💸 Amazon Lures AI Researchers with $110M Grant Program

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Today’s issue dives into the latest moves in artificial intelligence, featuring breakthroughs in medical robotics, major funding rounds, and a healthy dose of corporate tech rivalry. So, grab your coffee and get ready to dive into a tech-packed day!

🧠 Perplexity Unveils “More Premium” Ads Than Google’s

In August, AI search startup Perplexity announced it would be adding ads to its platform by Q4. Now, they’ve officially arrived! But unlike typical ads, Perplexity's ads are AI-generated and appear as “sponsored” follow-up questions beside the AI search summaries.

🔑 Key Points:

• AI-Generated Ads Only: Perplexity's ad format preserves “unbiased answers” by using AI to generate ad copy, keeping the platform's objectivity intact.

• Targeted Market Positioning: While Google recently launched similar ads, Perplexity is marketing itself as a “premium alternative” for high-income and educated audiences.

🤔 Why You Should Care: Despite its bold claims and securing sponsorships from brands like Whole Foods and Universal McCann, Perplexity’s reputation is under scrutiny due to past disputes with publishers over plagiarism and attribution. How well it balances innovation with responsibility could shape its future.

💸 Amazon Lures AI Researchers with $110M Grant Program

Amazon is stepping up its AI game by launching a $110M initiative called “Build on Trainium,” aimed at supporting academic researchers, institutions, and students working on AI projects.

🔑 Key Points:

• Resource Access: Universities get $11M in credits for Trainium, Amazon’s AI chip, while grants up to $500k will support broader research.

• Selective Funding: A team of Amazon AI practitioners will pick the most promising projects, though concerns linger about potential corporate influence on research directions.

🤔 Why You Should Care: AI research often suffers from limited resources, and Amazon’s initiative could significantly boost innovation in the field. However, it raises questions about corporate influence over academic research. Is this an open door to innovation or a subtle way to steer academic AI for commercial benefit?

📈 Generative AI Startup Writer Hits $1.9B Valuation with New Funding

Enterprise-focused AI startup Writer, specializing in custom AI solutions for big brands like Mars, L’Oreal, and Uber, recently raised $200M, bringing its valuation to an impressive $1.9B.

🔑 Key Points:

• Cost-Efficient AI Models: Writer’s latest model, built almost entirely on synthetic data, cost only $700k to develop—significantly less than similar models from OpenAI.

• Expansion Plans: With backing from Adobe, Salesforce, and Accenture, Writer aims to cement its leadership in enterprise AI, focusing on custom AI tools that enhance business productivity.

🤔 Why You Should Care: Writer’s valuation spike and commitment to efficient AI development could make custom AI accessible to more businesses, reducing dependency on high-cost models from major players.

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✍️ Microsoft Notepad and Paint Get AI Makeover

Microsoft is modernizing its beloved classic apps, Notepad and Paint, with AI-powered enhancements aimed at making text and image editing easier and more dynamic.

🔑 Key Points:

• Notepad’s “Rewrite” Feature: Users can highlight text` and choose to rephrase, adjust tone, or change text length, thanks to cloud-powered AI.

• Generative Fill and Erase in Paint: These features allow users to add or remove content within images based on AI-generated suggestions.

🤔 Why You Should Care: These updates showcase Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI across its suite, even in classic tools like Notepad and Paint. With spell check, autocorrect, and now AI-based editing, Notepad and Paint are evolving to meet modern user needs.

🏠 Apple Plans AI-Powered Smart Home Camera for 2026

Apple is expected to launch its first smart home camera, reportedly featuring Siri and integrated AI, by 2026, marking its entry into a competitive market currently dominated by HomeKit-compatible devices.

🔑 Key Points:

• HomeOS System Integration: The camera will be part of Apple’s rumored homeOS system, linking up with other Apple smart home devices for a cohesive ecosystem.

• Competitive Edge: Positioned to compete with existing smart home products, Apple’s camera will benefit from Siri’s integration and Apple’s reputation for user privacy.

🤔 Why You Should Care: Apple’s smart home camera could be a big win for Apple fans, providing an AI-powered alternative to Google Nest and Amazon Ring, especially appealing to those prioritizing privacy.

🌍 EU Warns Apple Over ‘Discriminatory’ Geo-Blocking Practices

Apple has been notified by the European Commission about its alleged unlawful geo-blocking practices, impacting consumers’ access to services like the App Store, Apple Music, and iTunes Store.

