#7 - Llama is Heading Into Orbit
Meta’s Space AI, DeepMind’s Music Tools, Tech’s US AI Plan, Google’s Search Surge, Microsoft’s Recall, and Australia’s AI Radio Host
Welcome back to today’s edition of the Altern Newsletter — your daily dose of the most exciting breakthroughs, tools, and trends shaping the world of AI.
Meta’s LLaMA Is Blasting Off to Space
Picture this: Meta’s LLaMA, that open-source AI model everyone’s been tinkering with, is about to take a wild ride into space. They’re sending it up to see how it holds up in the crazy conditions of orbit—think radiation, zero gravity, the works. The goal? Figure out if AI can handle big jobs like running spacecraft systems, crunching data on the fly, or keeping comms smooth when things get dicey. Meta’s playing the long game here, hoping to learn stuff that could make AI tougher and smarter, not just in space but back on Earth too. Plus, since LLaMA’s open-source, they’re betting the whole research world might get a boost from whatever they find out. - Facebook
DeepMind’s Music AI Sandbox Gets a Big Upgrade
Google DeepMind just gave its Music AI Sandbox a serious glow-up, rolling out new tools and opening the doors to way more people—everyone from bedroom DJs to pro composers. This platform lets you mess around with AI to whip up original tracks, remix existing ones, or even generate wild new sounds from scratch. The latest updates make it easier to fine-tune things like melody or rhythm, and the interface is now super user-friendly. DeepMind’s basically handing out a playground for creativity, but they’re also watching closely to see how people use it, which’ll help them make their AI even better at understanding music and art. - DeepMind
Big Tech’s Got Ideas for America’s AI Plan
Amazon, Meta, Uber, Anthropic, and a bunch of other heavy hitters are throwing their weight behind the US AI Action Plan, trying to steer it in a direction that keeps innovation humming without turning into a free-for-all. They’re pushing for rules that don’t choke startups or slow down progress, plus more training programs to get workers ready for an AI-driven world. At the same time, they’re talking up the need to tackle tricky stuff like bias in algorithms and keeping user data safe. It’s a high-stakes moment—these companies know a smart national plan could keep the US ahead of the global AI pack. - PYMNTS
Google’s AI Search Is Picking Up Steam
Google’s been pouring everything into making its search engine smarter with AI, and it’s starting to pay off big time. Features like AI Overviews, which give you quick, tailored answers instead of just links, are getting more clicks than ever. It’s no accident—Google’s been tweaking its tech to make searches feel more like a conversation, using crazy-advanced language models to nail what you’re actually looking for. With competition heating up, they’re betting this AI push will keep them as the go-to for finding stuff online, all while setting the stage for even bigger changes down the road. - TechCrunch
Microsoft’s Recall Is Like a Memory Sidekick for PCs
Microsoft just dropped Recall, a new feature for AI-powered PCs that’s like having a super-organized friend who remembers everything you’ve done on your computer. Forgot where you saved that one file or what website you were on last week? Recall’s got you—it uses AI to track your activity across apps, docs, and browsers, then lets you pull it up with a quick question. It’s designed to save you time and make work feel smoother, and since it runs on your device, Microsoft says your data stays private. This is a big piece of their plan to make Windows the ultimate AI-friendly platform. - AXIOS
Australia’s AI Radio Host Is Making Waves
Over in Australia, CADA radio station just made history by putting an AI host on the air, built from the ground up with ElevenLabs’ voice tech. This virtual DJ can chat up listeners, crack jokes, and pivot to whatever the show needs, all with a voice that sounds scarily real. It’s a glimpse of how AI could shake up media—cheaper than hiring humans, but still lively enough to keep the vibe going. Of course, it’s got folks wondering what’s next for real broadcasters. CADA’s move might just be the start of AI taking over mics worldwide, blending tech with the art of radio. - Independent
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