📃 US Patent Office says AI can’t get patents

👋 Good morning! Glad you opened the folder this morning. Let’s unpack.

Here’s what we have for you today:

• US Patent Office: “Only humans can patent things [not AI]”

• An open-source alternative to ChatGPT that runs completely offline

• Tech layoffs “contagious and here to stay,” says analyst

• … and more

🏛️ US Patent Office: “Only humans can patent things [not AI]”

The US Patent and Trademark Office has decided that only humans, not AI, can be granted patents because patents are meant to reward human creativity and effort.

What you should know: 

• Legally, AI systems cannot be considered as individuals or inventors.

• A human must significantly contribute to an invention to be named as its inventor.

• The office clarifies how a person's contribution to an AI-assisted invention is determined.

• Owning or overseeing an AI system does not automatically make someone an inventor of its creations.

• The USPTO's stance is based on current laws and may change if new laws are passed.

Why it matters: This means that the people in charge see AI as always different from humans, even if it's really smart. It also suggests that AI won't fully take over human jobs any time soon.

🧰 In the toolshed

🖼️ Cascaid makes generating images easier than searching for them.

⌨️ Jan is an open-source ChatGPT-alternative that runs completely offline.

☘️ Seedley lets you build your own chatbots in minutes.

😟 Tech layoffs “contagious and here to stay,” says analyst

Many tech companies, including giants like Amazon and Google, are consistently laying off employees this year, with over 34,250 tech jobs cut since the start of 2024.

What you should know: 

• Layoffs include various sectors within these companies, such as Amazon's Prime Video and Google's Assistant team.

• These layoffs are partly to invest in new areas like generative AI and to demonstrate cost discipline to investors.

• Despite high revenues, companies like Microsoft are still reducing their workforce.

• Meta's stock increased after announcing job cuts, despite previously stating no more layoffs in 2023.

• The trend of layoffs is expected to continue, with even successful companies participating.

Why it matters: Big tech companies are more and more looking for ways to replace humans by robots, firing employees in the process. This is a big worry because it means more people might lose their jobs soon, especially since more companies are joining every day.

🤖 Bits ‘n bots

🏈 Lots of AI in this year’s Super Bowl ads.

👀 Google’s Gemini analyzes Super Bowl.

💻 Major tech companies are reportedly using this tool every day.

🖼️ AI creation of the day

Source: Shrek-themed hotel

🫡 That’s it for today. See you tomorrow!