In today’s news digest, we’ll explore the latest updates from Meta introducing Llama 3 and integrating its AI chatbot into its apps to cybersecurity concerns as a ransomware group breaches Change Healthcare, exposing patient data. We’ll also cover the latest news on Stripe and Google Cloud Next 2024 event. Stay tuned for developments in AI, fintech, security, apps, and hardware!
AI
Meta launches Llama 3
Meta has introduced its latest addition to the Llama series, Llama 3, comprising 2 models: Llama 3 8B and Llama 3 70B. These models, touted as a significant advancement over their predecessors, are described by Meta as among the most capable open, generative AI models today. Backed by extensive training and impressive performance on various benchmarks, including popular AI assessments, Llama 3 8B outperforms comparable models like Mistral 7B and Gemma 7B on multiple fronts. Moreover, Llama 3 70B competes favorably with flagship generative AI models, showcasing superior performance in several areas. Meta also highlights the expansion of training data, boasting a collection of 15 trillion tokens, which enhances the models’ capabilities across diverse tasks.
Additionally, Meta claims to have addressed concerns regarding toxicity and bias by introducing new data-filtering pipelines and safety suites. Despite the availability of Llama 3 models for research and commercial applications, Meta imposes restrictions on their usage, indicating a departure from the notion of complete openness. Looking ahead, Meta hints at even more powerful iterations of the Llama series, emphasizing advancements in multilingual and multimodal capabilities, longer context comprehension, and overall performance enhancement.
Meta integrates an AI chatbot fueled by Llama 3
After upgrading its AI chatbot with Llama 3, Meta now integrates it into the search bars of major apps like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. New features include faster image generation and web search access. The move extends a recent test on Instagram. Meta aims to position itself as a leading player in AI, expanding its chatbot to over a dozen countries. However, concerns arise regarding AI’s ability to respond accurately across platforms. Despite ongoing improvements, issues persist, such as generating nonsensical responses. Meta continues to address these challenges to enhance user experience.
Adobe develops generative video technology
Interestingly, Adobe emerges as a new player in the AI-generated video app market by developing an AI model for video generation, which is set to be integrated into Premiere Pro later this year. The model will offer object addition, removal, and generative extension features. While details about the model remain sparse, Adobe aims to incorporate Content Credentials to identify AI-generated content in Premiere. The company’s approach contrasts with competitors like OpenAI, emphasizing collaboration with third-party vendors for potential integrations. Pricing details and the model’s effectiveness are yet to be revealed, leaving questions about its competitiveness in the generative AI space.
What’s the latest buzz at OpenAI?
New privacy complaint targets ChatGPT’s “Hallucination” issue in EU
OpenAI, led by its CTO, Mira Murati, faces another GDPR complaint in the EU, this time targeting its AI chatbot ChatGPT’s inability to correct misinformation about individuals. The complaint, filed by privacy nonprofit noyb, argues that OpenAI violates GDPR rights by refusing to rectify inaccuracies. Additionally, transparency concerns are raised regarding the source and storage of data. OpenAI faces similar complaints in Poland and Italy. With regulatory risks mounting, its recent move to open a regional office in Dublin suggests an effort to streamline oversight under the GDPR.
OpenAI establishes a partnership involving content utilization with the UK’s Financial Times
OpenAI partners with the Financial Times for content access, extending its reach in publisher licensing deals. The agreement allows OpenAI to use FT content for AI training and generative responses. The partnership aims to explore AI’s role in content discovery and develop new products for FT readers. This move addresses legal issues around copyright while providing financial compensation to publishers. However, it also poses reputational risks and potential disruptions to traditional traffic channels.
FinTech
Stripe’s big changes
Stripe, owned by Patrick and John Collison, maintains its status as the leading privately held fintech company. However, amidst increasing competition, Stripe is adapting its strategy.
Thus, Stripe announced the separation of payments, its flagship service, from its broader financial offerings. This departure from its previous integrated approach aims to address customer demand for more flexibility. The company unveiled over 50 new features at its developer event, reflecting a modular approach allowing businesses to use specific Stripe services as needed.
Decoupling payments will make it easier for businesses to access Stripe’s suite of services without committing to its entire platform. Stripe also introduced AI-driven enhancements to its checkout and fraud detection tools, aiming to optimize payment options and enhance security. The company also expanded its embedded finance offerings, including Stripe Connect, to support businesses integrating financial services into their platforms.
