The Future Holds Speed-Reading AI, Accessible Gaming, and Robot Chefs
Emerging Tech Roundup — May 19
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Anthropic Leapfrogs OpenAI with a Speed-Reading Chatbot, Google’s Open-Source AI Tool Allows Users to Play Games Touch-Free, Europe Greenlights Microsoft’s $68.7B Activision Acquisition, TikTok Adds a New Mental Health Awareness Hub, IRS Develops Free E-Filing Tax Service, ChatGPT Passes Radiology Exams, and Sweetgreen Tests Robots to Make Faster Salads.
Anthropic Leapfrogs OpenAI with a Chatbot that Can Read a Novel in Less Than a Minute
(The Verge, May 12)
AI startup Anthropic has expanded the context window of its chatbot, Claude, to around 75,000 words — allowing it to process the entirety of “The Great Gatsby” in one go. The company tested the system by editing a single sentence in the novel and asking Claude to spot the change, which it did in just 22 seconds. The new capacity is currently only available to Anthropic’s business partners via the company’s API.
Google’s Open-Source AI Tool Let Me Play My Favorite Dreamcast Game With My Face
(The Verge, May 12)
Google has announced updates to its machine learning suite, enhancing features such as object tracking, gesture control, and facial detection in Google Lens and Google Meet. The update allows app developers to create face filters and hand tracking similar to Snapchat, as demonstrated in a GIF shared by Google. Additionally, Google unveiled an open-source accessibility application called Project Gameface, enabling users to play games using facial expressions.
Europe Greenlights Microsoft’s $68.7B Activision Acquisition
(Tech Crunch, May 15)
The European Commission (EC) has granted approval to Microsoft’s proposed $68.7-billion acquisition of gaming giant Activision. The EC had expressed concerns about potential competition reduction in the console and PC video game market, but after receiving additional remedies and commitments from Microsoft, it has now given the green light. The approval is contingent on Microsoft’s full compliance with the commitments offered, as stated in the EC’s final report.
TikTok Adds a New Mental Health Awareness Hub to Provide Users Access to Resources
(Tech Crunch, May 15)
TikTok is launching a mental health awareness hub, providing users with resources to learn about well-being topics, and connect with advocates and support organizations. Accessible through the #MentalHealthAwareness hashtag page, the hub will feature educational videos, highlight mental health-focused creators, and raise awareness throughout May. TikTok is also donating over $2 million in ad credits to organizations like Crisis Text Line, and plans to conduct training sessions for partners to share information during significant events such as World Mental Health Day.
A Free IRS E-Filing Tax Service Could Start Rolling Out Next Year
(PopSci, May 16)
The IRS is developing a free digital tax filing system that could disrupt the $14.4 billion tax-prep and filing industry. A pilot program for the prototype system is scheduled to start in January 2024, funded by $15 million from the Inflation Reduction Act. Despite the IRS’s estimate that 70% of eligible Americans can file taxes for free, only 25% take advantage of this, with nearly half opting for paid software like TurboTax, and 58% spending $50 or more on filing their federal tax return.
AI Triumph: ChatGPT Passes Radiology Exams
(Neuroscience News, May 16)
In a groundbreaking achievement, ChatGPT has exhibited promise in the medical field by passing a radiology board-style exam. The study employed 150 multiple-choice questions, replicating the rigor of exams administered by prestigious institutions like the Canadian Royal College and American Board of Radiology. While GPT-3.5 fell slightly short of the passing mark at 69%, GPT-4 surpassed expectations with an impressive score of 81%, indicating notable advancements, especially in complex reasoning questions.
Sweetgreen Tests Robots to Make Faster, More Efficient Sad Desk Salads
(Bloomberg, May 17)
A small team of engineers are testing a robotic device, called the Infinite Kitchen, to better assemble the hundreds of bowls and salads that a restaurant makes daily. The mechanism can serve up most of Sweetgreen’s 50-odd ingredients, and at the end of the robot assembly line, an employee adds any last touches or herbs the robots cannot handle. The company’s aim is to boost efficiency, as most locations currently require up to 20 employees to run the restaurant, handle chopping, cooking, assembling orders, and dish washing.
