Technology

Walmart bets on multiple AI models with new Wallaby LLM

Published

2 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Walmart bets on multiple AI models with new Wallaby LLM

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Retail giant Walmart is no stranger to AI and has begun testing its own large language model (LLM), which it may use for other applications.

Wallaby, a suite of retail-focused LLMs, is trained on decades of Walmart data and understands how Walmart employees and customers talk. It is also trained to respond in a more natural tone to better align with Walmart’s core values of customer service.

Desirée Gosby, vice president of emerging Technology at Walmart Global Tech, told VentureBeat in an interview that the company wants to extensively test Wallaby before releasing it to a wider audience.

“Wallaby is not being used yet because we are testing it quite heavily internally, in particular with our associates since we have such a large base of associates,” Gosby said. “Over the next year, we’ll start to leverage it.”

While she thinks Wallaby’s first use cases will be more consumer-facing, the new LLM will be part of a stable of models Walmart plans to use when developing new applications.

It’s not surprising that Walmart would choose to train its own series of retail-specific LLMs. Developing internal models is expensive, and even fine-tuning third-party models can get expensive. As one of the largest retailers in the world, Walmart not only has the war chest to experiment with AI models, but it also sits on a ton of customer, employee, logistics and retail data that enriches a model.

Mixture of models

Like many companies, the retailer prefers to use the best model it finds for the use case it wants to address. Sometimes, this means using off-the-shelf or third-party models, or Walmart can use another previously developed algorithm.

Gosby said Walmart has a multi-layered approach to bringing AI to its technology stack. It uses a platform called Element to plug and play different models, both from third parties or its proprietary LLMs, to direct them to specific applications.

“It’s helping us manage those models, and at the foundation are the different LLMs we use, one of which is the retail-based ones in Wallaby,” Gosby said. “At the end of the day, it’s really going to come down to what problems we’re trying to solve, and we will figure out the best approach, maybe it’s leveraging a mixture of models.”

Gosby said during VentureBeat Transform in July that the retailer has been expanding its technology use and taking a platform approach to integrating AI. Walmart had been using GPT-4 for many of its AI applications, especially as more customers were turning to its mobile and web storefronts.

Of course, Walmart is not the only retailer with AI in its applications. Amazon released Rufus, a chatbot powered by AWS models that answers questions about products and references customers’ reviews on the platform.

AI all over its applications

Employees at Walmart’s Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters have been using AI for many years. The company rolled out a chatbot for associates to ask questions about Walmart’s policies and employee handbooks. It has also brought in AI to streamline its operations, including managing its supply chain.

Its physical storefronts —Walmart and Sam’s Club — also feature AI technology to help floor associates assess inventory and manage check-out procedures.

Walmart also expanded generative AI tools on its digital platforms. Gosby said Walmart has had a chat feature for years, but it enhanced its Customer Support Assistant this month. The chatbot will now recognize customers from the start and will be able to understand customer intent.

Walmart showed reporters a demo of the feature that lets a customer express in natural language that they accidentally bought some toys. The Customer Support Assistance focuses on the word “toy” and brings up a recent order for toys, ignoring other purchases that do not fit the conversation’s context. Without prompting, the assistant will also ask if the customer wants to return or keep the product.

The retailer plans to roll out more personalized recommendations and homepages to customers.

Gosby said Walmart will continue to explore how AI can help smooth customer and employee experiences. And in the next year, these experiences may include applications powered by Wallaby.

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Technology

The best Prime Day smart home deals we found

Published

15 mins ago

October 10, 2024

NewsAdmin

The best Prime Day smart home deals we found

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is well into its second day, and as was the case yesterday, it remains an excellent time to pick up good deals on great smart home gear. We scoured through deals on video doorbells, robot vacuums, smart lights, smart speakers, and more to gather up some of the best bargains that caught our eye. Check out a full list of all the deals in our main post, and read on for smart home deals. Just know the sale runs through the end of today, October 9th.

Update, October 9th: Adjusted pricing and added several new deals, including those for the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery and Eero Max 7 router.

