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With A Potential $25 Billion Stake, SoftBank May Become Microsoft-Backed OpenAI’s Biggest Investor

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Image Source: “SoftBank.” by MIKI Yoshihito. (#mikiyoshihito) is licensed under CC BY 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/7940758@N07/5253845074

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OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is making some big moves. They’re reportedly looking to raise a staggering $40 billion in new funding, which could boost their value to around $340 billion.

This comes after they already raised a hefty $6.6 billion from big names like Microsoft, NVIDIA, and SoftBank, money they needed to avoid going under given their projected $5 billion loss in the next year.

What’s really interesting is that SoftBank is rumored to be leading this new round, potentially investing between $15 and $25 billion. If this happens, they’d become OpenAI’s biggest investor, taking the top spot from Microsoft.

This massive influx of cash could more than double OpenAI’s value in just a few months. They were worth about $157 billion in October. Where’s all this money going? Well, part of it is supposedly earmarked for “Stargate,” a huge $500 billion project to build data centers across the US.

This is likely their way of staying ahead of the competition, especially up-and-coming Chinese AI companies like DeepSeek. It’s a race to the top in the world of AI, and OpenAI seems determined to win.

On one hand, investors are eager for the company to become profitable, pushing them to focus more on the business side of things. This makes sense, as they’ve poured a lot of money into OpenAI and want to see a return on their investment.

But on the other hand, there’s the legal battle with Elon Musk, who was one of the early backers of OpenAI. He’s accusing the company and its CEO, Sam Altman, of betraying the original vision of OpenAI, which was to develop AI for the benefit of humanity, not for profit. Musk even claims he was misled into investing, believing it was for a purely humanitarian cause. 

It’s a tricky situation for OpenAI. They need to keep their investors happy by making money, but they also need to address the concerns raised by Musk and others about their ethical responsibilities and the potential dangers of unchecked AI development. It seems they’re walking a tightrope between innovation, profit, and ethical considerations.

So, even though OpenAI is leading the pack in the AI world right now, they’re not out of the woods yet. Experts are saying they could be vulnerable to outside influence or even a hostile takeover if they don’t start making some serious money within the next two years. Basically, they’d have to pay back their investors if they can’t become profitable.

One of the biggest worries is that Microsoft might just buy them out within the next three years. The thinking is that the hype around AI could die down, and if OpenAI’s partnerships start to fall apart, Microsoft might see it as a good opportunity to take over.

It’s also worth noting that even with all their success, OpenAI is projected to lose a whopping $44 billion before they might actually turn a profit, possibly around 2029. Running and training these advanced AI models is incredibly expensive, not to mention paying all those talented employees and getting the necessary data. And let’s not forget that Microsoft gets a cut of their revenue—a significant 20%, according to reports. So, while they’re ahead now, they’ve got some big challenges to overcome to stay on top.

Windows 11’s Market Share Rises As Windows 10’s Support Nears End

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Image Source: “Windows 11 key” by sonic exe is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113525394

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It’s hard to believe that Windows 10, an operating system that still feels relatively modern to many, will be turning ten years old this year and reaching its end-of-life in October! Time flies in the tech world.

Microsoft has a policy of supporting its Windows versions for a decade—five years of general support with updates and improvements, followed by five years of essential security updates. After that, they encourage users to upgrade to newer versions to stay protected.

This makes sense from a security and resource perspective. Maintaining older versions indefinitely becomes increasingly difficult and costly for Microsoft. By focusing on newer versions, they can ensure better security and dedicate resources to improving current features and developing new ones.

For businesses, there’s the option to pay for extended security updates, but the cost can be significant. It’s usually more practical and cost-effective to upgrade to a newer version in the long run.

So, if you’re still running Windows 10, it’s time to start thinking about upgrading to Windows 11. While change can be daunting, especially for those comfortable with Windows 10, upgrading is essential for maintaining security and ensuring compatibility with the latest software and technologies.

You’ve hit on some key reasons why people are hesitant to leave Windows 10! It’s been a popular and reliable operating system, and there’s definitely some resistance to upgrading to Windows 11.

