Good morning! It is November 10, 2024, today. We have an exciting lineup of AI news, from X's new free AI chatbot to Spotify's innovative AI DJ. Let's dive into the latest updates!

1. Social Network X Testing Free Access to AI Chatbot Grok for Non-Premium Users

Social network X is testing free access to its AI chatbot Grok in certain regions, with reports confirming availability in New Zealand. Free users can use Grok’s features with limited queries: up to 10 text prompts and three image queries every two hours. Previously only accessible to Premium subscribers, this expansion could attract a larger user base and accelerate feedback for the xAI model as it competes with alternatives like ChatGPT and Gemini.

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2. Near Protocol to Build World’s Largest Open-Source AI Model, Surpassing Meta’s Llama

At its Redacted conference, Near Protocol unveiled plans for a massive, decentralized AI model with 1.4 trillion parameters, aimed at safeguarding privacy and decentralizing AI development. Contributors can join via the Near AI Research hub, progressing through increasingly complex models, funded by token sales. Co-founder Illia Polosukhin emphasized the critical role of decentralized AI in avoiding monopolistic control, while guest speaker Edward Snowden warned of AI’s surveillance potential under centralization.

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3. Spotify’s AI DJ Highlights the Limits of AI in Replacing Human Curators

As AI seeps into every aspect of life, Spotify’s AI DJ exemplifies its reach, offering a personalized listening experience that feels almost human. However, the author argues that AI lacks the unique connection and discovery provided by human DJs, like Seattle's KEXP. This preference for human touch in music selection underscores a broader sentiment: while AI has vast capabilities, it struggles to replicate genuine human connection in creative realms.

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4. Ex-Apple Engineer Builds AI-Powered Search Engine for Secondhand Shopping

Former Apple and Twitter engineers Alex Ruber and Parth Chopra created Encore, an AI-powered search engine that centralizes secondhand shopping by pulling results from platforms like eBay, Depop, and Etsy. Inspired by the fragmented thrift market, Encore lets users search for specific items (e.g., “Emily in Paris dress”) across multiple platforms, easing product discovery. Currently part of Y Combinator, Encore aims to make thrifting as easy as mainstream online shopping.

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5. VVDN Technologies Partners with SecureThings AI for Enhanced Vehicle Cybersecurity

VVDN Technologies has partnered with SecureThings AI to boost cybersecurity for automotive, IoT, and cloud solutions, focusing on connected vehicles. This collaboration will integrate SecureThings AI’s cybersecurity solutions into VVDN’s automotive products, including in-vehicle connectivity and ADAS systems, aligning with global standards like ISO 21434. Key initiatives involve real-time threat detection, threat intelligence, and a dedicated Security Research Lab to safeguard against cyber threats. This partnership aims to fortify cybersecurity across evolving automotive connectivity and IoT landscapes.

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6. OpenAI Faces AI Improvement Challenges, Exploring New Strategies

OpenAI’s latest model, reportedly code-named Orion, shows performance gains but with slower improvement than previous advancements. To address this, OpenAI is forming a "foundations team" to explore new methods for enhancing AI models, such as using synthetic data generated by other AI and refining models after initial training. These efforts aim to continue progress despite limited new data for training. OpenAI has not confirmed plans to release Orion this year.

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Stay tuned for more updates, and have a fantastic day!

Best,

Zephyr