#45. 🏡 ChatGPT-powered Zillow | ✈️ EV aircraft batteries | 🏎️ Tesla Model S' 200 mph+ Track Pack

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

ChatGPT could help you find your next home (quick read)

Zillow and Redfin are integrating ChatGPT plugins to simplify the home shopping experience for users. These AI chatbots enable users to interact conversationally, asking questions about listings, prices, and property details. Built on OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 technology, ChatGPT is known for its versatile applications, such as generating text, translations, code, and Excel formulas. Zillow has a history of using AI for its Zestimate feature, while Redfin aims to help users find homes meeting their specific criteria. The Zillow ChatGPT plugin is currently in its alpha phase, with plans for wider availability in the future.

The 'Godfather of AI' quit Google — and says he now regrets his role creating technology that poses a threat to humanity (medium read)

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "Godfather of AI," has expressed regret about his role in developing AI technology in a recent New York Times interview. Hinton, who left Google after a decade-long career, raised concerns about the potential harm AI could cause humanity and questioned the ongoing AI race among tech giants. Despite his departure, Hinton praised Google for acting responsibly. His concerns echo those of some Google employees who fear that the company's AI chatbot, Bard, may have negative consequences and that Google is not prioritizing AI ethics. Hinton's concerns extend to the spread of fake information and the potential elimination of human jobs due to AI advancements.

Microsoft’s Bing Chat AI is now open to everyone, with plug-ins coming soon (quick read)

Microsoft is making its Bing GPT-4 chatbot available to all users, removing the waitlist and adding new features and plug-in support. After launching in private preview in February, Microsoft has been gradually opening access to Bing Chat. The latest update includes image and video results, Bing and Edge Actions, persistent chat and history, and plug-in support, which is expected to be a key addition for developers. Microsoft is partnering with OpenTable for restaurant bookings and WolframAlpha for generating visualizations. More details about developer extensions will be shared at Microsoft's Build conference later this month.

🌡️ CLIMATE CHANGE & CLEAN ENERGY

Climate change: life in ocean ‘twilight zone' at risk from warming (quick read)

Climate change could lead to a 40% reduction in life within the ocean's twilight zone by the end of the century, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. The twilight zone, located between 200m and 1,000m deep, is a vital habitat for marine life and serves as a carbon sink. The scientists examined two warm periods in Earth's past and found that fewer organisms lived in the zone during those times due to faster food degradation by bacteria. The study suggests significant changes may already be happening, and unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, twilight zone life may face extinction within 150 years.

Northvolt & Cuberg Unveil Batteries Designed For Electric Aircraft (long read)

Cuberg, a California-based battery technology company, has developed a lithium metal battery with significant potential for the aviation industry. The battery has a specific energy of 405 Wh/kg, which is 40% higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The higher energy density and lower weight make these batteries ideal for electric and hybrid aviation, as they can increase the flight range and enable new use cases. Cuberg's technology uses a lithium metal anode and a proprietary liquid electrolyte, which allows for scalability, reliability, and traceability across the value chain. The company plans to deliver modules to select aviation customers throughout 2023.

The US’ largest clean energy infrastructure project is kicking off construction (quick read)

SunZia, a large wind power and transmission line project in the US Southwest, is set to begin construction. The project consists of SunZia Wind, a 3,500-megawatt (MW) wind farm across New Mexico, and SunZia Transmission, a 550-mile, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line connecting central New Mexico to south-central Arizona, capable of transporting 3,000 MW of clean energy. California-based renewable energy developer Pattern Energy Group has chosen Hitachi Energy and Quanta Services as its engineering, procurement, and construction contractors for the project. The SunZia project, representing an investment of over $5 billion, is expected to power the needs of more than 3 million Americans, create over 2,000 new jobs, have an economic impact of $20.5 billion, and come online in 2026.

🚗 AUTONOMOUS & ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Tesla launches new Model S Plaid track package with incredible top speed (quick read)

Tesla is launching a new Model S Plaid track package that will enable the originally promised top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h). The first delivered Model S Plaid vehicles had a top speed of 163 mph (262 km/h), later increased to 175 mph (282 km/h) with the release of a "Track Mode." The limiting factor for higher speeds was the brakes, and Tesla offered a carbon ceramic kit upgrade for $20,000 last year. The new Model S Plaid track package will finally deliver the originally announced top speed, though the included hardware is not yet fully known. Tesla has made the package available online for $6,000, which includes new performance wheels and tires to go with the new brakes.

Woven Capital, Nvidia back Foretellix’s autonomous vehicle validation tech (quick read)

Woven Capital, Toyota's growth fund, has invested in Foretellix, an Israeli startup that provides tools to verify autonomous vehicle technology at any level. Woven Capital, along with Nvidia and Artofin VC, participated in the first closing of Foretellix's $43 million Series C round, led by 83North. Foretellix's offerings include scenario generation and big data analytics, allowing companies to test autonomous vehicle systems in simulation against various scenarios and analyze the results. The company's biggest customers are Daimler Trucks and Volvo Group, and it also works closely with Nvidia by integrating into its Drive SIM platform. Woven by Toyota is partnering with Foretellix to complement its in-house technology as it works on both advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and Level 4 autonomous technology.

Toyota, Nvidia invest in Israeli developer of testing tech for autonomous vehicles (quick read)

Toyota and Nvidia have invested in Israeli mobility tech startup Foretellix, which develops a testing and verification platform for driver assistance and autonomous driving systems. Foretellix raised $43 million in a Series C funding round led by 83North Ventures, with participation from Woven Capital, Artofin VC, MoreTech Ventures, Nationwide, Volvo Group's VC arm, and Jump Capital. Foretellix's software platform uses big data analytics and AI to test the safety of autonomous driving systems. The company's largest customers include Volvo Group and Daimler Truck subsidiary Torc, and it has also partnered with Nvidia to incorporate its drive sim simulation platform.

🎉 THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY!

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