Microsoft thinks it found a way to make PCs relevant again

Microsoft jumped headfirst into building artificial intelligence directly into its Windows operating system on Monday, announcing new AI computers that could help ramp up flagging PC sales.

The developments push the company closer to its long-time goal to “build computers that understand us versus us having to understand computers,” CEO Satya Nadella told the audience at the company’s annual developer conference at its Redmond, Washington headquarters.

“I feel like we’re really close to that real breakthrough,” he added.

The computers, which are packed with processors that power advanced AI tools, come as PC sales have stalled for years. The company hopes the new machines will boost sales and revive excitement, particularly as AI is expected to become increasingly part of everyday life.

Microsoft’s new lineup of Copilot+ PCs, which feature a new Surface Pro tablet and Surface laptop, include AI tools that don’t require internet connection – the AI processing occurs directly on the device


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Scientists use generative AI to answer complex questions in physics

Researchers from MIT and the University of Basel in Switzerland applied generative artificial intelligence models to this problem, developing a new machine-learning framework that can automatically map out phase diagrams for novel physical systems.

Their physics-informed machine-learning approach is more efficient than laborious, manual techniques which rely on theoretical expertise. Importantly, because their approach leverages generative models, it does not require huge, labeled training datasets used in other machine-learning techniques.

Such a framework could help scientists investigate the thermodynamic properties of novel materials or detect entanglement in quantum systems, for instance. Ultimately, this technique could make it possible for scientists to discover unknown phases of matter autonomously.


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How to Improve Transparency in Blackbox AI Models

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries by offering solutions that range from autonomous vehicles to healthcare diagnostics and financial predictions. However, many AI models, intense learning models, operate as "black boxes," making decisions in ways that are not easily interpretable by humans. This lack of transparency raises concerns regarding accountability, trust, and ethical implications, especially when these models are deployed in critical areas such as healthcare, criminal justice, and finance. Improving the transparency of blackbox AI models is essential to fostering trust, ensuring fairness, and enabling meaningful human oversight.

Blackbox AI models are complex algorithms whose internal workings are not accessible or interpretable by humans. These models, especially those based on deep learning, involve intricate layers of computations that process inputs to produce outputs. While they can achieve high levels of accuracy, their decision-making processes remain opaque. This opaqueness stems from their reliance on large datasets and numerous parameters, making it difficult to trace how specific decisions are made.


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A New Era in Neuroscience with Generative AI

Researchers developed a groundbreaking model called Brain Language Model (BrainLM) using generative artificial intelligence to map brain activity and its implications for behavior and disease. BrainLM leverages 80,000 scans from 40,000 subjects to create a foundational model that captures the dynamics of brain activity without the need for specific disease-related data.

This model significantly reduces the cost and scale of data required for traditional brain studies, offering a robust framework that can predict conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD more effectively than other tools. The BrainLM demonstrates a potent application in clinical trials, potentially halving the costs by identifying patients most likely to benefit from new treatments.


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Microsoft’s big bet on building a new type of AI computer

Microsoft’s new Windows on Arm push is a milestone moment. It’s taken nearly five years to get to the point where the software maker is confident it has the upper hand over the MacBook Air on performance, battery life, and app compatibility.

But behind the scenes, Microsoft has been working on something even bigger. While Microsoft has spent years working toward an Arm transition that will now play out throughout the summer and beyond, it’s the AI overhaul at the heart of this new generation of “Copilot Plus PCs” that could fundamentally change how we use Windows on a daily basis.

I recently got the chance to hear from the leaders behind Microsoft’s big AI push, and they made it clear that this isn’t just a silicon change. Microsoft has rearchitected Windows 11 to run dozens of AI models in the background, and they believe it can reshape the experience of using a PC...


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Google's new AI can find lost specs

AI systems able to interpret information in images via a phone camera, in videos and sounds and in spoken language have been shown off by Google.

In one demo a prototype AI powered assistant running on a phone was able to answer the age-old question "where did I put my glasses".

It comes a day after rival OpenAI's launch of its latest AI system, GPT-4o, which included an eye-catching presentation in which it read human expressions via a phone camera, and chatted - and flirted - fluently.

