Zuckerberg Learns To Braid His Daughter's Hair Using AI+ Apple To Bring Generative AI To iPhones + AI To Support Teachers Amid Huge Impact +
Good evening!
Welcome to the 53rd edition of the Quantumics Weekly Roundup.
In this edition, we’ll take a deep dive into the latest trends as education needs AI support for teachers, Apple AI plans for iPhone 16, and Mark Zuckerberg’s funny take on AI.
And as usual, we’ll explore the latest news and information in data and AI, business, and tech.
Let’s go!
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Braids His Daughter’s Hair Using AI
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently shared an endearing video on Instagram that garnered rapid attention from viewers. In this video, Zuckerberg is depicted using Meta's newly-introduced Ray-Ban smart glasses to engage in a touching moment with his daughter, aided by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The video captures Zuckerberg wearing Meta's smart glasses as he seeks assistance from AI technology in the task of braiding his daughter's hair. The AI system offers step-by-step guidance, walking him through the process. With the AI's assistance, Zuckerberg successfully accomplishes the task of braiding his daughter's hair, all while the smart glasses document this heartwarming and memorable moment.
Following the successful completion of the braid, Zuckerberg took a step further by asking the AI to capture a photograph and send it to his wife, Priscilla Chan, via WhatsApp. The caption accompanying the Instagram post expresses his gratitude to Meta's AI, stating, "Finally learned to braid. Thanks, Meta AI."
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, entered into a partnership with EssilorLuxottica to introduce the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in September. These innovative smart glasses come equipped with enhanced audio and camera capabilities, offering users access to more than 150 customizable frame and lens options for a personalized experience. Additionally, they prioritize comfort, marking a significant advancement in the realm of wearable technology.
Apple Is Planning To Bring Generative AI To iPhone 16
Google's recent launch of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro has positioned the company at the forefront of AI technology in smartphones, surpassing the new iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. The question now arises: will Apple respond? Current reports suggest that Apple is actively working on bolstering its AI capabilities to address this competition. However, the timeline for Apple's response remains uncertain.
Mark Gurman has pointed out that Apple lags significantly behind in publicly embracing AI. iOS 17, for example, included just one AI-based feature related to improvements in auto-correct, offering very little in terms of substantial developments in areas like large language models (LLM) that power tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. Additionally, Apple has made minimal progress in generative AI, which is responsible for enhancing search results in platforms like Google and Bing, as well as assisting creative endeavours in Microsoft's Office 365 suite and GitHub's CoPilot.
In summary, Google's advancements in AI technology have put Apple in a competitive position, and Apple is expected to respond. However, the time frame for Apple's catch-up in the AI space remains uncertain, as it currently lags behind in several key areas of AI development.
According to Gurman, Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, has acknowledged that Apple has been engaged in developing generative AI technology for an extended period. However, it appears that Apple was caught off guard by the sudden surge of interest and innovation in AI across the industry. Consequently, Apple has been working diligently since late last year to catch up and close the gap in AI development.
One of the most imminent features that may soon become available to the public is an AI chatbot based on large language models (LLM), internally referred to as "Apple GPT." The current status and robustness of this project remain unclear, but it has been in the spotlight since it was first reported in July. If launched, Siri and Messages are likely to be the initial platforms to benefit from AppleGPT's capabilities. Apple is also exploring other applications in line with AI trends seen in other services, including AI-generated playlists (akin to Spotify), providing guidance within Xcode (similar to GitHub), and assisting writers in Pages or Keynote (comparable to Office 365).
In summary, Apple appears to be actively working on catching up in the AI field, with the development of Apple GPT as one of the potential first steps in embracing generative AI technology.
Huge Support Needed As 49% Of The Teachers Are Not Ready For AI Impact
A recent report has highlighted that as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent, nearly half of teachers (49%) feel ill-equipped to deal with its implications. These teachers believe that more efforts are needed to empower them and ensure they can adequately prepare students for a future influenced by AI. The report, conducted by Oxford University Press (OUP), suggests that governments should play a role in helping schools harness AI's potential to revolutionize education. Additionally, the report offers recommendations for school leaders and education industry leaders to support the integration of AI in schools and emphasize the importance of high-quality educational resources. Failure to adapt the current education system to the AI era could result in inequalities in its implementation and hinder students' development of essential cognitive skills for the future, ultimately affecting their learning outcomes.
Nigel Portwood, the CEO of OUP, which is affiliated with the University of Oxford, stated that their research indicates both teachers and students are hopeful about the role of AI in education, acknowledging its potential to enhance learning. Nevertheless, there remain numerous unresolved questions and potential risks linked to this rapidly advancing technology. The global publisher has cautioned that without a thorough assessment of AI's risks and consequences or clear guidelines on its utilization, the quality of teaching and learning may be compromised during an expected, and essential, phase of experimentation.