The Half-Cut Tree

Rise and Shine. In Waterthorpe, Sheffield, a half-cut tree stands proudly as an accidental monument to community spirit—and a rather unique municipal compromise. Initially marked for complete removal during a neighborly tree-felling dispute, the tree was saved by local protests but left hilariously half-chopped. With one side leafy and the other side bare, it’s become the town’s most peculiar selfie spot. Locals jokingly refer to it as the “Half-Cut Tree,” a reminder that in Waterthorpe, even the trees have a say in neighborhood disputes. “It’s like our version of modern art,” laughed one resident, “a symbol that sometimes you really can meet halfway—even if you’re a tree!”

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In a recent interview, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg laid out his vision for the future of AI, emphasizing the importance of diversity over a singular AI powerhouse. He’s all about open-source, advocating for AI tools that are accessible to everyone, fostering collaboration and innovation. With a playful jab at competitors aiming for the “one true AI,” he suggested they might be trying to play God.

Meta’s new AI Studio in the U.S. embodies this philosophy. The platform lets creators build AI avatars for Instagram, providing fun, interactive experiences while clearly labeling them as “AI” to keep things transparent.

Zuckerberg also touched on Meta's ambitions beyond smartphones, especially after reports of unsuccessful negotiations with Apple over privacy concerns. He highlighted the potential of Ray-Ban smart glasses, blending style and tech with features like cameras and microphones at a wallet-friendly price. Plus, he discussed future innovations like display-less smart glasses and wristband interfaces that could revolutionize how we interact with devices.

Key points from the interview include:

  • Open-source AI as a driver of collaboration and accessibility.

  • Critique of rivals pursuing a singular AI vision.

  • Launch of AI Studio for interactive Instagram avatars.

  • Future tech ambitions, including stylish wearables and innovative interfaces.

While smartphones aren’t disappearing, Zuckerberg predicts we’ll use them more intentionally as wearables take center stage. Picture snapping photos or messaging through glasses, making life a bit more hands-free.

Our trusty phones might spend more time in our pockets, waiting for when we really need them.

OpenAI

OpenAI first wowed us in May with an eerily realistic “advanced voice mode” for ChatGPT, promising it would hit paying users in just a few weeks.

Fast forward a few months, and the launch is still on hold. Why? OpenAI’s ironing out kinks to ensure the feature doesn’t just sound good but also plays nice with users.

In a candid Discord post, OpenAI revealed that advanced voice mode would roll out in alpha to a select group of ChatGPT Plus users sometime in July. They’re busy refining the AI’s ability to dodge inappropriate content while prepping infrastructure to handle millions of users.

The full rollout? It might not reach everyone until fall, depending on how those internal safety checks pan out.

But it’s not all delays! OpenAI also teased new video and screen-sharing capabilities, which let ChatGPT solve math problems from a photo and explain device settings. These features will be available across platforms, including the macOS app, which is now open to all ChatGPT users.

The advanced voice mode has already stirred up controversy, with the initial default voice sounding suspiciously like Scarlett Johansson. After some legal back-and-forth and denials from OpenAI, the voice was removed, leaving us eagerly awaiting what comes next.

With all these upgrades, it seems OpenAI is gearing up to transform how we chat with AI, making it as natural and engaging as possible.

OpenAI

Imagine having the power of AI just a keyboard shortcut away—Option + Space—and voilà, your new chat companion appears. This integration makes accessing a world of knowledge as easy as using Spotlight Search. It's like having your own personal assistant ready to help with anything, anytime.

Picture this: instead of your usual search bar, a sleek chat interface pops up, ready to tackle your questions or boost your productivity. You can take screenshots, upload files, and even chat with your computer. Whether you’re brainstorming, writing, or just curious, ChatGPT is now part of your digital workspace.

The rollout, which began with Plus subscribers, is now open to all. And the fun doesn’t stop there! OpenAI and Apple are teaming up to bring ChatGPT to iPhones and iPads through Siri and other tools. Powered by the new GPT-4o model, these integrations promise a smarter, more interactive experience later this year. Get ready to revolutionize the way you work and play on your Apple devices!

Notable Features:

  • Shortcut Magic: Use Option + Space to access ChatGPT instantly.

  • User-Friendly Interface: Chat interface overlays your screen, ready to assist.

  • Versatile Tools: Discuss screenshots, upload files, and chat directly.

  • Expanding Ecosystem: Integrations with iPhone and iPad via Siri.

  • Powered by GPT-4o: Advanced capabilities including text, speech, and video.

  • Available Now: Started with Plus users, now open to everyone.

  • Future Enhancements: Enhanced Apple experiences coming with new operating systems.

Greylock / Mustafa Suleyman

Get ready for a big change, says Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI’s CEO.

Speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Suleyman predicts that in 15 to 20 years, the cost of creating new knowledge could drop to nearly zero. Thanks to AI producing scientific and cultural information might become almost free, marking what he calls a “true inflection point” in human history.

Think about how the internet slashed the cost of producing information—AI is set to take that even further. Suleyman envisions a future where knowledge is not only cheap but also open-sourced and accessible to everyone. “The economics of information are about to radically change,” he told journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin. This shift, he believes, will transform humans into a powerhouse of intellectual production.

Suleyman isn’t new to big ideas in AI. He Co-founded DeepMind, the AI lab Google acquired in 2010, which made significant strides, especially in healthcare.

Now at Microsoft, his goal is to enhance Copilot, the company’s AI assistant for business applications. If his vision becomes a reality, the workplace and knowledge creation as we know it could be revolutionized.

This potential future, where innovation is unhindered by costs, is exciting. The concept of abundant, freely available knowledge could unlock new levels of human creativity and progress.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that AI could be a game-changer for our species.

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