Genetic mutations and AI Alexa

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GOOGLE DEEP-MIND EXPLORES GENETIC MUTATIONS 🧬

Q: How does a DNA molecule seal an envelope?

A: Helix it. ✉️

What’s new? Scientists at Google DeepMind have developed AlphaMissense, an AI program capable of predicting the impact of millions of genetic mutations. This advancement has significant implications for both medical research and the diagnosis of rare genetic disorders.

How does this work? AlphaMissense focuses on missense mutations, where a single letter in the DNA code is altered. These mutations, while often harmless, can also disrupt protein functions and lead to diseases like cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cancer. When the researchers adjusted the program's accuracy level to 90%, it indicated that around 57% of missense mutations were likely benign, while approximately 32% were deemed potentially detrimental, providing invaluable guidance for geneticists and clinicians. By using extensive data on human DNA and protein sequences to make predictions, AlphaMissense outperforms existing variant effect predictor programs, potentially accelerating disease diagnosis and facilitating the identification of previously unrecognized disease-driving mutations.

INTEL TO BRING AI TO PERSONAL COMPUTERS 🦾

We have the latest “Intel” on AI’s implementation to personal computers (PCs). 💻

What’s up? Intel’s new vision is to include AI locally on PCs, a domain previously dominated by cloud computing and smartphones.

How will this work? Intel is incorporating neural processing unit (NPU) AI inferencing engines into its processors, starting with the 14th-generation Core chip named Meteor Lake, which is also referred to as the Core Ultra. AI has predominantly thrived within the cloud, spearheaded by technologies like ChatGPT and found on smartphones through a variety of apps. However, when it comes to PCs, AI has remained limited to a handful of Windows Studio Effects technologies. Intel is striving to introduce on-device AI for PCs, aiming to reduce the need for data to travel back and forth between the computer and the cloud. This local AI solution prioritizes privacy by ensuring that it exclusively communicates with the user.

What does this mean? Intel has made solid progress on the hardware side by developing the Core Ultra CPU, but is still ironing out the details of AI implementation in PCs on the software side. Nonetheless, they have high hopes that this will make the uses for AI more secure and private. As Intel chief executive, Pat Gelsinger, stated, “We see the AI PC as a sea change in tech innovation.”

AMAZON’S NEW AND IMPROVED AI ALEXA 👍

“Alexa, give us the freshest and crispiest news on AI Alexa”:

What’s up? Amazon has unveiled an all-new Alexa voice assistant powered by its groundbreaking Alexa Large Language Model (LLM). 🗣️

How does it work? The new Alexa boasts remarkable capabilities, including the ability to understand conversational phrases and respond appropriately, interpret context more effectively, and execute multiple tasks through a single question or command. It will also enable more natural and conversational exchanges by considering not only voice but also body language, eye contact, and gestures. Alexa will also gain a more opinionated personality, offering personalized reminders, music recommendations, and more. This means that Amazon's Echo devices will become more intuitive and responsive to user needs and personalities. Amazon is also collaborating with device manufacturers, allowing them to tap into Alexa's cognitive functions through tools like Dynamic Controller and Action Controller. These tools enable more natural interactions and specialized commands for third-party devices, expanding Alexa's utility beyond Amazon's ecosystem.

When will this be available? The initial release of the new Alexa LLM-powered voice assistant will debut in a preview phase exclusive to the United States, accessible to all Echo device users. Amazon has not disclosed the exact commencement date for this preview program.

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