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Servers computers

INDORACK WALLMOUNTED INSTALLATION

Published

29 mins ago

October 10, 2024

NewsAdmin

#indorack
#rackserver

Wallmount Rack Single Door
Product Category : 19 inch Cabinet Rack
Product Series : Wallmount Rack Single Door
Product Name : WIR4506S
Dimension (DxWxH) : 450 x 600 x 340 mm
Weight : ± 27kg
Singel Door Complete Set with
1. Spot Angle
2. Dynabolt
3. Single Fan
4. Brush Panel
5. PDU 6G(Power Distribution Unit)
6. Screw and Cage Nuts

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Technology

Quordle today – hints and answers for Thursday, October 10 (game #990)

Published

37 mins ago

October 10, 2024

NewsAdmin

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now nearly 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.

Your Quordle expert

Marc McLaren

Quordle today (game #990) – hint #1 – Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #990) – hint #2 – repeated letters

Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #990) – hint #3 – uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #990) – hint #4 – starting letters (1)

Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #990) – hint #5 – starting letters (2)

What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?

• U

• M

• W

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #990) – the answers

Quordle answers for game 990 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle, game #990, are…

With four common words and plenty of common letters, today’s Quordle holds no real dangers for experienced players. The biggest challenge will likely have been in avoiding the wrong answers for the MARSH. This could also have been HARSH if you had the four final letters in place, or the likes of CRASH or EARTH if you had only a few. But that was about it, so I imagine most people will have solved today’s Quordle without major problems.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #990) – the answers

Quordle Daily Sequence answers for game 990 on a yellow background

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #990, are…

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #989, Wednesday 9 October: TRIAL, HUSKY, DOWNY, TRADE
Quordle #988, Tuesday 8 October: TROUT, HATER, BARGE, DOZEN
Quordle #987, Monday 7 October: CAULK, HALVE, APING, HEATH
Quordle #986, Sunday 6 October: FUDGE, TENOR, BEGAT, ROUSE
Quordle #985, Saturday 5 October: ELECT, CROAK, FRISK, JAUNT
Quordle #984, Friday 4 October: ELFIN, GRAIL, PATIO, RECAP
Quordle #983, Thursday 3 October: TENTH, REMIT, CURVE, TOAST
Quordle #982, Wednesday 2 October: ARGUE, CRANE, TOKEN, PRINT
Quordle #981, Tuesday 1 October: FRILL, MADLY, GRANT, NYLON
Quordle #980, Monday 30 September: CRUSH, TARDY, TEACH, STUMP
Quordle #979, Sunday 29 September: SERIF, BORNE, WRITE, SLEEK
Quordle #978, Saturday 28 September: BUSHY, CIVIC, SNOUT, EQUIP
Quordle #977, Friday 27 September: GUEST, CHASM, ROOST, BASAL
Quordle #976, Thursday 26 September: STAGE, VOGUE, CLUMP, HEATH
Quordle #975, Wednesday 25 September: UMBRA, DADDY, GLAZE, PRANK
Quordle #974, Tuesday 24 September: SPACE, INNER, SPAWN, BEGAT
Quordle #973, Monday 23 September: GUILT, STERN, ANNEX, FIELD
Quordle #972, Sunday 22 September: ZESTY, MEATY, ALIVE, DRAWN
Quordle #971, Saturday 21 September: VITAL, FRAIL, SPEAR, EERIE
Quordle #970, Friday 20 September: ELIDE, DITTO, SHAWL, BONUS

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Technology

Tesla to unveil Cybercab, its big bet on self driving cars

Published

58 mins ago

October 10, 2024

NewsAdmin

Tesla to unveil Cybercab, its big bet on self driving cars

Tesla boss Elon Musk is to unveil the firm’s long-awaited robotaxi prototype, the Cybercab, at the Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California on Thursday.

Self-driving cars have long fascinated Mr Musk and he has made a series of bold predictions about them – including that they will save lives or earn their owners money, through being rented out for rides or even overnight stays.

But when he takes to the stage for the event – which the company has billed We, Robot – he will be under pressure to quell persistent doubts about the electric vehicle maker’s ability to execute on his ambitions.

The project has undergone delays, having been originally slated for release in August before being moved to October.

Mr Musk explained away the latest delay by saying it was down to some last minute changes from him.

“Requested what I think is an important design change to the front, and extra time allows us to show off a few other things,” Musk wrote in a July post on his social media platform X.

But analysts say it is now time for the company to show real progress with the project.

