Technology Weekly: April 20, 2024

Editor's Note


In this week’s edition of Technology Weekly, we delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching implications across various sectors. Our cover story introduces the pivotal role of the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), a position that epitomizes the strategic integration of AI within the corporate hierarchy to foster innovation and competitiveness. Highlighting the transformative power of AI, we explore Meta’s groundbreaking MEGALODON model in our Technology Innovation section, designed to manage unlimited context lengths—a leap forward in neural architectures. Furthermore, we address pressing concerns in our Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues segment, such as the challenges of AI-generated explicit imagery on social platforms and the ethical dimensions of AI in education. As global tensions persist, we also consider the strategic deployment of AI in Ukraine’s military efforts against Russia. Additionally, our Market Dynamics discussions include the implications of Apple’s adaptation to the EU’s Digital Markets Act and the strategies venture capitalists are employing to refine their investments in AI technologies. Each article this week underscores the critical intersections of AI innovation, ethical considerations, and market adaptations that are shaping our future.

Cover Story


What Is Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer About?

Published on 2024-04-14 01:00:00 +0000, 610 words, 4 min read

As a practitioner in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and business innovation, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of AI on organizations across industries. In this article, I will shed light on a burgeoning role that is becoming increasingly essential for companies looking to harness the full potential of AI: the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO).

Technology Innovation


Meta's New LLM MEGALODON Has Unlimited Context Length

Published on 2024-04-17 01:00:00 +0000, 378 words, 2 min read, #202

As our digital economy’s reliance on long sequences grows, so too does the need for efficient, contextually unbounded neural architectures. Meta introduces MEGALODON (paper and code), an innovative solution to the challenges Transformers and Llama 2 face in handling such extended sequences, with ...


Vector Databases and Knowledge Graphs in RAG

Published on 2024-04-17 01:00:00 +0000, 429 words, 3 min read, #201

Businesses and organizations face an overwhelming deluge of information. With the recent emergence of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), artificial intelligence (AI) is now transforming how we engage with and derive meaning from this mountain of data. This article serves to highlight the indis...


AI-Generated Explicit Imagery on Social Media Platforms

Published on 2024-04-17 01:00:00 +0000, 492 words, 3 min read, #200

As social media platforms evolve and expand, they face increasing challenges in detecting and removing explicit imagery, particularly those generated using artificial intelligence (AI). The authenticity of AI-generated explicit imagery and the vast volume of content being generated daily pose sig...


Artificial Intelligence in Ukraine's Military Strategy

Published on 2024-04-18 01:00:00 +0000, 541 words, 3 min read, #199

As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, the significance of technological innovation in shaping the outcome of this protracted war cannot be overstated. One such technology that has emerged as a game-changer in the fight against Russia’s military superiority is artificial intelligen...


AI and Human Expertise in Materials Science

Published on 2024-04-19 01:00:00 +0000, 432 words, 3 min read, #198

As a researcher, I have long been captivated by the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate our understanding of new materials and their properties. The promise of AI offers an alternative to the traditional trial-and-error methods and costly experimental procedures that have long...


Tech Companies' Desperate Pursuit for Data

Published on 2024-04-19 01:00:00 +0000, 556 words, 3 min read, #197

As the global race to lead in advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology intensifies, companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta are grappling with a significant challenge: acquiring sufficient data to fuel their AI systems’ growth while remaining ethical and compliant with copyright laws a...

Market Dynamics


Is 'First AI Software Engineer' A Lie?

Published on 2024-04-14 01:00:00 +0000, 436 words, 3 min read, #202

I am always intrigued by the latest advancements and applications in the AI field. The recent unveiling of Cognition’s claimed world-first AI software engineer, Devin, provoked both fascination and skepticism in equal measure. The AI agent, marketed as having passed practical engineering intervie...


How Will Vana Plan to Compensate Data Owners?

Published on 2024-04-14 01:00:00 +0000, 610 words, 4 min read, #201

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable force in industries and day-to-day life, but at what cost to individual data privacy and ownership? The relentless pursuit of AI advancements by big tech firms and startups often leaves creators and data owners undercompensated, as their da...


Apple Enables Web Distribution for iOS Apps in the EU

Published on 2024-04-17 01:00:00 +0000, 424 words, 3 min read, #200

The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has forced Apple to usher in a new era for iOS app distribution within its borders. The implications of these regulatory changes extend beyond the Cupertino-based tech giant and its developer community, shaping the future of the mobile application la...


Resurrecting Venture Capital's Sluggish Fundraising

Published on 2024-04-18 01:00:00 +0000, 466 words, 3 min read, #199

The venture capital industry now faces a sustained fundraising slump. With global venture firms securing just $30.4bn in the first quarter of 2023, it’s clear that a significant challenge lies ahead. While multiple factors have contributed to this downturn, I argue that the exit market stands out...


