Today's Edition

• Apple boosts plans to bring generative AI to iPhones

• EU Commission readies establishment of AI Office

• Quote of the Day

• Tech Spotlight

• On This Day In History

📰 Apple boosts plans to bring generative AI to iPhones

Apple Inc. is reportedly bolstering its artificial intelligence (AI) prowess through strategic acquisitions, hiring, and hardware advancements, signaling a leap in AI integration for its upcoming iPhones. The tech giant, according to industry data, academic research, and insider insights, is particularly focused on running AI through mobile devices.

The Cupertino-based company has outpaced its big tech rivals in acquiring AI startups, with 21 purchases since 2017, including WaveOne, a California-based AI video compression firm acquired in early 2023. Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities anticipates more significant mergers and acquisitions in AI, noting an ongoing "AI arms race" in which Apple is expected to actively participate.

Morgan Stanley's research highlights a surge in Apple's AI job postings mentioning "Deep Learning," vital for generative AI models. The firm's recruitment of John Giannandrea, a former Google AI executive, in 2018 underscores this focus. Despite its secretive nature, Apple is believed to be developing large language models (LLMs) similar to those in products like OpenAI's ChatGPT. CEO Tim Cook has emphasized Apple's extensive AI research and responsible innovation.

In a move to bring generative AI to mobile devices, Apple aims to enable AI chatbots and apps to function on phone hardware, bypassing the need for cloud-based data center support. This goal aligns with their upcoming iOS 18, expected to feature enhanced generative AI capabilities and an improved Siri powered by an LLM, according to Morgan Stanley analysts.

Despite Microsoft surpassing Apple as the world's most valuable company, largely due to its AI advancements, Apple's AI strategy remains focused on enhancing its ecosystem and user experience, differentiating itself from competitors like Google and Amazon. Bank of America's recent upgrade of Apple stock points to a growing investor confidence in Apple's AI-driven future, particularly in the iPhone market.

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📰 EU Commission readies establishment of AI Office

The European Commission is on the brink of establishing the European Artificial Intelligence Office, a key component in the enforcement of the upcoming AI Act, as per a draft document obtained by Euractiv. This office is expected to play a critical role in implementing the EU's landmark legislation designed to regulate Artificial Intelligence. The political agreement for this law was finalized in December, with formal adoption anticipated in the coming weeks.

Originally proposed by the European Parliament as an independent agency, the AI Office has since been integrated into the Commission, albeit with its budget line. However, the extent of its autonomy remains a contentious issue within the Commission, with debates surrounding whether it will operate with independent political objectives or merely as an extension of the unit responsible for the AI Act. Amendments to the draft decision emphasize the Office's non-interference with Commission departments' competencies.

Set to urgently come into effect on February 21, ahead of the formal adoption of the AI law, the AI Office will primarily support the enforcement of AI system regulations, with most competencies resting with national authorities. Nonetheless, it has been tasked with overseeing General-Purpose AI (GPAI) models and systems, including advanced ones like OpenAI's GPT-4. The Office will develop methodologies and benchmarks for evaluating GPAI models, distinguishing those posing systemic risks to society.

The new EU entity will have significant investigative authority in GPAI-related rule infringements, including collecting complaints, issuing document requests, and conducting evaluations. It will also coordinate the enforcement of AI Act regulations on systems covered under other EU legislation, like the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. Besides, the AI Office will play a pivotal role in shaping secondary legislation, standardization efforts, regulatory sandboxes, and codes of practice for AI at the EU level.

Furthermore, the Office is mandated to facilitate collaboration with various stakeholders, including the open-source community, to develop safe AI practices. It will also monitor GenAI4EU, an initiative promoting generative AI in strategic sectors, and work closely with relevant EU bodies and international AI governance initiatives. Despite its critical functions, the Office faces budgetary constraints, with staffing and operational expenses to be managed within existing allocations from the Digital Europe Programme.

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🗣️ AI “Quote of the Day”

"True wisdom lies not in possessing knowledge, but in the humility of understanding how little we actually know."

Created with ChatGPT / DALL-E

🚀 AI Tech Spotlight

🔍️ Thumbly - The Future of Thumbnail Creation

Thumbly.io is a platform offering AI-powered solutions for YouTube content creators. It provides tools for generating clickbait thumbnails and compelling video titles, along with a free thumbnail rating tool. These features are designed to enhance viewer engagement and boost clicks, catering to both novice and experienced creators. The platform emphasizes easy-to-use interfaces and affordable solutions to save time and increase productivity. Thumbly.io is used and endorsed by several influential YouTubers and influencers for its effectiveness in creating high-quality, engaging YouTube content.

🗓️ On This Day In History

Launched in mid-2003, the six-wheeled robotic rover Opportunity landed on Mars this day in 2004 and—like its twin rover, Spirit, which had landed on January 3—analyzed rocks and soils and relayed pictures back to Earth.