Israel creates kill list with AI

Spotlight: Apple claims new model outperforms GPT-4

Welcome back!

Today’s top story is extremely controversial but it’s something you should be aware of. We’ll also check back in on Apple’s efforts to bring AI to the iPhone.

Let’s go. 

In today’s Daily Update:

  • 🗞️ Israel uses AI system to create Gaza ‘kill list’  

  • 🤖 OpenAI adds image editing to DALL-E 3  

  • 📸 Apple claims new AI model is faster than GPT-4 

  • 🚨 AI Roundup: Four quick hits

Read time: 2 minutes

TOP STORY

🗞️ Israel uses AI system to create Gaza ‘kill list’

DALL-E 3

Israel’s +972 magazine reports that the Israeli military is using an AI system called “Lavender” to create a “kill list” of human targets in Gaza. 

What you need to know:

  • Lavender has identified at least 37,000 human targets in Gaza. 

  • The system analyzes mass surveillance on nearly all of the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 

  • Each Palestinian is given a score of 1 to 100 that determines how likely they are to be a member of Hamas. 

  • Israeli officers devote about 20 seconds to confirming or rejecting each suggestion. 

  • +972 reports that most of the targets were bombed in their homes. 

The big picture: Lavender was reportedly used solely as an information system prior to Oct. 7. This report cites six unnamed Israeli intelligence officers, but Israel has refuted some of these claims about the Lavender system in a statement that says Hamas uses Palestinians in Gaza as human shields. 

AI TOOL OF THE DAY

🤖 OpenAI adds image editing to DALL-E 3  

OpenAI just upgraded DALL-E 3 with new image editing tools and preset style suggestions. 

Key points:

  • DALL-E 3 is still only available to ChatGPT Plus users on the web or mobile.   

  • The new editing tool allows users to select an area of an image and edit their selection with additional text prompts. 

  • Preset style suggestions (expressionism, pixel art, steampunk, etc.) have been added to inspire image creation. 

  • The new features aim to make the DALL-E 3 experience within ChatGPT more user-friendly. 

Quick Review: I gave both of these features a try and saw mixed results. The preset style suggestions work pretty seamlessly, but the editing tool only responded to about half of my prompts (granted it was working with a sensitive image related to the Lavender story). If you’re already a ChatGPT Plus user, I recommend taking a look at these new features. 

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

📸 Apple claims new AI model is faster than GPT-4 

DALL-E 3

Apple AI researchers introduced ReALM in a new paper that details how the model could power Siri 2.0.

The details:

  • ReALM is a small language model designed to run on smartphones and provide additional context to voice assistants. 

  • The model essentially enables Siri to “see” what’s on a user’s screen. 

  • This would allow users to prompt Siri with natural voice commands based on what they’re looking at (ex. “Call this restaurant” while viewing a restaurant’s website). 

  • Apple says ReALM performs as well as GPT-4 despite being a substantially smaller model. 

A look ahead: Apple is set to launch a series of AI initiatives in June at WWDC, and making Siri smarter is reportedly at the center of the company’s plans. We still don’t know if ReALM will be a part of iOS 18 or the next generation of Apple devices, but iPhone users should expect to see a much more capable voice assistant by next year. 

MORE TRENDING NEWS

🚨 AI Roundup: Four quick hits

DALL-E 3

  • Google reportedly plans to charge for its AI-powered search engine. 

  • Microsoft rolls out GPT-4 Turbo upgrade and improved image generation to businesses using Copilot for Microsoft 365. 

  • Convenience store chain announces installation of AI-powered robots to prepare food. 

  • Stability AI unveils advanced version of its music generation tool despite backlash from the music industry. 

THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY

Want to continue the conversation? Connect with me on LinkedIn and I’m happy to discuss any of today’s news. Thanks for reading The Daily Update!

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