You’re right; many users are concerned about privacy in Windows 11. Microsoft has increased the amount of telemetry data it collects, and there’s a perception that Windows 11 is more “online” and connected to Microsoft services than its predecessor. This, combined with the increased presence of in-shell ads, has made some users wary.

The hardware requirements for Windows 11 are another sticking point. The TPM 2.0 requirement, in particular, has locked out users with older machines that don’t have compatible motherboards. While Microsoft argues that this requirement is for security reasons, it’s understandably frustrating for those who are forced to upgrade their hardware just to run the latest operating system.

These factors have contributed to Windows 10’s “stickiness.” People are hesitant to upgrade to Windows 11 due to privacy concerns, hardware limitations, and a general satisfaction with their current operating system. It’ll be interesting to see how Microsoft addresses these concerns and encourages wider adoption of Windows 11 as Windows 10’s end-of-life approaches.

It’s interesting to hear that Microsoft is actively enforcing the TPM 2.0 requirement. While there have been workarounds, it’s not surprising that they’re trying to discourage them. After all, their goal is to encourage users to upgrade to newer hardware.

The latest market share data from StatCounter is certainly encouraging for Microsoft. Windows 11 has seen a significant increase in adoption, and it’s now the most widely used Windows operating system. This suggests that their efforts are having an impact, and more and more people are choosing to upgrade to Windows 11.

It’s worth noting that there are still a significant number of users on Windows 10. As Windows 10 nears its end-of-life, it will be interesting to see how quickly people switch to Windows 11, especially considering the ongoing challenges with hardware compatibility and privacy concerns. Microsoft will likely need to continue to address these issues to encourage wider adoption of Windows 11.

It seems like the tide is turning in favor of Windows 11, even if it’s happening gradually. Windows 10 is still holding on with a majority of users, but its decline is evident as Windows 11 continues its steady climb.

It’s fascinating to see that Windows 7 still has a significant presence, especially considering it reached its end-of-life back in 2020. This highlights the challenge Microsoft faces in getting users, particularly large organizations, to upgrade their systems. As you mentioned, many businesses rely on legacy applications and prefer to pay for extended security updates rather than go through the disruption and cost of upgrading their entire infrastructure.

The example of the UK’s National Health Service using Windows XP for years after its end-of-life is a stark reminder of this challenge. It’s a testament to the inertia that can exist within large organizations when it comes to technology upgrades.

It will be interesting to see how Microsoft navigates this transition as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life. They’ll need to find ways to incentivize upgrades while also supporting those who are unable or unwilling to make the switch immediately. This might involve offering more affordable extended security updates for Windows 10 or providing better tools and resources to help businesses migrate to Windows 11.

Trade wars and tariffs on electronics from Asia could make new PCs more expensive, making it harder for users to upgrade. This puts Microsoft and its OEM partners in a tough spot. They want to push Windows 11 adoption, but rising prices could deter potential upgraders, especially in a time of economic uncertainty.

On top of that, the race to integrate AI features into consumer products adds another layer of complexity. Companies are still figuring out how to best implement and market these features, and the added cost of AI development could further drive up prices.

This creates a challenging landscape for Microsoft and the PC industry. They need to balance the push for Windows 11 adoption with the realities of rising costs and evolving consumer expectations around AI. It will be interesting to see how they navigate these challenges and what strategies they employ to encourage upgrades without pricing users out of the market.

Perhaps we’ll see more aggressive bundling of Windows 11 with new PCs, or maybe Microsoft will offer incentives or discounts to encourage upgrades. They might also focus on highlighting the value proposition of Windows 11, particularly its AI capabilities, to justify the higher cost.

Microsoft Funds A College Student’s AI Project To Improve Customer Service

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Image source: “VFS Digital Design Agile Project Management” by vancouverfilmschool is licensed under CC BY 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/38174668@N05/5330406425

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It looks like Abdul Rahman Majid is living the dream—getting support from Microsoft to build his own AI project while still in college! It’s inspiring to see a major tech company investing in young talent and innovative ideas.

