Coming up this week:

- Google: 30,000 Jobs At Risk
- OpenAI: $1.6 Billion Revenue.
- Microsoft: Copilot On Mobile.

And much more… Learn how these unfolding narratives are shaping The Business of AI.

FEATURED STORY 🔥

Google's AI Efficiency Drive: 30,000 Jobs at Risk

Google is on the brink of a major organizational shift, potentially laying off 30,000 employees, primarily within its ad sales division, as it integrates AI to enhance operational efficiency.

This move, revealed by Sean Downey, the head of ad sales for major accounts in the U.S., is part of a broader strategy to leverage AI for tasks traditionally performed by humans.

The company has been developing AI-powered tools, such as a conversational ads feature and a Google Ads chatbot capable of designing and managing campaigns. These advancements are expected to streamline workforce and operations, possibly leading to significant job cuts.

This development follows an earlier layoff of 12,000 employees, with Google CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledging the tough decisions made to avoid more severe future consequences. As Google continues to push the boundaries of AI, the implications for its workforce and the broader job market are becoming increasingly apparent.

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Poll Of The Week 💗 

Last week’s poll results:

Do you think OpenAI and Microsoft broke copyright laws by training their models?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes (1)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No (5)

TRENDING STORIES 🔥 

OpenAI's $1.6 Billion Revenue Amid CEO Drama

In 2023, OpenAI's revenue soared to $1.6 billion, a rise from $1.3 billion in October, amidst the controversial firing and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman. The company attributes much of this success to the popularity of ChatGPT, even as questions linger over Altman's brief ouster.

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AI Influencers Disrupting the Creator Economy

AI-generated 'virtual influencers' like Aitana Lopez are gaining traction, commanding up to $1,000 per post and challenging human influencers in the $21bn content creator market. Despite concerns over authenticity and the ethical implications of their use, brands favor these AI creations for control and cost-effectiveness.

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Microsoft Copilot Debuts on Mobile Platforms

Microsoft quietly launched Copilot, formerly Bing Chat, on iOS and Android during the holidays. The app, utilizing GPT-4 and DALL·E 3, offers versatile AI assistance for tasks like drafting emails and creating images. With over 1.5 million downloads, Copilot marks a significant step in AI accessibility on mobile.

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Image Of The Week 📷️ 

This week I came across a very interesting article about how AI image generators are potentially infringing copyright, even with very generic prompts - https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/things-are-about-to-get-a-lot-worse

So we give it a try:

MidJourney Prompt: Animated Sponge.

MidJourney Prompt: Videogame Plumber.

EYE OPENING NEWS 🧠 

Revolutionizing Brain-to-Text Translation with EEG

DeWave introduces a novel framework for translating brain dynamics to text without traditional markers, using a quantized variational encoder and discrete codex encoding aligned with language models. It significantly improves translation accuracy, offering a groundbreaking approach to brain-computer interfaces.

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Tech Titans Tackle Deepfakes

Nikon, Sony, and Canon are combating AI-generated fakes with new camera technology that embeds digital signatures in images. This allows for the authentication of real photos, distinguishing them from sophisticated deepfakes, and is part of a broader industry effort to maintain content integrity.

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GitHub Copilot Chat's Wide Release

Powered by GPT-4, Copilot Chat is now generally available for individuals and organizations, offering real-time coding assistance in multiple languages. This AI assistant, included in all Copilot plans, helps developers innovate faster by explaining concepts, detecting vulnerabilities, and translating code, enhancing the global development lifecycle.

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Venturing into AI-Driven Video Creation

Midjourney, known for its generative image tool, is expanding into AI video creation with a "text to video" model. Starting training in January, the company aims to stir the competitive dynamics of the generative video industry, promising a quality-focused approach to revolutionize how we interact with video content.

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Giga ML's Push for Private LLM Deployment

Giga ML is developing a platform for companies to deploy large language models (LLMs) on-premise, addressing data privacy and customization challenges. Their "X1 series" models, built on Meta's Llama 2, aim to offer cost-effective, privacy-conscious solutions for enterprises, particularly in finance and healthcare, enhancing local AI capabilities.

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5 Tools to Boost Your Productivity

- A browser extension that understands any site you visit. Glimpse
- The fast, easy, and cheap alternative to OpenAI. Lemonfox
- Build stunning AI-powered websites in seconds. Levi
- An AI that reads Privacy Policies for you. ParsePolicy
- Instantly clone your voice with just 60 seconds of audio. WavelAI

Want your tool featured here? Hit reply and tell us a little about it 😍 

FUNDRAISING 🤑 

Robin AI Secures $26M for Contract Copilot

The developer of an AI tool for legal contracts, has raised $26 million in Series B funding, totaling nearly $43 million. The UK-based startup uses Anthropic's Claude LLM to enhance contract creation and review, promising significant time and cost savings for firms like PepsiCo and PwC.

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Shield AI's Series F Soars with $300M Boost

Defense tech startup Shield AI has increased its Series F funding by $300 million, combining equity and debt, to reach a total of $500 million. This infusion elevates the company's valuation to $2.8 billion, fueling its mission to develop autonomous AI pilots for aircraft and advance military deterrence.

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Launching Articul8 AI with Industry Backing

Intel has formed Articul8 AI, an independent company focusing on artificial intelligence software, with support from DigitalBridge and other investors. This venture aims to address the challenges of deploying generative AI in a secure, cost-effective manner, reflecting Intel's broader strategy to externalize business units for growth and innovation.

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Tech Titans' AI Investment Surge

In 2023, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon led a massive investment frenzy in AI startups, contributing two-thirds of the $27bn raised, overshadowing traditional venture capital firms. Their strategic investments, like Microsoft's $10bn in OpenAI, signal a shift towards big tech's dominance in the burgeoning generative AI sector.

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