Daily AI NEWS - August 3, 2024
AI, Expansion, and Financial Shifts

Taco Bell has announced the integration of AI into its drive-thru operations across the U.S. Hundreds of locations will see the implementation by year's end, aiming to streamline service.

CMOs from major brands like American Express, DoorDash, and JP Morgan Chase reveal that AI is positively impacting their businesses, driving efficiency and innovation.

An economist highlights that workers displaced by AI will fare better than Midwest manufacturing employees from two decades ago, suggesting they will have a better chance of finding new jobs.

Google Gemini might soon question your taste in music. A Spotify extension for Google Gemini has been spotted in a teardown, hinting on being able to play music via AI. A new extension found in a Google Gemini teardown hints that the AI will soon have the ability to play your favorite tracks on Spotify.

Google Chrome picks up Lens on desktop and 'Tab Compare' in latest AI update. Google detailed several new AI features in line for desktop Chrome users, including the debut of Lens.

Upcoming OnePlus Buds Pro 3 likely to support AI call summary feature. OnePlus might add a new AI call summary feature for the upcoming earbuds and hopefully for the older generation earbuds too.

This $149 Qualcomm-powered Raspberry Pi rival has 5G and an AI accelerator. Particle just unveiled the Tachyon, a single-board computer that takes on the Raspberry Pi. With powerful Qualcomm hardware, global 5G, and the ability to run AI natively, it may just be what you need.

Google Cloud expands gen AI power for database and data analytics tools. Google is bringing Gemini to BigQuery and Looker while expanding the power of the Spanner database for gen AI.

Intel is making significant workforce reductions, as the chipmaker announced plans to slash over 15,000 jobs. Despite receiving billions in funds from the US government, Intel is slashing 15 percent of its workforce and suspending its dividend in an effort to turn around its lagging performance. The news has resulted in a notable plummet in Intel's share prices.

Meanwhile, Apple has reported strong financial results for the third fiscal quarter of 2024, with a notable $21.4B profit on $85.8 billion in revenue. This reflects the company's continued robust performance in the tech market, despite broader industry challenges.

In related news, the semiconductor industry is experiencing a supercycle that is boosting companies like Nvidia. However, experts caution investors to be wary, as the market dynamics could change, potentially affecting valuations and stock performance in the future.

Microsoft now lists OpenAI as a competitor, despite its significant $13 billion investment and long-term partnership. The relationship has grown complex as OpenAI's advancements pose new challenges and opportunities in AI and search technologies.

Google's new Gemini 1.5 Pro aims to outpace AI rival GPT-4, introducing the experimental "version 0801." Available for early testing through Google AI Studio, Gemini 1.5 Pro showcases Google's ongoing commitment to leading the AI race.

Nvidia faces scrutiny as the U.S. Department of Justice investigates its dominant position in the AI chip market. This probe signals a broader crackdown on major tech players, challenging the company's noteworthy success heading into 2024.

Google has pulled its "Dear Sydney" ad after backlash, perceived as dismissive of AI concerns. The ad, promoting Google's Gemini AI, was criticized for being tone-deaf, leading viewers to turn off comments on YouTube.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman announced that Microsoft and others must pay to search the site. The move follows agreements with Google and OpenAI, highlighting the site's desire for control over data usage.

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Nvidia's dominance in the AI chip market, raising questions about competition and market fairness. Meta AI faced criticism for downplaying a Trump rally incident, sparking debate about AI-generated misinformation.