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- #76 In homes, Alexa learns
Be careful what you say around Alexa; she's not just serving you weather updates, she's also a student at AI University, majoring in Eavesdropping 101! Jokes aside, we've got a jam-packed issue today that digs deep into the ethics of artificial intelligence. From Hollywood celebrities fighting deepfake battles to delivery bots that might have a side gig in surveillance, we're covering it all.
So, mute your smart speakers and dive in—unless you want Alexa to get a PhD in your personal life! Let’s dive in.
In today’s newsletter:
Hottest stories: Tom Hanks deep faked, Robin Williams’ daughter on her fathers’ AI likeness, and Uber Bots recording and sharing footage with the po-po.
TL;DR Rundown: More AI in the classroom, conversations with Alexa training Amazons’ AI, and AI speaking on behalf of Vincent Van Gogh.
Tool of the day: Free invoice generator
HOTTEST STORIES
Today’s biggest stories if you’re in a rush
Tom Hanks is sounding the alarm. He took to Instagram, where he's got a cool 9.5 million followers, to call out a fake dental ad featuring his face. It's AI-generated, and he wants you to know he didn't give the green light for it.
Hanks isn't new to the AI debate. He's been talking about how tech could turn his face and voice into 'forever assets' for movie makers. Think about it—Hanks performances long after he's left the stage. It's a legal and ethical minefield.
This episode throws a spotlight on the growing problem of deepfakes and AI misuse. It's not just a Hollywood problem; it's a 'we need rules for this' kind of problem. We're entering new territory that begs the question: how do we protect people's identity and rights in the AI age? This might just be the wake-up call we needed.
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Zelda Williams, Robin Williams' daughter, just called out how eerie and "Frankenstein-like" it is to use AI to mimic her late dad's voice. And get this—she's throwing her weight behind the SAG-AFTRA strike. Yep, the big Hollywood union is up in arms about this whole AI impersonation thing.
Now, Zelda's push isn't just a daughter defending her dad; it's spotlighting a huge ethical gap. We're talking about voice-cloning or face-swapping people who aren't around to give a thumbs-up or down. And it's not just a one-off concern; the industry's rattled, as shown by the SAG-AFTRA strike.
What's next? Could be that Zelda's move and the strike set the stage for some legit rules around AI and consent. Because let's face it, we're in uncharted territory and it's high time we had a road map.
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Uber Eats is rolling out food delivery bots in LA, but hold up—there's a twist. Serve Robotics, the company behind these bots, just handed over video footage to the LAPD. Why? Someone tried to nab one of their robots, and now people are asking, "Are these bots more than just rolling lunchboxes?"
So, beyond the 'wow' factor of robot delivery, there's a legit concern here: surveillance. These Serve robots are basically mobile security cams, recording 24/7. And guess what? No one's super clear on how long that footage sticks around.
This isn't just an LA thing or an Uber Eats thing; it's a 'where is all this tech leading us?' thing. Privacy, consent, and ethical AI are on the table. We're talking about needing ground rules for how AI and data collection play out in our daily lives. The Serve bot incident could be the spark that gets everyone talking.
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TL;DR RUNDOWN
Listicle of what else is happening today
Classroom Bots: Why lean on a chalkboard when you've got AI? This article schools us on how tech can equalize gender in STEM, make ESL a breeze, and turn kids into mini-debate champs.
Alexa Eavesdrops: Amazon's Alexa isn't just making small talk; she's going to school—AI school. But some folks aren't too happy about their chit-chats being homework for a machine.
Brainy Recovery: Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory have found a brain signal that's basically a goodbye note to depression. Cue the neuroscience applause.
Vincent Speaks: Van Gogh's back in Paris, and he's got a lot to say about his mental health. AI makes it happen. Starry night or teary night?
Runway Robots: Paris Fashion Week hosts Humane's AI Pin for its runway debut, and it's not just a pretty face—it's smart jewelry.
Artist Bucks: How much is AI-art worth? Apparently, the vendors don't want to spill the paint on this one.
Google Opt-Out: Don't want your website to be Google's AI guinea pig? Now you can opt out. Bard who?
AI Guardians: The NSA's got a new clubhouse, and it's all about fending off AI bad guys. Think of it as cybersecurity, but on steroids.
Nuclear Coders: Microsoft's cooking up something big—a team of pros geared toward marrying AI with nuclear power. Sounds like a sci-fi movie, but it's real.
Artistic Uprising: Chinese artists say no more to a big social platform over its questionable AI art tool. It's a digital rebellion, with an artistic twist.
TOOL OF THE DAY
AI tools we’ve used, loved, and recommend above all others
Today’s tool is Bloom’s invoice generator.
If you’ve ever delivered any work online, you’ll be familiar with the hassle of invoicing. Branding it, how to lay the invoice out, what information to include - all done for you, with Bloom’s invoice generator.
Super handy for any online freelancer, photographer, artist or creative!
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