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.

This week, we spotlight a pivotal moment in AI governance as Sriram Krishnan steps into a powerful policy role shaping the future of AI regulation for the next four years. From autonomous lab bots revolutionizing science to Meta’s sleek new smart glasses and OpenAI’s ambitious humanoid robot plans, the tech world is abuzz with innovation and optimism for 2025.

AI TOP STORY
Sriram Krishnan named Trump’s Senior Policy Advisor for AI

Key Appointment
Well regarded technologist and investor Sriram Krishnan has been appointed as Senior Policy Advisor for AI in the incoming Trump administration. Known for his influential roles at Twitter, Meta, and Andreessen Horowitz, Krishnan brings a wealth of experience to the complex intersection of technology and policy. It is likely the most important role in technology for the upcoming administration.

Policy Implications
This appointment signals a strong push toward regulating AI development while fostering innovation. Krishnan is expected to lead efforts in ensuring AI systems are both ethical and competitive on a global scale, addressing concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the rising need for transparency(open source models and seeing how AI acts the way it does). This runs counter to European counterparts, who tend to overemphasize regulation at the expense of exploring new technologies and advancements.

Why It Matters
AI is now at the forefront of innovation, shaping industries and societies worldwide on a scale rivaling the internet in its influence. Having an experienced voice like Krishnan guiding policy ensures balanced regulations that protect citizens, while maintaining the U.S.'s leadership in AI technology. This move has the potential to impact not only the tech sector, but also how AI integrates into the everyday life of ordinary Americans for decades to come. Read More

LAST WEEK IN AI AND TECH

Lab Bots Go Live!
Tetsuwan Scientific has introduced robotic AI scientists that can autonomously perform laboratory experiments. Equipped with advanced machine learning models, these bots decide on the next steps in research and execute them without human intervention, promising a revolution in fields like drug development and biotechnology. They can also be useful for checking errors alongside human scientists, as demonstrated by GPT-4, which identified a problem in one of the DNA images it analyzed and suggested a solution. Read more

OpenAI’s Humanoid Dreams
OpenAI is reportedly exploring humanoid robots, aiming for AI-powered machines that can interact physically with the world. Robotics as we know it is already being reshaped by the addition of (artificial)intelligence. Industry insiders suggest this effort may involve partnerships with top robotics firms to accelerate development. The project reportedly faces challenges in ensuring safe and responsible deployment of human-like machines, much like every other project of this nature.
Read More

Meta’s Smart Shades
Meta’s new Ray-Ban glasses offer improved AR(augmented reality) overlays, voice-activated features, and longer battery life. Could these be the future of wearables? Early users praise the intuitive design and seamless integration with other Meta platforms. Meta aims to position the glasses as a productivity tool, blending work and personal convenience in everyday life. These would be a direct competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro wearable that is on the market.
Read More

AI Crystal Ball
Experts lay out their predictions for 2025. We will see hyper-personalized AI tools, creative breakthroughs, and new applications in fields like health and sustainability. Key trends include AI’s deeper integration into daily life with virtual assistants capable of offering real-time mental health support and highly customized education platforms(like this school in Arizona from last week’s edition). Entrepreneurs are also looking to leverage AI for breakthroughs in climate tech, including predictive models for disaster prevention and energy optimization.
Read More

AI Meets Art
A new magazine dedicated to AI art explores the intersection of human creativity and machine learning. The publication features AI-generated art, interviews, and thought-provoking essays. Highlighting contributions from leading artists and technologists, the magazine serves as a platform for debating the role of AI in reshaping creative industries. It also delves into controversies surrounding originality and intellectual property in AI art, a hot topic that will likely rage on for many years to come.
Read More

TECH TERMS TO KNOW

In 1970, Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori introduced the concept of the "uncanny valley," observing that as robots became more human-like, they elicited increased affinity from people, but only up to a certain threshold. Beyond this point led to feelings of unease and discomfort among observers.

Uncanny Valley refers to that discomfort or eeriness people feel when humanoid robots or avatars look and act almost, but not exactly, like real humans. This phenomenon often becomes a challenge in robotics, animation, and AI design, as developers aim to strike the right balance between realism and relatability, navigating this "valley" carefully to enhance user experience without creeping them out.

TOOL SPOTLIGHT (non-sponsored)

Superhuman AI is an advanced suite of features integrated into the Superhuman email client, designed to enhance productivity by leveraging artificial intelligence. These tools assist users in managing their inboxes more efficiently through capabilities such as drafting emails, summarizing conversations, and scheduling events. Basically, do everything email related faster than before.

Key Features:

• Instant Reply: Generates draft responses for incoming emails, allowing users to quickly edit and send replies, effectively doubling email response speed.

• Auto Summarize: Provides concise, one-line summaries of email conversations, enabling users to grasp the essence of messages without reading the full content.

• Write with AI: Assists in composing emails by expanding brief phrases into complete messages that match the user's unique voice and tone, streamlining the drafting process.

• Ask AI: Allows users to query their inbox using natural language, facilitating rapid information retrieval without the need for specific keywords or manual searching.

• Instant Event: Enables swift creation of calendar events directly from emails, complete with all necessary details, enhancing scheduling efficiency.

COURSE
Join the growing community of AI enthusiasts starting from the ground up right here

ROBOTICS AND AI

China Unveils a Robot That Can Perform a 320° Waist Spin

China has introduced a robotic marvel capable of performing a 320° waist spin, showcasing exceptional agility and versatility. This innovation is designed for applications in entertainment, sports, and even healthcare, and military where dynamic movement is essential. It’s a fascinating example of how robotics can mimic human-like flexibility while pushing the boundaries of engineering. China is arguably the leader in this field, devoting great resources into AI and robotics.
Read More

TRY THIS PROMPT (copy and paste)

Year-End Reflection & 2025 Roadmap

Let’s do a thorough reflection of my past year and compare it to my desired goals for 2025. 

First, ask me about the most significant successes, challenges, and lessons I’ve had this past year. 

Then, guide me to clarify my goals for 2025 and identify the steps I need to take. We’ll create a detailed action plan that includes timelines, potential obstacles, and key habits or mindset shifts to focus on. 

Finally, help me set up a system for tracking progress and staying accountable and format all of this into a table.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1969, the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) on the spacecraft executed tens of thousands of instructions per second. Modern smartphones, by contrast, typically carry billions of bytes of memory and operate in the gigahertz range, which translates into billions of instructions per second.

The processing power of your smartphone today is millions of times greater than the computers used to guide Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon in 1969.

AI-ASSISTED IMAGE OF THE WEEK

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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