Besides, Stripe introduced updates to its usage-based billing model, reflecting a response to evolving market demands for more sophisticated subscription and billing solutions.
Events
Google Cloud Next 2024: All you need to know
Google’s Cloud Next 2024 event took place at the beginning of April in Las Vegas and unveiled a range of cloud-focused updates, from the introduction of Google Vids, an AI-driven video creation tool in Google Workspace, to Gemini Code Assist, a rival to GitHub’s Copilot.
Other highlights include new features in Google Workspace, the launch of Imagen 2 for enterprise-focused image generation, Vertex AI Agent Builder for building conversational agents, and Gemini for databases.
Additionally, Google emphasized its commitment to data sovereignty, rolled out new security tools, and teased Nvidia’s Blackwell platform coming to Google Cloud in 2025. The event also saw the launch of Chrome Enterprise Premium and Gemini 1.5 Pro, along with the debut of several open-source tools and the announcement of Google Cloud’s first custom-built Arm processor, Axion.
With these advancements, Google continues to solidify its position as a leader in cloud computing, offering innovative solutions tailored to the evolving needs of businesses and developers alike.
Hardware
Amazon to offer Prime Air Drone deliveries in West Valley Phoenix Metro area
Amazon is expanding its Prime Air drone delivery service to the West Valley Phoenix Metro Area in Arizona later this year. Following successful launches in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California, Amazon will now deliver to customers in Tolleson, Arizona, from its Same-Day Delivery site.
These sites integrate fulfillment and delivery operations to expedite package delivery. The move reflects Amazon’s commitment to innovation and customer service, although it also includes the closure of the Lockeford site. Amazon is conducting flight tests for its new MK30 drone, which features improved safety and performance for deliveries in suburban areas and diverse weather conditions.
With the increasing utilization of drones in delivery services, the demand for UAV software development is on the rise. Thus, it is crucial to stay updated on key considerations, including the cost of creating UAV software and the time required for UAV software development.
Apps
AirChat – a new player in the game of social apps
In the middle of April, a new social media platform, AirChat, appeared, offering a unique blend of Twitter and Clubhouse features. What is so unique about it?
Users can speak their posts, which are then transcribed for followers to read while hearing the original voice recording. Created by Naval Ravikant and Brian Norgard, the app fosters a sense of intimacy and conversation among users, with asynchronous interactions making it less intimidating than live Clubhouse discussions. Its accurate speech-to-text technology and intuitive interface make it user-friendly, especially for podcasters and voice memo enthusiasts.
Despite its promising features, AirChat’s hands-off approach to content moderation raises concerns about its ability to handle potentially harmful or inappropriate content effectively, echoing challenges faced by platforms like Substack and Clubhouse. Let’s see how things will go for AirChat in the near future!
LinkedIn premium features for company pages
LinkedIn is quietly piloting a new service for small and medium businesses: Premium Company Page subscriptions. For a fee that may reach $99/month, companies gain access to AI-powered content creation tools and follower growth features. This move reflects LinkedIn’s ongoing effort to diversify its revenue streams and offer more value to users.
The Premium Company Page is part of a broader strategy that includes various premium offerings tailored to different types of users and organizations. While exact pricing details remain undisclosed, the service signals LinkedIn’s commitment to providing enhanced tools for businesses to boost their online presence and engage with their audience effectively.
Security
Ransomware group releases stolen patient data from Change Healthcare
An extortion group released a portion of private patient records stolen from Change Healthcare during a ransomware attack earlier in February. The leaked data, published on a dark web site, includes personal and sensitive information from millions of Americans, such as medical records, billing files, insurance records, and contracts with partners.
RansomHub, the group responsible, threatens to sell the data unless Change Healthcare pays a ransom. This is the second incident involving stolen patient data and ransom demands for Change Healthcare in recent months. The situation is complicated by a dispute within the ransomware gang involved in the attack. UnitedHealth Group, Change Healthcare’s parent company, is investigating the extent of the data breach in collaboration with law enforcement.
This situation underscores the critical importance of securing sensitive data, especially in healthcare industries where patient privacy is paramount. At Kitrum, we specialize in healthcare solutions and prioritize security above all else. Our team is dedicated to implementing robust measures to safeguard data integrity and protect patient information from cyber threats.
