Here are the top trending news from the world of technology, News that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.
1)
WhatsApp could soon launch AI-generated images to your chats
WhatsApp is exploring ways to bring AI-generated images into your chats. This means that WhatsApp users can soon be able to generate images directly within their chats with simple text prompts. Imagine describing a funny meme or a scene you’re trying to explain, and the AI creates an image to add to your conversation. This could make your conversation really engaging and exciting. Another useful feature is ‘AI generated profile picture,’ where again users will have to describe what they want in their profile picture through text prompts, and an AI model would generate a personalized image based on that description. Overall, this could be a fun and creative way to express yourself in chats or add a visual element to your conversations. It could also be useful for people who don’t want to use their own photos as profile pictures.
2)
Opera is integrating Google’s Gemini AI to its Browser
Popular browser Opera has announced that it is adding Google’s powerful Gemini AI models into their built-in AI assistant, Aria. With Gemini on board, Aria is likely to become much stronger AI assistant. It should be able to provide users with more up-to-date information and deliver responses in a more conversational tone. This partnership also allows Opera to offer some experimental features, like image generation and text-to-speech powered by other Google AI models. By the way, Aria has been designed in such a way that it depends on multiple AI models to render its function. Therefore, it won’t solely depend on Gemini. These features are currently being tested in the Opera One Developer version of the browser, but they could be rolled out to everyone soon.
3)
Google adds slew of AI powered features to its Chromebook Plus laptops
Google is bringing bunch of new AI-powered features to its Chromebook Plus models. Some of these features are exclusive features, which means that these features will only be available on Chromebook Plus laptops and not other models. This includes features like ‘Hands-free control’ feature, which would allow you to control your Chromebook simply by using face and gesture tracking. Another handy feature is ‘Smart suggestions’ that will offer several useful suggestions to help you stay on task and pick up where you left off. Interestingly, Google has integrated these AI features barely a week after Microsoft announced the launch of Copilot+ PCs, a new category of Windows PCs designed specifically for advanced AI features. Overall, this seems to be a big push by Google to make Chromebooks more powerful and user-friendly, especially the Chromebook Plus range.
4)
Telegram integrates in-app Copilot bot
Telegram has introduced an in-app bot powered by Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant. The Copilot bot can be found by searching for “@CopilotOfficialBot” within Telegram. Once you initiate a chat with the bot, you can start interacting with Copilot using text prompts. This integration brings some powerful AI functionalities directly into your Telegram conversations. For example, you can brainstorm ideas for creative content, summarize lengthy articles or documents, find answers your questions in an informative way, translating languages so and so forth. It’s important to note that Copilot currently has a daily limit of 30 conversational turns per user. This means you can exchange up to 30 messages (back and forth) with the bot within a 24-hour period.
5)
xAI Scoops up $6 Bn in Series B round
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has secured a whopping $6 billion in a Series B funding round. The round was backed by marquee venture capital firms like Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz at a valuation of $18 billion. The company intends to use the funds to bring its first products to market, suggesting there’s more to come beyond Grok. They’ll also be building advanced infrastructure and accelerating research for future AI technologies. This $6 billion funding round can be seen as a challenge to OpenAI, another big name in the AI research that Musk previously supported before departing due to safety concerns. Overall, this significant funding round positions xAI as a major player in the AI industry and its future endeavors will be closely watched by the tech world.