🗣 Amazon's Revamped Alexa

Together with

In today's email

1. 🧠 Practical Knowledge and a Foundational Understanding of AI's Current State

2. 🗣 Amazon's Revamped Alexa Set for October Launch

3. 💰 Clearview AI Faces Major GDPR Fine in the Netherlands

4. 🤯  Quick Takes

Read Time: 5 Minutes

Understand AI’s Risks and Opportunities

With the rapid growth of AI, it's crucial for businesses to understand both the risks and opportunities it presents. Discover how you can utilize AI to drive success while minimizing potential pitfalls.

In the MIT Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy online short course you’ll gain:

• Practical knowledge and a foundational understanding of AI's current state

• The ability to identify and leverage AI opportunities for organizational growth

• A focus on the managerial rather than technical aspects of AI to prepare you for strategic decision making

LEARN MORE

In the Know​

Amazon's Revamped Alexa Set for October Launch

Amazon is gearing up to release a new, enhanced version of Alexa in October. The upgraded Alexa will leverage Anthropic’s Claude AI models, marking a significant shift from Amazon's traditional reliance on its in-house AI.

Key Points

• Anthropic’s AI Integration: The new "Remarkable" Alexa will be powered by Claude, an AI developed by Anthropic, due to performance issues with Amazon’s own AI models.

• Subscription Model: Amazon plans to offer the upgraded Alexa as a paid service, with a subscription fee ranging from $5 to $10 per month, while continuing to provide the classic Alexa for free.

• Enhanced Capabilities: The revamped Alexa will offer advanced features such as interactive conversations, shopping advice, and complex task management like drafting emails or ordering food.

• Potential Delays: The release timeline could be adjusted if the new technology fails to meet Amazon's internal benchmarks.

With the upcoming release, Amazon aims to solidify Alexa's role in smart home automation and AI-driven customer interaction, potentially transforming it into a more valuable and profitable service. However, the success of the new subscription model will depend on consumer acceptance and the technology’s performance.

Clearview AI Faces Major GDPR Fine in the Netherlands

Clearview AI, a U.S.-based facial recognition startup, has been fined €30.5 million by the Netherlands' data protection authority for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the unauthorized collection of biometric data from Dutch citizens. This penalty, the largest Clearview has faced in Europe, could increase to €35.6 million if the company continues to flout GDPR compliance. Despite previous fines in other European countries, Clearview has not altered its practices and remains uncooperative with EU regulations, prompting the Dutch regulator to consider holding the company's management personally liable for the violations.

Quick Takes

• SparkLabs Launches $50M AIM AI Fund to Boost Global AI Startups: SparkLabs, known for backing prominent AI startups like OpenAI, announced a new $50 million fund, AIM AI Fund, to support AI ventures worldwide, with a focus on its AIM-X accelerator in Saudi Arabia. The fund aims to invest in both early-stage and later-stage AI startups, reflecting the growing global interest in artificial intelligence innovation.

• Amazon Expands AI and Robotics Capabilities with Covariant Partnership: Amazon is boosting its AI and robotics capabilities by hiring key members from Covariant and licensing their advanced AI models for warehouse automation. This strategic move aims to enhance the efficiency and safety of Amazon's operations while Covariant continues to serve its own clients independently.

That’s all for Today!

Advertise with Us

Want to reach an engaged audience of tech enthusiasts and AI professionals?

Our newsletter is read by thousands of dedicated subscribers who are passionate about the latest advancements in AI and technology. Contact us today to learn more.

What did you think of today’s newsletter?