Google DeepMind and Isomorphic Labs have unveiled AlphaFold 3, an AI model that predicts the structures and interactions of every life molecule, including proteins, DNA, RNA, and ligands. Built on a next-generation framework, AlphaFold 3 is at least 50% more accurate than previous techniques and has the potential to advance virus treatments, biorenewables, disease-resistant crops, and genomics research. The AI model will be accessible and responsible through a free beta tool and research partnerships. While concerns about restrictions and misuse exist, AlphaFold 2 has already contributed to real-world breakthroughs.
Chilean food company NotCo is using artificial intelligence to help save endangered sea turtles by creating plant-based alternatives to dishes traditionally made with turtle meat. Their AI program analyzes plant flavors to find recipes that emulate the taste of dairy and meat products. By replicating the flavor of turtle meat, NotCo aims to provide an alternative that can help protect the endangered species.
President Biden praised Microsoft’s new artificial intelligence center in Wisconsin as a sign of a “historic boom” in U.S. manufacturing and contrasted it with former President Trump’s failed promise of a job-rich Foxconn plant in the same location. Microsoft’s $3.3 billion investment is expected to create 2,000 permanent jobs and 2,300 temporary union construction jobs, including investment in workforce training programs.
Why do we care?
I love use cases, and so bring you two useful ones to ponder. These use cases illustrate the transformative power of AI across different business realms—scientific research, environmental sustainability, and economic revitalization. They offer narratives for the potential of AI to solve complex problems and enhance human welfare in tangible ways.
That Foxconn plant never went anywhere – an over-hyped nothing project – and it is interesting to note how it can be reconstituted into a data center. Reflecting on the failed Foxconn plant versus the promising Microsoft initiative provides a stark lesson in the realities of tech investment and the importance of delivering on promises. This comparison not only serves as a cautionary tale but also underscores the potential for successful projects to contribute meaningfully to local economies and global challenges.
