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Microsoft has suddenly stepped back from its OpenAI board seat. Apple, which was also offered a seat, has backtracked as well. This could reflect increased scrutiny from antitrust regulators, requiring AI companies to carefully balance collaboration and independence. Let’s unpack...

Today’s Summary:

• Microsoft steps back from OpenAI board

• Anthropic new prompting features and artifact sharing

• OpenAI-powered robot joins BMW assembly line

• Musk won’t use Oracle for new xAI cluster

• Open-source model for semiconductor design

• 2 new tools

TOP STORY

Microsoft steps back from OpenAI board amid regulatory pressure

The Summary: Microsoft has withdrawn its observer role in OpenAI's board, and Apple will not take the position either. This move comes as antitrust authorities examine partnerships between big tech and AI startups.

OpenAI plans to engage partners through regular meetings instead. The changes reflect growing regulatory attention and OpenAI's efforts to maintain independence while developing crucial relationships.

Key details:

• Microsoft withdrawal from board effective immediately

• Apple was expected to take an observer role, but will not do so following Microsoft departure

• OpenAI will host meetings with partners like Microsoft, Apple, Thrive Capital, and Khosla Ventures

• Microsoft invested $13 billion in OpenAI

• US and EU antitrust authorities are examining Microsoft-OpenAI partnership

• OpenAI's new CFO Sarah Friar will lead engagement with key partners

Why it matters: This development shows the complex relationships between big tech and AI companies. As AI becomes more influential, regulators are paying close attention to these relationships. OpenAI's new approach aims to balance collaboration and independence, which could set a precedent for how AI companies interact with their investors and partners.

CLAUDE

Anthropic unveils tools to Share Artifacts and Evaluate AI Developer Prompts

The Summary: Anthropic has introduced new features in the API Console to help developers create apps using Claude. The features allow users to test and assess API prompts using Claude 3.5 Sonnet.

Additionally, the Share Public Artifacts feature has been released for all users, to publish and remix content within Claude, further enhancing public collaboration.

Key details:

• Anthropic developer console for paid API users

  • Offers side-by-side comparison of prompt effectiveness

  • Allows upload of real-world examples to test suite

  • Enables rating of sample answers on a 5-point scale

  • Generate test cases

• Share public artifacts

  • Publishing an Artifact makes it publicly accessible, allowing others to view and reuse

Why it matters: The new API prompt features address the key challenge of creating effective prompts for app development. By partially automating prompt engineering, Anthropic is making the process more streamlined for developers of AI-powered apps. The ability to publish Artifacts improves collaboration and knowledge sharing.

FIGURE AI

OpenAI-powered robot joins BMW assembly line

The Summary: Figure AI, the innovative robotics company partnering with OpenAI, has deployed its first humanoid robot at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

The robot autonomously handle tasks like sheet metal placement and can manipulate objects with both hands and learn on the job. This deployment marks a milestone in the integration of advanced AI with physical robotics in real-world manufacturing.

Key details:

• Robot manufactured by California-based Figure AI

• Uses OpenAI models to convert camera data into movements

• Fully autonomous, self-correcting and self-learning

• Weighs 132 pounds with a 44 pound payload capacity

• Can place sheet metal within 1 cm tolerance

• Figure AI reached a $2.6 billion valuation in two years

Why it matters: The integration at BMW's plant serves as a first real-world proof of concept, possibly further accelerating the development of AI-driven humanoid robots in industrial sectors.

QUICK NEWS

Quick news

• Elon Musk ends Oracle deal for next xAI Nvidia cluster

• SemiKong open-source model for semiconductor design

• Anthropic CEO predicts AI training will cost $10 billion by 2025

TOOLS

🥇 New tools

• Stable Assistant - Suite of image, music, chat and video tools

• Dreamflare - Interactive AI shows and stories, where you choose what happens next