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Tribe AI, an AI talent and services company founded by Jaclyn Rice Nelson and Noah Gale in 2019, has recently secured venture capital funding to address the growing demand for AI solutions. The company experienced a significant increase in demand following the release of ChatGPT in 2022, which marked a turning point in the AI industry. Early Days and Vision Jaclyn Rice Nelson, CEO of Tribe AI, previously worked as a Growth VP at CapitalG, Alphabet’s growth fund. She recognized the increasing need for AI strategies among companies like Stripe and Airbnb, who sought Google’s assistance in machine learning and…

The Rise of New AI Architectures After years of dominance by the transformer architecture in artificial intelligence (AI), researchers are now exploring new structures to overcome existing limitations. Transformers, which are central to models like OpenAI’s Sora and Anthropic’s Claude, are facing technical challenges, particularly in terms of computational efficiency. Limitations of Transformers Transformers, although powerful, are not the most efficient when it comes to processing large volumes of data using standard hardware. This inefficiency has resulted in increasing power demands, which may not be sustainable as companies expand their infrastructure to support transformer models. Introducing Test-Time Training (TTT) Models…

iOS 18 Developer Beta Introduces New Flashlight Features Apple has introduced a revamped flashlight user interface (UI) in the latest iOS 18 developer beta, now available for public testing. This update enhances the functionality and user experience of the flashlight on compatible iPhone models, including the iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro. Enhanced Flashlight Controls The updated flashlight controls move beyond the traditional on/off switch and four levels of brightness. The new interface allows users to adjust both the brightness and the beam width dynamically. This feature was first introduced with basic controls but has now been refined in the…

New Creative Options for Reels Users Instagram has announced a new feature that allows users to add multiple audio tracks to their Reels, enhancing the creative possibilities for content creators worldwide. Users can now include up to 20 tracks in a single Reel, providing greater flexibility in audio customization. How to Use the Multi-Track Feature To add multiple tracks, users can select the “Add to mix” option within the Reel editor. This feature allows users to trim each track to use only the desired portion of audio, giving them the ability to visually align the sound with text, stickers, and…

Introduction South Korean prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Brian Kim, founder of the internet conglomerate Kakao, amid an investigation into alleged stock market manipulation during a bidding war for SM Entertainment in 2023. Background on the Case In March 2023, Kakao and its subsidiary, Kakao Entertainment, emerged as the controlling shareholder of SM Entertainment by acquiring a 39.9% stake in the K-pop giant. This victory followed a heated bidding war with Hybe, the company behind the famous K-pop group BTS. Kakao offered to purchase SM Entertainment shares at 150,000 KRW ($115) each, surpassing Hybe’s earlier offer of 120,000…

Introduction California-based startup Bigfoot has launched Littlefoot, an AI-powered chatbot designed to personalize weekend planning and enhance local experience discovery. By integrating generative AI, Bigfoot aims to simplify finding neighborhood activities, creating an experience akin to conversing with a knowledgeable friend. The Concept Behind Littlefoot Bigfoot co-founder Alex Ward emphasizes the goal of making weekend planning easier and more enjoyable. Littlefoot allows users to interact with Bigfoot’s curated list of local events, activities, and nightlife options through a conversational interface. This feature enables personalized recommendations for activities such as hiking, dining, and cultural experiences. Bigfoot’s Unique Approach Although the concept…

Introduction to The Way App The Way, a new meditation app founded by Henry Shukman and Jack Shukman, offers users a structured path guided by an authorized Zen master. Departing from mainstream mindfulness practices, The Way aims to deepen meditation experiences rooted in millennia-old traditions. Origins and Inspiration Henry Shukman, one of the five authorized Zen masters in the Sanbo Zen lineage globally, transitioned to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraged by positive responses, Henry’s student Kevin Rose, a tech founder, proposed creating an app featuring Henry’s teachings. Joined by his nephew Jack, previously in investment banking, they envisioned…

Introduction to Spotify’s AI DJ Feature Spotify has expanded its AI DJ feature beyond English, introducing a Spanish-speaking version named ‘Livi.’ This new addition aims to personalize music recommendations using a voice based on Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa, a senior music editor at Spotify in Mexico City. Evolution of Spotify’s AI DJ Initially launched last year, Spotify’s AI DJ is designed to enhance user engagement by providing personalized music selections in a natural and relatable voice. The introduction of ‘Livi’ marks a significant expansion of this feature, leveraging insights from increased user interactions, which have grown by over 200% in…

Introduction to Designer App Microsoft has officially launched its AI-powered Designer app, moving it out of preview mode to make it accessible to iOS and Android users. This app, likened to Canva, allows users to create a variety of visual content using AI-generated text prompts. App Features and Accessibility Designer is now available in over 80 languages, accessible as a free mobile app on iOS and Android, and also as a Windows app. Creative Capabilities with Prompt Templates The app offers “prompt templates” designed to inspire creativity, providing styles and descriptions that users can customize and share. Users can collaborate…

Overview of the Removal Apple has removed multiple VPN apps from its App Store in Russia after a directive from Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications watchdog, according to statements from VPN developers. Government Request and Response Reports indicate that Apple complied with Roskomnadzor’s demand to remove 25 VPN apps from the Russian App Store. This action follows stringent internet regulations in Russia, where VPNs are frequently used to bypass censorship and access restricted content. Impact on VPN Providers Several VPN services, including Le VPN, Red Shield VPN, and AdGuard VPN, confirmed the removal of their apps from the App Store. They…