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☆ Vote counting begins in closely watched Taiwan election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

With China intensifying its rhetoric on its claim over Taiwan, global observers are billing this Taiwan election as highly pivotal for security in the Asia-Pacific at a time of testy U.S.-China relations. If Lai and Hsiao win the Jan. 13 vote for the Taiwan presidential office, it would mark the first time any political party has stayed in office for more than two consecutive terms since Taiwan introduced direct presidential elections in 1996. Campaign posters for various legislative member candidates in Taipei, Taiwan, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. China's Taiwan affairs office has characterized the self-ruled island's election as a choice between "peace and war, prosperity and decline." "China has always meddled whenever there is an election in Taiwan, but this time, it's the most serious."

Persons: Hou Yu, Hei Leung, Ko Wen, policymaking, Tsai Ing, Ko, Cynthia Wu, Jing Bo, jiun, Sam Yeh, Jing, Tsai, Lai Ching, Hsiao, United States —, Lai, Timothy S, Rich, Jaw Shaw, kong, Hou, Kevin Luo, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Rong Xu, Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching, Yasuyoshi Chiba, DPP's Lai, Weeks Organizations: ih, Anadolu, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party, China, Local, KMT, Taiwan Studies, University of Oxford, AFP, Taiwan, Rich Western Kentucky University, Taiwan's National Police Agency, New, DPP, University of Minnesota, Western Kentucky University, U.S, China -, APEC, CNBC, Former U.S, Bloomberg, Taiwan's DPP, Beijing, Cross Straits Service Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Taipei, Asia, Pacific, U.S, China, Hsinchu, United States, Overconfidence, New Taipei City, China - U.S, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, Kaohsiung

☆ Google has quietly pushed back the launch of next-gen AI model Gemini until next year, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The launch of Google's anticipated AI model, Gemini, has been delayed, The Information reported. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe world will have to wait a little longer before we can experience the launch of Google's most complex artificial intelligence model to date. Though already Google has its own generative AI model called Bard, ChatGPT has so far enjoyed stronger consumer awareness — but analysts argue that could change when Gemini finally launches.

Persons: —, Gemini, I've, Sissie Hsiao, Google's, Bard, Hsiao, ChatGPT Organizations: Service, Google, Business, Gemini Locations: New York, Washington, California

☆ Taiwan president: China too 'overwhelmed' to consider invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - China's leadership is too "overwhelmed" with its internal problems to consider an invasion of Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen said in an interview with the New York Times. But Tsai, in a transcript of the interview her office published on Thursday, said China had too many issues at the moment. And my thought is that perhaps this is not a time for them to consider a major invasion of Taiwan," she said. Tsai and her government have repeatedly called for talks with China but been rebuffed, as Beijing views Tsai and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as separatists. The DPP's Lai Ching-te, currently vice president, is the frontrunner to be Taiwan's next president according to opinion polls.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Ann Wang, Tsai, Lai Ching, Lai, Hsiao Bi, Chen Binhua, Chiu Tai, Chiu, Ben Blanchard, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, New York Times, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Affairs Office, Mainland Affairs Council, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, United States, Taipei, Lincoln

[1/3] Hsiao Bi-khim, vice presidential candidate for Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and former envoy to the United States, speaks to the media during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan November 23, 2023. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) had previously agreed to work together against the ruling DPP but have made no progress on plans for a united presidential ticket. Lai and Hsiao, on the other hand, with a united party behind them, are moving ahead smoothly with their campaign. Their disagreement has gripped Taiwan for the past week, and both parties have insisted they still want to work together. At the Taipei hotel, Gou's campaign set up a digital clock counting down to Friday's election registration deadline of 0930 GMT.

Persons: Hsiao, Ben Blanchard, Lai Ching, Terry Gou, Lai, It's, Gou, Ko Wen, Hou Yu, Huang Shih, Huang, Yimou Lee, Sarah Wu, Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel Organizations: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, TPP, ih, Thomson Locations: United States, Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, United, Beijing, Taiwan Strait

☆ Taiwan ruling party powers ahead as chaos engulfs opposition campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim arrive to register for the upcoming presidential election for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) at the Central Election Commission in Taipei, Taiwan November 21, 2023. Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who China views as a separatist, leads opinion polls to be Taiwan's next president. Talks between the two main opposition parties to team up and take him on have floundered and are in deadlock. Lai told reporters he and Hsiao were "confident and determined to lead Taiwan steadily in the chaotic situation". Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), which traditional favours close ties with Beijing, had agreed with the much smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) last week to offer a joint ticket to take on Lai.

