TheGen.AI News

Cognizant and Microsoft Forge Partnership to Boost Generative AI Adoption

Cognizant, a Nasdaq-listed IT services company, along with Microsoft, announced they are deepening their partnership to promote the use of generative AI in business settings. As part of this collaboration, Cognizant has acquired 25,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot seats for its employees, and an additional 500 seats each for Sales Copilot and Services Copilot, aiming to boost productivity, streamline operations, and enhance customer interactions. Furthermore, Cognizant plans to implement Microsoft 365 Copilot for one million users across its 2,000 global clients in 11 different sectors. 

Cognizant has also developed the Synapse skilling program, which has already trained 35,000 developers on GitHub Copilot, and intends to train 40,000 more. Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant, expressed his enthusiasm for generative AI's transformative potential across all industries, announcing a $1 billion investment in generative AI over the next three years to pioneer new research and development.

AI is anticipated to contribute $1 trillion to the U.S. economy in the coming decade. Judson Althoff, Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted that the expanded partnership will leverage Cognizant’s sector-specific expertise and Microsoft’s Copilot technologies to foster AI adoption and innovation. This collaboration will focus on delivering customized solutions for various industries, including healthcare, retail, consumer goods, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, and media through Copilot Studio, a platform that allows the creation of tailored Copilots using generative AI, business applications, and enterprise data.

Mark Zuckerberg's Strategic Moves Anticipate Future Tech Shifts, Despite Missing GenAI Trend

In 2022, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg began accumulating a significant number of GPUs, primarily from Nvidia. Contrary to what some might assume, this was not for projects related to generative AI, but rather to enhance Meta's metaverse ambitions and improve the content recommendation algorithms for its platforms, including Reels on Instagram and Facebook. This shift in algorithmic focus was aimed at mimicking the success of TikTok's model, which displays content to users based on their interactions rather than their followings.

Zuckerberg, in a discussion with podcaster Dwarkesh Patel, emphasized that his initial focus was not on AI but on optimizing content recommendation to enhance user engagement across Facebook and Instagram. He acknowledged that the rapid growth of generative AI, exemplified by OpenAI's ChatGPT, later played a role in his strategic planning. Reflecting on past technological shifts and challenges, such as the transition to mobile and issues with content manipulation, Zuckerberg opted to double Meta's GPU investment to prepare for unforeseen future needs. 

He reasoned that having extra resources would prevent Meta from being caught unprepared again. Zuckerberg concluded that this decision to increase GPU investment was wise, admitting it stemmed from lessons learned from previous setbacks rather than from foresight.

Survey Reveals Doctors Embrace Generative AI for Improved Patient Care

In a recent online survey of 100 physicians from major U.S. hospitals and health systems who utilize clinical decision support tools, 81% believe that generative AI can enhance interactions between care teams and patients, according to Wolters Kluwer. The survey highlighted that 89% of these physicians demand transparency regarding the sources of the clinical decision support (CDS) data, insisting it be derived from practicing medical experts.

Despite physicians' optimism, there appears to be a significant discrepancy between their readiness for AI in healthcare and the acceptance level among American health consumers. This was underscored by a previous consumer survey by Wolters Kluwer in November, which suggested less openness to AI-supported medical advice among the public compared to the perceptions of healthcare providers.

The survey, conducted between February 8 and 13, also revealed growing enthusiasm among physicians for generative AI in healthcare due to its potential to save time. Specifically, 54% of the physicians surveyed believe generative AI could save them at least 20% of the time spent searching for data relevant to clinical decisions, while 68% acknowledged its speed in searching medical literature.

Physicians expressed a strong preference for reliable technology from established, trusted healthcare technology vendors. This trust is crucial, as 76% of the surveyed physicians felt comfortable using generative AI based on the source and transparency of the information.

However, the survey identified a gap in organizational guidelines on AI use, with 37% of physicians reporting a lack of AI usage guidelines within their organizations, and 46% unaware of any such policies.

Consumer attitudes towards the safety of generative AI in doctor-patient interactions also varied, with 66% of physicians believing their patients would be confident in AI-supported care decisions, contrasting with 48% of consumers from an earlier survey who expressed doubts.

