We aim to inform readers not only about developments in the bitcoin industry but also about what is happening in adjacent technology spheres — cybersecurity and the world of artificial intelligence (AI).
ForkLog AI has gathered the most important AI news from the past week.
- The Russian government dissolved the government sub-commission on AI development.
- Google’s Russian subsidiary plans to declare bankruptcy.
- The US will lift the ban on police use of facial recognition systems.
- Tesla was removed from the S&P 500 index due to autopilot and discrimination concerns.
- Former Apple director of machine learning joined DeepMind.
- A Japanese container ship conducted autonomous voyage between Japan’s two largest ports.
- The most notable deals of the past week.
Russian government dissolves AI development commission
In Russia, dissolved the government sub-commission on AI development.
A number of acts and related applications tied to the ministry’s work have lost force.
Google Russia to declare bankruptcy
Russia’s Google subsidiary plans to declare bankruptcy.
The company said that seized bank accounts made it impossible to operate the office in Russia, including hiring and paying salaries, as well as meeting other financial obligations.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Google relocated most employees from Russia, preparing to wind down commercial activity in the country. Most workers reportedly moved to Dubai, where the firm has a large office, the source said.
In the US, the ban on facial recognition use will be lifted
Several American cities will lift the prohibition on facial recognition technology due to rising crime.
According to Reuters, in the coming months Virginia and California authorities will permit local police to deploy biometric identification systems. The ban may also be lifted in New Orleans, where the number of murder reports rose by 67% over the past two years.
“Technology is necessary for solving crimes and bringing people to justice,” the police said.
American files lawsuit against TikTok over deadly challenge
On TikTok have filed a lawsuit over alleged “deadly recommendations” from its algorithms.
According to the suit, the For You tab recommended 10-year-old Nayla Anderson to undertake the blackout challenge, prompting people to hold their breath until losing consciousness. During the task, the child fainted. She was taken to hospital, but died five days later in intensive care.
TikTok responded that the challenge appeared long before the platform existed and was never a trend. If similar content is found, developers remove it immediately, the company added.
Tesla removed from the S&P 500 ESG index due to autopilot and discrimination concerns
Tesla was removed from the S&P 500 ESG index due to concerns related to autopilot and discrimination.
The S&P 500 ESG is a gauge used to assess corporate performance on environmental, social and governance matters.
In response, Elon Musk called the index a “fraud” and a “weapon in the hands of fake social justice warriors.”
Exxon is rated top ten best in world for environment, social & governance (ESG) by S&P 500, while Tesla didn’t make the list!
ESG is a scam. It has been weaponized by phony social justice warriors.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 18, 2022
Media: Former Apple ML chief joins DeepMind
The former head of Apple's machine learning division has joined DeepMind's AI lab.
According to Bloomberg, the expert joined Google AI's unit as a standalone researcher. Goodfellow has yet to assume new duties, the source says.
DeepMind declined to comment.
Earlier, Goodfellow left Apple due to partial return-to-work and inflexibility in the company's working policy.
Soon, Apple abandoned its gradual return-to-work policy due to rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Instead, employees will be required to come to work two days a week and wear masks in common areas.
Google unveils AI coach to prepare for interviews
Google has launched Interview Warmup, an AI tool to help prepare for interviews. The program is available only to users in the United States.
The system poses typical questions like “Tell me a little about yourself” and analyzes the candidate's responses to identify areas for improvement. The tool will identify if a candidate overuses certain words or needs more time to speak on a topic.
Interview Warmup is intended for participants in Google's Career Certificates program but also includes a list of general questions. In the future, the company plans to expand the tool's functionality and regional availability.
Apple introduces “Live Captions” for iPhone, iPad and Mac
Apple will add a feature to create “Live Captions” for video on iPhone, iPad and Mac. The company also announced an AI-powered door-detection system for unfamiliar locations.
“Live Captions” can be used in streaming services, FaceTime and other online-conferencing apps.
The door-detection tool describes whether doors are open or closed and how to open them — press, pull or turn the handle.
The features are part of the company’s “Accessibility” update to its products. The features will be available in 2022.
Startup developed a deepfake tool for video conferences
Japanese startup EmbodyMe has developed a deepfake app that “dresses and styles” users for business video meetings.
The system generates a business image based on pre-uploaded professional photos. The algorithm “finishes” missing details such as a suit or styled hair in real time and synchronizes the image with the Zoom, Skype or Microsoft Teams broadcast.
The app tracks 50,000 distinct points on the user’s face, detecting changes in their expressions. The system also adapts to the person’s movements, even as they approach the camera.
According to the company, EmbodyMe’s neural rendering takes about 0.01 seconds, around 50 times faster than its rivals.
The basic filter is free. A monthly subscription with additional features costs $8 per month.
In Japan, a container ship completed autonomous voyage
The autonomous container vessel Suzaku sailed 790 km. The 95-metre vessel undertook a test voyage from Tokyo Bay to the port of Tsumasuzaka and back.
The experiment also tested ground-support and remote-control technologies. Operators monitored the vessel's operation, briefly taking control to verify the functionality of control and communications systems.
About 30 companies participated in the experiment. The project is funded by the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese organization.
The most notable AI deals of the past week
From May 15 to 21, 2022, AI startups attracted over $370 million. Here are the most interesting deals.
- Inflection AI raised $225 million to develop software AI products to simplify human-computer interactions.
- Fetcher raised $27 million to create a service for finding and recruiting candidates.
- Heartex raised $25 million to develop an open-source data-labeling platform.
- Everstream Analytics raised $24 million.
- Keelvar raised $24 million to scale its procurement automation platform.
- Tractian raised $15 million to develop a system for monitoring the state of industrial equipment.
- Salience Labs raised $11.5 million.
- Rain Technology raised $11 million to expand its team building integrated voice systems.
- ZMO.ai raised $8 million to advance a platform for AI-generated fashion models.
Also on ForkLog:
- Elon Musk accused Twitter of manipulating users.
- The founder of Revolut will launch an AI-based venture fund with assets of $200 million.
- Mastercard will launch a smile- or wave-based payment systemhand gestures.
- There have been calls in the United States to scrutinize the ID.me facial recognition system.
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