Welcome to Get The Gist, where every weekday we share an easy-to-read summary of the latest and greatest developments in AI—news, innovations, and trends—all delivered in under 5 minutes! ⏱

In today’s edition:

• OpenAI To Build Its Own Custom AI Chips

• Elon Musk's xAI Builds World's Most Powerful AI Cluster

• WhatsApp Rolls Out New Voice Chat Feature

• Chinese AI Start-Up MiniMax Launches New Text-to-Video Model

• And more AI news….

Top Developments

OpenAI

OpenAI's Bold Move: Building Custom AI Chips for the Future

The Gist: OpenAI is taking a major step by partnering with TSMC to create its own AI chips, moving to a cutting-edge 1.6 nm process despite the risks and costs involved. This shift aims to reduce dependency on expensive Nvidia hardware while focusing on tailored performance for their AI needs.

Key Details:

• OpenAI is shifting from Nvidia's expensive hardware to develop its own AI chips, with production slots booked for a new 1.6 nm process, the A16.

• The A16 chips will incorporate innovative technology like Super Power Rail for more efficient power delivery.

• Collaborations with companies like Broadcom and Marvell may be in play, potentially linking OpenAI's efforts to Apple’s AI ambitions.

• With ongoing losses and a competitive market, these chips could be crucial for OpenAI's future, especially if there's a merger with tech giants.

Meta

Talk to Your AI: WhatsApp’s Exciting New Voice Feature

The Gist: WhatsApp is rolling out a new voice chat feature for its AI chatbot, allowing users to communicate hands-free and in real-time. This change aims to make interactions more personal and engaging with Meta AI.

Key Details:

• Users can issue voice commands to chat with Meta AI, taking convenience to a new level.

• There will be options to choose from multiple AI voices, making the experience more enjoyable.

• A floating action button in the chat list will enable voice chat mode, keeping the chatbot actively listening when turned on.

• Users can easily check if the voice mode is off through a visual indicator that disappears when they exit.

xAI

Colossus Rise: Elon Musk's AI Powerhouse Unleashed

The Gist: Elon Musk and his xAI team have launched the Colossus supercomputer, a groundbreaking AI training system that boasts 100,000 Nvidia GPUs. This system is expected to double in capacity soon, marking a major leap in AI technology.

Key Details:

• Musk announced the Colossus cluster on social media, highlighting its capability as the world's most powerful AI training system.

• The project was brought online in an impressive 122 days, showcasing rapid development thanks to collaboration with Nvidia and other partners.

• Cathie Wood from Ark Invest shared her excitement, predicting this is just the first of many big announcements from xAI.

• xAI recently secured $6 billion in funding, valuing the company at $24 billion and indicating strong investor confidence.

Quick Gist

Milan-based startup IdentifAI has secured €2.2 million in seed funding to advance its proprietary generative models for identifying AI-generated content, addressing the growing need for effective technologies to combat deepfakes and promote transparent information (Read More).

Ahead of IFA 2024, Samsung introduced its new Bespoke AI series appliances—including a Laundry Combo, Washer, and Dishwasher—designed for energy efficiency and enhanced convenience in European households (Read More).

Tata Consultancy Services has expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to launch advanced cybersecurity solutions, TCS Managed Detection and Response and TCS Secure Cloud Foundation, enhancing threat detection and security for businesses in various environments (Read More).

The Netherlands' Data Protection Agency imposed a €30.5 million fine on Clearview AI for operating an illegal facial recognition database that violates EU data protection regulations, while the company disputes the ruling, claiming it is not subject to EU laws (Read More).

New AI cameras to be deployed in areas such as Greater Manchester aim to enhance road safety by issuing £1,000 fines and penalty points for drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, with a trial set to continue until March 2025 (Read More).

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff criticized Microsoft’s AI offerings as disappointing, while Microsoft rebutted with claims of substantial growth in user adoption of its Copilot products (Read More).

Google's new AI tool, "Ask," designed to moderate employee questions during all-hands meetings, has sparked frustration among some staff who feel it dilutes the tone and substance of their inquiries, impacting meaningful communication with leadership (Read More).

Google researchers have developed an AI-driven game engine called GameNGen that successfully recreates and allows interaction within the classic shooter game Doom, demonstrating the potential for AI-generated gaming experiences (Read More).

Chinese AI start-up MiniMax has launched its text-to-video-generating model, video-01, intensifying competition among local tech firms in the AI space and showcasing their efforts to catch up with advancements made by OpenAI (Read More).

OpenAI's AGI safety team has experienced significant turnover, losing nearly half of its members, including several high-profile researchers, which raises concerns about the company's commitment to managing the risks of super-intelligent AI amid ongoing debates about AI safety and regulation (Read More).

Google's Gemini 1.5 Flash now boasts performance improvements making it up to 50% faster, enhancing user interactions across various Google applications while maintaining free access globally (Read More).

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!