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The AI Race Is Out of Control, AI Pioneers Say

The Turing Award, often called the Nobel Prize of Computing, was awarded this year to Rich Sutton and Andrew Barto for their groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence.

Barto, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Sutton, distinguished research scientist at DeepMind and Professor at the University of Alberta, pioneered reinforcement learning - the technique that enables AI systems to improve through trial and error.

Their innovation is a big deal: it has become the backbone of modern AI, powering breakthroughs from Google's AlphaGo to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Yet even as they accept computing's highest honor, Sutton and Barto are sounding the alarm about AI safety:

• They warn that tech giants are prioritizing speed over safety in the race to deploy increasingly powerful AI models, rushing systems to market without fully understanding the risks.

• Sutton likened the current approach to "building a bridge and testing it by having people use it" - gambling with public safety for competitive advantage

• They've joined fellow Turing laureates Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio in calling for more careful, deliberate AI development

As CEO of an AI engineering firm, I believe safety must be the foundation of innovation, not an afterthought. When the very architects of modern AI express such concern, it's clear that companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft need to recalibrate their approach - balancing technological advancement with robust risk assessment and responsible deployment.

Big Mac, Big Data: McDonald’s Is Cooking With AI

Ice cream machine broken? Not anymore.

McDonald’s is betting on AI to improve order accuracy, streamline kitchen operations, and even predict when broken ice cream machines before they break.

Here’s what’s happening:

• Few things frustrate McDonald’s customers more than a broken ice cream machine—or any other equipment failure that slows down service. Now, McDonald’s is putting tiny sensors on kitchen equipment to spot problems before they cause breakdowns.

• These sensors will send real-time data to an AI system, which will calculate if something is about to go wrong with the equipment. That means fryers, grills, and yes, even the ice cream machines, could be fixed before they actually break—saving time, money, and a lot of disappointed customers.

• McDonald’s is also testing AI-powered cameras to verify orders before they reach customers, reducing mistakes and making sure you actually get the fries you paid for.

Why it matters: McDonald’s move follows a trend in fast food, with chains like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell also testing AI-driven operational tools. This is a win-win for both sides: customers receive quicker, more reliable service, while restaurant managers are freed from routine operational issues.

With over 43,000 locations worldwide and a $200+ billion valuation, even small efficiency improvements at McDonald's can generate millions in savings, reduce waste, and speed up service across thousands of restaurants. And lead to some very happy customers.

The company is betting on it. McDonald's aims to grow its loyalty base from 175 million to 250 million by 2027, leveraging its vast customer data and proactive approach to innovation. 😎

AI Just Sold $100M Worth of Homes

House hunting can be exhausting. You browse endless listings, schedule viewings that never quite match your expectations, and wait days for brokers to reply. But what if an AI assistant was there to help you out instantly?

That’s the idea behind eSelf AI, a virtual real estate agent that’s helping buyers find homes in Portugal. Real estate brokerage firm Porta da Frente Christie’s has been using it for a year, and the results are promising: over $100M in sales from leads generated by the AI.

The AI agent is able to answer questions, suggest properties based on clients’ budget and preferences, and even give virtual tours. Since it knows every listing inside out, no more waiting for a broker to "check and get back to you."

While it’s an effective solution to a common problem, would you really want to rely on AI for such an emotional and major life purchase?

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