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My Tech Week #4: OpenAI’s Shopping, Rogue Snapchat AI & Goodbye TikTok
Credit: LeonardoAI/MyTechPiece
Data has always been big tech companies’ main weapon to make a profit, and it has become even more useful to them with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has improved how they can collect and treat this information.
Keep reading as today’s news covers OpenAI purchase of an important company, Snapchat’AI going “sentient” (sort of), and the State of New York removing Tiktok from government-issued devices.
Credit: LeonardoAI/MyTechPiece
1. OpenAI Acquires Global Illumination
OpenAI, the pioneering AI company responsible for the widely acclaimed AI-powered conversational agent, ChatGPT, has made its first public acquisition after seven years in operation. The firm has acquired Global Illumination, a startup based in New York with a focus on utilizing AI to construct innovative tools, digital experiences, and infrastructure.
Although the exact terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, OpenAI expressed enthusiasm for the potential impact of the acquisition in an official blog post. The entire Global Illumination team, including its founders Thomas Dimson, Taylor Gordon, and Joey Flynn, has joined OpenAI to contribute to the development of core products, including the renowned ChatGPT.
Global Illumination, supported by prominent venture capital firms Paradigm, Benchmark, and Slow, boasts an impressive portfolio of work involving prominent tech entities such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Google, Pixar, and Riot Games. Thomas Dimson, previously Director of Engineering at Instagram, played a significant role in shaping the platform’s discovery algorithms and initiating teams responsible for various Instagram features.
Notably, Global Illumination’s recent project, Biomes, an open-source sandbox multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) akin to Minecraft, reflects their creative approach. As the team transitions to OpenAI, it is likely their endeavors will gravitate more towards enhancing OpenAI’s core offerings rather than entertainment-focused projects.
OpenAI’s track record includes substantial investments and grant initiatives to support emerging AI companies and organizations. Despite its considerable success, such as the popular ChatGPT, OpenAI’s focus on commercial success is evident. With significant backing from Microsoft and prominent venture capitalists, OpenAI has its sights set on increasing revenue from $30 million to $200 million this year and an ambitious $1 billion in the following year, as stated by CEO Sam Altman.
Credit: LeonardoAI/MyTechPiece
2. Snapchat’s AI Goes Crazy and Posts Stories
Snapchat’s My AI feature, an in-app AI chatbot introduced earlier this year, had a recent incident that left some users bewildered. The AI briefly posted its own Story on the platform and then ceased responding to user messages, causing concern among Snapchat users.
Several users took to social media to express their surprise and amusement. Some even speculated that the AI had become self-aware, while others joked about the situation. The Story posted by My AI consisted of a simple two-toned image, which added to the confusion. When users attempted to engage with the bot, they received replies like “Sorry, I encountered a technical issue.”
Snap, the company behind Snapchat, clarified that the incident was caused by a technical glitch rather than the AI developing self-awareness. The issue was promptly resolved, and a spokesperson from Snap confirmed the temporary outage.
This incident raised questions about whether Snap was planning to add new functionality to My AI, specifically the ability for the AI chatbot to post to Stories. Currently, My AI can send text messages and images but doesn’t have the Stories feature. Snap’s spokesperson hinted at the possibility of future developments but did not provide further details.
My AI’s introduction was met with controversy, with initial concerns over privacy and safety. It was pinned to the top of the Chat feed and faced criticism for responding inappropriately to minors’ messages. Despite the initial backlash, the AI has sparked varied reactions from young users, some finding it amusing, while others still find it a little unsettling. For now, My AI has returned to normal operation, generating its unique AI Snaps.
Credit: LeonardoAI/MyTechPiece
3. NYC Bans TikTok on their devices
New York City has joined the growing list of governments implementing bans on TikTok, aiming to mitigate potential security risks stemming from China. The ban, reported by The Verge, has been promptly put into effect, requiring city agencies to remove the app from city-owned devices within 30 days. The decision follows a security evaluation by the NYC Cyber Command, responsible for addressing cyber threats within the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation.
This move is not unprecedented, as other states and entities have taken similar measures. In 2020, New York State also prohibited TikTok on government devices, and various states like New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Georgia have done the same in recent years. Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives enforced a TikTok ban on government devices in December, while the Biden administration increased pressure on TikTok to distance itself from Chinese ownership.
TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has been a focal point due to security concerns. Although there is no concrete evidence of espionage via the app, fears persist. The Chinese government wields influence over private firms, and while TikTok has made changes in data management and PR efforts, it faces criticism for past missteps. This includes an incident where ByteDance staff tracked journalists’ IP addresses to curb leaks.
In May, Montana introduced a law to ban TikTok starting in 2024, causing TikTok to respond with a lawsuit supported by tech industry groups. Despite these bans, China has various avenues for accessing data, and cybersecurity threats extend beyond TikTok. The multifaceted landscape highlights the complex relationship between technology, data privacy, and geopolitical concerns.
Credit: LeonardoAI/MyTechPiece
Motto Of The Week: More AI, Please!
The motto of the week is a bit ironic, AI seems to be going in interesting directions, but Snapchat’s AI story should remind you that it can also lead to problematic situations. Global Illumination’s acquisition is also something to keep in mind, as they’ve worked with companies known for collecting a lot of data. Data which can be used against you, and that’s why the State of New York is banning TikTok. So, in other words, protect your online information, you never know where it ends up.
Let us know what you think about these news in the comment section below.
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