👩 AI diplomacy

🧵 In today's edition:

• 💸 Microsoft has a lot of money

• 👩 AI diplomacy

• 🍎 Where does Apple go?

• 🛠️ AI Tools to Check Out

• 🤑 AI Fundraising News

• 🐦 Tweet Post of the Day

💸 Microsoft has a lot of money

This seems like a weekly recurrence, but Microsoft is back in its funding bag. 

The tech giant just announced a massive $2.2 billion investment over the next four years to establish new cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Malaysia. 

This marks Microsoft's single largest investment in the Southeast Asian nation as the tech giant aims to bolster AI development support in the region and globally.

Here’s the TL;DR: 

• The funds will go towards building a national AI center of excellence in partnership with the Malaysian government. 

• Microsoft will also provide AI training for 300,000 people in Malaysia, enhance the country's cybersecurity capabilities, and support the growth of its developer community.

• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company is "committed to supporting Malaysia's AI transformation and ensure it benefits all Malaysians." 

• He added that the investments in digital infrastructure and skills training "will help Malaysian businesses, communities, and developers apply the latest technology to drive inclusive economic growth and innovation across the country."

Overall: The move is part of Microsoft's broader AI push in Southeast Asia, which has included a $1.7 billion investment in Indonesia and plans to open its first regional data center in Thailand. 

Microsoft also aims to provide AI training to 2.5 million people in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam by 2025.

Read more: AP News

👩 AI diplomacy

AI is taking diplomacy to the next level…

Ukraine just unveiled a groundbreaking AI-generated spokeswoman named Victoria Shi, who can read official statements on behalf of the country's foreign ministry.

To clarify - The statements will still be written by human staff, but Shi's lifelike digital avatar and voice will be generated through artificial intelligence technology.

Why is the Ukraine embassy doing this? 

• The foreign ministry says using an AI ambassador will save time and resources for its human diplomats. All of Shi's statements will be vetted by real people and accompanied by a QR code linking to text versions on the ministry's website to prevent misinformation.

• Shi's creators are a team called The Game Changers, who have worked on VR projects related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Her name combines the Ukrainian word for "victory" with "artificial intelligence."

Overall: Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed Shi as a "technological leap" no other diplomatic service has achieved yet. 

Her first task? Communicating updates on Ukraine's controversial new policy suspending consular services for military-aged men living abroad.

Read more: Barrons

🍎 Where does Apple go from here?

Apple, once hailed as the world's most innovative and valuable company is facing a crossroads as it struggles to revive consumer enthusiasm for its products. 

The tech giant is expected to report one of its biggest quarterly revenue declines in over a year, with challenges including weakening smartphone sales in key markets like China and the costly failure of its self-driving car project.

To reignite growth, Apple CEO Tim Cook is hoping to integrate AI across the company's upcoming product lineup, starting with new AI features expected to be unveiled at Apple's annual developer conference in June. 

The stakes are high - especially after Apple briefly lost its crown as the world's most valuable company to Microsoft, which has surged ahead in AI through its investment in ChatGPT maker OpenAI.

The fact is that it’s not going to be an easy journey. 

• Apple faces headwinds, including increased regulatory scrutiny in the European Union over antitrust concerns and a recent U.S. Justice Department lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices. 

• Its $3,500 Vision Pro mixed reality headset has also struggled to find a mainstream audience since launching earlier this year.

Overall: As Apple looks to regain its innovative edge, analysts are closely watching whether AI can provide Apple's next crucial growth driver after previous attempts to break into new categories like self-driving cars and mixed reality have fizzled so far.

Read more: Washington Post

🏫 University of San Diego

The world of AI is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead in this space can seem daunting.

Luckily, the University of San Diego offers a 100% online master's degree in AI that can help you upskill and prepare for the future.

With this program, you'll acquire hands-on experience in a broad range of AI disciplines while integrating ethics, privacy, social good, and moral responsibility in applying AI tools and techniques.

The best part? You can advance your career in as little as 20 months with convenient and flexible schedules. What's more, USD's program is rated as one of the most affordable online master's in AI programs!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with three start terms per year: Spring, Summer, and Fall, providing flexibility to begin your studies at a time that best suits your needs.

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🛠️ AI Tools to Check Out

• Swiftask: Access the most powerful AI through a single Assistant. It's your all-in-one AI Companion for personal and team productivity. Check it out!

• TeamCal AI: An end-to-end scheduling software for teams. It now comes with AI-generated calendar invites and a history of meetings with your clients. Check it out!

• Creatosaurus: All-in-one social media marketing tool. Check it out!

🤑 AI Fundraising News

• Bricklayer AI raises $2.5M in Pre-Seed funding to build a security platform that combines multiple AI agents to form a team of AI specialists that collaborate with their human peers to create an efficient cybersecurity team.

• Indicium raises $40M in funding to create a data/AI consultancy committed to identifying the optimal strategies and teams for data projects, crafting customized methodologies, and overseeing projects from inception to completion.

🐦 Tweet Post of the Day

At what point will we start to question if Rainbolt, HIMSELF, is AI??

Unreal performance… 👇️