Google appears keen to stress its tools are as capable of this kind of so-called "multimodal" understanding as its rival.

As a sign of this "anything you can do I can do better" style competition, Google had teased the capability of its systems running on a phone just ahead of OpenAI's announcement.


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Google invests 1 billion euros in Finnish data centre to drive AI growth

Analysts believe data centres' power consumption is set to massively increase due to the rapid growth in AI usage, which Google, too, cited for one of the reasons behind its investment decision, alongside its Hamina data centre in Finland already operating with 97% carbon-free energy.

Finland's Nordic neighbours Sweden and Norway have recently grown increasingly critical of hosting them, with some industry experts arguing the Nordic countries should use their renewable power for products such as green steel that could leave higher surplus value in the countries.

"Heat coming out of our Finnish data center will be re-routed to the district heating network in nearby Hamina, covering local households, schools and public service buildings," Google said in the statement. It added that it aimed to achieve net zero emissions across all of its operations and value chain by 2030.


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New Windows laptops will remember everything you do on your PC, will read your screen all the time because AI

Microsoft revealed Copilot+ PCs, ahead of the Build 2024 event that kicks off Tuesday, which is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Amid the advancement of AI, Microsoft has put together a great deal of features in this new range. Recall is one of the most talked about features of the Copilot+ PCs.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that the Copilot+ PCs will use the new Snapdragon X series chipset and are optimised to run AI workloads locally with better performance. This attempt can be seen as a road to pick up in the race of AI.


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Is This the Secret to Ending Your Toxic Phone Addiction?

Our smartphones have become our lifelines to the world, but they can also be our greatest burden. We feel beholden to news, information, and live texts from our loved ones and we don’t know how to let go of these tethers.

But for a growing number of people, the only way to free themselves from those obligations is to let their phones die—deliberately.

Several people told The Daily Beast that they intentionally refrain from plugging in their iPhones to charge when it’s in the red battery zone, hoping it will drain completely, and momentarily rid themselves of their duties and connection to people and the internet.

“This week alone, I’ve let it die twice,” said 31-year-old Los Angeles-based Nikki Dunlap, who started the practice earlier this year, and habitually lets her phone die about two to four times a week. “I do it because I feel like there’s a handcuff around my wrist connected to my phone.


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Google One is shutting down its VPN feature later this year

At the moment, you can access One's VPN service if you're in one of the 22 countries where it's active, whether you're on iOS or Android. You can also use it to mask your internet usage on a Mac or Windows computer. Google didn't say when the VPN service will stop working completely, but it told 9to5Google that it's discontinuing the feature because "people simply weren’t using it." Instead of trying to drum up interest, it's redirecting its resources to support other and more in-demand One features. However, you'll still be able to use the free VPN that comes with Pixel devices even after One's shuts down through the Settings app on Pixel 7 devices and newer models.


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AI Can Now Read Your Daydreams

Researchers developed methods to predict emotions in spontaneous thoughts using fMRI and machine learning. They crafted personalized narratives that participants read while their brain activity was monitored, aiming to decode the emotional dimensions of thoughts.
By analyzing fMRI data, the team identified key brain regions involved in processing personal relevance and emotional valence. Their breakthrough offers insights into the emotional undertones of daydreams and could revolutionize mental health diagnostics.
The study utilized fMRI and machine learning to predict subjective feelings during story reading and spontaneous thinking.
Key brain areas like the anterior insula and midcingulate cortex were crucial in predicting personal relevance and emotional tone.
The research suggests potential applications in understanding individual emotional experiences and improving mental health assessments.


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Microsoft is trying to convince Windows 10 users to upgrade with full-screen prompts

Microsoft is trying to entice Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 with fullscreen prompts 18 months before the end of support cutoff. Reddit user Woopinah9 spotted a notification “while in the middle of working,” where Microsoft thanks Windows 10 “customers” for their loyalty with a full-screen message and then explains the end of support date. You might be expecting a free upgrade as part of this interruption, but unfortunately for this Reddit user, their PC can’t upgrade to Windows 11, so it’s more “hey check out this cool thing we have! oh but you cant have it,” as one Redditor puts it.

