The Comunicano for Tuesday October 15th 2024

So, Google has signed on with Kairos Power to bring nuclear energy to the grid by 2035. That’s right, folks, Google is now going nuclear. It’s like when your car is running low, and instead of charging your electric vehicle, you just swap it out for a spaceship. They're aiming to add 500 megawatts of clean, round-the-clock nuclear power into the mix. And this is just one more puzzle piece in Google's green energy strategy to keep their AI servers humming while also giving a boost to the whole "let’s save the planet" thing. And let’s be real here—Google's AI is going to need all the juice it can get if it’s going to rule the world one day. So, why not add some nuclear firepower to the mix, right?

Speaking of AI and power moves, Sebastien Bubeck just jumped ship from Microsoft to OpenAI. It's like trading in your trusty old sports car for a shiny new jetpack. Bubeck helped Microsoft build those slick AI models that Bing is so proud of. Now, he’s moving to OpenAI—because apparently, even AI needs a bit of fresh air and new scenery every now and then. OpenAI’s chasing the holy grail of artificial general intelligence, and Bubeck is just the latest brain to get on board. Something tells me this won’t be the last surprise departure in the AI world. You know, it's a bit like playing musical chairs, except the chairs are quantum computers and the music is, well, all in your head.

Now, about AI taking over everything... did you know the U.S. government just spent $700 million on AI projects? Yeah, that’s right. Defense and Homeland Security are loading up on AI as if it's the new must-have gadget. They’ve been throwing money at AI like it’s the Black Friday of government spending. But hey, if AI can help run the military and keep things safe, why not?

Oh, and one last thing—how about being polite to your AI assistant? There’s an actual debate going on about whether you should say “please” and “thank you” to Siri or Alexa. I mean, should we really be worrying about hurting a machine’s feelings? Well, as these bots get more embedded into our lives, it might be nice to keep some manners intact. Who knows—when the robots inevitably take over, it could help to be on their good side.

So, Google is going nuclear, AI talent is trading places like pro athletes, and the government is dropping a small fortune on AI projects. All in a day’s work for the tech world and more are here today. Buckle up, folks—things are just getting started and that’s why, you need to read today’s COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

Google Watch

Going Nuclear—Google has signed a groundbreaking agreement with Kairos Power to procure nuclear energy from small modular reactors (SMRs), aiming to bring 500 MW of carbon-free energy to U.S. electricity grids by 2035. This collaboration supports Google's clean energy goals, helps power its AI initiatives, and accelerates nuclear deployment using Kairos Power’s advanced technology. The SMRs offer round-the-clock power, aiding in the decarbonization of the grid and providing economic benefits through job creation. Google aims to complement its renewable energy mix with this nuclear solution. Read more in the Wall Street Journal

Shop ‘Til You Drop—Google has revamped its Shopping platform with AI-driven personalization. The update includes an AI-generated summary for product searches, providing key considerations and relevant options. It features enhanced filters, price tracking, and dynamic recommendations tailored to user preferences. A new homepage displays personalized feeds with shoppable videos and a dedicated deals page. AI tools, like virtual try-ons, improve the experience, while experimental features allow user feedback for improvement. The update is gradually rolling out in the U.S., providing a more streamlined, informed shopping process. Read more from HowToGeek.

OpenAI Watch

Trading Places—Sebastien Bubeck, Microsoft's Vice President of Generative AI research, is leaving the company to join OpenAI. Bubeck has been instrumental in developing Microsoft's small, efficient AI models, notably the Phi language models used in products like Bing's chatbot and Office 365 Copilot. His move comes at a time when OpenAI is pursuing advancements in artificial general intelligence (AGI), though his specific role at OpenAI has not been disclosed. This transition follows several leadership changes at OpenAI, including the recent departure of CTO Mira Murati.

AI Watch

Government Mule—The U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security have collectively invested $700 million in AI projects since the launch of ChatGPT. This includes $670 million awarded to over 300 companies by the DoD, reflecting a 20% increase in AI-related spending. The DHS has also tripled its AI spending, allocating $22 million in 2022-2023. These investments underscore a growing commitment to AI across defense and security sectors, targeting advancements in areas such as data management, autonomy, and augmented reality.

