The morning briefing.
While you slept: Seattle bans new AI data centers, Meta inks a major data center deal in India, and the EU orders WhatsApp to host rival AI assistants.
Regulatory Landscape. Global authorities are intensifying their focus on AI, with significant policy developments emerging. Seattle has enacted a year-long moratorium on new AI data centers, citing concerns over resource consumption and the need for clearer regulations. Concurrently, India's IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized the necessity of a new legal framework to govern AI, acknowledging its divergence from the existing IT Act era. These actions underscore a growing global trend towards proactive governance in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
AI Infrastructure & Efficiency. The demand for AI compute continues to drive innovation in infrastructure and energy efficiency. Meta has secured its first AI data center deal in India with Reliance, establishing a 168-megawatt facility to support its global AI needs. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Twente have discovered a timing trick that can cut LLM training energy consumption by up to 14 percent without sacrificing speed. Zoho is also addressing inference costs by launching its in-house server, Nathu La, aiming to bolster its enterprise SaaS AI capabilities.
Advanced Hardware & Robotics. Breakthroughs in hardware and robotics are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in AI and beyond. The semiconductor industry is seeing a shift towards glass substrates for advanced chip packaging, with Intel investing over $1 billion into this technology. In robotics, a Tsinghua-Harvard team developed the Acorn Robot, capable of learning physical manipulation with zero training data, relying solely on instinct. Additionally, UBTECH's UWORLD humanoid companion robot has already secured 3,000 orders, indicating strong market interest in advanced consumer robotics.
WhatsApp ordered to host rival AI assistants for free
Meta has been ordered by the European Commission to restore free WhatsApp access for chatbots made by rival AI providers. This interim measure aims to prevent serious and irreparable damage to competition in the general-purpose AI assistant market.
Seattle votes for year-long ban on new AI data centers
Seattle has issued a moratorium on new data center projects in and around the city for a year. The city aims to solidify regulations and protect citizens amidst concerns about AI infrastructure growth.
Meta signs first AI data center deal in India with Reliance
Meta has signed a deal for its first AI data center in India with Reliance, a 168-megawatt facility. This infrastructure will support Meta's global AI computing needs and can be expanded over time.
Timing Trick Cuts Energy Used in LLM Training by Up to 14 Percent
Researchers at University of Twente have found a way to save up to 14 percent of energy in LLM training without sacrificing speed. This is achieved by cleverly adjusting timing, addressing the increasing computational resources needed for frontier LLMs.
Zoho Launches In-House Server ‘Nathu La’ To Lower AI Inference Costs
Enterprise SaaS major Zoho has unveiled its in-house designed server platform, Nathu La. This initiative aims to cut AI inference costs and bolster its infrastructure.
Glass Substrates Set to Reshape Semiconductor Packaging as Industry Giants Pour Billions
Glass substrates and interposers are emerging as key replacements for traditional organic and silicon options in advanced chip packaging. Intel is investing over $1 billion, with multiple players racing to overcome manufacturing hurdles.
French surgical AI startup Uncovr raises €6 million to turn surgical video into clinical records
Uncovr, a Paris-based surgical AI company, has raised €6 million in Seed funding led by Index Ventures. The startup transforms surgical video into clinical records, improving analysis, documentation, coding, and learning.
Waymo says it built a better benchmark for comparing robotaxis to humans
Waymo created a new computer model to better understand how humans behave in crash scenarios that its robotaxis encounter. This aims to improve the safety and performance evaluation of autonomous vehicles.
Tsinghua-Harvard Team's Acorn Robot Develops 'Zero-Data' Robot That Learns Through Instinct
A team from Tsinghua and Harvard has created a robot that learns physical manipulation with zero training data. The Acorn Robot uses tactile sensors and instinct-driven trial and error to solve complex tasks.
UBTECH-backed UWORLD’s full-size humanoid companion robot secures 3,000 orders
UWORLD, UBTECH’s consumer brand, has received over 3,000 orders for its full-size ultra-bionic humanoid robot within eight days of launch on JD.com. Positioned as an emotional companion, it offers encrypted memory storage and customization.
Microsoft is disabling Office 2019 for Mac next month
Microsoft's Office 2019 apps for Mac will stop working next month due to an expiring certificate that validates Office licenses. Users will need to purchase Office 2024 or a Microsoft 365 subscription to continue editing documents.
Logitech launches a foldable mouse for workers on the move
Logitech has introduced the Mobi Fold, an ultra-portable, foldable mouse designed for busy professionals. It can charge for 22 hours in just one minute, addressing the need for compact and efficient travel accessories.
Mercedes‑Benz starts large‑scale production of electric axial flux motor
Mercedes-Benz has commenced large-scale production of its electric axial flux motor. This move signifies a significant step in the automotive industry's shift towards advanced electric vehicle technology.
AI World Very Different From IT Act Era, New Law Required: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India's Union IT and electronics minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that a new legal framework is required to regulate AI. He emphasized that the current IT Act era is vastly different from the evolving AI landscape.