Innovation Pulse: Daily News - AI, Startups, Cleantech, Auto + Learning Extras

The hydrogen bubble has started to leak, leading to growing anger and hostility among proponents.

The hydrogen energy hype bubble has started to leak, leading to growing anger and hostility among proponents. This reflects cognitive dissonance, as contradictory evidence challenges their beliefs. The reality of hydrogen's economic uncompetitiveness is causing denial and lashing out, similar to climate change denial. This has implications for the future of hydrogen energy.

AI-powered effort to unlock ancient texts from Herculaneum papyri.

Tech CEO Nat Friedman leads an AI-powered effort to unlock ancient texts from Herculaneum papyri. The contest aims to transcribe and decipher these scrolls buried in the Italian countryside since 79 A.D., potentially rewriting ancient history. Early progress suggests AI may unlock the largest collection of ancient texts ever discovered. Microsoft partners with Semafor and news organizations to responsibly utilize generative AI in content production. Semafor launches "Signals" for breaking news analysis with tools from OpenAI and Microsoft.

The US Space Force Is Also Catching Space Solar Fever.

The US Space Force is becoming involved in the development of space solar power, which has the potential to provide 24/7 solar power at a multi-gigawatt scale. Research teams from the US, China, and the UK are working on the technology, with implications for military and civilian use. Companies like Orbital Composites and Virtus Solis are advancing the technology with the aim of deploying a space solar pilot project by 2027. The US Air Force is also exploring space solar power through its SSPIDR program.

Amazon debuts Rufus, an AI shopping assistant and the Arc is getting better search results.

Amazon launched an AI shopping assistant called Rufus, trained on their product catalog and web data. It will offer product advice, comparisons, and recommendations to select U.S. customers in beta. The Browser Company introduces AI-powered changes to its desktop browser, Arc, including Instant Links and Live Folders. Arc Explore, a tool for automating browsing journeys, signals a shift to AI-focused browsing.

Can Ocean Energy Power Carbon Removal?

Study finds offshore energy could help the world reach critical carbon removal goals, with techniques like seaweed sinking and electrochemical methods showing promise.

ChatGPT users can now invoke GPTs directly in chats. Google rebrands Bard.

OpenAI enables ChatGPT paid users to bring GPTs into conversations by typing "@". The move follows the launch of the GPT Store, offering third-party apps accessible through the ChatGPT dashboard. Google plans to launch a premium subscription for its AI, Bard Advanced, powered by the Gemini Ultra AI model.

French startup launches SKWHEEL, claiming it as the future of urban skiing.

French startup launches SKWHEEL, claiming it as the future of urban skiing. The 4-wheel drive electric skis feature a 600W motor in each wheel, reaching speeds up to 50 mph, with a range of 18.6 miles. Available for pre-order on Indiegogo for $1,843, with shipping expected in June 2024.

Google’s Gemini Pro Beats GPT-4.

Google's Gemini Pro ranks second on HuggingFace Chat Bot Arena, surpassing OpenAI's GPT-4. Speculation about OpenAI's GPT-5 and Meta's Llama 3 is brewing. Google also integrated generative AI features into Chrome to assist with various writing tasks, potentially reducing the need for ChatGPT.

Google has introduced Lumiere. Hugging Face and Google collaboration.

Researchers from Google, Weizmann Institute of Science, and Tel Aviv University have introduced Lumiere, a cutting-edge space-time diffusion model for realistic video generation. Hugging Face and Google partner to democratize good machine learning through open AI collaboration.

Renault Group’s Hyvia venture is set to deliver 50 hydrogen fuel cell vans.

The Tesla Semi and 4680 batteries may be Tesla's 2024-2025 sneak attack, with a big Giga Nevada expansion announced. Renault Group's Hyvia venture is set to deliver 50 hydrogen fuel cell vans to France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region