Google awards $30 million to 15 public sector AI projects
Google chose 15 groups to get a share of its $30 million AI for Government Innovation fund. The winners include universities and nonprofits tackling problems like disaster response, health care access, and simplifying government paperwork. Each team also gets help from Google engineers to build open-source tools that could be reused by other cities and agencies worldwide.
- Chosen from over 2,600 applicants worldwide
- Winners get Google engineers as advisors
- Projects to remain open source for adaptation
- Efforts focus on real-world public service pain points
Sources covering this
In this story
More in AI
OpenAI rolls out GPT-6 Astra to most paying users
OpenAI has made its new GPT-6 Astra model available to most paying subscribers a day after its official launch. The rollout, initially described as “messy” by OpenAI’s CEO, now includes ChatGPT Plus, Business, Pro, and Enterprise users, while customers on the lower-priced Go tier do not have access. Astra is also available via the API. OpenAI says the rollout required bringing new systems and additional computing resources online.
AI researchers warn of superintelligence risks
Senior AI researchers and former officials have warned that developing artificial superintelligence could carry catastrophic risks. At a UK parliamentary session this week, participants discussed the possibility that AI could pose a threat greater than nuclear weapons, with a top Anthropic scientist stating there's over a 10% chance AI could "kill all humans" within a decade. Lawmakers are considering new legislation to ban superintelligence development.
ChatGPT Images 2.5 adds faster editing tools
OpenAI has updated its ChatGPT Images feature to version 2.5, adding several new editing tools and speeding up image generation. You can now remove backgrounds, resize images to preset dimensions, erase items by brushing over them, and use markup and comment functions directly from a new Edit toolbar. According to TechRadar, the features are available in both web and app versions, though OpenAI hasn't formally announced the rollout yet.
Anthropic researcher resigns, warns of AI race risks
Jacob Coxon, who worked on AI training at Anthropic and previously OpenAI, resigned this week. He posted that large AI firms are 'gambling with our lives' by pushing towards systems they may not be able to control. Coxon says both companies know the risks but feel locked in a race to develop powerful AI anyway. He called for drastic steps like a pause on new model improvements.