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Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Want an advanced AI assistant? Prepare for them to be all up in your business
The growing proliferation of AI-powered chatbots has led to debates around their social roles as friend, companion or work assistant. And they're growing increasingly more sophisticated. The role-playing platform Character AI promises personal and creative engagement through conversations with its bot characters. There have also been some negative outcomes: currently, is facing a court case involving its chatbot's role in a teen's suicide. Others, like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, promise improved work efficiency through genAI. But where is this going next? Amid this frenzy, inventors are now developing advanced AI assistants that will be far more socially intuitive and capable of more complex tasks. The shock instigated by OpenAI's ChatGPT two years ago was not only due to the soaring rate of adoption and the threat to jobs, but also because of the cultural blow it aimed at creative writing and education. My research explores how the hype surrounding AI affects some people's ability to make professional judgments about it. This is due to anxiety related to the vulnerability of human civilization, feeding the idea of a future 'superintelligence' that might outpace human control. With US$1.3 trillion in revenue projected for 2032, the financial forecast for genAI drives further hype. Mainstream media coverage also sensationalizes AI's creativity, and frames the tech as a threat to human civilization. Scientists all over the world have signalled an urgency around the implementations and applications of AI. Geoffrey Hinton, Nobel Prize winner and AI pioneer, left his position at Google over disagreements about the development of AI and regretted his work at Google because of AI's progress. The future threat, however, is much more personal. The turn in AI underway now is a shift toward self-centric and personalized AI tools that go well beyond current capabilities to recreating what has become a commodity: the self. AI technologies reshape how we perceive ourselves: our personas, thoughts and feelings. The next wave of AI assistants, a form of AI agents, will not only know their users intimately, but they will be able to act on a user's behalf or even impersonate them. This idea is far more compelling than those that only serve as assistants writing text, creating video or coding software. These personalized AI agents will be able to determine intentions and carry out work. Iason Gabriel, senior research scientist at Google DeepMind, and a large team of researchers wrote about the ethical development of advanced AI assistants. Their research sounds the alarm that AI assistants can 'influence user beliefs and behaviour,' including through 'deception, coercion and exploitation.' There is still a techno-utopian aspect to AI. In a podcast, Gabriel ruminates that 'many of us would like to be plugged into a technology that can take care of a lot of life tasks on our behalf,' also calling it a 'thought partner.' This more recent turn in AI disruption will interfere with how we understand ourselves, and as such, we need to anticipate the techno-cultural impact. Online, people express hyper-real and highly curated versions of themselves across platforms like X, Instagram or Linkedin. And the way users interact with personal digital assistants like Apple's Siri or Amazon's Alexa has socialized us to reimagine our personal lives. These 'life narrative' practices inform a key role in developing the next wave of advanced assistants. The quantified self movement is when users track their lives through various apps, wearable technologies and social media platforms. New developments in AI assistants could leverage these same tools for biohacking and self-improvement, yet these emerging tools also raise concerns about processing personal data. AI tools involve the risk of identity theft, gender and racial discrimination and various digital divides. Human-AI assistant interaction can converge with other fields. Digital twin technologies for health apply user biodata. They involve creating a virtual representation of a person's physiological state and can help predict future developments. This could also lead to over-reliance on AI Assistants for medical information without human oversight from medical professionals. Other advanced AI assistants will 'remember' people's pasts and infer intentions or make suggestions for future life goals. Serious harms have already been identified when remembering is automated, such as for victims of intimate partner violence. Read more: We need to expand data protections and governance models to address potential privacy harms. This upcoming cultural disruption will require regulating AI. Let's prepare now for AI's next cultural turn. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Isabel Pedersen, Ontario Tech University Read more: Can you upload a human mind into a computer? A neuroscientist ponders what's possible Meta's new AI chatbot is yet another tool for harvesting data to potentially sell you stuff Major survey finds most people use AI regularly at work – but almost half admit to doing so inappropriately Isabel Pedersen receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
‘AI won't make us lazy, it'll make us smarter': Google DeepMind CEO on learning and future of coding
