Digimasters Shorts - Adobe Launches AI Video Generator, Newsom Vetoes AI Regulation Bill, Google Embraces Nuclear Power Origins, OpenAI Expands Near Microsoft, Ukraine's AI-Driven Warfare Drones

Dive into the fast-paced world of digital innovation with "Digimasters Shorts," hosted by Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson. In each episode, we swiftly deliver updates and insights on groundbreaking developments reshaping the tech landscape. From Adobe's pioneering AI video generator setting a new standard in creativity to Google’s ambitious nuclear energy deal to power its data centers, we bring you stories that matter. 

Explore strategic industry movements like OpenAI’s expansion beside Microsoft’s hub in Bellevue and delve into the controversy surrounding legislative actions—or lack thereof—on AI in California. "Digimasters Shorts" doesn't shy away from tough topics, including the ethical implications of AI in modern warfare, as illustrated by Ukraine's use of AI-enhanced drones from Palantir. Whether it’s the future of AI regulations or the newest energy solutions powering tomorrow’s technologies, we provide the essential details you need to stay informed in the digital era. Tune in for informed analysis and a dynamic take on the rapid advancements driving our world forward.

Transcript

Adam N: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:08

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. Adobe has become the first major company to publicly release its AI video generator, marking a significant advancement in AI technology. At the Adobe Max creativity conference, the company introduced its Adobe Firefly Video model, allowing users to create videos from text or images. This new feature is available for testing in a public beta on the Firefly website, with user feedback set to enhance the model further. The Firefly for Video model can also be utilized in Adobe Premiere with a new Generative Expand feature, still in beta. Adobe emphasizes that their model is commercially safe, having been trained on Adobe Stock images and other licensed content. Contributors to Adobe Stock will receive a Firefly Contributor Bonus for their part in training the model. The move positions Adobe ahead of competitors like Open A.I, Google, and Meta, who have yet to release their own text-to-video models to the public. Users interested in trying the Adobe model can join a waitlist, and once given access, create videos for free during the beta phase. The model includes features like camera controls and a suggestion box to boost creativity. Transparency and awareness of legal risks are advised when using AI-generated content.

Adam N: 1:24

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed SB 1047, a bill aimed at imposing stringent regulations on the artificial intelligence industry. The legislation, overwhelmingly passed by California legislators, sought to make tech companies legally accountable for AI-related harms and mandated a"kill switch" for rogue AI systems. While Newsom acknowledged the bill's good intentions, he argued that its strict regulations could stifle innovation in Silicon Valley. Critics, like Senator Scott Wiener, a co-author of the bill, described the veto as a blow to AI accountability, citing a lack of binding restrictions for powerful tech firms. A coalition of major Silicon Valley players, including Google and Meta, lobbied against the bill, fearing it would hinder growth. Despite this, notable tech figures like Elon Musk supported the bill, highlighting A.I's potential risks. Meanwhile, other states are pursuing narrower AI regulations focused on consumer protection and reducing bias. Newsom, however, has signed several AI-related measures, including those targeting election deepfakes and protecting actors' likenesses. Amid rapid AI development and substantial financial investments, the U.S. federal government has yet to pass comprehensive AI regulation legislation. Google has announced a groundbreaking deal to purchase small nuclear reactors from U.S-based Kairos Power to fuel its data centers with clean energy. The partnership marks the world's first corporate agreement for acquiring nuclear energy from small modular reactors(or S.M.R’s). The initial reactor is expected to power Google's facilities by 2030, with further deployments planned through 2035. The deal aims to deliver up to 500 Mega Watts of carbon-free power to the U.S electricity grid. Google emphasizes the necessity for new energy sources to support the scaling of AI technologies, highlighting the expected doubling of data center energy consumption by 2028. Kairos Power's S.M.R’s promise a molten-salt cooling system for faster construction and flexible integration. Although the technology is still in development, this collaboration is viewed as a significant advancement towards commercial-scale deployment. This summer, Kairos made history breaking ground on a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, the first approved by the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Google asserts that this agreement will help unlock A.I's full potential by meeting energy demands cleanly and reliably.

Carly W: 3:43

Open A.I has officially opened an office in Bellevue, Washington, strategically positioning itself near its close partner Microsoft. This move is part of Open A.I's broader expansion plan, which includes new offices in New York City, Paris, Brussels, and Singapore. The opening in Bellevue comes shortly after Open A.I's significant$6.5 billion funding round. The strategic location allows Open A.I to take advantage of the rich engineering talent pool in the Seattle area. Currently, Open A.I maintains around 80 employees in the region and has multiple job openings listed. The proximity to Microsoft, a key investor providing$13 billion and computing resources, signifies a strengthened partnership. The collaboration benefits Microsoft with access to advanced AI technologies. Despite a general trend of office space downsizing in Bellevue, companies like Snowflake are expanding. Bellevue’s office vacancy rate has surged to 20%, reflecting broader trends in the Seattle area. This expansion makes Open A.I one of over 100 tech companies with engineering offices in this top-ranked tech hub. Ukraine is at the forefront of modern warfare innovation, especially in drone technology and artificial intelligence. With a significant leap in AI capabilities, Ukrainian drones have improved their hit rates, soaring from below 50% to nearly 80%. This leap is largely attributed to AI software from Palantir, dubbed the"AI arms dealer of the 21st century." A notable success is the SAKER reconnaissance drone, which can independently identify and target Russian forces using advanced AI. These drones now have the capability to discern troops based on uniforms, weapons, and even their movements. Without relying on GPS, the SAKER offers robustness against electronic warfare jamming. Reports indicate that AI now powers nearly all of Ukraine's drones used for artillery targeting. However, there's growing concern about the ethical implications of such technology. The possibility of AI misidentifying civilians as combatants raises moral questions about autonomous warfare. Despite these concerns, experts agree that AI will continue to shape the future of conflict, emphasizing the importance of strategic advancements.

Don: 5:57

Thank you for listening to today's AI and Tech News podcast summary... Please do leave us a comment and for additional feedback, please email us at podcast@digimasters.co.uk You can now follow us on Instagram and Threads by searching for@DigimastersShorts or Search for Digimasters on Linkedin. Be sure to tune in tomorrow and don't forget to follow or subscribe!