AI Update, August 29, 2024: AI News and Views From the Past Week

Catch up on select AI news and developments from the past week or so (in no particular order):

OpenAI and Anthropic sign agreements with US government for AI testing. AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic have signed landmark agreements with the US AI Safety Institute for research, testing, and evaluation of their AI models. These deals provide the Institute access to new AI models from both companies and facilitate collaborative research to assess the capabilities and risks of AI technologies. The collaboration aims to set a framework for safe and responsible AI development. Importance for marketers: This partnership highlights the importance of regulatory compliance and ethical AI use, critical for marketers planning to adopt AI tools in their strategies.

Google uses AI to handle tough questions at its town hall meetings. Google has introduced an AI tool, "Ask," to summarize questions at its TGIF meetings, replacing the previous system "Dory." This AI-driven tool is reportedly used to soften the tone of difficult questions, enabling Google executives to avoid addressing pointed queries from employees. Some Googlers feel the tool dilutes the openness of discussions, but Google claims it was implemented to expand the variety of topics addressed. Importance for marketers: Marketers should note the increasing use of AI in internal corporate communications, which could impact employee engagement and corporate transparency.

Plaud introduces AI wearable device for seamless note-taking. Plaud's new NotePin is an AI-powered wearable audio recorder designed to transcribe and summarize conversations, aiming to boost productivity by capturing meeting details. Although it offers innovative features like speaker identification, concerns remain over privacy and data security, especially if the device is lost or misused. Plaud is positioning the product for business professionals who manage numerous meetings and need efficient note-taking tools. Importance for marketers: This news highlights opportunities in AI-driven productivity tools, but also underscores privacy considerations that marketers need to address when promoting such products.