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, firmly believes that AI is going to transform education, coding and even drug discovery. In his recent podcast interview with Rowan Cheung, the founder of The RundownAI, Hassabis spoke about the biggest announcements, the AI as a companion conundrum, and how the next decade of technology will shape considering the rapid advancements in AI. The CEO asserted that AI is here to make us smarter. Last week, Google unveiled a plethora of AI applications at the Google I/O 2025. The search giant which is briskly moving forward in AI advancements showed a range of possibilities with its new AI Mode in Search to its universal AI assistant – Project Astra. Talking about the things that most excite him from Google I/O 2025, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, said, 'If I had to pick a top three: Gemini 2.5 Pro DeepThink is a super frontier model on reasoning… Veo 3 is the first time we've combined audio and video… And Flash is probably going to surprise a lot of people.' Hassabis placed Gemini 2.5 Pro DeepThink at the top of the list, terming it a 'super frontier model on thinking'. He shared that Google's Veo 3 is the most advanced video generation model ever. 'It's the first time we've combined audio and video together—and we've made big strides in improving video quality,' he said. The CEO rounded up his top picks by describing Gemini Flash as a faster, lightweight model for mobile and embedded devices. Hassabis also mentioned Gemini Diffusion, which is a research milestone in speed and image generation. At Google I/O, perhaps one of the major highlights was Project Astra, which is an evolving AI assistant programmed to be proactive and multimodal and to be operational across phones and wearable devices. However, proactivity also comes with some challenges. 'You want something to be helpful, not annoying,' Hassabis explained. 'It's a complex research problem, understanding when you're busy, whether you're speaking to the assistant or a human, even your physical context.' According to him, getting it right is critical for the universal assistant vision, especially as Google works towards memory-sharing across devices. 'That's firmly on the roadmap in the following months,' he confirmed. Since big tech and AI startups are working towards making AI more personalised, the way people interact with these systems is bound to change. The Nobel Prize laureate acknowledged that users are likely to form bonds with their AI assistants. 'It's clear users want systems that know them well, understand their preferences, and carry on conversations from yesterday. But we'll also have to think about things like upgrades, especially after people spend time training their assistant.' He said that assistants could become indispensable not just for casual users but in professional workflows. When asked if overreliance on AI tools makes a user lazier or dumb, the CEO said he does not think of it that way. 'It's about teaching the next generation how to make the best use of these tools. They're already part of education, so let's embrace it and use it for better learning.' Hassabis is particularly optimistic about the potential of AI in education, especially through Google's LearnLM initiative. He told the host that with LearnLM, one could create flashcards on the fly, get suggestions on YouTube videos tailored to what they may be struggling with and even help them identify gaps in their understanding. When asked what advice he would give to educators on tailoring curriculum around AI, not as a replacement but as a tool, Hassabis reasoned that curricula need to evolve rapidly. 'Personalised learning where a student learns in class and continues at home with an AI tutor could be incredibly powerful.' He views AI as a tool to democratise education globally: 'You could bring much higher-quality learning to poorer parts of the world that don't have good education systems.' During the interview, Cheung mentioned that one area where AI is dramatically impacting has been software development, especially with the emergence of tools like Jules and Vibe coding. With these tools, AI is writing most of the code. In this scenario, Hassabis was asked, What makes for a good developer? The Google DeepMind executive responded, saying, 'I think the next era will be a creative one… Top engineers will be 10x more productive because they'll understand what the AI is doing and give better instructions. And hobbyists will get access to powerful tools previously out of reach.' Hassabis went on to predict that natural language could become the next programming language. 'When I started, I was coding in assembly. Then came C, Python… Now, natural language might be the final step.' On a similar tangent, if coding becomes easy, how will startups stay competitive? To this, Hassabis said that the competitive edge could come from 'distribution, execution speed, or deep vertical integration with specialist data.' Hassabis believes that hybrid AI systems will rise in importance, pointing at AlphaFold, the AI model that combines deep learning with biology and physics. The CEO, in a segment from 60 Minutes, claimed that AI may help cure all diseases in the next decade. When asked what he meant, he clarified that he meant AI could design hundreds of potential drugs. However, regulatory approval will still take time, but the possibilities are real. He explained that when early AI-designed drugs are validated and back-tested for safety and efficacy, regulations might evolve to trust AI predictions more. 'We've done it before,' he said, referencing AlphaFold. 