OpenAI Introduces SearchGPT Prototype

OpenAI introduced SearchGPT, a prototype for new AI search features intended to provide fast, timely answers from clear and relevant web sources. SearchGPT aims to enhance conversational search by combining the strengths of OpenAI's models with real-time information extraction. It will directly answer questions while citing sources through named attribution and links. Users can ask follow-up questions to build shared context between queries. The prototype is currently in limited testing to obtain feedback from users and publishers.

OpenAI also discussed plans for SearchGPT to highlight quality content from publishers and help users discover new sites and experiences. OpenAI will also offer tools to help publishers manage their appearance in results and learn how content performs.

Feedback from users, publishers, and creators obtained during this prototype phase will be used to continue improving the experience. Specifically, OpenAI aims to enhance SearchGPT with local information and commerce integration capabilities. Lessons learned will also be applied to integrating successful features from the prototype directly into ChatGPT in the future. Interested parties can sign up to a waitlist to be notified about opportunities to help test and develop SearchGPT.

Meta Releases Llama 3.1, their Largest Open-Source AI Model

Meta released Llama 3.1, their largest open-source AI model to date containing over 400 billion parameters. Meta claims Llama 3.1 outperforms models from OpenAI and Anthropic on certain benchmarks, costing hundreds of millions to develop. Meta is making Llama 3.1 freely available under an open license, as Zuckerberg argues open-source AI will overtake proprietary models as it did for operating systems. Meta is working with many tech companies to help developers deploy their versions of Llama 3.1.

Meta aims to popularize Llama 3.1 through their AI assistant, which is being expanded to more languages and countries. A new "Imagine Me" feature lets users insert their likeness into images. Llama 3.1 will power the assistant in most interactions but switch to the smaller 70B model after a certain number of weekly prompts to control costs. Meta predicts their assistant will surpass ChatGPT in usage by the end of the year.

While Meta claims Llama 3.1 outperforms rivals, details on its training are limited. Meta used self-supervised learning with synthetic data to improve on prior Llama models. They see the potential for Llama 3.1 to be widely adopted as a teacher for smaller commercial models. Only time will tell if open-source truly takes over proprietary AI as Zuckerberg predicts.

Adobe Adds New Firefly AI Tools to Illustrator and Photoshop

Adobe introduced new AI-powered tools in Photoshop and Illustrator powered by their Firefly models. Illustrator's Generative Shape Fill lets users add textures and details to shapes using text prompts or style references. Photoshop's text-to-image generator is now generally available. While some users feel threatened by AI, Adobe aims for a creator-friendly approach by providing generous monthly generative credits for Creative Cloud subscribers at no extra cost.

In addition to the generative features, Illustrator received tools like Dimension for measuring objects, Mockup for placing logos on product images, and Retype for font recognition. Photoshop added the Selection Brush and Adjustment Brush tools. Adobe is seeing increased conversions to pricer plans from users seeking more credits, and Firefly has generated over 9 billion images since launch.

Non-AI updates were also introduced, such as tools in Illustrator for measuring objects, placing logos in mockups, and recognizing fonts. Photoshop gained selection and adjustment brush tools. This demonstrates Adobe's pursuit of balancing AI integration with traditional graphic design workflows.

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Helldivers 2 Getting ‘Escalation of Freedom’ Content Update in August

Helldivers 2 will receive its biggest content update yet on August 6th with the launch of Escalation of Freedom. This update introduces a higher level 10 difficulty with new mission objectives like locating and extracting a crying larva. Players will also find fortified new outposts to capture along with environmental changes like spookier swamps and armor-reducing acid storms. Developers have teased new Terminids, Automatons, and other surprises to discover.

Along with new content, Escalation of Freedom includes quality of life improvements. A new system addresses grief kicking by having kicked players spawn as a new host with all the team's collected loot, avoiding lost progress. All items can now also be picked up before extraction. Squads will see a message notifying them of kicks without changes to their loot. This represents the game's continued support through major free updates that enhances the experience for players.

Epic Removes Fortnite from Mobile App Stores and Prepares for Own Store Launch

Epic Games announced it will pull Fortnite and other games from app stores in preparation for the launch of its own Epic Games Store on mobile. This includes removing titles from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and Samsung Galaxy Store. Epic cited these stores as merely collecting revenue without fair competition or treatment of all developers. The company also pulled games from Samsung over blocked sideloading by default on its devices and claims that Google restricting Android app distribution competition.

