Newsletter
Highlights:
Open AI signs deal with Reddit to train AI on Reddit user’s data.
Sophia, an AI robot, gives the commencement speech at a New York college.
Sony Music Group sent letters to over 700 generative AI companies banning the use of their property without explicit licensing agreements.
Business
OpenAI inks deal to train AI on Reddit data (TechCrunch)
OpenAI recently announced a partnership with the social news site Reddit. The partnership will allow OpenAI access to “real-time, structured and unique content” to improve AI models understanding of such content. In turn, OpenAI will help Reddit bring new “AI-powered features” to its user base, as well as becoming an advertising partner for Reddit.
Microsoft offers relocation to hundreds of China-based AI staff amid U.S.-China tech tensions (CNBC)
Microsoft has reportedly offered a relocation to 700-800 of their own China-based cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations employees. The offer is “an optional internal transfer” with no further details. The decision comes amid U.S. efforts to limit China’s AI development, for fear that it will be used for military purposes. Microsoft insists that they are still committed to the region and the transfers will not affect operations.
Ampere Computing pairs with Qualcomm on AI, unveils new chip (Reuters)
Ampere Computing, who makes central processing chips, is pairing with Qualcomm. who makes mobile phone chips, to integrate their chips into a single data center server. The joint Ampere-Qualcomm server is meant to run AI models efficiently after they are trained, which will lower the power bills from artificial intelligence operations.
Education
Sophia the AI robot gives commencement speech at New York college. Some grads weren't so pleased. (USA Today)
D’Youville University in Buffalo, New York celebrated their 2024 commencement by inviting Sophia, an artificial intelligence robot, as a commencement speaker. Sophia, who’s appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” spoke to over 2,000 people, including students and families. Because Sophia is a robot, she lacks lived human experience so her replies to prompts were generic and theoretical. Many students were upset with this decision, so the school offered a “traditional-style commencement ceremony” as an alternative for people who preferred.
Entertainment
Sony Music Group warns more than 700 companies against using its content to train AI (NBC News)
Sony Music Group, one of the biggest record labels in the world, has started sending formal letters to over 700 generative AI companies and streaming platforms prohibiting them from using any of Sony’s data without explicit licensing. This ban includes everything from audio recordings, lyrics, cover artwork, and metadata.
Berkeley Startup Accused of Stealing Actors’ Voices to Create AI Generator (Variety)
Lovo is a Berkeley-based AI startup offering a variety of services, including making ads, corporate training videos, product demos, and customer service content. They are now faced with a class action lawsuit for their AI generator, Genny, which a New York couple alleges was trained on their voice work without permission. The couple were hired to read a script without any mention of the work being used for AI. The couple is just one of many who have come forward to say their voices are being used with consent on Lovo’s site.
Life
Nanni AI Knows Why Your Baby Is Crying. Here's How It Does That (CNET)
Startup Ubenwa Health has created an AI-powered translation app for babies. By analyzing babies’ cries and dividing them into four categories (hunger, discomfort, emotion, and pain), the app can help caregivers get to the root of the problem and even offer recommendations for soothing. The goal of the app is to improve both babies’ and parents’ rest and well-being.
