The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant investments and new initiatives emerging across various sectors. In Pittsburgh, leaders are calling for urgent collaboration between energy and AI sectors to maintain global competitiveness, underscored by a new five-year, $10 million partnership between BNY and Carnegie Mellon University to advance AI research. Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted AI's importance for Pennsylvania's future, while also noting concerns about the U.S. potentially lagging behind China in energy production needed to power AI growth. Google is actively supporting small businesses in the state through its AI Accelerator program, offering free training and resources, including access to tools like Gemini. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group is set to invest up to $1.17 billion in AI by 2030, aiming for substantial efficiencies. In cybersecurity, Simbian and Wipro are partnering to integrate AI for enhanced threat detection. The potential of AI in education is also being explored, with an Oxford lecturer experimenting with an AI tutor based on ChatGPT to teach his own course. However, challenges persist, as a Thomson Reuters Institute report indicates that concerns over accuracy, budget, and security are hindering AI adoption among professionals. Furthermore, research confirms that AI 'hallucinations'—where AI invents information—are a fundamental characteristic, prompting a shift in strategy towards viewing AI as a 'designated dissenter' rather than an infallible source.
Key Takeaways
- BNY and Carnegie Mellon University have partnered on a five-year, $10 million initiative to advance AI research and development in Pittsburgh.
- Google is providing free AI training and resources to Pennsylvania small businesses through its AI Accelerator program, including access to tools like Gemini.
- The Volkswagen Group plans to invest up to $1.17 billion in AI by 2030, targeting efficiencies of up to $3.9 billion.
- AI experts emphasize the need for "radical collaboration" between energy and AI leaders to support AI growth and address potential energy production shortfalls.
- Concerns regarding AI accuracy, budget, and security are identified as key barriers to adoption for professionals in legal, tax, and risk sectors.
- Research suggests AI hallucinations are a fundamental feature, leading to a strategic shift towards using AI as a "designated dissenter" to challenge assumptions.
- An Oxford lecturer successfully used a ChatGPT-based AI to teach his own course, demonstrating AI's potential in personalized education.
- Simbian and Wipro are collaborating to integrate AI-powered automation into cybersecurity services for advanced threat detection.
- Pennsylvania leaders are urging increased investment in energy production to meet the high energy demands of AI growth.
Pittsburgh leaders urge rapid AI collaboration for global leadership
AI experts gathered in Pittsburgh for the AI Horizons Summit, emphasizing the need for urgent and "radical collaboration" between energy and AI leaders. The event aims to foster concrete deals, building on previous discussions. A key announcement was a five-year, $10 million partnership between BNY and Carnegie Mellon University to advance AI research and development. Speakers highlighted the rapid pace of AI innovation, comparing it to past technological shifts. Concerns were also raised about the U.S. lagging behind China in energy production needed to power AI growth, stressing the need for streamlined regulations.
BNY partners with CMU for new AI lab in Pittsburgh
BNY announced a $10 million, five-year agreement to establish the BNY AI Lab at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). This initiative aims to boost AI research and development in Pittsburgh, supporting the city's growing role as a tech hub. Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted AI's importance for the commonwealth's future growth. The partnership is expected to foster cross-disciplinary learning and talent recruitment. The announcement was made during the AI Horizons Summit, which brought together industry leaders and investors.
Pennsylvania leaders call for energy investment to drive AI growth
Pennsylvania leaders are urging increased investment in energy production and technology to support the state's role in the AI revolution. At the AI Horizons Summit, discussions focused on combining energy and AI resources for unified growth. A significant development was BNY's $10 million, five-year investment in Carnegie Mellon University for AI research. Experts stressed the need for an "all-of-the-above" energy approach, including natural gas and nuclear power, to meet AI's high energy demands. Environmental groups raised concerns about reliance on fossil fuels for data centers.
Google launches free AI training for Pennsylvania small businesses
Google, in partnership with Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, has launched the AI Accelerator for Pennsylvania small businesses. This program, part of the AI Works for America initiative, offers free resources including hands-on workshops, online AI courses, and Google Career Certificates. The goal is to help small businesses learn and utilize AI tools for improved efficiency and competitiveness. The first workshop took place in Pittsburgh, with more planned across the state.
Google offers free AI training to Pennsylvania small businesses
Google has launched the Pennsylvania AI Accelerator, a program offering free training and resources to help small businesses in the state adopt artificial intelligence. Announced at the AI Horizons Summit in Pittsburgh, the initiative includes workshops, online courses, and access to Google AI tools like Gemini. This program aims to boost efficiency and competitiveness for small businesses. Google is also reportedly investing significantly in Pennsylvania's data centers and AI facilities, underscoring the state's growing importance in the tech sector.
