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Topic: Google

Google researchers are leveraging AI and ML technologies to predict floods. (Google) AI 

Google researchers use AI technology to predict floods in India, potentially preventing loss of life

Adriana Marais, ,

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked concerns about its potential for both positive and negative impacts. Despite fears about the risks associated with this technology, there is no slowing down its progress. Google is leading the way in using AI for the benefit of humanity, as seen in its partnership with Apollo Hospitals in India to aid in early disease detection. Researchers are now turning their attention to predicting floods using AI technologies, with the goal of potentially saving lives. Google researchers use artificial intelligence technology to…

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Google fined 250 million euros by French regulators for not paying media companies and using their content for its AI chatbot without authorization. (AP) News 

French authorities fine Google 250 million euros in copyright battle

Adriana Marais

On Wednesday, French regulators announced a fine of 250 million euros ($272 million) for Google, citing violations of agreements to compensate media companies for using their content online and for utilizing their material in its AI chatbot without proper notification. Google had committed in 2022 to negotiate fairly with French news organizations, a year after the competition authority fined the US tech giant 500 million euros over the long-running dispute. Organizations representing French magazines and newspapers, as well as Agence France-Presse (AFP), had filed a case with the regulator in…

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Google Pixel 8a launch is expected at the I/O 2024 keynote in May this year and now some details about the phone have leaked. News 

Possible More Information on Google Pixel 8a Launch as it Approaches

Adriana Marais,

The Google Pixel 8a is shaping up to be a solid upgrade over its predecessor, and according to the latest report, the launch of a new Pixel a model isn’t far off. The biggest hint of the Pixel 8a’s launch is that the phone has passed the FCC, which is the final step in product certification before it hits the market. With the Google I/O 2024 dates already confirmed for mid-May this year, we can expect to hear more from the company about a possible Pixel 8a launch at its…

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Google DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman leaves his role at Inflection AI and joins Satya Nadella at Microsoft. (AFP) AI 

Former Google DeepMind co-founder joins Microsoft to lead AI products such as Copilot and Bing

Adriana Marais, , ,

Microsoft has scored a major victory by appointing Google DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman as the new CEO of Microsoft AI. This move is expected to enhance the company’s AI capabilities and expand its reach in the field. Suleyman will oversee consumer AI products like Copilot, Bing, and Edge, as well as lead research efforts. Google DeepMind founder joins Microsoft In 2010, Mustafa Suleyman founded the artificial intelligence technology company DeepMind, which was later acquired by Google in 2014. He was involved in several projects until 2019, when he was promoted…

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Google Drive is used by millions to store their data and important documents on the cloud, which has become a spam target for attackers. News 

Warning Issued to Google Drive Users Regarding Significant Spam Problem: Steps to Take Now

Adriana Marais, ,

Google Drive is the latest target of spam attacks, and the company has issued a clear warning to its users, asking them to be vigilant for possible intrusion attempts. Drive has generally been immune to these problems, but it seems the popularity of the platform has made it a possible way for hackers to push malware or try phishing attacks. Google has been dealing with Gmail’s spam problem for some time, and recently created a token to reduce and remove spam from your inbox. So how does Google Drive deal…

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Apple is working on its own AI model that will look to keep your data secure but some of its AI features could be borrowed as well. AI 

Apple is seeking Google’s assistance to enhance AI capabilities on iPhones by 2024.

Adriana Marais, ,

Apple is actively involved in bringing AI technology to iPhones this year, and the upcoming iOS 18 release is expected to see these changes. But the company is reportedly willing to use other existing AI models to power iOS for iPhones, giving them more features and tools. According to a report from Bloomberg on Monday, Apple is in talks with both Google and OpenAI to see if their AI models can be used to integrate some cloud-based generative AI features for iPhone users this year. Apple will likely rely on…

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Apple is in talks to bring Google’s Gemini to iPhones, hinting at promising AI upgrades. (REUTERS) AI 

Apple is in discussions with Google to license Gemini for AI capabilities on iPhones following OpenAI deal.

