Microsoft Joins OpenAI’s Board; Google Drive’s Missing Files Remain Unsolved; Study Finds that AI Still Lacks Intelligence
Microsoft has officially become a non-voting observer on the board of OpenAI, a major step for the tech giant. As a 49 percent shareholder and the largest investor in OpenAI’s for-profit subsidiary, Microsoft has injected over $10 billion this year alone. The announcement comes as OpenAI welcomes back Sam Altman as CEO and thanks Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for resolving past conflicts. Altman has expressed curiosity about the reasons behind his previous ousting but has also stressed the company’s need to explore governance changes, including the possibility of OpenAI no longer being controlled by a non-profit entity. This move highlights Microsoft’s deepening involvement in the world of AI.
Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding missing files on Google Drive remains unresolved. With Google acknowledging the issue and promising a solution within the next two days, users hope that the new homepage unveiled by Google Drive will aid in locating their lost files. The updated homepage, now the default landing page, uses machine learning algorithms to suggest files and folders based on recent usage, as well as documents related to Google Calendar events. Additionally, new filters called search chips allow users to search for documents by type, people, modified date, or location. Google Drive users can switch back to the old layout by clicking on the Change to My Drive option in the banner.
In other news, startup Nucleos is providing e-learning tablets to inmates in correctional facilities, aiming to help them prepare for life after release. Nucleos CEO Noah Freedman emphasizes their unique approach to security, stating that their solution enables the use of digital e-learning and training materials that would usually be prohibited due to security concerns. The company ensures secure delivery of these programs while disabling any communication elements that could breach facility regulations. By tracking the courses and credentials completed, Nucleos aims to assist individuals in their job search upon release.
On a less positive note, X, the online platform that faced criticism for hosting antisemitic and islamophobic content amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, is now losing advertisers. Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded harshly to advertisers by suggesting they go f- themselves if they attempt to blackmail him with their advertising decisions. The platform is grappling with over 100 brands, including Apple, Netflix, and IBM, pausing their ads, potentially causing X to lose up to $75 million in revenue. X contends that the amount at risk is only around $11 million, as some advertisers have returned or increased their spending.
Lastly, a recent study conducted by top AI scientist Yann LeCun and other scientists from AI startups reveals that AI still falls short of human capabilities. The research aimed to compare the general-purpose reasoning abilities of AI models with those of humans, and the results showed that humans outperformed the AI models. The study underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the achievement of artificial general intelligence (AGI), highlighting the need for AI systems to perform as robustly as humans in order for AGI to become a reality.
That’s all for today’s top tech stories. Join us again tomorrow for more news on Hashtag Trending. I’m James Roy.