‘There is certainly heavy build-up after discussing the Robotaxi concept without concrete details for so long,” said Jessica Caldwell of edmunds.com.

“The expectation is that this event should clear the air on the concept,” Caldwell added, saying it would be a “letdown” if Tesla fails to reveal a developed concept and operational details on Thursday.

Relatively little is known so far about the Cybercab.

According to reports, it will have two seats and butterfly wings. It is thought it will use a combination of cameras and computing power to navigate the roads, as opposed to laser-based sensors, known as Lidar, favoured by rivals

Musk has hinted that when complete, some of the robotaxis in Tesla’s network would be owned and operated by the company, but that Tesla owners would have the option to rent their vehicles out on Tesla’s network when they are not driving them.

In a note on Wednesday morning, analysts Wedbush said they expected on-site demos in the prototype, which they said they will attend.

But industry-watchers will also be looking for projections “on Cybercab scaling, overall cost per mile,” and a Tesla ride-share app, Wedbush said.

“With very few industry events as widely anticipated as this, we believe Musk will address the near-term pain points,” Wedbush analysts wrote.

The “We, Robot” event comes as some top executives, including the head of Tesla’s new vehicles program, have recently left the company.

Some have also said the company would be better off focussing on a low cost electric vehicle (EV), to shore up its position against increasing competition from other EV car makers.

However, Tesla has long sought to launch a full self-driving competitor to Google-parent Alphabet’s Waymo, whose driverless vehicles are now a frequent and much-discussed sight on the streets of San Francisco.

The company also offers rides in Phoenix and Los Angeles, and just expanded limited service in Austin, Texas.

Last week, Waymo announced it would add the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to its robotaxi fleet after the vehicles undergo on-road testing with the company’s technology.

Despite Mr Musk’s evident excitement around the technology – and the high stakes for Tesla – it seems he is going for a more low profile approach to media coverage than some of his previous showy product rollouts

Despite multiple inquiries, the BBC did not secure an invitation to the unveiling.

We weren’t alone. An anchor at Bloomberg TV has posted publicly on X about wanting to cover the event in person – even tagging Musk directly – also without success.

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Servers computers

Cách lắp tủ Rack Kungfu 20U

Published

1 hour ago

October 10, 2024

NewsAdmin

Cách lắp tủ Rack Kungfu 20U

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Technology

This HOTO electric screwdriver is only $40 — great for DIY

Published

1 hour ago

October 10, 2024

NewsAdmin

This HOTO electric screwdriver is only $40 -- great for DIY

I have an electric screwdriver. I didn’t take advantage of any Prime Big Deal Days discounts to get it, but I did get a great price. Why am I sharing this? Because I’ve come across an incredible deal on a HOTO electric screwdriver, and I know how much mine has changed the game for me. Normally $60, the HOTO is only $40 and it comes with 12 different drill bits for a variety of tasks. Most importantly, you can save your hand from cramping and make short work of anything that requires screwing. That makes this a great choice for DIY projects, home repairs, and anything else where you’d need a traditional screwdriver.

Why shop this HOTO electric screwdriver deal for Prime Big Deal Days?

Let’s start with a quick explanation about electric screwdrivers. If you’re not familiar, they’re just like traditional screwdrivers with one major difference — they use electric to spin the attachment or bit. Think of them as a smaller, lightweight drill. They don’t have as much power in most cases, but they can still certainly save you the trouble of manually spinning a screw. They can both tighten and loosen screws.

Now, on to the HOTO electric screwdriver, specifically. It comes with twelve steel bits, all of varying sizes and types. So, your standard Philips variant, hex, and beyond. Inside the screwdriver is a 1,500mAh rechargeable battery which can be charged via the USB Type-C port. That makes things super easy when you need to charge because most of what you own these days can be charged via USB-C. Even if not, it comes with a charger.

An aluminum storage box gives you a place to stow the driver and all the bits. Plus, it makes it super easy to carry with you on jobs or when you have to go somewhere but still might need a screwdriver. Van-lifers or those with off-grid lifestyles, pay attention here.

Normally $60, you can grab this HOTO electric screwdriver set for just $40, which saves you $20. That might not seem like a huge discount but it’s a great price for a tool of this caliber. If you don’t already have one, I highly recommend either grabbing this one or another like it during the Prime Big Deal Days event.