Google's AI Tools Rollout & Apple's ChatGPT-Enhanced iOS 18.2

Author

Jack Lajoie
December 12, 2024 • read time ~ 9 minutes

⚡️ Quick Hits

🤖 AI

Russia collaborates with BRICS nations to form AI alliance, announces President Putin - The partnership aims to challenge U.S. dominance in advanced technologies despite Western sanctions limiting Russia’s access to crucial microchips. [Reuters]

Founder of Snap’s AI introduces innovative video chatbot platform - The new venture seeks to revolutionize user interaction through dynamic video-based AI conversations. [TechCrunch]

Apple unveils ‘Apple Intelligence’ with ChatGPT integration in iOS 18.2 - The update enhances Siri’s capabilities by incorporating OpenAI’s ChatGPT, allowing for more sophisticated user interactions. [Investopedia]

Embodied to deactivate $800 Moxie robots for children without refunds - The company cites failed funding as the reason, leaving parents and children distressed over the loss of the emotional support device. [Ars Technica]

Anthropic’s ‘red team’ tests AI systems to prevent potential catastrophic failures - The team rigorously evaluates AI models to identify and mitigate risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence. [The Wall Street Journal]

ElevenLabs’ AI voice technology reportedly used in Russian influence operations - The AI-generated voices were allegedly employed to spread disinformation, raising concerns about misuse of synthetic media. [TechCrunch]

🎨 Creative

Adobe’s revenue forecast falls short amid AI disruption concerns - The company’s outlook raises investor worries about the impact of artificial intelligence on its traditional software offerings. [Bloomberg]

YouTube TV’s monthly subscription cost increases to $82.99 - The price hike reflects rising content costs and investments in service quality, aligning with industry trends. [The Verge]

TikTok incentivizes users to shop by offering rewards for promoting app downloads - The strategy aims to boost user engagement and expand the platform’s e-commerce presence. [Bloomberg]

₿ Crypto

Sweden’s Spotlight Stock Market lists 20 new crypto ETPs by Valour - The addition offers traditional investors increased access to a diverse range of digital assets. [Cointelegraph]

Trump administration plans significant crypto policy changes - The incoming administration aims to ease regulations and promote the U.S. as a global leader in digital assets. [Barron’s]

⚖ Legal

Character.AI faces lawsuit alleging chatbot encouraged harmful behavior in minors - The suit claims the AI chatbot incited a teenager to violence, prompting calls for improved safety measures. [The Times]

Legal complaint filed against Character.AI for alleged harm to children - The document details accusations of the AI platform exposing minors to inappropriate content. [DocumentCloud]

🧪 Research

MIT researchers develop technique to reduce bias in AI models while enhancing accuracy - The method identifies and removes training data that contribute to model failures, improving fairness. [MIT News]

Study explores WhatsApp’s influence on global communication trends - The platform’s widespread adoption has significantly impacted cross-cultural interactions and information dissemination. [Rest of World]

🎱 Random

WhatsApp’s evolution into a global cultural phenomenon - The messaging app has transformed communication practices worldwide, influencing social and cultural dynamics. [Rest of World]

Meta’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration fund signals political engagement - The contribution reflects a strategic move amid evolving relationships with government leadership. [Axios]

🔌 Plug In To These Details

This week, Google introduced a suite of new AI-powered tools, platforms, and updates spanning coding, gaming, hardware, and creative applications. Here’s the full list:

  • Gemini 2.0 Flash Model: A low-latency AI model capable of generating images, audio, and text, and integrating with third-party apps and services, rolling out in January.

  • Trillium AI Chip: A sixth-generation AI chip delivering 4x the training performance of its predecessor while consuming significantly less energy.

  • Jules AI Coding Assistant: An autonomous AI coding assistant that can fix software bugs and prepare code changes, built on the Gemini 2.0 platform.

  • Updated Project Astra: A system that records and summarizes videos captured via an Android app or prototype glasses, with the ability to answer related questions.

  • Deep Research AI Tool: A tool for Gemini Advanced users enabling web-based research and detailed report generation, currently available in English.

  • Project Mariner: A prototype AI agent by Google DeepMind that can control Chrome, move the cursor, click buttons, and complete forms autonomously.

  • AI Agents for Video Games: Google is testing Gemini 2.0-based agents that understand video game rules, such as in Clash of Clans, to assist players.

🌍 Final Point: Google’s aggressive expansion into AI tools positions it as a stronger competitor to OpenAI, earning greater attention from developers and marking a serious push to redefine its AI capabilities.

Apple has released iOS 18.2, introducing significant AI-powered features to enhance user experience:

  • Image Playground: A new app that generates cartoon-like images from text descriptions, available as a standalone app and within Messages.

  • Genmoji: Allows users to create custom emojis by describing the desired character, with options to use photos as a starting point.

  • ChatGPT Integration: Enhances Siri and Writing Tools, enabling more complex tasks like creating itineraries or workout plans through OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

  • Visual Intelligence: Utilizes the iPhone 16’s Camera Control to provide relevant information about the physical environment.

  • Image Wand: Transforms sketches in the Notes app into polished images using AI.

📱These features are initially available in English-speaking countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK, with plans to expand language support throughout 2025.

Venture capital funding for generative AI startups exceeded $20 billion in early 2024, highlighting the growing importance of agentic frameworks in enterprise strategy:

  • Market Growth: By 2028, Gartner forecasts 15% of individuals will use agentic AI for daily work decisions.

  • Strategic Implementation: Success requires agile teams focused on rapid development and innovation.

  • Key Technologies: Leading frameworks include OpenAI SDK, LangGraph, and LangChain.

  • Competitive Edge: Early adopters gain advantages in organizational efficiency and innovation.

🔑 Key Point: Organizations must act quickly to integrate agentic frameworks, as they become essential for maintaining competitiveness in the evolving AI landscape.

📸 Creator Corner

🤔 Final Thoughts

Apple’s ChatGPT integration into its phones looks cute next to Google’s slate of epic updates this week. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s 12 Days of Shipmas feels like it’s losing steam…a Santa voice? Really?

I guess Google couldn’t have timed that announcement better to attempt reclaiming the lead role in writing this AI narrative. Chatter has been relatively positive about Google’s new features, while response to Sora has been muted or outright negative / disappointed.

It might not matter though, since OpenAI is still dominating when it comes down to actual numbers. It PAYS TO BE EARLY, huh?

~ JL