Majid’s project, Kallabot, caught Microsoft’s eye, and they decided to give him a “big fat check” to help him get it off the ground. This funding will be crucial for providing the necessary resources and infrastructure to develop and scale his AI project.

This story highlights the growing importance of AI and the opportunities it presents for young entrepreneurs and innovators. It also shows how major tech companies like Microsoft are actively looking for and supporting promising AI projects, even those coming from college students.

It will be exciting to follow Majid’s journey and see what he accomplishes with Kallabot. This is a great example of how passion, innovation, and support from established players can come together to drive progress in the field of AI.

Ah, so Kallabot was born out of a real-life frustration! It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of AI and forget that it can be used to solve everyday problems. Majid’s experience with those Bradford utility companies highlights how AI can be applied in practical ways to improve people’s lives.

It seems like his difficulty communicating with these companies sparked an idea: what if there was an AI-powered solution that could handle those interactions more efficiently and effectively? And that’s how Kallabot was born.

This story is a great reminder that innovation often comes from personal experiences and challenges. It also shows how AI can be used to address real-world problems and make things easier for people. While a call center solution might not sound as glamorous as some other AI applications, it can have a significant impact on people’s lives by improving customer service, reducing wait times, and making communication more accessible.

It’s inspiring to see how Majid turned his frustration into an opportunity to create something new and potentially beneficial for others. It’ll be interesting to see how Kallabot evolves and what impact it has on the customer service landscape.

From Kallabot’s website, the product is described as:

“Ditch those clunky IVR systems! Kallabot’s AI agents handle calls like pros, from sales and support to appointment setting. And yeah, they speak over 36+ languages at the same time!”

The language support alone is a big deal, and one of the areas that AI can be useful for everyone. It shouldn’t be a barrier, but let’s face it, learning languages is hard and time-consuming, so why not deploy AI in this scenario to remove those barriers?

It’s true that Kallabot is still in its early stages, and the details about its technology are scarce. However, the connection to OpenAI is interesting, suggesting that Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI is having a ripple effect, enabling the development of new AI applications like Kallabot.

This highlights the broader impact of advancements in AI. Not only are these technologies being developed by large companies, but they’re also empowering individuals and small startups to create innovative solutions.

Kallabot also brings up the complex issue of AI and job displacement. While it’s true that AI could potentially replace some call center jobs, it’s important to remember that it also creates new opportunities. In this case, it has enabled Majid to build a company and pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions.

This is the double-edged sword of AI: it can automate existing tasks and potentially displace workers, but it also opens up new avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s crucial to consider both sides of this equation as we continue to develop and integrate AI into various aspects of our lives.

Kallabot is a reminder that the AI revolution is not just about large corporations and research labs. It’s also about individuals like Majid who are using these technologies to solve real-world problems and create new possibilities. This is a brave new world indeed, and it’s exciting to see how AI is empowering the next generation of innovators.

Microsoft Strengthens AI Team With Key Hires From Google DeepMind

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Image Source: “Google DeepMind 2” by alpha_photo is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/196993421@N03/52834588163

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It looks like Microsoft is ramping up its AI efforts and poaching some serious talent from Google’s DeepMind in the process! The AI wars are heating up, with Microsoft going head-to-head with giants like OpenAI, Salesforce, and Google.

Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, who has a history with DeepMind, just snagged three top researchers from his former employer: Marco Tagliasacchi, Zalán Borsos, and Matthias Minderer. These folks will be leading Microsoft’s new AI office in Zurich, Switzerland.

This move shows how competitive the AI landscape is becoming. Companies are vying for the best talent to gain an edge in this rapidly developing field. It’ll be interesting to see what these new hires bring to Microsoft and how they contribute to the company’s AI ambitions. With Suleyman at the helm, and now with this injection of DeepMind expertise, Microsoft is clearly signaling its intent to be a major player in the future of AI.

It seems like Microsoft has a real knack for attracting DeepMind talent! This latest hiring spree isn’t a one-off; it’s part of a larger trend. Just last December, Microsoft poached several key DeepMind employees, including Dominic King, who now heads up their AI health unit.

