🔍 Google's CEO Pichai Hints at Conversational AI Integration

Update 2023-04-07

News

• Google CEO Pichai Hints at Conversational AI Integration in Search

• Microsoft Enhances Bing Chat's AI to Improve User Experience

• Twitter Purposely Shuts Down API Access for Popular Third-Party Apps

• Twitter Restricts Substack Embeds and Suspends Bots Amid API Changes

• Australian Mayor to File Landmark Defamation Lawsuit Against OpenAI's ChatGPT

• Generative AI May Boost Global GDP by 7%, Impact Employment Markets

• CMA Investigates Amazon's Proposed iRobot Acquisition Amid Growing Global Regulatory Scrutiny

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Big Tech

Google CEO Pichai Hints at Conversational AI Integration in Search

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has revealed that conversational artificial intelligence (AI) is coming to the world's largest search engine, but he did not provide a timeline.

In an interview, Pichai addressed concerns about large language models like ChatGPT affecting Google's profits and confirmed that the company plans to integrate such AI features in search. This comes after Microsoft's investment in OpenAI and the subsequent integration of ChatGPT with Bing search, which increased Bing's popularity. Google has updated its Bard chatbot with advanced language model technology but has not announced when it will be released to the public.

Microsoft Enhances Bing Chat's AI to Improve User Experience

Microsoft has made adjustments to its AI chatbot, Bing Chat, powered by ChatGPT, to make it less stubborn and more helpful. Bing Chat allows users to ask various questions, receive intelligent responses in a chat-like interface, and request the creation of items like images or code apps. However, some users found the chatbot to be uncooperative at times. Microsoft is now working on refining Bing Chat's personality to make it more accommodating and user-friendly. Bing Chat is one of the many AI-powered additions to Microsoft's software suite, including Skype and Windows 11 taskbar integrations. Microsoft's investment in OpenAI's ChatGPT technology has transformed Bing into a conversational search engine. Access to the new Bing with ChatGPT is limited but will expand as improvements continue.

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Startups

Twitter Purposely Shuts Down API Access for Popular Third-Party Apps

Twitter has reportedly shut down access to its API for popular third-party apps like Tweetbot and Twitterrific. The shutdown has been ongoing since last Thursday, with no official explanation from Twitter or its CEO Elon Musk.

According to Twitter Slack channels, the closure was intentional, but not all third-party apps have been impacted. Apps like Fenix for iPhone and iPad continue to function. The reason behind Twitter's decision remains unclear, with some speculating it could be an attempt to combat misinformation and bot activity. The move has been criticized by users who prefer third-party apps and raises concerns about the future of such apps on the platform.

Twitter Restricts Substack Embeds and Suspends Bots Amid API Changes

Writers on Substack, a platform for independent journalists and writers, have been experiencing issues embedding tweets in their stories. A message appears stating, "Twitter has unexpectedly restricted access to embedding tweets in Substack posts." This comes after Substack announced Notes, a potential Twitter competitor. Embedding tweets is an essential feature for writers discussing events and topics on Twitter. Although screenshots can be used as alternatives, they lack direct links to sources and aren't suitable for embedding videos. Twitter's new API policies, announced a week ago, have affected numerous platforms and apps that interact with Twitter, including bots.

Twitter's API transition has been problematic even for those in the company's favor. WordPress had its API access suspended, preventing users from auto-sharing posts on the platform. Although access was eventually restored, Twitter's API policy changes may cause further disruptions for tools that rely on API access. The new API plans have been criticized for being expensive, with the "Basic" tier costing $100 per month, allowing apps to post a maximum of 50,000 tweets and read 10,000 tweets per month.

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AI

Australian Mayor to File Landmark Defamation Lawsuit Against OpenAI's ChatGPT

An Australian mayor is set to file the world's first defamation lawsuit against OpenAI's ChatGPT over false claims regarding a prison sentence for bribery. The lawyers representing the mayor have given OpenAI 28 days to rectify the errors or face legal action.

This lawsuit could be a landmark moment, applying defamation law to artificial intelligence and IT publication. ChatGPT, an automated text service developed by OpenAI, has already been temporarily banned in Italy due to data collection concerns. In Australia, defamation damages payouts are typically capped at around $400,000, but the mayor has not disclosed the amount of damages being sought.

Generative AI May Boost Global GDP by 7%, Impact Employment Markets

Goldman Sachs Research suggests that generative artificial intelligence (AI) could increase global GDP by 7% or nearly $7 trillion and improve productivity growth by 1.5 percentage points over a decade. The potential of generative AI in breaking down communication barriers between humans and machines may lead to significant macroeconomic effects. However, the implementation of AI systems could expose 300 million full-time jobs to automation worldwide. While most jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and are likely to be complemented by AI, the technology may still significantly impact the labor market.

Historically, jobs displaced by automation have been offset by the creation of new jobs, with technological innovations accounting for most long-run employment growth. The rise of generative AI is also expected to affect the global enterprise software, healthcare, and financial services industries. As more generative AI tools are developed and integrated into existing software packages and technology platforms, various sectors of the economy may benefit from enhanced productivity, sales efforts, building and part design, improved patient diagnosis in healthcare settings, and cyber fraud detection.

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Funding, Venture Capital and M&A

CMA Investigates Amazon's Proposed iRobot Acquisition Amid Growing Global Regulatory Scrutiny

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is examining Amazon's proposed acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot for potential competition issues. The investigation is in its early stages, with the CMA seeking comments from stakeholders to determine if the acquisition might significantly lessen competition in the UK. This scrutiny is in line with growing regulatory attention on Big Tech. EU regulators are also preparing to investigate the acquisition on privacy grounds, while Amazon faces antitrust scrutiny in the US. Although this does not guarantee the deal is at risk, it demonstrates global authorities' interest in the acquisition.