AI Business Weekly - September 10, 2024 Edition

Hello AI Enthusiasts,

Welcome to this week’s edition of AI Business Weekly, where we bring you the most significant developments in artificial intelligence. This week, we explore groundbreaking innovations from Abu Dhabi’s healthcare AI strategies, cutting-edge AI solutions from Avaya, privacy concerns in AI systems for young users, and the latest investment rounds shaking the AI ecosystem. As AI continues to evolve and influence various sectors, staying informed is essential. Let’s dive into the key updates from the past week.

AI Innovations and Research Advances

• Abu Dhabi’s Blueprint for AI-led Healthcare Innovations: Abu Dhabi's Department of Health (DoH) is driving significant AI advancements in healthcare, particularly in improving outcomes for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. A key partnership with Eli Lilly Suisse S.A. was announced to foster collaboration in this space, focusing on breakthrough treatments and high-quality care for these patients in the Emirate. This initiative underscores the region’s commitment to harnessing AI for healthcare innovation. Read more.

• Avaya Bridges AI and Business Expectations: Avaya’s approach to AI innovation focuses on enhancing customer and employee experiences without causing disruptions in IT productivity. By carefully balancing innovation with operational stability, Avaya is demonstrating how businesses can leverage AI to maximize value without the common risks associated with rapid tech implementations. Read more.

• Safeguarding AI Privacy for Young Users: With growing concerns about AI's impact on privacy, Vancouver Island University professor Dr. Ajay Shrestha is leading a research project on protecting young users' privacy within AI systems. Supported by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, this initiative is part of broader efforts to safeguard data in AI-driven environments. Read more.

• AI in Research and Publishing Workflows: Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming research and publishing, streamlining workflows and boosting innovation. Systems like GPT-4 are aiding researchers in tasks such as writing papers and creating dialogues, highlighting AI’s growing influence in academia. Read more.

• Google’s AI Tackles Extreme Heat: Google Research is using AI to help cities manage extreme heat through a new Heat Resilience tool. This AI-driven solution leverages satellite imagery to assist in urban planning, offering insights on how to reduce surface temperatures by planting trees or installing cool roofs. Read more.

Investments and Growth

• Safe Superintelligence Secures $1 Billion for AI Safety: Safe Superintelligence, co-founded by OpenAI’s former chief scientist, raised $1 billion in a significant funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital. The startup aims to advance safe AI systems, aligning with the rising global concerns over AI’s potential societal risks. Read more.

• Sakana AI Raises $100 Million to Innovate Low-Cost AI Models: Japan-based Sakana AI closed a $100 million funding round, with backing from Nvidia. Sakana's focus on training low-cost generative AI models using small datasets sets it apart from competitors like OpenAI. Read more.

• Capsa AI Secures €2 Million to Revolutionize Private Equity Due Diligence: London-based Capsa AI raised €2 million in seed funding to automate and delegate low-skill private equity due diligence tasks. The funding highlights growing interest in AI applications across diverse industries. Read more.

• You.com Raises $50 Million, Foresees ‘AI Agents Surpassing Humans by 2025’: AI-powered search platform You.com raised $50 million in Series B funding, bolstered by investment from Nvidia and Salesforce Ventures. The company is forecasting a future where AI agents outnumber humans by 2025, a bold prediction in the evolving AI space. Read more.

• Samsung Acquires French AI Ultrasound Firm Sonio for $92M: Samsung finalized its acquisition of Sonio, a French AI company focused on ultrasound solutions, further expanding Samsung’s AI healthcare capabilities. Read more.

Politics, Governance, and Trends

• Non-profit Fights AI Disinformation in Elections: A Berkeley-based non-profit is working to combat AI-generated disinformation during the upcoming election cycle, particularly in the form of deepfakes designed to sway voter opinions. Read more.

• AI Governance Trends to Watch: The demand for AI, especially in generative forms, is prompting new regulations and collaborative efforts between industry leaders and governments. Countries like Australia are now taking steps to mandate human oversight in AI systems. Read more.

• US, Britain, and Brussels Sign AI Standards Agreement: In a major step for AI governance, the US, Britain, and Brussels have signed a legally binding international treaty on AI standards. This agreement aims to create a unified regulatory framework, avoiding the challenges of fragmented regulations. Read more.

• Australia Plans AI Rules on Human Oversight and Transparency: Australia's government is introducing regulations to enforce human oversight and transparency in AI tools, reflecting growing global concerns about AI's impact on everyday life and businesses. Read more.

• California Lawmakers Approve Legislation to Ban Deepfakes and Regulate AI: California's Legislature has passed several bills aimed at banning deepfakes and regulating AI technologies to protect workers from exploitation. The legislation reflects the growing recognition of AI's societal impacts. Read more.

Latest AI Feature Releases

• Lenovo Unveils Groundbreaking AI PCs for Business Users: At Lenovo Innovation World 2024, Lenovo announced its latest AI-driven computing solutions, designed to empower businesses with advanced productivity tools in the AI era. Read more.

• Apple Reveals iPhone 16 and ‘Apple Intelligence’ Features: Apple has officially entered the generative AI space with its new “Apple Intelligence” features, marking a significant shift in its product strategy. The latest iPhone 16 comes with AI enhancements that redefine user experience. Read more.

• Samsung Expands Galaxy AI Features with One UI 6.1.1: Samsung is rolling out its latest AI-powered updates across more Galaxy devices, enabling users to enjoy enhanced AI capabilities for communication, productivity, and creativity. Read more.

• Canva’s Price Hike Due to New AI Features: Canva has raised subscription prices by 300%, citing the introduction of new AI features. While these enhancements are welcomed by many, the steep price increase has drawn concern from small business users. Read more.

• Epic Systems to Launch Over 100 New AI Features: Epic Systems, a healthcare technology company, is planning to introduce over 100 new AI-driven features for its platforms, benefiting both doctors and patients across the healthcare industry. Read more.

Closing Thoughts

This week’s edition of AI Business Weekly underscores the continued momentum of AI across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and governance. As AI regulations, investments, and innovations grow, businesses and policymakers must remain adaptable and informed to maximize the opportunities while addressing emerging challenges. Thank you for reading AI Business Weekly—stay tuned for more insights next week!