Regarding concerns about AI-supported diagnoses, only 20% of physicians felt their patients would be apprehensive, a stark contrast to the 80% of consumers who expressed concerns in the consumer trust survey.

The integration of AI into healthcare has been evolving, with organizations like Wolters Kluwer making strides in implementing generative AI in clinical settings. In October, Wolters Kluwer's AI Labs launched a new AI feature in its UptoDate product, accessible to 44,000 healthcare organizations worldwide, enhancing clinical decision-making capabilities.

Dr. Peter Bonis, Wolters Kluwer Health's Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that physicians are generally receptive to using generative AI in clinical environments if the applications are practical and trustworthy, highlighting the importance of content source and transparency.

TheOpen.AI News

Elon Musk's AI Chatbot Grok Caught Spreading Fake News on X

Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI has developed a chatbot called Grok, which has been involved in spreading misinformation on X, according to an Ars Technica report. Grok, designed to summarize news on the microblogging platform, falsely claimed NBA player Klay Thompson was involved in a spree of criminal vandalism, misinterpreting the basketball term "throwing bricks," which refers to missing shots, as actual vandalism. This erroneous report was exacerbated by X users who added fictitious details in the comments. Despite the inaccuracies, the post has not been removed, although it does carry a disclaimer about the potential for errors by Grok.

Previously, Grok has made similar blunders, including a report from PC Mag noting a false claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ousted from office before elections occurred. Additionally, another AI-generated story falsely reported that Iran had launched missiles at Tel Aviv.

These issues have come to the forefront after Musk disbanded Twitter’s news curation team following his acquisition of the platform in November 2022. News summarization and contextualization on X are now managed by Grok. Recently made available to Premium X subscribers, Musk has announced that his team is developing a second version of Grok’s underlying AI model, expected to complete training by May using 20,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs. Musk anticipates that future iterations, like the Grok 3 model, might require as many as 100,000 of these GPUs.

Apple Acquires AI and Computer Vision Startup Datakalab: Reports

Tech giant Apple has enhanced its AI capabilities by acquiring Datakalab, a French startup known for its advanced artificial intelligence compression and computer vision technologies. Reported by Challenges, a French business magazine, the acquisition was finalized in December. Datakalab, which employed 10 to 20 people, specialized in creating efficient, low power AI algorithms suitable for on-device applications and was a leader in compression techniques and computer vision solutions.

Previously, Datakalab focused on developing sophisticated algorithms for image analysis in public areas, converting images into anonymized statistical data within 100 milliseconds, without storing any personal data or images, maintaining a strong commitment to privacy. The startup gained recognition for its AI implementation in Parisian public transport systems in May 2020 to ensure mask compliance and has collaborated with major entities like Disney.

Although the acquisition has not been officially confirmed by Apple or Datakalab, it has been reported to the European Commission this month. While Datakalab's founders have not joined Apple, several key team members have. The acquisition, which includes a significant portfolio of patents in AI compression and vision technology, is strategic for Apple. It is expected to complement the launch of iOS 18's new AI features and enhance Apple's Vision Pro projects. Applications could range from improving functionalities in Apple's Photos and Face ID services to integrating advanced facial recognition technologies.

Introducing the Poetry Camera: Transforming Photos into Verses with AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming various aspects of our lives, including the realm of photography. A new device called Poetry Camera, which converts photos into poems, epitomizes this innovation. Resembling a traditional Polaroid camera, the Poetry Camera, created by Kelin Carolyn Zhang and Ryan Mather, uses a Raspberry Pi to analyze images. This data is then processed by OpenAI’s GPT-4, which generates poetry based on the visual content such as colors, patterns, and emotional elements identified in the photos.

The Poetry Camera is versatile in its poetic output. Developed as an open-source project, it allows users to select from multiple poetic styles including sonnets, free verses, and haikus, as reported by TechCrunch. While the creators currently have no immediate plans to commercialize the device, they are considering the potential for future sales. However, enthusiasts who wish to create their own version can do so as the instructions and technology are freely available online.

TheClosed.AI News

Ex-OpenAI Executive Shares Secret to Staying Relevant in the AI Era

Concerns are growing among analysts about artificial intelligence (AI) potentially replacing jobs, particularly in sectors requiring manual labor. There are also fears that AI could lead to humanity's extinction. Amid these concerns, Zack Kass, a former executive at OpenAI, shared some insights with Business Insider. Kass stated that AI is likely to standardize much of our knowledge and skills. Yet, he pointed out that what truly defines our humanity—traits like courage, vision, wisdom, and empathy—will become increasingly valuable in the job market.

