Gates Foundation launches AI ‘Grand Challenge’

Can artificial intelligence save the world? That’s probably a stretch at this point, but the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation just launched an AI “Grand Challenge,” seeking projects that test new ways of using AI to overcome everyday obstacles and solve seemingly intractable problems in low- and middle-income countries. Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman warned about the risks if AI isn’t developed and distributed equitably. Read more.

Amazon is adding age verification to its Amazon One palm-scanning technology to remove another checkout friction point and allow customers to purchase alcohol with a wave of their hand. The new feature will debut at Coors Field in Colorado. Read more.

Amazon’s Kindle Scribe just got better for taking notes. Users can select, cut, paste, and move handwritten notes, and separately transform them into text when exporting. The features bring the Scribe closer to parity with its main competitor, the reMarkable 2. Read more.

Even in a difficult economic environment, companies need to stay compliant with security standards. This is good news for Seattle security certification startup Strike Graph, which just raised $7 million. 

A 10-day trip focusing on zero-gravity research launched on Sunday, sending four spacefliers to the International Space Station. One of the more than 20 scientific experiments and technological demonstrations will make use of human stem cells cultivated by Seattle’s Allen Institute for Cell Science.

A student at the International School in Bellevue, Wash., is among 55 finalists in the “Doodle for Google” contest, and enough votes could land her artwork on the Google homepage. Check out her design. 

Hot links:

• Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reportedly threatened Bill Gates over an alleged affair the Microsoft co-founder had with a Russian bridge player, in an attempt to get Gates to participate in a charitable fund. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Xbox released a new transparency report that details its moderation efforts, including the use of AI tools to identify offensive content. (Xbox News)

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