Hello folks, it’s been a minute (read: a month) since we caught up. A lot has happened and we’re going to unpack all the major news and events that have taken place in the last four weeks.

SB-1047 Vetoed

In a win for the tech industry, California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed SB 1047—Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act—which would have aimed to compel the grandest of the state’s AI companies to enact security measures intended to safeguard the public from any untoward harm.

While Governor Newsom acknowledged the uncertainty of AI models in a message, he also argued that SB 1047 focuses too narrowly on large-scale AI models, which may give a false sense of security while ignoring the dangers posed by smaller models. 

He believes the bill applies overly strict regulations without considering the specific risks posed by different AI systems, potentially stifling innovation, in a move that can also be seen as a tipping of hat to the tech industry lobbyists.

His decision has come as a relief for major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta. They can continue developing and deploying large AI models without the safety tests and liability measures that the bill would have imposed. 

In a post on X, State Senator Scott Wiener, the author of the Bill, expressed his disappointment.

OpenAI releases o1

The recent debut of OpenAI's o1 model has stirred quite the pot, hasn't it? What with its limitations—such as the absence of image support and a “lackluster” web browsing feature.

Sam Altman himself remarked that the o1-preview is “deeply flawed " and slower than the trusty GPT-4. Well, to be fair, it is designed to be slower as it focuses on solving more complex problems, which requires extra computing power. The company claims that this makes it a more reliable model.

OpenAI claims o1 uses "chain-of-thought" reasoning, breaking tasks into smaller steps to improve accuracy. For example, when solving a math problem or creating a puzzle, it works through the process methodically, checking its answers as it goes. This approach significantly reduces the risk of incorrect or hallucinated responses.

The o1 model was the same model that was earlier referred to as Strawberry or Q* (pronounced Q-Star). However, this isn't the only change happening at the company in recent months. Several internal shifts and revelations have unfolded, signaling ongoing evolution at OpenAI beyond just model advancements.

High-profile exits at OpenAI

Over the past year, OpenAI has experienced a series of prominent departures, shaking up its leadership and raising questions about its internal stability. This exodus, as is believed, has been triggered by the brief removal of Sam Altman as CEO in late 2023. 

Recently, Mira Murati, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, resigned last month, citing a need for personal exploration. Other key figures like John Schulman and Greg Brockman (currently on extended leave) have also left or stepped back from their roles, raising questions about OpenAI's long-term strategic direction. 

The first notable departure was that of co-founder and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, who was reportedly the main person behind Altman’s temporary ousting. Sutskever, known for advocating a cautious approach toward developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), has long pushed for safety measures in the field.

This trend underscores the internal friction and deeper divisions within the company as it faces pressure amid intense competition and rapid AI advancements.

Sutskever founded Safe Superintelligence (SSI) shortly after his departure and raised over $1 billion from notable investors, including a16z, Sequoia, and DST Global, among others, last month. 

This funding round values SSI at approximately $5 billion and will be used to enhance computing power and recruit researchers in Palo Alto and Tel Aviv. The focus of their research remains undisclosed for now. 

iPhone 16 Apple Intelligence

Unless one has been living under a rock, it was hard to miss Apple’s launch of iPhone 16 and the promise of Apple Intelligence, which will likely be launched in the US sometime this month.

The sad news is that most of the touted AI features are currently in beta and aren’t available to the public, creating skepticism about the device's actual value. 

While the iPhone 16 boasts upgrades like a Camera Control button, the focus on unreleased AI capabilities has overshadowed these enhancements. 

Even though the public launch of Apple Intelligence is tentatively set for October, many features won’t be available until 2025. This strategy of hyping future capabilities may backfire, as it raises concerns about under-delivering and has dampened excitement for the iPhone 16. 

The iPhone 16's marketing heavily emphasizes Apple Intelligence, aiming to position Apple as a competitor in the AI landscape against Google and Microsoft. The demand appears weaker than for the iPhone 15. Overall, Apple risks losing trust if it doesn't deliver on its ambitious AI promises.

