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City and Financial Global announced that the next edition of Data and the Future of Financial Services Summit will take place in Central London on October 22, 2024. 

This high-profile conference is a must-attend summit for senior decision-makers in the UK financial services industry and beyond.

If you want to discover the latest in industry best practices for achieving optimal business outcomes with data and AI in terms of people, process, and technology, register to attend here.

The event will focus on the intersection of data, AI, and financial services, offering insights into regulatory challenges, digital transformation, and data strategy.

Why should attend the Data and the Future of Financial Services Summit 2024?

Senior management of banks, asset managers and insurers and all those involved on a day-to-day basis in the management of data, AI, governance, data privacy, data science and architecture, data quality control, data innovation, data analytics, compliance, risk management, regulatory change; and the advisory community, such as technology and management consultants and lawyers in professional practice.

Speaker highlights

The summit delivers key insights from 20 leaders in industry and regulation of financial services including:

Vivienne Artz OBE, Data Strategy & Privacy Policy Advisor, Centre for Information Policy Leadership
John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, ICO
Jagpal Singh Jheeta, Chief Digital Product Officer, FCA
Dr. Ruth Wandhöfer, Global Fintech 50 Influencer, Aquis Exchange
Louise Smith, Chair of the Board, Innovate Finance

Event highlights

Last year, the Financial Conduct Authority published its approach to regulating AI in UK financial markets and its intentions for the future. 

The Data and the Future of Financial Services Summit will help financial services firms in the UK and beyond understand the compliance risks that they face, and how regulator expectations are changing. 

Presentations will go into detail on how to monitor the potential impact on specific crucial areas of financial concern, such as data security and cyber security.

Topics include:

Regulation of Data and AI: Discussions on the evolving global landscape.
UK International Data Transfer Strategy: Addressing challenges and proposed solutions for sustainable and scalable international data transfers.
Digital Assets and Privacy: Exploring the implications for financial services.
Generative AI: Key data requirements and their impact on banking, payments, insurance, and asset management.

Highlights from the event agenda

Here’s a small selection of sessions from the event’s packed agenda:

09:15 – Keynote Address I: The ICO’s View on Regulatory Co-operation and Data Sharing by John Edwards
10:00 – Panel I: Future of Data and AI in UK Financial Markets
12:45 – Keynote Interview I: Digital ID in Privacy and Financial Services
14:00 – Keynote Address and Panel IV: Digital Assets and Privacy
16:15 – Panel V: Generative AI Data Requirements

The morning and afternoon networking sessions provide opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders, engage in informal discussions, and build professional relationships.

Key information about the event

Date: October 22nd, 2024 
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton London – Docklands Riverside
Address: 265a Rotherhithe Street London SE16 5HW
Tel: 020 7231 1001

Register here to secure your place and benefit from early bird rates.

The post Data and the Future of Financial Services Summit 2024 appeared first on DailyAI.

OpenAI is finally rolling out its voice assistant to ChatGPT Plus subscribers but it’s missing some of the features the company showcased in its original demonstration.

Advanced Voice Mode (AVM) was first demonstrated in May but concerns over safety alignment and AVM’s ability to reproduce copyrighted content stalled its release. The controversy over one of the voices called “Sky” sounding a lot like Scarlett Johansson likely didn’t help either.

OpenAI humorously hinted at the frustratingly long wait for AVM in its announcement of the rollout.

Advanced Voice is rolling out to all Plus and Team users in the ChatGPT app over the course of the week.

While you’ve been patiently waiting, we’ve added Custom Instructions, Memory, five new voices, and improved accents.

It can also say “Sorry I’m late” in over 50 languages. pic.twitter.com/APOqqhXtDg

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) September 24, 2024

AVM comes with five new voices, including one with an Australian accent, but fans of the movie “Her” will be disappointed to find that Sky’s voice has been removed. The new voices are Arbor, Maple, Sol, Spruce, and Vale, bringing the total to nine.

Meet the five new voices. pic.twitter.com/F9BOUaJqG1

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) September 24, 2024

Another feature that users won’t get yet is AVM’s vision capability. When OpenAI originally demonstrated the voice assistant it could access the phone’s camera and respond to visual data. AVM only has the voice modality for now.

There’s no word on when, or if, AVM will get the gift of sight. It might simply be a strategic move to reduce the computing demands on OpenAI servers as users rush to try out AVM.

AVM does come with some new features though. AVM will store a user’s “custom instructions” for how they want the model to speak. You can specify a specific cadence or how you want it to address you. It also allows a user to provide personal background so the AVM can offer more contextually relevant responses.

The “memory” feature enables ChatGPT to remember conversations to reference in later interactions.

Users are already sharing videos of creative ways they’re using AVM.