Stop The Presses—The New York Times sent a "cease and desist" notice to AI startup Perplexity, accusing it of unauthorized content use from the Times' website. This legal move reflects ongoing concerns about AI companies scraping copyrighted material to train their models without permission. Perplexity, backed by major tech firms like Nvidia, is reportedly in discussions with the Times to resolve the issue. This case highlights the growing friction between media outlets and AI companies over content usage rights. There’s more about this from the Wall Street Journal.

Be Nice—There’s etiquette surrounding AI chatbots, but it questions how we should interact with artificial intelligence. As bots become more embedded in daily life, the article delves into whether people should say "please" and "thank you" to bots and how such interactions reflect on human behavior. It also considers how these social norms may evolve as AI becomes more sophisticated, and the ethical implications of how we treat AI tools.

Faking It—In a recent legal case, a New York judge reprimanded an expert witness for using Microsoft's Copilot AI to fabricate damage estimates in a real estate dispute. The witness relied on the chatbot to generate inaccurate calculations, which were crucial to the case. Judge Jonathan Schopf criticized this use of AI, emphasizing that any AI-generated content must be fully disclosed before being presented as evidence. The judge expressed concerns about the growing dependence on AI in legal proceedings, stressing the need for transparency due to AI's current limitations and reliability issues.

Another Thing From StarTrek—An exciting AI breakthrough now allows users to play a game based on a single image. Dubbed "the Holodeck," this technology uses advanced AI to generate interactive environments from static images, opening up endless possibilities for immersive experiences. Users can interact with the scene, creating dynamic gameplay from a previously non-playable visual. This innovation is seen as a step towards more interactive, immersive virtual reality experiences, reminiscent of science fiction.

What’s Meta Up To—Meta AI is a suite of artificial intelligence tools integrated into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It offers features like AI-powered image generation, chatbots, and virtual assistants, aiming to enhance user interactions and personalization. Meta is focused on generative AI, using large language models to boost creativity and streamline tasks across its platforms. The tools are designed to help with everything from customer support to creating unique visual content.

Apple Watch

What That Symbol Means—You can use your iPhone to identify the meanings of laundry and car dashboard symbols. With apps and built-in tools, iPhones can quickly decode these often confusing icons. This can help users avoid mishaps in laundry care and better understand car maintenance warnings, making day-to-day tasks more manageable.

Noted—Apple Maps in iOS now allows users to add place notes and organize them into the Maps library. This feature helps users keep track of visited locations, categorize places, and add custom notes for easy reference. It's part of Apple's broader effort to enhance the functionality of its Maps app by offering more personalization and organization options for frequent travelers or those managing multiple destinations.

Adobe Watch

Generative Video Time—Adobe has introduced the Firefly Video Model (beta), expanding its generative AI capabilities to video creation. The new model enables text-to-video and image-to-video features, allowing users to generate and refine video clips from text prompts and still images. Adobe also enhanced its existing Firefly models for images, vectors, and design, improving speed and creative control. These innovations are aimed at professionals seeking efficient, commercially safe tools for creative workflows, now integrated into Adobe's suite of applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Safer Video—Adobe has launched the Firefly Video Model, the first commercially safe generative AI video tool. It allows users to create videos from text or images with features like camera control, motion, and zoom. Integrated into Adobe Premiere Pro, the model can extend clips for seamless transitions. Adobe ensures content is safe by using licensed and public domain data, with Content Credentials verifying AI-generated media. Early adopters like PepsiCo and IBM are using Firefly to scale content creation.

YouTube Watch

Speed it Up, Slow It Down—YouTube's 2024 updates enhance user control and collaboration. Key features include fine-tuned playback speed, a customizable mini-player, and collaborative playlist options with voting. The new AI-generated playlist thumbnails allow users to personalize content further. A sleep timer feature ensures videos stop after a set time. Additionally, YouTube is rolling out badges to reward engagement, enhancing community interaction. TV and mobile experiences are also getting a refresh, with new visual designs and more interactive features for YouTube Shorts. You can check out more about it from The Hollywood Reporter.

