Welcome to the newest edition of FindBiometrics’ AI update. Here’s the latest big news on the shifting landscape of AI and identity technology:
OpenAI has announced that it won’t allow its technology to be used to build apps for political campaigns. It also prohibits the use of the tech to discourage voting or to spread misinformation about voting, and a watermark for AI-generated images will be rolled out “early this year.”
Adam D’Angelo, an OpenAI board director, has reportedly asked Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi to consider joining the firm’s board. It’s an odd move, as Databricks has positioned itself as an OpenAI rival, offering AI services to companies that want to avoid relying too heavily on OpenAI.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, meanwhile, has been negotiating to raise billions for the construction of a semiconductor factory network. A global fab network is envisioned, with major chip makers to play a key role. Representatives of the UAE-based group G42 and Japan’s SoftBank Group have been involved in the talks.
OpenAI rival Cohere is in talks to raise somewhere between $500 million and $1 billion. The latter figure would bring the Toronto-based startup’s valuation above $3.2 billion. Cohere is building an AI platform aimed primarily at the enterprise. Previous backers include Oracle and Nvidia.
Google is offering its AI specialists multimillion-dollar compensation packages in an effort to stave off poaching, even as it cuts its workforce elsewhere. As The Information reports, some researchers in Google’s DeepMind unit have been offered “restricted stock” valued in the millions of dollars per employee.
That may be a wise investment, with two DeepMind scientists in talks to form a Paris-headquartered AI startup tentatively called “Holistic”. Laurent Sifre and Karl Tuyls have reportedly already given notice to leave Google, and are in talks to potentially raise over €200 million for their own venture.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has forecast a strong rebound for this year, supported by robust demand in the AI sector. TSMC expects its revenues to dip 6.2 percent in the current quarter as part of a seasonal trend before bouncing back to “healthy growth” through 2024.
The chatbot’s take: This week, we asked for a bit of clarification about Sam Altman’s wheelings and dealings.
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January 19, 2024 – by Alex Perala
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