🚨OpenAI New Tools for Building Agents

🗞 News of the day

🚀 AI to End Obesity

You know how everyone's been buzzing about weight-loss wonder drugs like Ozempic? Well, hold onto your hats because Stanford Medicine researchers have just tapped into something that might give it a run for its money. Meet BRP, a naturally occurring peptide that's stirring up quite the storm in the world of appetite suppression.

Imagine this: a peptide that not only reduces your food intake but does so without the pesky side effects like nausea. That's BRP for you. Derived from a fancy-sounding prohormone (BRINP2, if you must know), BRP works its magic in the brain's appetite hub, the hypothalamus. It's a bit like semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) but with its unique flair—targeting different neurons for a more tailored weight loss experience.

In animal tests, BRP injections led to a whopping 50% drop in munchies for lean mice and even minipigs. Obese mice? They shed an average of 3 grams, mainly from fat. And get this, their glucose and insulin tolerance improved too, all without any weird behavior changes. Basically, they were living their best life minus the extra pounds.

Now, here's where it gets really cool. Researchers used a nifty algorithm named Peptide Predictor to sift through 20,000 human genes, hunting for hormone-producing gems. Out of 373 shortlisted prohormones, BRP emerged as a superstar, lighting up neurons ten times more than GLP-1. Traditional methods would've been like searching for a needle in a haystack, but AI? It's like having a metal detector.

So, what's next for BRP? The scientists are on a mission to pinpoint the exact receptors it cozies up to and figure out how to make its effects last longer. Human trials are just around the corner, and if all goes well, we might have a new contender in the weight-loss arena.

🔖 Today's Cool Story

🚨 AI-powered PlayStation Characters

Sony's AI-driven prototype of Aloy from Horizon games showcases the future of interactive gaming.

• AI-Powered Character Development: Sony's advanced technology team has developed an AI version of Aloy, a character from the Horizon games, that can engage players in voice conversations. This AI character, developed with Guerrilla Games, can produce synthesized speech and realistic facial movements.

• Technology and Tools Used: The AI character's conversational abilities are supported by OpenAI's Whisper for speech-to-text, while GPT-4 and Llama 3 help with decision-making. Sony's Mockingbird technology animates the character's face, and the system has been tested on both PC and PS5 platforms.

• Industry Context and Comparisons: Other tech giants like Nvidia and Microsoft are also exploring AI for enhanced NPC interactions. There's growing interest in AI's potential in gaming, although concerns persist about its effects on creativity and employment within the industry. The gaming community is likely to continue discussing AI's role at events like GDC 2024.

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💡 AI Insight

🎯 Meta In-house AI Training Chips

Meta's in-house AI training chip represents a pivotal step towards self-sufficiency in AI technology.

• Meta's Ambitious Move: Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is testing its first in-house AI training chip. This effort is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on external suppliers like Nvidia and cut down on AI infrastructure costs.

• Key Features: The new chip, designed specifically for AI tasks, promises to be more power-efficient than traditional GPUs. Meta is collaborating with Taiwan-based TSMC for production, with plans to increase production if initial tests succeed.

• Future Plans and Challenges: Meta aims to use these chips for recommendation systems and generative AI by 2026. However, developing such chips is not without challenges, as past attempts have faced hurdles, leading the company to revert to Nvidia GPUs. The company remains optimistic, viewing this as a gradual journey from development to deployment.

🤖 Today on AI Robotics

🚨 The Mind-controlled Robot Arm

Paralyzed man controls robotic arm with his mind in a groundbreaking study.

• Revolutionary Brain-Computer Interface: Researchers at UC San Francisco have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm with his thoughts. The device translates brain signals into commands, enabling him to perform tasks like grasping and moving objects. This BCI has set a record by functioning for seven months without needing adjustments.

• AI and Human Learning: The BCI uses an artificial intelligence model that adapts to daily shifts in brain activity. Researchers discovered that while brain activity representations remain consistent in shape, their location changes slightly each day. By accounting for these shifts, the AI model maintains its functionality over an extended period, allowing the participant to refine his control over the robotic arm.

• Progress and Future Plans: The participant honed his skills using a virtual robot arm before successfully transferring them to a real robotic arm. He can perform tasks such as picking up blocks and using a water dispenser. The research team aims to enhance the robotic arm's speed and smoothness and plans to test the BCI in home settings. This advancement holds the potential to greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with paralysis.