Digimasters Shorts - Exo Labs Runs Meta's AI on Vintage PC, US Chip Export Controls Snub EU, Google's Payoff in Automotive, OpenAI Warns of AI Investment Loss to China, Adobe's Firefly Sparks Creativity Concerns

In this episode, we explore Exo Labs' daring attempt to run Meta's Llama 2 AI on a vintage Windows 98 Pentium II machine, demonstrating the democratization of AI through resourceful innovation. We delve into the geopolitical tension provoked by the U.S.'s new AI chip export controls and their implications for EU member states. 

Discover the groundbreaking collaboration between a major automotive brand and Google Cloud in enhancing the MBUX Virtual Assistant with state-of-the-art conversational AI, setting new standards for in-car technology. Additionally, we unpack OpenAI's cautionary warnings about America's AI investment landscape and the need for strategic foresight to outpace global competitors like China.

Meanwhile, Adobe's Firefly GenAI tool introduces new capabilities that streamline creative processes and raise important discussions about creativity and copyright in AI-generated content.

Join us for thoughtful analysis and captivating stories at the intersection of technology, society, and global policy. Stay ahead of the curve with Digimasters Shorts.

Transcript

Adam N2: 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. Exo Labs has undertaken a unique project by running a version of Meta's Llama 2 AI on a Windows 98 Pentium II machine. The initiative is part of Exo Labs' mission to democratize access to AI technologies. Despite the outdated hardware, the project avoids reliance on power-hungry datacenters. The team faced significant challenges, including locating compatible peripherals and transferring files onto the vintage machine. They utilized Borland C++ 5.02 to compile modern code, while also navigating compatibility issues with older C programming. The Pentium II, with its limited 128 MB RAM, required a trimmed version of Llama to function. This adapted AI model possesses 1 billion parameters, a drastic reduction from the original 70 billion. Although it generates only 0.0093 Tokens per second, the feat underscores its viability on such old technology. The modified Llama is now available for public experimentation on GitHub. This project highlights both the limitations and potential of running AI on legacy systems.

Adam N2: 1:18

The United States has introduced new export controls for its AI chips industry, sparking concerns in several EU member states. These measures come amid a surge of AI advancements and a technological rivalry with China. While the U.S has carved out exemptions for key allies, many EU countries did not qualify. The controls aim to limit chip transfers to non-trusted actors. Companies from 18 designated"key allies" can acquire chips without restrictions, but this list excludes many EU states. Countries not considered a"country of concern" can still seek permission to buy chips under certain limits. About 10 EU states are recognized as U.S allies, while 17 are not. The criteria for classification relate to robust technology protection regimes. Nations such as China and Russia are labeled as concerns, but no EU countries make this list. EU officials have expressed concern over the lack of transparency in these designations. At last year's CES, the automaker unveiled its improved MBUX Virtual Assistant, capable of engaging in conversations with passengers. Initially, the company withheld details about the technology's L.L.M partner. It has now been revealed that Google Cloud is behind this cutting-edge feature. The integration uses a customized vehicular AI Agent operated on Vertex AI. This partnership marks a significant advancement in automotive technology. It aims to enhance in-car interactions with sophisticated conversational capabilities. The collaboration showcases Google's growing influence in the AI sector. It also highlights the automaker's commitment to innovative solutions. This development may set a new standard for virtual assistants in vehicles.

Carly W: 2:58

Open A.I has issued a stark warning that the United States could lose$175 billion in global AI investments to China if proactive measures are not taken. The company's Economic Blueprint highlights the need for a national strategy to attract these funds, emphasizing the significant influence of the Chinese Communist Party on global AI initiatives. Open A.I stresses the need for responsible regulation and innovation, ensuring AI development benefits align with public interests. Additionally, it underscores the importance of preventing government misuse of AI technology. To promote this vision, Open A.I C.E.O Sam Altman will introduce the Innovating for America initiative on January 30 in Washington, DC. The event aims to highlight A.I's potential to stimulate economic growth across the nation. The plan also emphasizes the job creation potential of AI infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, NVIDIA has criticized the Biden administration's"AI Diffusion" rule for potentially harming U.S. AI competitiveness. The rule seeks to restrict China and other rivals' access to advanced AI chips. NVIDIA argues such policies could stifle innovation on a global scale. Adobe's Firefly GenAI tool has expanded significantly since its 2023 introduction, focusing on enhancing existing image capabilities within programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. Unlike traditional AI tools, Firefly emphasizes editing existing images, addressing some copyright concerns. The latest update features the Firefly Bulk Create, which allows for modifying images in large volumes. This tool aims to streamline advertising efforts by automating repetitive tasks, such as background removal and image resizing. Despite potential impacts on human artistry, Adobe touts these features as ways to alleviate tedious work. Firefly's web app now hosts functions to batch process images and adjust them to fit social media platforms. Adobe also plans to introduce a branding layout automation beta, integrating InDesign APIs for creating consistent advertising formats. While the company's approach seeks to address copyright anxieties, concerns about GenA.I's effects on creativity persist. Additional GenAI features like avatars and AI-based translation are set to launch beta versions soon. Challenges remain as Adobe navigates the balance between innovation and ethical considerations in AI usage.

Don: 5:22

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!