AI News Tab #3 - From Virtual Coworkers to Smart BBQs
AI news that caught my eye.
I've scoured the entire internet - okay, maybe not all of it, but definitely a solid chunk of it - and here’s some AI news that caught my eye.
Virtual coworkers, $400 smart BBQ grills, and Meta’s AI generating fake photos of you.
TL;DR
AI is making waves this week:
OpenAI’s Sam Altman predicts virtual AI employees could join workforces in 2025, while Google DeepMind pushes for “GenWorld,” a new generation of AI models.
Samsung TVs get smartphone-like AI features, United Airlines boosts customer satisfaction with generative AI, and Brisk It launches a $400 AI-powered smart grill at CES.
Meta tests AI-generated photos of users in imaginary scenarios, while Charlie Engman highlights the creative value of AI imperfections in art.
On LinkedIn, debates rage over AI’s creativity, AGI’s opportunities and challenges, and dystopian fears about AI agents replacing humanity.
From smart gadgets to thought-provoking questions on LinkedIn, this week’s AI news highlights its creativity, capabilities, and challenges.
News
Let’s start with some unexpected workplace news: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicts that virtual employees could join workforces as soon as this year. That’s right - AI agents might not just be your tools; they could soon be your coworkers. Whether this transforms work or just makes Slack channels unbearable remains to be seen. But given the investments in AI, companies are clearly ready to make this leap.
Meanwhile, Google DeepMind announced it’s creating a new team to work on “massive” generative models designed to simulate the world. These next-gen models promise advancements in decision-making, planning, and creativity. DeepMind calls it the next phase after GenAI - say hello to GenWorld. The implications are wild, from creating hyper-realistic simulations to redefining creativity itself.
On the consumer tech side, Samsung is bringing smartphone-like AI features to its TVs, including Live Translate and Click to Search. Plus, your TV will now act as a hub for all your smart home devices. It’s part of Samsung’s plan to integrate AI into everyday experiences seamlessly, and honestly, who wouldn’t want their TV to finally understand what’s happening in your favorite K-drama?
Over in the skies, United Airlines has started using generative AI like ChatGPT to improve customer service. By employing language models to handle flight updates and baggage queries, the airline has seen a 6% boost in customer satisfaction. AI is making flying slightly less stressful.
Speaking of AI in unexpected places, Brisk It unveiled a $400 smart grill at CES. This grill uses generative AI to automate cooking and create personalized recipes. Call it the perfect gift for dads who love tech as much as they love ribs.
But AI isn’t just powering gadgets; it’s also creeping into your Instagram feed. Meta has begun testing a feature where AI generates imagined photos of you in various scenarios. Want to see yourself hiking the Alps or lounging on a yacht? AI will dream it up and serve it to you—whether you asked for it or not. Cool or creepy?
Meanwhile, Sam Altman admitted that the premium ChatGPT Pro subscription plan isn’t profitable due to high resource usage. Despite its premium features, operational costs are eating up revenue, and price hikes may be on the horizon. Not exactly great news for OpenAI fans, but at least they’re being transparent about it.
Over in the art world, Charlie Engman is finding inspiration in what AI gets wrong. Engman’s work challenges the “internet nerd culture” aesthetic often associated with AI-generated art, creating pieces that embrace the weirdness of AI’s imperfections. It’s a fascinating reminder that mistakes can sometimes be the best part of the creative process.
On LinkedIn
Over on LinkedIn, Paweł Lipowiecki posed a thought-provoking question: “Is AI-generated art truly creative?” Algorithms analyze millions of artworks, from Renaissance masterpieces to edgy street art, acting as both archivists of art history and new creators. But is this creativity, or just a highly sophisticated remix of what already exists? It’s a debate as old as AI art itself—and one that’s not going away anytime soon.
Jayesh Parashar dove into the complex world of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), breaking down what’s already been developed, what’s left to conquer, and the challenges AGI presents. He highlights the concerns around this technology, but also the opportunities it brings if traditional and modern technologies are used to complement it. His post offers a fascinating primer on what could be the most transformative technology of our lifetime.
And finally, Subbu Mahadevan delivered a chilling vision of the future in his post, “The Rise of Artificial IntelligenceAgents.” He paints a dystopian picture where jobs disappear, industries collapse, and humanity is replaced as the driving force of innovation by AI agents. It’s a sobering take, but one worth pondering as we watch AI’s rapid rise. Welcome to the Country of AI Agents.
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