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Gigachat 2.0: The AI Revolution Hits Sberbank
Sberbank has unveiled Gigachat 2.0, featuring three models and securing top rankings among AI models for the Russian language. Known for its advanced capabilities, Gigachat 2.0 outshines international models such as GPT-4o and DeepSeek-v3. The models can be accessed via API or deployed in local infrastructures. Users can evaluate its features and see how it measures up to its global counterparts. This release marks a significant step forward in the Russian AI landscape.
Meet the AI Heroes: Sony's Groundbreaking NPC Initiative
Sony is testing AI in games with the development of a virtual character inspired by Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West. Collaborating with Guerrilla Games, Sony's AI version of Aloy engages in real-time dialogue and can synthesize voice and expressions, using advanced technologies like GPT-4 and OpenAI's Whisper. Other companies are also joining in, with NVIDIA's Avatar Cloud Engine and Microsoft's collaboration with Inworld AI on their own NPC models. Is this the dawn of intelligent game characters or simply a cringeworthy experiment in video gaming?
Fathomverse: Dive into the Ocean of Discovery with AI
Exploratory researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Institute have unveiled a mobile game called Fathomverse, enabling users to notice and classify marine creatures using AI algorithms. This game allows players to wander through the ocean, observing and identifying unfamiliar marine life, effectively crowd-sourcing data for the development of a robot named MiniROV. As players collaboratively identify species, their findings are validated against AI classifications. So far, users have helped identify nearly 48,000 marine organisms, demonstrating the incredible potential of gamified AI training.
Reinforcement Learning Receives Major Recognition with Turing Award
The Turing Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Computing, was recently awarded to Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton for their pioneering work in reinforcement learning. This groundbreaking method, which serves as the foundation for most modern large language models, uses a trial-and-error approach for systems to learn through feedback. The duo's innovative research dates back to Sutton's PhD in 1984, and their work gained fame with the advent of AI programs like AlphaGo. However, Sutton points out that the current reinforcement learning methods used today differ from their original vision, illustrating the evolution of AI over decades.
Ubuntu's Major Shift: New Rust-Based Utils Set to Launch!
In a groundbreaking move, Ubuntu will replace its GNU coreutils with new Rust-written alternatives called uutils in the upcoming 25.10 release. This ambitious project, championed by Canonical’s VP Jon Seager, aims to enhance performance and reliability. If all goes well, we might see these changes in future long-term support versions, ushering in a new era for Ubuntu users!
Olivia Farnsworth: The Girl Without Pain—or Worry!
Meet Olivia Farnsworth, a British girl with a rare chromosomal deletion that renders her impervious to pain, hunger, and exhaustion. Her family faces unique challenges, ensuring she consumes enough calories and stays safe from injuries. Imagine living life without the usual bodily signals—Olivia's world is definitely one-of-a-kind!
Strava Bans Users for Running in North Korea: A Shocking Policy!
In a surprising move, athletic app Strava permanently bans users who log runs in North Korea, citing security concerns. Still, it raises questions about free expression in the world of fitness tracking. A researcher found out the hard way, facing an account deletion after uploading his running data from the 'Hermit Kingdom'. Talk about an extreme case of 'no running in the wrong neighborhood'!