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Microsoft's AI agent army
PLUS: Google brings memory capabilities to Gemini
Rowan Cheung
November 20, 2024
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Welcome, AI enthusiasts.
The era of AI specialization has arrived, with Microsoft preparing an army of purpose-built digital agents ready to transform how we work.
With over a billion users set to experience a productivity revolution, this might just be the catalyst that truly brings agentic AI into everyone's daily life. Let’s get into it…
In today’s AI rundown:
Microsoft reveals specialized AI agents, automation tools
Google brings memory to Gemini
Improve public speaking skills with AI guidance
Figure’s BMW robotic fleet levels up
5 new AI tools & 5 new AI jobs
More AI & tech news
Read time: 4 minutes
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LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
MICROSOFT
Image source: Microsoft
The Rundown: Microsoft just introduced a suite of new specialized AI agents for Microsoft 365 at its annual Ignite Conference, alongside automated Copilot Actions, application development features, translation tools, and more.
The details:
New agents include a Self-Service agent for HR / IT tasks, a SharePoint agent for document search and insights, a meeting note taker, and more.
The update also includes tools for developers to build their own agents through Copilot Studio, with capabilities for autonomous background operation.
Copilot Actions enables users to create custom automation templates for recurring tasks like compiling weekly reports or summarizing communications.
In 2025, Teams will get a real-time translation agent that can interpret and mimic conversations in up to nine languages while preserving speakers' voices.
Why it matters: By integrating AI agents directly into Microsoft’s billion-plus users' daily workflows, this release could normalize agentic AI faster than any previous rollout. Just as users now reach for specific apps or plugins to solve particular problems, specialized agents could soon become the natural first stop for getting work done.
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Image source: Google
The Rundown: Google just rolled out a new memory feature for its Gemini AI assistant, allowing premium subscribers to teach the model their preferences and personal context for more tailored interactions.
The details:
Gemini's memory system can store personal preferences and context across conversations, from coding preferences to dietary restrictions.
The model will also adapt responses based on stored context, like recommending restaurants that match saved food preferences.
Google confirmed that memories won't be used for training or shared between users and can be managed in a dedicated dashboard or toggled on/off.
The launch comes just days after commentary from Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, revealing the company has prototypes with ‘near-infinite memory.’
Why it matters: 2025 might be the year of AI memory. While Gemini’s implementation is similar to ChatGPT’s early iterations of information recall, the groundwork is clearly being laid for massive change. If Microsoft’s ‘near-infinite’ memory prototype becomes a reality, how we interact with assistants will be completely transformed.
AI TRAINING
The Rundown: HeyGen's Interactive Avatars now allow you to practice and refine your public speaking skills with personalized, real-time feedback and expert coaching.
Step-by-step:
Launch HeyGen, select "Interactive Avatar," and create a new avatar by clicking the "+" button in "All Avatars."
Set up your knowledge base with coach name, opening intro, and relevant speaking resources.
Configure your AI coach's expertise or use the comprehensive prompt template provided here (available to premium Rundown University members).
Start practicing speeches and receive instant feedback on delivery, structure, and body language.
Pro tip: Record your practice sessions with the AI coach to track your progress and identify areas for improvement over time.
PRESENTED BY FIDDLER
The Rundown: Join Fiddler AI and Credo AI in an upcoming webinar to explore how enterprises can navigate evolving AI regulations while maximizing growth with accountability.
In this session, you'll learn to:
Meet stringent GRC standards for Generative AI backed by evidence and documentation
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AI RESEARCH
Image source: Figure
The Rundown: Figure CEO Brett Adcock posted an update on the company’s humanoid robots working in BMW's Spartanburg facility, which are achieving breakthrough performance metrics with improvements in speed and accuracy for their autonomous operations.
The details:
Figure 02 robots perform 1,000 daily autonomous component placements in the BMW factory, focusing on critical battery cell installations.
The fleet can now handle EV battery assembly tasks 400% faster than its initial deployment in August, and precision rates have also improved 7x.
The autonomous fleet can lift, transport, and accurately position battery components onto car frames without human oversight.
Engineers use exact digital replicas of the factory floor to perfect robot movements and decision-making before live deployment.
Why it matters: The rise of general-purpose humanoid robots in real industrial applications is happening fast — and it feels like we’re nearing a turning point in practical robot automation. The partnership with robotics firms and auto companies is a major proof point for the eventual deployment into homes everywhere.
NEW TOOLS & JOBS
🎥 HeyGen iOS Mobile App - Advanced AI video tools for creators on the go
💬 Superchat - Automate your business messaging with AI agents for WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and more.
🗣️ Vozo Video Translator - Precise AI-powered video translation with voice cloning and lip sync
📧 Attio Sequences - Next-gen CRM engine that builds email sequences that trigger on real prospect signals
☁️ Zilliz Cloud Serverless - Auto-scaling vector database for effortless AI application building with higher performance and lower costs.
📝 The Rundown - Writer/Editor
📈 Twelve Labs - Account Executive
🏢 Mistral AI - Office Manager, Palo Alto
📊 Metropolis - Director, Go-To-Market Systems
💻 Figure AI - Software Engineer, Configuration
QUICK HITS
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly spearheading a $150M funding round for chip startup Rain AI, hoping to position the manufacturer as a potential rival to NVIDIA.
Suno released V4 of its AI music generator, which includes new features such as ‘Remaster’ for upgrading older tracks and ‘ReMi’ for AI-powered lyric assistance alongside improved audio and song structure.
A U.S. congressional commission proposed a Manhattan Project-style initiative to accelerate U.S. AGI development, citing infrastructure bottlenecks and growing competition with China over advanced AI tech.
H Studio unveiled Runner H, a new AI agent that combines specialized language and vision models to automate web interactions through pixel-level interpretation.
OpenAI rolled out Advanced Voice Mode for the web, allowing users to access the powerful feature directly in-browser.
Microsoft reached a deal with publisher HarperCollins to use the company’s licensed nonfiction titles for AI model training, with authors still maintaining the ability to opt-out of their work being used.
THAT’S A WRAP
That's it for today!Before you go we’d love to know what you thought of today's newsletter to help us improve The Rundown experience for you. |
See you soon,
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