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Welcome to this week's edition of Jumble, your go-to source for the latest in AI. This issue covers Uber’s expansion into a new division and NASA’s advancements in disaster response. It’s a packed week in AI and here’s what you need to know ⬇️

Uber Launches AI Data Labeling Service 🚗

Uber Technologies Inc. has expanded its gig economy model into the AI development sector with the launch of Scaled Solutions, a new division focused on AI training and data labeling. This initiative leverages Uber's experience in managing a large distributed workforce to provide high-quality datasets for businesses developing AI models. Scaled Solutions builds upon an internal team that has been handling large-scale annotation tasks for Uber's various services.

Key points:

1. Uber is now recruiting skilled contractors in India, the US, Canada, Poland, and Nicaragua for AI-related tasks.

2. The company is serving external clients, including Aurora Innovation Inc. and Niantic Inc.

3. Tasks include labeling images, text, and videos for machine learning models, as well as evaluating AI-generated code responses.

4. Earnings for contractors are based on completed tasks and paid out monthly.

5. Uber aims to capitalize on the growing market for AI development outsourcing, competing with established players like Scale AI.

This move allows Uber to diversify its business model and tap into the booming AI industry, while potentially raising questions about fair compensation for gig workers in the AI development space.

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NASA AI Revolutionizes Disaster Response and Recovery 🛰️

NASA's commitment to open science and AI is transforming disaster research and recovery efforts. The space agency's innovative approach is providing critical data and tools to aid organizations in responding to natural disasters more effectively.

Empowering Disaster Response with Space Technology
NASA's Disasters Program has emerged as a key player in disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery. During Hurricane Ida, one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, the program provided a wealth of remotely sensed products to first responders and organizations. These included crucial information on soil moisture changes, vegetation alterations, precipitation accumulations, flood detection, and nighttime light analysis for identifying power outages.

AI-Driven Damage Assessment
The Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) has developed an AI system that detects blue tarps on rooftops in hurricane aftermath imagery. This innovative approach allows for rapid assessment of damage severity in affected communities, enabling more efficient and targeted recovery efforts.

Open Science Initiative
NASA's Office of the Chief Science Data Officer is spearheading a collaboration with IBM to develop five open-source AI foundation models. These models, trained on NASA's extensive satellite data repositories, aim to make the agency's vast and growing data more accessible and usable for a wide range of applications.

Implications for Future Disaster Management
Kevin Murphy, NASA's chief science data officer, emphasized the agency's dedication to making scientific data accessible and beneficial to all. The AI foundation models are designed to be scientifically validated and adaptable, ensuring swift and effective response even in challenging disaster scenarios.

This innovative approach by NASA not only advances scientific frontiers but also delivers tangible societal benefits. By providing data that can safeguard lives and improve resilience against future threats, NASA is setting a new standard in disaster research and recovery efforts.

Bests and Busts

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

⭐ Best: US Military Plans to Use AI to Prevent Future Terrorist Attacks
The US Department of Defense has announced a new AI-powered camera system to help prevent terrorist attacks like 9/11. The Enhanced Regional Situational Awareness (ERSA) system uses AI and laser technology to quickly identify unauthorized aircrafts approaching restricted areas in Washington D.C. The system can track small targets like birds, measure an object's altitude and distance, and illuminate aircraft cockpits with warning lasers if they violate flight restrictions. 

💩 Bust: Apple Intelligence Faces Regulatory Hurdles in China
Apple is encountering significant challenges in its efforts to introduce Apple Intelligence, its AI technology, to the Chinese market. The Chinese government has warned that foreign tech companies will face a "difficult and long process" for approval unless they collaborate with local firms. This regulatory landscape has prompted Apple CEO Tim Cook to make his third visit to China this year, engaging in discussions with Chinese officials and tech companies to navigate the complex approval process.

The Scoop 🍦

🕵️ Delhi Police Use AI to Unmask Snatcher
Delhi Police successfully used AI to identify a masked phone snatcher, leading to his arrest and the recovery of the stolen device. The police used AI to virtually remove the mask from CCTV footage of the crime, revealing a blurred image of the suspect's face. This innovative approach allowed investigators to identify and apprehend Afnan Ali, a 23-year-old resident of Sadar Bazar, who had recently been released from Tihar Jail just seven days prior to committing the theft.

🤖 Claude AI Can Now Match Your Writing Style
Anthropic has introduced custom styles for its Claude AI assistant, allowing users to personalize the chatbot's responses to match their unique writing style or choose from preset options. The new feature aims to make Claude's replies more natural and appropriate for various applications, with three preset styles available: Formal, Concise, and Explanatory.

🏛️ DOJ's AI Strategy Is Outdated and Under Scrutiny
The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General has highlighted the agency's lack of an updated public AI strategy, with the most recent one dating back to 2020. This outdated strategy fails to account for the recent boom in AI technology, including the widespread adoption of generative AI tools. The OIG emphasizes the need for a proactive approach so the department can uphold the rule of law, ensure public safety, and protect civil rights.

​​🛍️ Retail Execs Optimistic on AI's Holiday Impact
A new survey by NLX reveals that 92% of retail executives plan to have customer-facing generative AI applications live for the 2024 holiday shopping season. The survey shows high optimism among retail leaders regarding AI's impact, with 59% expecting it to significantly boost sales and 66% anticipating a substantial improvement in customer satisfaction. Only 4% of respondents believed AI would have a minimal impact on sales, highlighting the technology's perceived importance in the retail sector.

🇺🇸 Trump's AI Czar: A New Role in the Tech Landscape
President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating the creation of an "AI czar" to oversee federal AI policy, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy likely playing pivotal roles in selecting the appointee. This position aims to enhance government efficiency and maintain the U.S.'s competitive edge in AI, while also potentially collaborating with existing federal AI officers and addressing issues like fraud and resource allocation in the public sector.

🎵 TikToker Exposes Popular YouTube Music Channel
A TikTok user claims that a popular YouTube lo-fi music channel is using AI-generated content, sparking debate about the authenticity of lo-fi playlists and the impact on real artists. The rise of AI music tools has led to tutorials on YouTube, with some creators claiming significant earnings from cheaply produced AI tracks, while YouTube's policies do not require disclosure of AI use unless it could be easily mistaken for real content.

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