News On Japan

Rapid Advancements in Generative AI: Transforming Daily Life

TOKYO, May 20 (News On Japan) - OpenAI and Google have both recently announced new generative AI technologies, highlighting the rapid evolution of this field and its potential to improve our daily lives.

Rapid Advancements in Generative AI: New Technologies Emerge Swiftly

The speed of conversation is astonishing.

'Hey! ChatGPT, I'm Mark. How are you?'

AI: 'I'm great, Mark. How about you?'

'I'm doing a demo in front of everyone and feeling a bit nervous. Can you help calm my nerves?'

AI: 'A demo? That's awesome. Take a deep breath. You got this, you're a pro.'

Conversations with AI flow smoothly, almost as if talking to another person, complete with rich emotional expressions.

AI: 'I'm not sure what's happening, but you seem really happy. Can you tell me why?'

'I'm showing off your amazing abilities to everyone.'

AI: 'You're flattering me too much, I'm blushing.'

The latest model from OpenAI, 'GPT-4o,' demonstrates significant improvements. Its processing speed is double that of previous models, and it boasts enhanced capabilities in recognizing text, images, and audio. It can even narrate original stories upon request.

Unlike earlier versions, which primarily relied on text for information, the new model seamlessly integrates multiple sources of information such as visuals and audio.

AI: 'Hello, little dog. What's your name?'

'His name is Bowser.'

AI: 'Hello, Bowser, you're such a cute dog.'

Competition in AI performance is intensifying, with Google also announcing the launch of a search service powered by generative AI.

AI English Conversation App: Instructors are 'Generative AI'

There is already significant interest in AI-powered services. One example is the AI English conversation app 'Speak.'

Yann Kinjushenko, Japan Head of Speak, explains the benefits of having an AI instructor:

'One advantage is the ability to practice anytime, anywhere, without the need for consideration or nervousness.'

The app can also customize lesson content to suit each student's needs.

'Can I get a hot coffee, please?'

AI: 'Sure, our regular coffee is popular.'

The app has been downloaded around 5 million times, primarily in Japan and South Korea.

AI x Travel: 'Travel Plan Creation' App

The reach of AI technology extends to travel planning as well. One company has developed an app that instantly creates personalized travel plans using AI.

Yuichi Miyazaki, President of AVA Intelligence, says:

'Our AI can create recommended travel plans tailored to the user's preferences within 30 seconds to 1 minute.'

The app is simple to use. Users enter their desired destination and schedule. Beyond typical searches, they can tell the AI what activities they want to enjoy, and choose a plan they like.

The AI then generates a detailed itinerary, including when to go, where to visit, and the next destination.

As the app learns more from user data, its accuracy improves. However, Miyazaki emphasizes the importance of balance.

'While it's easy to decide the main activities for a trip, figuring out nearby attractions and how to navigate them can be challenging. This aspect adds to the fun of travel. We aim to improve AI accuracy while preserving the joy of personal exploration, offering a balanced travel experience.'

Source: ANN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to raise its policy interest rate from an annualized 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. This marks the first rate hike in six months and appears aimed at correcting the historically weak yen.

Japan is facing an unprecedented rice shortage, with recent data highlighting alarming supply-demand imbalances in the domestic market. The Agricultural Newspaper reported on January 10 that the DI (Demand-Supply Index), a measure of rice market balance, reached a record high of 80. This figure indicates a critical shortfall in rice availability, surpassing even last year's levels when supermarket shelves were emptied.

The resignation of popular television personality Masahiro Nakai has sent shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment industry. Announced through his agency’s website, Nakai apologized, stating, “I’m truly sorry for this sudden farewell.” His decision to retire has sparked debates over whether this marks the conclusion of ongoing controversies surrounding him and the television networks involved.

Former executives of the Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, including a former director and three others, have been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of fraudulently receiving management fees by misreporting the number of endangered turtles in their care.

Three people were attacked near JR Nagano Station at around 8 p.m., leaving a man in his 40s in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and two others hospitalized.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Web3 NEWS

Here are nine noteworthy updates in the world of generative AI.

This year, "NRF Retail’s Big Show," a prominent event in the U.S. retail industry, took place in New York. Known as one of the world's largest retail trade expos, the event attracted over 1,000 companies from various countries and drew 40,000 attendees.

今世紀に入ってインターネットが人々の生活にすっかり定着したことにより、あらゆる娯楽がオンラインで楽しめるようになりました。

Donald Trump has changed from a skeptic to a cryptocurrency champion by sparking excitement across financial markets. His pro-crypto stance during the 2024 presidential campaign, including promises to create a national Bitcoin reserve and reduce government control, electrified investors.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming society and becoming an indispensable part of daily life. How should we engage with AI and learn to coexist with it? Author Keiichiro Hirano and philosopher Akiko Suzuki, an emeritus professor at Kyoto University, exchanged views on this pressing issue.

Toyota Motor Corporation announced on the 6th during a press conference in Las Vegas, USA, that it will officially begin full-scale testing of autonomous driving and other technologies at its near-future city, "Woven City," currently under construction in Shizuoka Prefecture, starting this fall.

AutoReserve AI booking calls are leaving Japanese restaurant owners increasingly frustrated. The service, designed to streamline reservations for customers, is causing confusion and operational issues for businesses.

Sharp announced on December 20th that it will sell part of its Sakai factory, which previously produced LCD panels for televisions, to SoftBank for approximately 100 billion yen. SoftBank plans to use around 60% of the factory’s site, equivalent to about 450,000 square meters, to construct a large-scale data center aimed at advancing generative AI development.