AI Biweekly: 10 Bits from Nov (Pt 2)

Nov 15th – Microsoft Reveals Azure IoT Edge

Microsoft releases the new Azure IoT Edge at Microsoft’s Connect 2017 Conference. The Azure IoT Edge aims to provide customers with a full set of AI services ranging from advanced analytics tools to machine learning modules. Azure IoT Edge will support all major programming languages including C, Java, C#, Node.js, and Python.

Nov 16th – Google Launches Chatbot Analytics Platform Chatbase

Developers can track metrics including the number of active users, sessions, and user retention on Google’s new Chatbase dashboard. Chatbase applies machine learning techniques to cluster unhandled messages and help developers optimize queries. Chatbase is compatible with most messaging platforms including Facebook, Kik, Viber, Slack, Whatsapp, WeChat, Alexa, Cortana, Allo, Twitter, and so on. Early adopters include Ticketmaster, HBO, Keller Williams, inGenious.AI, and FitWell.

Nov 16th – Tesla Unveils An Electric Rival to Semi Trucks

Tesla unveils a an electric semi truck prototype with an autonomous driving function. According to CEO Elon Musk, Semi will become more efficient and cost effective than- -diesel trucks. The Level 2 autonomous driving system can control steering, acceleration, and braking on Autopilot. Walmart has ordered 15 trucks to upgrade their supply chain.

Nov 17th – Apple Now Pushes HomePod Release to Early 2018

Apple announces that its premium HomePod smart speaker to be delayed in release. Apple hopes to begin shipping in early 2018 in the US, UK, and Australia. The US$350 speaker is a high-end competitor to Echo and Assistant offerings from Amazon and Google, and the first home device with Siri baked in.

Nov 17th – Amazon Joins Facebook and Microsoft in Support of Open-Source AI Platform

Amazon announces its ONNX-MXNet Python package on Apache MXNet, which allows AI developers to freely switch between frameworks without having to start their model from scratch. Amazon joins Facebook and Microsoft in the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) platform. Yet to join are Apple and Google.

Nov 20th – Uber Buys 24,000 Volvo SUVs to Build A Fleet of Driverless Cars

Uber announces it will purchase 24,000 Volvo XC90s for their future autonomous fleet. The vehicles will be ready between 2019 and 2021. Volvo President and Chief Executive Håkan Samuelsson says the company aims to be the supplier of choice for the global autonomous driving ride-sharing service providers. Uber has already tested the XC90 with featured equipment in Pittsburgh. The XC90 has some core autonomous driving capabilities and Uber will add more features.

Nov 20th – Google Cloud Platform Drops the Price of GPUs

Google reduces the price of its K80 GPUs to US$0.45 per hour and its P100 machines to US$1.46 per hour in the US. GPUs are mainly used for training machine learning models, running physical simulations, and building molecular models.

Nov 20th – AI Drew Attention at China International Artificial Intelligence Conference 

The Artificial Intelligence Conference (AIC) in Shenzhen, China attracted representatives from the Shenzhen government, universities and more than 200 companies. Keynote speeches discussed insights and strategies for developing an AI ecosystem in Shenzhen, the hardware capital of China, emphasizing collaboration between technology and industry.

Nov 21st – Apple Acquires AR Headset Startup Vrvana for US$30 Million

Apple has acquired Vrvana, an augmented reality headset startup, for US$30 million. Apple is working on its own AR ecosystem, and the acquisition could indicate the future product and strategic direction of the company. Vrvana released its Totem headset, which was not shipped. The Totem is described as an “extended reality” device, which allows for both AR and VR in one headset. Apple also acquired SMI, another VR and AR headsets solutions company back in June 2017.

Nov 22nd — Uber’s 2016 Data Breach is Said to Affect 57 Global Million Users 

Uber confirmed this month that in a 2016 data breach hackers gained access to all the passenger and driver data in the company’s database. The data breach has triggered lawsuits in the US, UK and other global Uber markets.

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Credit: Synced Industry Analyst Team | Editorial: Meghan Han, Michael Sarazen | Infograph: Meghan Han