Oracle has announced the addition of over 200 AI features to its NetSuite software, aiming to enhance productivity across various business functions without charging extra fees. This move positions Oracle against competitors like Salesforce, Microsoft, and Box, who have also integrated generative AI into their offerings without raising prices. In contrast, SAP is adopting a consumption-based pricing model for AI features. Oracle's EVP Evan Goldberg emphasizes the ubiquity of AI in future business systems and the company's focus on practical AI applications for midsize companies. Oracle has been testing generative AI features in NetSuite since October 2023 and plans to continue leveraging customer data to improve their services.

Artificial intelligence is driving the development of new assistive technologies for people with disabilities, a market that could reach 3.5 billion people by 2050. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.3 billion people globally live with a significant disability. Innovations showcased at CES include dotLumen's .lumen glasses, OrCam's MyEye device, and Ara Strap, all designed to aid the visually impaired. Microsoft and Google are also contributing with apps and projects like Seeing AI and Project Euphonia. Despite the potential, assistive technologies face challenges such as affordability and scalability.

A survey commissioned by Workday reveals that 80% of workers report a lack of guidelines for AI use at their employers, with only 52% of non-executive employees welcoming AI. In contrast, 62% of business leaders are open to AI in their organizations. The survey included 1,375 business leaders and 4,000 employees across 15 countries. Concerns exist about organizations prioritizing their interests over employees' when implementing AI. Despite skepticism, 61% of employees hope for AI to bring transformation, while 32% prefer maintaining the status quo. Workday's CTO, Jim Stratton, highlights the risk of organizational paralysis due to uncertainty around AI.

AI is increasingly contributing to the acceleration of drug, chemical, and material development by serving as lab copilots and enabling automated labs. These AI tools are designed to speed up scientific discovery, which is crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change and personalized cancer treatments. AI copilots assist researchers by suggesting experiment advancements and identifying patterns in data, while cloud labs allow for remote-controlled, repeatable experiments. Companies like Strateos and Emerald Cloud Lab are at the forefront of this innovation. The article also discusses the importance of AI in expanding access to top equipment and the potential for AI to address the replication crisis in science. Additionally, it mentions the trend of increased cross-border scientific collaboration and the significance of patent trends among tech companies, with Samsung and Qualcomm leading in U.S. patents obtained.

Generative AI could exacerbate America's racial wealth gap by $43 billion annually over the next two decades, with Black workers at higher risk of job loss due to automation. The median white household has a wealth of $285,000 compared to $45,000 for the median Black household. McKinsey's report indicates that AI threatens to automate many jobs that don't require a 4-year degree and pay over $42,000, which are often held by Black workers. The report suggests that Black workers learn skills less likely to be automated, employers contribute to reskilling efforts, and AI developers ensure their models do not perpetuate biases. While AI poses risks, it also has the potential to improve economic mobility and access to education and health care if equity is prioritized in its development.

A middle road for AI adoption is emerging, balancing concerns over losing control of AI with the desire to harness its benefits. Key stakeholders, including America's biggest banks, philanthropists, the White House, labor unions, and niche venture capitalists, advocate for a cautious and practical approach. This group is focused on building evidence and securing funding from outside major tech companies and traditional venture capital firms, contrasting with the more extreme positions in the AI debate.

The United States, led by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is spearheading a new diplomatic initiative at the United Nations to promote the use of AI for global good. The US aims to garner support from all 193 UN member countries for a General Assembly resolution that ensures AI deployment aligns with the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This move marks a significant shift as major powers previously avoided the UN as an AI forum. The initiative seeks to address urgent global issues like climate change through responsible AI use.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is employing artificial intelligence, specifically the Altana Atlas platform, to track precursor chemicals for fentanyl production and disrupt supply chains. This approach has led to significant seizures and arrests, demonstrating the effectiveness of AI in combating synthetic opioid overdoses, which claimed over 70,000 American lives in 2021. The Department of Homeland Security and other CBP divisions also use AI for various enforcement operations, with Secretary Alexander Mayorkas highlighting its role in detecting narcotics trafficking.

Meta has released benchmark cybersecurity practices for large language models to help developers responsibly deploy generative AI models. This move aligns with the White House's AI Executive Order, which urges AI companies to enhance safety measures to prevent misuse of AI chatbots and open-source models like Meta's Llama 2. Large language models can be exploited to access proprietary information or produce harmful content, even if designed to prevent such misuse.

