Microsoft pushing AI in driving, music; 10 years of "Her;" AI investments

The December 19 intelligist Newsletter

Author

Joaquin Bueno
December 19, 2023

Greetings, intelligists!

There’s a new post on our website, in case you haven’t seen it yet. The post discusses some of the most compelling moments from a recent 2+ hour interview with Jeff Bezos. The Amazon kingpin discusses space travel, growing up working on his grandpa’s farm in the summer, and, most interestingly, provides glimpses into his mindset for success.

What struck me about the interview is that Bezos seemed truly disarmed and relaxed. His insights seemed to be sincere and truly valuable. Also, one of my favorite details was when he discussed his daily routines. He admits that he wakes up reasonably early, only to spend time “puttering.” By this, he means a leisurely breakfast, cup of coffee, reading the news, and chatting with his partner. Then, he (tries to) work out, which he admits can be very hard for him.

Refreshing to see that our Amazon overlord and future space guru is a normal guy, deep down.

Enough about that! Now it’s time for the newsletter! Here are the headlines:

  1. OpenAI's Approach to AI Risks: Balancing Innovation and Caution?

  2. Revolutionizing on the Road: TomTom and Microsoft's AI-Assisted Driving

  3. A Decade of “Her”: Reflecting on AI's Growth in Our Lives

  4. An Overview of the AI Startup Investment Landscape in 2023

  5. Microsoft CoPilot's Melodic Leap: AI-Powered Music Creation with Suno

OpenAI's Approach to AI Risks: Balancing Innovation and Caution?

OpenAI recently released its operational guidelines for evaluating the potentially catastrophic risks associated with artificial intelligence.

With debates raging over the speed of AI development and the need to address safety concerns, OpenAI's "Preparedness Framework" aims to assess risks and guide the safe deployment of new AI models.

This initiative reflects a growing awareness in the tech industry of the need to balance innovation responsibly. In part, this is influenced by both consumer and regulatory pressure.

Ironically, the previous board fired current OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in November for prioritizing unrestricted AI development over safety.

Revolutionizing on the Road: TomTom and Microsoft's AI-Assisted Driving

Old-school GPS brand TomTom and Microsoft are teaming up to bring an AI-powered automotive assistant to the market.

This partnership promises to enhance user experience with more natural and sophisticated voice interactions, using AI to control various car functions. By integrating OpenAI’s language models with Microsoft's AI integrations, this assistant is poised to redefine our driving experience and set a new standard for in-car systems.

In the best-case scenario, this could bring drivers a world of convenience and control of their driving experience. Either that, or it ends up being “Clippy on Wheels.” One thing we’d really love to see: AI-powered turn signals for BMWs on American roads!

A Decade of “Her”: Reflecting on AI's Growth in Our Lives

Spike Jonze's film Her, celebrating its 10th anniversary, continues to stoke the flames of our imagination. This now legendary film tells the story of a man falling in love and finding bliss with his mobile AI assistant.

At the time, the film might have seemed an unlikely, futuristic satire. Yet now, it seems more like a prophetic fairy tale in an era where AI's role in our personal lives is increasingly tangible. The film highlights the evolving relationship between humans and AI, prompting us to ponder the future of this intricate bond.

Are we close to a future in which humans forgo relations with other humans in favor of AI? I don’t view it as an entirely negative possibility. Just browse for a few minutes through TikTok or YouTube and you can plainly see the utter inefficacy and lunacy of many human relationships.

By the way, if you haven’t seen it, the film is a great watch. And not just because the star, Joaquin Phoenix, has an awesome name.

An Overview of the AI Startup Investment Landscape in 2023

Crunchbase's 2023 review of AI startup investments highlighted a significant shift in investor focus. While foundational AI models require substantial capital, the spotlight is now on tools for managing these models and application-layer software for consumer and business use.

This shift indicates a broader investment strategy, from fundamental technology development to practical applications and management tools. This is especially true as increasing attention is being placed on the immense resources required by AI models. Light AI models will likely increase in prominence in 2024.

Microsoft CoPilot's Melodic Leap: AI-Powered Music Creation with Suno


Microsoft CoPilot, the AI-powered chatbot, has integrated with the generative AI music app Suno to compose music.

Users can now prompt CoPilot to create complete songs, including lyrics and instrumentals, adding a creative dimension to Microsoft's AI capabilities. This feature exemplifies how AI is not just a tool for efficiency but also artistic expression and creativity.

We ask the question as to whether, considering this tool, there should be an AI to ensure whoever is making AI music has at least moderately bearable musical taste.