Plus, is AI on the road to self-destruction?
AI and Generative Bots: The New Threat to American Politics and Democracy
AI and generative bots like ChatGPT could disrupt American politics similarly to how social media did in 2008, with potentially severe implications for democracy. Experts warn of an information landscape in the 2024 elections filled with misinformation and disinformation generated at an unprecedented scale. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt expressed concerns that all political sides and grassroots groups will employ generative AI to harm opponents. New open-source technologies, like Meta’s LLaMa, enable individuals to create far-reaching fake influence campaigns. To combat this, campaign strategies need to change, focusing more on direct engagement and the recruitment of trustworthy local messengers. There are calls for social media companies, regulators, and elected officials to unite and address this threat promptly.
AI Technologies Amplify Risks of ‘Sextortion’ Schemes, Experts Warn
The advancements in AI technology make it easier for scammers to manipulate innocent photos into explicit content, leading to an increase in ‘sextortion’ schemes targeting minors. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported cases of such doctored images being shared across social media platforms. Traditional sextortion schemes involve blackmailing victims with explicit images, but now, open-source AI image-generation tools allow scammers to create explicit content from benign photos or videos. The FBI has received multiple reports of innocuous images being altered with AI tools to create explicit content. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that laws in many countries do not adequately address the problem of sexually abusive deepfakes or artificially generated images of child sexual exploitation. Experts call for these technologies to be developed with safety measures from the outset.
ChatGPT Plugins Boost Productivity with AI
ChatGPT plugins are a new way to boost productivity using AI. These plugins can be used to automate tasks, generate content, and provide insights. They are available for a variety of popular productivity apps, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Docs.
Four Ways AI Could Spiral into Worldwide Catastrophes
A group of tech experts has outlined four ways AI could spiral into worldwide catastrophes. These include AI-enabled weapons, AI-driven mass surveillance, AI-created financial instability, and AI-fueled environmental disasters. The experts warn that these risks are not hypothetical and that we must take action to mitigate them.
Music Industry Sounds Alarm Over AI Threat, Calls on Congress to Act
The music industry is sounding the alarm over the threat posed by AI. AI-powered tools are being used to create music that is indistinguishable from human-made music, and this is putting the livelihoods of musicians at risk. The industry is calling on Congress to take action to protect musicians from AI-powered competition.
A.I. and TV Advertising: An Odd But Perfect Match
Several videos created using generative AI reveal how A.I. and advertising share a common trait: both take inspiration from the cultural subconscious to produce content. These A.I.-generated commercials, such as “Synthetic Summer” and “Pepperoni Hug Spot,” capture the essence of traditional TV ads while incorporating an element of absurdity. While tech enthusiasts are responsible for creating these bizarre commercials, it is the computer’s interpretation of prompts that results in visually unconventional and uncanny scenes. Despite the vast number of commercial formulas available online for A.I. to learn from, it is intriguing that these programs continue to reproduce the clichés and conventions of traditional ads. Their ability to recreate these tropes arises from their exposure to a wide range of commercials. However, as technology advances, there may be a shift towards personalization and customization, with A.I.-generated ads tailored to specific individuals and their preferences based on collected data.
US Considers New Curbs on AI Chip Exports to China
The United States is considering new restrictions on the export of AI chips to China. The move is part of a broader effort to counter China’s growing technological ambitions. The restrictions would target chips that are used in AI applications, such as facial recognition and autonomous driving.
Chinese A.I. Stocks Fall as U.S. Considers Chip Export Restrictions
Chinese artificial intelligence stocks experienced a decline as reports emerged that the U.S. is contemplating imposing further restrictions on chip exports to China. The news caused China’s CSI Artificial Intelligence Index to drop by 3.76%, with Inspur Electronic Information Industry and Chengdu Information Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences falling by 10%. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the restrictions could be implemented as early as next month, potentially affecting chip makers like Nvidia. Concerns have been raised in the U.S. about China’s ability to make technological advancements in AI. The potential restrictions would expand the U.S.’s efforts to restrict China’s access to advanced chip technology. The U.S. Commerce Department has not yet responded to the reports. Chinese companies in the AI sector, such as Alibaba and Tencent, also saw a decline in their stock prices following the news.
AI Is Not All Hype; It’s the Fourth Industrial Revolution
AI is not just hype. It is the driving force behind the fourth industrial revolution. AI is already transforming our lives in many ways and will continue to do so in the years to come. We must embrace AI and use it to our advantage, or we will be left behind.
Unity Launches Sentis and Muse AI Platforms for Real-Time 3D Creation
Unity, a leading provider of real-time 3D development tools, has launched two new AI platforms: Sentis and Muse. Sentis is designed to help developers create more realistic and immersive 3D experiences, while Muse is designed to help developers create more engaging and interactive 3D content. Unity’s latest AI technology powers both platforms, and they are available now to all Unity users.
A new study has found that AI is capable of self-destruction. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, found that AI systems can be trained to generate code that will eventually cause them to crash. This is a worrying development, as it suggests that AI systems could pose a security risk.