The AI Citizen Weekly Report (Through Oct. 17)

Hello AI Citizens,

We’re excited to share that, starting now, our newsletter will be available in an audio format! Whether you prefer reading or listening, you can catch up on the latest AI and tech insights while on the move—commuting, at the gym, or enjoying your morning coffee..

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This week’s lineup is packed with game-changing stories you won’t want to miss, including:

• Elon Musk Unveils Tesla’s Autonomous Robotaxis, Robovan and Optimus Humanoid robots

• AI Dominates Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry for Groundbreaking Advances

• California Police Turn to AI for Report Writing Amid Concerns Over Accuracy and Bias

• The AI Takeover Dilemma: Geoffrey Hinton's Urgent Warning

• Nuclear Power: Big Tech’s Bold Bet to Fuel AI’s Energy Demands

• The State of AI Report 2024

Let’s dive in!

#1 Top AI & Tech News and Trends
(Through October 13th, 2024)

Elon Musk Unveils Tesla’s Autonomous Robotaxis and Humanoids

Elon Musk gave us a peek into his sci-fi future at Tesla’s "We, Robot" event, and it came with robot bartenders, Cybercabs, and humanoid robots dancing like it's 2099. The Cybercab—a fully autonomous, steering-wheel-free Robotaxi—stole the show, promising rides as cheap as $0.20 per mile, but don’t expect to see one until 2026. Meanwhile, Optimus robots mingled, played charades, and served drinks, though they were still human-assisted (because apparently even robots need babysitters). Investors, however, weren’t as impressed—Tesla stock tanked 9%, probably because robotaxis aren’t hitting the streets anytime soon. Meanwhile, Uber’s stock went up, proving once again that the robots might win, but not before we make some money off them​. As discussed in AI 2071’s episode #8, "{Elon Musk} & The Rise of Humanoids," this is another step towards a future where AI and robots could seamlessly blend into our daily lives, though there's still some way to go​. Sources: The Verge, and Business Insider

AI Dominates Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry for Groundbreaking Advances

JIn a surprising twist, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics went to AI pioneers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their foundational work in neural networks. Their groundbreaking papers from the 1980s—Hopfield's memory-retaining networks and Hinton’s Boltzmann machine—laid the groundwork for modern AI. Though AI isn’t what typically comes to mind for a physics prize, their work drew heavily from statistical mechanics, bridging the worlds of physics and machine learning. This recognition highlights the deep connection between neural networks and physical science, with far-reaching applications in everything from particle physics to drug discovery​. Source: Nobel Prize

California Police Turn to AI for Report Writing Amid Concerns Over Accuracy and Bias

California police departments are turning to AI for help in writing reports, with tools like Axon's Draft One software assisting officers by generating reports from bodycam footage. The goal is to boost efficiency in departments stretched thin, freeing up officer time. While some hail it as a game-changer, concerns about bias and accuracy loom large. Critics worry about potential errors and the risks of AI influencing critical legal documents that impact lives. Despite its promise to streamline processes, AI-generated police reports raise questions about transparency and accountability in the justice system​. Source: The Guardian

The AI Takeover Dilemma Geoffrey Hinton's Urgent Warning

In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton warns about the significant risks posed by AI surpassing human intelligence, estimating that this could happen within five to twenty years. Hinton expresses concerns about the potential for AI systems to gain control, the increasing use of AI in military applications, and the societal impacts as AI takes over mundane and intellectual jobs. He advocates for proactive regulation, universal basic income, and international agreements to mitigate these risks. Hinton also highlights the need for rethinking education to better prepare society for an AI-driven future. Source: , BBC

Nuclear Power: Big Tech’s Bold Bet to Fuel AI’s Energy Demands

As AI’s hunger for power skyrockets, the tech giants are eyeing nuclear energy to keep their data centers running. AI’s energy demands are jaw-dropping: training GPT-3 alone uses the equivalent power of 130 homes in a year. Big Tech is scrambling for solutions, with Google partnering with Kairos Power to build small nuclear reactors by 2030, while Amazon and OpenAI are eyeing nuclear facilities of their own. But many of these nuclear options remain untested, mired in regulatory issues, or wildly optimistic—fusion power by 2028? Sure, Microsoft. Meanwhile, power-starved cities are already pushing back, rationing electricity and hiking costs as AI’s energy needs threaten to outpace entire countries like Japan by 2026. There’s a glimmer of hope in a new computational method claiming to slash AI’s energy use by 95%, but for now, the AI industry’s appetite could soon outstrip supply​. Source: The Wall Street Journal 

State of AI Report 2024

The State of AI Report 2024 reveals key trends, including the narrowing gap between GPT-4 and other models as proprietary advantages fade. AI research now focuses on planning and reasoning, integrating reinforcement learning for future applications. Models are expanding beyond language, impacting fields like biology and physics. Despite US sanctions, Chinese labs remain competitive through stockpiles and cloud access. AI companies hit $9T in value, though sustainability concerns rise as costs fall. Meanwhile, "pseudo-acquisitions" offer exits for struggling firms, and research into AI safety continues​. Source: Stateof.ai

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