Is Apple late with AI? Will football be more fair at Euro 2024?

Welcome to a new week, AI enthusiasts! 💫

We are going to talk about Apple Intelligence in a second, but firstly, let me just say, “Hi, how are you lovely to see you again what a nice outfit you are wearing where did you get those sunglasses from they suit you so much…” oh come on, just kidding 😜 Let’s get to the point, reader”!

Just a reminder: there are two more pieces of news after that: football and cats! So don’t miss out 🥹

1. Apple Intelligence 📱

Let’s start with a bang. Apple 🍎 is integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT into its Siri voice assistant and operating systems as part of a major AI overhaul called « Apple Intelligence » 🧠

But before you rush to refresh your device, here is a warning: you need the latest iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max to access Apple's new features. These features will run on devices equipped with the M series chips, introduced in 2020 for laptops and tablets. The upcoming iPhone 16, expected later this year, seems poised for a heavy marketing push highlighting its generative AI capabilities 📈

Announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple Intelligence will be available this autumn, enhancing every Apple app and device as an embedded system. Siri's interface will see improvements, with ChatGPT stepping in when Siri's capabilities fall short. This approach is similar to Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot – but you won’t have to pay extra to activate it.

According to Apple's 💻 official release, “Deeply integrated into iOS 18 and built with privacy from the ground up, Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively. With brand-new system-wide Writing Tools built into iOS 18, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarise text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.”

However, is this truly a thing? 🤔 Samsung wasted no time mocking Apple, posting: "Adding 'Apple' doesn't make it new or groundbreaking. Welcome to AI" on their X. I guess there is some truth in it 🥸

2. Yellow Card: Always Yours, AI 🏟️

This summer has been hot (maybe not weather-wise). As the UEFA Euro 2024 ⚽️ football tournament has kicked off, AI technology, particularly Video Assisted Referee (VAR), will play a crucial role in officiating. Let’s understand how it works: VAR, which employs cameras, sensors and AI, allows referees to track every move of the ball and players. This technology has been a subject of debate since its introduction in 2016 due to inconsistent applications and delays in decision-making. Despite this, a recent vote by English Premier League clubs overwhelmingly supported keeping VAR 🙏🏻

During Euro 2024, the latest iteration of VAR, featuring advanced AI and a real-time location-tracking chip in the ball, will be utilised. It involves 10 cameras 🎥 capturing 29 points on each player’s body, generating over 600 motion points 50 times per second. A sensor inside the ball also transmits data at 500 hertz, aiding in precise decision-making for goals and handballs.

While human referees 🙅 remain essential for interpreting player intent and making subjective decisions such as fouls and carding, AI assists referees by quickly detecting offsides and goal-line decisions. Can’t wait to see how the players will have a clash with the AI! 🤖 

Have you noticed the difference already?

3. Meow Me 🐱

Finally, something truly needed! A groundbreaking AI discovery we've been waiting for years – it's here! 🤯 Introducing the app that detects whether cats are in pain by analysing their facial expressions.

How does it work? 🙈 Using a dataset of 6,000 feline photos, veterinarians and researchers in Japan have developed CatsMe! This app now boasts an impressive accuracy rate of over 95%. You might wonder why we need it if we already love and know these lovely creatures 😍 The issue is that elderly cats, for example, often suffer from ailments such as arthritis, affecting over 70% of them, yet only 2% receive veterinary care. This app aims to bridge that gap by providing pet owners with a tool to monitor their cats' well-being, potentially prompting them to seek veterinary advice when necessary.

Since its launch in Japan last year, CatsMe! 🐈 has garnered significant attention, with over 230,000 users. Just think, maybe you should become one of them – meow!

That’s it for this week. Remember, while your iPhone 📲 might get smarter and your football 🥅 games fairer, it's your cat 🐈‍⬛ who will always be the ultimate judge of your worth.

Stay curious! 👀 

Max

xx