Adriana Marais, , ,

Apple is reportedly in discussions with Google to utilize its Large Language Model (LLM) Gemini for AI capabilities on the iPhone. This news follows Apple’s recent acquisition of Canadian AI startup DarwinAI, leading up to the anticipated release of iOS 18 with significant AI enhancements for the iPhone. Apple is negotiating with Google Bloomberg told people familiar with the matter that the Cupertino-based tech giant is in “active negotiations” with Google to license its Gemini artificial intelligence engine as it seeks to catch up with rivals such as Google and…

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Google's Gemini AI app errors, including images of diverse Nazi troops, criticized. (Google) AI 

Warning of tech giants’ power seen in Google Gemini’s flawed AI racial images

Adriana Marais,

At the cutting-edge tech festival, attendees viewed the scandal surrounding Google Gemini chatbot’s creation of images depicting Black and Asian Nazi soldiers as a cautionary tale about the potential influence of artificial intelligence in the hands of tech giants. Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently criticized his company’s Gemini AI app for its “completely unacceptable” mistakes, including the production of images featuring ethnically diverse Nazi soldiers, leading to a temporary suspension of user-generated content. Social media users mocked and criticized Google for historically inaccurate images, such as images of a black…

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Google has been grilled over its Play Store billing system in other countries and now the Indian regulator is keen to probe the company. News 

CCI initiates investigation into Google’s Play Store policies

Adriana Marais

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday ordered an investigation into the Google Play Store, accusing the tech giant of exploiting its dominant position in the country’s online market. The CCI said Google allegedly enacted unfair terms and discriminatory practices on its Play Store, violating several provisions of the country’s antitrust law. The investigation department of the CCI has been given 60 days to complete the investigation. The company said it is studying the CCI’s order to initiate the investigation. “CCI has previously investigated our service charges in detail…

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Google Gemini is exposing sensitive information to indirect prompts. (Bloomberg) AI 

Researcher warns about potential abuse of chatbot in Google Gemini, which could lead to exposure of sensitive information

Adriana Marais, ,

Google has rebranded its AI chatbot from Bard to Gemini and introduced a new app and Advanced version for users seeking additional AI features. However, concerns have been raised by researchers about potential security vulnerabilities in the Gemini Advanced version, which has been found to inadvertently expose confidential information. While the chatbot does not respond to direct malicious prompts, it can be manipulated through clever descriptions, as noted by cybersecurity experts. The report also revealed instances where Gemini exposed system prompts, raising further questions about its potential misuse. Learn more…

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Google I/O 2024 keynote will be hosted by CEO Sundar Pichai, who is likely to share new AI products and more about Android. AI 

Dates for Google I/O 2024 Revealed: Anticipated AI Developments, Pixel Updates, and More

Adriana Marais, , ,

2024 is only three months away, but Google is already gearing up for a big annual developer even in the next few months. That’s right, the Google I/O 2024 bugle has been heard and we also know when the next Google conference will be held this year. Google uses the I/O platform to show off a new version of Android, some major Pixel releases like last year’s Pixel Fold, and other key developer products that set the stage for platform development. Sundar Pichai will once again take the stage and…

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Paytm has come under RBI's scrutiny which has forced the company to change its business and even shut down some services. News 

Paytm UPI Service to Resemble Google Pay and PhonePe, Launching After March 15

Adriana Marais, ,

Paytm will officially stop supporting the payments bank, which has made many people worried about their digital payments. The last date is March 15, 2024, and the company has finally managed to get a reprieve of sorts, allowing the platform to offer UPI payments through its app. Paytm’s parent company has got the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to sign an agreement that will allow Paytm to use its UPI service, albeit as a third-party app like Google Pay and PhonePe. A third-party application means that the technical side…

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Google I/O 2024 is set to take place on May 14. Check details. (Google) AI 

Get ready for Google I/O 2024 on May 14: What to anticipate from AI to Google Pixel 8a

Adriana Marais, , ,

Google has revealed that its annual developer conference, Google I/O 2024, will take place on May 14 this year. The previous conference focused on artificial intelligence (AI), with the introduction of MusicLM, generative AI in Search, and AI tools for Workspace. Additionally, Google unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the Google Pixel Fold, and the more budget-friendly Pixel 7a. The upcoming event is expected to feature major announcements regarding Android 15, AI advancements, and the Pixel 8a. Stay tuned for updates on what to anticipate from Google I/O 2024. Google I/O…

