Global Leaders pledge to tackle AI’s potentially ‘catastrophic’ risks

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1. Global Leaders pledge to tackle AI’s potentially ‘catastrophic’ risks

At the UK's first AI Safety Summit, leaders from 28 nations, including the U.S. and China, pledged cooperation to mitigate AI's potential threats. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak celebrated the Bletchley Declaration as a crucial step for AI's safe evolution. The summit, which Sunak envisions as a catalyst for the UK's tech leadership, lacked detailed regulatory frameworks but set the groundwork for future international discussions on AI governance.

Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the urgency of addressing AI's immediate societal impacts, such as algorithmic bias and misinformation. She called for swift legislative action to ensure responsible AI deployment, aligning with President Biden's recent executive order on AI safeguards.

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2. Scarlett Johansson Confronts AI App Over Likenes

Scarlett Johansson has taken legal steps against the AI app Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar for unauthorized use of her image in promotional material. The advertisement, which featured an AI-generated likeness of Johansson, was promptly withdrawn following the legal challenge. This development highlights the escalating issues surrounding deepfake technology and the unauthorized replication of personal likenesses by AI, sparking widespread concern.

The incident has cast a spotlight on the broader implications for the entertainment industry, where actors and their unions are increasingly vocal about the need for protections against the misuse of their images. As AI technology advances, the tension between innovation and individual rights intensifies, prompting a call for clearer regulations and ethical standards in the digital age.

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3. Biden Orders Review of Government AI

The White House has released draft rules mandating federal agencies to rigorously evaluate AI systems for potential discriminatory or harmful impacts on human rights. These rules, which are to be implemented by August 2024, could lead to significant changes in AI-dependent government operations, such as the FBI's use of facial recognition. Exemptions exist for national security and critical operations, but the overarching aim is to balance AI benefits against risks.

The directive, part of President Biden's executive order, also proposes independent testing of AI technologies and encourages "red teaming" to identify vulnerabilities. It reflects a broader government strategy to increase AI utilization while preventing associated harms, emphasizing public safety and trust in AI applications across various sectors, including health care, law enforcement, and housing.

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4. LinkedIn Introduces AI Job Coach Feature

LinkedIn's latest innovation introduces an AI job coach designed to aid premium subscribers in their employment pursuits. This new feature harnesses the platform's vast data to provide tailored guidance, making job searches more efficient and targeted. It analyzes job descriptions, aligns them with the user's profile, and offers advice on how to improve one's LinkedIn presence to catch the attention of recruiters.

Currently in beta for a select group of premium users, this AI job coach marks a significant step in LinkedIn's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its services. The move reflects a strategic effort to embed AI into the fabric of career development, offering a more personalized and proactive approach to job hunting and professional growth.

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5. AI Brings Beatles' Final Song to Life

The unreleased Beatles track "Now and Then" is being brought to the public through the use of AI, completing the band's discography with a posthumous flourish. Featuring the voices of the late John Lennon and George Harrison, the song's release is a historic event for Beatles enthusiasts and music history alike. AI played a crucial role in extracting Lennon's vocals from a decades-old demo, enabling surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to add new material and harmonize the past with the present.

Despite the excitement, there's debate among music experts about the AI's ability to authentically replicate the band's essence. The technology's intervention raises questions about the integrity of the Beatles' sound and the group dynamic that defined their music. As "Now and Then" emerges, it not only adds to the Beatles' legacy but also sparks a conversation about the role of AI in preserving and continuing artistic expression.

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