AI News Update [April 16]: UK Government to Establish AI Regulations, Microsoft Announces $1.5 Billion Investment in G42, and Other Developments

The United Kingdom is taking a proactive approach to the regulation of artificial intelligence, with plans underway to draft regulations that will restrict or eliminate potential harm from emerging technologies such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. According to a Bloomberg report, these regulations will apply to both current and future AI tools, with the goal of ensuring the safe and responsible use of AI.

In other AI news, Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $1.5 billion in G42, an artificial intelligence company based in the United Arab Emirates. This partnership, approved by both the U.S. and UAE governments, will see G42 leveraging Microsoft’s cloud services to enhance its AI applications. Sheikh Tahnoon of G42 expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the alignment of vision and execution between the two organizations.

Meanwhile, Cropin Technology, a Google-backed Agritech company, has launched an open-source AI model called ‘akṣara’ to support farmers and the agricultural industry. This model will provide climate-smart agriculture practices for nine different crops in five countries in the Indian subcontinent. Cropin’s CEO, Krishna Kumar, emphasized the potential for significant investments in domain-specific AI models for agriculture, offering a practical and economically viable approach to transforming food systems.

Additionally, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis revealed plans to invest more than $100 billion in AI technology development. This significant investment underscores the company’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Baidu, a Chinese tech giant, announced that its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot, has surpassed 200 million users, solidifying its position as a popular AI tool in the country. With the AI landscape rapidly evolving, these developments highlight the growing importance and impact of artificial intelligence in various industries.