Several key developments are shaping the AI landscape. Accenture is urging European companies to increase their AI investments to boost productivity and compete with the US, noting that only 8% of major AI investments in Europe have been scaled effectively. However, Europe is also emphasizing responsible AI development, focusing on trust, transparency, and safety. In the AI chip market, Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip, 'Braga,' has been delayed until 2026, potentially giving Nvidia a competitive edge with its more advanced Blackwell chips. Interestingly, OpenAI is diversifying its chip sources by using Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to reduce costs and reliance on Microsoft and Nvidia, though they aren't getting access to Google's most advanced TPUs. Nvidia is also strengthening its AI research capabilities by hiring AI experts Zhu Banghua and Jiao Jiantao from China's Tsinghua University, who will work on projects including the Nemotron team and AGI/ASI. In other applications, FutureHouse is using AI to accelerate scientific research, while Barclays is integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve efficiency and customer service. Alorica's evoAI platform has received an award for its conversational AI capabilities in customer support. However, concerns are emerging about the use of AI in health insurance, with potential for algorithms to deny necessary treatments, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faced backlash for an AI-generated image promoting a detention center. Finally, while Fortune 500 companies are widely adopting AI, security measures are lagging, creating risks like data leaks and biased outputs. HPE's acquisition of Juniper Networks for $14 billion, after settling with the DOJ, aims to challenge Cisco in AI networking, requiring HPE to license Juniper's Mist AI Ops software and divest its Instant On wireless networking business.
Key Takeaways
- Accenture reports European companies need to invest more in AI to boost productivity and compete with the US.
- Microsoft's 'Braga' Maia AI chip is delayed until 2026, potentially benefiting Nvidia in the AI chip market.
- OpenAI is using Google's TPUs to lower costs and reduce reliance on Microsoft and Nvidia.
- Nvidia hired Zhu Banghua and Jiao Jiantao, two AI experts from China's Tsinghua University, to enhance AI research.
- FutureHouse uses AI to automate and accelerate scientific research processes.
- AI is being used by health insurance companies to determine treatment coverage, raising concerns about potential denials of care.
- HPE can acquire Juniper Networks for $14 billion to compete with Cisco in AI networking after settling with the DOJ.
- The DHS faced criticism for an AI-generated image promoting an immigration detention center.
- Barclays is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve efficiency and customer service.
- Fortune 500 companies are widely adopting AI, but security measures are not keeping pace.
Accenture urges Europe to adopt AI or fall behind US
Accenture's new report says European companies must use AI to boost productivity. The report, published June 26, found that European workers produce less than their US counterparts due to underinvestment in technology. Accenture says companies need to improve their AI skills in data, cloud, and talent. However, the report also admits that AI is not a quick fix for Europe's economic problems.
Is Europe missing out on AI or being wisely cautious?
Europe is depending on AI to help its economy, but a new Accenture report says companies aren't investing enough. The report shows only 8% of big AI investments have been scaled in Europe. Many companies are testing AI but not making big changes. Accenture suggests companies focus on business results, train their teams, and build secure data systems to scale AI effectively. Europe is also focusing on responsible AI with trust, transparency, and safety.
Microsoft's AI chip delayed giving Nvidia an advantage
Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip, called Braga, is delayed until 2026. This delay raises concerns about Microsoft's ability to compete with Nvidia in the AI chip market. Unexpected design changes and staffing issues caused the delay. The Maia 100 chip uses 5-nanometer technology and is designed for AI tasks in Azure cloud services. Nvidia's Blackwell chips are more advanced and are used for both training and inference.
OpenAI uses Google AI chips to cut costs
OpenAI is now using Google's AI chips to lower costs and rely less on Microsoft and Nvidia. OpenAI is renting Google's tensor processing units (TPUs) for AI applications like ChatGPT. This is the first time OpenAI is using non-Nvidia chips significantly. Google is not giving OpenAI access to its most advanced TPUs. OpenAI is also discussing with Microsoft about reducing payments and revisiting cloud exclusivity.
