A recent surge in advancements and applications of artificial intelligence has been making headlines, with various industries and institutions exploring its potential. From revolutionizing the way we create and interact with digital content to transforming the workforce and education, AI's impact is being felt across the board. As researchers, companies, and governments continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI, it's essential to stay informed about the latest developments and their implications. Rival Emerges with AI-Powered 3D Content Platform Rival, a UK startup, has emerged from stealth with a $4.2 million investment, launching a unique 3D content platform that leverages 2D-to-3D AI technology. This platform allows users to browse through immersive 3D short-form content and create their own using the startup's first-of-its-kind 2D-to-3D foundational AI model. The company plans to grow its team and expand its presence in the US market. Rival's platform is compatible with Meta Quest headsets, and early access is now available to the 2D-3D conversion model. The startup aims to solve the problem of limited content for spatial computing headsets. Rival's co-founder and CEO, Alexander Oppermann, believes that their technology removes technical barriers, enabling a new generation of creators to shape immersive digital experiences. France's Schneider Electric to Invest in US AI and Energy Sectors France's Schneider Electric announced plans to invest more than $700 million in the US energy and artificial intelligence infrastructures. The investment aims to bolster the nation's energy infrastructure, power AI growth, boost domestic manufacturing, and strengthen energy security through 2027. This move is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the US, including next-generation manufacturing professionals, engineers, developers, and technical analysts. Schneider Electric's total investment in the US will exceed $1 billion in 10 years, with $440 million already invested since 2020 to strengthen the supply chain in the country. The company's president of North America operations, Aamir Paul, emphasized the need to lead the transformation ahead and advance ambitious digitalization and efficiency goals. NIST Releases Finalized Guidelines on Protecting AI from Attacks The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released finalized guidelines on protecting AI from attacks, offering specific solutions for different attacks. The report brings standardization to the emerging adversarial machine learning threat landscape, differentiating attacks by predictive and generative AI systems. NIST's research team supervisor, Apostol Vassilev, noted that AI is useful but vulnerable to adversarial attacks, and current mitigation techniques are still developing. The guidelines list three distinct threat types for each type of AI system and emphasize the importance of traditional cybersecurity measures to harden the model and the platform it runs on. Despite the efforts to mitigate attacks, Vassilev warned that residual risks remain, and organizations deploying AI must develop a risk budget and prepare for potential breaches. D.C. Circuit Denies Copyright to AI Artwork The D.C. Circuit denied copyright to AI artwork, affirming that human authorship is required for copyright protection. The court ruled that an original artwork created solely by artificial intelligence is not eligible for copyright registration. The case involved a generative AI named DABUS, which created a picture titled 'A Recent Entrance to Paradise.' The court concluded that machines do not have the same rights as human beings and that the Copyright Act requires all work to be authored by a human being. The decision highlights the concept that only humans can create art, and intellectual property law aims to protect human creativity. Steal This Foodservice Idea: Use Artificial Intelligence to Promote Offerings A foodservice company is using an AI-powered 'roast bot' to promote its coffee offerings. The bot, named Darn-ell, provides personalized and witty comments or 'roasts' along with coffee recommendations to help customers learn about the company's coffee lineup. The AI-powered bot is part of the company's effort to leverage generative AI capabilities to create engaging and interactive customer experiences. This approach showcases the potential of AI in the foodservice industry to enhance customer interactions and promote products. Clothing Giant H&M Will Use Models' AI-Made Digital Twins H&M plans to use AI-generated digital twins of real models to showcase its clothes in an upcoming ad campaign. The company is working in partnership with models and their agencies to craft digital twins, which will be used in real ad campaigns. The digital avatars will be created by inputting multiple photos of the models into an AI tool, allowing for styled and posed content without the involvement of the original human. H&M's business development manager, Louise Lundquist, noted that the AI campaign will affect the way the company produces content, but the exact impact is still uncertain. The use of digital twins raises questions about compensation for the original models and the potential impact on the traditional economic ecosystem around fashion promotion. Generative AI-Assisted Project Prepares Students for Careers in Chip Design A project at Cal State Fullerton is using generative AI to prepare students for careers in chip design. The project, funded by a $150,000 grant, aims to promote inclusion in semiconductor research and workforce readiness. Students will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies and industry-standard tools, developing critical problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the chip design process. The project introduces students to generative AI-assisted chip design through open-access AI tools, enabling them to design chips more efficiently. The initiative is part of the university's effort to equip students with the necessary skills for a rapidly evolving workforce. Novac Technology Solutions Introduces MIGOTO AI Novac Technology Solutions introduced MIGOTO AI, an AI-powered sales and soft skills training simulator designed to reshape workforce development at scale. The simulator harnesses the power of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and real-time data analytics to deliver a cutting-edge, immersive, and personalized learning experience. MIGOTO AI aims to provide a next-generation workforce with the necessary skills to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment. The introduction of MIGOTO AI highlights the growing importance of AI in workforce development and training. AI, Fully Integrated: UW-Stout’s 360-Degree Approach to Artificial Intelligence The University of Wisconsin-Stout is embedding AI skills across all its degree programs, preparing graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce. The university's comprehensive approach to AI literacy includes collaborating with community, business, and industry partners through innovation centers, consulting services, and regional consortiums. Faculty, staff, and students are leading the charge, with seniors and AI Student Club members Corey Hedlund and Michael Witt at the forefront. The club's goal is to support the university's aim of equipping students from every major with AI skills, which is seen as necessary for the job market. The university's initiatives include developing open educational resources using generative AI-assisted chip design and integrating AI training into all degree programs. Key Takeaways AI is being increasingly used in various industries, from entertainment to education and workforce development. The potential of AI to transform and disrupt traditional industries is vast, but it also raises important questions about compensation, ownership, and the impact on human creativity. Institutions and companies are investing heavily in AI research and development, highlighting its growing importance in the modern world. The need for AI skills is becoming increasingly necessary for the job market, and universities are responding by embedding AI literacy across all degree programs. The use of AI in chip design, cybersecurity, and other fields is becoming more prevalent, and its potential to enhance efficiency and productivity is significant.
Sources
- Rival emerges from stealth with AI-powered 3D content platform and $4.2M investment
- France’s Schneider Electric to invest more than $700M in US AI, energy sectors
- NIST releases finalized guidelines on protecting AI from attacks
- D.C. Circuit Denies Copyright to AI Artwork – What Humans Have and Artificial Intelligence Does Not
- Steal This Foodservice Idea: Use Artificial Intelligence to Promote Offerings
- Clothing Giant H&M Will Use Models' AI-Made Digital Twins, Consent Included
- Generative AI-Assisted Project Prepares Students for Careers in Chip Design
- Novac Technology Solutions Introduces MIGOTO AI™, An AI-Driven Training Innovation for Next-Gen Workforce
- AI, fully integrated: UW-Stout’s 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs