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What’s in this issue
Latest in tech and AI
Programming resources
Cool AI tools to boost your productivity
AI Image challenge
Prompt of the day
Job openings
LATEST IN TECH
At Apple's WWDC 2024, several significant updates and announcements were made across various software platforms. The event focused heavily on integrating AI features, improving user customization, and enhancing device interoperability.
Summary:
iOS 18: The update features significant AI integration, including improved Siri capabilities, AI-generated playlists in Apple Music, and advanced messaging features with RCS support for better communication between iPhone and Android users. New customization options allow for more flexible home screen layouts.
macOS 15 (Sequoia): This update focuses on enhanced multitasking, security improvements, and deeper integration with other Apple devices.
watchOS 11: New health monitoring features, including enhanced fitness tracking and potential support for detecting hypertension and sleep apnea, were introduced.
tvOS 18: The Apple TV OS gains AI enhancements, making Siri and HomePod interactions more intuitive.
Vision Pro: Apple announced the global launch of its Vision Pro headset, aiming to expand its presence in the mixed reality market.
Major Announcements:
AI Integration: Across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, AI features have been significantly enhanced, including a new AI app store and improved Siri functionalities.
iOS 18 Customization: Users can now customize their home screens with more flexibility, akin to Android's offerings.
RCS Support in iOS 18: Enhanced messaging experience with RCS support, improving communication between iPhone and Android users.
Vision Pro Global Launch: Expanding the availability of the Vision Pro headset to boost its market presence in mixed reality.
Health Monitoring in watchOS 11: Advanced health tracking features, including new fitness metrics and potential sleep apnea detection.
macOS 15 Named Sequoia: Focus on security, multitasking, and integration with other Apple devices.
These updates underscore Apple's commitment to enhancing user experience through AI and better interoperability across its ecosystem
QUICK LINKS
See what’s happening in tech and AI world
Chinese AI firm Shengshu Technology, in partnership with Tsinghua University, has introduced Vidu, a new AI tool aimed at generating short videos from text prompts. Vidu is designed to create 1080p quality videos up to 16 seconds long, incorporating Chinese cultural elements. This positions it as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s Sora, which can produce longer, 60-second videos but at a lower resolution. The development of Vidu underscores China's broader strategy to advance in generative AI technology despite challenges such as restricted access to advanced computing resources due to geopolitical tensions.
Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott suggests that future AI models could be capable of passing PhD qualifying exams, thanks to advancements in reasoning and memory. He notes that while current models like GPT-4 can perform at a high school level on standardized tests, the next generation will likely achieve more complex cognitive tasks. However, Scott emphasizes that the real-world utility of these models will be the true measure of their success, beyond just their performance on exams.
Elliptic's 2024 report highlights the growing use of AI in crypto crimes, including deepfake scams and state-sponsored cyberattacks. It mentions AI tools like "unethical GPT" advertised on the dark web and notes that deepfakes of prominent figures are used in fraudulent schemes. The report emphasizes the need for early prevention strategies to mitigate these threats before they become mainstream
PROGRAMMING RESOURCES
Technical debt is when developers make a decision to borrow against their future productivity in order to achieve earlier product delivery, and because of that decision, they must make recurring interest payments in the form of wasted effort. While engineers hate waste, management sees the issue in terms of costs. If there are significant cost savings by spending time reducing wasted effort, then managers will see it as a good investment, otherwise they may think developers should just keep on wasting that effort. Companies exist to make money, not reduce wasted effort.
The article on HackerNoon discusses FinRL, an open-source framework designed to simplify the application of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in quantitative finance. It offers a full-stack solution with customizable and reproducible trading strategies, including stock trading, portfolio allocation, and cryptocurrency trading. FinRL aims to streamline the development process for quantitative traders by providing modular structures, state-of-the-art DRL algorithms, and comprehensive tutorials, addressing the steep learning curve associated with DRL in financial markets.
Being an engineering manager can be more rewarding than you think. The output is not as instant as with programming, but it allows you to focus on creating better outcomes. This article contains lessons learned from a year of being an engineer manager: everyone requires a unique approach, business outcome matters, and meetings are not bad if you get value from them.
COOL AI TOOLS
Discover mind-blowing AI tools
Nouswise gives you trusted answers from your sources. Save up to 4 hrs a week and spend more time for what matters.
Empower engineering teams to save time and focus on what they do best - building products.
Introducing a new way to forecast sales, powered by AI. No more unreliable predictions, missed opportunities or inaccurate stocking. Isn’t it time your business stepped into the future?
AI IMAGE CHALLENGE
Potato pizza
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PROMPT OF THE DAY
Learn a new skill
I want to learn [insert skill]. Generate a 30 day plan that will help a beginner like me learn the skill from scratch.You can adapt the prompt to your specific needs.
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