Watch all the Transform 2020 sessions on-demand here.
What a difference a year makes. The headlines this week could have been pulled from last spring: intelligent assistants, voice interfaces, and devices. But in 2017, different flavors of machine learning underpin all of them.
Hello, Google Assistant. Hello, Alexa. Please meet Siri. Yes, Apple has finally begun extending Siri to a new line of smart speakers. While the devices may not be available until later this year, Apple watchers are hoping to learn how they work with Apple’s other products and services at the upcoming WWDC event. Meanwhile, here at AI Weekly, we’re watching to see just how smart Siri can become.
At the same time, interoperability is improving. You can now use Amazon Alexa to add appointments to your Apple iCloud calendar. This rounds out Alexa’s access to G Suite, Outlook and Office 365 calendars. While less lofty than pondering machine learning, we’re keen to see whether such cross-platform uses spark entirely new services. Recombinant DNA, anyone?
What a difference a year and artificial intelligence makes.
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For AI coverage, send news tips to Blair Hanley Frank and Khari Johnson, and guest post submissions to John Brandon. To receive this information in your inbox every Thursday morning, subscribe to AI Weekly — and be sure to bookmark our AI Channel.
Thanks for reading,
Blaise Zerega
Editor in Chief
P.S. Please enjoy this video featuring scientist and philosopher Grady Booch, “Don’t fear superintelligent AI”
From the AI Channel
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Nest Cam IQ uses Google AI to make the smart home a bit smarter
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Nvidia releases a recipe to make GPU computing ubiquitous in data centers
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Google’s AlphaGo AI retires after dominating humanity’s best players
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Tech giants acquired 34 AI startups in Q1 2017
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Google reportedly launched an AI investment program
Google has reportedly launched a new program to support promising AI ventures. The initiative will provide services ranging from mentorship to workspace, according to Axios. The most promising startups or projects may receive co-investments from the new initiative and Google Ventures ranging from $1 million to $10 million. A Google spokesperson declined to comment. The new initiative could have something to […]
Beyond VB
Is China Outsmarting America in A.I.?
Sören Schwertfeger finished his postdoctorate research on autonomous robots in Germany, and seemed set to go to Europe or the United States, where artificial intelligence was pioneered and established. Instead, he went to China. (via The New York Times)
How Harley-Davidson Used Artificial Intelligence to Increase New York Sales Leads by 2,930%
It was winter in New York City and Asaf Jacobi’s Harley-Davidson dealership was selling one or two motorcycles a week. It wasn’t enough. Jacobi went for a long walk in Riverside Park and happened to bump into Or Shani, CEO of an AI firm, Adgorithms. After discussing Jacobi’s sales woes, Shani, suggested he try out Albert, Adgorithm’s AI-driven marketing platform. It works across digital channels, like Facebook and Google, to measure, and then autonomously optimize, the outcomes of marketing campaigns. Jacobi decided he’d give Albert a one-weekend audition. (via Harvard Business Review)
How AI Can Keep Accelerating After Moore’s Law
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was obviously excited when he spoke to developers about a blockbuster result from his machine-learning lab earlier this month. Researchers had figured out how to automate some of the work of crafting machine-learning software, something that could make it much easier to deploy the technology in new situations and industries. (via MIT Tech Review)
Exclusive: Google launches AI investment platform
Google has launched a new venture capital program focused on artificial intelligence, Axios has learned from multiple sources. (via Axios)
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