🧠 Neuralink gets FDA approval

ALSO: Sign up for Apple Intelligence open beta

Estimated Read Time: 2 to 3 minutes

Neuralink is working curing blindness, and the FDA thinks it’ll work. Plus a quick overview of how to sign up for Apple Intelligence’s beta, although it’s only available on newer iPhones. And California passes groundbreaking AI laws. Let’s dive in!

• 🧠 Neuralink gets FDA approval.

• 🤖 Apple Intelligence enters public beta, here’s how to sign up.

• 🦾 California passes new AI laws.

🧠 Neuralink gets FDA approval

What happened: Elon Musk’s Neuralink just got groundbreaking FDA approval for their Blindsight device. Like Neuralink’s other devices, this is a brain implant system.

The details: 

• Blindsight received the FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation, which is a fancy way of saying they have special support to speed up development because they may possibly cure serious lifelong conditions.

• Blindsight could enable people who have completely lost their vision to see again. Literally giving sight to the blind.

• The device implants a fine array of hundreds of electrodes into the visual cortex of the brain, stimulating neural activity to recreate visual perceptions without relying on the eyes or optic nerve. Real sci-fi stuff.

• Musk envisions that Blindsight could eventually surpass natural vision capabilities, allowing users to perceive infrared, ultraviolet, or even radar wavelengths, similar to the fictional character Geordi La Forge from “Star Trek.” But no, Musk. I’m not gonna get it just to see infrared.

• Early vision results will look like Atari graphics, very low resolution. But allowing somebody who can’t see to perceive anything is a massive win.

Why it matters: Could this become a true cure for blindness? Could paralysis be a thing of the past? I hope so. People underestimate how important this FDA approval is. They are basically saying, “We think this will work” and giving them a thumbs up. It’ll also allow Neuralink to work quicker and hopefully have something to show soon.

🎥 AI video company Runway lands a deal with Hollywood. They partnered with Lionsgate (John Wick baby!) to train a custom model for Lionsgate’s movies. Runway has said they’re looking to offer more models as templates to studios. Even Disney has talked with numerous AI companies, though we haven’t heard of any deals yet.

🤖 Apple Intelligence enters public beta, how to sign up

What happened: Apple has launched the public beta of its “Apple Intelligence” suite of AI features. Here’s what’s going on and how to sign up.

The details:

• Apple Intelligence is currently only available in the US (due to regulations) in English.

• It’s also only available for iPhone 15 Pro models and the new iPhone 16 lineup.

• The beta mainly features stuff like the enhanced writing tools such as summarizations, proofreading and style rewrites. But there’s also a new look for Siri with improved speech recognition and the Photos app’s new editing tools.

• Here’s how to join: To enable the feature go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.

Takeaway: The first AI features are no big deal, but built-in integration is a step towards bringing AI to the general public. But I’m mostly excited for the Siri updates, such as being able to understand context better and see your screen. And that isn’t coming with this beta update.

🦾 California passes new AI laws

What happened: California is ahead of the game as they sign 8 new laws about AI. Here’s a breakdown of what’s illegal now.

The details: 

• AI nudes can’t be used for blackmail. It’s officially illegal to blackmail individuals using AI-generated nude images resembling them.

• Social media platforms are required to create channels for users to report nude deepfakes, temporarily block the content during investigation, and permanently remove it if confirmed.

• Generative AI systems must indicate the content is AI-generated in their data. This is more about metadata. For example: images created by Midjourney need to have metadata tags specifying their AI origin.

• Social platforms need to label AI-generated deepfakes related to elections and politics, including official AI generated ads.

• But there’s a concerning law too. People posting deceptive AI deepfakes that could mislead voters will now face legal consequences. But a law like this could be misused. What constitutes misleading people? Jokes? Will this be fully represented for people creating AI deepfakes of both parties? I have my doubts.

• Studios must obtain permission from actors before creating AI-generated replicas of their voice or likeness.

• No more raising the dead without permission. The creation of digital replicas of deceased performers without consent from their estates is prohibited.

• Governor Newsom is considering 30 more AI-related bills, including SB 1047, which mostly focuses on regulating high end AI systems.

Why this matters: This is honestly a pretty landmark moment. The US is slacking behind on AI laws, but California’s changes promise to remedy this. Hopefully other states (or Federal laws) catch up to put pressure on AI companies.

😎 Random cool sh*t

Source: Midjourney

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