Artificial intelligence and machine learning have become a "horizontal enabling layer" influencing many of Amazon's endeavors beyond the e-commerce giant's Alexa virtual assistant, including its sire search and product recommendation capabilities and even its Prime Air drone delivery effort, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said at the Internet Association's Gala2017 event, Geekwire reported on Saturday. "It is things like improved search results. Literally hundreds of other things beneath the surface," Bezos said, adding that Amazon is "determined" to make AI and machine learning capabilities accessible through its Amazon Web Services cloud unit to other companies that might not have the resources and expertise to develop those capabilities. Aside from Bezos' comments, AFTVnews published leaked images of the upcoming touchscreen-equipped Amazon Echo. The publication said the new device is code-named "Knight" and is expected to be made available sometime later this month.

How do you know when a gadget has become part of the American cultural zeitgeist? When it gets its own Saturday Night Live routine, apparently. The comedy show ran a skit (US-only) on May 13th pitching the "Amazon Echo Silver," an imaginary smart speaker aimed at the "greatest generation." Not surprisingly, that means lots of stereotypical jokes about seniors: the Silver is extremely loud, repeats itself and will answer back if you say any name that sounds even vaguely like Alexa. Naturally, you can only order it with a check or money order.

Scientists are constantly trying to find new ways to bridge the gap between man and machine. The effort has led to the invention of keyboards, mice and touch screens, which made computational power more accessible. Computers themselves have undergone great changes. We gradually moved from mainframe computers to PCs, laptops, smartphones and beyond. There is now practically a computer in everything, from coffee makers to vehicles, airplane engines and the human body.

Apple bought Lattice Data, a company that uses an artificial intelligence (AI) based interface engine for transforming unstructured "dark" data into structured and more usable information. TechCrunch reported Saturday, citing sources, that the tech giant reportedly paid $200 million for the acquisition. On being asked about the deal, Apple neither confirmed nor denied it. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," an Apple spokesperson told the publication. There is a massive amount of data produced globally every year – 4.4 Zetabytes in 2013 by a conservative estimate.

If it wasn't already clear that Apple is committed to improving AI, it is now. The tech giant has confirmed that it recently bought Lattice Data, a company that uses AI to make sense of unorganized "dark" data like images and text. It's not discussing what it plans to do with its acquisition, but a TechCrunch source claims that Apple paid $200 million. It's not a gigantic deal, then, but no small potatoes when only 20 engineers are making the leap. And if that same source is correct, it could be important for Siri -- Lattice had reportedly been talking to tech firms about "enhancing their AI assistants."

Amazon.com is due to unveil a new Echo speaker with a screen that will incorporate video calling capabilities, according to people familiar with the matter, keeping the online retailer one step ahead of tech rivals in seeking to control smart homes. The new device, which is expected to be announced as early as Tuesday, will also allow users to make internet-based telephone calls, according to these people, setting the speaker up to be core to a home's communications. Equipped with a 7-inch touch screen, the device will be able to visually summon answers to verbal questions, providing information like e-commerce search results in a more digestible fashion. The new Echo, which has been in beta testing with employees for a few months, could start shipping to consumers as early as next month. The new device is expected to be priced at more than $200.

As if airline flights haven't gotten stressful enough, here comes the latest twist. The Department of Homeland Security is considering banning computers aboard flights from Europe to the United States, because it believes terrorists could conceivably convert a laptop into a bomb, according to news reports. . Tell me it's not so. Snap's rough start as a public company, a watch from Microsoft that can calm Parkinson's tremors, and a new touch screen Amazon Echo all grabbed headlines this week. But the one that rocked this reporter was a proposed laptop ban.