🔑 Key Points:

• Restricted Access and Payment Methods: Apple reportedly limits access based on location and available payment methods, violating EU rules against unjustified restrictions.

• Potential Penalties: If unresolved, Apple could face penalties, as the EU continues its push for free movement of digital services.

🤔 Why You Should Care: With the EU cracking down on digital geo-blocking, consumers could see better access to Apple’s services across borders, encouraging more competition and fair access.

📸 Getty Images Enables Custom AI Creations

Getty Images has introduced a new feature allowing users to upload their own product and reference images to generate AI visuals—a feature available through Generative AI by Getty Images and iStock.

🔑 Key Points:

• Copyright Compliance: Getty’s AI relies on Nvidia’s Edify platform, using only licensed data, ensuring all outputs meet commercial use rights.

• Targeted Functionality: Users can create custom visuals by integrating specific colors, patterns, and textures into AI-generated backgrounds, enhancing brand consistency.

🤔 Why You Should Care: As copyright concerns around AI grow, Getty’s approach offers peace of mind, blending creativity with legal compliance, and making it easier for brands to develop unique, on-brand visuals.

🦾 Surgical Robot Learns Procedures from Watching Videos

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a surgical robot capable of performing complex procedures by watching videos of human surgeons in action.

🔑 Key Points:

• Video-Based Imitation Learning: The da Vinci Surgical System robot mastered tasks like suturing and tissue manipulation using hundreds of video demonstrations.

• Adaptive Dexterity: The robot even displayed unexpected skills, such as retrieving dropped needles without explicit programming.

🤔 Why You Should Care: This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in medical robotics, allowing robots to learn procedures autonomously. It opens up possibilities for AI-driven healthcare, with robots able to assist in surgeries more effectively.

🧩 Amazon Develops In-House AI Chips to Reduce Nvidia Dependence

Amazon is currently testing its second-generation Trainium AI chips with partners like Anthropic, Databricks, and Deutsche Telekom. These in-house chips aim to reduce Amazon’s reliance on Nvidia’s industry-leading GPUs.

🔑 Key Points:

• Cost and Power Efficiency: Amazon’s chips reportedly consume less power, helping to drive down operational costs.

• Performance Claims: While Amazon avoids direct performance comparisons, experts believe Trainium 2 boasts a 4x improvement over its predecessor.

🤔 Why You Should Care: Amazon’s investment in proprietary AI chips reflects a growing trend among tech giants to develop in-house hardware. This could lead to more competitive pricing and innovative applications across cloud computing services.

In Other News 📰

• 🕶️ Meta Pop-Up Store for Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: From November 8 to December 31, Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses will have a pop-up store in LA, offering immersive experiences and customization options. Following this, a similar store is planned in Phoenix in January, as Meta explores future retail opportunities.

• 💡 Baidu Unveils New AI Products: At its Baidu World event, Baidu introduced several new AI tools, including an I-RAG text-to-image generator, the Miaoda no-code development tool, and upcoming AI-powered smart glasses, signaling a significant push into consumer-facing AI solutions.

• 🌐 Alibaba’s New AI-Powered B2B Search Engine, Accio: Alibaba launched Accio, a B2B search engine using AI for natural language processing, achieving a 40% increase in purchasing intentions during testing. This tool aims to connect global buyers and sellers more efficiently.

• 🚀 Greg Brockman Returns to OpenAI: After a three-month sabbatical, OpenAI president Greg Brockman is back with plans to take on a new technical role, potentially shaping the company’s future direction in AI development.

• 🌌 Sony and Astro Digital Collaborate on Space Laser Communications: Sony and Astro Digital are testing laser communication technologies using optical disc technology from small satellites, with a launch planned for 2026, aiming to revolutionize data transmission in space.

🔥Newsletter Spotlight

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💡What else are we reading and seeing?

• How to create ultra-realistic AI images with Flux 

• New open-source tool helps to detangle the brain

• How generative AI is fuelling product development

• Growth of AI adoption slows among U.S. workers

• Research: How Gen AI Is Already Impacting the Labor Market

☕️ Thanks for reading Not so Artficial! Keep an eye out for our next issue, where we’ll continue to break down the latest in tech, AI, and innovation. Stay caffeinated, stay curious, and see you tomorrow!