Meta Connect 2024 

At its Connect 2024 event last month, Meta went all out with AI. To start off, Meta's AI Voice Assistant was introduced across Messenger, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, featuring celebrity voices like John Cena and Judi Dench. 

The Llama 3.2 models were updated with multimodal capabilities, enabling them to interpret charts, graphs, and images. Our friends across the European Union will have to wait, as regulatory barriers keep them at bay for now.

Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses now offer real-time AI video processing and live translation. Additionally, Meta AI can now edit photos, respond to image-based prompts, and generate engagement content, including AI-synced dubbed video translations for creators.

Google adds AI safeguards; Trump threatens charges if re-elected

Google is implementing new safeguards for its generative AI products ahead of the 2024 US presidential election on November 5, restricting election-related queries to prevent misinformation. 

These restrictions will apply to Search, YouTube, and Gemini. With unchecked AI-supported tools and actors spreading misinformation, Google aims to ensure reliable information on candidates and voting processes, introducing features to help users find credible election resources. 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump accused Google of unfairly promoting negative news about him and favoring Kamala Harris, threatening legal action if he becomes president, though Google denies manipulating search results.

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MUST-READ

CTO Mira Murati’s exit shakes OpenAI as Sam Altman eyes 7% stakes in firm

The ChatGPT maker’s restructuring will ensure that the firm’s core business will no longer be controlled by a non-profit board. Moreover, it is also being reported that the company’s CEO, Sam Altman, will likely receive an equity stake in the restructured for-profit company.

Three top technical executives have announced their exits in a short span of time. OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, VP Research Barret Zoph, and Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew all left in quick succession.

AI PICTURE OF THE MONTH

OpenAI is staging that magic act—now you see them, now you don’t. Also, the not-for-profit structure is morphing into something more akin to a tech startup. Altman might get equity worth $10 billion in the company in the near future.

It feels like the leadership is slowly packing their bags and leaving the party, hoping someone else will clean up the mess.

AI TOOL OF THE MONTH

When I first started, I had no clue where to invest my money, and the stock market always felt intimidating because of its complexity. It’s always great when you have a guiding hand when starting something new, especially something that is this volatile. For me, it was my dad. 

But since my dad can’t teach you all, there is an AI tool that can get you started: Intellectia.AI. As an AI tool, it can provide valuable insights and stock recommendations and help you make informed financial decisions. It also has a chatbot 

Here’s a little sneak peek into its features:

Here’s the tutorial for the AI tool:

Step 1: Sign Up for Free Access

• Visit the website: Intellectia.AI and click on the “Sign Up” button.

• Choose your plan: You can start with the Free Tier, which gives you seven days of access to features like AI-powered stock analysis and insights.

Step 2: Explore the Dashboard

Once signed up, you’ll be taken to your personalized dashboard. Here’s what you’ll see:

• Stock & Company Insights: The AI provides an in-depth analysis of your selected companies, providing technical data and forward-looking predictions.

• AI Chat Assistant: Use the AI to ask questions about stocks and companies or get real-time insights.

• Sentiments: This is a news section that has all the latest updates regarding a particular stock. For example, if you are viewing Tesla’s stock chart, then the Sentiments section will have news related to the company, the EV market, or Elon Musk. 

Step 3: Technical Analysis & Trade Ideas

• Navigate to the 'Technical Analysis' tab. This tool allows you to evaluate stock performance based on historical data and market trends.

• Generate trade ideas: The AI will automatically generate potential trading strategies based on your preferences and risk tolerance. It’s like having a personal trading advisor.

Step 4: Customize Your Insights with Data Integration

• Custom Data: You can upload your own data or integrate it from other sources (like Excel files or APIs) to get a deeper analysis tailored to your needs.

Step 5: Stay Updated with Notifications

• Real-time alerts: Set up notifications to monitor stock movements, market changes, or major events that could impact your investments. You can customize these alerts based on sectors or specific companies.

Step 6: Upgrade for More Features (Optional)

• If you want to take your experience further, Intellectia.AI offers premium tiers with more advanced analytics, personalized investment recommendations, and deeper integration options.

Whether you're new to investing or a seasoned pro, it's always the right time to start growing your wealth. Good luck with your investments!