Will Meta Create Its Own ChatGPT and Other News in the World of AI

Having taken the world by storm last year with its mind-blowing technology that generates text and images on command, OpenAI is looking ahead to create its next updated version of the software. However, the company could face stiff competition as major tech companies make headway in catching up and producing their own version of the generative AI technology. The question on everyone’s minds now is, will Meta create its own improved version of ChatGPT?

In a recentannouncement, Meta said, “We're excited to announce that Llama 2, our open-source large language model, is now free and available for research and commercial use. This release offers a unique opportunity for developers while reflecting our commitment to open source, cross-collaboration, and innovation!”

Without a doubt, Meta has its eyes set on overtaking ChatGPT as the next LLM to take the world by storm with significant improvements and capabilities. The next few months will determine whether Meta achieves this lofty goal.

But a lot more is happening on the AI front.

Asthis articlenoted, with the support of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), the GAIA generative AI accelerator is bolstering startups specialized in generative AI. Their aim is to enhance these startups and expedite their market entry.

To date, GAIA has organized four AI Hackathons. Over 7,000 AI enthusiasts and developers have participated, resulting in the creation of 185 prototypes. The program has been backed with a budget of $30 million, targeting the empowerment of 300 generative AI startups. That’s not an insignificant number.

In July 2023, GAIA's accelerator initiative introduced its inaugural batch, consisting of 15 startups. This initiative is backed by a robust investment fund valued at $160 million, with a goal to invest in 120 early-stage companies. Notably, GAIA's model utilizes generative AI techniques to monitor the progression of these startups automatically.

GAIA's foundation is aligned with the ambitions of SDAIA and NTDP, which aim to solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a forefront player in AI technology development.

Furthermore, GAIA is dedicated to strengthening the AI ecosystem in theMiddle East-North Africa (MENA) region, which it believes can be achieved by introducing programs tailored for the entrepreneurial sector and technology startups and by drawing AI-centric businesses to the Kingdom.

In other AI news, this time dealing with ethics, Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of Google DeepMind, recently expressed his concerns about the ethical use of Nvidia's AI chips in an interview with the Financial Times. He emphasized that the US should permit the sale of Nvidia's AI chips solely to those customers who commit to using the technology ethically.

Suleyman believes the US has a responsibility to set and enforce global standards when it comes to the utilization of AI. This would mean that companies interested in acquiring such technologies should, at the very least, adhere to the ethical guidelines and commitments made by premier AI firms to the US administration.

Earlier in July, several prominent AI entities, including OpenAI, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, had voluntarily pledged to the White House their commitment to ensure the safer deployment of AI technologies. As reported by Reuters, part of these voluntary commitments involved the introduction of initiatives like watermarkingcontent generated by AI. This measure, among others, is seen as a step towards making AI technology more transparent and accountable, thereby ensuring that users can differentiate between human and AI-generated content.

Suleyman's call to action underlines the urgency of establishing a global framework for AI's ethical use, considering the rapidly growing influence and capabilities of the technology.

These concerns are highly relevant as AI is developing quickly around the globe. Technology heavyweightBaidu just unveiledChina's inaugural public AI chatbot, ERNIE, designed to filter out sensitive subjects in alignment with the Communist Party's directives, including events like the Tiananmen Square incident.

Earlier this month, Beijing introduced fresh guidelines for AI developers in China. These regulations strike a balance by ensuring governmental oversight on disseminated information while still allowing Chinese developers to remain competitive against global counterparts such as Microsoft and OpenAI.

Baidu isn’t the only company introducing new AI tools. Google has expanded its portfolio byoffering its AI-driven toolsto enterprise customers. These tools, powered by advanced AI, can now be accessed for a monthly fee of US $30 per user. This move, under the umbrella of Alphabet, capitalizes on the rising popularity and demand for AI technologies seen throughout the year.

Google’s pricing strategy aligns with that of its major competitor, Microsoft, which offers "Copilot,” an AI-enhanced office software suite. It also comes with a similar price tag and includes widely-used applications like Teams and Outlook.

Google's decision to delve deeper into generative AI investments is a strategic move to remain competitive. The company is ramping up its efforts, especially after the impactful launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which received backing from Microsoft.Google's intensified focus on AIsignifies its determination to keep pace with rapid innovations and changing market dynamics – a necessary move if it wants to remain relevant in the years to come.