Technology giant Google announced its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Bard in the European Union (EU), Brazil and other countries Thursday to challenge the ChatGPT, which triggered an ‘AI race’ after its launch by the Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
Google revealed Bard in February but delayed its release in the EU as the bloc plans to regulate AI citing concerns about the rapidly growing technology.
The US colossus has raced to catch up with rival Microsoft, which has rushed to integrate ChatGPT-like powers in various products, including the Bing search engine.
Bard is “now available in most of the world, and in the most widely spoken languages,” Bard’s product lead Jack Krawczyk and vice president Amarnag Subramanya wrote in a blog.
“As part of our bold and responsible approach to AI, we’ve proactively engaged with experts, policymakers and privacy regulators on this expansion,” they said.
The company said it would incorporate user feedback and take steps to protect people´s privacy and data as it broadens access to Bard.
The AI tool can now be used in over 40 languages including Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish. It was previously available in three languages — English, Japanese and Korean.
Google also announced new features, including receiving audio responses from Bard or answers in five different styles: simple, long, short, professional or casual.
Another new feature allows users to upload photos that Bard can analyse for information.
The rise of AI has raised both excitement and concerns about its potential to improve or replace tasks done by humans.
AI tools have shown in recent months the ability to generate essays, create realistic images, mimic the voices of famous singers and even pass medical exams, among a slew of uses.
Common worries include the possibility that chatbots could flood the web with disinformation, that biased algorithms will churn out racist material, or that AI-powered automation could lay waste to entire industries.
Dangers of AI
Experts including the founder of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, Sam Altman warned about the potential existential risks the technology poses to humanity.
Altman and dozens of other specialists signed a statement in May urging global leaders to reduce “the risk of extinction” from AI.
But the warnings have not stopped the rapid development of AI.
Tesla and Twitter owner Elon Musk, who has issued his own warnings about the risks, launched an AI company named xAI Wednesday.
The xAI website said Musk would run the company separately from his other companies, but the technology developed would benefit those businesses, including Twitter.
Last month, the European Parliament backed a draft law that will be the basis for the world´s first comprehensive rules for AI.
It includes specific provisions for generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT and Dall-E, capable of producing text, images and other media.
The parliament and the EU’s member states will negotiate on the regulation before it is approved and the bloc wants to strike a deal by the end of the year.
The rules stipulate that AI-generated content must be declared as such and bans some AI including real-time facial recognition systems.
For 18 graduates of the Reko Diq Mining Project, the National University of Technology, Islamabad, has started a training program. These graduates will complete an 18-month on-the-job training program at Barrick’s International Mining Sites after completing a two-month course at NUTECH.
The graduates will acquire proficiency in mining and associated technical domains during the training program. The chosen graduates will also get specific instruction on environmental protection, safety, exploration, and geology.
Along with the development of communication skills, the curriculum will also emphasise the most recent advancements in the mining industry. Barrick’s International Graduate Development Program for 2024 includes the Balochistani graduates.
Additionally, nine Baloch graduates were selected in 2023 and transported to Barrick’s facility in Argentina for on-the-job training.
WhatsApp is implementing a new upgrade to refine the Updates tab interface, hence boosting accessibility for status and channel updates.
WABetaInfo reports that the upgrade introduces expedited shortcuts that streamline the updating of statuses and channels. Users can now select and upload photos and videos directly from the interface, reducing the steps involved in choosing media from the gallery.
The Meta-owned messaging application has also revamped the button for generating text-based status updates and introduced a feature for recording and sharing voice status updates. This offers customers a more expedient method to disseminate text and speech updates without depending on the floating action button.
The revisions correspond with recent modifications to other tabs, ensuring a modernised interface that improves navigation and update creation. WhatsApp is modifying the floating action button to facilitate content sharing within channels.
When selecting the floating action button, users will see several options, including creating status updates, starting new channels, or sharing photos, videos, voice, and text in existing channels. This revamp integrates all content-generating options into a singular section.
The new shortcuts are anticipated to be accessible to a broader user base in the forthcoming weeks. Beta testers can currently access them in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android, version 2.24.26.13, available on the Google Play Store.
Through Chinese expertise, the arrangement, which was made possible by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), intends to increase Pakistan’s agricultural output.
The Punjab government and China’s “AI Force Tech” company have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to introduce advanced agricultural machinery during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s visit to China.
Through the use of advanced robotic technology, the MoU seeks to transform Pakistan’s agricultural industry, guarantee economic growth, and boost farmers’ wealth with China’s assistance.
Through the partnership, Pakistan would also have the chance to absorb knowledge about China’s sophisticated farming methods.
In the meantime, plans have been revealed by the Federal Minister of Planning to send 1,000 agricultural experts to China to study contemporary farming methods.
A Chinese business and the Punjab government previously inked an agreement to introduce cutting-edge cancer treatment technologies to Punjab.
Maryam Nawaz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hygea Medical Technologies while she was in China in order to introduce cutting-edge cancer treatment equipment and techniques to Punjab.
This equipment will make it feasible to treat cancer without the need for chemotherapy or surgery.
Following a meeting with Hygea Medical Technologies President Dr. Luo Fuliang, Maryam Nawaz said the organization has promised expert assistance for the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital.
She went on to say that the hospital will work with China to treat cancer patients utilizing the newest equipment and techniques following the agreement.
Maryam Nawaz and a high-level delegation are present. From December 8 to December 15, the chief minister will go to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.
CM Maryam Nawaz is expected to attend a number of conferences, events, and meetings with the goal of enhancing bilateral relations and looking into potential joint ventures in the areas of infrastructure development, technology, agriculture, and governance.