Digimasters Shorts - AI Chatbots Overtake Google, Google's Gemini 2.0 Sparks Debate, Apple's Siri Upgrade in Jeopardy, Mistral AI Disrupts with Open-Source Model

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, your go-to podcast for the freshest updates in the digital realm, hosted by Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson. Dive into the dynamic world of AI as we explore how chatbots are revolutionizing online search, steering users away from Google's traditional methods. Discover how AI is becoming a cornerstone in consumer behavior, especially during peak seasons like the holidays. We also delve into the latest advancements from Google, such as the Gemini 2.0 Flash model, pushing the boundaries of AI with cutting-edge image editing capabilities within chats. 

With insightful discussions on the intellectual property nuances from Fortune Media to Apple's indefinite delay of its Siri upgrade, we keep you informed on the evolving tech landscape. Plus, learn about Mistral AI, a standout French startup championing open-source models and digital sovereignty. 

Join us as we uncover the stories shaping tomorrow's tech, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate and harness the power of digital innovation. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a digital entrepreneur, Digimasters Shorts keeps you connected to the pulse of the digital age.

Transcript

Adam N2: 0:04

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. The landscape of online searching is experiencing a seismic shift as consumers increasingly turn to AI chatbots for assistance, moving away from Google's traditional search links. Adobe's new research highlights this trend, revealing a staggering 1,300 percent surge in AI search referrals during the 2024 holiday season. These AI-driven tools direct users to more relevant pages, evidenced by longer site visits and higher engagement compared to traditional search methods. Despite A.I's potential, its rollout has faced challenges, with reports of erroneous suggestions and legal controversies, as seen with Google's early missteps and Perplexity's plagiarism allegations. Open A.I, attempting a cautious approach, partnered with media outlets to refine its search feature, dodging the pitfalls of its predecessors. Consumers are embracing AI for a variety of tasks, from online shopping to seeking recommendations, yet debates over ad integration continue. While Open A.I shows reluctance in adopting ads, the absence of such might actually attract users frustrated by ad-heavy traditional searches. AI search’s early adoption reflects a means to circumvent the ad-cluttered and SEO-driven ecosystem that critics argue has plagued old search techniques. This evolution of AI search signifies a crucial moment for both consumers and retailers, as they navigate this innovative digital terrain without succumbing to past advertising excesses.

Adam N2: 1:37

Google has introduced a new AI model called Gemini 2.0 Flash that can generate and edit images within a chatbot conversation. This model, initially limited to testers, is now accessible to users of Google AI Studio as it integrates text and image processing. Despite some imperfections, Gemini 2.0 Flash can add or remove objects, change scenery, and offer various editing transformations. Google trained the model on a dataset of images and text, allowing it to output image tokens which are then converted back into images. Unlike previous AI models that relied on separate diffusion-based systems for image generation, Gemini combines both image creation and text capabilities in one. The feature can remove watermarks with some quality loss, pointing to potential ethical concerns similar to deepfakes. Google's model introduces a conversation-based image editing system, setting it apart from current AI tools like Adobe Photoshop. Gemini 2.0 Flash also opens new possibilities for interactive games and storytelling by maintaining character and setting consistency. Google's venture signals a major advancement in multimodal capabilities, though it still relies on a limited dataset. Both media quality improvements and ethical considerations remain significant as these technologies evolve. The article discusses the intellectual property rights and terms of use for Fortune Media IP Limited. It outlines that use of their site signifies acceptance of their terms and conditions, including their privacy policy. The document highlights that FORTUNE is a trademark registered in the U.S. and other countries. The piece mentions Fortune Media's right to receive compensation for links to products and services. Changes to offers on the website can occur without prior notice. The article underscores that selling or sharing personal information is restricted. California residents are provided with specific notices regarding data collection. The company emphasizes the protection of its trademarks across various jurisdictions. It also specifies the legal acceptance required for engaging with their content and services. The notice serves as a reminder of the legal boundaries surrounding the use of Fortune Media's intellectual properties.

Carly W: 3:47

Apple has reportedly delayed its anticipated Siri upgrade indefinitely, casting doubt on its AI development timeline. Recent reports indicate the tech giant has pulled TV ads related to the Apple Intelligence suite, signaling the postponement. Apple Intelligence has been a key promotional point for new devices with features like generative AI emojis and message summaries. However, the Chat G.P.T-like Siri update, eagerly awaited by users, remains out of reach. Reports suggest that internal challenges with Siri's AI capabilities have driven concerns among Apple's executives. Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, has expressed doubts about the feature's current performance. The firm initially planned to introduce the upgrade with the iPhone 16, targeting iOS 19. Now, there's speculation that the release might not occur until iOS 20, possibly extending until 2027. C.E.O Tim Cook's promotional comments on Siri are seemingly premature, given the current hurdles. Insiders even suggest a potential overhaul, which may further prolong the delay. In a significant development, French AI startup Mistral AI has introduced its new open-source model, Mistral Small 3.1, claiming superior performance over similar models from Google and Open A.I with only 24 billion parameters. The model supports both text and image processing with an expanded context window of up to 128,000 tokens and processes information at 150 tokens per second. Offering the model under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, Mistral emphasizes openness and accessibility, diverging from the trend of proprietary systems by larger tech entities. Since its founding in 2023, Mistral has rapidly positioned itself as Europe's leading AI player with a valuation of$6 billion, thanks to substantial funding and support. The success of its chat assistant, Le Chat, highlights its growing presence, backed by endorsements such as those from French President Emmanuel Macron. Mistral's strategic remit is its efficiency, whereby significantly fewer computational resources are needed, potentially serving as a sustainable model amid increasing energy concerns. Their focus on European digital sovereignty, aligning with upcoming EU AI regulations, sets them apart from American and Chinese competitors. With alliances, including those with Microsoft and France’s army, Mistral leverages partnerships to consolidate its position in the European AI ecosystem. Despite financial challenges and fierce competition, Mistral champions the open-source approach in developing AI technologies to foster industry-wide collaboration and innovation. As AI continues to evolve, Mistral aims to garner revenue and diversification through specialized applications, stepping away from the fierce AI arms race.

Don: 6:34

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!