Weekly bulletin from AIport, issue #25

Hello and welcome to the latest issue of our AI bulletin! We hope you enjoy this week’s selection of top developments in machine learning and data science. Don’t forget to leave us a like and have a wonderful weekend!

USA and Canada

• OpenAI releases GPT-4o mini for developers, its fastest and most affordable small multimodal AI model to date.

• In Canada, Edmonton-based Artificial Agency emerges from stealth mode to introduce an AI behavior engine set to revolutionize how non-playable characters (NPCs) interact with humans. Meanwhile, Toronto-based Wittaya Aqua secures additional funding to assist seafood farmers with its AI-driven data consolidation solution.

• Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, J.D. Vance, argues for less AI industry regulation that favors Big Tech and advocates for more open-source AI.

• Tinder, the popular dating app, rolls out a new AI feature that chooses the most match-ready profile pictures from the photo galleries on users’ devices.

• According to the investigative article by Proof News and Wired published on Tuesday, tech companies, including Apple, Nvidia, and Anthropic, are harvesting thousands of YouTube videos to train their AI models without the creators’ consent. Ironically, the same industry leaders are also among the participants in the new Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI) initiative announced yesterday.

Europe

• In Switzerland, the Geneva-based “digital freedom” platform Proton unveils a new privacy-first AI writing assistant.

• In line with the UK Labour Party’s June election manifesto, which promised a tougher stance on deepfakes and additional data centers, King Charles addresses both Houses of Parliament seeking AI model legislation.

• Sweden’s Spotify brings its acclaimed AI DJ feature to the Spanish-speaking world. 

• Presti AI, headquartered in Paris, closes a seed funding round, aiming to become a game-changer for the interior design and furniture industries.

Asia

• In Bhutan, the country’s first AI startup appears on the radar, signing up major clients including Bhutan National Bank and Royal Bhutan Airlines.

• Japan’s tech giant, Fujitsu, teams up with Canada’s Cohere to develop Takane, an advanced AI language model in Japanese.

• Singapore’s Minister of Digital Development and Information pledges to establish a set of regulatory standards to ensure safety and transparency in AI: check out this short video report from CNA.

Latin America 

• In Mexico, following the latest funding round led by Sierra Ventures, the AI med-tech startup Eden vows to transform radiology across Latin America.

Africa

• According to the newest GSMA report based on use cases in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, AI could elevate Africa’s economy to nearly $3 trillion by 2030.

Australia

• Scientists from the University of New South Wales and the Botanic Gardens of Sydney gain invaluable insights into the evolution of eucalyptus by employing AI to examine the iconic tree’s leaves. Meanwhile, expert testimony from a new AI parliamentary committee hearing suggests that Australia is seriously lagging behind world leaders in AI: watch this short video report by 9News.