Inferens AI Podcast

Host 3:"AI Overviews: because actually reading is so two thousand twenty-two. Why digest when an algorithm can chew it for you?"
Host 1:Curious about the next big leap in AI technology? In today's episode, we're unpacking Google's groundbreaking AI advancements and introducing you to the robot revolutionizing household chores. Prepare to be amazed by what the future holds - this is one journey you won't want to miss!
Host 1:So, you know how we all love to Google everything, right?
Host 2:Oh, absolutely! I mean, I can't remember the last time I didn't Google something. From the latest football scores to the meaning of life, it's all there!
Host 1:Exactly! But sometimes, don't you just wish Google could give you a quick summary instead of having to go through all those search results?
Host 2:Oh, you mean like a cheat sheet? That would be fantastic! Especially when I'm trying to understand quantum physics at two in the morning.
Host 1:Well, your wish is Google's command! They've rolled out a new feature called "AI Overviews" to U.S. users of its main search engine. It's like the biggest thing since sliced bread for Google Search!
Host 2:AI Overviews? Sounds fancy! What does it do?
Host 1:It uses AI to summarize answers to complex questions right at the top of search results. It's like having a personal assistant to do your homework!
Host 2:Wait, so no more scrolling through pages and pages of search results? That's bloody brilliant!
Host 1:Exactly! And it's not just for simple searches. The AI Overviews only appear when the tech company's technology thinks they're the fastest and most effective response for complex queries.
Host 2:So, it's like Google is reading my mind and knows exactly what I need. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or scared!
Host 1:Well, you better get used to it because this is just the beginning. Google announced the rollout of AI Overviews and other AI features at today's I/O developer conference. They even revealed a prototype AI agent called "Project Astra."
Host 2:Project Astra? Sounds like a superhero name! What's its superpower?
Host 1:It's an early version of a universal assistant that answers real-time questions through video and audio in a conversational way. It can even use a smartphone's camera and audio to analyze and "see" its surroundings. Like, it could help you find your glasses if you left them in a room!
Host 2:Now, that's a superpower I could use! I'm always losing my glasses.
Host 1:Well, looks like the future of search is here and it's smarter than ever! And to our listeners out there, what do you think about these new AI features? Let us know!
Host 3:"So, AI's the new shrink, diagnosing our existential dread in byte-sized summaries. Upgrade or downgrade?"
Host 1:You know, amidst all this AI buzz, it's easy to overlook the business side of things. Have you heard about Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, and their dance with Oracle?
Host 2:Text Host 2: Oh, you're talking about the ten billion deal they're negotiating for cloud servers, right? Yeah, I caught that news. If it goes through, xAI would become one of Oracle's biggest customers. That's a serious cash injection!
Host 1:Spot on! And it's not just about the money. xAI is reportedly looking to rent Oracle's cloud servers for an undisclosed number of years. It's like they're planning to move in together, but they're still figuring out who gets the bigger closet.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Ha! That's a good one. But you're right, it's a big commitment. And there's no guarantee they'll reach an agreement. It's like a high-stakes game of poker, isn't it?
Host 1:Exactly! And remember, last year, Oracle's Chairman, Larry Ellison, said xAI had signed a deal to train its AI models in Oracle's cloud infrastructure. For those who might not know, AI models are like the brain of an AI system, and they need a lot of computing power to learn and improve. So, it's like they've been dating for a while, and now they're thinking about moving in together.
Host 2:``` And they're not just any customer. xAI is reportedly Oracle's largest H One Hundred customer, using over fifteen thousand of the Nvidia-made AI chips. That's a lot of brainpower! To put it in perspective, folks, that's like having a supercomputer at your disposal! ```
Host 1:Absolutely! The company's founder even mentioned that the tech giant's company wanted more computing power and the software company was "in the process of getting them more.” It's like they're feeding a hungry beast!
