From IBM’s generative AI in sports to NVIDIA’s digital humans which are revolutionising customer service, AI is transforming all the major industry verticals. Major investments in AI, California’s deepfake ban, and innovative products like Plaud's NotePin highlight AI's growing impact. Here is how AI shapes the future of business, technology, and spirituality through diverse applications.
AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is actively reshaping industries, enhancing human experiences, and transforming the way we live, work, and interact. According to IBM reports, 30% of IT professionals are now using AI and automation tools to save time, a growing impact of artificial intelligence across various industries.
This widespread adoption highlights how AI is becoming an indispensable tool for innovation, efficiency, and problem-solving in modern society. From improving fan engagement in sports, streamlining customer service, and influencing business investments, to driving legislative changes, AI's presence is being felt across the board.
IBM's generative AI enhancements for the US Open 2024
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionise sectors globally, IBM has introduced cutting-edge AI capabilities for the 2024 US Open in collaboration with the United States Tennis Association (USTA). These advancements aim to enhance fan engagement and deliver comprehensive tournament coverage, offering an immersive experience for millions of tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
A key feature introduced this year is the Match Report Summaries, which provides detailed analysis for all 254 main draw singles matches. This new AI-driven solution, powered by IBM's watsonx and its Granite 13B large language model (LLM), can generate long-form post-match articles within minutes of match completion. The AI-generated content includes player performance, statistics, and highlights, reviewed and updated by the USTA editorial team before publication.
"Fans want more quality content around their favourite sports and athletes, and IBM Match Reports enables us to deliver it right away for the US Open," said Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for IBM.
"IBM's continued partnership with the USTA, built on more than 30 years of innovation, is an example of how businesses in any sector can modernise and scale their workflows with models like Granite and AI technologies like watsonx."
Additionally, IBM's AI Commentary makes a return, offering automated English-language audio and subtitles for match highlights. This version includes enhanced, contextual commentary generated within minutes of match conclusion, providing fans with quicker and richer insights.
The 2024 US Open digital platforms have also seen a redesign of the IBM SlamTracker, offering pre-match analysis, live play insights, and post-match recaps. A new near-real-time 3D graphic of ongoing matches allows fans to stay engaged with play-by-play updates.
Moreover, IBM and the USTA Foundation are collaborating to offer AI professional development resources through IBM SkillsBuild. This initiative will provide students and teaching professionals access to AI training, aligning with IBM's goal to skill 30 million people by 2030.
AMD’s strategic acquisition of ZT Systems
In a significant development in the AI infrastructure space, AMD has announced its acquisition of ZT Systems, a provider of AI infrastructure for large-scale computing environments. This acquisition, valued at $4.9 billion, positions AMD to further enhance its AI capabilities by integrating ZT Systems’ expertise in building customisable data centres.
ZT Systems specialises in AI computing and storage infrastructure, serving some of the world’s largest cloud computing companies. This acquisition will significantly boost AMD’s ability to offer optimised rack-scale solutions, addressing the growing demand for AI systems expected to reach a $400 billion market opportunity by 2027.
“Our acquisition of ZT Systems is the next major step in our long-term AI strategy to deliver leadership training and inferencing solutions that can be rapidly deployed at scale across cloud and enterprise customers,” said AMD Chair and CEO Dr. Lisa Su.
“ZT adds world-class systems design and rack-scale solutions expertise that will significantly strengthen our data centre AI systems and customer enablement capabilities. This acquisition also builds on the investments we have made to accelerate our AI hardware and software roadmaps. Combining our high-performance Instinct AI accelerator, EPYC CPU, and networking product portfolios with ZT Systems’ industry-leading data centre systems expertise will enable AMD to deliver end-to-end data centre AI infrastructure at scale with our ecosystem of OEM and ODM partners.”
AI spending surge in 2024: Businesses bet big on Artificial Intelligence
A recent report by technology consulting firm Searce revealed that nearly 10% of businesses plan to invest over $25 million in AI solutions in 2024, reflecting growing confidence in the technology. The report, which surveyed 300 senior technology executives across the US and UK, highlights how businesses are increasingly seeing AI as a crucial driver of growth.
However, the study also reveals challenges specific to each market. For US companies, data privacy and security concerns ranked highest (20%), while UK executives cited a lack of qualified talent (19%) as the main obstacle to AI adoption. Despite these challenges, both US (35%) and UK (31%) respondents confirmed they are investing in AI to drive new business growth, with many opting to partner with external service providers to fulfil their AI needs.