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Ann Wang, Lai, Taiwan's, Hsiao, Hou Yu, Ko, Hou, Huang Shan, Huang, Terry Gou, Tammy Lai, Gou, Huang Shih, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Central, Commission, REUTERS, Rights, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, ih, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, Beijing, China, Taiwan's, Lai

☆ Taiwan election about choosing whether to embrace China, frontrunner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te and running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim pose for a photo after registering for the upcoming presidential election at the Central Election Commission in Taipei, Taiwan November 21, 2023. Lai Ching-te, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election. Speaking to reporters and supporters after formally registering his candidacy with the election commission, Lai said Taiwan's security was an international issue and the whole world was watching this election. "The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China," he said. Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard".

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Ann WAng, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Hsiao, colluding, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Central, Commission, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Taipei, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, United States

☆ Taiwan's former U.S. envoy, vilified by China, is named vice presidential candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Representative to the United States, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office T.H. Lai, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election, which is taking place as Taiwan comes under increased pressure from China to accept its sovereignty claim. The United States, as with most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan, but is the island's most important international supporter and arms supplier. 'INDEPENDENCE ACT'Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard". The DPP's smooth handling of its vice presidential nominee stands in contrast with efforts by Taiwan's two main opposition parties to agree on a joint ticket.

Persons: Hsiao, Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Rupert Hammond, Chambers, Chen Shui Organizations: Cultural, T.H, Sheraton, Democratic Progressive, U.S ., Taiwan Business Council, Reuters, The, ACT, Taiwan Affairs Office, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook Locations: United States, Taipei, Sheraton New York, New York City, January's, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, China, U.S, The United States, Japan

In a post on his Facebook page, Lai said he would formally present Hsiao as his running mate on Monday afternoon. "Bi-khim's relationships in D.C. will be invaluable to a President Lai, if he is elected, she's going to bring all of those relationships into his government and he doesn't have those," he told Reuters. The United States, as with most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan, but is the island's most important international supporter and arms supplier. 'INDEPENDENCE ACT'Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard". The DPP champions Taiwan's separate identity from China.

Persons: Hsiao, khim, Morris Chang, Carlos Barria, Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Rupert Hammond, Chambers, Chen Shui, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: APEC, Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive, U.S ., Taiwan Business Council, Reuters, The, ACT, Taiwan Affairs Office, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook, Thomson Locations: U.S, Asia, San Francisco , California, Rights TAIPEI, United States, January's, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, China, The United States, Japan

☆ Taiwan Election About Choosing Whether to Embrace China, Frontrunner Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Lai Ching-te, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election. Speaking to reporters and supporters after formally registering his candidacy with the election commission, Lai said Taiwan's security was an international issue and the whole world was watching this election. "The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China," he said. Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard". "Taiwan independence means war.

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Hsiao, colluding, Lincoln Organizations: Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Taipei Locations: Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States

☆ Taiwan opposition talks deadlocked, with no signs of compromise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. China has stepped up military and political pressure, including high-profile war games, to press the island to accept the sovereignty claims that Taiwan rejects. The parties on Saturday failed to reach agreement on how to interpret opinion polls and thus decide on who will stand for which position. China detests frontrunner Lai, regarding him as a separatist, and has rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks. Hou especially has vowed to renew dialogue with Beijing, and says Lai is a dangerous supporter of Taiwan independence.

