This week’s TekTonic newsletter captures the tireless pace of innovation in AI. Cerebras and MagicAI shattered records in inferencing speed and context handling, while Google introduced a revolutionary real-time AI-driven 3D world generator. OpenAI continues to be at the center of attention with its mysterious Strawberry project, prompting high-profile departures and a potential $100 billion funding round. Meta’s AI platform reached new heights with 400 million active users, and Amazon is preparing to launch a next-gen Alexa powered by advanced AI. Legal battles and regulatory shifts are also in the spotlight, alongside significant advancements in consumer tech, education, and healthcare, showcasing AI’s expanding influence. From Intel’s strategic moves to NASA’s cutting-edge robotics.
The stories this week are mind-blowing. We discussed possibly being in the “trough of disillusionment” a few weeks ago, but AI technology had other plans. This week, the AI advancements hit a fevered pitch as we learned Cerebras broke the inferencing speed record, MagicAI broke the context window record, and Google released a groundbreaking Real-time world generation using AI. This achievement generates each frame for a 3D world at 20 frames per second. It is not preprogrammed; it is only told to follow the rules and style of the 1990s DOOM video game. Yeah, we do live in a simulation.
Rumors about OpenAI’s mysterious Strawberry project, an advanced reasoning agent, have been circulating, with reports that it was recently demonstrated to government officials. Sam Altman later confirmed this on X, fueling speculation. The timing is intriguing—shortly afterward, it was revealed that nearly half of OpenAI’s AI team had departed. Could their exit be tied to concerns over the implications of this technology? Just days later, news broke that OpenAI is seeking $100 billion in funding. Could the buzz around Strawberry be what’s drawing interest from tech giants like Apple and Nvidia?
We start with a significant milestone for Meta-AI, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the platform has reached 400 million monthly active users, with 185 million engaging weekly. Meta’s influence in the AI space is amplified by the booming interest in its open-source Llama models, which have seen a tenfold increase in downloads year-over-year, being adopted by major companies like AT&T, Goldman Sachs, and Zoom.
Meanwhile, Amazon prepares to launch its next-gen Alexa, reportedly powered by Anthropic’s Claude AI. Expected to hit the market just in time for the holiday season, this enhanced Alexa will cost $5-10 monthly and offer users a more sophisticated AI assistant. Amazon’s push to integrate
OpenAI remains a central figure in AI research, with reports of the company nearing a new funding round that could value it at over $100 billion. This comes from ChatGPT’s explosive growth, now boasting 200 million weekly users. However, the internal challenges at OpenAI are becoming more apparent, as nearly half of its AGI safety staff have departed, raising concerns about the company’s ability to manage the risks associated with developing advanced AI systems.
AI’s impact is being felt on the legal front as Yelp sues Google for antitrust violations, accusing the tech giant of monopolistic practices in local search. Additionally, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Elon Musk have endorsed a California bill that mandates transparency in AI-generated content, a move aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation, especially in the politically charged climate.
In consumer technology, Samsung is set to breathe new life and AI into its home appliances with a software update. Oppo is making headlines with its innovative triple-folding smartphone concept; Google announced its upcoming operating system and customizable AI agents through its Gemini platform (Gems). Google also announced the release of three new experimental AI models, including the Gemini 1.5 Flash 8B. Ideogram 2.0, a new AI image generator, is now freely available to all users, offering a powerful tool for creators seeking to enhance their visual projects.
In education, this week we learned AI tools like ChatGPT are gaining traction among students who struggle with concentration and attention. This trend reflects a broader movement toward integrating AI into educational systems to support students with diverse needs. In a related story, Argentina is pioneering a bold initiative by introducing Ethereum blockchain education into its high school curriculum.
Meanwhile, in politics and governance, AI’s influence is expanding as nations rush to build their own AI models, significantly increasing the demand for Nvidia’s chips. Additionally, police departments have started using AI to write incident reports, raising concern among watchdogs about the potential for bias and inaccuracies in law enforcement documentation. The U.S. Air Force has also joined the AI bandwagon, launching a new platform called CLARA to track development and spending on AI efforts, ensuring greater transparency in its pursuit of advanced military capabilities.
In the business sector, Intel’s stock saw a much-needed boost as reports emerged of the struggling chipmaker exploring strategic options, including a potential merger or split. In addition, Intel faces challenges in the startup world as several of its top engineers have left to form a RISC-V startup, further exacerbating the company’s brain drain. On a more innovative note, Fetch.ai has launched an Innovation Lab with a $10 million annual commitment to propel AI agent technology. Meanwhile, Elon Musk continues to make headlines, instructing X (formerly Twitter) staff to submit one-page achievement summaries to qualify for stock options.
In robotics, NASA seeks input on operating its cube-shaped flying robot fleet aboard the International Space Station (ISS). These Astrobee robots, which use electric fans to navigate the ISS’s microgravity environment, represent the cutting edge of space exploration technology. Also, 1x tech unveiled its impressive humanoid robot, NEO, as It prepares to sell into homes.
Turning to media and entertainment, Perplexity AI is challenging Google’s dominance in search with the introduction of timely AI ad features. At the same time, Google’s Gemini AI has resumed image generation of people after a six-month pause due to culturally inaccurate depictions. Google’s continued innovation is also evident in its new AI model that can simulate the game engine of DOOM in real-time, a proof of concept that could revolutionize gaming experiences. Additionally, U.S. retailer Target plans to deploy a generative AI chatbot across its stores to assist staff, highlighting the increasing integration of AI in retail operations.
Finally, in healthcare, Google Cloud is making waves with its generative AI plans in life sciences, aiming to accelerate drug discovery through collaborations and advanced protein modeling techniques. In a related development, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is consolidating its AI-related activities under a single AI Council. AI’s potential in healthcare is further demonstrated by a new algorithm that can detect 25% of interval breast cancers missed by radiologists, underscoring the life-saving potential of AI in medical diagnostics.
That is it. Stay tuned for more news next week. I APPRECIATE ALL THE READERS. Help spread the word. I put these newsletters together so productive humans like you can stay on top of the latest AI stories shaping our world.
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