Google’s new AI co-Scientist
Data & AI with Hari - Newsletter #53
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Humane Shuts Down AI Pin
Humane’s AI Pin is shutting down, the $699 device will stop working completely. Sales were disappointing (fewer than 1,000 units sold), reviews weren’t great, and returns outpaced new purchases. Now, HP is buying Humane’s assets for $116 million, a steep drop from its previous $850 million valuation.
While the AI Pin is done, HP might use its tech in future products. Some Humane employees will join HP, but layoffs are happening too. It’s a tough reminder that not every big idea survives in the tech world.
Google’s new AI co-Scientist
Google just introduced an AI co-scientist powered by Gemini 2.0, designed to speed up scientific research. It can generate hypotheses, analyze data, and refine ideas with human feedback—potentially cutting years of work down to days. In early tests, it matched unpublished discoveries and even replicated a decade-long bacterial evolution study in just two days!
Researchers can apply for early access through Google’s Trusted Tester Program. While promising, concerns remain about data quality, transparency, and ethical safeguards. Google assures it’s meant to assist, not replace, scientists—making research faster while keeping humans in control.
Microsoft’s Robotic AI Agents
Microsoft just launched Magma, an AI model that can control both software and robots—basically, it can navigate apps and move physical objects. It uses two key techniques: one to identify things on a screen and another to track movement over time. Trained on 39 million samples, Magma combines perception and action into one system, unlike older AI models that needed separate parts.
Microsoft is also teaming up with universities to advance AI in healthcare. With AI agents like Magma, OpenAI’s Operator, and Google’s Gemini 2.0, we’re heading toward AI that works seamlessly across digital and physical worlds.