Persons: Ko Wen, je, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Hou Yu, Eric Chu, Lai, Hou, Ko, Hsiao, Ben Blanchard, Tom Hogue Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive, ih, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, United States

☆ Taiwan's Former US Envoy, Well-Known in U.S., Vilified by China, Named VP Candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hsiao, Rupert Hammond, Chambers, Chen Shui, Muralikumar Anantharaman Organizations: Democratic Progressive, U.S ., Taiwan Business Council, Reuters, The, ACT, Taiwan Affairs Office, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Facebook Locations: Yimou Lee TAIPEI, United States, January's, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, China, U.S, The United States, Japan

☆ Clock ticking as Taiwan opposition bicker over joint presidency bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. China has stepped up military and political pressure, including high-profile war games, to press the island to accept its sovereignty claim, which Taiwan rejects. But both parties failed to reach agreement on how to interpret opinion polls and thus decide who will stand for what position by an originally scheduled deadline of Saturday. China detests frontrunner Lai, regarding him as a separatist, and has rebuffed repeated calls from him for talks. Hou especially has vowed to renew dialogue with Beijing, and says Lai is a dangerous supporter of Taiwan independence.

Persons: Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Hou Yu, Ko, Lai, Hou, Hsiao, Eric Chu, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive, ih, Former Taipei, DPP, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Chiayi

Lai, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has almost consistently led opinion polls ahead of an election taking place amid increased Chinese pressure on Taiwan to accept Beijing's sovereignty claims. Vincent Chao, spokesperson for the Lai campaign, declined to comment on Hsiao's role but said an announcement on a running mate would be made on Monday. Randall Schriver, the former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, described Hsiao as a "good partner in promoting U.S.-Taiwan relations." The DPP-led government says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, and has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but been rebuffed. Like Lai, Hsiao is detested by China, which has on two occasions placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she is an "independence diehard".

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hsiao, Vincent Chao, Ivan Kanapathy, Randall Schriver, Chen Shui, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Michael Martina, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic Progressive, APEC, Asia, U.S . National Security Council, Reuters, Georgetown University, Patriot, Pacific Security Affairs, U.S, DPP, Taiwan Affairs Office, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, United States, Washington, Taiwan, San Francisco, U.S, Taipei, Ukraine, China, Beijing, Japan

☆ Taiwan's opposition parties to decide on joint presidential ticket
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

(L-R) Eric Chu, Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) chairman, Hou Yu-ih, KMT presidential candidate, Ma Ying-jeou, former Taiwan president and Ke Wen-je, presidential candidate from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) pose following a meeting in Taipei on November 15, 2023. The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. Taiwan's two main opposition parties, which have vowed to renew talks with China, agreed on Wednesday to make a decision on a joint presidential ticket for January's elections, as the front-running ruling party decried interference from Beijing. It will unite Taiwan," Hou told business leaders after the talks. Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future and has repeatedly offers talks with Beijing, which has rejected the offers.

Persons: Eric Chu, Hou Yu, Ma Ying, Ke Wen, Sam Yeh, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Ko Wen, Hou, Tsai Ing, Chen Yi, Kou, Lai, Chen, Ma, Hsiao Hsu, Hsiao, China detests Lai, Ko, Terry Gou, Gou, TPP Organizations: Kuomintang, KMT, ih, Taiwan People's Party, SAM YEH, Getty, Democratic Progressive, Taiwan's Tamkang University, Beijing, DPP, Apple Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, AFP, China, Beijing, U.S, United States

The issue of China, which views Taiwan as its territory, looms over the Jan. 13 parliamentary and presidential elections. It will unite Taiwan," Hou told business leaders after the talks. China cut off routine talks with Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP took office in 2016. OPPOSITION CHALLENGEChen Yi-fan, an assistant professor of diplomacy and international relations at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said if Hou and Kou did not work together then Lai would certainly win. Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide their future and has repeatedly offers talks with Beijing, which has rejected the offers.

Persons: Eric Chu, Hou Yu, Ma Ying, Ko Wen, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Hou, Tsai Ing, Chen Yi, Kou, Lai, Chen, Ma, Hsiao Hsu, Hsiao, China detests Lai, Ko, Terry Gou, Gou, TPP, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel Organizations: Taiwan's Kuomintang, KMT, ih, Kuomintang, Taiwan People’s, Democratic Progressive, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwan's Tamkang University, Beijing, DPP, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, TAIPEI, China, Beijing, U.S, United States

☆ With a trove of declassified images, the US is shining a light on risky Chinese maneuvers it says could lead to war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US has released a trove of declassified photos and videos of Chinese intercepts of US aircraft. Risky intercepts have caused accidents before, and there's growing fear an accident now could lead to war. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Chinese jet during "a coercive and risky" intercept of US plane over the East China Sea in April 2022. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Chinese jet during "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US plane over the South China Sea in June 2022. A Chinese jet conducting "a coercive and risky" intercept of a US plane over the South China Sea in January 2022.

