On Wednesday local time, the latest news from two U.S. tech giants, Apple and Google, sparked market attention. It is reported that Apple may consider home robots as its next major project, while Google may charge for AI-based advanced search functions.
First, according to Bloomberg, Apple is now working on domestic robotics after abandoning its plans for electric vehicles, and it could become Apple's next major project.
Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, said Apple is working on a robot that can follow the user's movements around the home, as well as a desktop device that uses robotics to adjust the display. It is reported that the home robot project is still in the early stages of research and development, and Apple's AI developers are studying how to use algorithms to help robots navigate in cluttered houses.
Since the time of Steve Jobs, Apple has been looking for new growth points. Apple has said that the company will focus on three areas in the future: automotive, home and mixed reality technology. For now, the automotive project is no longer underway, and Apple's first mixed reality product, the Vision Pro headset, is expected to take years to generate significant revenue.
Another big focus of the market is Google Inc. According to the Financial Times, Google is considering charging for AI-powered search engine features, which would be a major change to Google's search business if it comes to fruition.
For years, Google's search products have been monetized through advertising, making them available to consumers for free. Google reports that search and related advertising revenue accounted for more than half of its total sales last year. However, the birth of ChatGPT has brought a threat to search products, and generative AI can answer many questions quickly and completely, and users may no longer need to click through to various web links to find answers.
It's not just big tech companies that are focusing on AI technology, but now Silicon Valley is also emerging a number of entrepreneurial projects, and in the latest winter incubation program of Y Combinator, a well-known startup incubator in Silicon Valley, more than half of the 260 entrepreneurial projects have AI colors.
Steven Cohen, CEO of an asset management company in the United States: This does not mean that AI-related progress will skyrocket, it will take some time for AI technology to really take root within the company, and people are still trying to figure out how to use AI.
Although there is a boom in startup financing in the AI field, there are not many AI companies that raise funds through IPO projects. Some founders of AI startups said that they are still in the development stage and do not want to be constrained by the need to issue regular financial reports after listing, so they prefer to choose private placement for financing at this stage. This also reflects that a large number of projects in the field of AI may still be in their infancy, and the market needs to wait for their growth.
Article source: Reprinted by CCTV Finance
Image source: Reprinted by CCTV Finance
Editor: Wang Haoyi
Review: Huai Nan
Producer: Zhao Min, Zhong Xiao
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