ChatGPT Search, SoftBank's GPU Boost, Compute Shortages, and Google Maps' Gemini Update

Happy Friday, AI & Data Enthusiasts! AI search just got more exciting with the launch of ChatGPT Search. Would Google’s Search Engine stand tall despite these unprecedented AI advancements? Let’s explore this and more in today’s newsletter.

In today’s edition: 

• OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Search: A New Google Challenger

• SoftBank Boosts AI Platform with 4,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Highlights Compute Shortages Delaying Product Launches

• Google Maps Introduces AI-Powered Features with Gemini

- Naseema Perveen

WHAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION MOST

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Search: A New Google Challenger

OpenAI has officially rolled out ChatGPT Search, a powerful feature set to rival Google Search. Designed to provide users with timely, relevant answers directly from the web, this innovation aims to make finding and interacting with information more efficient and engaging.

• Integrated and Interactive Search: ChatGPT Search, seamlessly built into the ChatGPT platform, delivers real-time information like sports scores, news updates, and stock quotes, complete with source links for deeper exploration. Users can ask follow-up questions to refine their search and access richer content through an ongoing, interactive experience.

• Flexible Access and Broader Rollout: Currently available to ChatGPT Plus and Team users on mobile and the web, OpenAI plans to expand access to enterprise and educational clients in the coming weeks, with free user access expected soon. The feature also includes a browser extension to make ChatGPT Search the default engine in Chrome.

• Publisher Feedback and Content Attribution: Acknowledging concerns from news publishers about potential traffic losses, OpenAI has worked closely with partners to ensure fair content attribution. Responses include in-line and sidebar references, carefully selecting article summaries and quote lengths to balance user value and traffic to original sites.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search represents a significant leap forward in search technology, offering a smarter, more intuitive way to find information online. As OpenAI continues to refine this tool, incorporating feedback from users and publishers, ChatGPT Search can reshape how we access knowledge and interact with content on the web.

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KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT

SoftBank Boosts AI Platform with 4,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs

SoftBank has significantly expanded its AI computing platform in Japan, adding 4,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs. This move pushes the total GPU count to 6,000, enhancing the platform’s AI computing power to 4.7 exaflops.

• Major Performance Upgrade: Originally equipped with 2,000 Nvidia Ampere GPUs since its launch in September 2023, the platform now features a combined compute capacity of 4.7 exaflops. SoftBank plans to increase this to 10,000 GPUs and 25.7 exaflops with an Nvidia DGX SuperPOD by FY2025.

• Focus on Japanese LLMs: SoftBank subsidiary SB Intuitions is developing large language models (LLMs) with 390 billion parameters, capable of supporting multiple modalities. This AI effort is expected to make significant advancements by FY2024.

• Infrastructure-as-a-Service Offering: The upgraded platform will also be available to Japanese companies and research institutions, positioning SoftBank as a key player in AI infrastructure in the region.

SoftBank’s investment in expanding its AI computing power underscores its commitment to advancing AI technology in Japan. With plans for even greater expansion and the development of advanced LLMs, SoftBank is setting the stage for future AI breakthroughs.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Highlights Compute Shortages Delaying Product Launches

During a recent Reddit AMA, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed a significant challenge the company faces: limited computing capacity. This shortage is affecting the release of new AI models and features, slowing OpenAI’s product development timeline.

• Compute Constraints: Altman emphasized that the complexity of AI models has increased, forcing OpenAI to make difficult decisions about resource allocation. Reports suggest OpenAI has struggled to secure enough infrastructure, even partnering with Broadcom to develop custom AI chips, expected by 2026.

• Delayed Features: The limited capacity has affected products like ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, delaying the integration of vision capabilities shown in a rushed demo earlier this year. Additionally, updates to tools like DALL-E and the video generator Sora have been postponed due to the need for more refined models and safety measures.

• Future Outlook: Altman mentioned that while there won’t be a GPT-5 release soon, OpenAI is working on improving its o1 reasoning models and developing features like image understanding. He also hinted at possible future allowances for “NSFW” content under strict guidelines.

Compute shortages continue to challenge OpenAI, slowing progress on highly anticipated features and new models. However, the company remains focused on refining its current technology and addressing these limitations, with hopes of rolling out improvements later this year.

Google Maps Introduces AI-Powered Features with Gemini

Google Maps is rolling out new features powered by its generative AI model, Gemini. The updates aim to make exploring and navigating easier for U.S. users, enhancing the app’s competitiveness against Apple Maps and other navigation services.

• Enhanced Exploration: Users can now ask for curated activity suggestions, such as “things to do with friends at night,” and get detailed recommendations, like speakeasies or live music venues. Gemini provides summaries of reviews and answers specific follow-up questions, like whether a location has outdoor seating.

• Improved Navigation: The app will display clearer lane guidance, crosswalks, and road signs, making driving in unfamiliar areas simpler. Users will also see nearby attractions, parking options, and can access AR walking directions from their parked car.

• Immersive and Weather Features: Google Maps’ Immersive View expands to 150 cities, including Brussels and Kyoto. Users can also report and view weather disruptions, like flooded roads or poor visibility, ensuring safer travels.

With Gemini’s integration, Google Maps offers a more intuitive and informative experience, from suggesting activities to enhancing navigation and safety. The updates are live in the U.S. this week, with further enhancements planned for Google Search and Waze.

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ICYMI

• OpenAI reportedly planning to build its first AI chip in 2026.

• Apple Intelligence goes live with iOS 18.1 update.

• Elon Musk’s xAI adds image understanding capabilities to Grok.

• Nvidia signs a slew of AI-related deals in India.

• Anthropic’s AI can now run and write code.

MONEY MATTERS

• Apple will pay security researchers up to $1 million to hack its private AI cloud.

• Elon Musk’s xAI startup in talks to raise funding at $40B valuation.

• Google’s $120M push for global AI education.

• Microsoft, BlackRock to launch $30 billion fund for AI infrastructure.

• AI is expected to boost the U.S. GDP by 21% by 2030.

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