Apple's AI division is losing top talent, with Robby Walker departing as a result. Walker joined Apple in 2013 and led the Answers, Information, and Knowledge team. He was involved in developing Apple's new AI-powered web search system, designed to compete with platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Walker's exit follows a series of setbacks for Apple's AI efforts, including delays in rolling out key features for Siri. Other high-profile exits include Ruoming Pang and Jian Zhang, who joined Meta Platforms, and Frank Chu, who left for Meta's Superintelligence Labs. This talent drain could pose a challenge to Apple as it increases its focus on developing next-generation AI technologies.
Adobe reports that 70% of eligible customers for Adobe Experience Platform (AEP) are using the AI Assistant functionality, offering choice and flexibility in leveraging generative AI models within Adobe applications.
Alibaba's shares surged 8% after investors bought into the company's big AI moves. The e-commerce leader raised $3.2 billion in convertible bonds to bankroll China's biggest AI infrastructure budget and cloud service, aiming to shore up its place in the country's AI development boom.
Amap, Alibaba's answer to Google Maps, has seen over 40 million users test its new ranking service, Amap Street Stars. This AI-powered service ranks mainland destinations and provides recommendations for 1.6 million establishments, including restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions in China.
Ant Group has unveiled its first humanoid robot, the R1, a wheeled, two-armed model developed by Ant Lingbo Technology (Robbyant), which has already entered production and been shipped to customers, including a museum. This marks Ant Group's entry into the field of embodied artificial intelligence, where it will compete with companies like Unitree Robotics.
Brain Co launches from stealth with $30M Series A funding. CEO Clemens Mewald, former product leader at Instabase and Databricks, stated that most enterprises are stuck with outdated AI applications. Brain Co aims to innovate software consumption by enterprises and governments, addressing the issue of obsolete AI capabilities.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is set to take on Google DeepMind's "Nano Banana" with its own AI technology, Seedream 4.0. This move aims to challenge Google DeepMind's dominance in the field of artificial intelligence.
Gemini Nano Banana AI has released a step-by-step guide on how to create a 3D model of oneself. The AI uses machine learning algorithms and computer vision techniques to generate realistic models from user-provided images or 3D scans. The guide provides a detailed process for users to create and customize their own 3D models, including selecting facial features, hair styles, and clothing options.
Daystar University and MindHYVEai Launch AI-Powered Higher Education Transformation in Kenya. MindHYVEai, a company backed by HYVE Labs, has partnered with Daystar University to launch an AI-powered higher education transformation in Kenya. The technology stack, powered by the Ava-Fusion large reasoning model, is designed to revolutionize law, medicine, finance, education, and governance. With operations in North America, Asia, and now Africa, MindHYVEai aims to democratize access to transformative intelligence and architect the infrastructure for post-scarcity economies.