While Some Windows 10 users will see this prompt and be able to upgrade to Windows 11, this Reddit user, in particular, has one of the many millions of PCs that isn’t able to upgrade due to Microsoft’s hardware requirements for Windows 11.


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Google using AI to come up with search answers in UK trial

Initially only a small proportion of logged-in UK users will see an AI-generated "overview" at the top of some search results.

While Google is the most popular search engine, Microsoft's rival Bing already integrates its Copilot AI.

But some publishers worry AI answers may reduce visits to their sites.

They fear longer chatbot-style responses will satisfy users' curiosity without having to visit their websites, while AI answers will also contain fewer links and ads.


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Getty Images CEO Calls for Industry Standards Around AI

The CEO of Getty Images, who is taking part in an innovation summit on artificial intelligence being held Wednesday at Cannes’ international TV market MIPTV, remains clear-eyed about the dangers generative AI could pose to the creative industries.

“What concerns me is that not everyone wants there to be more creators, some want the creators to be automated away. You saw that play out in the LA strikes last year,” says Peters, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of his MIPTV session. “Not everybody wants to eliminate the societal issues that can come from this technology, there are people who want to exploit this technology…That’s what keeps me up at night.”


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WhatsApp working on a new feature, might let users view documents without downloading

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in India and has millions of followers across the globe. For most people, their day begins by checking WhatsApp messages and connecting with family as well as friends. And the Meta-owned company, in the last few months, has announced several new features to enhance the overall user experience. Now, WhatsApp is reported to be working on another feature that would make it easier for users to share documents. As per a report in WA Beta Info, WhatsApp is testing a new feature for Android. The messaging app, as per the report, is pondering over the idea of including document previews. This means when you share a document, you will see a small picture of it before you open it.


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How Artificial Intelligence Is Fueling Incel Communities

In late January 2024, X was flooded with graphic, deepfaked images of Taylor Swift. While celebrities have long been the victims of photo leaks and cyber-attacks, this time it was different because these were generated using artificial intelligence.

The images were quickly reported by the “Shake It Off” singer’s fanbase and taken down after being live on the poster’s profile for less than a day. However, it was enough time for them to go viral despite the platform having policies against non-consensual nudity. A report from disinformation research firm Graphika later found that the images had been created on 4chan, where users encouraged each other to generate sexually charged deepfakes in an attempt to skirt content policies surrounding nudity using famous female celebrities.


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AI to Impact 1.1 Bn Roles for People Across Culture, Genders and Abilities

At the keynote of India’s biggest diversity and inclusive conference, The Rising 2024, Vidya Rao, chief technology and transformation officer, said billions of roles are prone to radical transformation because of AI.

“In this decade, over 1.1 billion roles are set to undergo a radical transformation due to the pervasive influence of technology,” said Rao. She said this seismic shift in the job market isn’t confined to a single demographic but encompasses a wide spectrum of individuals from diverse cultures, genders, and abilities.


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New features coming to File Explorer in Windows 11 24H2

Windows 11’s File Explorer wasn’t received well when it launched, but Microsoft gradually improved the app. It added a new Home section, support for more archive formats, a new details pane, and several other features. The old context menu in File Explorer had icons for common actions like copy, paste, etc. It was a good way to use less space and declutter the context menu. However, the icons were slightly confusing and lacked labels.
Windows 11 24H2 fixes this by adding labels to these icons. The labels appear below the icons making it easy to identify the icons and avoid clicking on the wrong one.


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WhatsApp was down in Meta’s second big outage this year

For the second time in just over a month, Meta’s apps, including WhatsApp, and to some extent, Messenger and Instagram, faced outages and intermittent issues. While it’s rare for services as large as those operated by Meta to go down entirely, Meta’s status page detailed disruptions to key business services, including its Ads Manager, Messenger Platform, WhatsApp Business API and others. WhatsApp also confirmed the outage in an update to its X account.

“We know some people are experiencing issues right now, we’re working on getting things back to 100% for everyone as quickly as possible,” the company shared at 2:55 p.m. ET.
Users also reported issues accessing Instagram and Messenger, according to social media posts and crowdsourced reporting sites like Downdector. The latter, however, cannot serve as an official confirmation of an outage


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