Google took its biggest step yet in its AI journey with the debut of Gemini 1.0, its latest and greatest AI model.
The company's generative AI chatbot and ChatGPT rival Google Bard will now be powered by Gemini which Google claims will significantly enhance its capabilities.
As per Google CEO Sundar Pichai, it is the biggest science and engineering efforts the company undertook.
Gemini is described by Google as 'natively multimodal', as it was trained on images, video, and audio rather than just text.
Dec 08, 2023
Meta Platforms, IBM Create Industry Wide AI Alliance to Share Technology
Meta Platforms Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) are joining more than 40 companies and organisations to create an industry group dedicated to open source artificial intelligence work, aiming to share technology and reduce risks.
The coalition, called the AI Alliance, will focus on the responsible development of AI technology, including safety and security tools. The group also will look to increase the number of open source AI models, rather than the proprietary systems favoured by some companies, develop new hardware and team up with academic researchers.
Dec 07, 2023
Fusion Milestone: Japan Unveils JT-60SA, the World's Largest Experimental Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Japan unveiled the world's largest operational experimental nuclear fusion reactor. This colossal machine, dubbed JT-60SA, is housed in a hangar north of Tokyo in Naka, and represents a pivotal moment in the quest for clean and limitless power.
Unlike traditional nuclear fission used in power plants, which splits atomic nuclei, fusion mimics the sun's energy production by merging two nuclei, potentially offering a safer and more abundant energy source.
The JT-60SA, a six-story-high tokamak, is designed to contain and control plasma heated to a staggering 200 million degrees Celsius. The objective is to explore the viability of fusion as a secure, expansive, and carbon-neutral net energy source, where the energy produced surpasses is more than the input required for its production.
Dec 06, 2023
Akshata Krishnamurthy Becomes First Indian to Operate Mars Rover
NASA operatives are currently seeking signs of ancient life and collecting rock samples on Mars via the Perseverance Rover. And one of the leading team members is Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy — the first Indian citizen to operate the rover. The scientist had travelled to the US 13 years ago for higher studies and faced numerous challenges as she carved out a space for herself.
The 'rocket scientist' obtained her Masters from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before pursuing a Doctorate at MIT. She worked with MIT for some time and knocked on 100s of doors to get hired full-time at NASA.
IN-SPACe Launches Seed Fund Scheme for Space Tech Start-ups
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) launched a seed fund scheme for start-ups operating in the area of urban development and disaster management by using space technology.
As part of the scheme, selected start-ups will receive seed funding for transforming an original idea into a prototype using space technology, ISRO facility support including Earth Observation (EO) data for validation of the concept, mentorship support, and access to data algorithm as transfer of technology from Department of Science (DoS).
The scheme has the provision of providing financial assistance of up to Rs. 1 crore in addition to mentorship support, training and networking opportunities.
Dec 02, 2023
South Korea Launches its First Military Spy Satellite
South Korea launched its first military spy satellite into space, a little over a week after North Korea claimed to put its own spy satellite into orbit for the first time as tensions rise between the rivals.
Launched from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, it was the first of five spy satellites South Korea plans to send into space by 2025 under a contract with SpaceX.
South Korea had no military reconnaissance satellites of its own in space and has partially resorted to the United States' spy satellites to monitor moves by North Korea.