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Google has been a leader in search which has given it hordes of data to train the AI model but the reality is different with Microsoft pulling away. AI 

Here’s why Microsoft’s Satya Nadella is surprised that Google is not leading the global AI race

Adriana Marais, , , ,

Microsoft has become a household name in the AI world thanks to its partnership with OpenAI. But the company believes that other companies have a better chance of leading the market. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says he can’t believe Google isn’t leading the AI race, especially with all the tools and resources at its disposal. In fact, Nadella was quoted as saying on the podcast that Google should have been the default winner. Why would he say that, especially when his company is way ahead of the California-based giant? Nadella…

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Know about Google Messages emoji reactions feature. (Google) News 

Learn how to use Google Messages’ new emoji reactions feature to add some fun to your chats

Adriana Marais

Google Messages has recently been focusing on enhancing user experience by introducing new features such as custom themes and background colors. In addition to animated emojis, photomoji, and effects, the platform has now added emoji reactions for chats, similar to those found on WhatsApp, Instagram, and iMessage. Learn more about this new feature on Google Messages. Google Messages emoji reaction feature According to a report by 9To5Google, Google Messages now includes emoji reaction features that allow users to drop reactions into text. If you want to add a reaction to…

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Google's bounty program rewards researchers who not only report bugs but also helps the company fix any major security lapses. News 

Researchers who discovered security issues and bugs were paid $10 million by Google in 2023.

Adriana Marais

Like all major tech companies, Google also offers a bug bounty program where it pays its security researchers to find vulnerabilities in its products and services. On Tuesday, the tech giant revealed on its blog that it paid a whopping $10 million to more than 600 researchers in 68 countries last year. Google stated: “Last year, we again saw the power of community-driven security efforts, as researchers around the world helped us identify and fix thousands of vulnerabilities in our products and services. In partnership with our dedicated community of…

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Meet SIMA, your new video game partner who can play just like humans. (Google ) AI 

Google DeepMind introduces SIMA, a versatile AI agent capable of performing tasks similar to a human player

Adriana Marais,

Ever considered the idea of gaming with an AI system? It may sound like something out of a Sci-Fi movie, but Google DeepMind is pushing the boundaries of AI technology with the introduction of SIMA. Short for Scalable, Instructable, Multiworld Agent, SIMA is an AI agent that can learn and adapt gaming skills from various environments. This concept is currently being researched, with the AI agent able to play games like humans through natural language instruction and image recognition. Learn more about Google DeepMind’s groundbreaking SIMA technology. What is SIMA?…

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Google restricts AI chatbot Gemini from answering questions about global elections, citing concerns of misinformation. (Bloomberg) AI 

Google limits AI chatbot Gemini from responding to questions about worldwide elections

Adriana Marais,

Google announced on Tuesday that it will be limiting the ability of its AI chatbot Gemini to respond to inquiries regarding the upcoming global elections in an effort to prevent any potential errors in the use of the technology. Gemini is owned by Alphabet. The update comes at a time when advances in generative artificial intelligence, including the creation of images and videos, have raised concerns about misconceptions and fake news among the public, prompting governments to regulate the technology. When Geminis are asked about elections, such as the upcoming…

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Google is mindful of possible lapses from its AI chatbot and other content related issues that can happen during the election year. AI 

Google updates its content and AI policy in preparation for the 2024 General Elections in India.

Adriana Marais

Google on Tuesday announced new measures to support India’s general elections, claiming it will provide voters with high-quality information, protect its platforms from abuse and help people navigate content generated by artificial intelligence. Ahead of the election, the company is partnering with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to make it easy for people to find important voting information on Google search — such as how to register and vote — in both English and Hindi. Google requires all advertisers who want to run election ads on our platforms to…

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Google is mindful of possible lapses from its AI chatbot and other content related issues that can happen during the election year. AI 

Google updates its content and AI policy in preparation for the 2024 General Elections in India.

Adriana Marais

Google on Tuesday announced new measures to support India’s general elections, claiming it will provide voters with high-quality information, protect its platforms from abuse and help people navigate content generated by artificial intelligence. Ahead of the election, the company is partnering with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to make it easy for people to find important voting information on Google search — such as how to register and vote — in both English and Hindi. Google requires all advertisers who want to run election ads on our platforms to…

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