Newsletter
Highlights:
Google to fund $25M Euro AI training initiative for European communities.
Pakistan leader Imran Khan uses AI to address his political party after attempts by the government to suppress his speech.
AI-enabled smart speakers like NUGU could be a life-saving tool for elderly citizens in Queens.
Business
Google’s 25M Euro AI skill boost for Europe unveiled (CoinTelegraph)
Following Microsoft’s pledge to train 2 million people in India, Google has announced “The AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe”. The support fund of $25 million euros will go to training Europeans with the AI skills required to avoid “being left behind”, with a particular emphasis on empowering vulnerable communities.
How Walmart, Delta, Chevron and Starbucks are using AI to monitor employee messages (CNBC)
Employee surveillance is nothing new, but now it’s spreading beyond emails to platforms like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams with the help of AI. Aware, a startup AI firm, offers companies the ability to “[get] a read on employee sentiment in real time”. Most of their tools do not list employees by name except in “extreme” cases. This technology raises concerns about thought policing and the possibility it could be abused by executives.
Disney Tests AI Tool That Matches Commercials to Appropriate Content (PYMNTS)
Disney is currently beta testing a new advertising tool for its streaming services with six global advertising companies. The tool, named “magic words”, uses artificial intelligence to analyze and tag scenes in movies and television shows. This metadata is then used by brands to create more personalized messages.
Government
How Pakistan leader Imran Khan used AI to deliver this ‘victory speech’ (Times of India)
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, is currently in jail on charges his supporters believe are politically motivated. Despite Pakistan’s military leaders’ attempts to censor him, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party used notes he passed from jail and AI voice-generation to create a victory speech after the general election. The video demonstrated the potential use of AI to circumvent censorship, but also to deliver deceptively real content that makes us question everything we see.
AI ‘resurrects’ long dead dictator in murky new era of deepfake electioneering (CNN)
Using AI deepfake technology, Suharto, a once-feared Indonesian dictator, was resurrected in a social media video to remind the Indonesian people how important their votes are in the upcoming election. Even if people know that this content is fake, since Suharto has been dead since 2008, there’s a very real concern about the sway deepfakes will have on elections all over the globe.
Entertainment
AI Scores in Super Bowl Commercials: You Can Watch Them Here (CNET)
AI was at the center of everyone’s attention at this year’s Super Bowl. Microsoft’s “Watch Me” commercial challenged the idea that AI will replace creatives by promoting their Windows 11 AI assistant, Copilot. Google highlighted the accessibility features of their Pixel 8 smartphone. And BodyArmor, the Coca-Cola owned sports drink, parodied the use of AI in ads to contrast the artificial content with the “real sweeteners, real flavor” of their drinks.
AI is the death knell for thumbnail designers (CTECH)
Thumbnails have always been one of the things that sets apart successful content creators on Youtube from the rest. Some people create their own, and some people outsource help from “Thumbnail designers”. But with the growth of generative AI, these jobs are becoming less and less necessary. Now anyone can have a decent thumbnail without graphic design experience.
Life
What's Wrong With This Rental Listing? The Furniture Is AI. (Vice)
A phenomenon called “virtual staging” in real estate is becoming easier than ever with the use of AI. Virtual staging is the process of adding fake furniture to property photos. Generative AI can produce highly realistic images quicker and cheaper than a graphic design expert. With the rental market more competitive than ever, some renters accept properties without viewing them in person. They might be going off of nothing but an AI-generated fantasy.
Elderly, cancer-stricken NYC man saved by AI device after suffering food poisoning while home alone (NYPost)
Doo Soo Yoo, an elderly cancer patient in Queens, was saved by his AI voice-enabled NUGU smart speaker when he suffered food poisoning and a Zantac overdose while home alone. NUGU is part of a $500,000 state grant championed by Assemblyman Ron Kim. The device is meant to fill the gaps when a home care worker cannot be there 24/7. The device reminds patients about taking medication and alerts someone when the patient goes quiet for an extended period of time. Kim is hoping to secure additional funding to expand the program to more senior residents in Queens.
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