Advanced Voice in ChatGPT tunes my guitar. pic.twitter.com/1H6mYZTCq7

— Pietro Schirano (@skirano) September 24, 2024

If you’re in the UK, the EU, or Switzerland, you may have to wait a while before AVM is activated on your device. OpenAI hasn’t indicated when the feature will be rolled out globally.

The post OpenAI finally rolls out ChatGPT’s voice assistant to paid users appeared first on DailyAI.

Taking place in Bangkok, this convention offers a unique opportunity to explore Thailand’s explosive growth in the data center market and its positioning as ASEAN’s Digital Hub.

The event, which will take place on November 14, 2024, at Centara Grand, Bangkok, will feature keynotes, panel discussions, and networking opportunities focused on Thailand’s latest trends in cloud computing, data center services, and digital infrastructure.

Participants will gain valuable insights into Thailand’s digital economy boom, investment opportunities, and the role of technology in transforming the country into a pivotal player in Asia’s digital landscape.

Why attend the Thailand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2024?

The convention offers numerous reasons to attend, including:

Gain insights from 22+ speakers and industry experts
Network with 1,133+ attendees, including 47% key decision-makers and end-users
Explore the latest trends in AI, cloud computing, and data center operations
Learn about government support and policies for digital infrastructure investment
Discover opportunities in Thailand’s rapidly growing data center market

Who should attend? 

The Thailand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2024 is designed for a diverse audience of professionals, including:

Data center operators and investors
Cloud service providers
IT infrastructure managers
Government officials involved in digital economy initiatives
Cybersecurity experts
Sustainability and energy efficiency professionals
Technology vendors and solution providers

Featured sessions and speakers from Thailand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2024

The event boasts an impressive lineup of sessions and speakers, including:

Keynote: “Thailand’s Digital Economy Boom: Assessing Investment Opportunities and Government Support in Digital Infrastructure”
Panel: “Expert Industry Analyst Outlook on Demand for Data Centers 2024 – 2027”
Keynote: “Data Center Construction Suggestions in the AI Era” by Michael Lim, Director, Strategic Marketing, CTO Group, ZTE Corporation
Keynote: “Transforming Data Centers for a Sustainable Future: Lessons from Global Best Practices” by Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Panel: “AI and Cloud Computing – Ahead or Behind in Thailand?” featuring Elton Chew, George Papas, and Dr. Non Arkaraprasertkul
Keynote: “Enabling a Sustainable and Resilient Future: Innovations in Datacenter Solutions and the Impact of AI Trends” by Atitaya Surapunthu, Schneider Electric
Keynote: “Building a Data Center that is AI SuperCloud ready” by Thailand Internet & Cloud Providers Association (TICPA)
Fire-Side Chat: “Fortifying Thailand’s Cybersecurity” with Virag Thakkar, Thai Union Group PCL.
Closing Panel: “Charting the Course – Next Steps for Thailand’s Data Center Future” featuring Paul Lee, CHINT GLOBAL

Key details about the event 

Mark your calendars and prepare to be part of this groundbreaking convention:

Date: November 14, 2024
Venue: Centara Grand, Bangkok
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tickets: Available on the event website here

The event will conclude with Sundown Networking Drinks from 3:40 PM to 5:00 PM, providing additional opportunities for attendees to connect and discuss the day’s insights.

Visit the official Thailand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2024 website to secure your spot, view the full agenda, and explore sponsorship opportunities.

The post Thailand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2024: Powering Thailand’s digital future  appeared first on DailyAI.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan will travel to Washington on Monday for a landmark meeting with US President Joe Biden.

This is the first-ever UAE presidential visit to the US capital in seven years, and AI is at the forefront of discussions as the oil-rich Gulf nation seeks to reinvent itself as an AI powerhouse.

The UAE’s AI push, spearheaded by Abu Dhabi-based firm G42, has raised eyebrows in Washington. 

G42, chaired by UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, recently unveiled “Jais,” touted as the world’s most advanced Arabic large language model. However, the company’s past ties with Chinese company Huawei set off alarm bells in the US.

“AI and new changes in cloud computing are going to change the way the world looks,” says Anwar Gargash, Sheikh Mohamed’s diplomatic adviser. “We cannot let this sort of wave of technological breakthroughs pass by us.” 

For the UAE, AI isn’t just about staying technologically relevant – it’s about economic survival in a post-oil world.

However, US export restrictions imposed in 2022 have thrown a wrench in the UAE’s AI aspirations. The Biden administration added Gulf states to a list of countries facing limitations on importing advanced US-made AI chips, citing concerns about technology leaks to China. 

This slowed the UAE’s AI projects, adding urgency to Sheikh Mohamed’s mission.

The UAE is now pivoting towards US tech partnerships. Microsoft’s recent $1.5 billion investment in G42 signals growing US interest in the Emirates’ AI ecosystem. G42 has also announced a partnership with US chip manufacturer Nvidia for a weather forecasting initiative.

