Plus, AI creates undetectable phishing emails
Authors Discover AI-Generated Ripoffs of Their Books Sold on Amazon
Authors have been left shocked after finding AI ripoffs of their books being sold on Amazon. Rory Cellan-Jones, a former BBC technology correspondent, discovered a biography of himself with a poorly designed cover by an unknown author. Upon closer inspection, Cellan-Jones realized that the text of the book had been generated by AI. Similar incidents have been reported where AI-generated books flood the market, taking advantage of Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing system.
Although some of these books have been removed, many evade Amazon’s filters. The Society of Authors has criticized Amazon’s response, urging the company to clearly label AI-generated products and allow readers to filter them out. This issue poses challenges similar to those faced by musicians on Spotify, who compete with white noise uploads. Authors are also concerned about their work being used to train AI models without their consent or compensation. BCS, the chartered institute for IT, has called for legislation to ensure the tracking of AI-generated material.
Will General Artificial Intelligence Drive Explosive Global Growth?
Observers are divided on the potential impact of general AI on global societies. While some economists predict explosive economic growth, others question the feasibility of such projections. Epoch, a research group studying AI progression and its potential impacts, explored the arguments for and against explosive growth comparable to the Industrial Revolution. The researchers, with backgrounds in machine learning, economics, and software engineering, concluded that explosive growth is plausible but currently unwarranted.
Governmental regulations addressing ethics, privacy, and risk could hinder AI’s economic impact. However, the authors believe that the potential value of AI deployment outweighs these concerns. They also note fears of AI unreliability but express confidence in improvements and safety measures. While obstacles exist, the researchers express cautious optimism, concluding that AI has the potential to broadly substitute for human labor and drive explosive growth.
AI-Generated Phishing Emails Slip Past Detection Systems, Report Reveals
A recent report from Infosecurity Magazine has shed light on a growing cybersecurity issue: the rise of AI-generated phishing emails that are nearly impossible to detect. According to the report, these sophisticated emails are created using artificial intelligence technology, making them virtually indistinguishable from authentic messages.
Traditional email filters and security systems are often unable to detect these AI-generated phishing emails due to their highly convincing nature. By mimicking the writing style, tone, and even the preferred communication style of the targeted individuals, the AI-powered phishing emails trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.
The report warns that as AI continues to advance, cybercriminals will have access to even more powerful tools, making these attacks increasingly prevalent and difficult to combat. Experts recommend that individuals and organizations stay vigilant, double-check email senders, and implement additional layers of security to defend against these sophisticated phishing attempts.
Spotify Testing AI-Generated Playlists Based on User Prompts
Music streaming giant, Spotify, is continuing its embrace of AI technology by testing the automatic generation of playlists based on user prompts. Screenshots of Spotify’s backend code-shared by product designer Chris Messina reveal references to a feature called “AI Playlist” and the phrase “Get playlists based on your prompts.”
Speculation suggests that this feature could be integrated into Spotify Blend, where users can merge their musical tastes to create an algorithmically generated playlist. However, Spotify has not confirmed any details of the new feature. This follows Spotify’s earlier experimentation with description-based playlists called Niche Mixes, although these did not utilize AI technology. Additionally, Spotify previously introduced an AI-powered DJ, developed after acquiring AI voice specialists Sonatic.
Amazon’s Secret Project Nile Revolutionizes Online Shopping with AI
In a groundbreaking move, Amazon has unveiled Project Nile, a top-secret initiative that aims to revolutionize online shopping through the use of AI. The project, shrouded in secrecy until now, marks a significant milestone in the development of AI technology.
Project Nile’s AI algorithms aim to analyze user behavior, preferences, and purchase history to provide highly personalized shopping experiences. By leveraging AI capabilities, Amazon aims to create a seamless and intuitive online shopping journey for its customers.
With Project Nile, Amazon aims to deepen customer engagement and loyalty by offering customized product recommendations, tailored promotions, and an enhanced shopping experience. By harnessing the power of AI, Amazon hopes to gain a competitive edge in the e-commerce industry and redefine the future of online shopping.
As Amazon continues to invest in AI research and development, Project Nile signals their commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the retail sector. If successful, Project Nile could change how consumers shop online and set a new standard for the industry.
Artists Are Losing the War Against AI
OpenAI, the company behind the image-generating AI program DALL-E, has introduced an opt-out mechanism for artists to prevent their work from being used to train AI models. This move comes in response to criticism and lawsuits accusing tech companies of using artists’ work without permission. While the opt-out mechanism aims to provide protection, there are concerns about its effectiveness.
Artists would need to add code to their websites or fill out a form to stop OpenAI from scraping their work, but if future models are built on earlier iterations of the program, they may still learn from the opted-out works. Additionally, the vast amount of data already processed by AI models means that even if artists opt out now, their previous work may have already been absorbed. The complex issue of copyright and AI training data remains unresolved, and stricter regulations may further favor large tech companies.
Humane Teases AI Pin Wearable to Free Users from Screens
New startup Humane is set to unveil an AI-powered wearable pin on November 9th that aims to help users reduce their reliance on screens. The pin-badge-like device features a camera, microphone, speaker, and projector, and is designed to act as a personal smart assistant while providing information at a glance without the need for a screen.
Powered by a Snapdragon processor, the pin does not require a wake word and doesn’t need to be constantly listening, making it possible for users to leave their smartphones at home. However, privacy concerns have been raised, similar to the issues faced by Google Glass. Despite this, AI’s expansion into practical applications is an exciting development.