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Welcome to The Prompt by Kuro House, your daily AI update. Today, we’ve got some big moves in AI leadership, intriguing government investments, and privacy concerns in surveillance tech. Let’s dive right in.
First up, OpenAI has just made a fascinating circular deal with Thrive Holdings. According to The Verge, OpenAI acquired an ownership stake in Thrive Holdings, whose parent company, Thrive Capital, is also a major investor in OpenAI. This unique partnership aims to transform IT services and accounting by integrating AI to boost speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency. OpenAI will provide employees, models, and products to Thrive’s companies and gain access to valuable data for training its AI models. This deal could be the start of a new wave of collaborations between AI firms and private equity, says OpenAI’s COO Brad Lightcap.
In leadership news, Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down after some high-profile setbacks with Siri. The Verge reports that Amar Subramanya, a veteran from Google and Microsoft, will take over as Apple’s new vice president of AI. Subramanya will oversee AI models, machine learning research, and AI safety, reporting to Apple’s software SVP Craig Federighi. Apple is aiming to launch an upgraded Siri next spring, reportedly powered by a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model. This leadership change reflects Apple’s commitment to catching up in the AI race after delays and internal challenges.
Adding more context, TechCrunch detailed the shake-up at Apple’s AI division, highlighting organizational struggles behind the scenes. Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018 from Google, was sidelined earlier this year amid delays and disappointing AI product launches. Apple’s approach to AI focuses on privacy-first, on-device processing using its custom chips, but this has limited the power of its models compared to competitors. Now, with Subramanya’s deep experience with Google’s Gemini Assistant, Apple hopes to leverage external strengths to improve its AI capabilities. This is a pivotal moment as Apple balances privacy with the need for more powerful AI.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is doubling down on semiconductor innovation with a $150 million investment in chip startup xLight. TechCrunch reports this funding comes from the 2022 Chips and Science Act and will likely make the government the largest shareholder in xLight. xLight aims to develop particle accelerator-powered lasers for chipmaking, targeting a breakthrough technology to rival the Dutch giant ASML. With support from former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, the startup hopes to boost wafer processing efficiency by up to 40% while using much less energy. This move reflects a growing trend of government equity stakes in strategic tech startups, stirring debate about industrial policy versus free market principles.
Finally, a privacy and ethics story from Wired reveals that Flock, a company with AI-powered surveillance cameras across thousands of US communities, uses overseas gig workers to train its algorithms. Workers based in the Philippines review and categorize footage that includes images of vehicles and people in the United States, according to leaked materials reviewed by 404 Media. This raises concerns about who has access to sensitive surveillance data and how it is handled, especially since law enforcement uses this system extensively without warrants. Flock’s AI can detect license plates, vehicle details, and even audio events like gunshots or screaming, based on worker annotations. After being contacted, Flock removed the exposed panel but declined to comment further.
That’s a wrap on today’s top AI stories. We’re seeing AI reshape industries from finance to chipmaking, while leadership shifts and ethical questions continue to shape the landscape. Thanks for tuning in to The Prompt by Kuro House. Catch you tomorrow for more AI insights.
