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Happy Friday, AI & Data Enthusiasts! This Friday, discover the exclusive DeepMind’s pushback over defense contracts, Intel’s AI hurdles and what it means for the stock, Waymo’s bold move to transport teens, and the fierce clash over California’s new AI regulation bill. Don’t miss out on the stories driving today’s tech debates!
In today’s edition:
- Exclusive: DeepMind Employees Push Back on Google’s Defense Contracts.
- Intel Faces More Challenges – Is It a Buy for AI Investors?
- Waymo’s Plan to Chauffeur Teens.
- California AI Bill Faces Opposition from Tech Giants.
– Naseema Perveen
WHAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION MOST
Exclusive: DeepMind Employees Push Back on Google’s Defense Contracts
Nearly 200 Google DeepMind workers signed a letter earlier this year, urging Google to end its contracts with military organizations. According to Time, the letter reflects growing concerns that the AI developed at DeepMind is being used in military operations, which the employees believe violates Google’s own AI Principles.
The letter signals a rising tension between employees in Google’s AI division, which has vowed not to work on military technology, and Google’s Cloud business, which provides AI and cloud services to various governments, including Israel and the United States. The signatures represent about 5% of DeepMind’s workforce, highlighting notable employee dissatisfaction.
- Core Concerns: The letter cites reports of Google’s involvement with the Israeli military through Project Nimbus, a contract supplying cloud and AI services. Employees argue that any involvement in military activities contradicts Google’s mission and AI Principles, which aim to prevent AI from causing harm or contributing to weaponization.
- Lack of Response: Despite these concerns, Google has not taken any action to address the issues raised in the letter, leading to increasing frustration among DeepMind employees.
- Background: DeepMind was acquired by Google in 2014 with the promise that its technology would not be used for military or surveillance purposes. However, as Google integrated DeepMind more closely with its broader AI efforts, this pledge has come under scrutiny.
- Google’s Position: Google maintains that Project Nimbus does not involve highly sensitive or military-specific workloads, but this assurance has done little to alleviate the concerns of the signatories.
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Intel Faces More Challenges – Is It a Buy for AI Investors?
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) saw another drop in its stock price, falling 6.1% on Thursday, amid concerns about the potential cancellation of two semiconductor fabrication plants in Germany. Despite the lack of official announcements, investor uncertainty is growing.
The two German Fabrication Plans expected to be operational by 2027, were projected to cost around $33 billion, with one-third of the funding from the European Union. However, recent developments, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing’s new $11 billion fab in Germany with 50% funding from the E.U., have overshadowed Intel’s plans.
- Stock Drop: Intel’s stock fell another 6.1% on Thursday amid uncertainty over its plans to build two semiconductor plants in Germany.
- Fabrication Delays: Investors are concerned as Intel has not clarified whether the $33 billion project, partially funded by the E.U., will proceed.
- Current Position: The stock is near its 10-year low, down 60% this year. Intel faces challenges in expanding its manufacturing while cutting costs and navigating AI market pressures.
- Investment Outlook: Intel may appeal to risk-tolerant investors, but the company’s path to an AI-driven comeback remains unclear.
For risk-tolerant investors, Intel might still hold potential due to its established business relationships and possible future governmental backing. However, those looking for clear indications of a successful AI-driven comeback may need to wait, as the company has yet to prove it can navigate its current challenges effectively.
Waymo’s Plan to Chauffeur Teens
Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Alphabet, is planning to launch a subscription service called “Waymo Teen” aimed at providing safe and reliable transportation for teenagers. This new program would allow teens to hail Waymo’s autonomous vehicles without needing an adult present, giving them more independence while keeping parents informed.
- Teen-Only Rides: “Waymo Teen” would enable authorized teenagers to use Waymo’s robotaxis solo. This service is designed with busy families in mind, offering a convenient solution for getting teens to and from after-school activities, weekend hangouts, or any other destinations.
- Parental Controls and Alerts: One of the standout features of this service is its focus on safety and parental oversight. Parents would receive real-time notifications about their child’s whereabouts, including pickup and drop-off alerts, ensuring they can monitor rides and feel confident in their child’s safety.
- Subscription Pricing: Waymo is considering pricing the service between $150 to $250 per month, which would cover up to 16 rides. This subscription model is designed to offer flexibility and predictability for families who frequently need transportation for their teens.
As Waymo continues to develop and refine its “Waymo Teen” program, it could set a new standard for safe, autonomous transportation for younger passengers. The success of this service will likely depend on how well it balances the needs of both parents and teens, offering convenience without compromising on safety.
California AI Bill Faces Opposition from Tech Giants
California is set to vote on SB 1047, a new bill aimed at regulating advanced artificial intelligence. The legislation, proposed by State Senator Scott Wiener, mandates safety testing for costly AI models, requires mechanisms to shut down malfunctioning systems, and allows the state attorney general to sue developers for non-compliance. Additionally, it would enforce third-party audits and protect whistleblowers. While the bill has passed the state Senate and is awaiting a full Assembly vote, it faces significant pushback from Silicon Valley.
Major tech companies, including Google and Meta, have expressed concerns that SB 1047 could stifle innovation and drive developers out of California. They argue that the bill might negatively impact open-source AI projects and create a challenging regulatory environment. Despite these objections, some AI experts support the bill for its emphasis on safety and accountability. The outcome of this legislation could shape the future of AI development in the state, balancing regulatory oversight with the need for technological advancement.
ICYMI
- Wyoming mayoral candidate proposes AI Bot to run government.
- HubSpot releases AI Search Grader to rate how you appear in ChatGPT.
- AI Boom exposes tech giants’ sustainability failures amid soaring water usage.
- Publishers are worried that blocking Google’s AI bot could affect their search position.
- McAfee released AI-powered deepfake detection software for select Levono PCs.
MONEY MATTERS
- The global AI market is valued at over $196 billion.
- SleekFlow secures $7M to expand conversational AI across Asia.
- Opkey, an AI-based ERP testing platform, raises $47M.
- California and Google drafted a $300 million, 5-year partnership to fund in-state newsrooms and AI initiatives.
- Worldwide AI chip revenue will surpass $80 billion by 2027.
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