Here are the top trending news from the world of technology. News that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.
1)
Microsoft is introducing Python to Excel
Microsoft has announced that it is bringing Python to Excel, making it easier for Excel users to do advanced data analysis and automation. With Python’s integration to excel, users can fulfil many complicated tasks like writing python scripts to perform statistical analysis and create visualizations, using python libraries to access and process data from a variety of sources and automating tasks in excel such as data entry, formatting, and reporting. The Python integration in Excel is still in preview, but it is available to Microsoft 365 Insiders. To try it out, you can join the Microsoft 365 Insider Program and opt for the beta channel.
2)
IBM to use Generative AI to convert COBOL code into Java
IBM has announced the launch of a new tool called Watsonx Code Assistant for Z, which will use generative AI to translate COBOL code into Java. This new AI powered tool will be officially launched in the fourth quarter of 2023. COBOL, a programming language that was developed in late in 1950’s, is still widely used by financial services industry. But the COBOL programming language is highly complex and not many developers are proficient in it. However, with Watsonx Code Assistant, developers can easily translate COBOL into Java, making it easier for them to maintain the COBOL applications. This AI tool can also bring down the cost of maintaining the COBOL apps.
3)
OpenAI launches Custom Tuning feature in GPT 3.5 Turbo
OpenAI is bringing fine-tuning capabilities to GPT-3.5 Turbo. This means that developers can now customize the model to their specific needs by training it on their own data. As a result, GPT-3.5 can generate text, translate languages and write different kinds of creative content in much more informative way. OpenAI has further added that GPT-3.5 fine tuning have shown the ability to generate text that is more coherent and grammatically correct and to translate languages more accurately. However, this fine-tuning feature is still in beta stage and will be available to public only in coming months.
4)
Meta launches multilingual AI translation model
Meta has released an AI model called SeamlessM4T that can transcribe and translate close to 100 languages. Meta claims that SeamlessM4T is capable of handling several challenges including different dialects and uncommon words. The company further added that this AI translation model could be used for various purposes like translating conversations in video conferencing calls, powering voice search applications and developing translation software. Meta is making SeamlessM4T available in open source. This means that anyone can use it to develop their own applications. If this AI tool performs consistently well then it will be considered a major breakthrough in the translation field.
5)
Elon Musk’s exit was ‘very tough’ for OpenAI, claims Sam Altman
In a recent interview, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that Elon Musk’s exit from OpenAI was a major setback for the company. Altman added that Musk is a visionary leader and his exit left a big hole for the company to fill. Musk was one of co-founders of OpenAI but left the company in 2018, citing conflict of interest with Tesla. However, today he is one of the vocal critics of OpenAI, claiming that the company has deviated from its original mission of making the world a better place with the power of AI. Since Musk’s departure, OpenAI has made significant progress and has released several AI models including GPT 3 and GPT 3.5.