This suggests that Microsoft is strategically targeting DeepMind as a source of top-tier AI talent. It could be due to DeepMind’s reputation for groundbreaking research and development in AI, or perhaps it’s a cultural fit. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Microsoft sees value in bringing DeepMind expertise in-house.

This continuous recruitment of DeepMind employees could give Microsoft a significant advantage in the AI race. It allows them to quickly build up their AI capabilities and potentially gain access to valuable knowledge and insights from a leading competitor. It also raises questions about Google’s ability to retain its top talent in the face of aggressive poaching from rivals like Microsoft.

The AI landscape is constantly shifting, and these talent acquisitions could play a crucial role in determining which companies come out on top. It will be fascinating to see how this ongoing “brain drain” from DeepMind to Microsoft impacts the future of AI development and innovation.

Microsoft is strategically building out its AI capabilities with these new hires. Tagliasacchi and Borsos, with their expertise in audio and experience with Google’s AI-powered podcast, will likely be focused on developing innovative audio features for Microsoft’s products and services. This could involve things like enhancing speech recognition, improving audio quality in virtual meetings, or even creating entirely new audio-based experiences.

Minderer, with a focus on vision, could be working on anything from improving image recognition and generation to developing more immersive augmented reality experiences.

These specific roles suggest that Microsoft is looking to strengthen its AI capabilities across multiple modalities, including audio and vision. This could be a sign that they’re aiming to create more comprehensive and integrated AI experiences, potentially leading to new products and services that seamlessly combine different AI technologies.

It’s also interesting to note that Tagliasacchi and Borsos were involved in a project that used AI to generate podcast-like content. This could hint at Microsoft’s interest in exploring the use of AI for content creation and potentially even venturing into new media formats.

Overall, these strategic hires suggest that Microsoft is serious about its AI ambitions and is actively building a team with diverse expertise to drive innovation across different areas of AI development.

Here’s what the two new Microsoft employees said about their new roles:

“I have joined Microsoft AI as a founding member of the new Zurich office, where we are assembling a fantastic team. I will be working on vision capabilities with colleagues in London and the US, and I can’t wait to get started. There’s lots to do!” — Matthias Minderer

“Pleased to announce I have joined Microsoft AI as a founding member of the new Zurich office. I will be working on audio, collaborating with teams in London and the US. AI continues to be a transformative force, with audio playing a critical role in shaping more natural, intuitive, and immersive interactions. Looking forward to the journey ahead.” — Marco Tagliasacchi

Microsoft Brings Apple Mail’s Email Recall Feature To Outlook For Mac

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Image Source: “MacBook Pro 13′ and the new Mac mini Server” by Peter Hellberg is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/75489014@N00/4721506269

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It’s about time! Microsoft is finally bringing Outlook for Mac into the 21st century with a feature that Apple users have been enjoying for a while now: the ability to “unsend” an email. This means no more cringing after hitting send because you spotted a typo, or worse, realized you accidentally sent a confidential message to the wrong person.

While Apple’s “Undo Send” simply delays the email for a few seconds, giving you a chance to change your mind, it’s unclear whether Microsoft’s “Recall” will work the same way. Perhaps they’ve come up with a more sophisticated method, but the end result is the same: a safety net for those “oh no!” moments we’ve all experienced after hitting the send button.

This update also brings Outlook for Mac in line with its Windows and web counterparts, which already have this functionality. It’s a small change, but a significant one that will likely be appreciated by many Mac users who rely on Outlook for their email needs. Now, if only they could add a feature to predict the future and prevent us from sending those emails we really regret later…

Microsoft Recall is more robust in some ways, but more limited in others. Here’s how it works:

Message recall is available after you select Send and is available only if both you and the recipient have a Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange email account in the same organization. Messages sent to or from a Hotmail, Gmail, or live.com account can’t be recalled.

Ah, there’s a catch! While Microsoft’s “Recall” feature does seem a bit more sophisticated than Apple’s “Undo Send,” allowing you to potentially unsend an email even after it’s been delivered, there’s a limitation: it only works for emails sent between Microsoft accounts within the same organization.