Internet Watch

It’s Back—The Internet Archive and its vast collection of 916 billion saved web pages have been restored after a technical disruption. The Archive is critical in preserving digital history and accessing old websites and online content. The service went down briefly, sparking concerns about preserving online records, but it is now fully operational. The Internet Archive remains a crucial resource for historical research and data retrieval.

Workplace Watch

Help Wanted—Grey Journal outlines various platforms where startups can find developers for their projects. It emphasizes looking in places like freelance websites (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr), developer communities (e.g., GitHub, Stack Overflow), and networking events. Additionally, startups are encouraged to consider hiring agencies or outsourcing firms that specialize in development. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on the specific needs and budget of the startup.

Robot Watch

So Sexy—The AI sexbot industry is in its early stages but is rapidly growing, raising unique ethical, social, and legal challenges. These AI-powered robots simulate human interaction, posing questions about their effects on relationships, consent, and mental health. Risks include deepening social isolation and reinforcing harmful stereotypes, while regulatory frameworks are lagging behind the technology's development. The article explores these concerns and suggests that society needs to address them as the industry expands.

Space Watch

Waste Case—NASA has launched the LunaRecycle Challenge, offering $3 million in prizes to innovators who can develop solutions for recycling waste on long-term lunar missions. The competition has two tracks: the Prototype Build for hardware and systems development, and the Digital Twin track for virtual system design. This initiative is part of NASA’s efforts to ensure sustainability for future Moon missions under the Artemis program, with potential benefits for Earth-based waste management.

Auto Watch

Bond. James Bond—Aston Martin has launched the DB12 Goldfinger Edition, celebrating 60 years of partnership with the James Bond franchise. Created by the brand's Q personalization service, this special edition features the iconic "Silver Birch" paint from the original DB5 in *Goldfinger*. It also includes unique gold-plated interior accents, custom upholstery, and subtle Bond references like the ‘eight of hearts’ detail. The car retains the DB12’s 680-hp V8 engine, and only 60 units will be produced, complete with luxury gifts for the owner..

Housing Watch

In The News (Again)—In the wake of Hurricane Milton, solar-powered homes in the Hunters Point development in Cortez, Florida, built by Comunicano client, Pearl Homes, demonstrated remarkable resilience. Despite nearby power outages and flooding, these climate-ready homes remained powered, thanks to rooftop solar panels and battery storage. The homes are designed to withstand extreme weather with reinforced foundations and materials exceeding building codes. Developer Marshall Gobuty sees this as proof of the importance of building for climate resilience, with hopes that other builders will adopt similar practices to ensure safer, more sustainable housing.

Data Center Watch

Less Than Zero—Data centers are responsible for significant energy consumption and are increasingly committing to net-zero carbon emissions, but the industry lacks standardized benchmarks. Leaders in the sector are aligning with frameworks like the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce emissions across three scopes: direct emissions, purchased electricity, and supply chain-related emissions. Collaboration among industry players is vital for achieving these ambitious goals, especially with growing energy demands driven by technologies like AI.

Telecom Watch

Disconnected—BT Openreach has confirmed its plans to switch off traditional landlines in favor of digital internet-based phone services by 2025. This move will affect millions of households in the UK as the transition to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) begins. The change aims to modernize the infrastructure, but concerns have been raised about how it will impact vulnerable people who rely on traditional landlines. BT assures support for affected customers during the transition.

Nintendo Watch

Asleep At The Wheel—Nintendo has introduced the Alarmo, a $100 interactive alarm clock that features sleep tracking and motion sensing. It comes with sounds and scenes from popular games like *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* and *Super Mario Odyssey*, allowing users to snooze or stop the alarm with gestures. Currently available to Nintendo Switch Online members in the U.S. and Canada, it will be fully released in 2025. Alarmo is set to expand its capabilities with future downloadable content.

Retail Watch

It’s Closing Time—Kmart is closing its last remaining store, marking the end of the retail giant. Once a dominant player in American retail, Kmart has been gradually shutting down stores nationwide over the years due to declining sales and competition from e-commerce and big-box retailers. The closing signals the brand's near-complete disappearance.