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- Microsoft and BlackRock Launch $30 Billion Fund to Transform AI Infrastructure
Microsoft and BlackRock Launch $30 Billion Fund to Transform AI Infrastructure
LinkedIn is Training AI Models on Your Data
AI KATANA
September 19, 2024
Morning!
In today’s newsletter, we explore major AI industry shifts driven by new investments, governance frameworks, and partnerships. Microsoft and BlackRock’s $30 billion initiative aims to revolutionize AI infrastructure worldwide, while a UN advisory body proposes seven key recommendations for global AI governance. LinkedIn faces scrutiny over its updated privacy policy, which permits AI training on user data, and Lionsgate’s collaboration with Runway AI signals a transformative moment for film production. From AI tools empowering YouTube creators to Salesforce Ventures doubling its AI fund, the landscape is evolving rapidly, with a focus on innovation and responsible AI use.
Sliced just for you:
💼 Microsoft and BlackRock Launch $30 Billion Fund to Transform AI Infrastructure
🌍 UN Advisory Body Makes Seven Recommendations for Governing AI
🛡️ LinkedIn is Training AI Models on Your Data
🎬 Lionsgate Partners with Runway AI to Revolutionize Film Production
Microsoft and BlackRock have announced the launch of a $30 billion fund aimed at transforming AI infrastructure globally. This initiative, known as the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP), is designed to meet the increasing demand for energy-intensive AI technologies, particularly by expanding data centers and developing sustainable energy sources to power them. The fund will support both U.S.-based and international investments, with the potential to mobilize up to $100 billion through additional debt financing. Collaborating with key industry players like Nvidia and Global Infrastructure Partners, the partnership aims to drive innovation, create jobs, and ensure the scalability of AI technologies. Sustainability is a central focus, with the fund aligned with Microsoft’s environmental goals to achieve zero-carbon energy consumption by 2030. This strategic investment positions Microsoft and BlackRock at the forefront of the global AI revolution, emphasizing both economic growth and technological leadership.
The United Nations advisory body has released a set of seven key recommendations aimed at improving global governance of AI. These proposals include the creation of an independent panel to provide neutral, scientific insights on AI, addressing the informational gaps between AI labs and the broader public. The body stresses the importance of a global AI standards exchange and a capacity-building network to enhance governance capabilities worldwide. It also advocates for a global AI fund to address collaboration and resource gaps and calls for a comprehensive AI data framework to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, the UN suggests establishing a small AI office to support the implementation of these proposals. This set of recommendations follows growing global concern about the rapid development of AI, particularly as few countries have enacted comprehensive legal frameworks to manage its risks, with the European Union being the most proactive.
LinkedIn has recently updated its privacy policy to allow user data to be used for training generative AI models without explicit user consent. Users are automatically opted into this practice, but LinkedIn has provided an option to opt out through the Data Privacy settings under “Data for Generative AI Improvement.” However, any data already used for AI training cannot be retracted. The company claims that personal data is removed or redacted in training datasets, and users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are excluded from this process. To fully opt out of all AI training practices, users need to fill out an additional Data Processing Objection Form. This update follows similar actions by other tech companies, like Meta, which also admitted to using user data for AI training.
Lionsgate has partnered with Runway, an AI research firm, to integrate advanced AI tools into the film production process, marking a significant shift in how movies are made. This collaboration aims to leverage Lionsgate’s extensive content library to create a customized AI model that assists filmmakers by generating and refining cinematic content across various production stages. The technology promises to streamline workflows, from storyboarding to post-production, enhancing visual effects and enabling creative teams to explore new storytelling possibilities. Financially, the partnership is expected to cut production costs while maintaining high-quality content creation. Additionally, Runway plans to offer AI tools to smaller studios and independent creators, democratizing access to advanced technology. While the integration of AI is seen as a way to augment human creativity, it also raises important ethical considerations around intellectual property and the potential misuse of technologies like deepfakes. Overall, this partnership sets a precedent for AI’s role in the future of film production, highlighting its potential to transform the industry by fostering innovation and improving efficiency.
🛠️ AI tools updates
Google DeepMind is introducing generative AI technologies to empower YouTube creators through a new tool called Dream Screen. This innovation allows creators to generate dynamic video backgrounds for YouTube Shorts using advanced AI models, such as Veo and Imagen 3. By starting with a text prompt, creators can generate a series of images, select their preferred aesthetic, and have Veo transform the image into a high-quality 6-second video clip. In 2025, these tools will extend to creating standalone video clips for Shorts. To ensure transparency, AI-generated content will be watermarked with SynthID, clearly labeling it as AI-generated. These developments are aimed at unlocking creativity for creators globally while maintaining responsible AI use.
💵 Venture Capital updates
Salesforce Ventures has doubled its AI-focused fund with an additional $500 million investment, bringing its total commitment to $1 billion in under two years. This new Generative AI fund is aimed at supporting startups developing specialized, smaller AI models tailored to specific industries and business needs. Salesforce Ventures has already deployed its initial $500 million across 24 companies, including Hugging Face, Mistral, Runway, and Anthropic. By investing in early-stage startups, the firm is securing stakes in high-potential companies before their valuations rise, while also providing them with access to Salesforce’s ecosystem of Fortune 500 leaders and ethical AI resources. The expanded fund reflects Salesforce’s goal of scaling AI innovation across the enterprise, emphasizing trust and responsibility in AI adoption. This strategic move positions Salesforce Ventures as a leader in supporting the next generation of AI-driven business solutions.
🫡 Meme of the day
⭐️ Generative AI image of the day
Before you go, check out The United Nations Wants to Treat AI With the Same Urgency as Climate Change.