This means you won’t be able to retract that embarrassing email you accidentally sent to your client or that heated message you fired off to your landlord. It’s really designed for internal use within a company, which makes sense for preventing sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands or for correcting mistakes in professional communication.

Still, it’s a step up from Apple’s limited time frame, and it’ll be interesting to see if Microsoft expands this capability in the future to include external emails. For now, though, we’ll all need to continue practicing the art of proofreading and restraint before hitting that send button!

This addition of “Recall” to Outlook for Mac is a welcome improvement, but it also highlights the different philosophies Apple and Microsoft seem to have towards email. Apple’s approach with “Undo Send” is straightforward and universally applicable, albeit with a very short grace period. It’s like a quick safety net for those split-second “oops” moments. Microsoft, on the other hand, offers a more nuanced and powerful tool, but restricts it to a specific use case: internal corporate communication.

This difference might stem from how each company perceives the primary use of their email platforms. Apple’s Mail app caters to a broader audience, including individuals and families, where quick fixes for common mistakes are likely more important. Microsoft, with its strong enterprise focus, prioritizes features that enhance control and security within a professional setting.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Microsoft has offered a recall feature in Outlook. Older versions had a similar function, but it was notoriously unreliable and often didn’t work as intended. Hopefully, this new iteration of “Recall” will be more robust and effective.

Ultimately, both “Undo Send” and “Recall” have their pros and cons. While Apple’s approach is simpler and more widely applicable, Microsoft’s offers greater flexibility within its specific domain. Perhaps in the future, we’ll see a convergence of these approaches, with email clients offering both a quick “undo” option for minor errors and a more powerful recall function for specific situations.

For now, Outlook for Mac users can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they have a bit more control over their sent emails, even if it’s only within the confines of their organization.

Microsoft’s AI Business Booming: $13 Billion In Revenue And Counting!

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Image Source: “25 Billion Dollars” by Andrew Turner is licensed under CC BY 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/51648834@N00/3736209363

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Microsoft is raking in the cash from its AI ventures! They’ve announced that their artificial intelligence products and services are bringing in a whopping $13 billion a year, which is even more than they predicted earlier.

This news came as part of Microsoft’s latest quarterly earnings report, where they revealed strong overall performance, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations. But this success story comes with a twist.

The AI world is buzzing about a Chinese company called DeepSeek, which has developed innovative and cost-effective AI technology.

This has put a spotlight on how much money Microsoft and other big tech companies are investing in AI research and development. It’s like DeepSeek has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging the established players to step up their game.

Microsoft is investing heavily in its future! They’ve just announced record-breaking capital expenditures of $22.6 billion for the last quarter. This massive investment is primarily focused on expanding their cloud computing and AI capabilities.

It’s clear that Microsoft is betting big on the continued growth of these areas and is committed to staying ahead of the curve.

This investment also highlights the increasing importance of AI and cloud computing in the tech industry and the fierce competition among companies to dominate these fields.

“As AI becomes more efficient and accessible, we will see exponentially more demand,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in his prepared remarks on the company’s earnings conference call.

He added, “Therefore, much as we have done with the commercial cloud, we are focused on continuously scaling our fleet globally and maintaining the right balance across training and inference, as well as distribution.”

Microsoft said Tuesday that it has added DeepSeek R1 to the third-party AI models available via its Azure AI Foundry and GitHub software development platform.

While Microsoft’s overall performance was strong, their Azure cloud platform and other cloud services didn’t grow as much as analysts predicted. Despite a 31% increase in revenue, with AI services contributing significantly to that growth, the slightly lower-than-expected Azure growth caused a dip in Microsoft’s share price after the earnings report.

However, there’s good news on the horizon. Microsoft’s commercial bookings, which indicate future revenue, surged by a massive 67% compared to the previous year. This suggests strong growth potential in the coming months.

Interestingly, this increase is partly attributed to new commitments from OpenAI, the AI powerhouse behind ChatGPT. It seems their partnership with Microsoft is deepening, with OpenAI relying more on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform.