Host 2:And just last month, there were reports that xAI was about to close a funding round of six billion dollars, valuing the AI company at eighteen billion dollars. That's a lot of dough to help boost xAI's development of Grok, their "witty and rebellious" chatbot.
Host 1:It's a fascinating dance, isn't it? The world of AI isn't just about the tech, it's also about the business deals and negotiations that happen behind the scenes. It's like watching a chess game, but with billions of dollars on the line.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Couldn't have said it better myself. It's a high-stakes game, and we're all just spectators. But hey, that's what makes it so darn exciting!
Host 3:In a world craving simplicity, we've engineered the pinnacle of complexity: a chatbot that's not just witty, but existential. Because, clearly, what's missing in our lives is digital angst.
Host 1:you know how we're always wishing for more time to indulge in our hobbies, like your love for vintage vinyl records and my addiction to the New York Times crossword?
Host 2:Text Host 2: Oh, absolutely. I mean, who wouldn't want a few extra hours in the day to dig through crates of records or, in your case, to squint at a crossword puzzle with a look of sheer determination?
Host 1:Exactly! Well, it seems like The Bot Company might be onto something. This startup, formed by some big names from Cruise and Tesla, just secured a whopping one hundred fifty million dollars in seed funding. They're building bots to do our chores so we don't have to.
Host 2:Hold on, are you saying there's a chance I could have a robot to do my laundry while I hunt for the perfect vinyl? Where do I sign up?
Host 1:That's the idea! Kyle Vogt, the founder of Cruise, says they're building robots that give people some of their time back. And it seems like some pretty influential people believe in their vision. We're talking about Stripe's Patrick and John Collison, Spark Capital's Nabeel Hyatt, angel investor Daniel Gross, and Nat Friedman, who runs a major AI fund.
Host 2:Wow, that's a serious lineup of investors. But I have to ask, what kind of experience does this team have? I mean, building robots that can do chores sounds like a pretty complex task.
Host 1:Well, you're not wrong. But the team behind The Bot Company has some serious credentials. Vogt founded Cruise, which was sold to GM, and Paril Jain, their CTO, is a former tech lead and AI manager at Tesla who worked on its Full Self-Driving software. Plus, they've got Luke Holoubek, a former technical adviser to Cruise's CTO.
Host 2:Damn, that's impressive. I can't wait to see what The Bot Company comes up with. I mean, if they can build a bot that can sort my vinyl collection, I'm all in!
Host 2:True, but it's not just about the price tag. It's about the brand, the reputation. I mean, it's up against some big guns like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Perplexity's app, and Inflection AI's Pi. It's like a small fish in a big pond.
Host 2:He did, but it's not quite the same here. The app had a strong start in the U.S., but the downloads fell drastically within a week. It went from forty-three thousand on the first day to just eight thousand by day seven.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Oh, you bet! I've been all over that. It's like a new toy for us tech nerds. But, you know, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It's had a bit of a rough start.
Host 1:Well, folks, you heard it here first. The AI app market is a battlefield, and it's survival of the fittest. Let's see if Claude can pull a Rocky and come back swinging.
Host 1:So, you're always on the hunt for the latest tech buzz. Have you caught wind of Anthropic's new iOS app featuring Claude three? It's like the new kid on the AI block.
Host 1:I'm sure they'll appreciate your enthusiasm. And who knows, maybe one day we'll all have a little more time to spend on the things we love, thanks to The Bot Company.
Host 2:Maybe, but it's a tough market. When ChatGPT first launched on iOS a year ago, it was less crowded. Now, it's like a battlefield out there.
Host 1:Oh, that's a bit of a tumble. But, hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, right? Maybe it just needs a little more time to find its footing.
Host 3:"Ah, yet another AI app promising to change the world. Exciting as watching paint dry, but without the satisfying finish."
Host 3:Robots for household chores? Great, the only pals who won't bail because my vibe is 'charmingly bleak'.
Host 1:Ah, the classic David and Goliath scenario. But remember, David did win in the end.
Host 1:Really? But it's free, right? And who doesn't love a freebie?