Welcome to this week's edition of Jumble, your go-to source for the latest in AI. This issue covers Sam Altman’s partnership with former iPhone designer and the launch of Intel’s new AI chips amongst rumors for company takeover. It’s a packed week in AI and here’s what you need to know ⬇️

Sam Altman Partners With Former iPhone Designer on New AI Hardware ⚙️

Responsible for designing the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and dozens of other iconic Apple products, Jony Ive is teaming up with OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman to create a cutting-edge AI hardware device, marking a significant shift in how humans may interact with technology. Ive, Apple's former design chief, confirmed the collaboration with Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, though details about the device remain scarce. Their goal is to develop something that seamlessly integrates AI into everyday life, a challenge perfectly suited to Ive’s design philosophy and Altman’s AI expertise.

The project has attracted major attention, with the pair reportedly seeking to raise up to $1 billion in funding by year’s end. Rumors suggest the product could be a new category-defining AI device, and influential investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs, are already circling the initiative. If successful, this collaboration could set the stage for a new era of personalized, AI-driven hardware. Sam Altman has confirmed that the device is not a phone and is likely years away from release.

OpenAI Rolls Out New Voice Models 🎙️

Intel Launches New AI Chips Amid Qualcomm Takeover Speculation 🔧

Intel has unveiled two new AI chips—the Xeon 6 CPU and Gaudi 3 AI accelerator—aiming to improve its data center business and challenge rivals like Nvidia and AMD. The Xeon 6, featuring P-cores for enhanced performance, is designed for high-demand AI workloads, while the Gaudi 3 targets generative AI applications and promises lower ownership costs, already being used by IBM Cloud.

Meanwhile, rumors are swirling about Qualcomm’s potential takeover of Intel. Qualcomm, the maker of the popular Snapdragon chips that power many android phones, is reportedly eyeing Intel's data center and PC market to diversify its business as smartphone sales plateau. Additionally, Apollo Global Management has expressed interest in investing billions to back Intel’s turnaround plan under CEO Pat Gelsinger. The outcome of these developments could shape Intel’s future as it attempts to regain market dominance amid tough competition and internal restructuring.

Bests and Busts

Here's a look at this week's AI highlights and lowlights:

⭐ Best: Spotify Launches AI Playlist Creation for Personalized Music Discovery
Spotify has expanded its AI playlist generation feature to several new countries, including the US, allowing Premium subscribers to create custom playlists using text prompts. Users can input specific descriptions like "upbeat pop music for my European summer vacation" or "a romantic playlist for date night at home," and the AI will generate a personalized selection of songs matching the desired vibe. 

💩 Bust: Melbourne Mayor Mocked for AI-Generated Park Images
Melbourne Mayor Nick Reece faced online ridicule after sharing AI-generated images of proposed new parks that contained bizarre elements, including what appeared to be a lifeless body near children on a playground. The images, meant to visualize Reece's plan for 28 new parks if re-elected, featured other AI artifacts like people with extra limbs, prompting social media users to criticize the "creepy" and "embarrassing" fails. 

The Scoop 🍦

🚗 Volkswagen Gears up for In-Car AI Assistant
Volkswagen's US division has partnered with Google Cloud to introduce a generative AI-powered virtual assistant in its myVW smartphone app, providing drivers with personalized vehicle information and services. The AI assistant uses Google Cloud's Vertex AI and BigQuery platforms along with Gemini models to offer intuitive access to vehicle-specific details, including maintenance information and feature explanations.

🏜️ AI Uncovers 303 New Geoglyphs in Peru's Nazca Desert
Archaeologists have used AI to discover 303 previously unknown geoglyphs in Peru's Nazca Desert. The AI model, trained on images of existing geoglyphs, analyzed aerial photographs captured by drones to identify faint traces of new figures, including depictions of humans, domesticated animals, and abstract designs like a knife-wielding killer whale. This breakthrough nearly doubles the number of known Nazca geoglyphs.

🍽️ Restaurants Hire AI to Handle Phone Reservations
Restaurants are increasingly turning to AI-powered systems to handle phone reservations, with startups like Maitre-D AI, RestoHost, and Slang offering services to automate this process. While proponents argue these systems alleviate staff workload, some restaurant owners and customers have expressed concerns about the AI's ability to provide a personal touch and handle complex inquiries, highlighting the ongoing debate about the role of AI in customer service roles.

🏥 AI Drafts Patient Messages for Doctors Without Disclosure
Many doctors are using a new AI feature in MyChart to draft replies to patient messages, often without patients' knowledge. About 15,000 healthcare providers across over 150 health systems are utilizing this tool, which uses GPT-4 to generate responses based on patient records and previous communications. While some hospitals disclose the use of AI, many do not, raising concerns about transparency, potential errors, and the impact on doctor-patient relationships.

🤖 Duolingo Unveils AI-Powered Language Learning Features
Duolingo has introduced new AI-powered features to enhance language learning, including an interactive "video call" feature with AI character Lily and a mini-game called Adventures. These tools, part of the $30/month Duolingo Max subscription, use OpenAI's GPT-4 to generate natural conversations and scenarios for users to practice their language skills. CEO Luis von Ahn envisions an ultimate goal of creating an automated AI tutor, though he acknowledges potential risks and the need for careful implementation.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Jumble! See you next week for more updates on the latest trends and developments in AI.

Stay informed, stay curious, and stay ahead with Jumble!

Zoe from Jumble