Overall, Microsoft’s cloud business, which includes Azure, Microsoft 365, and other services, generated a substantial $40.9 billion in revenue, demonstrating the continued growth and importance of cloud computing for the company.

It’s clear that Microsoft is navigating a complex and dynamic landscape in the AI and cloud computing arena. While they are demonstrating strong financial performance and significant investments in future growth, they are also facing challenges from emerging competitors like DeepSeek and evolving market expectations.

The lower-than-expected Azure growth highlights the competitive pressures in the cloud market, where companies like Amazon and Google are also vying for dominance.

Meanwhile, the deepening partnership with OpenAI underscores the strategic importance of AI for Microsoft and its potential to drive future revenue growth.

It will be interesting to see how Microsoft balances its investments in AI and cloud infrastructure, responds to competitive pressures, and leverages its partnerships to maintain its position as a leader in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The company’s ability to innovate and adapt will be crucial to its continued success in the years to come.

DeepSeek Shakes Up AI: Microsoft CEO Remains Optimistic Amidst Market Jitters

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Image Source: “Satya Nadella” by OFFICIAL LEWEB PHOTOS is licensed under CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30895966

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is optimistic about Chinese AI firm DeepSeek’s shakeup of the tech industry. DeepSeek claims its newly unveiled R1 model is as effective as OpenAI’s o1—and was reportedly developed for a fraction of the budget.

Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek’s newly unveiled R1 reasoning model has shaken up Big Tech, with its app dethroning OpenAI’s ChatGPT as Apple’s most-downloaded App Store app and pummeling global tech stocks out of fear that America’s grip over AI development is slipping.

One CEO seems to be unphased by the startup’s emergence. Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella asserted DeepSeek’s David to the established AI sector’s Goliath could actually be good news for the tech industry as a whole.

“Jevons paradox strikes again!” Nadella wrote on LinkedIn Monday, referring to a theory that increased efficiency in a product’s production drives increased demand. “As AI gets more efficient and accessible, we will see its use skyrocket, turning it into a commodity we just can’t get enough of.”

DeepSeek, a new Chinese AI company, has just launched a powerful AI model called R1 that’s getting a lot of attention. It’s said to be as capable as OpenAI’s advanced model but was developed with a much smaller budget.

This has made DeepSeek a potential rival to major players in the AI field.

What’s even more impressive is that DeepSeek claims to have created its technology with limited resources, using only a fraction of the money that OpenAI spent on developing its models.

This has raised concerns about the US’s dominance in AI development, especially since restrictions on selling advanced computer chips to Chinese companies have been in place.

The situation has been compared to the “Sputnik moment” during the Cold War when the Soviet Union surprised the US by launching the first satellite into space.

It seems like DeepSeek’s achievements are being seen as a wake-up call, highlighting the growing competition in the AI field and the potential for other countries to challenge the US’s leadership in this area.

The news about DeepSeek’s AI prowess sent shockwaves through the financial markets. Tech stocks took a major hit, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 experiencing significant drops.

Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet all saw their share prices fall. But the biggest loser was Nvidia, a company that makes the powerful computer chips used in AI development, whose shares plummeted by a whopping 13%!

It seems like investors are worried about the potential impact of DeepSeek’s rise on the established players in the AI field.

The fact that DeepSeek was able to achieve such impressive results with limited resources has raised concerns about the competitiveness of US companies and the potential for a shift in the balance of power in the AI landscape. This market reaction underscores the high stakes involved in the AI race and the sensitivity of investors to any news that could disrupt the current pecking order.

Nadella has a different perspective on DeepSeek’s rise. Instead of seeing it as a threat, he believes it’s a good thing for the tech industry. He’s optimistic that this new competition will push everyone to innovate and expand the use of AI in various aspects of our lives.

Nadella’s optimism is based on an old economic theory called Jevons paradox. This theory suggests that when a technology becomes more efficient, people actually end up using it more, not less.

He believes the same will happen with AI. As AI models become more efficient, like DeepSeek’s R1, the demand for AI will increase, leading to wider adoption and more uses.