Epic confirmed its mobile storefront will utilize the same 12% fee structure as on PC, or no fee with alternative payment options. The store will launch first in the EU on iOS and Android this year, and in the UK on iOS in late 2025. By establishing its mobile distribution, Epic aims to challenge the control exerted by Apple and Google over their dominant app stores and provide developers with an alternative storefront option.

SAG-AFTRA Members On Strike Over AI and Fears of Exploitation

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing over 160,000 media professionals including voice actors, had granted its national executive director the power to call an immediate strike affecting the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA). The IMA governs voice talent working in the game industry at major publishers.

SAG-AFTRA members effectively went on strike as of July 26, 2024 after negotiations with major publishers including Activision, EA, Disney, and WB Games collapsed without an agreement.

The union sought stronger AI protections for performers, which some employers were reportedly unwilling to agree to as the only remaining sticking point after agreeing to other terms like wage increases and safety standards. Both sides disputed each other's positions, with SAG-AFTRA claiming publishers showed indifference to reasonable protections and exploitation concerns, while publishers emphasized their offer as extending meaningful protections among the industry's strongest. The effects of the work stoppage remained to be seen as the dispute continued.

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Another Win for the Crypto Industry with Spot Ether ETFs Now Live

Spot ether ETFs debuted on July 25th with over $1 billion in total trading volume in the US. The most active included Grayscale's Ethereum Trust, iShares Ethereum Trust, and Fidelity Advantage Ether ETF. Approval of ether ETFs represents another win for the crypto industry's push for mainstream adoption, though volumes were lower than bitcoin ETF debuts. Market analysts see this advancement as important for the development and stability of cryptocurrency markets.

Issuers like Franklin Templeton, VanEck, Bitwise, 21Shares, and Invesco/Galaxy launched ether ETFs priced comparably to bitcoin ETFs, with fees ranging from 0.19-2.5%. Approval enhances the legitimacy and reduces the volatility of crypto markets according to analysts. While estimates on inflows vary, Galaxy projects $1 billion monthly inflows could be attracted. Demand will indicate an appetite for digital assets beyond Bitcoin.

Machines Arena Reveals Play-to-Airdrop Campaign

The Machines Arena is launching a play-to-airdrop campaign ahead of its TMA token generation event on the Ronin blockchain. Starting July 30th, players can earn points through in-game activities like quests and leveling up to rank on a leaderboard determining their share of up to 70 million TMA tokens airdropped. Earning points requires a VIP membership, with higher tiers granting more daily automatic points and perks. Memberships cost $10-100 and last four weeks.

Players accumulate points through normal gameplay as well as holding tokenized in-game assets, but VIP membership unlocks added ways to earn daily automatic points. One use is protecting against bots exploiting the system. More community milestones reached could end the eight-week campaign early and unlock the full 70 million TMA token supply being airdropped.

Ranking on the play-to-airdrop leaderboard depends on accumulating the most points through gameplay and membership bonuses. This campaign aims to reward active Machines Arena users ahead of the in-game TMA token being launched on Ronin. Reaching milestones would provide an earlier conclusion and more tokens distributed through the airdrop.

Pudgy Penguins’ Parent Company Raises $11M for Layer-2

Igloo Inc., the parent company of the Pudgy Penguins NFT brand, has raised $11 million for its new venture Cube Labs to develop the Abstract Ethereum layer-2 scaling network. The funding round was led by Founders Fund with additional backing from Fenbushi Capital, 1kx, Everest Ventures Group, and Selini Capital. Igloo aims to address limitations of existing layer-2 networks by making dapp development cheaper, easier, and safer through zero-knowledge cryptography.

Igloo acquired the Frame NFT-focused layer-2 project in June with plans to have that team contribute to Abstract. The company believes current layer-2 solutions are inadequate for mass consumer crypto adoption. Abstract's upcoming testnet launch advances Igloo's vision of seamlessly merging the digital and physical world through blockchain technology.

While Pudgy Penguins launched amid the 2021 NFT boom, Igloo rebuilt it into a successful consumer brand with toys now in major retailers after acquiring the project IP in 2022. Pudgy Penguins has grown to be one of the most valuable NFT collections, showing Igloo's ability to develop brands and demonstrating its commitment to advancing mainstream cryptocurrency use cases.

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