Yet, these moves have intensified scrutiny from US lawmakers. Republican politicians have requested an intelligence assessment of the Microsoft-G42 deal, worried about potential exports of restricted AI chips. 

In response, G42’s CEO Peng Xiao has pledged to phase out Huawei technology, stating, “We simply cannot do much more work with Chinese partners.”

Sheikh Mohamed and Biden are expected to hammer out a broad framework for US-UAE AI cooperation. Sources suggest the UAE wants to secure a “road map” ahead of the upcoming US election, hoping to lock in progress regardless of who occupies the White House come January.

The talks will also cover pressing issues like the Gaza conflict, Sudan, climate change, and clean energy. 

This push for AI dominance isn’t unique to the UAE. Flush with oil wealth, Middle Eastern nations are racing to build competitive AI industries. Gulf nations were among the biggest buyers of Nvidia chips last year.

Earlier this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wanted to strike deals with the UAE for an outlandish trillion-dollar chip manufacturing strategy, though we’ve heard little of it since.  

An analyst explained in August 2023, “The UAE wants to own and control its computational power and talent, develop their platforms, and remain independent from the influence of major players like the Chinese or the Americans. With the capital and energy resources at their disposal, they’re also attracting the top global talent.”

UAE’s AI minister Omar Sultan Al Olama reflects on past mistakes: “We over-regulated the printing press… The Middle East banned it for 200 years.” The region is determined not to repeat history with AI.

As Sheikh Mohamed makes his case in Washington, the stakes are high. Success could catapult the UAE to the forefront of global AI development, while failure might leave it languishing in a technological backwater. 

The outcome of Monday’s talks could shape not just the future of US-UAE relations, but the balance of technological power in the Middle East and beyond.

The post UAE’s AI ambitions face crucial test in White House talks appeared first on DailyAI.

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has released an updated draft definition of what constitutes open-source AI and says Meta’s models don’t qualify despite the company’s claims.

Mark Zuckerberg has been vocal about Meta’s commitment to what he says is open-source AI. However, while models like Llama 3.1 are less opaque than the proprietary models from OpenAI or Google, discussions in the OSI community suggest Meta is using the term loosely.

At an online public town hall event on Friday, the OSI discussed the criteria it believes a truly open-source AI model should conform to. The OSI refers to these criteria as “4 Freedoms” and says an open-source AI “is an AI system made available under terms and in a way that grant the freedoms to:

Use the system for any purpose and without having to ask for permission.
Study how the system works and inspect its components.
Modify the system for any purpose, including to change its output.
Share the system for others to use with or without modifications, for any purpose.”

To be able to modify an AI model, the OSI’s open AI definition says the weights and source code should be open, and the training data set should be available.

Meta’s license imposes some restrictions on how its models can be used and it has declined to release the training data it used to train its models. If you accept that the OSI is the custodian of what “open-source” means, then the implication is that Meta distorts the truth when it calls its models “open”.

The OSI is a California public benefit corporation that relies on community input to develop open-source standards. Some in that community have accused Mark Zuckerberg of “open washing” Meta’s models and bullying the industry into accepting his version rather than the OSI’s definition.

Chairman of Open Source Group Japan, Shuji Sado said “It’s possible that Zuckerberg has a different definition of Open Source than we do,” and suggested that the unclear legal landscape around AI training data and copyright could be the reason for this.

Open Source AI Definition – Weekly update September 23 https://t.co/flbb3yGCmx

— Open Source Initiative @osi@opensource.org (@OpenSourceOrg) September 23, 2024

Words matter

This might all sound like an argument over semantics but, depending on the definition the AI industry adopts, there could be serious legal consequences.

Meta has had a tough time navigating EU GDPR laws over its insatiable hunger for users’ social media data. Some people claim that Meta’s loose definition of “open-source AI” is an attempt to skirt new laws like the EU AI Act.

The Act provides a limited exception for general-purpose AI models (GPAIMs) released under open-source licenses. These models are exempt from certain transparency obligations although they still have to provide a summary of the content used to train the model.

On the other hand, the proposed SB 1047 California AI safety bill disincentivizes companies like Meta from aligning their models with the OSI definition. The bill mandates complex safety protocols for “open” models and holds developers liable for harmful modifications and misuse by bad actors.

SB 1047 defines open-source AI tools as “artificial intelligence model[s] that [are] made freely available and that may be freely modified and redistributed.” Does that mean that an AI model that can be fine-tuned by a user is “open” or would the definition only apply if the model ticks all the OSI boxes?

For now, the vaguery allows Meta the marketing benefits and room to negotiate some legislation. At some point, the industry will need to commit to a definition. Will it be defined by a big tech company like Meta or by a community-driven organization like the OSI?

The post Open Source Initiative disagrees with Meta on ‘open’ AI appeared first on DailyAI.