• AI KATANA
  • Posts
  • This AI can make you a perfect personalised playlist by reading your innermost thoughts

This AI can make you a perfect personalised playlist by reading your innermost thoughts

Also: Should You Start a Generative AI Company?

Author

AI KATANA
June 21, 2023

Hi!

In recent AI news, U.S. researchers have developed a machine learning AI, which employs 'neuroforecasting' to predict song hits with 97% accuracy, potentially aiding streaming services in the curation of playlists. Meanwhile, the Harvard Business Review examines the decisions entrepreneurs face when starting a generative AI company. In international developments, the U.S.-China AI competition has underscored the need for balanced AI governance to manage its transformative societal effects. In business news, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky predicts that AI will simplify entrepreneurship and spur the creation of millions of startups, a viewpoint reinforced by RSE Ventures CEO Matt Higgins. Several AI tools are gaining popularity, including generative AIs that can create text, graphics, and music, as well as AI-enabled chatbots and productivity tools. In venture capital news, Chinese AIoT company Beijing ESWIN Computer Technology Co. Ltd. raised $421 million in Series D funding, and London-based Glyphic AI secured £4.3m ($5.5m) in pre-seed funding to develop an AI co-pilot aimed at assisting sales teams.

Slicing like a fruit ninja 🍉

  • 🎶 This AI can make you a perfect personalised playlist by reading your innermost thoughts

  • 🏆 AI Is Winning the U.S.-China AI Race

  • 👩🏻‍💻 Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky: AI will make entrepreneurship easier

  • 🤔 Should You Start a Generative AI Company?

Researchers in the U.S. have developed a machine learning AI capable of predicting hit songs with 97% accuracy by monitoring the brainwaves of a small group of volunteers as they listen to pop songs. This process, known as 'neuroforecasting', aligns the neurophysical responses of participants with their ratings of songs. This groundbreaking method allows the neural activity of 33 people to accurately predict the preferences of millions of others. The technique has potential applications for streaming services, as it can help predict the genres and styles that listeners are more interested in, possibly leading to more efficient curation of playlists. Looking forward, if wearable neuroscience technologies become commonplace, they could aid in delivering entertainment tailored to an audience's neurophysiology. The study does have limitations, given the small number of songs and styles, as well as the small, ethnically diverse, and relatively narrow age-spanning sample size. However, the researchers believe the methodology could be extended to other forms of entertainment, such as movies and TV shows.

The U.S.-China AI race is not as simple as one country "winning" over the other; the real winner is artificial intelligence itself, which is rapidly advancing beyond our ability to manage its implications. AI has made significant strides in the past decade, from mastering video games to solving complex scientific problems such as protein folding. However, the potential risks posed by AI, especially large language models, are substantial and could even be existential. U.S. policy makers must rethink their strategies, focusing not just on staying ahead of China but also on prudent governance of AI technologies. This governance should strike a balance between promoting AI advancement and reducing the risk of catastrophic accidents. The reality is that China, with its strong domestic AI ecosystem, is here to stay in AI. Consequently, U.S. policy must prepare for a world where both nations possess advanced AI systems, and must address the transformative effects of AI on society at large.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky expressed his belief that artificial intelligence (AI) will not displace jobs but instead create more, particularly in the field of entrepreneurship. Chesky pointed out that while AI is already enhancing the efficiency of Airbnb's software engineers, it is also opening doors for non-engineers by allowing individuals to instruct chatbots in plain English to build websites, eliminating the need for coding knowledge. He anticipates this will spur the creation of millions of startups as anyone can essentially do what was once only possible with software engineering. Chesky's optimism about AI is shared by others, like RSE Ventures CEO Matt Higgins, who noted that AI is already helping people earn more money in less time. Despite these benefits, Chesky acknowledged that the rapid pace of AI development poses challenges, warning companies of the risks of not adapting quickly enough. Nevertheless, Chesky sees AI as a creative tool and believes there's only cause for concern for those who choose not to participate in this technological revolution.

The Harvard Business Review article discusses the decisions entrepreneurs must make when considering starting a generative AI company. They need to evaluate whether they can compete using the increasingly commoditized foundational models of AI or if they should focus on differentiating themselves through an application that utilizes these models. The choice between these two approaches is crucial and will shape the future direction of their potential business.

🛠️ AI tools update

AI tools, particularly generative AI, are increasingly popular as they can create impressive text, graphics, and even music from simple prompts. While OpenAI's ChatGPT is among the most known, only 14% of U.S. adults have used it. Many AI applications have surfaced since its debut, with more expected to launch soon. Examples of AI applications include AI-enabled chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing, and Google’s Bard, image generators like OpenAI's DALL-E 2, Bing Image Creator, DreamStudio, Lensa by Prisma Labs, and Adobe Firefly, and productivity tools like GrammarlyGo and OtterPilot. Audio generators like Prime Voice AI by ElevenLabs and Google MusicLM are also available. Additionally, apps such as Duolingo’s Roleplay, Khan Academy's Khanmigo, Snapchat's My AI, and Expedia’s in-app trip planning all incorporate AI tools, offering personalized experiences to users.

💵 Venture Capital updates

Beijing ESWIN Computer Technology Co. Ltd., a Chinese company specializing in artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) chips and services, has successfully raised 3 billion yuan ($421 million) in a Series D funding round. The round was co-led by two state-owned investment platforms, namely Beijing Financial Street Capital Operation Group Co. Ltd., and Guoxin Venture Capital. Lighthouse Capital served as the sole financial advisor for the deal.

London-based firm Glyphic AI, founded by former Google DeepMind and Apple engineers Adam Liska and Devang Agrawal, has successfully raised £4.3m ($5.5m) in a pre-seed funding round led by Point72 Ventures. The funds will be utilized to develop an AI co-pilot designed to aid sales teams in analyzing customer interactions and providing strategic insights into sales pipelines. The technology aims to address the historical struggles of sales teams in making data-based decisions due to their reliance on subjective and incomplete information. Glyphic AI's solution automates manual processes and provides insights that were previously inaccessible, thus helping businesses optimise revenue strategies and increase conversion rates.

🫡 Meme of the day

⭐️ Generative AI image of the day