As companies ramp up their AI investments, it is evident that the technology’s ability to transform industries and create efficiencies is driving this surge. From financial services to healthcare, AI's impact is pervasive, and 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for its widespread adoption.
California's legislation on AI: A ban on deepfakes
The state of California has passed new legislation aimed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence, particularly in combating deepfakes and protecting workers from exploitation by AI technologies. These measures were introduced following concerns over AI’s increasing role in generating deceptive content and displacing human workers.
Key bills include one that bans AI-generated deepfake content related to elections and child abuse and another that sets safety protocols for AI models to prevent discrimination and risks. The legislation also protects workers, including voice actors and call centre employees, from being replaced by AI-generated counterparts.
By addressing the ethical concerns surrounding AI, California is setting a precedent for other regions to follow, ensuring that AI is developed and deployed responsibly.
Chatbot Conference 2024 to offer online access due to popular demand
The Chatbot Conference 2024 organisers have announced that virtual attendance will now be offered for the event due to immense demand. This move allows participants from across the globe to join the conference remotely, providing a convenient option for those unable to travel to San Francisco.
The conference, which will take place from September 24 to 26, 2024, will be live-streamed via Zoom, offering full coverage of the event. Attendees can participate in interactive sessions, and live Q&A panels, and take advantage of digital networking opportunities over the course of the three-day event.
Online Access Details:
- Dates: September 24-26, 2024
- Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time
- Platform: Zoom
- Features: Full live stream, interactive sessions, live Q&A, and networking opportunities
Attendees are encouraged to explore the agenda, testimonials, and workshops available on the event’s official platform.
Participants will also have the opportunity to build their own AI Assistant in just 48 hours through guided workshops. Registration for the virtual event is now open, enabling individuals worldwide to take part in the latest advancements in chatbot technology from the comfort of their homes or offices.
NVIDIA’s interactive digital humans: A new era in customer service
NVIDIA is once again pushing the boundaries of AI technology with the introduction of interactive digital humans, which are set to revolutionise the customer service industry. Developed using the NVIDIA Omniverse platform and powered by NVIDIA Riva’s conversational AI toolkit, these digital avatars can provide personalised assistance, answer questions, and even display empathy towards customers.
What makes these digital humans unique is their ability to understand natural language, respond in real-time, and use advanced facial expression technology to simulate human-like interactions. Companies can deploy these virtual agents to handle customer queries, offering a seamless and engaging experience that mimics the presence of an actual human representative.
As businesses increasingly turn to digital solutions to meet growing consumer demands, NVIDIA’s innovation represents a significant leap in the evolution of customer service. The potential for these digital humans to operate at scale, combined with their ability to provide meaningful engagement, is set to reshape the future of customer interaction.
Plaud’s NotePin: Your wearable AI memory capsule
Plaud has introduced the NotePin, a wearable device designed to capture and transcribe voice notes using AI. With a sleek pill-shaped design, the NotePin can be worn as a pin, necklace, or wristband, making it an ideal tool for on-the-go professionals, students, and creatives who need a convenient way to record their thoughts.
The NotePin’s AI-powered software can transcribe voice recordings into written text, summarise key points, and organise content efficiently. This makes it a versatile tool for meetings, interviews, and brainstorming sessions, ensuring users can focus on the conversation while the device handles the documentation.
Priced at $169, the NotePin also places a strong emphasis on data security, employing encryption to safeguard user information. Plaud’s introduction of this innovative AI wearable highlights the growing trend of integrating AI into everyday accessories to improve productivity and efficiency.
The rise of AI Pastors: A fusion of faith and technology
The AI Pastor integrates faith with technology in an unexpected but fascinating way by offering people individualised spiritual guidance. Drawing from a vast repository of religious texts, the AI Pastor can offer reflections, prayer suggestions, and daily inspiration, making it a valuable tool for modern believers seeking spiritual engagement on demand.
While AI Pastor does not aim to replace traditional religious practices, it exemplifies how AI can augment religious experiences by offering accessible support to those who may not have regular access to faith leaders. Furthermore, as AI is increasingly adopted by churches for administrative tasks and sermon preparation, the role of technology in spirituality is likely to grow.
The AI Pastor also raises ethical questions about the role of technology in personal belief systems, but it provides an example of how AI can be responsibly integrated into new areas of life, fostering deeper connections within communities.
