Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have led to various innovations and applications across different industries. Google has launched the AI Opportunity Fund for the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to train 720,000 workers and 100,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in AI skills. Meanwhile, Taiwanese nonprofit organizations and a public university have received funding to provide AI training and resources to underprivileged groups. In the search engine sector, Perplexity AI has emerged as a new player, utilizing a generative pre-trained transformer to provide more accurate results. Duolingo, a language learning platform, is replacing contract workers with AI to stay competitive. Additionally, AI is being used to enhance security for small businesses, with OneWatch implementing AI-powered surveillance monitoring. Experts emphasize the importance of integrating security into AI systems, and human oversight is crucial to prevent risks. Furthermore, Google is exploring the use of AI chatbots for advertising, while the University of St. Thomas has developed an AI chatbot to improve the student experience. AI is also being used in the healthcare sector to predict heart risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Overall, AI continues to transform various aspects of our lives, from education and security to healthcare and advertising.
Key Takeaways
- Google has launched the AI Opportunity Fund for the Asia-Pacific region to train workers in AI skills.
- Taiwanese nonprofit organizations and a public university have received funding to provide AI training and resources to underprivileged groups.
- Perplexity AI is a new search engine that uses a generative pre-trained transformer to provide more accurate results.
- Duolingo is replacing contract workers with AI to stay competitive.
- AI is being used to enhance security for small businesses through surveillance monitoring.
- Integrating security into AI systems and human oversight are crucial to prevent risks.
- Google is exploring the use of AI chatbots for advertising.
- The University of St. Thomas has developed an AI chatbot to improve the student experience.
- AI is being used in the healthcare sector to predict heart risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
- AI continues to transform various aspects of our lives, from education and security to healthcare and advertising.
Google Launches AI Opportunity Fund for Asia Pacific
Google.org has launched the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific to help workers in the region develop AI skills. The fund will support 49 social impact organizations that will provide localized AI training and resources to those who need it most. The goal is to train 720,000 workers and 100,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across the region. Google.org is also investing $12 million to expand the fund and help more workers, small businesses, and nonprofits make the most of AI in their communities.
Taiwanese Groups Get Funding for AI Development
Two Taiwanese nonprofit organizations and one public university have received funding from Google.org to strengthen their AI capacity. The funding is part of the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, which aims to help workers in the region develop AI skills. The recipients will use the funding to provide AI training and resources to underprivileged groups, migrant workers, and people with disabilities.
Perplexity AI: A New AI Search Engine
Perplexity AI is a new AI search engine that uses a generative pre-trained transformer to perform mathematical operations on large arrays of data. The search engine uses Bing to search the web and its backend software runs on the Microsoft Azure supercomputer. Perplexity AI offers a free tier and an enterprise tier, which allows users to select the AI backend they want to use for a query. The search engine is designed to provide more accurate and relevant results than traditional search engines.
Duolingo Replaces Contractors with AI
Duolingo, a language learning platform, is replacing contract workers with artificial intelligence. The company's CEO stated that moving quickly to become AI-first could lead to some occasional hits on quality, but it's necessary to stay competitive. Duolingo will use AI to handle tasks that can be automated, freeing up human workers to focus on more complex tasks.
AI Helps Small Businesses Stay Secure
A local security firm, OneWatch, is using AI to help small businesses stay safe. The company has implemented AI into a new surveillance monitoring command center that can monitor for on-site loitering, trespassing, and other security threats. The AI system can also count the number of people walking in and out of a business and provide real-time feedback. OneWatch plans to give away 100 AI cameras to small businesses in underserved communities.
IBM Expert Discusses AI Security
Suja Viswesan, vice president of security and runtime products at IBM, discusses the importance of integrating security into AI systems. Viswesan states that security can no longer be an afterthought and must become a critical component of every organization. She emphasizes the need for human oversight of AI tools and systems to prevent risks and ensure trust.
Google Explores AI Chatbots for Advertising
Google is testing the placement of ads inside AI chatbot conversations. The company is working with startups to embed ads into chatbot responses, potentially creating a new era of AI-powered monetization. Google hopes to keep advertisers within its ecosystem as user behaviors shift towards AI chatbots. However, the company must tread carefully, as users expect an ad-free experience in AI chatbots.
Using AI to Improve Public Speaking Skills
A person tried using AI to improve their public speaking skills, but the experience was not entirely successful. The AI tool, ChatGPT, struggled to analyze the person's voice and provide constructive feedback. However, the person found that the AI tool was helpful in identifying areas for improvement, such as using filler words and speaking in declaratives. The person concludes that AI can be a useful tool for rehearsing and getting real-time feedback, but it's not a replacement for proper training.
University of St. Thomas Develops AI Chatbot
The University of St. Thomas has developed an AI chatbot, TommieBot, to enhance the student experience. TommieBot can answer questions about academic majors, university policies, and events. The chatbot was developed in-house by a professor and a graduate student, and it uses a unique technique called retrieval augmentation generation to provide accurate answers. The university plans to integrate TommieBot into its digital infrastructure and use it to improve AI literacy and inspire new collaborations.
AI Predicts Heart Risk in TAVR Patients
Researchers have developed an AI model that can predict the risk of left bundle branch block (LBBB) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The model uses data gathered before the procedure to predict the risk of LBBB, which is a common complication of TAVR. The researchers used a variety of machine learning techniques, including large language models, to develop the model. The model was found to be accurate in predicting LBBB risk, and it has the potential to improve patient outcomes.
Sources
- Preparing Asia Pacific’s workforce for the AI future
- Taiwanese university, NGOs among recipients of Google's AI funding
- What Is Perplexity AI and How Does It Work?
- Duolingo replacing contractors with artificial intelligence
- How AI Technology Helps Small Businesses Stay Secure
- Why Agentic AI Security Must Be Baked In
- Beyond Search: Google Eyes AI Chatbots as New Ad Territory
- I Tried AI to Improve My Public Speaking Skills. It Didn't Listen That Well
- Meet TommieBot: A Generative AI Chatbot, Engineered for and by Tommies - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas
- AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment