Digimasters Shorts - Amazon Buys AI Startup Bee, Meta Rejects EU AI Code, Sam Altman Warns of AI Fraud Crisis, Samsung Launches Galaxy Watch 8 with Google Gemini, Microsoft Rolls Out AI Copilot for Windows 11

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, your quick dose of the latest happenings in the digital world. Hosted by Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson, we bring you concise insights on groundbreaking tech acquisitions like Amazon’s purchase of AI-powered wrist device Bee, industry’s response to upcoming EU AI regulations, and the growing concerns over AI’s influence on society and security. We cover the newest in wearable tech from Samsung, AI enhancements rolling out in Windows 11 from Microsoft, and key discussions around global AI governance and safety. Tune in to stay informed about how innovation, privacy, and geopolitics collide in the fast-paced realm of digital technology—all in short, engaging episodes.

Transcript

Adam N2: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:09

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. Amazon is acquiring Bee, a startup known for its AI-powered wrist device that listens and transcribes conversations. Bee’s$49.99 gadget acts like a Fitbit but uses AI to generate personalized summaries, reminders, and suggestions by accessing conversations and other personal data like emails and calendars. Bee C.E.O Maria de Lourdes Zollo announced the acquisition on LinkedIn, emphasizing the goal of expanding access to personalized, agentic AI. However, early reviews noted that the device sometimes confuses background media, such as TV shows or music, with real conversations. Amazon stated it values customer privacy and will work with Bee to enhance user control over data and devices. Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller assured that the company has never sold customer data and aims to maintain strong privacy protections. The acquisition terms remain confidential, and all Bee employees have been offered positions within Amazon. This move signals Amazon’s continued investment in wearable AI technology while addressing privacy concerns. The integration of Bee’s capabilities is expected to bring new AI experiences to a broader audience. Customers and industry watchers will be keen to see how Amazon balances innovation with privacy in this emerging tech space.

Adam N2: 1:30

A week before new EU rules on general purpose artificial intelligence come into force, the landscape is shaping up around companies' commitments to a voluntary Code of Practice. The Code, released by the European Commission, aims to guide AI model providers on transparency, copyright, and safety in line with the upcoming AI Act. Open A.I and U.S AI provider Anthropic have announced plans to sign the Code, endorsing its principles to promote innovation and accountability. Microsoft also indicated it will likely join, seeking to act as"a voice of reason" amidst geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, Meta remains the sole major company refusing to sign, citing concerns over legal uncertainties and overly broad measures that could stifle innovation. Experts note that signing the Code is mainly symbolic since all companies must comply with the AI Act’s mandatory rules starting August 2. The AI Act regulates AI based on societal risk and was developed through a democratic process to provide legal clarity. Critics say the law has become entangled in geopolitical conflicts, though most AI systems will remain subject to existing regulations. The European Commission will publish the official list of Code signatories on August 1. Member states and the Commission’s AI Office must approve the Code before implementation begins. Open A.I C.E.O Sam Altman has warned that artificial intelligence could trigger a global"fraud crisis" by enabling impersonation scams. He expressed concern that financial institutions still use voice prints for authentication, a method AI can easily defeat. Altman presented these warnings during a Federal Reserve event focused on A.I's economic and societal effects. Open A.I plans to open its first Washington, DC office early next year to engage with policymakers and advance AI research. The company supports tools like The Orb, designed to prove human identity amid rising AI impersonation threats. Altman also voiced fears about AI"superintelligence" being misused by hostile actors before adequate defenses exist. Despite concerns, Altman is less worried than some peers about A.I's impact on jobs, predicting entire job classes will vanish but new ones will emerge. He envisions a future where people may not work traditional jobs, instead creating roles for social status and purpose. Open A.I's chief economist compared A.I's impact to historic technologies like electricity, noting Chat G.P.T’s massive user base. Further studies on A.I's workforce impact will be conducted from Open A.I’s new Washington office.

Carly W: 4:01

Samsung has unveiled its latest wearable technology, the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, alongside new folding phones in New York City. These smartwatches introduce advanced health monitoring features, including antioxidant level checks, vascular sleep monitoring, and the first-ever ectopic heartbeat detection on a smartwatch. Running on Wear OS 6 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 8, they emphasize AI integration powered by Google Gemini. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the first watch to come with Gemini preloaded, offering voice assistant functions optimized for the small screen and a rotating bezel for seamless interaction. While Gemini currently requires a phone connection, Samsung and Google are expected to explore standalone AI capabilities for future models. Battery life lasts up to two days with about an hour and a half for a full charge, maintaining efficiency even with always-on voice detection. The watch’s smart capabilities could help revive interest in smart home integration by expanding Gemini’s functionalities. Samsung is also developing a new"dream battery," an ultra-small all-solid-state battery, expected to debut in their wearables by 2026 for enhanced performance. Additionally, Samsung released a Health SDK Suite to enable developers to access and build upon the watches' advanced sensor data. The Galaxy Watch 8 series represents a significant step towards making smartwatches smarter and more integral to daily life. Microsoft is introducing new AI features for Windows 11, including the Copilot Vision tool that scans and analyzes everything on your screen. This tool allows users to ask questions about content across multiple apps and web pages, as well as seek help to complete tasks like improving photo lighting. Copilot Vision is now accessible to all Windows 11 users via the Copilot app. Snapdragon-powered Copilot Plus P.C's get an exclusive AI-powered agent in the Settings app, enabling natural language commands to find and activate settings automatically. Another enhancement for Copilot Plus users is the expanded“Click to Do” feature, which offers quick actions such as summarizing text, practicing reading fluency, drafting Word documents, and scheduling Teams meetings. AI improvements in Paint include a sticker generator and object select tool for precise image editing, while Photos gains AI lighting options on these devices. The Snipping Tool on Copilot Plus P.C's now features a“perfect screenshot” tool using AI for accurate screen captures. Non-AI updates for all Windows 11 users include a new color picker in the Snipping Tool and an automatic fix for unexpected PC restarts. Microsoft plans to roll out these features within the next month, with some already available via preview updates and the Microsoft Store. These advancements reflect Microsoft's ongoing commitment to integrating AI to improve user productivity and device functionality.

Don: 6:55

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!