AI🌈Tuesday Buzz: Midjourney Blocks Stability AI, Musk Goes Open Source, Nijta Guards Voice Privacy, Applied Intuition Hits $6B Valuation

Welcome to the forefront of AI innovation! In today's exploration, we unravel the latest developments shaping the artificial intelligence landscape. From controversies and open-source endeavors to advancements in voice privacy and autonomous vehicle software, the realm of AI is buzzing with excitement. Join us on this journey as we delve into the intricate threads of Midjourney's ban on Stability AI staff, Elon Musk's plan to 'open source' the Grok chatbot, Nijta's commitment to voice privacy, and Applied Intuition's remarkable $6 billion valuation. The AI saga unfolds, promising a riveting narrative of technological evolution and disruption.

1. Midjourney bans Stability AI staff for alleged data scraping

Midjourney accuses Stability AI staff of scraping data, causing a server outage. It alleges botnet-like activity from paid accounts, leading to a ban on all Stability AI employees. Stability AI CEO denies intentional scraping, citing the use of synthetic data. The incident intensifies the ongoing legal scrutiny faced by both generative AI companies over copyright concerns and unauthorized use of creators' works. The irony isn't lost on the creative community, critical of AI models training on mass-scraped online content. Legal battles persist, with Midjourney and Stability AI facing copyright lawsuits for their model training practices.

Midjourney bans all Stability AI employees over alleged data scraping

Midjourney claims the alleged activity caused a 24-hour service outage.

The Verge

2. Musk announces 'open source' plan for Grok chatbot

Elon Musk plans to open-source his AI chatbot Grok, contrasting OpenAI's closed approach. Musk, who recently sued OpenAI, emphasizes the importance of open AI for the benefit of humanity. Grok, known for its quirky personality, faces competition with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Musk's move follows criticism of OpenAI's for-profit shift. The legal battle between Musk and OpenAI includes the release of private emails, revealing disagreements over control and merger proposals. Grok, developed by Musk's X.AI, claims threefold speed improvement. Musk's decision aligns with his advocacy for open AI models, opposing proprietary approaches for broader societal impact.

Elon Musk Plans To Open-Source Grok Chatbot This Week

Musk stated that Grok will be open-sourced and made available to the public later this week, said a report by news agency Reuters.

ABP LiveABP News Bureau

3. Nijta, a French startup, aims to safeguard voice privacy in AI applications

French startup Nijta, born from Inria Startup Studio, offers AI-powered voice anonymization to help businesses comply with privacy requirements, especially in Europe under GDPR. It targets sectors like call centers dealing with health data, defense scenarios, and edtech. Nijta plans to expand into B2C, securing recorded messages and exploring real-time anonymization for secure communication. The startup, based in Lille, France, has €2 million in funding and aims to grow its team from seven to ten people by June. It benefits from support from Business France to reduce internationalization costs and navigate foreign markets.

French startup Nijta hopes to protect voice privacy in AI use cases

People may not have grasped this yet, but companies that process data are increasingly aware that they need to handle voice as personally identifiable information. This is particularly true in Europe in the context of GDPR: While many companies are hoping to build AI on top of voice data, in many cases, this requires removing biometric information first. This is where Nijta hopes to help: by providing AI-powered speech anonymization technology to clients that need to comply with privacy requirements.

Yahoo StyleAnna Heim

4. Applied Intuition reaches a $6 billion valuation for its AI-powered autonomous vehicle software.

Autonomous vehicle software firm Applied Intuition secures $250M in a Series E round led by Lux Capital, Elad Gil, and Porsche Investments, valuing it at $6B. The funds will fuel ambitious AI projects for the automotive, defense, construction, and agriculture sectors. The company specializes in simulation software, aiding automakers in developing and testing autonomous vehicle solutions. Applied Intuition collaborates with top automakers and has contracts with the U.S. Army and Defense Innovation Unit. The investment reflects continued investor enthusiasm for AI technologies applied to major industries.

Applied Intuition lands $6 billion valuation for AI-powered autonomous vehicle software | TechCrunch

A super-powered round led by Lux Capital, Elad Gil, and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Mary Meeker, and F1 champ Nico Rosberg.

TechCrunchSean O’Kane

As we conclude our exploration into today's AI landscape, the unfolding narratives of Midjourney, Elon Musk, Nijta, and Applied Intuition illuminate the dynamic tapestry of artificial intelligence. Each story contributes to the ever-evolving saga of innovation, challenges, and breakthroughs. Stay tuned for more updates, as the world of AI continues to captivate, challenge, and redefine the boundaries of possibility. Thank you for joining us on this journey into the heart of technological transformation. Until next time, keep your curiosity ignited and stay abreast of the fascinating developments in the realm of artificial intelligence.

WEB3 AI ML