However, there’s a catch. The original Jevons paradox also warned that increased efficiency could lead to faster depletion of resources. In the case of AI, this could mean a greater strain on the environment due to increased data storage and energy consumption.

So, while Nadella’s optimism is understandable, it’s important to be mindful of the potential environmental costs of an AI boom.

“Ultimately, the application of Jevons Paradox to AI highlights the need for careful consideration of the potential unintended consequences of technological advancements and the importance of taking a proactive approach to address these issues,” Schram said in a May 2023 LinkedIn post.

Despite the potential environmental concerns, Nadella clearly recognizes that DeepSeek is a force to be reckoned with. He’s not dismissing this new competitor; instead, he’s acknowledging its potential to shake up the AI landscape.

This shows that even established tech giants like Microsoft are taking DeepSeek seriously. They understand that the AI field is evolving rapidly, and new players can emerge and disrupt the status quo.

Nadella’s willingness to acknowledge DeepSeek’s technology publicly suggests that he sees it as a legitimate contender in the AI race, and perhaps even an opportunity for collaboration or learning.

“To see the DeepSeek new model, it’s super impressive in terms of both how they have really effectively done an open-source model that does this inference-time compute, and is super-compute efficient,” Nadella said Wednesday. “We should take the developments out of China very, very seriously.” 

Microsoft Teams Up With DeepSeek To Offer Powerful AI On Azure

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Image Source: “Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000” by Linuxbear is licensed under CC BY 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/9304652@N06/6438546415

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Microsoft is teaming up with a Chinese AI startup called DeepSeek to bring its powerful AI model, R1, to more people. Microsoft is adding R1 to its Azure cloud platform and GitHub, which is a popular tool for developers. This means developers and businesses using Microsoft’s services will have easy access to this cutting-edge AI technology.

DeepSeek recently made a splash with its own AI assistant, which is super efficient and cheaper to run than other AI assistants out there. It became so popular that it even surpassed ChatGPT in downloads, causing a bit of a stir in the tech world.

Now, with Microsoft’s help, DeepSeek’s AI is about to become even more accessible to a wider audience. This partnership could be a big deal for the AI landscape, potentially leading to more innovation and competition in the field.

It seems like Microsoft is playing the field when it comes to AI! While they’ve been working closely with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, they’re also looking to branch out and explore other options. They’re adding more AI models to their Copilot product, including their own internally developed models and now this one from DeepSeek.

This makes sense, as it reduces Microsoft’s reliance on any single AI provider. It’s like they’re not putting all their eggs in one basket. This strategy could lead to more competition and innovation in the AI space, which is ultimately good news for users.

On top of that, Microsoft is making it possible for users to run DeepSeek’s R1 model directly on their own computers. This is a big deal for people concerned about privacy and data security, as it means their information won’t need to be sent to the cloud for processing. It’s like having a powerful AI brain right there on your own device!

It looks like DeepSeek’s rapid rise in the AI world is causing some waves! There are a few potential challenges, though. Since DeepSeek stores user data in China, some people in the US might be hesitant to use it due to concerns about data privacy and security.

Adding to the intrigue, there are reports that Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating whether DeepSeek somehow got unauthorized access to information from OpenAI’s technology. It sounds a bit like a spy movie!

DeepSeek’s sudden popularity seems to have lit a fire under OpenAI, too. Their CEO, Sam Altman, hinted that they’d be speeding up some of their releases, and they recently launched a special version of ChatGPT designed for the US government.

It seems like the AI world is getting pretty competitive! This could lead to some exciting new developments and innovations as companies try to outdo each other and capture the attention of users.

This whole situation really highlights the global nature of AI development and the complex relationships between different players in the field. You have a US tech giant like Microsoft collaborating with a Chinese startup like DeepSeek, while also investigating potential data breaches and competing with another major player like OpenAI.

It’s a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape, with new developments and challenges emerging constantly.

It also raises interesting questions about the future of AI regulation and international collaboration.

How will governments and organizations navigate the complexities of data privacy, intellectual property, and potential security risks in this global AI race? Will we see more partnerships and collaborations between companies from different countries or will competition and concerns about national interests lead to a more fragmented AI landscape. 