Nvidia hires two Chinese AI experts to boost research
Nvidia has hired Zhu Banghua and Jiao Jiantao, two AI experts from China's Tsinghua University. Zhu will join Nvidia's Nemotron team as a principal research scientist. Jiao will work on artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial super intelligence (ASI). Both Zhu and Jiao previously co-founded Nexusflow AI. Other US tech firms like Google and Meta have also hired Chinese AI researchers.
FutureHouse uses AI to speed up scientific research
FutureHouse, founded by Sam Rodriques, uses AI to automate steps in scientific research. The AI platform helps scientists find information, design experiments, and analyze data. The platform includes AI agents like Crow, Owl, Falcon, Phoenix, and Finch. FutureHouse's goal is to help scientists solve big problems by making research faster and easier. The company demonstrated how its AI can find a new treatment for a type of blindness.
AI controls your health insurance coverage how it works
Health insurance companies are using AI to decide what treatments to cover. Insurers use algorithms for prior authorization and to determine how long a patient can stay in the hospital. AI can help insurers decide what care is necessary, but it can also deny needed treatments. Some worry insurers might use AI to withhold care to save money. There is a push for more regulation of AI in health insurance to ensure fairness and safety.
HPE can buy Juniper to challenge Cisco in AI networking
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) can now buy Juniper Networks for $14 billion after settling a lawsuit with the Department of Justice (DOJ). HPE must license Juniper's Mist AI Ops software source code and sell HPE's Instant On wireless networking business. The DOJ was concerned the deal would hurt competition in wireless networking. HPE says the deal will help it compete in AI networking and provide customers with better AI solutions.
DHS faces backlash for AI post promoting 'Alligator Alcatraz'
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), run by Kristi Noem, is facing criticism for an AI-generated image. The image promoted a proposed immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades. The image showed alligators wearing ICE caps near a barbed-wire fence. Critics called the post cruel and dehumanizing.
Barclays uses AI to improve efficiency and customer service
Barclays bank is using AI to improve how it works and serves customers. They are using generative AI to help employees find information and solve problems faster. Barclays is also using predictive analytics to automate IT tasks and prevent disruptions. By using Microsoft 365 copilot, Barclays is integrating AI into its internal systems. These AI solutions help Barclays become more efficient and improve employee satisfaction.
Fortune 500 companies embrace AI but security lags behind
Most Fortune 500 companies are using AI in their business strategies. AI is being used for customer service, data analysis, and decision-making. However, security measures for AI are not keeping up with its use. Companies face risks like data leaks, prompt injection, and biased outputs. Many companies don't openly share what AI tools they use.
Alorica's evoAI wins award for conversational AI platform
Alorica's evoAI platform won a Gold Globee Disruptor Award for its conversational AI. EvoAI is designed to provide emotionally intelligent customer support. The platform was developed with input from CX agents. EvoAI integrates into existing workflows and improves agent morale. Companies using evoAI have seen increased customer satisfaction and efficiency.
Sources
- 'Enterprises must buy AI!', shouts Accenture in its latest report. Do we?
- Europe's AI strategy: Smart caution or missed opportunity?
- Microsoft's custom AI chip hits delays, giving Nvidia more runway
- OpenAI starts using Google AI chips to cut costs and rely less on Microsoft, Nvidia: Report
- Nvidia taps two young Chinese AI experts to strengthen research
- Accelerating scientific discovery with AI
- How artificial intelligence controls your health insurance coverage
- HPE finally gets the green light to buy Juniper and take on Cisco in AI networking
- Kristi Noem’s DHS Torched Over Absolutely Wild AI Post Promoting ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
- Artificial Intelligence at Barclays - Two Use Cases - Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research
- Fortune 500 companies use AI, but security rules are still under construction
- Alorica Wins Gold Globee® Disruptor for Leading Conversational AI Platform