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:
- EU Seals the Deal on AI Rules
- Gmail’s AI Now Plans Your Calendar
- Sony’s PlayStation Characters Get AI Upgrade
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
⚖️ EU Finalizes AI Rulebook
The EU has released its third and likely final draft of the Code of Practice for AI providers, outlining how powerful AI models must comply with the EU AI Act by May 2025. The guidance covers transparency, copyright, and risk mitigation requirements, with non-compliance penalties reaching up to 3% of global annual turnover.
Critics note the draft uses mediated language like “best efforts” and “reasonable measures” for copyright protections, potentially giving AI companies significant flexibility. This comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Europe to deregulate AI, with the bloc already canceling its AI Liability Directive in response.
TL;DR
- Third draft Code released for general purpose AI models
- Final feedback due by March 30, 2025
TECH HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE WEB
🗓️ Gmail Gets Smart Scheduling with Gemini AI
Google rolls out a Gemini-powered feature that automatically detects calendar-related content in emails and allows users to add events directly to Google Calendar with a single click. Currently available in English on web browsers for Workspace Business, Enterprise, and premium Gemini subscribers, the feature streamlines scheduling tasks.
🎮 Sony Tests AI-Powered PlayStation Characters
Sony is developing AI-powered PlayStation characters, as revealed in a leaked internal video showing Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West engaging in voice conversations with players. The prototype combines multiple AI technologies including OpenAI’s Whisper, GPT-4, and Sony’s own voice synthesis and facial animation systems.
📱 WhatsApp Tests Meta AI Widget for Quick Access
Meta is developing a WhatsApp widget that will provide Android users with quick shortcuts to its AI chatbot. Currently available to some beta testers, the widget offers one-tap access to text chats, image sharing, and voice conversations with Meta AI, streamlining user interaction with the company’s artificial intelligence assistant.
TECH FOR GOOD
🏥 AI-Powered MRI Analysis Expands Medical Imaging Reach
French startup Gleamer is expanding its AI medical imagingcapabilities to MRI technology through strategic acquisitions, having already processed 35 million examinations across 2,000 institutions in 45 countries. The company’s specialized AI models show remarkable promise, with their mammography tool detecting four out of five cancers compared to radiologists’ three out of five success rate without assistance.
