Lifeboat Foundation

Tomorrow at 1PM PT / 4PM ET, we Premiere a new episode of Robots In Space, and this is about bots, including the latest on Phoenix from Sanctuary AI, the impact of cognitive automation on jobs, the Economic Singularity, plus our proprietary Event Horizon Indicator.

Discover how robotics and AI are reshaping our economic landscape in this eye-opening analysis. As an engineer, I break down the latest developments in humanoid robots, particularly Sanctuary AI’s breakthrough in hydraulic robotics and robot dexterity. Learn about my proprietary Event Horizon Indicator that tracks our progression toward the Economic Singularity through labor force participation and unemployment trends. From warehouse robotics to manufacturing automation, understand how the robot workforce is transforming industries and what this means for the future of work. Whether you’re interested in AI economics or concerned about tech unemployment, this video provides crucial insights into the ongoing robot revolution and its impact on our economy.

In today’s AI news, François Chollet, an influential AI researcher, is launching a new startup that aims to build frontier AI systems with novel designs. The startup, Ndea, will consist of an AI research and science lab. It’s looking to “develop and operationalize” AGI. It’s a goalpost for many AI companies …

In other advancements, San Francisco-based Luma released Ray2, its newest video AI generation model, available now through its Dream Machine website and mobile apps for paying subscribers (to start). The model offers “fast, natural coherent motion and physics,” according to CEO Amit Jain.

And, Microsoft has been positioning Copilot as the “UI for AI.” Now, as the next step in this work, it is launching Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat — a rebranded version of its free AI chat experience for businesses, enhanced with agentic capabilities.

Continue reading “AI Researcher François Chollet Founds A New AI Lab Focused On AGI” »

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company will likely release an AI model that acts as a “midlevel engineer” this year.

As AGI talk sparks job loss fears, new WEF report projects AI-driven net job growth by 2030.

At the conference, one speaker humorously suggested that we could soon see “AI Engineers’ Unions” to advocate for the rights of AI workers, underlining the monumental shift that AI’s involvement in engineering could bring. While this was clearly a playful exaggeration, it reflects the growing conversation about AI’s role in the workforce.

Challenges ahead.

Continue reading “Zuckerberg announces Meta plans to replace Mid-Level engineers with AIs this year” »

A top-secret lab in the UK is developing the country’s first quantum clock to help the British military boost intelligence and reconnaissance operations, the defense ministry said Thursday.

The clock is so precise that it will lose less than one second over billions of years, “allowing scientists to measure time at an unprecedented scale,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The trialing of this emerging, groundbreaking technology could not only strengthen our operational capability, but also drive progress in industry, bolster our science sector and support high-skilled jobs,” Minister for Defense Procurement Maria Eagle said.

Texas Instruments has announced a tranche of federal CHIPS Act funding worth up to $1.6 billion, a show of support for a semiconductor manufacturing industry that’s becoming more entrenched in North Texas.

Texas Instruments also expects to receive somewhere between $6 billion and $8 billion in U.S. Treasury tax credits for manufacturing investments, and up to $10 million to boost workforce development.

All told, the money will assist in funding three new Texas Instruments plants: two based in Sherman and one in Lehi, Utah, creating 2,000 new jobs. Separately, Samsung will receive as much as $4.75 billion in CHIPS Act money, a figure Bloomberg notes was below what was originally envisaged.

AI’s impact extends beyond operational efficiency; it is vital in boosting job satisfaction and retention among hourly workers. Inconsistent scheduling and poor communication have long been pain points for this group, especially as one in five Gen-Z workers juggles multiple jobs (poly-employment). AI will directly address the challenges associated with this shift through predictive scheduling and real-time updates, providing clear and reliable expectations. It’s truly a win-win: When employees are on time, customers receive the quality service they deserve.

The World Economic Forum predicts that 23% of global jobs will change in the next five years due to industry shifts, including AI. Through AI, employees can receive support with ongoing training and development tailored to their unique needs and career goals. By providing accessible, on-demand learning, it empowers workers to upskill and grow within their roles, fostering a sense of progress and fulfillment. These resources are essential for Gen-Z, who prioritize personal growth and are likelier to stay with employers who invest in their development.

As we look toward the future, it’s clear that AI is not just a tool for corporate jobs but also a powerful ally for the hourly workforce. By embracing AI, businesses can meet diverse employee needs, enhance productivity and create work environments that are technologically advanced and genuinely supportive. However, for AI to reach its potential in workplaces, industry-wide standards around data transparency and ethical practices are essential.

Employment and production typically move from agriculture to manufacturing to services, as part of a natural progression that comes with rising income. In Asia, factories have propelled economies, but a transition to modern services could be a new source of growth and productivity. Our blog explains.

Manufacturing has been the engine of growth in Asia, but a transition to modern, tradable services could be new source of growth and productivity.