😲Sam Altman’s secret AI device with Jony Ive

Report: According to a New York Times profile published last week, Jony Ive has now confirmed that he’s working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on a new AI hardware project. That’s arguably the biggest news that’s emerged about Ive’s plans since he left Apple.

🔑Key Points:

• Collaboration Details: Jony Ive is teaming up with Sam Altman on an AI hardware project that first emerged last year. The company’s venture is led by Ive and the Emerson Collective, which reportedly plans to invest $1 billion.
• Project Team and Location: The project currently employs 10, including former iPhone team members Tang Tan and Evans Hankey. It maintains a 32,000-square-foot office in San Francisco, part of a $90 million real estate investment by Ive.
• Focus on Generative AI: The device will be built to leverage generative AI in ways that few other software currently can and extend the capabilities of how users can interact with devices. Specific details on the features and date of launch remain under discussion.

🤔Why It Matters:

Merging design excellence with the latest in AI, such a collaboration might just reinvent how we interact with technology. Thinking of Ive’s work with Apple, this new device is bound to shake up the tech world in ways to unleash novel uses for generative AI.

• AI Education Fund: Sundar Pichai announced a global fund at the UN Summit of the Future to improve AI education and training for all.
• AI for Sustainable Development: Pichai, therefore, focuses on AI for Sustainable Development by highlighting four of the biggest opportunities in AI: language access, scientific discovery, climate disaster tracking, and economic growth.
• Call for Smart Regulation: Google’s CEO called for thoughtful regulation that will not drive the AI divide, while at the same time minimizing risks with the technology.

• AI Game Concept: EA showcased the concept of integrating AI into game development through an imaginary video called “Imagination to Creation,” which showed how AI could allow user-generated content and game environments to be greatly expanded.
• Mixed Reactions and Criticism: There were criticisms, too-the pre-rendered video opposed the statement made by EA about increasing player creativity-and doubts over the lack of a functional version for public viewing of the technology.
• Ongoing AI Integration in Game Development: Already, EA has been using AI in its games, with the number of animations produced in titles such as FIFA 23 and EA Sports FC 24 being significantly increased thanks to the use of AI in generation, although not when fully realized user-generated content will show up.

• Introducing Project Amelia: Amazon launched “Project Amelia”, a generative AI-powered personal assistant designed to help sellers with personalized business insights to make doing business on the platform easier.
• Capabilities and Features: Project Amelia will be answering knowledge-based questions, status updates, and metrics on sales and traffic, eventually helping resolve issues by providing recommendations on suggested actions to be taken on behalf of the sellers.
• Beta Availability and Future Plans: Currently in beta with selected U.S. sellers, the Project Amelia platform will expand to more sellers and other countries while continuously updating and adding knowledge to empower sellers for better productivity.

Our Report: ElevenLabs is an AI-powered tool that converts text into natural-sounding audio, offering customizable voices and multi-language support through its free mobile app for both iOS and Android. Today you will learn how to create audio files with text input in seconds.

The Tutorial:

1. Visit Elevenlabs, create an account and download their mobile app.
2. Tap on the “Sign Up” button and fill in the required data.
3. Check your inbox for a verification email from ElevenLabs and click the link to activate your account.
4. Open the app and once logged in, you’ll see the main interface. Tap on the “+” icon to start a new project.
5. Select “Submit File” to upload a text file or “Paste Text” to enter your text manually.
6. After uploading or entering your text, press the “Generate” button.
7. Browse through hundreds of AI voice options and choose the one that best fits your needs.
8. Also, you can select from multiple languages aswell as modify voice parameters such as pitch, speed, and tone to personalize your audio output.
9. Once the audio is generated, navigate to the Library section within the app and listen to it.
10. Tap the “Download” icon to save the audio file directly to your device.

• Chip Factories in UAE: Both firms are discussing plans for giant semiconductor plants in the United Arab Emirates that may reach over $100 billion-investment-led by the UAE.
• UAE Investment and U.S. Oversight: Financed by UAE state investment funds, the projects will be financed while the U.S. has sought oversight of chip production to assuage concerns over advanced AI chip supplies finding their way to China.
• Increasing Global Chip Production: The project will help increase global production of semiconductors at a lower cost, keeping normal profit margins for chipmakers, part of the UAE’s development strategy in enhancing its technological sector.