazon also plans to introduce a savings option for electric vehicle charging through BP Pulse next year. This move comes in response to Walmart+, which has provided its members with a similar fuel discount at over 13,000 stations since 2020.
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