AI companies including OpenAI and Anthropic have joined the Christchurch Call to Action, an initiative led by New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to combat extremist content online. This collaboration aims to leverage artificial intelligence to suppress terrorist content, marking a significant step in international efforts to regulate and control harmful online activities.

Americans consider regulating AI less important than issues like government shutdowns, health care, gun reform, immigration, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. A new Axios and Morning Consult poll places AI regulation 11th out of 15 priorities, with 27% of respondents deeming it a top priority and 33% considering it important but of lower priority. Concerns about AI development include jobs, work, misinformation, and privacy. Regulation of tech companies ranks 14th in priority. Misinformation spread by AI is seen as increasingly impactful on the 2024 presidential election.

PassiveLogic, a start-up backed by Nvidia and collaborating with Apple, has launched a 'fully autonomous' platform using generative AI for heating and cooling systems, aiming to reduce building energy costs and carbon emissions. The company's CEO, Troy Harvey, criticizes current 'smart' thermostats and claims that autonomy is necessary for significant energy efficiency. PassiveLogic's Quantum Lens technology, which does not require retrofitting, works with 'digital twin' simulations to optimize energy delivery. Despite the potential, Harvey acknowledges that widespread adoption is still a year away, while incumbents like Honeywell, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Johnson Controls dominate the market with their own energy management services. Honeywell is also exploring generative AI for more dynamic systems.

Newsrooms are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to detect bias and inaccuracies in journalism, amidst declining public trust in media. The Messenger announced a partnership with Seekr to align its content with journalism standards using AI, while Axel Springer plans to use AI for fact-checking. Seekr's AI evaluates articles on various factors, but its neutrality is questioned due to AI's inherent biases from human data. Companies like Ad Fontes and NewsGuard use human judgment to assess news credibility, which also faces bias concerns. AI can be useful in fact-checking large datasets, as demonstrated by Google. LinkedIn is also adapting AI for job hunting and skill development, emphasizing the importance of soft skills over formal degrees. However, the earnings gap between degree holders and non-degree holders persists, indicating the continued value of a four-year degree.

A study involving over 750 strategy consultants revealed that AI, specifically GPT-4, enhanced content quality and speed for tasks within its capabilities but led to more mistakes in tasks beyond its scope. Consultants with AI access and guidance outperformed those with only AI access, and both groups surpassed the control group. AI notably boosted the performance of below-average consultants in creative tasks but increased error rates in complex problem-solving scenarios.

The Morning Huddle's latest newsletter provides comprehensive updates and analysis for NFL Fantasy Football Week 4. Key highlights include injury updates for players like Austin Ekeler, Nick Chubb, and Saquon Barkley, as well as start/sit recommendations for players such as Tee Higgins, Jahan Dotson, and Justin Fields. The newsletter also features player rankings, with notable movements for Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Michael Pittman Jr. Additionally, it includes insights from industry experts like Matt Harmon and updates on player performances and potential. The sentiment towards players and teams is generally neutral, focusing on factual updates and performance analysis.

In 2023, nearly 200 AI-related bills were introduced in state legislatures across 31 states, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Despite this surge, only 14 bills have become law. The software industry alliance BSA anticipates a rise in AI legislation becoming law in 2024, highlighting states' proactive approach compared to Congress in regulating AI.

Amazon is making a significant investment in Anthropic, marking a major move in the AI industry. This billion-dollar bet highlights Amazon's strategic push to advance its position in the competitive AI landscape.

The article is a first-person account by Ryan Heath, a former speechwriter for José Manuel Barroso, the then-president of the European Commission. Heath describes his experience of joining Barroso's team with high expectations, only to encounter a disorganized and frustrating speechwriting process. He details the challenges of drafting the State of the Union speech, including the lack of clear direction from Barroso, the excessive number of revisions, and the difficulty of getting Barroso's attention. Heath recounts a particularly disastrous trip to Australia and New Zealand, where he was ignored by Barroso and left behind by the motorcade. The article concludes with Heath being sidelined and eventually losing his job, reflecting on the lonely and uncertain role of a speechwriter.