Kass emphasized the importance of focusing on areas where humans excel over AI, particularly in critical thinking and unique problem-solving capabilities—areas where AI falls short. Additionally, he noted that personal traits such as likability and the ability to foster relationships are crucial. These qualities not only help individuals secure their positions but also enhance the productivity and growth of their employers. Kass advised workers to leverage these human qualities to stay competitive in an AI-dominated landscape.

OpenAI Counters Musk’s Allegations, Calls for Lawsuit Dismissal

OpenAI has countered Elon Musk’s allegations that the organization has strayed from its founding ideals to chase profits, calling his claims "revisionist history" aimed at promoting his own competing AI company. Musk, an early supporter of OpenAI, has taken legal action against the company and its CEO, Sam Altman, accusing them of deviating from their commitment to develop responsible AI by partnering with Microsoft Corp. OpenAI's legal team has requested the dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that Musk left the organization after his attempt to control it was unsuccessful. They assert that Musk's current actions are an attempt to capitalize on OpenAI's success and influence the company for his personal gain.

OpenAI's lawyers also contested Musk’s assertion that the company had vowed never to commercialize its technology. They noted that no evidence of such a contractual promise exists. The legal team pointed out that OpenAI's certificate of incorporation did not guarantee unlimited public access to its technology but stated an intention to consider open-sourcing technology for public benefit when appropriate. This indicates an understanding that decisions on what to open-source would be deliberative.

Musk also criticized OpenAI for its multi-billion dollar deal with Microsoft, which is a major backer of the company. However, OpenAI's attorneys stated that Musk has not highlighted any specific agreement terms that would prohibit such a licensing arrangement or the involvement of third parties like Microsoft on the board.

Efforts to reach Musk for comments were unsuccessful outside of normal business hours at Tesla and X, his current companies. A court hearing regarding the dismissal of the lawsuit is scheduled for April 24.

Sam Altman Leads Investment in Green Energy to Power AI's Growing Demands

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is facing significant challenges with its escalating energy demands as it continues to expand rapidly. Concerned about the strain this places on the energy grid, investors are actively seeking sustainable solutions, according to a Financial Times report. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, along with venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and other investors, have recently invested $20 million in Exowatt, a green energy startup specializing in renewable energy solutions for data centers.

This investment is part of a larger trend where investors from various sectors, including Big Tech and private equity, are investing billions into energy and data infrastructure to support AI's ongoing development.

As CEO of OpenAI, Altman is uniquely positioned to anticipate the future challenges that AI and Big Tech companies might face. He has been strategically investing in businesses that can address these issues, such as initiating a chipmaking company aimed at producing AI chips for data centers.

Altman, along with other investors, sees renewable energy sources like solar and nuclear power as essential for meeting AI’s substantial energy requirements. He has also placed investments in nuclear energy startups like Helion and Oklo, highlighting the critical need for energy technology advancements.

Though still relatively lesser-known, Exowatt aims to equip AI companies with modular solar systems that can deliver almost free energy. This initiative supports the growing shift towards renewable energy among AI firms, providing a cost-effective and regulatory-friendly alternative to conventional power sources. Hannan Parvizian, CEO and co-founder of Exowatt, is working towards achieving a groundbreaking target cost of one cent per kilowatt-hour. Exowatt's approach involves a modular solar platform with integrated thermal energy storage, offering a scalable and sustainable solution.

Despite Exowatt’s innovative strategy, the adoption of thermal energy storage technology, which is not new, faces several obstacles. Nonetheless, Parvizian remains positive, pointing to the compatibility of solar technology with data centers, especially those in areas with abundant sunlight.

The rapid expansion of AI, fueled by computationally intensive tasks such as training large language models, has intensified the energy demands of data centers. These facilities, equipped with high-performance AI chips, require substantial energy, underlining the importance of pioneering solutions like those proposed by Exowatt.

Join the movement - If you wish to contribute thought leadership, then please fill the form below. One of our team members will be back in touch with you shortly.

Form link

Keep reading