'Mapping one protein used to take a PhD student five years. AlphaFold mapped 200 million in a single year. That's a billion years of PhD time saved.' In his short conversation, the Google DeepMind boss made it clear that AI is not just changing software; it is essentially redefining how we learn, work and treat disease. The 48-year-old British scientist is known to be a chess prodigy. He was knighted in 2023 for his services to AI. In 2024, Hassabis and John Jumper won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on AlphaFold, an AI system that predicts 3D protein structures. He co-founded DeepMind in 2010 with a mission to build Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). While most people perceive AGI to be smarter than humans, Hassabis defines it as systems that can do anything the human brain can do. Bijin Jose, an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi, is a technology journalist with a portfolio spanning various prestigious publications. Starting as a citizen journalist with The Times of India in 2013, he transitioned through roles at India Today Digital and The Economic Times, before finding his niche at The Indian Express. With a BA in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and an MA in English Literature, Bijin's expertise extends from crime reporting to cultural features. With a keen interest in closely covering developments in artificial intelligence, Bijin provides nuanced perspectives on its implications for society and beyond. ... Read More
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Salesforce just dropped $8 billion on Informatica. Here's why it's key to Marc Benioff's ambitious bet on AI agents
already possesses an extraordinary amount of data on the world's biggest companies. The software giant's acquisition of data management and analytics firm Informatica, however, signals its AI-agent platform, dubbed Agentforce, might need a boost. Salesforce's dramatic pivot to AI agents seems to have stalled in its early days. The software giant is betting its $8 billion purchase of data-management firm Informatica, however, can help turbocharge the Silicon Valley stalwart's transformation. Generally, investors have richly rewarded companies for pioneering agentic AI, or artificial intelligence that could autonomously perform tasks on a human's behalf without constant intervention, a technology that could fundamentally change white-collar work. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff—and his historical penchant for aggressive acquisitions—has proved polarizing, though, and the company's stock has struggled mightily in 2025 as the firm has so far failed to meet lofty expectations. When reports of a potential deal first surfaced last April, Informatica shares traded at nearly $40. Now, Salesforce will pay stockholders $25 per share, according to a joint press release. At that price, Wall Street's foremost tech bull thinks the deal is a 'no-brainer.' 'Informatica is a gold mine of data,' Dan Ives, a managing director and senior equity research analyst at Wedbush Securities, told Fortune. 'Salesforce is acquiring data, [Informatica's] customer base, and the ability to cross-sell. And in the AI revolution, data is king.' As the industry leader in so-called customer relationship management, or CRM, Salesforce already possesses an extraordinary amount of data on the world's biggest companies. For Ted Mortonson, managing director and technology desk sector strategist at Baird, the acquisition signals Salesforce doesn't have the pieces internally to make its AI-agent platform, dubbed Agentforce, an immediate success. 'Think about it as the toolset to jump-start their data cloud operations,' he told Fortune. The company's shares ticked up over 1.5% on the news but are still down roughly 16% this year. Informatica's stock, meanwhile, has risen over 20% to trade around the $24 mark since the Wall Street Journal reported discussions between the two companies on Friday. 'Together, Salesforce and Informatica will create the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry,' Benioff said in the press release. Mortonson described Informatica as a company that helps customers manage the inflow of their data onto the cloud and then specializes in running analytics on that data. Founded in 1993, the company has also focused on offering artificial intelligence capabilities like Claire GPT, its generative-AI tool to assist clients. The acquisition comes as Salesforce tries to rapidly reinvent itself to prevent its products from becoming obsolete. The software-as-a-service behemoth faces fierce competition when it comes to agentic AI, including OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Meta, Microsoft, Anthropic, and a host of others. In this looming AI-agent world, having the best data is only half the battle, Angelo Zino, senior vice president and technology equity analyst at CFRA Research, told Fortune. It's also critical to ensure customers get personalized insights delivered in the most useful way possible. 'This acquisition is highly complementary in terms of having a data provider and then having more the company that manages this data,' he said. Buying Informatica, Zino said, can also help Salesforce scale its AI offerings without a host of outside partnerships with other tech companies. 'You've got essentially the total solution there in your hand,' he said. Ives, meanwhile, cited the benefits of Informatica's strong customer base, which includes over 80% of the Fortune 100. Salesforce will now have an opportunity, he said, to sell Agentforce to these clients. Not everyone on Wall Street is sold, however. Mortonson questioned why Benioff is spending billions on a company that has missed badly on earnings expectations over its last two quarters. 'They have not delivered as a stand-alone company,' he said of Informatica. Salesforce has acquired over 70 companies since 2006, according to data from FactSet cited by the Journal, and Benioff has previously faced heat for his aggressive M&A strategy. Two years ago, pressure from activist investors like Elliott Investment Management and Starboard Value forced the company to pivot and instead focus on expanding margins and returning cash to shareholders. 'Then, the activists got their hide out of [Salesforce], and they left,' Mortonson said. 'Now, Benioff's doing the exact same thing he did before the activists.' Salesforce's leader will have the opportunity to convince investors otherwise on the company's earnings call after the bell Wednesday. This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Demis Hassabis, who won Nobel Prize for inventing an AI model, has a warning for students starting college