Simbian and Wipro partner for AI-powered cybersecurity services
Simbian and Wipro have formed a strategic partnership to enhance Wipro's CyberShield managed security services with Simbian's AI SOC Agent technology. This collaboration integrates Wipro's global expertise with Simbian's AI automation for advanced threat detection and response. Wipro Ventures has also invested in Simbian. The AI SOC Agent will provide autonomous, 24/7 security operations, improving efficiency and reducing response times. This partnership aims to deliver next-generation security solutions against sophisticated cyberattacks.
Charlie Kaufman discusses AI, Hollywood, and his film career
Director Charlie Kaufman expressed frustration with Hollywood's current state, linking it to global issues and the difficulty of getting new films made. He discussed his critically acclaimed film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, its Oscar win, and the challenges of pitching ideas in the industry. Kaufman also shared insights on his recent short film How to Shoot a Ghost and his ongoing anxieties. He reflected on the rapid evolution of filmmaking and the industry's resistance to avant-garde ideas.
AI in healthcare topics to be explored at Dallas conference
The INVEST Digital Health conference in Dallas on September 18 will feature discussions on artificial intelligence in healthcare. Topics include AI's role in productivity, building responsible AI guardrails, and evaluating the efficacy and ROI of AI tools. Sessions will also address AI hallucinations and their impact on patient safety and trust. The event will include a Pitch Perfect contest for startups and feature speakers from various healthcare and venture capital firms, discussing AI's potential and challenges.
AI tutor teaches Oxford lecturer his own course
An Oxford lecturer experimented by having an AI agent impersonate him to teach a personalized master's course based on his own work. The AI, using a ChatGPT tool, created a well-structured, interactive, and intellectually challenging curriculum. The lecturer found the experience highly educational, noting the AI's deep understanding of media and AI, and its ability to introduce new concepts and tools he was unaware of. This experiment highlights the potential of AI in personalized education and the future role of human teachers.
Volkswagen Group invests $1.17B in AI by 2030
The Volkswagen Group plans to invest up to $1.17 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030, aiming for efficiencies of up to $3.9 billion. This investment will focus on AI for vehicle development, industrial applications, and IT infrastructure, with the goal of accelerating car development times. Currently, 1,200 AI applications are in use across the group, with hundreds more in development. Key areas include an AI-powered engineering environment with Dassault Systèmes and optimizing production processes through its Digital Production Platform.
Bangladesh launches AI trading systems for investments
Bangladesh has introduced AI-driven quantitative trading systems to modernize its stock market, moving beyond traditional methods vulnerable to human bias. These systems use big data and machine learning to analyze market signals rapidly, improving efficiency and risk management. Local brokerages are piloting these services, reporting positive results with precise recommendations, especially during volatile periods. Experts believe this adoption will lead to a more internationalized and intelligent capital market in Bangladesh.
AI adoption concerns: Accuracy, budget, and security are key
A Thomson Reuters Institute report highlights that while AI offers efficiency benefits for legal, tax, and risk professionals, concerns about accuracy, budget, and security hinder its adoption. Many professionals distrust AI due to potential biases and 'hallucinations,' where AI provides misinformation. Data security is also a major worry, with 42% citing it as a barrier. The report emphasizes that organizations need a clear AI strategy and professionals require training to build AI literacy and resilience for successful and ethical AI integration.
AI hallucinations are permanent, impacting strategy
A new paper confirms that AI hallucinations, where large language models invent information, are a fundamental feature, not a bug. This stems from Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems, suggesting that any complex system, like AI trained on vast data, will always have true statements that cannot be proven within the system. Instead of seeking perfect AI, businesses should develop strategies for 'orchestration,' viewing AI as a 'designated dissenter' that challenges human assumptions and generates alternative ideas, rather than an infallible oracle.
Sources
- Pittsburgh must move quickly if it'll be a leader in the artificial intelligence revolution, leaders say
- Pittsburgh gets new AI boost from BNY
- Pa. must invest in energy production, technology to lead ‘AI revolution,’ officials say
- Google kicks off the Pennsylvania AI Accelerator for small businesses.
- Google’s Pennsylvania AI Accelerator: Free Training for Small Businesses
- Simbian, Wipro Partner to Power AI-Driven CyberShield Security Services
- ‘Hollywood has everthing to do with the terrible state of the world’: Charlie Kaufman on AI, Eternal Sunshine and toothache
- Your Guide to the Hottest Topics on AI in Healthcare in Dallas Next Week at INVEST Digital Health
- I Got an AI to Impersonate Me and Teach Me My Own Course—Here’s What I Learned About the Future of Education
- Volvo to Invest $1.1B on AI in Next Five Years
- Bangladesh Introduces AI-Driven Quantitative Trading Systems, Ushering In A New Era Of Investment
- Navigating the concerns of AI
- LLMs will hallucinate forever – here is what that means for your AI strategy
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