🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Why YouTube Could Give Google an Edge in AI

• Google is using YouTube data to train its next large language model, Gemini, which may give it an edge over competitors due to ownership of the platform.

• OpenAI reportedly used YouTube data in secret to train some of its AI models, including GPT-4.

• Potential implications include Google developing software to block rivals from using YouTube data, and concerns about Google's power may increase among antitrust regulators.

• YouTube's rich data from video content, voice-overs, and metadata can enhance conversational AI and provide insights into user behavior.

• OpenAI plans to introduce a multimodal version of GPT-4 in 2024 due to a hardware shortage.

• Industry experts see potential for video-trained models to revolutionize AI capabilities due to the depth of world knowledge encoded in video.

How the EU plans to regulate AI

• The European Union plans to regulate AI, with a draft law suggesting all AI-generated content be marked and categorized by risk level.

• High-risk AI systems, especially those predicting social behavior, may face bans, while lower risk systems like ChatGPT would be minimally impacted.

• Companies selling risky AI applications in Europe may need to meet strict requirements, provide risk management, and be transparent about data usage.

• OpenAI's head, Sam Altman, initially threatened to leave Europe due to regulatory concerns but later retracted, calling for clarity in AI regulation.

• The proposed EU law, which needs approval from all member states and the EU Parliament, wouldn't come into force until 2025.

• Some institutions, such as the Fraunhofer Institute, are considering introducing an "AI certificate" to certify AI applications, enhancing public trust in high-stakes applications like autonomous cars or surgical robots.

E.U. Takes a Step Closer to Passing the World's Most Comprehensive AI Regulation

• The European Union's AI Act, which bans real-time facial recognition and places transparency requirements on generative AI tools, has been approved by lawmakers, moving towards becoming law.

• The Act will now undergo the "trilogue" stage, where officials will negotiate to reach a compromise between the versions of the law favored by the EU Parliament, executive branch, and member states.

• High-risk AI applications, such as those used in employment, border control, and education, will have to adhere to safety requirements like risk assessments, transparency, and logging.

• The Act also imposes transparency requirements and risk assessments on "foundation models" - powerful AI systems trained on large datasets, such as those used by OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.

• A late attempt to remove the ban on real-time facial recognition was rejected, and AI tools used by law enforcement and border forces may face exemption debates in the next stage.

• Some experts believe the Act lacks restrictions on the amount of computing power AI systems can use, which could pose potential risks as more powerful AI systems are developed.

🤖🔥🤯 COOL AI TOOLS, APPS, VIDEOS, PODCASTS, LINKS, AND MORE!

• QuickQR.ART: Pretty QR codes.

• AI Query: AI-powered SQL queries.

• Hippo: AI-powered illustrations in Figma.

🌡️ CLIMATE CHANGE & CLEAN ENERGY

A Clear Indication That Climate Change Is Burning Up California

• California has experienced three of its five deadliest fires on record in the past six years, attributable to climate change.

• A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences links human-caused warming to the increase in the state's summer fires over the past 50 years.

• The study finds climate change is responsible for almost all the additional burned area during these fires.

• Using data from 1971 to 2021, researchers created a model to distinguish the effects of human-caused warming from natural temperature fluctuations.

• The research indicates that wildfires, worsened by climate change, are a global issue and will likely intensify over time.

• The researchers predict that the trend of increasing burned area will continue in the coming decades.

The meteorologist telling Congress about climate change

• Rep. Eric Sorensen, a former TV meteorologist, is the first such professional to be in Congress in over 40 years, and uses his background to communicate climate science to his constituents.

• Despite the political divisiveness of climate change, Sorensen successfully incorporated the topic into his broadcasts, helping his audience, including farmers, understand the impact.

• Sorensen believes it's essential to communicate climate change effectively without alienating viewers, evidenced by a positive audience response when he did so.

• As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Sorensen opposes potential moves by Republicans to dismantle sustainable agriculture programs, and advocates for strengthening crop insurance programs.

• He supports the reauthorization of the Weather Act, emphasizing the need for disaster readiness and ensuring people understand the science to make informed decisions.

• Sorensen applies his science communication skills to his role in Congress, stressing the importance of people accessing accurate information to avoid making poor decisions.

Texas heatwave an ‘exceptional event driven by climate change,’ scientist says

• MIT climate scientist Dr. Daniel Gilford attributes the Texas heatwave, predicted to be Austin's hottest June 14-20 period on record, to climate change.

• Climate Central's new tool, the Climate Shift Index, indicates that the current high temperatures are at least five times more likely due to climate change.

• The tool compares the frequency of temperatures in Austin's history in both the unaltered past climate and the current human-altered climate.

• Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution, have increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, intensifying heat trapping and raising global temperatures.

• While the urban heat island effect contributes to Austin's warmer temperatures compared to rural surroundings, Dr. Gilford states both urban and rural areas are warming at the same rate.

• Gilford encourages conversations about climate change to foster collective solutions, emphasizing that climate change is a collective issue.

🚗 AUTONOMOUS & ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Fiat Shows New 600e Electric Crossover

• Fiat previewed its new electric subcompact crossover, the 600e, set to be formally introduced later this year.

• The 600e's design is similar to Fiat's existing 500e model, with retro-styled exterior lighting.

• The new EV is expected to utilize the updated CMP modular platform, debuted last year under the Europe-only Jeep Avenger subcompact crossover.

• This platform is expected to eventually make its way to the U.S. with the 600e, and later under an upcoming Alfa Romeo subcompact crossover in 2024.

• Fiat's 600e may feature a 156 HP motor driving the front axle in 2WD trim, with a 54 kWh battery offering approximately 200 miles of range.

• The 600e is anticipated to be a mainstream EV that could propel Fiat towards commercial success in the U.S. market.

Volvo Trucks Get New Smart Safety Features

• Volvo Trucks is introducing new safety systems for its vehicles to increase the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and facilitate drivers' work.

• Among the new safety tech features are the Front Short Range Assist system, designed to detect pedestrians and cyclists in the truck's low-visibility area, and a door-opening warning system to detect approaching pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles from behind.

• The systems use front and radar cameras to provide audio and visual warnings to the driver in case of an imminent collision risk.

• Volvo Trucks developed these features to comply with the EU's updated General Safety Regulation (GSR) policy, which aims to increase road safety and save lives.

• The new safety systems are expected to meet or exceed the new GSR rules that will come into effect in July 2024, providing reassurance to fleet buyers.

United Airlines to launch first electric commuter flights for San Francisco

• United Airlines and Eve Air Mobility plan to launch the first electric commuter flights in the San Francisco Bay area, utilizing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

• United Airlines has invested in eVTOL companies, including Archer Aviation and Eve Air Mobility, with plans to fly electric air taxis in Chicago using Archer's Midnight Aircraft.

• The partnership aims to bring Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to San Francisco, working with local officials and infrastructure providers to prepare for the deployment of eVTOLs.

• Eve Air Mobility's eVTOL is fully electric, capable of carrying up to four passengers and a pilot for a range of up to 60 miles, with significantly lower costs and emissions compared to traditional transportation options.

• United Airlines is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and has made investments in electric aircraft to achieve its sustainability goals, including electric planes from Heart Aerospace.

🎉 THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY!

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Thanks for reading!

-Marc 👋

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