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Apple is reportedly engaged in negotiations to acquire a licence for Google’s Gemini, a generative AI platform, with the intention of integrating it into iPhones. These ongoing discussions may result in Gemini enhancing iPhone software with new features later this year.
The terms, branding, and implementation details have not been finalised. This potential partnership could significantly impact the AI capabilities of future iPhones.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Microsoft stands out as a global supercomputing firm that’s making significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). With a vision to empower developers and organizations, Microsoft has invested heavily in creating cutting-edge infrastructure that fuels AI research and development.
At the heart of Microsoft’s commitment lies the Azure Supercomputer, a powerhouse designed specifically for training massive AI models. This supercomputer, one of the top five publicly disclosed supercomputers in the world, represents a collaborative effort between Microsoft and OpenAI.
Its mission is to unlock the potential of AI across various domains, from natural language processing to computer vision.
Microsoft’s commitment extends beyond narrow AI advancements. They aim to democratise access to large AI models and infrastructure. By providing a platform for developers, researchers, and organizations, they will foster innovation and accelerate breakthroughs.
Imagine personalised medicine, self-driving cars, and data-driven decision-making, all powered by supercomputing capabilities.
Supercomputing isn’t just about raw power; it’s about solving complex problems. Microsoft joins the global race toward exascale computing, where machines perform a quintillion (1018) calculations per second. Imagine simulating climate change, predicting earthquakes, curing serious illnesses, solving nuclear fusion energy all with remarkable speed and accuracy.
While Microsoft leads the charge, other players are also making waves. The UK’s Isambard-AI, named after the legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, aims to be ten times faster than the country’s current fastest supercomputer. It’s a testament to the growing importance of supercomputing in AI research.
Microsoft’s commitment to supercomputing and AI isn’t just about numbers—it’s about shaping the future. As we stand on the cusp of technological revolutions, these giants pave the way for a smarter, more connected world.
It was valued at a staggering $22 billion. However, recent times have seen its fortunes take a dramatic downturn.
Once India’s leading privately-held company, Byju’s is now regarded as a cautionary tale. Investment company BlackRock recently slashed its valuation to a mere $1 billion.
The company faced mounting debt, unhappy investors, and lawsuits by lenders. Its valuation plummeted.
In February, many shareholders voted to remove Byju Raveendran as CEO during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). Reportedly, allegations of ‘management failures’ led to this decision.
Raveendran and his family dispute the allegations, challenging the vote’s validity in court. The High Court temporarily halted the implementation of the resolutions passed in the EGM.
Byju’s has been struggling with a growing number of legal and financial challenges. These include: investigations by India’s financial crimes agency, layoffs, delayed salaries, and a liquidity crisis.
Customers have reportedly accused the company of pressure selling, coercing parents into buying courses they couldn’t afford.
In January, Byju’s reported a consolidated loss of around 82 billion rupees ($1 billion) for 2022. The company is yet to present its audited accounts for 2023.
The company’s struggle to pay salaries due to a lack of funds has further exacerbated its woes.
Byju’s expanded globally, acquiring other edtech start-ups and firms. However, these ambitious moves came at a cost.
Initially focused on online tutoring for schoolchildren and competitive exam preparation in India, Byju’s later introduced learning apps in various Indian languages.
The current standoff between Byju’s and its investors revolves around a rights issue. Byju’s proposed raising up to $200 million through this issue, inviting existing shareholders to purchase additional new shares in the company.
Through the pandemic, as schools were forced to close, the business kept growing and expanding – until it all started to unravel.
It used to be India’s top private firm with a $22bn (£17.38bn) valuation, but now some see it as a warning for local start-ups, after investment firm BlackRock cut its worth to $1bn.
Byju’s, once a rising star, now faces a massive task and fight back to regain its former glory.