Global PauseAI Protest

Major Cities Globally to Demand Safety Precautions That Could Shape the Future of Humanity

Author

Wes Roth
October 17, 2023

Today:

International PauseAI Protest 21st October 2023

On October 21st, folks in various countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, Israel, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Denmark, are gearing up to protest. Why? Because artificial intelligence (AI) is getting way too powerful, way too fast. Big bucks are flowing into AI, and it's blowing minds with its abilities, even outdoing us humans in some stuff.

What they want:

  • Policymakers, don't let companies create superintelligent AI. Put rules and limits before they even start training. Writing laws takes time, and we might not have that luxury.

  • Companies, even if you're in a race, admit that AI could be dangerous. Show you'd rather not build it if there's a safer option.

  • Summit attendees, prioritize safety over money. We know AI can make us richer, but that's not why you're there. Be the responsible grown-up in the room. Check out the full proposal for more.

Microsoft announces AI bug bounty program

Microsoft is offering cash rewards of up to $15,000 to bug hunters who find serious issues in its AI-powered "Bing experience." This new program is a response to recent investments and research in AI security.

Microsoft wants bug hunters to investigate Bing on bing.com, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Start, and Skype mobile apps for iOS and Android. They should report problems that could mess with how Bing responds, manipulate its training, or reveal sensitive information.

The rewards depend on the quality of the bug report, ranging from $6,000 to $15,000 for critical issues. This move is essential because AI systems need to be checked for vulnerabilities to prevent malicious misuse, as seen in a recent public assessment of AI models.

AI models can analyze thousands of words at a time. A Google researcher has found a way to increase that by millions.

A Google researcher, along with some brainy folks, has cracked a code to turbocharge AI models. They call it "Ring Attention." Right now, AI can only munch on a few thousand words, but this innovation could let them feast on millions.

The current gang, like ChatGPT, can handle a few thousand tokens. The big shots can manage around 75,000. But these geniuses, including the Google whiz, have a plan to change that game.

They're using a new approach that makes a ring of GPUs, the AI's brain cells, to work together without running out of memory. This means you can toss in loads of words or even whole books and videos for the AI to digest.

LinkedIn lays off nearly 700 workers as it moves to exploit AI options

LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, is giving the boot to almost 700 folks, which is about 3% of its crew. They're slashing jobs in departments like engineering, product, talent, and finance. This ain't the first round, as they cut over 700 jobs back in May, and Microsoft's been trimming too.

They're doing this to get better with artificial intelligence. LinkedIn just rolled out some AI tricks for recruiters and premium users. Despite making big bucks, growth's been sluggish. So, they're shaking things up to get agile and efficient. Tough times, but they say it's needed.

Stack Overflow lays off over 100 people as the AI coding boom continues

Stack Overflow, a popular coding forum, just let go of almost a third of its staff. The CEO mentioned that last year they hired a bunch of people, especially in sales, but now they're scaling back. This comes after the company rapidly expanded to over 500 employees. One of the big challenges for them? The rise of AI in coding. More developers are using AI to help them code, and that's making personal coding forums like Stack Overflow less essential.

On top of that, they had issues with people using AI chatbots to answer coding questions. They even banned it for a bit, causing a strike among their site's moderators. Now, they're also making AI companies pay if they want to use their site for training.

AI startup caused a ‘battle of the billionaires’ on ‘Shark Tank’—and got a $300,000 offer from Mark Cuban and Michael Rubin

Maurice Bachelor and Joel Griffith showed off their AI startup, Bot-It, on 'Shark Tank.' Bot-It's a tool to help folks do online stuff faster, like booking spots or getting concert tickets. Although some worry about bots ruining shopping, these guys say their bot gives regular Joes a fair shot against big cheating bot groups.

Billionaires Mark Cuban and Michael Rubin got into a bidding war, with both wanting a piece of the pie. In the end, the two tycoons teamed up, tossing $300k for 30% of the company. Bachelor's stoked, saying this is a game changer for Bot-It. Oh, and just so you know, CNBC's got dibs on "Shark Tank" replays.

BlackBerry Announces Generative AI Powered Cybersecurity Assistant

BlackBerry's rolled out a new AI assistant that's gonna make life easier for cybersecurity teams. This high-tech helper uses advanced AI to predict threats and gives quick info without having to dig around. Instead of a clunky chatbot, it's smooth like butter in the BlackBerry's Cylance system.

BlackBerry's been in the tech game for almost 40 years, and they're still setting trends. They're loaded with AI patents and they're serious about keeping AI responsible, even signing Canada's pledge for responsible AI use. The new AI assistant will first be tested by a handful of customers.

World First: New AI System Discovers Supernova Without Human Help

For the first time, a computer program (an AI) spotted a star explosion (called a supernova) all on its own without anyone helping it. Scientists made this AI, named BTSbot, by teaching it with over a million pictures from the sky. What's cool is that this robot speeds things up and cuts out mistakes people might make.

BTSbot saw a new star explosion on October 5th just two days after a big camera in California took a picture of it. By October 7th, the bot had double-checked with other robot tools and shared the news that it was a specific kind of supernova called Type Ia.