Demis Hassabis , CEO of Google DeepMind , made a bold prediction at the recent Google I/O developer conference—artificial general intelligence (AGI) could be less than a decade away. Hassabis, who leads Google's AI initiatives including the Gemini chatbot, advised young people, particularly college students , to 'immerse' themselves in AI technologies and become proficient in using cutting-edge tools. 'Whatever happens with these AI tools, you'll be better off understanding how they work and what you can do with them,' he said, urging students to focus on 'learning to learn' to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing technological landscape. What Google DeepMind CEO told students In a previous interview at his alma mater, the University of Cambridge, Hassabis offered similar guidance to students, stressing that adaptability is one of the most vital skills for the future. Answering questions from undergraduates, he urged them to identify how they learn best and to build the ability to quickly grasp new concepts—a key trait in an ever-evolving tech landscape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluciones para subir escaleras sin obras ni esfuerzo Stair Lifts Haz clic aquí Undo 'The world you're entering will face an incredible amount of disruption and change,' he told students during a March discussion with Professor Alastair Beresford at Queens' College, Cambridge. Hassabis highlighted emerging fields like AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and quantum computing as promising industries over the next decade. He noted that technological shifts historically disrupt some jobs but create others that are often more interesting and valuable, as discussed on the 'Hard Fork' podcast with hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton. Live Events 'Anytime there is change, there is also huge opportunity,' he said, encouraging graduates to blend deep knowledge of their interests with adaptability to thrive in an AI-driven future. "Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we're going to find what normally happens with big new technology shifts, which is that some jobs get disrupted," he recently told co-hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton on an episode of "Hard Fork," a podcast about the future of technology. However, he said, "new, more valuable, usually more interesting jobs get created" in the wake of that kind of disruption.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google DeepMind CEO 'warns' students getting into college: The world you are entering will ...
Google DeepMind co-founder and CEO Demis Hassabis Demis Hassabis , CEO of Google DeepMind , announced at the Google I/O developer conference recently that the research lab is less than 10 years away from achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), the ultimate goal of the ongoing generative AI arms race. Speaking live, Hassabis emphasized the transformative potential of AI, predicting significant workplace disruption but also the creation of new, valuable, and engaging jobs within the next five to 10 years. Hassabis, who leads Google's AI initiatives including the Gemini chatbot, advised young people, particularly college students, to 'immerse' themselves in AI technologies and become proficient in using cutting-edge tools. 'Whatever happens with these AI tools, you'll be better off understanding how they work and what you can do with them,' he said, urging students to focus on 'learning to learn' to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing technological landscape. What Google DeepMind CEO told University of Cambridge students In an earlier interview at the University of Cambridge, where Hassabis graduated, he shared similar advice with students, emphasizing adaptability as a critical skill. Responding to questions submitted by undergraduates, he encouraged them to understand their learning styles and develop the ability to quickly master new material. 'The world you're entering will face an incredible amount of disruption and change,' he told students during a March discussion with Professor Alastair Beresford at Queens' College, Cambridge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Hassabis highlighted emerging fields like AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and quantum computing as promising industries over the next decade. He noted that technological shifts historically disrupt some jobs but create others that are often more interesting and valuable, as discussed on the 'Hard Fork' podcast with hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton. The generative AI race, sparked by OpenAI's ChatGPT release in 2022, has fueled rapid advancements, raising both excitement and concerns about its impact on society. Hassabis stressed that students should combine their passions with core skills to seize opportunities in this evolving landscape. 'Anytime there is change, there is also huge opportunity,' he said, encouraging graduates to blend deep knowledge of their interests with adaptability to thrive in an AI-driven future. "Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we're going to find what normally happens with big new technology shifts, which is that some jobs get disrupted," he recently told co-hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton on an episode of "Hard Fork," a podcast about the future of technology. However, he said, "new, more valuable, usually more interesting jobs get created" in the wake of that kind of disruption. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
