Welcome to Daily Zaps, your regularly-scheduled dose of AI news ⚡️ 

Here’s what we got for ya today:

• 💻 AI used to prevent check fraud

• 🦾 Toyota + Hyundai = AI powered robots

• 🤝 Accenture + Google team up on AI

• 🤖 National Archives Archie AI chatbot coming soon

Let’s get right into it!

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GOVERNMENT

AI used to prevent check fraud

The U.S. Treasury Department is increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to combat fraud, successfully preventing $4 billion in improper payments over the last year through a technology-driven approach. In fiscal year 2024, which runs from October 2023 to September 2024, the Treasury reported halting $1 billion in cheque fraud and identifying an additional $3 billion in other improper payments by analyzing at-risk transactions. This total represents a sixfold increase in fraud prevention compared to the previous year.

Treasury officials highlighted the transformative impact of AI in detecting hidden patterns and anomalies, though human oversight remains essential in labeling fraud. The Treasury, which manages approximately 1.4 billion payments totaling over $6.9 trillion annually, is not alone in this endeavor; the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is also applying AI to tackle tax fraud, with plans for increased audits targeting high-income individuals.

BIG TECH

Toyota + Hyundai = AI powered robots

Hyundai Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. are collaborating through their affiliates, Boston Dynamics and the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), to accelerate the development of humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence. This partnership aims to combine TRI's expertise in large behavior model learning with Boston Dynamics' humanoid Atlas robot, focusing on fundamental research for eventual commercial applications.

The collaboration highlights the companies' intent to leverage advancements in AI and robotics to solve real-world challenges and improve quality of life. Hyundai has shifted its focus towards smart mobility, with plans for robotics to comprise 20% of its future business, while the partnership also positions them to compete with other smart bot initiatives, like Tesla's Optimus robot.

BIG TECH

Accenture + Google team up on AI

Accenture Federal Services and Google Public Sector have launched the Federal AI Solution Factory, a collaborative hub designed to facilitate rapid prototyping and piloting of AI-powered tools for federal agencies. This initiative merges Google Cloud’s advanced AI and generative AI technologies with Accenture's expertise in human-centered design and the ability to translate federal mission requirements into effective AI and analytics solutions.

GOVERNMENT

National Archives Archie AI chatbot coming soon

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is making significant strides in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve access to its extensive records. NARA is encouraging staff to use Google’s “Gemini” AI tool to enhance productivity and plans to launch a public-facing AI-powered chatbot, “Archie AI,” this winter. The initiative aims to facilitate public access to records while addressing concerns about accuracy, as users will be warned that AI-generated information may not reflect NARA’s views and could contain errors.

The agency is also transparent about its AI use, and its leadership emphasizes a careful, evidence-backed approach to adopting new technologies to better serve the public.