Keeping up with the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI) can be incredibly daunting. In order to make the process easier, here is a recap of the top stories of the last week in AI, as well as notable research and experiments that have not been discussed in detail.
One of the biggest topics of the past seven days was the launch of Bedrock, a service by Amazon that enables the development of generative AI applications. Companies like AI21 Labs, Anthropic, and Stability AI are included in Bedrock’s list of partner startup models. Grand View Research estimated that the market for AI services generating content such as audio, text, and speech could become a $100 billion industry over the next decade. It’s evident why Amazon is investing so heavily in generative AI, as the company’s cloud services are reportedly starting to slow down. Operating margin for Amazon’s cloud division fell four points from last year in Q3 2022, indicating Amazon might have focused too much on growth.
The importance of Amazon’s Bedrock cannot be understated. This venture is deeply connected to Amazon’s cloud business and illustrates how important AI systems are to the future of AI applications. Bedrock is available in a “limited preview”, but Amazon has also made CodeWhisperer, a system that generates code from text, available for individual developers.
To demonstrate how fascinating AI applications can be, Meta open-sourced a high-profile experiment that allowed people to animate crude drawings of people and animals. Meta was so pleased with the results that they decided to make the code open-sourced. Another experiment by Meta, Segment Anything, grabbed quite a bit of attention as well. This system identifies and outlines objects and could prove to be critical for the integration of AI into everyday life.
Stuart Russell, a renowned professor in the world of AI, recently gave a presentation about the importance of considering the implications of the technology, even if his provocative title was “How not to let AI destroy the world”. While most AI applications tend to be harmless, it’s important to stay aware of the risks that can come along with the technology.
Ultimately, the past week has highlighted the promising applications of generative AI, as well as the necessity to stay aware of the risks that come with its development. With startups like AI21 Labs and Anthropic capturing the attention of deep-pocketed rivals like Amazon and billionaire Elon Musk, AI’s future looks bright.
Amazon is undoubtedly at the forefront of the generative AI space and is using the Bedrock platform to potentially boost the slowing cloud services business. For Amazon, Bedrock is seen as a huge investment that would be well worth it if the company captures a sizeable portion of the generative AI market.
Meanwhile, Professor Stuart Russell is renowned for his lectures and talks on the importance of considering the implications of AI. His presentations are grounded and informative, which is particularly useful as AI continues to become a more important part of our everyday life.
A shift in focus from AI’s potential risks to its various applications is a healthy reminder that this technology has the capability to truly enhance our lives, as long as we take the necessary precautions.
