Each week, we bring you 5 stories that resonated the most in our internal Slack channel #AI-news. We write the newsletter using various AI tools because we're an AI company and our marketing wants to move with the times too. 😎
Today you're reading the 59th issue in a row.
#1
xAI launches Grok-3: Faster, more accurate, and cheaper than OpenAI 🤖💡?
Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has introduced Grok-3, claiming it outperforms GPT-4o (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), and other models in math, science, and coding 📊🔬. It boasts 10x the computing power of its predecessor and features DeepSearch, a tool that explains its reasoning process 🧠💡. A voice-based chatbot 🎙️ is also in development.
Grok-3 is available for X Premium+ users at $22/month, significantly less than OpenAI’s $200/month for full access ⚖️. xAI plans to open-source older versions once the latest model is stable 🔓. Despite strong competition, early reviews highlight accuracy issues and struggles with certain tasks 🤔.
Musk continues escalating his rivalry with OpenAI—he has filed lawsuits ⚖️ and unsuccessfully tried to buy its nonprofit division for $97.4 billion 💵. Meanwhile, xAI has secured $10 billion, valuing it at $75 billion, while OpenAI is seeking $40 billion, which would push its valuation to $300 billion 📈.
#2
Microsoft unveils Majorana 1, its first quantum chip after 17 years of research 💻⚛️!
Microsoft has introduced Majorana 1, its first quantum computing chip (a computational chip based on quantum physics) ⚛️ after 17 years of research 🔬. Unlike traditional qubits (the fundamental units of quantum computing), which are highly unstable, this chip leverages Majorana particles (special quantum elements) 🧩 to create more reliable and scalable qubits (more robust computational units) 🏗️.
The breakthrough lies in a new material called a topoconductor (a material that helps stabilize quantum operations) 🛠️, which enables greater precision in controlling these particles.
In the future, the chip could house millions of qubits (a vast number of computational units) 💾 on a small device, bringing practical quantum computing applications to medicine, material science, and more 🏥🧪.
Microsoft’s approach has earned recognition from DARPA (a research agency of the U.S. military), which has selected the company to develop a fully functional quantum computer within years, not decades ⏳⚡.
#3
Protoclone 🤖: A robot with 206 synthetic bones and a hydraulic system 🏃💧!
Clone Robotics has introduced Protoclone, a humanoid robot with artificial muscles, tendons, and joints, designed to mimic human movement 🤖🏃. It features 206 synthetic bones, a hydraulic system (pumping water instead of blood), and depth cameras (sensors enabling spatial vision and feedback) 🎥. The robot can walk, talk, and perform household tasks like cleaning, cooking, and organizing 🍳🧹.
A viral video showcasing its movements sparked mixed reactions—many found it creepy and unsettling 😨. While some see it as a major breakthrough in robotics, others question whether it’s wise to create machines that look and move like humans 🧐.
Protoclone competes with Tesla’s Optimus and Boston Dynamics’ robots ⚡. It will be available for pre-orders later this year, with its creators aiming to make humanoid robots affordable for the public 💰. Whether this leads to an automation revolution or new societal concerns remains to be seen 🔍.
#4
NVIDIA unveils Evo 2, the largest open-source AI model for genomics 🧬!
NVIDIA has introduced Evo 2, the largest open-source AI model (freely available AI system) for genomics (the study of DNA and genes) 🧬. Trained on 9 trillion nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA and RNA), it can analyze DNA, RNA, and proteins, helping researchers understand gene functions, predict protein structures, and design new molecules for medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology 🏥🌾.
Developed in collaboration with Stanford University and Arc Institute, Evo 2 enables the study of gene mutations, identification of disease-linked variants, and improvements in crop resilience 🌱. It runs on the NVIDIA BioNeMo platform (a specialized AI system for biological research), making advanced biomolecular studies more accessible 🔬.
This model could significantly accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, drug discovery, and environmental protection 🌍💊. What do you think 🧐?
#5
Humane shuts down AI Pin, HP buys the technology for $116 million 💰❌!
You might remember when MKBHD (one of the most influential tech reviewers) called the AI Pin by Humane one of the worst AI products ever ❌. So, what happened to it?
Humane is officially shutting down AI Pin and selling its technology, patents, and team to HP for $116 million 💰. Starting February 28, AI Pins will lose all cloud features, including messaging, calls, and AI responses 📡. Users are advised to back up their data before the service shuts down 🛑. Refunds will only be available for devices within the 90-day return window, and subscribers will receive partial refunds 💳.
Launched in April 2024, AI Pin failed to gain traction, with reports suggesting more people returned it than bought it 📉. Humane initially sought a $1 billion acquisition but failed to secure a deal ❌.
HP will now integrate CosmOS software and Humane’s team into its new AI division, HP IQ, which will focus on AI features for PCs, printers, and connected devices 🖥️🖨️🤖.
