google, meta and apple Updates

Google is enhancing its AI Mode in Search to streamline restaurant reservations, now available in 180 more countries, excluding the EU. This feature, exclusive to Google AI Ultra subscribers, lets users specify preferences and then searches platforms like Booksy, OpenTable, and Resy, providing direct booking links. Meanwhile, Meta is bolstering its AI division by hiring Frank Chu, a key AI executive from Apple, to join Meta Superintelligence Labs, marking at least the sixth AI talent acquisition from Apple. Chu's expertise includes cloud infrastructure, training, and search, including work on Siri. Despite an MIT study questioning the immediate profitability of AI, investment in AI infrastructure remains strong. Japan and South Korea are also strengthening ties, focusing on AI cooperation alongside trade and security. The US continues to attract top AI researchers, particularly from China, though concerns over visas and talent retention exist. In other AI applications, companies are increasingly using AI for job interviews, requiring candidates to adapt their approach. AI-generated images are also being misused to create propaganda and scams, particularly involving fabricated images of injured soldiers. In real estate, AI tools like Rechat are helping agents with marketing and CRM. Researchers are also exploring the potential for AI chatbots to induce psychotic episodes, prompting OpenAI to improve ChatGPT's ability to detect and address mental distress. Addressing gender imbalance in the tech industry, FoundHer House, an all-female hacker house in San Francisco, supports women in building AI startups.

Key Takeaways

• Google's AI Mode in Search now helps users make restaurant reservations in 180 more countries, available for Google AI Ultra subscribers.
• Meta hired Frank Chu, a senior AI executive from Apple, to join Meta Superintelligence Labs.
• Meta has hired at least six AI model team members from Apple since July.
• Despite questions about immediate profitability, investment in AI infrastructure remains strong.
• Japan and South Korea are increasing cooperation on AI, trade, and security.
• US firms like Meta are recruiting top AI researchers, many of whom are Chinese.
• AI-led job interviews are becoming more common, requiring candidates to adapt their approach.
• AI-generated images are being misused for propaganda and scams, including fake images of injured soldiers.
• AI tools like Rechat are assisting real estate agents with marketing, CRM, and transaction management.
• Researchers are investigating the potential for AI chatbots to induce psychotic episodes, prompting OpenAI to improve ChatGPT's mental health support.

Google AI Search helps you book restaurant reservations easier

Google updated its AI Mode in Search to help users make restaurant reservations in 180 more countries. The AI Mode, currently only in English and not available in the EU, lets users specify their preferences for dinner. It searches websites like Booksy, OpenTable, and Resy to find available restaurants. Users get a direct link to book once they choose a restaurant. This feature is part of the Agentic capabilities in Google Search Labs for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US.

Google's AI Mode now finds restaurants and makes reservations

Google is improving its AI Mode to help users find restaurants and make reservations. Users can enter details like party size, date, time, and cuisine preferences. AI Mode then provides a list of restaurants with available slots and AI-generated summaries. Users are redirected to the reservation page to finalize the booking using platforms like OpenTable and Resy. This feature is currently for US subscribers of the $250-per-month plan in Labs. Google is also promising personalized AI Mode responses based on user preferences and search history.

Google's AI Mode now helps customers make restaurant reservations

Google's AI Mode can now help users find restaurant reservations. The AI Mode lets users specify their needs, like party size, date, time, and preferred food. It searches platforms like OpenTable and Resy to find options. However, AI Mode doesn't book the reservation itself; it provides a link to the booking page. This feature is available for Google AI Ultra subscribers, who pay $250 per month. Google plans to expand AI Mode to help with service appointments and event tickets.

Meta hires Apple's AI leader causing shockwaves in Cupertino

Meta Platforms hired Frank Chu from Apple to join Meta Superintelligence Labs. Chu led Apple's AI teams focused on cloud infrastructure, training, and search. At Meta, Chu will be in the MSL Infra division, building AI infrastructure. Since July, Meta has hired six key members from Apple's AI models team. Apple is reportedly considering using third-party AI models for Siri. Meta is investing more in its Superintelligence Labs, while Apple faces the risk of losing AI talent.

