AI Pulse Edition #4: Latest AI News Updates for the Developer ...
We are back with another edition of AI Pulse and you’re in for a treat! OpenAI is shaking things up with Canvas, a new tool integrated into ChatGPT that transforms collaboration in writing and coding while Meta wows with Movie Gen and a Digital Twin Catalog, pushing the boundaries of video generation and 3D reconstruction. Infrastructure investments continue to soar with Microsoft committing $4.8 billion to build a massive data center in Italy, Google betting on nuclear energy to power its ambitious AI projects, and OpenAI seeking additional compute capacity beyond Microsoft to fuel its rapid growth. Likewise, Governments maintain their focus on AI. The U.S. invests $100 million in AI for sustainable semiconductor innovation and the UAE strengthens its AI leadership with a new policy integrating AI into foreign relations. On the legal front, Adobe’s web app helps protect creators from AI misuse, ensuring proper attribution of artistic works. In the world of AI economics, startups are riding a wave of investor enthusiasm, attracting billions in funding. OpenAI secures a staggering $6.6 billion to propel AI advancements, Sierra aims high with ambitious fundraising goals. On the research side, OpenAI’s MLE-bench pushes the limits of machine learning agents, while AI continues to earn global recognition with Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics. In arts and entertainment, AI is reshaping creativity, with partnerships enhancing curated journalism and artists experimenting with AI-generated choirs.
Technology
AI technology is rapidly reshaping creativity, collaboration, and industry innovation. In the past two weeks, we’ve witnessed further advancements that enhance user experiences and drive sustainability across sectors. OpenAI’s Canvas is transforming collaborative writing and coding. Meta’s latest models and Digital Twin Catalog are pushing the boundaries of high-definition video generation and augmented reality with the potential to significantly boost augmented reality and e-commerce. Moreover, traditional industries are harnessing AI like never before: Walmart is personalizing shopping with AI and AR; KoBold Metals is accelerating the discovery of critical minerals for sustainable development; Uber is guiding drivers toward electric vehicles with a new AI assistant; and Japanese tech companies are developing AI systems to assist call center workers in handling abusive customers.
Infrastructure
The challenges of meeting AI’s unquenchable thirst for compute power are pushing tech giants into unprecedented infrastructural ventures. Microsoft is pouring $4.8 billion into building one of Europe’s largest data centers in Italy. OpenAI, venturing beyond its exclusive cloud partnership with Microsoft, is seeking additional compute capacity from other providers to satiate its growing needs. 
Meanwhile, Google is investing in nuclear energy to fuel its AI technologies.
Government & Policy
Microsoft is set to invest $4.8 billion to enhance its AI and cloud infrastructure in northern Italy over the next two years, marking its largest investment in the country. This initiative will expand the ItalyNorth cloud region into one of Microsoft’s largest data centers in Europe, serving as a data hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa. The investment aligns with Microsoft’s collaboration with BlackRock, which also involves a $30 billion fund focusing on AI-centric data centers and AI supply chains. The growing demand for AI and cloud services is driving firms in diverse sectors to integrate custom AI models for competitive differentiation.
Legal Matters
Japanese tech companies NTT Communications and SoftBank are developing AI systems to assist call center workers in handling abusive customers. NTT’s system monitors conversations and displays appropriate response suggestions on operators’ screens, aiming to reduce employees’ psychological burden and help them remain calm during difficult interactions. 
SoftBank’s AI technology softens the tone of customers’ voices when operators respond, with plans to commercialize the system by fiscal 2025. These initiatives address the growing issue of customer harassment, known as “kasu-hara,” in Japan’s hospitality-focused culture.
AI Economics
KoBold Metals, a startup leveraging artificial intelligence to discover critical minerals essential for the energy transition, has raised $491 million in its latest funding round, nearing its $527 million target. The company utilizes AI to identify and develop high-grade mineral deposits, including a recent significant copper find, which could produce hundreds of thousands of metric tons annually. 
This funding will support KoBold in advancing its extensive portfolio of exploration projects and aims to boost its valuation to $2 billion, highlighting the growing role of AI in mineral exploration.
Research
OpenAI is expanding its data center partnerships beyond Microsoft to meet its growing compute demands, following a recent $6.6 billion capital raise. The company has already initiated a deal with Oracle to rent servers from a data center in Abilene, Texas, which could expand to 2GW if Oracle secures additional power. 
This move comes as OpenAI seeks greater involvement in securing data centers and AI chips, with CFO Sarah Friar.
Entertainment
Walmart is advancing its retail strategy by integrating proprietary artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI (GenAI), augmented reality (AR), and immersive commerce technologies to create highly personalized shopping experiences. The company has introduced Wallaby, a series of retail-specific large language models (LLMs) trained with decades of Walmart data, to enhance customer interactions and support. Additionally, Walmart’s Content Decision Platform uses AI to tailor online shopping experiences, predicting customer preferences to provide personalized content. The retailer is also leveraging its Retina AR platform to develop immersive virtual environments and commerce experiences, including collaborations with platforms like Unity and ZEPETO, aiming to meet customers in new digital spaces and expand its adaptive retail approach.
Dev Alerts
Also, don’t miss our Dev Alerts for the latest updates on tools, models, and career opportunities at OpenAI and our plans for a new Community Spotlight section.
