Technology News: Meta, Google, EU, YouTube, WhatsApp, Samsung, OpenAI Updates

It has been criticized that almost all images are labeled as "Made by AI" when in reality, most of the pictures had minor retouches. Following backlash from a photographer, Meta has since changed the label to "AI Info" on both Instagram and Facebook. Originally intended for AI-created images, the tags were put on AI-edited photos as well. The new label still requires one to click for details. With AI-generated content increasing, Meta is working to make clear its AI content labeling. It is recognized that there is a need for improved labeling for the user.

It's reported that Google is developing chatbots focused on personalities either powered by celebrities or personalized by users. The company does so with the help of its Gemini large language models, and the project might come out as early as this year. Collaborations with influencers are also in plans, while users will be able to build their own chatbots just by describing what traits they have. Chatbots will be brought into YouTube via a Progressive Web App. On the lines of Meta and Character.ai, this move offers celebrity-inspired or user-customised chatbots. Character.ai also hosts bots for a wide array of apps and tasks; it runs on Google Cloud services driven by Tensor Processing Units.

EU regulators are probing Microsoft's deal with OpenAI and that of Google on AI with Samsung for probable antitrust concerns. EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager expressed her misgivings over exclusivity clauses and the tight grasp Big Tech has over AI, which is supposedly artificially deflating smaller developers. More specifically, Microsoft is investing $13 billion in OpenAI, while Google is integrating its AI into Samsung's Galaxy S24 series. Moreover, the Commission is investigating "acqui-hires"—Microsoft's acquisition of Inflection. Such moves reflect global unease about the sway Big Tech holds over emerging technologies.

A set of new features comes to YouTube for its premium members, including AI-driven "Jump Ahead," picture-in-picture for YouTube Shorts, and experimental AI features. Perhaps the most intriguing feature is that with "Jump Ahead," AI and viewership data will help users bypass some parts of the videos to get to the most interesting bits. Picture-in-picture on YouTube Shorts enables customers to watch video in a minimized window while using other apps. The early availability of some of its experimental features, such as a conversational AI assistant that answers questions and recommends related stories, would help benefit the premium members. Available now in the US and coming soon to other regions.

More than 6.6 million accounts were removed from Meta-owned WhatsApp in India in May for legal infringements, out of which 1.25 million were blocked proactively. It received nearly 13,367 grievances and took action on 31 of them. The messaging platform also implemented 11 orders from the Grievance Appellate Committee. For transparency, these stand as part of its monthly compliance report, specifying blockages of problematic contacts and content. More than 7.1 million accounts were banned on WhatsApp in April. It received over 10,554 complaints in March.

The event from Samsung, Galaxy Unpacked, is slated to happen in Paris on 10 July 2024, and with that, one of the most awaited products will unfold—the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. This is alongside the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the Galaxy Watch 7 series. According to Evan Blass' leaks, incremental updates were found for foldable models, while the design shared familiar tones and only minor changes. It'll then expand its earbuds lineup with its Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, which comes in a stem design similar to AirPods. Details regarding the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra, its latest model, are scant at best ahead of the launch.

OpenAI has, therefore, introduced an AI based on GPT-4, called CriticGPT, which assists in fine-tuning AIs by looking for flaws in code generated by its chatbot companion—ChatGPT. Incorporated in the Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback pipeline, CriticGPT will help trainers enhance model accuracy. It outperforms individual trainers by 63% in error detection, even with its limitations at longer tasks. CriticGPT is focused on enabling more sophisticated tasks and improving AI output with human-AI feedback. the open ai therefore to a critical

It has been nine years since the Digital India initiative, which has transformed sectors such as agriculture, identity management, and healthcare. Some of the acquisitions within nine years include 11 crore farmers with direct financial benefit accruals under different States' sponsored schemes, universal digital identity for 137 crore with Aadhaar numbers, 674 crore documents digitized via the DigiLocker facility, and about 6.83 lakh km of optical fiber already laid under BharatNet. Apart from this, UPI has processed transactions worth Rs. 535 lakh crores, besides issuing over 34.6 crore Ayushman Cards for easy access to health. These are such facts that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged to show how the initiative brought both transparency enhancement as well as 'Ease of Living.