As Arctic Sea Ice Breaks Up, AI Is Starting to Predict Where the Ice Will Go

Arctic sea ice is melting fast, like way faster than scientists initially thought. In 2019, some scientists froze their ship in the Arctic ice to study it. But come April 2020, they were worried that ice might not stay frozen for their whole study. Traditional ways of predicting where this ice will go aren't cutting it anymore, especially with climate change shaking things up.

Leslie Canavera, big boss of a company named PolArctic, thinks AI might be the secret sauce to predict sea ice movement better. Old-school methods used physics and past data, but that's like using an old map for a changing landscape. With our climate changing, AI can learn and adapt from both the old and the new info, making it a hot ticket for accurate forecasting.

AI-powered unbiased pain detection system holds promise for improving patient care

Researchers unveiled a fancy new tech at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2023 annual bash that uses AI to spot pain in patients after surgeries. Right now, doctors mostly rely on patients telling 'em how much it hurts or guesswork based on stuff like facial twitches. This AI gizmo, on the other hand, learns from tons of facial pics to recognize pain. It nailed the pain detection game 88% of the time with one method and 66% with another. The hope? Use cameras in recovery rooms to keep tabs on pain levels in real-time, freeing up nurses for other jobs.

But hey, they gotta figure out the privacy thing and make sure no one's mugshot gets leaked. Oh, and this could be a big win because nipping pain in the bud can mean shorter hospital stays and less chance of other health issues down the road. Cool beans, right?

Ghostrwiter, The Mastermind Behind The Viral Drake AI Song, Speaks For The First Time

Ghostwriter, a mystery music-maker known for using AI to mimic stars like Drake and The Weeknd without permission, speaks out. This guy, in full-on incognito mode, cooked up a track, "Heart on My Sleeve," that blew up big time, getting folks to chat about the ethics of AI in music.

Some people thought it was actual stars singing, but nah, it was all Ghostwriter and tech. He and his manager are hustling, thinking artists could cash in on licensing their voices for AI and give songwriters a new way to shine. The big talk? The song was in the running for a Grammy, but flip-flopping decisions on its eligibility caused a stir.

Ghostwriter’s all about pushing the envelope, sparking debates, and showing the real skill of songwriters in the biz. He's got more tunes in the pipeline and is fighting for songwriters to get the credit (and cash) they deserve in the industry. His eyes are on the future, where tech and tunes collide.

AI brings back the voice of a deceased Cyberpunk 2077 actor for Phantom Liberty

The new Cyberpunk 2077 DLC, Phantom Liberty, brings back a deceased actor's voice using AI. The actor, Miłogost “Miłek” Reczek, who voiced doctor Viktor Vektor in the Polish version of the game, passed away in 2021. Instead of recasting the role, the developers used AI tech from Respeecher, a startup in Kyiv, to mimic Miłek's voice. Janusz Zadura recorded the new lines while trying to match Miłek's style. His family gave the green light for the project.

This move sparked discussion about AI's role in creative works and how it might affect actors' job opportunities. Similar tech was used in Star Wars projects, recreating voices for characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. In the past, movies like Rogue One and The Rise of Skywalker used CGI and preexisting footage to bring back deceased actors like Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher.

How roboticists are thinking about generative AI

Generative AI is getting a lot of buzz lately, and there's good reason for it. While other tech crazes have come and gone, this one feels different. Unlike past tech trends, where you had to imagine the possibilities, with tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E, you can see and use the coolness right now.

Jeff Linnell, CEO of Formant, is betting big on the mix of generative AI and robots. He sees a future where instead of coding a robot, you just chat with it and tell it what to do. That's pretty game-changing. Oh, and a fun fact: Linnell's previous company, Bot & Dolly, known for movie tech, got scooped up by Google back in 2013. Now, with all the AI action, it seems Google's more interested in the software side of things.

Elon Musk wants to merge humans with AI. How many brains will be damaged along the way?

Elon Musk's brain chip venture, Neuralink, has big dreams. Besides helping those with paralysis by implanting "threads" into their brains (so they can control devices with just their thoughts), Musk aims to blend humans with AI. Why? He fears we'll be outpaced by more advanced AI in the future.

While Neuralink has gotten the green light to test on humans, concerns rise about the risks involved. Some experts think Neuralink's approach might be too aggressive, potentially harming the brain. This isn't just a Neuralink issue; as more companies tap into our brains, worries about privacy and misuse grow. And while Neuralink's method involves drilling into the skull, other companies are finding less intense ways to connect brains and tech. So, the big question: Do Musk's high-stakes methods justify the goal?

Mayor Adams Releases First-of-Its-Kind Plan For Responsible Artificial Intelligence Use In NYC Government

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is stepping up with a fresh plan for how the Big Apple uses artificial intelligence (AI). The goal? Make sure the city uses AI in a smart and safe way. This plan is the first of its kind for a major U.S. city and sets up some rules for how city agencies use AI, trains city workers on the ins and outs of AI, and pushes for AI to be used in ways that make life better for New Yorkers.

One big move they're making is launching an AI chatbot on the MyCity Business website. This bot will help business owners find the info they need without getting lost in over 2,000 web pages. So if you’re trying to start a business in NYC, the chatbot’s got your back.

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