Five Recent Developments in Artificial Intelligence: Google Maps, Rishi Sunak, and More
More AI developments have emerged in the past 24 hours, with significant updates from tech firms and governments. Google Maps is set to undergo an AI-powered transformation, introducing features like Immersive View and improved driving directions. Additionally, the app will soon be able to answer basic queries, resembling Google Search. In another development, UK PM Rishi Sunak addressed the capabilities and potential risks associated with AI, including cyber-attacks, fraud, and child sexual abuse. This follows the release of a government report that exposed the use of AI to de-age celebrities and create sexualized images of children. Stay tuned for more updates in today’s AI roundup as we delve deeper into these developments.
Google Maps renews artificial intelligence
Google is adding a slew of new AI features to Maps, including immersive navigation, streamlined and clear driving directions, and more helpful search results, according to a report from The Verge. It feels like Google Maps is becoming a Google Search or more aptly a Search Generated Experience (SGE) as Maps is now designed to also answer questions like ‘cafe near me’, ‘things to do in New Delhi’ and ‘best’. ice cream’. In short, Google Maps is becoming a service where discoverability is of great importance.
“Artificial intelligence has really enhanced the way we map… It plays a key role in everything from navigation, commuting, finding new restaurants, where to go, when to go. These are all really important decisions that people make all the time,” said Chris Phillips, vice president and general manager of Geo, the team behind Maps and similar location mapping products.
Rishi Sunak on AI risks
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave a speech Thursday morning highlighting the capabilities of artificial intelligence and potential threats, including cyberattacks, fraudulent activities and child sexual abuse, the BBC reported. The latter came in response to a government report that showed pedophiles were using artificial intelligence to create sexualized images of children.
Sunak noted that the report also highlighted many other risks, one of which was the possibility that terrorist organizations could use artificial intelligence to spread fear and chaos on a larger scale. “In the worst case scenario, society could lose all control over AI and prevent it from shutting down,” he said.
“This is not a risk that people need to lose sleep over right now, and I don’t want to be alarmed,” he added, saying he was generally optimistic about AI’s potential to change people’s lives for the better.
Liz Truss tells Rishi Sunak: Inviting China to AI summit was a mistake
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss has written a letter to current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warning against inviting China to the UK’s AI summit. In an X message, he said: “China should not be invited to the UK AI summit at Bletchley Park. We should be working with our allies, not those who seek to undermine freedom and democracy. I have written to the Prime Minister asking for the invitation to be withdrawn.
Artificial intelligence can change the smartphone update cycle, says Qualcomm SVP
Speaking to Indian Express, Alex Katouzian, vice president and general manager of Mobile, Compute and XR at Qualcomm, said that AI could be the catalyst that transforms the seemingly stagnant smartphone upgrade cycle into something exciting.
“The update cycle for these devices has been extended because it has somewhat stagnated. They have seen improvements in graphics, added camera features, but the screen remains mostly the same. We went into foldable phones, which were cool but haven’t hit the mass market yet,” he said.
Google adds AI threats to bug bounty program
Google has announced that it is expanding its Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) to include attack scenarios related to generative artificial intelligence.
“We believe expanding the VRP will encourage research into the safety and security of AI and highlight potential issues that will ultimately make AI safer for everyone,” Google said in an announcement shared with TechCrunch ahead of its release.
