AI🌈Tuesday Breakthroughs: Instagram Avatars, Apple’s AI Boost, Canva’s Big Move, and US Commerce Support

Happy Tuesday, tech enthusiasts! We're diving into a whirlwind of exciting AI developments today that are set to reshape the digital landscape. From Instagram's new AI avatars to Apple's innovative iOS 18.1 beta, there's plenty to be thrilled about. Canva is making waves with its acquisition of Leonardo.ai, and the US Commerce Department is backing 'open' AI models, promising greater accessibility and innovation. Buckle up as we explore these groundbreaking advancements and what they mean for the future of technology. Ready to be inspired? Let’s dive in!

1. Instagram launches AI avatars for users to create digital twins.

Meta’s new AI Studio allows users in the US to create AI avatars for Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and the web. This tool is designed for creators and businesses to interact with their followers through AI-generated profiles that can chat, respond to comments, and share content. Users can customize their AI’s behavior, including which accounts it interacts with and what topics it avoids. AI Studio also enables the creation of new AI characters that can be used across Meta’s platforms. The AI profiles will be clearly labeled, and creators can set guidelines for their AI’s interactions.

Instagram starts letting people create AI versions of themselves

Are AI profiles about to invade Instagram?

The Verge

2. Apple unveils the iOS 18.1 beta, introducing the new ‘Apple Intelligence’ features.

Apple has launched developer betas for iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, introducing exciting new AI features. These updates include an upgraded Siri that maintains context across requests, smarter Mail functionalities like priority sorting and email summaries, and improved natural language search for Photos. To access these features, users need an iPhone 15 Pro, an Apple Silicon iPad, or Mac and must join a waitlist from their device settings. While the full rollout is expected with the iPhone 16 this fall, these betas allow developers to test and refine AI capabilities ahead of broader release.

iOS 18.1 developer beta is live with Apple Intelligence — here’s all the new iPhone AI features

Apple Intelligence also comes to iPadOS, macOS betas

Tom's GuidePhilip Michaels

3. Canva acquires Leonardo.ai to enhance its generative AI capabilities.

Canva has acquired Leonardo.ai to enhance its AI capabilities, integrating its advanced tools into Canva’s Magic Studio. This move aims to expand Canva’s AI-driven design features, benefiting from Leonardo.ai's expertise in generative AI for creating images and models. The acquisition brings Leonardo.ai’s 120 employees into the Canva fold, promising to bolster their generative AI offerings. With over 19 million users and tools used to create more than a billion images, Leonardo.ai’s technology will further strengthen Canva's suite of AI tools, propelling their design innovations and user experience.

Canva acquires Leonardo.ai to boost its generative AI efforts | TechCrunch

Canva has acquired Leonardo.ai, a generative AI art content and research startup, for an undisclosed amount.

TechCrunchKyle Wiggers

4. US Commerce Department endorses ‘open’ AI models, promoting accessibility.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has released a report supporting open generative AI models, such as Meta’s Llama 3.1, noting their benefits for small businesses, researchers, and developers. It emphasizes the need for the government to develop new capabilities to monitor these models for potential risks without imposing immediate restrictions. The report aligns with recent views on promoting competition and innovation while addressing safety concerns. It advocates for ongoing evaluation and evidence gathering to manage risks, supporting a balanced approach to AI regulation as part of President Biden’s executive order on AI.

US Commerce Department report supports ‘open’ AI models – Solondais

darion

And there you have it—today’s AI breakthroughs are paving the way for a more dynamic and innovative future. From Instagram's cutting-edge AI avatars to Apple’s leap into AI-powered features, the tech world is buzzing with transformative changes. Canva’s strategic acquisition of Leonardo.ai highlights a commitment to advancing generative AI, while the US Commerce Department’s support for open models encourages a more inclusive tech landscape. Stay tuned and keep following us for more updates and in-depth analysis on these exciting developments. Until next time, keep exploring and stay curious!

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