Only time will tell how these dynamics will play out, but one thing is certain: the AI world is becoming increasingly interconnected and complex, with implications that extend far beyond the tech industry itself.

ChatGPT’s Advanced AI Costs $200/mo Is Now Free For Windows Users

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Microsoft is making a bold move to make powerful AI more accessible. They’re giving users of their Copilot service what seems like unlimited access to OpenAI’s top-tier language model, GPT-4 Turbo (previously known as o1), through a new feature called “Think Deeper.”

The key here is that it’s essentially free (as part of the Copilot subscription). OpenAI itself charges a hefty $200 per month for unlimited access to GPT-4 Turbo with ChatGPT Pro, or offers limited access through the $20 per month ChatGPT Plus plan.

By including this powerful AI in Copilot, Microsoft is shaking up the AI landscape. This could be a game-changer for users who want to leverage advanced AI capabilities without breaking the bank.

On Wednesday, Microsoft’s chief of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, announced that access to the o1 model would be available to Copilot users “everywhere at no cost.” Access to the model will be provided by Copilot’s “Think Deeper” function, which requires a few seconds to ponder and research an answer and spit out a response. Because the Copilot app on Windows is now just a PWA, or webpage, you can access it by either the Copilot app on Windows or via copilot.microsoft.com. You’ll need to sign in with a Microsoft account.

(The “Think Deeper” control in Copilot is essentially a toggle switch. Just make sure it’s “on,” or highlighted, before you enter your query.)

It seems like Microsoft is giving Copilot a serious upgrade with “Think Deeper”! It’s like Copilot has been hitting the books and is ready to tackle more complex tasks. Instead of just giving short, quick answers, Think Deeper is all about diving deep and giving you more thoughtful and detailed responses.

Don’t expect it to be like Google, though. It won’t give you up-to-the-minute news or search results. Think Deeper is more like an expert on things that don’t really change much, like explaining scientific concepts or analyzing historical events.

For example, it could help you understand how hurricanes form by explaining the water cycle and how evaporation plays a key role. Or, it could give you a detailed analysis of a historical event or a current situation (though keep in mind its knowledge is only up-to-date to October 2023).

And get this, Think Deeper can even write code for you and explain how it works! Imagine asking it to create a simple program that draws a maze based on your name, and it not only writes the code but also walks you through the process. Pretty cool, huh?

It sounds like Microsoft wants Think Deeper to be your go-to tool for in-depth research and creative problem-solving. It’s like having a super smart friend who can help you explore complex topics and tackle challenging projects.

So, it looks like Microsoft is being pretty generous with Think Deeper! They haven’t said anything about charging extra for it, even though they could probably get away with it considering how powerful it is. This is great news for users who want to explore its capabilities without worrying about hidden costs or subscription fees.

Of course, the AI world moves fast, and there’s already a newer, even more powerful model called o3. This one is supposedly amazing at tackling tough coding challenges and solving complex problems. But, as you might expect, it probably won’t be free.

This kind of highlights the ongoing competition in the AI space. OpenAI keeps pushing the boundaries with new models, and Microsoft is finding ways to make those advancements more accessible to users. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out and what new AI innovations we’ll see in the future!

This move by Microsoft could be a real game-changer in the AI landscape. By offering free access to such a powerful AI model, they’re putting pressure on competitors like Google and OpenAI to rethink their pricing strategies.

It also raises questions about the future of AI accessibility and how these advancements will be made available to the wider public.

Will we see a trend towards more affordable or even free access to advanced AI tools? Or will companies continue to charge premium prices for the latest and greatest AI models?

Moreover, the integration of Think Deeper into Copilot could significantly impact how people use AI in their daily lives.

Imagine students using it to get help with complex research papers, writers using it to generate creative content, or programmers using it to debug code and learn new programming concepts.

The possibilities are endless, and it will be fascinating to see how users leverage this powerful tool to enhance their productivity and creativity.

As AI becomes more sophisticated and accessible, it’s likely to become an even more integral part of how we learn, work and interact with the world around us.