Persons: —, Ely Ratner, That's, Ratner, Iain Huddleston, John Aquilino, Aquilino, Liu Pengyu, Liu, Lloyd Austin, I've, Michael Chase, Chase, Amanda Hsiao, Hsiao, Xi Jinping Organizations: US, Service, US Defense Department, US Air Force, Pacific Command, Pentagon, PLA, Canadian, Canadian Air Division, Canadian NORAD, People's Liberation Army, Embassy, Washington DC, Southern Theater, Maritime, US Defense Department Experts, China, Crisis, US Defense Department China, South China Locations: China, East China, North Korea, South, East, Washington, Beijing

☆ No 'huge reflationary' consumer demand in China without property sector recovery: Hedge fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNo 'huge reflationary' consumer demand in China without property sector recovery: Hedge fundMonica Hsiao, chief investment officer and founder of Triada Capital, says much of China's urban wealth is tied to property as an asset.

Persons: Monica Hsiao Organizations: Triada Locations: China

☆ Google VP teases Gemini's multimodal future: 'I've seen some pretty amazing things.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She also discussed how the company is rethinking the future of Google Assistant. AdvertisementAdvertisementThere's a lot of pressure on Google right now. A key person in the middle of all this is Sissie Hsiao, Google's VP and general manager of Bard and Google Assistant. If it disappoints, it will embolden critics who say Google has fallen behind. Google Assistant was the answer, and in 2021 Google reshuffled its search team to put Hsiao in charge of its voice assistant.

Persons: Bard, —, OpenAI's, Sundar Pichai, Demis Hassabis, Sissie Hsiao, Google's, She's, Hsiao, Gemini, I've, OpenAI, Josh Edelson, Getty Hsiao, It's, it's Organizations: Google, Service, Gemini, Microsoft Locations: Bard

So the Georgia Republican has voted against providing military aid to Ukraine as he advocates for doing more to arm Taiwan, the self-governed island that’s at risk of military aggression from Beijing. For Collins and other Republican lawmakers, Taiwan and Ukraine are effectively rivals for a limited pool of U.S. military assistance. They view Taiwan’s fate as closely linked to that of Ukraine as it struggles to push back a Russian invasion. The U.S. aid to Ukraine also has led to weapons manufacturers stepping up production — something that could benefit Taiwan in a clash with China. Ukraine’s success is Taiwan’s success,” Taiwan’s diplomat in the U.S., Hsiao Bi-Khim, said in May at the Sedona Forum hosted by the McCain Institute.

Persons: Mike Collins, Collins, that’s, ”, Hsiao, Bonnie Glaser, “, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, ” Collins, Biden, ” Collin, “ Bradley Bowman, It's, Bowman, Michael McCaul, McCaul, Glaser, Hu Xijin Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Georgia Republican, Sedona, McCain Institute, Ukraine, Cultural, Associated Press, German Marshall Fund, Taiwan, United, Center of Military, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Texas Republican, House Foreign Affairs, Taiwan’s, Communist Party, Global Times Locations: China, United States, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, Taiwan Strait, Taipei, Texas, “, Washington

☆ Pixel 8: Google unveils new phones built for 'the generative AI era'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The 6.3-inch Pixel 8 and the 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Pro comes with a brighter display, new camera system and longer-lasting battery life. Generative AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text and images, in response to user prompts. Caitlin Ochs/ReutersGoogle showed off a handful of photo features coming to its Pixel line, including Magic Editor which uses generative AI to reposition and resize a subject. “You don’t really need Google AI for that.”Smarter Google AssistantThe company said Google Assistant will now sound more realistic when it engages with callers. Google is also bringing the capabilities of its Bard AI chatbot to Google Assistant, so it will be able to do more than set an alarm or tell the weather.

