Start Up No.2457: Meta spends big for “superintelligence”, the bots...
Might some of the books on these shelves literally poison you if you read them? Scottish scientists can save you. CC-licensed photo by Cornell University Library on Flickr.
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Meta's Pursuit of Superintelligence
Meta is preparing to unveil a new artificial intelligence research lab dedicated to pursuing “superintelligence,” a hypothetical A.I. system that exceeds the powers of the human brain, as the tech giant jockeys to stay competitive in the technology race. Meta has tapped Alexandr Wang, 28, the founder and chief executive of the A.I. start-up Scale AI, to join the new lab. The company has also been in talks to invest billions of dollars in Scale AI as part of the deal.
The new lab is part of a larger reorganization of Meta’s A.I. efforts, as the company aims to incorporate A.I. across its products, including in its smart glasses and Meta AI app. Staying in the race is crucial for Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, with A.I. likely to shape the future of the industry.
Microsoft has invested more than $13bn in OpenAI, while Amazon has put $8 billion into the A.I. start-up Anthropic. This relentless pursuit of superintelligence raises questions and challenges for the industry as a whole.
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The Rise of Internet Bots
Internet bots, fueled by generative AI, have become increasingly prevalent. These bots are not only scraping content without permission but are also causing disruptions to legitimate online services. Publishers like the BMJ and Highwire Press have faced significant challenges due to the aggressive behavior of these bots.
The Confederation of Open Access Repositories reported that over 90% of surveyed members experienced AI bots scraping content, leading to service outages. The development of large language models like DeepSeek has further fueled the proliferation of bots seeking data for training purposes.
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The Impact on Online Publishers
Online news publishers are facing an "AI armageddon" as chatbots replace traditional search engines, resulting in a steep decline in organic search traffic to their websites. This shift in user behavior has forced publishers to rethink their strategies and business models to adapt to the changing landscape.
Google's introduction of AI features like Overviews and AI Mode has further challenged publishers by altering user search experiences. As publishers navigate these changes, they must find innovative ways to engage with audiences and drive traffic to their platforms.
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The Evolution of User Behavior
The way users interact with the internet is evolving, with a shift towards voice-based searches and conversational platforms. The emergence of tools like Copilot, ChatGPT, and Instagram Reels is transforming how people seek information and make decisions online.
Brands are adapting to these changes by enhancing their visibility in agentic search engines and exploring new ways to engage with consumers. As technology continues to shape user behavior, businesses must innovate to meet the evolving needs and preferences of their audiences.
