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Singapore workers have the highest rate of Gen AI usage globally

Also: Japanese researchers set new world record internet speed

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AI KATANA
July 01, 2024

Morning!

In today's newsletter, we explore the global leadership of Singapore in workplace generative AI usage, significantly reducing burnout and boosting productivity. Motorola's latest marketing campaign, crafted entirely with generative AI, highlights innovative applications in the tech industry. We also cover a groundbreaking internet speed record set by Japanese researchers and Apple's transformation into a leading AI stock. Additionally, Meta's adjustment of AI labels to avoid misidentifying real photos underscores the complexities of AI content management. Finally, TikTok's development of a new AI chatbot, Genie, and Heymax.ai's recent seed funding success in enhancing loyalty platforms round out today's updates.

Sliced:

  • 🇸🇬 Singapore workers have the highest rate of Gen AI usage globally

  • 📱 Motorola launches campaign made entirely with generative AI

  • 🇯🇵 Japanese researchers set new world record internet speed

  • 🍎 How Apple became an AI stock

  • ⚠️ Meta Is Changing Artificial Intelligence Labels After Real Photos Were Marked As AI

🇸🇬 Singapore workers have the highest rate of Gen AI usage globally

A recent survey by UiPath reveals that Singapore has the highest global usage rate of generative AI at work, with 60% of workers incorporating it into their tasks. This high adoption rate is linked to significant benefits, including reduced burnout, with 30% of Singaporean workers feeling extremely or very burnt out. The majority use Gen AI to save time, with 42% reporting it saves at least 10 hours, allowing more time for creative tasks and personal activities. However, only 35% use Gen AI in conjunction with business automation, though those who do experience increased productivity and better work-life balance. The widespread use of Gen AI and automation is seen as essential for Singapore to maintain its competitive edge and achieve its National AI Strategy 2.0 goals.

Motorola has launched an innovative marketing campaign created entirely using generative AI, following a similar initiative by Toys “R” Us. The campaign, named “Styled by Motorola,” showcases models in outfits inspired by Motorola’s logo, with all elements including models, environments, and music generated by AI. This project took four months and utilized nine different AI tools. The campaign highlights Motorola’s new Razr 50 folding smartphone and its partnership with Pantone, presenting the outfits in the six colors available for the phone. Motorola collaborated with fashion creators and creative agencies, sharing the campaign on social media and at a launch event. Despite recent controversy surrounding AI-generated ads, the company remains committed to integrating this technology into its marketing strategies.

🇯🇵 Japanese researchers set new world record internet speed

Japanese researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by setting a new world record for internet speed at 402 terabits per second, utilizing commercially available optical fiber. This data rate is approximately 1.6 million times faster than the average US broadband speed. The team, under the Photonic Network Laboratory at Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), accomplished this by employing all transmission bands of standard optical fibers and incorporating various amplification technologies. The new method of accessing previously unused wavelength bands could significantly enhance future telecommunications networks. While the achievement demonstrates immense potential, further research and substantial resources are necessary to replicate this breakthrough in real-world conditions and extend its transmission range to trans-oceanic distances.

Apple’s transformation into an AI stock has significantly boosted its market value, adding over $600 billion since May 1, 2024. This surge, second only to Nvidia, reflects increased expectations for Apple’s long-term financial performance, despite little change in near-term forecasts. The shift is attributed to Apple’s strategic moves, including a partnership with OpenAI to integrate AI features like Apple Intelligence into its devices. This collaboration links Apple to the breakthrough success of ChatGPT, enhancing its market appeal. Analysts suggest Apple’s reputation for refining technology positions it well to capitalize on future AI advancements, akin to other tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet. However, the enthusiasm driving this valuation increase also indicates a potential bubble, similar to historical market trends around emerging yet not fully understood technologies.

Meta is adjusting its AI labels on social media posts following criticism that its detection systems were mistakenly flagging real images with minor edits as AI-generated. The company will now label such posts with "AI Info" instead of "Made with AI" to provide more context and address concerns from artists and users. This change reflects Meta's ongoing efforts to balance technological advancements with transparency, especially crucial as AI-generated content proliferates online. The update comes amid broader industry challenges in distinguishing genuine content from AI manipulations, a critical issue with the upcoming US presidential election and the increasing use of AI for disinformation campaigns.

🛠️ AI tools updates

TikTok is set to introduce a new AI chatbot called Genie, aimed at enhancing user interaction and facilitating communication within the app. The trademark filing in the U.S. suggests that Genie will enable users to pose questions and receive immediate responses, simulate conversations, and generate human-like speech and text. This chatbot is part of TikTok's broader strategy to integrate various AI functionalities, including generative AI search, virtual human creation, AI music generation, and text-to-video tools, into a unified platform. This move follows TikTok's earlier AI chatbot, Tako, tested in the Philippines, which was primarily designed to guide users to other videos. Unlike Meta's AI chatbot, TikTok's Genie aims to provide more practical functionality, making it easier for users to discover and utilize the app's diverse AI-driven tools.

💵 Venture Capital updates

Heymax.ai, a Singapore-based loyalty platform startup founded by four ex-Meta engineers in 2023, has secured $2.6 million in seed funding led by January Capital, with participation from Tenity, Ascend Angels, XA Network, and other angel investors. The platform offers a loyalty currency called Max Miles, which can be redeemed for flights or transferred to miles and points with 25 airline and hotel partners. Heymax.ai has over 50,000 users who have earned over 50 million Max Miles and redeemed over 10,000 flights since its launch. With access to more than 500 merchants, including Amazon.sg, Apple, Grab, and Shopee, the company aims to make personal finance and wellness more equitable through measurable rewards. CEO Joe Lu emphasizes the importance of building customer trust and leveraging data from the Max Miles program to help users make better financial decisions. The startup recently appointed Aik-Phong Ng as CCO and is expanding into Australia and across Asia Pacific.

🫡 Meme of the day

⭐️ Generative AI image of the day