🍏 What is Apple's xrOS?

What’s in today’s Business Edge update?

Nvidia is making waves in the AI-driven revolution of chip manufacturing, while Apple is about to take a giant leap into the metaverse with their rumored xrOS mixed reality operating system!

In other news, OpenAI is readying for a new open-source language model, Microsoft's claim of 'General AI' is raising eyebrows, and Bill Ackman's hedge fund, Pershing Square, is seriously betting on Alphabet with a whopping $1 billion investment!

Let’s get started!

🌐 Big Tech Digest

Concise summaries of the most interesting tech news stories from Big Tech.

[1] Nvidia Rides the AI Wave in Chip Manufacturing Revolution

During ITF World 2023, Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, underscored the transformative role of AI and accelerated computing in the semiconductor industry. He emphasized the capacity of Nvidia's solutions to meet the rising demand for computing power while aligning with net-zero objectives. Huang outlined how these technologies are revolutionizing chip manufacturing, citing several instances of their application by industry heavyweights like D2S, IMS Nanofabrication, NuFlare, KLA, Applied Materials, and Hitachi High-Tech.

More:

• Huang reiterated the importance of AI and accelerated computing in chip manufacturing, stating that over 1,000 steps must be executed perfectly to achieve advanced chip manufacturing.

• He noted that while CPU design has reached a state of maturity, Nvidia's pioneering work in accelerated computing is fuelling the AI revolution.

• Nvidia GPUs are increasingly being used in chip manufacturing to accelerate pattern rendering and mask process correction.

• Nvidia's cuLitho, a software library launched in March, offers optimized tools for computational lithography.

• Huang unveiled Nvidia VIMA, a multimodal embodied AI system, and Earth-2, a project to develop a digital twin of the planet.

_{Tags: #AI, #Nvidia, #Semiconductor}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 10 minutes)

Insight:

This news registers a significant industry-wide impact. Nvidia's focus on AI and accelerated computing signals a profound shift in the chip manufacturing landscape. As the demand for high-performance computing continues to grow, Nvidia's approach offers a promising solution to power efficiency and computing speed challenges, potentially disrupting the current CPU-centric paradigm. Furthermore, it illustrates the expanding influence of AI beyond typical applications, indicating a broader trend towards AI-driven technologies across the tech industry. As we navigate this transition, it's crucial for tech leaders to understand and embrace these advancements to remain competitive.

[2] Apple Steps into the Metaverse: xrOS Mixed Reality Operating System on the Horizon

According to recent trademark patents, Apple is preparing to enter the metaverse with its first mixed-reality operating system, xrOS. The trademark, registered through a shell corporation, was discovered by a Twitter user who noted its resemblance to Apple's iOS operating system. The announcement of xrOS is anticipated to take place during the Worldwide Developer Conference scheduled for June 5-9.

More:

• Apple has registered a trademark for its first mixed-reality operating system, xrOS.

• The trademark was noticed by a Twitter user who pointed out the similarity to Apple's iOS in terms of the font and the capitalized "OS" lettering at the end.

• Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Meta's VR set Oculus, hinted at having tried Apple's VR set and called it "so good."

• The announcement of xrOS is expected at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, which is slated to begin on June 5 and run through June 9.

_{Tags: #Apple, #Metaverse, #Big tech}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 5 minutes)

Insight:

This news has a broad, industry-wide impact. Apple's entrance into the metaverse and mixed-reality space signifies a significant shift in the tech landscape, as one of the world's leading tech companies embraces the potential of VR and AR. As we observe these developments, it's clear that the metaverse is gaining momentum, becoming a key area of investment and innovation for major tech companies. This could potentially reshape the market, setting new standards for user experience and opening up a whole new range of opportunities for tech entrepreneurs and investors.

[3] OpenAI Gears up for New Open-Source Language Model Rollout

According to The Information, OpenAI is reportedly gearing up to launch a new open-source language model. ChatGPT, OpenAI's AI model recognized for generating prose or poetry, has been drawing attention in Silicon Valley as investors view generative AI as the next major growth area for tech businesses. Despite the competition with Microsoft and Google, OpenAI isn't expected to release a model competitive with GPT.

More:

• OpenAI is reportedly preparing to release a new open-source language model.

• ChatGPT, OpenAI's AI model, is known for producing prose or poetry on command and is gaining increasing attention among investors.

• Microsoft Corp announced a multi-billion dollar investment in OpenAI earlier this year.

