🤖 Nvidia's Tech Revolution Unleashed!

What’s in today’s Business Edge update?

A lot of things on my regular current work, but I still have found the most exciting news to give insights on so buckle up, tech enthusiasts! 😉

Nvidia is blazing trails, revealing a Superchip, Cloud Engine, and key partnerships that are set to ignite the next tech revolution.

But there's plenty more where that came from. In other news, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman holds ground in Europe while Google steps into the AI age with 'Search Labs'. Meanwhile, Microsoft expands Azure's reach, launching Linux with special container hosting capabilities. All this and more in our tech-packed newsletter.

Stay tuned!

/K

🌐 Big Tech Digest

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

[1] Nvidia Ignites Next Tech Revolution: Reveals Superchip, Cloud Engine, and Major Partnerships

Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang, revealed a series of groundbreaking announcements during his first public speech at Computex in nearly four years. The announcements ranged from the release of their new GPU, and collaborations with major companies to the production of their super chip, Grace Hopper. The company aims to revolutionize AI computing with these developments and extend their impact on the tech industry.

More:

• Nvidia's GForce RTX 4080 Ti GPU is now in full production with partners in Taiwan.

• The Nvidia Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) for Games, an AI model foundry service, was introduced to give NPCs more character.

• Full volume production of GPU server HGX H100 has commenced across Taiwan.

• The next generation of Hopper GPUs will start production in August 2024.

• Nvidia's GH200 Grace Hopper superchip is now in full production and designed for high-resilience data center applications.

• Nvidia and SoftBank have partnered to introduce the Grace Hopper superchip in SoftBank's new data centers in Japan.

• The world's largest ad agency, WPP, has partnered with Nvidia to develop a content engine based on Nvidia Omniverse.

_{Tags: #AI, #Big tech, #Cloud, #Nvidia, #Computex, #SaaS, #Data centers, #Gaming}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 15 minutes)

Insight:

This announcement carries an impact on an industry-wide level, primarily for those engaged in the tech sector, including developers, manufacturers, and AI enthusiasts. As we move towards an era of advanced AI and machine learning, Nvidia's developments like the Grace Hopper super chip and the Avatar Cloud Engine, represent substantial leaps forward. Nvidia's strategic partnerships indicate a growing global recognition of the importance of AI in computing and gaming. However, Nvidia's sales restrictions to China hint at potential geopolitical implications for the company and the tech industry. The scenario reiterates the necessity for tech self-reliance among nations.

[2] OpenAI Stands Firm in Europe: CEO Sam Altman Engages in Regulatory Dialogue

Despite earlier threats to depart, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman confirmed that the AI company has no plans to exit Europe. Altman has spent the past week discussing the future of AI with top European politicians in response to the EU's upcoming AI regulation efforts. OpenAI is keen to ensure a constructive regulatory environment for AI technology development.

More:

• Altman reversed his previous threat to leave Europe if it becomes too complex to adhere to the forthcoming AI regulations.

• EU lawmakers were critical of Altman's earlier threat, spurring a week of productive discussions.

• Altman has engaged in high-level conversations across France, Spain, Poland, Germany, and Britain, discussing AI regulation and the progression of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

• EU's AI Act draft could globally set the first rules governing AI, potentially necessitating the disclosure of copyrighted training material for AI systems.

• OpenAI faced criticism for withholding training data for its latest AI model, GPT-4, citing a competitive landscape and safety implications.

_{Tags: #OpenAI, #AI, #Regulation, #GPT-4, #ChatGPT, #EU}

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

Insight:

This development highlights the impact on a company and industry-wide level. OpenAI's decision to remain in Europe amidst forthcoming AI regulation signals the company's commitment to constructive dialogue with regulators. Cooperation between tech companies and regulatory bodies is crucial as we move towards stricter oversight in the AI industry. OpenAI's move sets a precedent for other European tech companies to engage in similar discussions. The final details of the AI Act could shape the future of AI development, with potential global implications given its pioneering nature.

[3] Google Search Steps into the AI Age with Revolutionary 'Search Labs

Google is unveiling Search Labs, a revolutionary platform that experiments with AI-driven search features, potentially redefining search as we know it. The Search Generative Experience, the platform's key feature, generates an AI-based summary at the top of Google search results, which could drastically alter how people search and what they search for.

More:

• Google's Search Labs is currently in a guarded waitlist phase, with a select number of users gaining access.

• Search Generative Experience may significantly disrupt the SEO industry and alter the web business model by offering AI-generated search summaries.

• Labs also introduces features like "Add to Sheets" and "Code Tips" to enhance user experience.

• Google's ongoing tests also extend to AI features in Gmail, Docs, the new Tailwind AI-powered notebook, and the company's text-to-music generator.

_{Tags: #Google, #AI, #Big tech, #Search, #SEO}

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

Insight:

This news has potential industry-wide and global impacts. The introduction of AI-generated summaries in Google search results could disrupt how users interact with search engines and the kind of information they seek. From an industry perspective, this shift could upend the SEO industry, as stakeholders scramble to optimize for AI summaries rather than traditional link placement. In essence, we're witnessing a potential shift in web interaction patterns, which could in turn alter the digital business landscape on a global scale. Google's innovative steps demonstrate how integral AI continues to become in reshaping our digital experiences.