That was the message from Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos who was speaking this week during a'Fireside Chat', at the Internet Association's annual gala in Washington, where he also described the world as entering a'golden age' of technology for solving problems. Bezos, who was answering questions from Internet Association President & CEO Michael Beckerman on stage, described AI as an "enabling layer" that will "improve every business." He also discussed Amazon in the early days of the internet, addressing success and failure in business, and his hopes for the future of humanity.Amazon's feelings towards AI and machine learning have never been in doubt. Amazon, described by the Association as a'pioneer' in AI, has made its feelings clear around the use of breakthrough technologies and machine learning, both from an operational and product point of view for more than a decade. Internally Amazon is said to have more than 45,000 robots in use across its global warehouses, operated various ways to fulfil orders and is already testing drones in the UK for future deliveries.It was also one of the first, if not the first, retailer to use AI and machine learning to provide predictive analytics on every individual customer, enabling its platform to predict what else the customer might want to buy – thus boosting sales.

In this excerpt from the #TalkingTech Live podcast, host Jefferson Graham and panelists Tov Arnerson and Dawn Chmielewski weigh over the possible laptop and tablet ban on flights from Europe--will we survive? As if airline flights haven't gotten stressful enough, here comes the latest twist. The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly considering a laptop ban on flights from Europe to the U.S. (Photo: Hero Images, Getty Images) The Department of Homeland Security is considering banning computers aboard flights from Europe to the United States, because it believes terrorists could conceivably convert a laptop into a bomb, according to news reports. . Tell me it's not so. Snap's rough start as a public company, a watch from Microsoft that can calm Parkinson's tremors, and a new touch screen Amazon Echo all grabbed headlines this week.

Brightcrowd -- helps you find meaningful professional connections Capsule.ai Abi -- your virtual health assistant Ada -- can help if you're feeling unwell Airi -- personal health coach Alz.ai -- helps you care for loved ones with Alzheimer's Amélie -- chatbot for mental health Bitesnap -- food recognition from meal photos to help count calories doc.ai -- makes lab results easy to understand Gyan -- helps you go from symptoms to likely conditions Joy -- helps you track and improve your mental health Kiwi -- helps you to reduce and quit smoking Tess by X2AI-- therapist in your pocket Sleep.ai Amazon Echo / Alexa -- everyday personal assistant for in-home Apple Siri -- everyday personal assistant on iPhone and Mac Cortana-- everyday personal assistant on PC and Windows devices Facebook M -- competitors to Siri, Now and Cortana Focus -- helps you focus, get tasks done and prioritise your day Gatebox -- a holographic anime assistant in an espresso machine Google Assistant -- everyday personal assistant Hound -- everyday personal assistant Ling -- similar to Amazon Echo Mycroft -- is the world's first open source voice assistant Remi-- like Siri with an interface Spoken -- virtual assistant with an interface Viv -- like Siri but 10x better Clara -- meeting scheduling assistant Julie Desk -- meeting scheduling assistant (aimed at C-Suite) Kono -- meeting scheduling assistant Mimetic -- meeting scheduling assistant My Ally -- handles meeting scheduling and manages calendar SkipFlag -- automatically discover and organise your work Vesper -- virtual assistant aimed at C-Suite x.ai-- meeting scheduling assistant Zoom.ai -- personal assistant to help you at work Jottr -- content and news app that learns what you like and don't like News360 -- learns what you enjoy and finds stories you'll like Entrupy -- helps detect if high-end designer products are authentic Fify -- helps you shop for clothing GoFind -- helps you find clothing online by taking a photo Mode.ai -- helps you find clothing online Abe -- fast answers about your finances Andy -- a personal Tax Accountant Ara -- helps you budget Bond -- helps you achieve your financial goals Mylo -- rounds up your everyday purchases and invest the spare change Olivia -- helps you manage your finances Responsive-- institutional-grade active portfolio management Roger -- helps you pay bills easily Wallet -- AI for your daily finance decisions Xoe.ai -- AI lending chatbot Firedrop -- websites designed automatically, just add content and publish Hashley -- ironic hashtag and comment generator for your photos Millions.ai Aerial -- home activity, movement and identity sensor Bridge.ai Eli -- helps you learn a new language from conversations through your day Kick.ai