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In today's dispatch, we navigate the labyrinth of AI's latest escapades: Silicon Valley's chess moves in the halls of Congress, OpenAI's pause on the much-anticipated GPT Store, and AI's new role as the Sherlock Holmes of the wine industry. We'll also take a detour through the shadowy alleys of AI-created celebrity deepfakes and the complex web of AI in global misinformation. Plus, spotlighting our Tool of the Day, an AI research assistant that's more Watson than Watson. Join us as we dissect the AI zeitgeist, where technology meets intrigue at the crossroads of progress and ethics.
In today’s newsletter:
Hottest stories: AI funding in congress, OpenAI delays, and AI detecting fraudulent wines
TL;DR Rundown: Misleading AI ads, misinformation about AI in conflicts and OpenAI sources chips from Altman’s startup
Tool of the day: Your research assistant
HOTTEST STORIES
Today’s biggest stories if you’re in a rush
Silicon Valley's big players are making some quiet moves in Washington. Here’s the deal: a bunch of AI advisers, backed by the deep pockets of tech moguls like Facebook’s former chief Dustin Moskovitz and his partner Cari Tuna, are becoming key influencers in the capital.
What they're doing is funding a team of AI hotshots who are now hanging out in congressional offices, federal agencies, and think tanks. These brainy folks are right in the thick of it, shaping how Capitol Hill thinks about regulating AI.
But here’s the catch: some critics are raising eyebrows, worried that this focus on futuristic AI risks might distract Congress from putting current tech giants under the microscope. And the plot thickens with the Horizon Institute for Public Service, another brainchild of Open Philanthropy, placing tech experts in strategic Senate spots.
This isn't just a small move – it’s part of a larger play by Open Philanthropy to spread its AI influence across the political landscape in Washington.
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Heads up, AI aficionados: OpenAI's much-anticipated GPT Store, a kind of app store for AI, is hitting the pause button on its launch. Originally set for this year, the grand opening is now shifting to an undetermined date in early 2024.
So, what's behind the delay? It seems a bit of a leadership shuffle back in November might have thrown a spanner in the works. This tidbit comes courtesy of a memo snagged by Axios, shedding light on the postponement.
OpenAI's message to its users and developers? They need a tad more time, thanks to some unforeseen challenges that cropped up. But it's not all waiting and wondering. They're hinting at some upcoming features like an improved configuration interface and better debug messages.
For the OpenAI community, it's not all doom and gloom. You can still create and share your GPT models. Just keep in mind, they won’t be taking center stage or partaking in any revenue-sharing programs until the GPT Store officially makes its entrance. Stay tuned for more updates!
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So, there's this new research jazzing up the wine world, and it's all about using gas chromatography to trace wines back to their roots. Think of it like a detective story, but for your favorite Bordeaux.
Here's the lowdown: Researchers tested 80 wines from seven Bordeaux estates, spanning 12 years. Gas chromatography, which typically spots individual compounds, was used here to create unique signatures for each wine. Imagine a 2D grid, crafted by AI, grouping wines with similar signatures. It's like seeing which wine came from which chateau at a glance.
Here's the kicker: This AI could be a game-changer in sniffing out fake wines. With wine fraud on the rise, think organized crime level, this tech could be a major player in the fight against counterfeit vinos. Remember Rudy Kurniawan from the 'Sour Grapes' saga? This AI might have made his con a lot harder.
But, there's a catch. While the AI nails the chateau match with 99% accuracy, it's only 50-50 when it comes to vintages. Still, beyond busting fakes, this tech could revolutionize quality control and wine blending, making top-notch Bordeaux more affordable. Now, that's something to raise a glass to!
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A gentleman’s agreement
TL;DR RUNDOWN
Listicle of what else is happening today
Celebrity Fakes: The world of advertising is seeing a surge in misleading ads, with AI now crafting fake celebrity endorsements. It's like having a digital doppelganger of your favorite star, but without their real seal of approval.
Deepfake Cooper: A recent story showcases a student's creation of a deepfake Anderson Cooper, highlighting the mixed bag of AI's capabilities. It's a fascinating yet slightly unnerving peek into the potential of AI in media.
Pika's Pot: In the startup scene, Pika Labs has raised a substantial $55 million to further develop its AI-powered platform for video generation and editing. They're on a mission to make video creation a breeze.
News Evolution: The launch of Capsule, a new app, marks an evolution in news aggregation. It combines AI and human editors to refine the news curation process, aiming to transform how we digest daily news.
OpenAI Drama: There's some intrigue brewing in the tech world, involving big names like Elon Musk, Larry Page, and Sam Altman. It revolves around recent controversies at OpenAI, adding a dash of drama to the AI sphere.
AI Chips: In a strategic move, OpenAI has decided to source AI chips from a startup, notably led by one of their own, Sam Altman. This move highlights the interconnected nature of the tech industry.
Deepfake Dilemma: The rising use of AI in creating deepfakes is causing concern, especially as it contributes to misinformation in sensitive situations like the Israel-Hamas conflict. It's a stark reminder of the darker side of AI technology.
Fictional Journalists: In a startling revelation, it's been discovered that articles written by AI-generated, fictitious authors have been published, raising critical questions about AI's role in journalism and the authenticity of content.
Travel Tailored: A new travel recommendation app, Layla, is making waves by using AI and creator content to offer personalized travel advice. It's a fresh take on tailoring travel experiences using modern technology.
AI Investment: There's a significant move in the investment world, with Tola Capital closing its largest fund at $230 million, focused on AI-enabled enterprise software. This reflects a growing confidence in AI's transformative potential in business.
TOOL OF THE DAY
AI tools we’ve used, loved, and recommend above all others
Today’s tool is ResearchGPT.
ResearchGPT connects GPT with the Consensys product, allowing users to access over 200M papers within the chat interface.
No more fake citations, no more black-box answers.
This is your AI research assistant.
Umm…this is insane
This idea-to-video platform brings your creativity to life. Pretty crazy.
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