[4] Microsoft Makes Azure Linux Generally Available, Optimized for Container Hosting

Microsoft has rolled out Azure Linux, an open-source OS designed for the Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and optimized for Azure. Intended to simplify container workload deployment and management, Azure Linux has been in internal use for two years and public preview since October 2022.

More:

• Azure Linux is a product of the CBL-Mariner project, Microsoft's internal Linux distro.

• The OS is tailored to support container hosts and maintain minimal dependencies and extraneous packages.

• Azure Linux operates as a container host for AKS, optimized for Microsoft's Windows Hyper-V hypervisor.

• The distribution maintains a small footprint with a 400MB core image and 300 packages, ideal for performance and security.

• Several tech companies including Tenable, DataDog, HashiCorp, and Dynatrace are supporting Azure Linux.

_{Tags: #Microsoft, #Azure, #Linux, #Cloud, #Big tech, #Open-source}

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

Insight:

This announcement represents a significant company and industry-wide development. For Microsoft, it indicates a deepening commitment to Azure, cloud services, and containerized applications, serving as an important step in diversifying and enhancing its offerings. At an industry level, this OS is likely to have significant implications for developers and organizations deploying containerized workloads on Azure. We see it as a move that could potentially shift paradigms within the cloud services market, particularly for those engaged in creating, managing, and deploying container workloads. This could also signify a broader trend of Big Tech companies creating customized tools tailored to their platforms and services.

⚡️Startup bites

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

OpenAI's ChatGPT introduces shared links, enabling users to generate URLs for their ChatGPT conversations, enhancing shareability and continuity of discussions. The feature replaces screenshot sharing and is being rolled out on chat.openai.com. (link)

HSBC plans to rename rescued tech-focused bank Silicon Valley Bank UK (SVBUK) to HSBC Innovation Banking in June, coinciding with London Tech Week. Despite concerns of losing SVBUK's distinct SME market presence, HSBC assures operational independence will be maintained. SVBUK's existing senior leadership will remain unchanged. (link)

Following ChatGPT's impact on online tutoring startup Chegg Inc., global VC firms like Accel and Sequoia Capital India are rigorously assessing their portfolio startups for vulnerability to AI disruption, aiming to future-proof their investments. (link)

A lawyer, Steven A. Schwartz, used ChatGPT for legal research in a lawsuit against Avianca Airline, resulting in fabricated court decisions cited in the case, prompting court concerns about AI reliability. (link)

Twitter's role as a traffic referral source for news publishers has reduced from 1.9% in 2018 to 1.2% in 2023. Small publishers experienced a 98% drop in Twitter page views, while medium publishers saw a 40% decline. Notable outlets like Kyiv Independent, BuzzFeed, and HuffPost have suffered major declines, while Fox News and Bloomberg have seen increases. Despite the overall drop, most publishers haven't altered their Twitter strategies. (link)

Modular app-building platform Builder.ai raised $250 million in a Series D round led by Qatar Investment Authority, with total funding now exceeding $450 million. The firm, reporting 2.3x revenue growth, aims to enhance app-building through human conversation. (link)

🔍 Extra

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

2023 and Beyond: Technological Evolution Redefining the Future

The pace of technology is accelerating, setting the stage for disruptive changes in 2023. Key trends include the ubiquity of AI across businesses, the advent of the metaverse, and the rise of blockchain-enabled Web3. Additionally, quantum computing, green technology, and advancements in robotics and autonomous systems will drive progress. Sustainability concerns and the ethical implications of these advancements underscore the need for responsible deployment.

More:

• Artificial intelligence will permeate every aspect of organizations, enabled by no-code AI platforms.

• The metaverse, enhanced by AR and VR technologies, is set to gain traction in 2023.

• Blockchain technology's evolution will encourage the advent of decentralized products and services.

• Digital twin technology will integrate the digital and physical worlds, fostering innovation in various sectors.

• Quantum computing, nanotechnology, and green tech advancements will redefine numerous fields, from cryptography to sustainable energy.

_{Tags: #AI, #Big tech, #Blockchain, #Metaverse, #Quantum computing, #Green tech}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 9-10 minutes)

Billion Dollar Insider Profits Precede SPAC Bust

Executives and early investors in companies that went public via Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) sold $22 billion in shares before a market crash. This led to significant profits for the insiders while the companies lost over $100 billion in market value. Despite the bust, many insiders, such as Richard Branson and Platinum Equity, made sizable profits.

More:

• SPAC deals resulted in insider sales at 232 out of 460 companies.

• Platinum Equity, an investment firm, made around $2.3 billion from SPAC deals.

• Richard Branson sold nearly 75% of his Virgin Galactic shares for over $1.4 billion.

• The “SPAC King,” Chamath Palihapitiya, made $310 million from selling Virgin Galactic shares.

• Nikola founder Trevor Milton sold about $374 million of stock before being convicted of securities fraud.

_{Tags: #Venture capital, #M&A, #Financial report, #Regulation}

Read more about it at —> (read time: 12 minutes)k)