Apple unveils its Vision Pro, which is more than a virtual reality (VR) device. It is a new platform called “spatial computing” through visionOS that offers new interface metaphors, its own developer kit, and promises a seamless digital overlay on top of the physical surroundings. According to Apple analyst Neil Cybart, “Apple has something big here, and they know it. This is the future of computing.” At $3,500, it’s not priced for the masses, but history shows that this is how electronic innovations work, much like Apple’s other previous products, which were initially expensive and eventually went on to release non-Pro versions. Developers have concerns about building a healthy developer environment on a device which has only a few million users. It helps that Apple can push its apps onto the Vision Pro. Apple has been patient with its smartwatches, which now cost a third of the Vision Pro, and yet the firm can count on 100 million users, though it is still a minnow compared to other platforms. Apple expects to sell 900,000 units of the Vision Pro next year, while the iPhone sells a whopping 200 million units per year. Apple’s plan to expand the market is through pushing the prices down, as the company has done similarly with its other products. With a portable 4k monitor, which can be taken while on the road, it can be an attractive deal for people who need to work from anywhere.
Sequoia Capital, one of the most prominent VC firms in the world, has decided to split into three separate entities, namely Sequoia Capital in the US and Europe, Peak XV Partners in India and Southeast Asia, and HongShan in China, highlighting growing clout of Indian and Chinese brands. The split will deal with splintering regulations as global tensions distort relations between firms and governments. Sequoia was a successful VC firm in creating a single global franchise in a very local business. Global operations ran smoothly when there were uniform global rules; now, the US and EU are discussing outbound investment controls aimed at China, adding further complexity for global firms to navigate through the increasingly different sets of rules across countries. Additionally, the firm cited concerns about competition within its startup portfolio.
The EU Council has recommended an open-access, not-for-profit model for research publishing, an industry ripe for revolution, with vastly inflated profit margins. Publishers have exploited cost savings from moving to digital and researchers who serve as the authors, reviewers, and editors of their journals. Even without the ethical arguments that knowledge should be freely accessible and academics unhindered by publishing finances, knowledge accessibility is a serious concern.
Sweden and Korea are developing their own native-language LLMs. LLMs were primarily designed with English in mind, leading to lesser performance for other languages. These models have characteristics of public infrastructure. LLMs will become the interface between a citizen and resources they access, be they private or public sector; national governments will want to ensure they maintain some oversight of that critical interface, for cultural, economic, and security reasons.
Adobe is offering full indemnification for users of its Firefly generative AI if they are sued for copyright infringement. While this is an extension of the policy that Adobe has committed to across its previous products, it is still a big commitment amidst the murky AI copyright environment.
In their effort to secure the critical microchip industry, France is injecting 2.9 billion euros ($3.1 billion) of government funds into building a semiconductor factory. This is the biggest subsidy it has offered since 2017.
Global offshore wind costs have declined to $74/MWh, the same cost as coal. This was driven by a competitive turbine market in China.
Shares in Unity, the second biggest gaming engine company, surged 17% after Apple announced its Vision Pro headset using their tech. Apple saw only a modest 1.45% increase.
India needs to hold on to its talent. Out of the top 1,000 in the entrance exam for the Indian Institutes of Technology, 36% had emigrated after eight years, mainly to the US.
Only 25 jokes make up 90% of ChatGPT’s comic repertoire.
New sodium-ion technology could reduce 37% of 2035 lithium demand.
Editor Notes: Apple’s futuristic spatial computer device, Vision Pro, is a new and exciting platform that promises a seamless digital overlay on top of physical surroundings. The device’s hefty price tag doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t go down in time, just as Apple’s other products did. The EU Council’s call for an open-access, not-for-profit model for research publishing is a significant step in the right direction towards knowledge accessibility without hindering academics through publishing finances. And finally, the UK hosting a global AI summit on safety in September is a bold move, and London can be appointed as a reasonable intermediary third-party between the US and EU blocs towards artificial intelligence. For more AI news, check out GPT News Room.
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