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Microsoft debuts 'Copilot+' PCs with AI features

Also: South Korea, UK to co-host second global AI summit as boom fans risks

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AI KATANA
May 20, 2024

Good morning,

In today's newsletter, we explore Microsoft's innovative launch of "Copilot+ PCs" with integrated AI capabilities, set to redefine personal computing. We also delve into the upcoming second global AI summit co-hosted by South Korea and the UK, addressing AI safety and innovation. Microsoft is also revolutionizing the gaming world by integrating Copilot AI into popular titles like Minecraft, enhancing the gaming experience. Additionally, we discuss the "dead internet theory" and its implications for online authenticity. Finally, Google's €1 billion investment in a Finnish data center highlights its commitment to sustainable AI development. Stay tuned for more updates on AI tools and venture capital movements in the tech world.

Sliced:

  • 👩🏻‍✈️ Microsoft debuts 'Copilot+' PCs with AI features

  • 🇰🇷 South Korea, UK to co-host second global AI summit as boom fans risks

  • ⛏️ Microsoft's AI will be inside Minecraft

  • 🧟‍♀️ The ‘dead internet theory’ makes eerie claims about an AI-run web. The truth is more sinister

  • 💵 Google invests 1 billion euros in Finnish data centre to drive AI growth

👩🏻‍✈️ Microsoft debuts 'Copilot+' PCs with AI features

Microsoft has introduced a new category of personal computers, called "Copilot+ PCs," which are integrated with advanced AI capabilities. These devices, revealed at an event on Microsoft's Redmond campus, are designed to handle AI tasks directly on the device, minimizing reliance on cloud data centers. Starting at $1,000 and available from June 18, these PCs feature a unique "Recall" function that records user activities for future reference. Microsoft expects significant uptake, predicting sales of 50 million AI PCs in the next year. This launch is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to incorporate AI across its products and maintain its competitive edge over rivals like Alphabet and Apple. The new PCs also integrate the latest GPT-4o technology from OpenAI and include enhanced versions of Microsoft's Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips to optimize AI applications.

South Korea and the UK will co-host the second global AI summit in Seoul, focusing on AI safety, innovation, and inclusion. The summit, occurring virtually and in-person, will see leaders like UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol address the rapid advancements and associated risks of AI. The event follows the AI Safety Summit held in the UK last November, highlighting ongoing debates about AI’s potential impacts on labor markets, cybersecurity, and societal control. Prominent tech figures, including those from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, Meta, and IBM, are expected to attend, underlining the global importance of developing cohesive AI regulations to manage these risks.

Microsoft's new Copilot AI is set to revolutionize gaming by integrating directly into popular titles such as Minecraft, as demonstrated at their recent Surface and AI event. This integration allows players to interact with the game using natural language, asking questions like "How do I craft a sword?" and receiving real-time guidance and inventory searches to find necessary materials. The Copilot AI aims to enhance the gaming experience by offering in-game tips and guides, potentially reducing the need for external game guides and walkthroughs. Additionally, Microsoft emphasized privacy, ensuring that data used by these AI features will remain on the device. This development highlights Microsoft's commitment to embedding AI across its product lines, including new AI-powered PCs that boast superior performance and battery life compared to traditional Intel-based Ultrabooks.

The "dead internet theory" suggests that much of the online content and interactions are generated by AI, overshadowing human-created material. This theory posits that bots produce vast amounts of posts and AI-generated images to farm engagement on social media, potentially influencing public opinion and spreading disinformation. While some bot activity, like the viral "shrimp Jesus" images, may seem harmless, the implications are broader and more concerning. Bots can amplify fake news and propaganda, as seen in pro-Russian campaigns and other disinformation efforts, shaping perceptions and narratives on a large scale. The theory underscores the need for critical engagement with online content, highlighting the evolving challenges in maintaining an authentic and trustworthy internet.

Google is investing 1 billion euros to expand its data center in Hamina, Finland, to support AI growth in Europe. This investment leverages Finland’s abundant wind power, which has grown rapidly, contributing to low electricity costs. The expansion aligns with Google's sustainability goals, as the Hamina center already operates on 97% carbon-free energy and will supply heat to the local community. As AI usage increases, so will the energy demands of data centers, making renewable energy sources crucial. Google’s investment in Finland, along with new data centers in the Netherlands and Belgium, highlights its commitment to sustainable AI development.

🛠️ AI tools updates

Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot AI by incorporating OpenAI's new GPT-4o, making it more precise and versatile with support for voice and computer vision. Copilot, integrated into Windows 11 and Bing, can perform tasks such as opening apps and editing photos, directly from the taskbar. Additionally, it will feature in gaming, starting with Minecraft, where it helps players by answering questions and providing in-game guidance. New AI-powered PCs, branded as Copilot+ PCs, will also be launched, featuring a "Recall" function that allows users to track and query their past activities. These advancements underline Microsoft's commitment to embedding AI across its product lines to stay competitive against rivals like Google and Apple .

💵 Venture Capital updates

Overland AI, a Seattle-based company specializing in autonomous off-road vehicle technology for defense applications, has secured $10 million in seed funding led by Point72 Ventures, with participation from Shasta Ventures, Ascend VC, Pioneer Square Labs, Voyager Capital, and Cubit Capital. The funds will support the expansion of its operations and further development of its OverDrive software, which enables autonomous navigation in complex terrains at speeds up to 45 mph. Overland AI has recently been awarded an $18.6 million prototype agreement from the U.S. Army and Defense Innovation Unit to adapt its technology for military use, and it has also been selected for Phase II of DARPA's RACER program, aimed at enhancing autonomous capabilities in operationally relevant environments.

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