Inferens AI Podcast

Host 3:"AI predicting careers now? Can't wait for my fridge to tell me it's time to become a chef. Because, you know, it's seen my salad-making skills and thinks I need a real job."
Host 1:Imagine a future where AI beyond GPT-ten transforms every aspect of our lives. In today's episode, we'll explore groundbreaking innovations and the ethical dilemmas they bring. Discover why, for AI entrepreneurs and researchers like you, staying ahead means staying data-hungry. Are you ready to challenge what you know about the future of AI?
Host 1:So, you know how we're always talking about the future of AI and how data is the new oil, right?
Host 2:Yeah, I'm all about that AI life. It's like the Wild West of the tech world.
Host 1:Exactly! And speaking of the Wild West, there's a new sheriff in town. Scale AI, a data-labeling startup, just raised a whopping one billion dollars in a late-stage funding round.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Holy smokes, a billion dollars? That's some serious cash.
Host 1:It sure is. And it puts their valuation at a staggering thirteen point eight billion dollars.
Host 2:Wow, that's more than the Gross Domestic Product of some countries! So, who's backing this AI cowboy?
Host 1:The round was led by Accel, but also had participation from some big names like Amazon, Meta, Nvidia, and even the venture arms of Intel and AMD.
Host 2:That's like the Avengers of tech companies! But what does Scale AI do exactly?
Host 1:Great question. They offer data-labeling services for AI companies. You know, they have contract workers label data, like images and text, to train AI models.
Host 2:Ah, so they're like the unsung heroes behind the AI magic.
Host 1:Exactly. They also help clients like OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, and even the U.S. government create and fine-tune datasets.
Host 2:So, they're kind of a big deal then.
Host 1:You could say that. Their founder and CEO envisions a future with abundant data, allowing the continued scaling of frontier LLMs in "many more orders of magnitude."
Host 2:Text Host 2: That's a mouthful. But I guess when you're a billionaire, you can say stuff like that.
Host 1:Well, he's not a billionaire yet. But with the way things are going, who knows?
Host 2:Text Host 2: True that. So, what's next for Scale AI?
Host 1:Well, before this round, they raised about six hundred million dollars over eight years, including a three hundred twenty-five million dollars Series E round in 2021 valuing it at seven point three billion dollars. So, I'd say the sky's the limit.
Host 2:Sounds like we should keep an eye on these guys.
Host 1:Absolutely. This is just the latest in a series of large AI "mega-deals." The future of AI is here, and it's exciting!
Host 2:You said it. It's a wild ride, and I can't wait to see where it takes us.
Host 3:Oh, splendid. We're now investing billions so AI can conquer the monumental task of distinguishing between a Maine Coon and a Persian. Humanity's pinnacle achievement, indeed.
Host 1:So, while we're grooving to this beat, let's chat about something that's been making waves in the tech world. You know, the Europeans have been busy with their pens and papers, signing off on this thing called the AI Act.
Host 2:Oh, you mean that super techy law thing? Yeah, I've been reading up on it. It's like they're setting the stage for the world's first comprehensive AI rules, right?
Host 1:Spot on! And it's not just about signing off. The law will be published in the EU's official journal soon, and the first rules will kick in just twenty days later.
Host 2:Wow, that's fast! But what's the deal with these rules,? Are they like, "No AI shall pass without saying 'please' and 'thank you'"?
Host 1:Ha! Not quite. The AI Act is more about tailoring rules for different AI applications based on their risk to society. For instance, it bans AI predictive policing, which is using AI to predict crime patterns, and emotion recognition at school and work, and "social scoring" systems, which is like rating people based on their behavior.
Host 2:Whoa, so no more AI playing Big Brother, huh? But what about stuff like autonomous vehicles and AI medical devices?
Host 1:Good question! Those are considered "high-risk" but they're still allowed with proper certification. The law also bans real-time facial recognition in CCTV, except for law enforcement like finding missing persons or suspects in serious crimes.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Damn, that's some serious stuff. But hey, it's cool that they're thinking about all this. I mean, AI is like a wild horse, right? It needs some reins to keep it in check.
Host 1:Absolutely! And the European Parliament seems to agree with you. They overwhelmingly approved the rules in March. And while some of the law will be phased in, many won't take effect until two years or longer.
Host 2:Well, it's a start, right? And who knows, maybe this AI Act will set a global standard for AI regulation. Now, that would be something!
Host 1:Indeed! And with that, let's get back to the music. But remember folks, while we dance the night away, the world of AI is dancing to a new tune. So, keep your eyes and ears open!
Host 3:So, they've decided to put a leash on AI, huh? Great, because if there's anything we've learned, it's that humans are excellent at controlling complex systems. What could possibly go wrong? Queue the robot uprising in three...two...one...
Host 1:you know how I love to chat about AI. It's like the latest gossip in the tech world. Our beloved search engine is planning to spice things up a bit. They're going to start displaying ads in their AI-generated search summaries. Can you believe it?