How Cherub Connects Investors and Entrepreneurs

Published on 2024-04-18 01:00:00 +0000, 397 words, 2 min read, #198

As the co-founder of Pathfinder Ventures, I have long pondered the best ways to efficiently discover the right startups that align with my investment focus. Enter Cherub, a new platform that appears to redefine how investors and entrepreneurs interconnect – and I was eager to uncover the specific...


How Will VCs Refine Their AI Investment Strategy

Published on 2024-04-18 01:00:00 +0000, 375 words, 2 min read, #197

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has sent ripples through the venture capital (VC) industry. Foundation models, such as those developed by OpenAI and Anthropic, have captured the public’s imagination with their human-like language understanding and impressive capabilities....


Meeting the Electricity Demands of the AI Industry

Published on 2024-04-19 01:00:00 +0000, 463 words, 3 min read, #196

According to industry leaders, electricity supply is the latest chokepoint for AI, with billion-dollar investments being made in computing infrastructure by major tech companies. The construction of data centres, which house the physical components underpinning computer systems, requires careful ...


Generative AI Is Not As Open As It May Seem

Published on 2024-04-19 01:00:00 +0000, 302 words, 2 min read, #195

The debate between open and proprietary systems continues to garner significant attention. The crux of the matter: why a renewed emphasis on open vs. proprietary AI models? From my vantage point, this discourse holds immense importance for shaping the future of AI research and development.

Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues


Adoption of Generative AI in Large Organizations

Published on 2024-04-14 01:00:00 +0000, 412 words, 3 min read, #202

In enterprise environments, I have encountered firsthand the numerous challenges large organizations face when implementing advanced technologies, such as generative AI. Although generative AI promises significant advantages, including enhanced productivity, streamlined workflows, and increased e...


Overcoming Organizational Challenges to Implementing AI

Published on 2024-04-16 01:00:00 +0000, 412 words, 3 min read, #201

Artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize businesses. However, despite its potential benefits, many organizations are struggling to fully capitalize on AI. In this article, we discuss the reasons behind this slow progress and propose solutions for leaders to overcome organizational challe...


Artificial Intelligence Cheating in Education

Published on 2024-04-15 01:00:00 +0000, 484 words, 3 min read, #200

The essence of higher education has long been a source of intrigue for me. The core objective, as I believe, is to nurture students’ capabilities to learn how to learn. By fostering critical thinking, understanding evidence, and independent problem-solving, we empower individuals to contribute me...


Chatbots in Examinations: Cheating or Aid?

Published on 2024-04-15 01:00:00 +0000, 427 words, 3 min read, #199

As a student and learner in today’s technological age, I’ve come to appreciate the invaluable support that artificial intelligence (AI) tools like chatbots provide in my education. They aid in improving academic writing, language skills, and overall efficiency, making learning a more enjoyable an...


The Epistemic Risks of Scientific Monocultures

Published on 2024-04-15 01:00:00 +0000, 454 words, 3 min read, #198

The arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) in research has sparked a flurry of excitement within the scientific community. AI’s capacity to process vast amounts of data and analyze patterns at record speed promises a revolution in scientific discovery. However, it is vital to understand the pote...


The Promise and Perils of AI in Higher Education

Published on 2024-04-15 01:00:00 +0000, 368 words, 2 min read, #197

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making waves in higher education, offering benefits such as personalized learning, increased efficiency, and superior student support. However, the technology’s implementation is not without risks and challenges. In this article, I would like to explore potential d...


Governance Matters: Some Thoughts on the OpenAI Drama

Published on 2024-04-16 01:00:00 +0000, 448 words, 3 min read, #196

For years, I’ve witnessed the increasing popularity of mission-driven corporations, which seek to create positive social impact while generating profits. The allure of these organizations is undeniable - they attract top talent, passionate investors, and partnerships by appealing to the desire to...


Centralized, Distributed, and Hybrid Analytics Teams

Published on 2024-04-16 01:00:00 +0000, 501 words, 3 min read, #195

The role of data and analytics teams has evolved significantly from mere number crunchers to strategic business partners. Structuring a data and analytics team to meet the organization’s needs is a crucial decision that can significantly impact an organization’s ability to extract value from its ...


What Risks Should AI Governance Aim To Mitigate?

Published on 2024-04-16 01:00:00 +0000, 453 words, 3 min read, #194

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense promise for improving our lives and driving innovation across various industries. However, as we continue to develop and deploy advanced AI systems, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the potential risks that come with this technology. In this arti...


Artificial Intelligence and the Threat to Nuclear Deterrence

Published on 2024-04-17 01:00:00 +0000, 411 words, 3 min read, #193

The cornerstone of nuclear deterrence relies on the mutual fear of devastation. Both sides in a nuclear conflict understand the use of nuclear weapons would result in unimaginable destruction, making an all-out war an unattractive option. However, AI systems with advanced capabilities in data ana...


A Dive into AI Strategies for the US, UK, and Europe

Published on 2024-04-19 01:00:00 +0000, 579 words, 3 min read, #192

As the competition to develop and train the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models intensifies, the geopolitical implications become increasingly apparent. With China emerging as a significant player in this domain, it is essential for the US, UK, and Europe to retain control over thei...

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