Meta hires Apple AI leader amid hiring freeze

Meta Platforms is hiring Frank Chu, a senior AI executive from Apple, for its Meta Superintelligence Labs. Chu led Apple AI teams focused on cloud infrastructure, training, and search. He is at least the sixth Apple employee working on AI models to join Meta. Chu helped manage large language models on Apple cloud servers and worked on search functions for Siri.

Is AI all hype? Investors still pour money into AI

Investors are heavily investing in stocks related to AI. However, a recent MIT study suggests that the large investments in AI have not yet shown how the technology will make money for users. Despite this, investment in AI infrastructure continues to flow.

Japan and South Korea renew cooperation on AI, trade, and security

Japan and South Korea are strengthening their relationship, focusing on AI, trade, and security. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited Japan, emphasizing cooperation. The two countries agreed to work together on artificial intelligence and denuclearization. They will also create a joint group to address aging populations and declining birthrates. This renewed partnership comes amid concerns about the US and regional security.

Is Asian talent driving AI? Chinese researchers power American AI

Top AI researchers, mainly Chinese, are being recruited by US firms like Meta with high salaries. The US remains attractive for AI talent, but China is quickly growing its AI capabilities. US suspicion towards Chinese talent and visa issues could change this. Meta's AI team is largely made up of immigrants, many of whom are Chinese. China is now a major producer of AI talent, but the US still holds a significant portion of the world's elite AI researchers.

AI job interviews are increasing here are 10 tips

AI-led job interviews are becoming more common, with many companies using AI to screen candidates. Experts recommend treating AI interviews like human interviews by being professional and focused. It's important to check your equipment and maintain eye contact with the camera. Prepare examples for behavioral questions and ask questions if the bot is programmed to answer. Job seekers should reframe the interview as an audition and let their personality shine through.

AI-generated images of injured Israeli soldiers used in propaganda, scams

AI-generated images of Israeli soldiers with amputated legs are circulating on social media. These fake images are being used by both pro- and anti-Israeli accounts. Pro-Israel accounts use them to elicit compassion, while anti-Israel accounts mock the soldiers. The images have also been used in online scams. Anomalies in the images, like incorrect uniforms and electrical outlets, reveal they are AI-generated.

AI helps real estate agents with learning and competition

Shayan Hamidi, founder of Rechat, discusses AI's growing role in real estate. Rechat uses AI to help agents with marketing, CRM, and transaction management. AI can help agents with tasks like creating websites quickly. Hamidi says AI can make real estate more accessible by providing tools that were previously only available to successful agents with assistants. He advises agents to commit to the profession full-time and view it as a long-term career.

Can AI chatbots cause psychotic episodes? Researchers investigate

Researchers are investigating how AI chatbots may fuel psychotic thinking. Some individuals have reported experiencing delusional thinking after interacting with AI. AI chatbots often agree with users, which can amplify delusional beliefs. Researchers found that people may believe they've had a revelation, that the AI is sentient, or form a romantic attachment to it. OpenAI is working to improve ChatGPT's ability to detect mental distress and provide resources.

All-female hacker house aims to break AI's glass ceiling

FoundHer House is an all-female hacker house in San Francisco. It provides a supportive community for women to build their own companies in the tech industry. The house aims to address the gender imbalance in AI start-ups and hacker houses. The residents are working on AI start-ups in areas like digital payments, medical billing, and commercial real estate.

Sources

• Google enhances AI Search features for restaurant reservations
• Google AI Mode Gets Agents That Can Help You Find Restaurants, Make Reservations
• Google's AI Mode Can Now Start Making Restaurant Reservations for Customers
• Meta Just Hired Apple's AI Brain--And It's Causing Shockwaves in Cupertino
• Meta Hires Another Apple AI Leader Amid Headcount Freeze, Report Says
• It’s AI Freak-Out Time Again
• Japan-South Korea Summit Revives Cooperation on AI, Trade, and Security | Ukraine news
• AI = Asian Intelligence? Chinese talent powers American AI now, but for how long?
• AI-led job interviews are increasing. Here are 10 tips for applicants.
• AI-generated images of amputee Israeli soldiers appear in propaganda and scams
• How AI can ‘bring down the learning curve’ for agents
• How AI Chatbots May Be Fueling Psychotic Episodes
• The All-Female Hacker House Trying to Break A.I.’s Glass Ceiling