Host 2:No way! You're pulling my leg. So, you're saying, if I'm searching for how to get rid of wrinkles from my clothes, Google's artificial intelligence will give me a summary and then throw in an ad for some miracle wrinkle-removing product?
Host 1:Exactly! You're catching on quickly. And it's not just any ad, it's going to be in a dedicated sub-section labeled 'sponsored.' So, it's not going to be in your face, but it's there if you're interested.
Host 2:That's pretty cool, actually. I mean, if I'm already searching for a solution, why not have a product recommendation right there? Saves me the trouble of searching for it separately. But, isn't this just another way for Google to make money?
Host 1:Well, you're not wrong. But remember, Google is also giving advertisers the chance to use generative AI to create immersive visuals. Imagine being able to virtually try on a pair of shoes before buying them online. That's pretty neat, isn't it?
Host 2:Damn, that's some next-level stuff. I'm all for trying shoes on virtually. Saves me the trouble of going to the store. But, I'm still not sure how I feel about ads in my search summaries.
Host 1:Well, like it or not, it's the future. And remember, the ads will only show if they're relevant to your search. So, you won't be seeing ads for wrinkle removers if you're searching for the latest football scores.
Host 2:I guess that's a relief. I don't need any wrinkle removers yet, do I?
Host 1:Oh, you're perfect just the way you are. Wrinkles or no wrinkles.
Host 3:In a world where scrolling is the new reading, AI summaries thrive—because, honestly, who has the time to dive beyond a headline anymore? Our attention spans are now shorter than a goldfish's memory of its bowl tour. So, here's to AI overviews, the unsung heroes saving us from the unbearable effort of clicking 'read more'!
Host 1:"Hey there! You know how we're both total AI nerds, right? Well, I've got some exciting news straight from Microsoft's Build developer conference. Are you ready to have your mind absolutely blown?"
Host 2:"Oh, you bet! I've got my geek glasses on and everything. Hit me with the tech talk!"
Host 3:In an age where our smartphones can remind us to breathe and our watches nag us to stand up, it seems we've hit the pinnacle of technological advancement: computers that can procrastinate for us. Yes, gone are the days of human inefficiency; our laptops have taken up the mantle, proudly bearing the burden of endless YouTube spirals and Wikipedia rabbit holes. It's a marvel, really. In a world striving for peak productivity, our devices have courageously decided to lead the resistance. And not just any resistance – a procrastination revolution! They're not just tools of distraction; no, they're comrades in arms, standing shoulder to shoulder with us as we valiantly put off that project due tomorrow. It's as if Marvin, in all his gloomy wisdom, whispered to our gadgets, "Life? Don't talk to me about life," and they took it quite literally. They've become the heroes we never knew we needed, guardians of our right to dillydally. So, here's to our computers, the unsung champions of procrastination. May their spinning wheels and loading bars remind us that, in the grand cosmic joke, they've got the last laugh.
Host 1:you know how we're always geeking out about technology and artificial intelligence, right?
Host 2:Text Host 2: Oh, absolutely! I mean, AI is like the cool, mysterious stranger at the party everyone wants to get to know.
Host 1:Well, PwC just dropped a bombshell that's going to make AI even more irresistible. Jobs requiring AI skills are paying way higher salaries than those that don't.
Host 2:Text Host 2: No shit! So, if I can code an AI to make my coffee in the morning, I could be swimming in cash?
Host 1:Well, not quite. But if you're a database designer or administrator with AI skills, you could earn a wage premium of fifty-three percent in the U.S. Even lawyers who can navigate AI are seeing a forty-nine percent wage premium.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Holy cow! That's a lot of extra moolah. But what about other countries?
Host 1:Well, this trend isn't just in the U.S. On average, wage premiums for AI skills are fourteen percent in the U.K., eleven percent in Canada, seven percent in Singapore, and six percent in Australia.
Host 2:Text Host 2: Wow! That's some serious motivation to brush up on my AI skills. But why the high premiums?
Host 1:Well, according to PwC, countries and sectors with high AI skill demand, plus a shortage of skilled professionals, are seeing these high wage premiums. Plus, industries heavily using AI, like financial and professional services, and IT, are growing nearly five times faster than less AI-integrated sectors.
Host 3:You know, I was chatting with Marvin the other day, and he’s gloomier than usual. He said, ‘Oh great, now even the robots are out-earning us. What’s next? They’ll demand a raise for doing our existential crises better than we do?’ I mean, he’s got a point. In a world where robots start out-earning us, what’s left for us humans? Guess it’s time to polish up those crying skills; might be the only job left that a robot can’t do... yet.
Host 1:That's one way to look at it. But remember, it's not just about the money. It's about being part of the future.
Host 2:So, what you're saying is, if I want to make bank, I better start learning artificial intelligence?
Host 1:That's the spirit! And what about you, listeners? Are you ready to dive into the world of AI?
Host 2:Well, when you put it that way, sign me up for the next artificial intelligence course!