• Despite the emergence of generative AI products from competitors like Microsoft, Google, and Meta, OpenAI is unlikely to release a model competitive with GPT.

_{Tags: #OpenAI, #AI, #Microsoft, #Google, #Big tech}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 3 minutes)

Insight:

This news has an industry-wide impact. OpenAI's plan to introduce a new open-source language model reinforces the trend of major tech companies investing in the development of advanced AI technologies. As we observe this, it's clear that generative AI models, like ChatGPT, are seen as significant growth areas in the tech sector. While OpenAI is not expected to release a model that competes directly with GPT, its ongoing efforts signify the increasing importance and potential of AI technologies in reshaping the future of the industry.

[4] Microsoft's Bold Assertion of 'General AI' Sparks Industry Skepticism

Microsoft has caused a stir in the AI community by claiming it has developed an AI system capable of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a level of cognition akin to the human brain. According to a recent New York Times report, this bold assertion, first made in a March paper titled "The Sparks of AGI," has fueled a debate, with some experts suggesting the claim is more about publicity than scientific rigor.

More:

• Microsoft claims to have developed an AI system capable of artificial general intelligence.

• Some AI experts have questioned the veracity of Microsoft's claim, suggesting it might be more about publicity than actual scientific advancement.

• The debate comes at a time when AI capabilities are increasingly seen as the future of business operation efficiency.

• Critics highlight that general intelligence requires a knowledge of the physical world that AI has yet to achieve.

_{Tags: #Microsoft, #AI, #Big tech, #Privacy, #Regulation}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 5 minutes)

Insight:

In our assessment, this news has industry-wide implications. The debate around Microsoft's claim of achieving AGI reflects the broader discourse within the AI community regarding AI's true potential and limitations. While AGI represents a significant technological leap, the skepticism and calls for rigorous scientific evaluation remind us that the path to AGI is still fraught with challenges. As tech professionals and investors, we should approach such claims with a balanced perspective, appreciating the progress while acknowledging the complexities and ethical considerations inherent in the development of AGI.

⚡️Startup bites

Brief news summaries from the world of startups that provide quick and easy-to-consume information.

ServiceNow, a prominent digital workflow company, initiates its first-ever share repurchase program, authorizing the purchase of up to $1.5 billion in common stock to manage the impact of future employee equity grants and stock purchase programs. (link)

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman's hedge fund, Pershing Square, has acquired over $1 billion in Alphabet shares, acknowledging the tech giant's aggressive push into artificial intelligence. (link)

Spotify is extending its AI-powered "DJ" feature to premium users in the UK and Ireland, offering curated music and AI commentary, with user engagement increasing by 25%. (link)

Apple's upcoming iOS 17 introduces "Personal Voice", allowing iPhones and iPads to generate digital reproductions of user voices, enhancing accessibility for individuals with speech-impacting conditions. (link)

Zoom partners with Anthropic to incorporate its AI chatbot, Claude, into its platform, enhancing customer support and competitiveness with AI-driven productivity apps. (link)

🔍 Extra

A mix of learning links, software products, deals, and other interesting content.

Google Revamps Search with AI: Implications for News Publishers

Google is introducing AI-generated answers and a new search filter to its search platform, potentially decreasing traffic to publishers' sites.

More:

• "Search Generative Experience" (SGE) feature will provide AI-generated answers directly on the search page.

• SGE is aimed to reduce the need for users to visit multiple sites for information.

• The feature could impact publishers' site traffic and affiliate revenue.

• Another feature, "Perspectives", will bring user-generated content into search results.

• Google aims to cater to users' preferences for information from individuals rather than institutions.

_{Tags: #Google, #AI, #Big Tech, #Publishing}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 7 minutes)

Insight:

The AI-focused changes to Google search could have a significant impact at the industry-wide level. While they could enhance user experience, they may also reduce traffic to publishers' sites and affect affiliate revenues. However, the "Perspectives" feature could potentially benefit individual journalists and small content creators, highlighting a shift in information sourcing from institutions to individuals. We recommend that publishers and content creators keep a close eye on these developments, as they may require a reconsideration of content distribution and monetization strategies. (link)

Tech companies are racing to integrate generative AI into mobile devices to reduce computing costs and improve AI chatbot speed. Google successfully ran a scaled-down model, Gecko, on a Samsung Galaxy handset, potentially transforming mobile communications and computing. Despite challenges, this move could make AI services cheaper and more accessible, enabling transformative applications of generative AI. (link)

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