Google's AI can create music from text

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Good Morning. TIFU posts on reddit are about to get real serious since you can now edit human DNA at home using DIY CRISPR kits. 10/10 would not recommend.

In today's edition:

1. Google’s AI generates music from text.

2. SF wants to slow down robotaxi expansion.

Today's reading time is 3 minutes.

Tech

Google’s AI generates music from text

You could soon be jamming to…an AI

What: MusicLM, Google’s new AI model can convert text and sounds into music, complete with human-like vocals (lyrics are gibberish though).

The model can churn out musical pieces in different lengths and genres, with output ranging between 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

Why it matters: Even if you exclude mainstream songs, the music industry is massive and music is often used to enhance experience of other tasks.

For instance, background music in used in video games, movies, gyms and shopping malls. The AI-generated music can provide a cheap royalty free alternative.

What's next: Google isn't releasing the model to public because of risks of copyright infringement. For now, a dataset with 5,500 music-text pairs to help train other AI music systems will be released.

San Francisco fights back on expansion of self-driving 

What: San Francisco officials are seeking to slow down the rollout of autonomous vehicle services provided by Waymo and Cruise.

The officials say the AVs -

1. Make unexpected and unplanned stop creating hazards for other drivers on the road.

2. Cause obstruction to public transportation and emergency vehicles including firefighters.

3. Face difficulty in handling complex traffic situations, resulting in multiple accidents and near misses.

What's next: Waymo recently filed for approval to significantly expand its self-driving taxi business with ability to operate 24x7 through out SF including downtown and freeways.

Although the approval is unlikely, SF officials might help build a safe-rollout policy which could become a new standard across the country.

Big Picture

Amazon Prime ends free grocery delivery for orders below $150. An additional charge of up to $10 will be added to orders below $50. Walmart and DoorDash still offer free deliveries above orders of $35.

Twilio receives Cease-and-Desist letter from FCC for transmitting illegal Robocall traffic. The $10B company provides APIs to automate voice and message communications. Twilio's network is used for annoying robocalls, and if the company doesn't stop within 48 hours, it could be disconnected all service providers.

Quick Links

1. New AI: ‘Brain Age’ AI reads MRIs to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Edit DNA: You can now edit DNA at home using DIY CRISPR kit!

3. Quieter Drones: New propellers are 20% more efficient and quieter.

4. Artificial Enzymes: Bypass evolution to create enzymes from scratch