Microsoft is working on an Xbox AI chatbot

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RE-UP GAS STATION USES AI TO COOK CRISPY FRIES 🍟

It’s official: AI is cooking up fresh and crispy Fries! 🙌

What’s new? The Re-Up gas station and convenience store chain is revolutionizing fried food by employing an AI-powered cooking system.

How does it work? The AI-powered cook, dubbed, “The Wingman,” is powered by “advanced artificial intelligence technology” to give customers “fully customizable fried chicken, french fries, and other menu items.” Powered by Nala Robotics, the contraption promises to deliver impeccably fried foods with precision and consistency, taking up all tasks from breading, frying, tossing, seasoning, saucing, and packaging.

What is the significance? AI-powered cooks have the potential to change the way convenience store operations work, making them more automated, consistent, and efficient. Unlike human workers, Re-Up stated, “The Wingman doesn’t get sick, can work around the clock, and can cook any dish efficiently all the time, improving on quality and saving on labor costs.” With nine stores already in operation and plans for expansion, Re-Up is poised to redefine the gas station dining experience across Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama.

MICROSOFT IS WORKING ON AN XBOX AI CHATBOT 🎮

My new girlfriend wants to fight my ex, but I told her that’s a bad idea … because my Xbox. 🥊

What’s up? Microsoft is in the testing phase of an AI-powered Xbox chatbot designed to streamline support tasks.

Want the details? This chatbot, described as an “embodied AI character,” will be able to respond dynamically to user queries via voice and text, animating as it assists with Xbox-related issues. Linked to Microsoft’s vast support documentation for the Xbox ecosystem, the chatbot will be able to tackle various inquiries and even facilitate game refunds directly from the support website. While still in its prototype stage, Microsoft envisions this virtual agent evolving into a universal support solution for all Xbox users and plans to integrate AI across its gaming platform and services, enhancing user experience and support efficiency. As the gaming industry evolves, expect AI-powered solutions like this chatbot to become integral to the gaming experience and support services across various sectors.

PERPLEXITY TO TURN FOLLOW-UP SUGGESTIONS INTO ADS 💬

All good things are ruined by ads. 🙃

What’s up? Perplexity, the Jeff Bezos-backed chatbot, intends to introduce brand-sponsored queries into its conversational AI interface.

How will this work? Perplexity, known for its suggested follow-up questions, is set to feature these sponsored queries as follow-up suggestions during ongoing interactions, marking a significant departure from traditional ad placements. A staggering 40% of Perplexity’s queries already stem from these prompted follow-up questions, so by allowing brands to shape these suggestions, Perplexity aims to subtly guide users towards specific products or services.

What is the significance? While this move signals a departure from the prevailing “freemium” model adopted by other AI giants like ChatGPT and Copilot, it underscores the necessity for sustainable revenue streams in the AI industry, especially since running AI chatbots can cost ten times more than a traditional Google search. While the cost of generative AI should go down over time as these systems improve, companies will need to find ways to monetize free queries to keep operations financially maintainable. However, as advertising infiltrates this domain, users must remain vigilant in assessing the reliability of information obtained from such platforms. In this way, Perplexity’s approach to advertising represents not just a business strategy but also a new frontier in the evolution of AI-driven interactions.

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