Persons: Caitlin Ochs, Reece Hayden, ”, Hayden, Thomas Husson, Forrester, ” Husson, chatbot, it’s, ” Sissie Hsiao, Bard, “ Smart Organizations: CNN, Google, Apple, Samsung, Reuters, ABI Research, Reuters Google, Pixel Locations: New York City, U.S

☆ Google supercharges its Assistant voice app with AI, hinting at how the company sees the future of chatbots
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Google is supercharging its Assistant app with Bard's capabilities. The new "Assistant with Bard" is designed to merge the voice assistant with the chatbot. The company announced Wednesday that it was planning to bring its Bard AI chatbot into the Assistant app and experience, starting on mobile devices. The result, a new experience Google has named "Assistant with Bard," sees Google making its existing voice assistant more personalized by effectively placing Bard inside it. If users opt in, Assistant with Bard is expected to become the new experience when interacting with Assistant on Android or when using the Google app on iPhone.

Persons: Bard, Sissie Hsiao, —, chatbot, Hsiao, Alexa, Apple's Siri, Satya Nadella, It's Organizations: Google, Service, Android, Apple, LLMs

☆ Google to combine generative AI chatbot with virtual assistant
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Max A. Cherney | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 4 (Reuters) - Google on Wednesday announced plans to add generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to its virtual assistant, and a company executive told Reuters the AI would allow the assistant to do things like help people plan a trip or catch up on emails and then ask follow-up questions. The Alphabet (GOOGL.O) subsidiary said during its hardware event in New York that it plans to add generative AI features from its Bard chatbot into Google's version of a virtual assistant, that aims to provide personalized help with reasoning and generative capabilities on mobile devices. "(A) whole task is done through a couple of simple questions that you're asking your assistant, which is, we think, a very, very powerful concept," Sissie Hsiao vice president, Google assistant and Bard said in an interview with Reuters. Google and other tech companies have been racing to build some form of generative AI into new or existing products. It will not include revenue generating features, Hsiao said, because Google is still in the "learning phase" with generative AI.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Bard, Sissie Hsiao, Hsiao, Max A, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Google, Wednesday, Reuters, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: New York, San Francisco

☆ Google rolls out a major expansion of its Bard AI chatbot
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Google’s Bard artificial intelligence chatbot is evolving. The new features mark the biggest update to Google’s Bard in the six months since it was widely released to the public. With the new extensions, Bard will now pull information from YouTube, Google Maps, Flights and Hotels by default. Bard users can opt to disable these extensions at any time. The double check feature is designed to counter a common AI issue called “hallucinations,” where an AI tool confidently makes a statement that sounds real, but isn’t actually based in fact.

Persons: Bard, OpenAI, Sissie Hsiao, Google, chatbot, isn’t, “ We’re, ” Hsiao, ” Bard, It’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, YouTube, Google, Microsoft, CNN, “ Locations: New York

☆ Google is turning its Bard AI chatbot into a personal assistant by tapping into products like Gmail and Maps, giving it a key advantage in the AI race
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Also, if granted permission, it can access information from users' personal content from Gmail, Docs, and Drive to summarize documents. Google says you can ask Bard to find and bring together information from relevant emails. You could ask Bard to find a document you previously created of your bucket-list restaurants and then show their locations on a map. Hsiao told Insider the information taken from apps such as Gmail or Docs would not be used for advertising or for training Google's AI models. Google has already rolled out AI-assistant features to its Workspace apps and has clarified how it plans to keep weaving AI into its most popular products .

Persons: Bard, OpenAI, Sissie Hsiao, Hsiao, Google's, ChatGPT Organizations: Google, Service, YouTube, Google's, Gemini Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ UN's World Food Programme forced to cut food assistance from 10 million people
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Hande Atay Alam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —As of September, 10 million Afghans have lost assistance from the UN’s World Food Programme this year, the organization announced this week. They had to cut food assistance from 2 million people in Afghanistan this month. “Due to a massive funding shortfall, going forward WFP will only be able to provide emergency assistance to 3 million people per month,” the WFP statement said. “These cuts mean that 1.4 million new and expecting mothers and their children are no longer receiving specialized food designed to prevent malnutrition,” Lee said. WFP needs US$1 billion in the next 6 months to be able to feed 21 million people with lifesaving food, the statement said.

Persons: “, ”, Hsiao, Wei Lee, ” Lee, Lee Organizations: CNN, “ Locations: Afghanistan

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