🤖So much of AI this days.

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Tech Kona
February 26, 2024

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Hello to the new folks who have joined the Kona since the last edition.

In today’s edition:
One Big Thing (Nvidia is now 2 trillion and 4th in the world’s biggest companies.)
Tour de Headlines:
Gemini AI on pause
Audio and Video calling features on X
PyRIT by Microsoft
The USA finally lands on the moon after 52 years
In Kenya the move to regulate crypto.

One Big Thing


1. Nvidia is now 2 trillion and 4th in the world’s biggest companies.

If you've been keeping up with recent tech news, chances are you've heard a lot about Nvidia. So, what exactly is Nvidia, and why is it making headlines everywhere these days?

Humble Beginnings:

Nvidia's story began in 1993, founded by three computer scientists with a vision: democratizing 3D graphics for the gaming and multimedia markets. Their first product, the RIVA series, laid the groundwork for their future success.

Gaming Powerhouse:

In 1998, the RIVA TNT solidified Nvidia's reputation in the gaming industry. Followed by the GeForce 256 (1999), the first product explicitly marketed as a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), it introduced advanced features like onboard transformation and lighting, forever changing the game for 3D graphics. This success even led them to develop the graphics hardware for Microsoft's Xbox console.

Beyond Gaming:

Over the years, Nvidia expanded its reach beyond gaming, focusing on high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI). Their CUDA architecture allows GPUs to be used for general-purpose computing, opening doors to various applications like scientific research, deep learning, and self-driving cars

Nvidia’s Recent God Mode.

In recent years, Nvidia has been on an unstoppable rise, nearly doubling its value in just the last six months. This meteoric growth has propelled Nvidia to become the fourth-largest company in the world, surpassing even Alphabet (Google), Amazon, and Meta.

Nvidia's recent wins.

Nvidia GPUs have become the go-to choice for a vast array of "big companies" across various industries. Here's a glimpse into how these companies are using Nvidia's technology:

Tech Giants:

  • Meta (formerly Facebook): Meta recently announced plans to buy 350,000 Nvidia GPUs for building artificial general intelligence (AGI) systems. Their AI research, including the "Llama" open-source language model, relies heavily on Nvidia hardware.

  • Amazon: Utilizes Nvidia GPUs in its Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platform, offering high-performance computing capabilities to its customers.

  • Microsoft: Leverages Nvidia hardware for its Azure cloud platform, catering to diverse AI and high-performance computing needs of its users.

  • Alphabet (Google): Google's DeepMind AI research lab extensively uses Nvidia GPUs for training powerful AI models. Additionally, Google utilizes Nvidia GPUs in its TensorFlow AI platform.

Beyond Tech:

  • Healthcare: Leading healthcare institutions use Nvidia GPUs for medical imaging analysis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine initiatives.

  • Finance: Financial institutions leverage Nvidia's technology for fraud detection, risk management, and high-frequency trading operations.

  • Manufacturing: Companies in the manufacturing sector utilize Nvidia GPUs for design automation, simulations, and robot control activities.

  • Automotive: Leading car manufacturers use Nvidia GPUs in the development of self-driving cars and other advanced vehicle technologies.

Why Nvidia?

Several factors contribute to Nvidia's dominance in the GPU market for large companies:

  • Performance: Nvidia GPUs are renowned for their superior performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for complex AI and high-performance computing tasks.

  • Software Ecosystem: Nvidia's CUDA programming framework allows developers to easily utilize the power of GPUs, facilitating widespread adoption in various industries.

  • Partnerships: Nvidia actively collaborates with leading companies to develop custom solutions and optimize their technology for specific needs.

    While Nvidia's GPUs are pivotal for leading companies, their dominance faces challenges. Players like Google are venturing into chip development, as seen with OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman's plan to raise $7 trillion for AI chips. Competition grows, yet developing top-tier chips is complex and time-intensive. Nvidia's strong position and partnerships remain, but competitors could reshape the market in the future.

Tour De Headline.
World

  • Gemini AI on pause

    Google has placed Gemini on a temporary pause following criticism over diversity concerns. The tech giant announced it is halting the AI tool's ability to generate images of people after users uncovered its production of historically inaccurate images, including depictions of Vikings, popes, and World War II-era German soldiers of various races and genders. Criticism swiftly ensued, with some accusing Google of overreacting to potential racial biases in AI. Google issued an apology, acknowledging Gemini's shortcomings, and pledged to release an improved version soon. This setback occurs as Google implements a series of updates to Gemini (formerly known as Bard) to compete with Microsoft and OpenAI in the AI race.

  • Audio and Video calling features on X

    X has introduced audio and video calling features to all non-premium members on its app. Previously, these features were only available to premium members. Expanding these features aims to provide better connectivity options for all users. X plans to continue adding more audio and video options in the future.

  • PyRIT by Microsoft

    Microsoft has recently launched PyRIT(Python Risk Identification Toolkit), an automation tool specifically developed to detect and address potential risks and ethical issues in Generative AI systems.

    The tool aims to proactively identify concerns related to security, privacy, and other areas. By leveraging PyRIT, organizations can take a proactive approach to mitigate potential risks and ensure that their AI systems adhere to ethical standards.

  • The USA finally lands on moon after 52 years

    Intuitive Machines

    The USA has landed on the moon again with Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration. The Houston-based company's successful landing, following last-minute navigation fixes, advances lunar discovery and private space missions. NASA's collaboration with private firms like Intuitive Machines under the CLPS initiative enables cost-effective lunar exploration. Despite reduced budgets, these partnerships open new frontiers in space exploration, albeit with heightened risks, as seen in Astrobotic Technology's recent Peregrine lander failure. Nonetheless, private ventures like Odysseus signify a transformative era in space exploration.

Kenya

✅ Watch: Gov Irungu Kang'ata demonstrates the use of digital systems for service provision to county residents

✅ Read: The AIs are officially out of control by the Verge

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