Meta and Google aim to integrate generative A.I. into your daily life.
Meta and Google aim to integrate generative A.I. into your daily life.
According to a Financial Times article, Meta is planning to introduce AI chatbots, or “personas,” on Facebook and Instagram. These chatbots, each with its own unique speaking style, aim to enhance search functionality and engagement on Meta’s platforms. Additionally, the company hopes to gather valuable information about users through their interactions with these bots. This move comes as European courts and regulators have prohibited Meta from tracking individuals’ activities across multiple services without explicit consent. With the ability to target advertising severely limited, Meta is eagerly exploring new ways to increase revenue.
Meanwhile, Google is also investing in AI technology, specifically in its virtual assistant, Google Assistant. Key executives at Google acknowledge the potential of generative AI to transform users’ lives and are looking to overhaul Assistant with the latest large language model technology. This project involves reorganizing teams within Google, combining its Services and Surfaces teams to create a more cohesive and advanced virtual assistant that can be incorporated into mobile devices, such as smartphones. Not to be left behind, Amazon and Apple are also actively working on incorporating AI into their respective virtual assistants, Alexa and Siri.
The rapid advancement of AI in these tech giants’ virtual assistants raises an important question: Can we trust these assistants both in terms of the accuracy of the information they provide and their discretion? Generative AI models sometimes produce misleading or false information, and privacy concerns persist due to the concerning track records of major tech companies. To establish trust, it is crucial for virtual assistants to be auditable and rely on on-device processing, minimizing reliance on centralized cloud services. This approach would ensure user privacy and create a truly trustworthy confidant.
On a separate note, Bluesky, the Twitter clone being developed by Jay Graber’s team, encountered some challenges during its initial stages. A few users signed up using racial slurs in their usernames, causing disappointment among investors, who expected Graber to speak out against this behavior. Moderating content is a complex task as platforms scale up, but the real issue was Graber’s failure to promptly address and apologize for the racist usernames. Bluesky aims to address the fundamental problems seen in centralized social media platforms by developing an underlying protocol for creating social apps that prioritizes safety and user empowerment.
As a technology and media expert, I recently joined Bluesky myself. Overwhelmed by the unproductive debates on Twitter and the prevalence of sponsored content on Facebook, I am seeking a fresh and more engaging social media experience. Despite my weariness, I will continue to be an active user on Bluesky, at least for the foreseeable future. Feel free to follow me on the platform and join the conversation.
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In other news:
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Uber reports an operating profit: Breaking a 14-year trend, Uber has posted an operational profit of $394 million for the last quarter. This surprising turnaround outperformed analysts’ expectations, who were anticipating an $18 million loss. This remarkable achievement demonstrates Uber’s strong growth and potential for profitability in the ride-hailing and delivery market. Furthermore, Uber is in search of a new Chief Financial Officer since Nelson Chai will step down in January.
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Terraform Labs faces fraud allegations: Terraform Labs and its founder, Do Kwon, have recently lost their motion to dismiss fraud allegations made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC accuses Kwon and his company of misleading investors regarding the stability of TerraUSD and Luna tokens. This ruling highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in the cryptocurrency industry.
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NATO establishes an innovation fund: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has closed a $1 billion fund dedicated to direct investments in startups that align with NATO’s principles of safety, freedom, and human empowerment. Similar to the U.S.’s In-Q-Tel fund, which has invested in successful companies such as Palantir and FireEye, NATO’s Innovation Fund focuses on emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, space tech, and energy. This initiative demonstrates NATO’s commitment to nurturing technological innovation for defense purposes while promoting shared values.
Before you go:
Microsoft is elevating the concept of repairability in the tech industry. It is now selling individual parts for Xbox controllers, including input circuit boards, top cases, and buttons. By offering these parts directly to consumers and partnering with iFixit, Microsoft encourages repair rather than replacement. This move aligns with Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability and collaboration with shareholder advocacy groups. It also signals a broader trend in the industry as more companies explore and embrace repairability concepts.
As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for global tech giants to adapt and incorporate groundbreaking AI technologies into their platforms. Meta, Google, Amazon, and Apple are competing to create the most advanced virtual assistants, with a common goal of enhancing user experiences. However, as users, it is crucial for us to remain vigilant about privacy concerns and trustworthiness. The development of auditable AI systems and on-device processing will ultimately determine the success and acceptance of virtual assistants.