AI just catalyzed a new scientific era

Google DeepMind Drops Huge AlphaFold Update

We’re now one step closer to understanding life’s biggest mysteries—down to the molecular level. On Wednesday, Google DeepMind and Isomorphic Labs dropped a massive update to AlphaFold, their machine learning model that predicts protein structures. 

Some context: Since 2018, AlphaFold has been leading the charge in predicting protein structures—a crucial step for scientists to take advantage of proteins’ unique traits. With AlphaFold 3, scientists can now model:

• Highly-accurate biomolecular structures and behaviors of DNA, RNA, ligands, and ions

• Chemical modifications for proteins and nucleic acids

How it works: Simply provide a list of molecules, and AlphaFold 3 can render the 3D structure and simulate interactions with other biomolecules. This update shows a staggering 50% improvement in prediction accuracy compared to previous models. 

And there’s more: The new AlphaFold Server is a free, web-based tool that allows researchers to access this technology. Within the server, researchers can generate structure predictions within seconds, compared to the months or even years required for experimental methods.

• The catch? The server has some restrictions about what can be modeled, particularly for drug candidate molecules. 

Google and Apple Announce Back-to-Back AI-Powered Releases

It’s been a big week for AI enablement. Apple and Google unveiled new devices geared towards AI. Let’s break them down:

Apple's M4 chip: Apple’s latest M4 chip is coming to the new iPad Pro and promises to revolutionize how iPadOS handles AI tasks. Here’s what’s new:

• Neural Engine: Capable of 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), it’s Apple's most powerful Neural Engine yet (faster than the neural processing unit of any AI processing unit today).

• Second-Gen 3nm Tech: Features a 10-core CPU (four performance cores, six efficiency cores), delivering up to 1.5x faster CPU performance than the M2 chip in the previous iPad Pro.

According to Apple, the M4 is “extremely well-suited for the latest applications leveraging AI.” Sounds like Apple is getting ready to future-proof its devices for AI.

Google's Pixel 8a: The Google Pixel 8a is here, powered by the Tensor G3 chip and loaded with AI features. Let’s walk through a couple: 

• Gemini AI Assistant: A built-in AI assistant that lets you brainstorm ideas, write notes, and plan trips on the go.

• Circle to Search: Circle, scribble, or tap on images, text, or videos to search without switching apps.

The Tensor G3 processor makes Pixel 8a the first A-series device with native access to Gemini. This means that, out of the box, the Pixel 8a can deliver more relevant responses to AI actions.

AI Website Builder = Game Changer

Skeptical AI can build you an entire website tailored to you and your specifications? You shouldn’t be.

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In addition to your custom AI-powered website, WebWave offers:

• Launch your AI website for 50% off

• Free “.com” domain for one year

• 20 GB storage for email accounts

• No limits on bandwidth

• E-commerce with online payments

• 24/7 Live support

Ready for AI to save you time and create your perfect website? Get 50% off any plan for 12 months.

OpenAI Shakes Up Content Rights

OpenAI’s use of public data has been a hot-button topic. Multiple publishers have sued OpenAI for using their content, and OpenAI’s Sora allegedly broke YouTube’s terms of service by using its videos for training data.

It’s clear: The company hasn’t had the best track record with content creators and owners. And now? They’re seeking redemption through new tools and partnerships.

The proposed tool: OpenAI announced that it’s currently developing Media Manager, a tool that will let creators control how their content is used in AI research and training.

• Set to launch in 2025, this first-of-its-kind tool will identify copyrighted text, images, and audiovisual content across multiple sources.

And a partnership: On the same day that OpenAI announced its new “approach to data,” the company shared a freshly inked partnership with Dotdash Meredith, known for brands like People and Better Homes & Gardens.

• Per the agreement, Dotdash licenses its content for training ChatGPT while leveraging OpenAI’s models to enhance its in-house ad tools.

• Sam Altman says AI's economic impact is a top concern.

• Microsoft is building a $3.3 billion data center at the former Foxconn site.

• Sperm whale ‘alphabet’ discovered, thanks to machine learning.

• Daimler’s driverless semi trucks will hit the road in 2027.

• New Apple Photos app to utilize generative AI for image editing.

• X launches Stories, delivering news summarized by Grok AI.

More important AI news: Dive deeper into this week’s hottest AI news stories (because yes, there are even more) in my latest YouTube video:

Why did Logan Kilpatrick leave OpenAI for Google amidst the AI surge? On the latest episode of The Next Wave, we sit down with Kilpatrick himself to learn about his pivotal shift to Google, his insights on the evolution of AI, the ethics of open-source models, and more:

There’s a new ChatGPT competitor…and it’s not what you think it is. I’m breaking down everything you need to know about the mysterious gpt2-chatbot: