It’s time for Bits & Bytes…
… where we bring you news, innovations, and thought-provoking insights from AI, IT, and beyond. In this week’s newsletter we’re looking at:
- Verizon Makes Google’s AI More Affordable
- Google Changes Stance on AI In Military Usage
- Stargate Project Redefines AI Development
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
🧠 Google’s Gemini Gets ‘Flash Thinking’ Upgrade
Google enhances Gemini with ‘Flash Thinking,’ a reasoning AI model that explains its problem-solving process step by step. Alongside this experimental feature, Google launches Gemini 2.0 Pro and Flash-Lite models, backed by a planned $75 billion investment in AI development for 2025.
The move positions Google to compete with OpenAI’s o1 and DeepSeek’s R1 models, emphasizing improved accuracy in coding and mathematics, though at the cost of slower response times.
TL;DR
- Flash Thinking explains reasoning process.
- Gemini 2.0 Pro targets coding and math tasks.
- $75B investment planned for 2025.
TECH HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE WEB
⚖️ Musk To Dismiss Lawsuit Over Blade Runner Images
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk moves to dismiss a lawsuit from Alcon Entertainment claiming he used AI-generated copies of “Blade Runner 2049” imagery after being denied rights. The case alleges Tesla used AI to recreate the film’s visuals for a press event, potentially avoiding licensing fees ranging from $500,000 to $10 million.
💰 Verizon Bundles Google’s AI Premium at Half Price
Verizon offers Google One AI Premium for $10 monthly through its myPlan and myHome packages, half the standard price. Starting February 6th, subscribers get access to Gemini Advanced features across Google apps, experimental AI models, and Deep Research tools, joining Verizon’s existing streaming bundles like Disney and Netflix.
🔄 Google Revises AI Ethics on Military Use
Google has removed its longstanding pledge against using AI for weapons and surveillance, replacing it with broader language about “responsible AI” and national security. The shift comes amid growing military AI contracts and internal employee protests, though Google maintains its AI isn’t used to harm humans.
TECH FOR GOOD
⚡ AI Race Drives Sustainable Innovation
The $500 billion Stargate Project is sparking an unexpected shift toward more efficient AI development. As GPU demands strain resources, researchers predict a move toward smaller, specialized AI models that require less infrastructure while maintaining accuracy. This trend, exemplified by companies like DeepSeek achieving comparable results with 11 times fewer GPUs, could make AI more sustainable and accessible.
