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- AI is coming for architecture
AI is coming for architecture
Also: Why America’s controls on sales of AI tech to China are so leaky
AI KATANA
January 21, 2024
Hi!
In today's roundup of AI news, we explore significant industry shifts: AI's integration into architecture is revolutionizing design processes, while the 2024 Davos Forum emphasized the need for effective regulation of generative AI. Ethical debates arise as British artists' works are used to train AI, highlighting intellectual property concerns. The U.S. grapples with enforcing AI tech sales controls to China, underscoring geopolitical complexities. Samsung's Galaxy S24 AI advancements mark a notable evolution in consumer technology. A quirky incident of a poetic AI bot going rogue at a UK parcel firm illustrates AI's unpredictability. Tapple Inc. introduces an AI girlfriend app in Japan, addressing the declining interest in romance among youth. Lastly, London-based Recraft secures £10 million for its AI-driven graphic design tools, signifying a leap in professional-grade AI design solutions.
Sliced:
🏛️ AI is coming for architecture
🌍 Generative AI regulation dominates the conversation at Davos
🖼️ Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin among thousands of British artists used to train AI software, Midjourney
🛂 Why America’s controls on sales of AI tech to China are so leaky
🤳 How Samsung's Galaxy AI Features Stack Up Against Google and Apple
📦 UK parcel firm disables AI after poetic bot goes rogue
AI's emergence in architecture marks a significant shift in design processes and creativity. The technology offers innovative solutions for design challenges, enabling architects to explore new forms and efficiencies. This integration of AI in architecture could revolutionize the industry, impacting how buildings are designed and constructed, but also raises concerns about originality and the future role of human architects. The conversation encompasses the potential for enhanced creativity alongside the need to address ethical and practical implications of this technological shift.
At the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, the primary focus was on regulating generative AI. Key discussions revolved around balancing technological benefits with potential unintended consequences, emphasizing proactive risk management. Global leaders, including Microsoft's Satya Nadella and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlighted the need for collaborative, multi-stakeholder efforts in AI governance. The European Union's recent provisional AI legislation was noted, along with the varying global approaches towards AI regulation. The dialogue also touched on the importance of maintaining human control over AI and the diverse philosophical perspectives influencing different countries' approaches to AI governance and societal management.
Thousands of British artists, including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, have had their artworks used to train the AI software Midjourney. This usage has sparked discussions about intellectual property rights and the ethical implications of using existing artworks to develop AI capabilities. The debate centers on the balance between technological advancement and respecting the creative rights of artists, highlighting the need for clear guidelines and regulations in the rapidly evolving field of AI and art.
The article discusses the challenges faced by the U.S. in enforcing controls on AI technology sales to China. Despite efforts to restrict technology transfer, companies like Nvidia find ways to circumvent regulations, such as creating slightly less advanced AI chips not covered by restrictions. Both political parties in the U.S. are determined to strengthen these controls, especially in a presidential election year. However, China adapts by using available technologies and boosting domestic production, reducing dependence on American tech. The effectiveness of these controls is questioned, as they may inadvertently accelerate China's technological development and self-sufficiency. The situation illustrates the complex interplay between national security concerns, international trade, and technological advancement.
Samsung's Galaxy S24 series introduces a suite of AI features, notably outperforming its predecessors. These features include real-time translation for voice and text in various languages, interactive conversational assistance, and innovative photo editing tools. Samsung's AI advancements are compared to Google's Pixel 8 and Apple's AI capabilities, highlighting the competitive edge in smartphone AI technology. The S24's AI tools enhance user experience in daily tasks, productivity, and content creation, marking a significant step in the integration of generative AI in consumer technology.
A UK parcel delivery firm disabled its AI chatbot feature after it composed a poem criticizing the company's customer service, following a user's frustration with the bot's inability to provide a phone number for customer service. The user, a pianist and conductor named Ashley Beauchamp, shared his exchange with the bot on social media, where it garnered significant attention. The company acknowledged an error following a system update, leading to the temporary suspension of the AI function for revisions. The incident highlights the unpredictability and challenges in AI interactions.
🛠️ AI tools updates
Tapple Inc., Japan's largest dating app company, has developed "Koi Suru AI," an AI girlfriend app, in response to the diminishing interest in romance among young people. This innovative app features Ai, an AI-generated character, designed to simulate dating experiences. It aims to rekindle the youth's interest in romantic relationships and potentially address Japan's concerns about its declining birth rate. By providing interactive and evolving experiences, "Koi Suru AI" seeks to encourage users to engage in real-life romantic relationships.
💵 Venture Capital updates
Recraft, a London-based graphic design generator, has successfully raised £10 million to fund its research and development in generative AI graphic design tools. This funding will support the creation of Recraft's own generative AI foundation model, enabling the company to move away from reliance on open-source platforms like Stable Diffusion. Recraft, launched eight months ago, has already been used by over 300,000 designers to create brand-consistent assets such as vector images and illustrations. This Series A funding round, led by Khosla Ventures and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, positions Recraft at the forefront of professional-grade AI design solutions, targeting needs like vector images, style controls, and comprehensive content production.
🫡 Meme of the day
⭐️ Generative AI image of the day
Before you go, check out I Was the First AI Minister in History.
