- Medal secures $13 million funding to develop contextual AI desktop assistant Highlight
- Highlight is a cross-platform desktop app that records screen material and allows users to ask context-based inquiries to a Large Language Model (LLM)
- OMERS Ventures partner suggests LLMs could utilize Medal’s core technology for contextual prompts
- Highlight captures screen material and sends it to ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity for processing
- OpenKylin updates its AI personal computers to reduce dependence on foreign systems, supporting on-device LLMs and AI assistants
Medal Secures $13M Funding for Highlight: A Contextual AI Desktop Assistant
In a recent development, Medal, a company known for its video game clipping services, has successfully secured $13 million in funding for the development of its new project, Highlight. The funding round, led by Horizons Ventures, OMERS Ventures, Peak6, and Arcadia Investment Partners, totaled to $333 million, marking a significant milestone for the company. Highlight is positioned as a contextual AI desktop assistant that offers a unique set of features to users across different platforms.
Introducing Highlight: A Revolutionary Desktop Assistant
Highlight is not your typical desktop assistant. It goes beyond the conventional functionalities of existing AI assistants like Google Now, Google Assistant, Apple Intelligence, and Windows Recall. This innovative tool records screen material and allows users to ask context-based inquiries to a Large Language Model (LLM). The app leverages Medal’s core technology, particularly its clipping technology, to provide users with a seamless and intuitive experience.
Henry Gladwyn, a partner at OMERS Ventures, expressed optimism about the potential of LLMs in utilizing Medal’s technology. He highlighted that the company is tapping into the power of contextual prompts for LLMs through Highlight. The desktop assistant uses on-screen data to offer a personalized and efficient interaction with users, setting it apart from other AI assistants in the market.
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Key Features of Highlight: Enhancing User Experience
Highlight comes equipped with a range of features that aim to enhance user productivity and streamline everyday tasks. One of its standout functionalities is the ability to contextually process documents and system audio, making it a versatile tool for various applications. The app also offers a floating desktop button that captures screen material and sends it to advanced AI models like ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity.
According to reports from TechCrunch, Highlight takes a privacy-first approach by pre-populating questions and capturing them locally without storing any sensitive information. Additionally, Medal is working on developing a ChatGPT-like helper for the gadget, further expanding its capabilities in providing contextual assistance to users. The app is also set to feature a local meeting transcription tool similar to existing solutions like Granola, Limitless, and Krisp, catering to the growing demand for remote collaboration tools.
OpenKylin’s AI Update: A Move Towards Self-Sufficiency
In a parallel development, the Chinese open-source desktop operating system, OpenKylin, made significant strides in updating its AI capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign systems. The latest version of OpenKylin introduces on-device large language models (LLMs), an AI assistant, and text-to-graphics translation features. This move is part of China’s broader efforts to boost domestic operating system usage and reduce dependency on Western OSes.
The community behind OpenKylin emphasized the importance of AI in driving productivity and creativity among users of the operating system. With a focus on security, stability, and controllability, OpenKylin AI is positioned as a secure alternative to mainstream operating systems like Windows and macOS. The efforts to develop a locally supported desktop OS reflect China’s commitment to technical self-sufficiency amidst geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.
The funding secured by Medal for the development of Highlight and the advancements made by OpenKylin in AI integration underscore the growing importance of AI technologies in shaping the future of desktop computing. These developments pave the way for new possibilities in user interaction, system efficiency, and software innovation, signaling a shift towards more personalized and intelligent desktop assistant solutions.
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