Google’s new AI hub in Paris proves that Google is insecure about AI

This morning, Google CEO Sundar Pichai inaugurated a brand new heart devoted to synthetic intelligence in Paris. The hub is situated in a newly renovated constructing close to Google’s head workplace in Paris. It will host round 300 researchers and engineers.

But should you pay shut consideration to Google’s location in Paris, you may suppose that Google has already launched an AI analysis heart in Paris again in 2018, In reality, the corporate instructed me it would not plan to create a brand new AI staff for this new hub. There’s some new workplace area, however the staff of 300 researchers and engineers who can be understanding of the brand new hub have been already working for Google Research and DeepMind — but additionally for YouTube and Chrome.

And but, a number of high-profile authorities members, resembling Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and Valéry Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France area, have been there to welcome Sundar Pichai and congratulate Google on the announcement.

Image Credit: Google

Let’s analyze this communication effort, given the involvement of Google’s high leaders and authorities members. With this introduced place, Google desires to be on high of the checklist in terms of attracting AI expertise.

Google may ship an e-mail to its staff letting them know after they can decide up their badge for the brand new workplace. Instead, the corporate determined it was a PR alternative. The firm wants to indicate that it cares about AI and that it’s a precedence.

And that is why Google thinks it may possibly entice AI expertise to Paris. Over the previous few years, a number of tech giants have arrange AI analysis laboratories in Paris. In addition to Google, Facebook (now Meta) created its personal Paris analysis laboratory again in 2015 This analysis group known as FAIR, for Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research – with Yann LeCun on the helm of the AI ​​initiative.

Since then, many researchers and engineers have left their jobs at massive tech corporations to create startups. Mistral AI is arguably essentially the most emblematic instance of what the younger startup has already carried out raised a whole bunch of crores Using the greenback to develop new basic fashions.

however there’s A thriving ecosystem of AI startups in Paris, examples embody nabla, mud, Sword And Giscard, In just a few years, a few of the individuals working for these startups may select to work for Google if they’re in search of one thing completely different.

Everything is AI now

At the identical time, this as soon as once more reveals that Google is insecure about Artificial Intelligence. Given that this constructing will host groups working not solely on AI analysis initiatives but additionally on shopper merchandise like YouTube and Chrome, Google may simply name it “Google Hub.”

But the corporate determined it was an AI hub. They need to say loud and clear that they’re an AI firm. Sure, tech large Recently launched Gemini Ultra, it’s the strongest giant language mannequin to this point. But most individuals additionally consider ChatGPIT after they consider AI assistants.

one yr in the past At a press convention in Paris, Google unveiled its AI chatbot assistant Bard, now referred to as Gemini. This was a fast try to catch ChatGPT.

But this was as a lot about launching a product because it was about planting a flag indicating that the corporate is able to releasing an LLM-based chatbot – after which repeating it. You can think about that as we speak’s new AI Hub is a continuation of the technique of standard bulletins about AI.

Image Credit: Eric Lagnel/Studio Architecture for Google

To be honest, Google is not the one tech large to make grand gestures about AI investments. In addition to its monetary dedication to ChatGPT’s guardian firm OpenAI, Microsoft additionally introduced as we speak Investing €3.2 billion ($3.4 billion) over the subsequent two years in AI infrastructure in Germany.

Once once more, this funding shouldn’t be particularly centered on synthetic intelligence. Microsoft is planning to construct an information heart in Germany for its Azure cloud platform. Azure has some merchandise centered on AI, however it’s a very giant cloud supplier with prospects that don’t have anything to do with the AI ​​trade. So it isn’t only a Google factor.