From cameras that click deepfake nudes to the ones that protect you by shooting paintballs, we got it all!

This week, investors encountered contrasting visions of artificial intelligence's future from major tech companies. Microsoft announced a $1.1 billion partnership with Coca-Cola to integrate AI into its Azure cloud services, which boosted its stock by 2% following positive quarterly results driven by AI. Meanwhile, Alphabet saw a 10% increase in its stock as it focuses on enhancing its YouTube, search, and cloud services with AI, challenging its second-place status to Microsoft. On another front, Tesla emphasized its commitment to autonomous vehicles and a potential AI-driven network using parked Teslas, reminiscent of Amazon’s AWS. These diverse AI applications from productivity tools to autonomous technologies are shaping investor expectations and the broader economic landscape.

A new study by Stanford University's Graduate School of Business investigates whether AI can identify an individual's political orientation from their facial features. Researchers found that both AI and human judges could predict political leanings with moderate accuracy, even when accounting for demographic variables like age, gender, and ethnicity. The study involved 591 participants and 3,401 politicians from the US, UK, and Canada, and revealed that certain facial characteristics could predict political orientation. These findings raise significant concerns about privacy and the implications of using AI in biometric surveillance, highlighting the need for careful regulation and consideration of the technology's impact on personal privacy and political autonomy.

The author describes visiting Synthesia, an AI video startup that creates realistic digital doubles using advanced generative AI. At Synthesia's stylish East London studio, the author undergoes a data collection process to capture their facial features and expressions, which will be used to generate a lifelike avatar. Despite the impressive realism of the new generation of avatars, the experience raises concerns about the blurring line between synthetic media and deepfakes, and the ethical implications of AI-generated content. The piece highlights the potential for misuse of this technology and underscores the need for rigorous content moderation and clear consent protocols in the creation of digital representations.

Apple is exploring partnerships with top AI firms, including OpenAI and Google, to integrate advanced AI capabilities into the forthcoming iOS 18 for iPhone. With the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2024 on the horizon, Apple aims to unveil these new features, emphasizing seamless integration and strong privacy protections. Despite ongoing discussions, the choice of AI partner remains undecided, with possibilities extending beyond the current contenders. The AI features are expected to run locally on devices, leveraging Apple's neural engine to ensure privacy. The WWDC 2024 will likely reveal further details about these integrations and Apple's AI strategy.

The narrative surrounding investment opportunities in the gold rush era suggests that entrepreneurs who sold equipment and provisions, rather than miners, made significant profits. Notable figures include Samuel Brannan and Levi Strauss, who prospered by catering to the needs of miners. This "picks and shovels" strategy remains relevant today, influencing investment strategies in modern tech booms, such as AI. The gold rush also had broader impacts, such as funding railroads, boosting agriculture, and spurring various technological advancements. These historical events underline the extensive, lasting economic effects and network benefits that stem from major innovations and discoveries, beyond the immediate profits of direct participants.