OpenAI’s Converge 2 Program Aims To Supercharge AI Startups
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OpenAI Launches The Converge 2 Program
OpenAI, the trailblazing AI research firm, has unveiled its latest phase of support for burgeoning AI startups with the announcement of Converge 2. This initiative aims to inject $1 million into each of the 15 successful applicants.
The Converge 2 program is open to engineers, designers, researchers, and product innovators leveraging AI for groundbreaking projects. OpenAI’s mission behind the startup fund hinges on the belief that robust AI systems will pave the way for a new wave of pioneering ventures.
The surge in AI tools and solutions has garnered widespread backing from industry experts and investors alike. In 2023 alone, generative AI startups have witnessed substantial financial support from various quarters.
Converge 2 Application Details
This second phase follows the initial rollout in November 2022, where OpenAI invested $1 million each in 12 selected startups. CEO Sam Altman opines that the initiative’s overarching impact on the AI domain, positioning it as a catalyst for propelling the frontiers of applied AI across critical domains.
Notably, the program will run for one and a half months, with the inaugural and final weeks slated to take place in San Francisco. OpenAI reiterated that it will cover travel expenses for participants, encouraging a diverse pool of applicants from various global locations and experience levels.
Notably, prior familiarity with AI systems is not a prerequisite for application. The application window for Converge 2 runs from Dec. 13, 2023, to Jan. 26, 2024, providing ample opportunity for aspiring founders and innovators to apply.
Growing Support For AI Initiatives Worldwide
Meanwhile, Kasikornbank, a prominent private bank in Thailand, has also launched its KXVC fund initiative, allocating $100 million for investments in AI, Web3, and deep tech startups from the Asia-Pacific region. Simultaneously, the French AI startup, Mistral AI, recently concluded a fundraising round, securing $415 million.
This funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz and supported by its initial backers like Lightspeed Ventures.
Microsoft’s Bing AI Chatbot Provides Misleading Election Information
In another AI-related news, recent research conducted by two European nonprofits highlighted inaccuracies in election information by Microsoft’s Bing AI chatbot. The study, released by AI Forensics and AlgorithmWatch, claimed that Bing’s AI chatbot offered inaccurate data regarding the political elections in Germany, Switzerland, and the 2024 US presidential elections.
The study revealed that the AI chatbot delivered erroneous responses 30% of the time, providing wrong information on candidates, polls, scandals, and voting details. What’s noteworthy is that other AI chatbots exhibited similar issues.
For instance, the preliminary tests on ChatGPT-4 also exhibited discrepancies, indicating a broader challenge within generative AI systems. Although the nonprofits clarified that these inaccuracies haven’t influenced election outcomes, they underscore the potential for confusion and misinformation for the public.
The study emphasizes that reliable and transparent public information is necessary for safeguarding democracy, particularly as generative AI becomes more prevalent. Moreover, the research pointed out that the safeguards in the AI chatbot were “unevenly” distributed, resulting in evasive responses 40% of the time.
Industry Response And Legislative Actions
In response to these findings, a Microsoft spokesperson advised users to verify information obtained from AI chatbots for accuracy. This revelation coincides with recent legislative actions addressing AI’s influence.
In October, US senators proposed a bill regarding unauthorized AI replicas of living or deceased individuals. Additionally, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, introduced a precautionary mandate banning the use of generative AI ad creation tools for political advertisers to maintain the integrity of upcoming elections.
As AI evolves, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of AI-generated information becomes increasingly critical.
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