Beginners in AI

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Welcome to this week's edition of Beginners in AI, where we explore the latest trends, tools, and news in the world of AI and the tech that surrounds it. Like all editions, this is human curated and published with the intention of making AI news and technology more accessible to everyone. 

This week, Google takes center stage with Pixel Sense, its upcoming AI-powered assistant that promises to redefine smartphone intelligence and maybe much more than that. Meanwhile, Rivian is stepping up its self-driving game, researchers in Japan are pushing the boundaries(when are they not?)of robotics by integrating real human muscle cells, and Google’s AI model challenges the competition by matching DeepSeek’s accuracy with just one GPU. Plus, we look into into OpenAI’s call for AI copyright reform, Oracle’s AI-driven fight against financial crime, and Microsoft’s latest AI-powered gaming assistant.

AI TOP STORY
HEADLINE OF THE TOP STORY

Google Enters the AI Assistant Wars
Google is gearing up to launch Pixel Sense, a new AI-powered assistant designed to enhance the Pixel device ecosystem. Reports suggest that Pixel Sense will go beyond traditional voice assistants, integrating advanced contextual awareness, real-time learning, and predictive capabilities. This move comes as AI-powered interactions become a defining battleground in the smartphone market, with Apple(albeit significantly delayed) and Samsung also investing heavily in next-gen AI assistants. It's worth mentioning that Apple had a 15-year head start on everyone else with their purchase of Siri all the way back in 2010 when they were the very first to incorporate an assistant into their phones.

What Sets Pixel Sense Apart?
Unlike Google Assistant, which primarily relies on voice commands, Pixel Sense is expected to be deeply embedded into Pixel devices, offering proactive suggestions, summarizing notifications, and assisting with daily tasks through multimodal AI (using text, voice, and even images as inputs). Its ability to understand user intent at a granular level would make interactions more fluid and intuitive, improving productivity and personalization.

What to Take Away From This
AI-powered assistants are evolving from simple command-based tools to full-fledged digital companions. They won’t just respond, they also anticipate our actions. If Pixel Sense delivers on its promise, it will forever redefine how we interact with smartphones— on the positive side, reducing manual input, automating tasks, and making mobile experiences more intuitive. On the other hand, this will require the AI to have access to nearly every single facet of the information on your phone. Given the amount of data we have on our smartphones, it’s equivalent to our entire digital lives. This trend is more important than it appears at first glance. Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker gives some compelling reasons for approaching with caution.

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LAST WEEK IN AI AND TECH

Hands-Free Highways – Rivian’s Autonomous Gets an Upgrade
Rivian has introduced a Hands-Off Highway Driving feature in its latest Gen2 Driver+ update, bringing its EVs closer to full autonomy. The system allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel on mapped highways, similar to GM’s Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot. There are six levels of self-driving autonomy. This would be about a level two, given it still requires driver attention, even though it won’t require hands on the wheel.

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AI or Bust – OpenAI Urges Trump to Settle AI Copyright Debate
OpenAI has warned that unresolved AI copyright regulations could put the U.S. at risk of falling behind China in the AI race. The company is pressing for clear rules on AI-generated content, intellectual property, and fair use laws. This highlights the growing tension between AI developers and content creators, as copyright battles continue to shape the future of AI-powered creativity. Google has also publicly joined in this effort.

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AI Agents to the Rescue - Oracle Uses AI to Fight Financial Crime
Oracle(whose founder Larry Ellison is still incredibly active in the tech community) has announced a new AI-powered system designed to combat financial fraud and money laundering. The AI agents analyze transaction patterns in real time, identifying suspicious activity faster and more accurately than traditional methods. With financial crimes costing billions annually, this innovation could be a game-changer for banks and regulators. Oracle is also looking to make a play for TikTok, a source of immense data to train AI and reach new markets if they chose to expand their reach.

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Co-Piloting to Victory – Xbox Introduces AI Copilot for Gamers
Microsoft is bringing AI-driven assistance to gaming with its new Copilot for Gaming. This AI-powered tool helps players with in-game guidance, walkthroughs, and strategy recommendations. Whether you're stuck on a level or looking to optimize gameplay, the AI aims to make gaming smoother and more enjoyable. It's similar to having an ever-present HUD(heads up display).

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Small but Mighty – Google Matches DeepSeek’s with Just One GPU
Google is making waves in AI efficiency with Gemma 3, claiming it reaches 98% of DeepSeek’s accuracy while requiring only a single GPU. This is a significant breakthrough in AI model optimization, as most high-performing models rely on multiple GPUs, making them costly and resource-intensive. By achieving comparable accuracy with a fraction of the computational power, Google is paving the way for more accessible and energy-efficient AI models. This could democratize AI development, enabling smaller companies and independent researchers to train powerful models without massive infrastructure costs. It’s worth knowing that Google created the technology that enabled ChatGPT to exist.

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TECH TERMS TO KNOW

Edge AI – AI that runs locally on devices instead of relying on cloud computing, enhancing real-time processing in self-driving cars and smart devices.

TOOL SPOTLIGHT (non-sponsored)

Google NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and collaboration tool designed to help users better understand and work with their documents. It functions as a research assistant that becomes an "instant expert" in the sources you upload, allowing you to interact with your content in more meaningful ways.

They've also recently added the ability to interact with the AI generated podcast to ask questions directly to the AI speakers.

Why You Should Use NotebookLM

NotebookLM offers several unique advantages:

Source Grounding

• Unlike general AI chatbots, NotebookLM stays focused on your specific documents

• All responses are based on your trusted sources, reducing concerns about inaccurate information

Advanced Citation System

• Provides inline citations for statements, allowing you to verify information easily

• Helps maintain academic integrity by clearly showing where information comes from

Improved Comprehension

• Helps break down complex subjects through multiple interaction methods

• Automates the creation of study aids, saving time on organizing materials

Idea Generation

• Suggests connections between ideas that might not be immediately obvious

• Particularly useful for research projects or generating new concepts

ROBOTICS AND AI

Scientists at Tokyo University in Japan have developed a biohybrid robotic hand that incorporates real human muscle cells, allowing for lifelike movement through electrical stimulation rather than traditional motors or hydraulics. This breakthrough in tissue engineering and robotics could lead to more advanced prosthetics, enhancing dexterity and responsiveness for amputees. Beyond prosthetics, biohybrid technology has potential applications in medical robotics, rehabilitation devices, and soft robotics for delicate tasks. While still in its early stages, this innovation marks a step toward bio-mechanically integrated robotics, blurring the line between human tissue and machines.

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TRY THIS PROMPT (copy and paste into AI ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, Gemini)

Analyze Me(longer time frames are better for models with better memory and shorter time frames are better for models with shorter memory.) 

Over the last [one/two/three] months, I've used this platform to [Optional: Briefly describe your use case, e.g., brainstorm ideas, write stories, etc.]. Please analyze my interactions and generated text during this period and identify:

Areas where I've demonstrated growth or improvement.
Positive recurring themes that reflect my values or interests.
Strengths in my thinking or creative processes.
Positive aspects of my writing or communication, and if there are any signs of improvement in my writing.

DID YOU KNOW?

The First AI-Generated Patent Was Rejected – A UK patent office rejected a patent application where an AI system named "DABUS" was listed as the inventor, ruling that only humans can hold patents. This sparked a global debate on AI ownership. The story we covered revolving around US law and the US Copyright Office said that humans must have high involvement to be able to claim copyright protections. See Copyright Office: AI Content is Protected, If Humans Helped 

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Thank you for reading. We’re all beginners in something. With that in mind, your questions and feedback are always welcome and I read every single email!

-James

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