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Sberbank's Gref Warns of Chip Export Hurdles

Sberbank's CEO Gref stated that graphics cards for AI and supercomputers are difficult to substitute, citing US restrictions on chip exports to Russia since 2022. Despite this, Sberbank's first deputy CEO Vedyakhin believes Russia can catch up with the US and China in AI development within six to nine months by focusing on large language models rather than building massive data centers. However, a potential partnership between Russia and China in AI could raise concerns about censorship, as seen in China where officials have tested large language models to ensure they align with "core socialist values".

https://www.insider.com/russia-putin-artificial-intelligence-ai-tech-china-sberbank-challenge-west-2025-1

January 5, 2025

SimpleBet's AI Fuels Record $120 Billion Bets

The US gambling industry is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize and optimize its services, with the goal of increasing revenue from gamblers. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowing states to legalize sports betting, nearly 40 states have done so, leading to a surge in investments and record-breaking profits for some companies. Americans bet a record $120 billion on gambling in 2023, but research suggests this may lead to significant financial problems, including up to 30,000 bankruptcies and $8 billion in debt collections per year. AI is powering this growth by automating processes such as micro-betting, which allows gamblers to place bets in real-time throughout a game. Companies like SimpleBet have developed AI-powered systems that increase the number of possible micro-bets by an order of magnitude, making it easier for gamblers to wager on every moment of a sports game.

https://www.insider.com/gambling-industry-ai-big-bets-casinos-desperate-americans-las-vegas-2025-1

January 5, 2025

VFX Studios Leverage AI for Enhanced Storytelling

The AI in VFX machine market is expected to experience significant growth, driven by innovation, investment, and the pursuit of excellence in visual storytelling. Key factors contributing to this growth include the provision of services such as consulting, training, system integration, and ongoing technical support, which enable studios and production companies to effectively implement and optimize AI technologies in visual effects production. Software advancements are also a pivotal driver, enabling the creation of more sophisticated and realistic visual effects through AI-powered tools that enhance various aspects of the VFX production process. The film industry is a major catalyst for this growth, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality and visually stunning visual effects in movies. The need for advanced VFX technologies to create intricate and complex visual effects with greater precision and efficiency has led to the adoption of AI-powered VFX machines. This trend is expected to continue as audiences increasingly expect high-quality and believable visual effects that seamlessly integrate with live-action footage. The demand for realistic visual effects, cost reduction in VFX production, scalability and flexibility, and the seamless integration of AI technologies with existing VFX pipelines are also key factors driving the growth of the AI in VFX Machine market.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-in-vfx-market-unlock-insights-into-usd-716-million-opportunity-in-film-gaming-and-more-valuates-reports-302343258.html

China's Media Industry Reaches 3.15 Trillion Yuan

China's media industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, enabling it to enhance efficiency, precision, and creativity in storytelling. The market size for generative AI applications is projected to reach 20 billion Yuan by 2024 and over one trillion Yuan by 2030. Media outlets are investing in AI-powered tools, leading to employment growth, with the newspaper publishing industry employing 184,000 professionals in 2023. The total output value of China's media industry reached 3.15 trillion Yuan in 2023, with notable contributions from newspapers and online audiovisual platforms. The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) has played a key role in advocating for journalists' welfare and promoting ethical journalism, publishing over 580 media social responsibility reports in 2024.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268824-china-leads-news-media-internet-penetration-reaches-over-1-1-billion-users

Monash Researchers Sound Alarm on AI in IVF Clinics

Researchers at Monash University have raised concerns that artificial intelligence is being used in Australian fertility clinics without adequate ethical oversight, potentially eroding public trust in these facilities. The technology is being used to select embryos during IVF treatment, but patients may not be aware if AI has been involved or how the algorithms were trained to make their choice. This raises bioethical concerns about the potential for unintended bias and the dehumanising effect on parents and babies.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/artificial-intelligence-beginning-to-make-decisions-about-who-is-brought-into-the-world-20250105-p5l256.html

Nvidia Leads AI Charge at CES in Las Vegas

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas will feature a major theme of artificial intelligence (AI), with companies such as Nvidia, Intel, AMD and Qualcomm showcasing their AI innovations. The show will also focus on autonomous vehicles, including self-driving cars, tractors, boats, lawn mowers and golf club trollies. Other exhibits include robots designed for work tasks or as companions, gadgets for health and wellness, and smart home appliances. However, the trade tensions between the US and other countries, particularly China, may impact the show, with some analysts predicting a spike in prices due to tariffs.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268714-ai-expected-to-star-at-ces-gadget-extravaganza

Nvidia's Huang to Unveil AI Breakthroughs at CES

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas will feature artificial intelligence (AI) as a major theme, along with autonomous vehicles such as self-driving cars, tractors, boats, lawn mowers, and golf club trollies. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to give a keynote speech on AI innovations at the event. Chip industry rivals Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are expected to counter with their own news. The show will also focus on digital health, with gadgets for tracking health markers and calming the mind. Tariffs threatened by US President-elect Donald Trump may impact vendors targeting the US market, particularly those with imported content. Chinese companies such as TCL and Hisense will be present at CES despite concerns about trade rhetoric from Trump.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/tech/ai-expected-to-star-at-ces-gadget-extravaganza

Stanford Tops AI Research Scientist Demand List

According to QS World University Rankings, US News, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), several STEM fields are expected to experience significant growth in demand by 2030. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is one such field, with a predicted 22% rise in demand for computer and information research scientists, including AI professionals. Top universities offering programs in this field include Stanford, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon. Data science is another rapidly growing field, with the BLS estimating a 35% increase in demand for data scientists by 2030, with top-notch courses available at UC Berkeley, Harvard, and the University of Washington. Cybersecurity is also expected to grow significantly, with a 33% job growth rate by 2030, led by institutions like the University of Maryland, Stanford, and Georgia Tech. Other fields such as Biomedical Engineering, Robotics Engineering are also experiencing growth in demand, with programs available at top universities like Johns Hopkins, MIT, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Michigan.

https://www.ndtv.com/education/planning-to-study-in-us-explore-benefits-of-stem-courses-7406114#pfrom=home-ndtv_mainnavigation

Meutia Hafid Unveils AI Center at Brawijaya University

Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Meutia Hafid, officiated the opening of an AI center at Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java. The facility is equipped with tools to enhance the use of AI technology in sectors such as food, health, agribusiness, logistics, and manufacturing. The minister highlighted the importance of developing digital talents to achieve Indonesia's goal of becoming self-sufficient in food production, citing a projected need for nine million digital talents by 2030. Brawijaya University's rector, Professor Widodo, expressed hope that the AI center would intensify research on cutting-edge technology and develop digital talents in Indonesia through collaborations with companies such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google. The facility offers training and certification programs in areas like machine learning and natural language processing, available to students, lecturers, and professionals.

https://en.antaranews.com/news/340222/minister-seeks-ai-contributions-to-indonesias-food-security-goal?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_right