Curious AI #47!
Oliver Rochford
Evangelist @ Auguria | Technologist | Cyberfuturist | Startup Advisor | Former Gartner Analyst
Welcome to issue 47 of the Curious AI Newsletter, curated by Oliver Rochford, Cyber futurist and former Gartner Research Director, and synthesized and summarized using AI.
No time this week for commentary and analysis, so without much further ado, the news
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AI Business
Elon Musk’s Optimus bot stole the show at Tesla’s robotaxi unveil—but the AI was all smoke and mirrors
Elon Musk's Optimus bot impressed at Tesla's robotaxi event, demonstrating choreographed interaction. However, it was revealed that the bots were tele-operated by humans, raising concerns about transparency and the authenticity of AI claims. Musk aims for Optimus to be a revolutionary product for Tesla.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
Elon Musk's Tesla Cybercab is a hollow promise of a robotaxi future
Elon Musk introduced the Tesla Cybercab, a steering-less self-driving taxi expected by 2027. Despite this ambitious announcement, competing technologies, such as Waymo's operational vehicles, already exhibit the feasibility of autonomous transport, raising questions about Tesla's timeline and credibility.
newscientist.com | https://www.newscientist.com/article/2451547-elon-musks-tesla-cybercab-is-a-hollow-promise-of-a-robotaxi-future/
Sentiment: Critical | Time to Impact: Long-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
Anthropic CEO goes full techno-optimist in 15,000-word paean to AI
Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei presents a 15,000-word optimistic vision of AI, predicting transformative advancements in healthcare, social equity, and climate change management by 2036. While aiming to counter fears surrounding AI, Amodei's projections may come off as overly utopian given current industry limitations.
techcrunch.com | https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/11/anthropic-ceo-goes-full-techno-optimist-in-15000-word-paean-to-ai/
Sentiment: Hyperbolic | Time to Impact: Long-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
AI manifestos flood the tech zone
The proliferation of AI manifestos signifies a strategic shift among tech leaders, reflecting urgency to articulate AI’s potential amidst public skepticism. These documents reveal an underlying belief in imminent breakthroughs, while also acknowledging a slower-than-expected delivery on past promises.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
AI Carbon Footprint
AI's Thirst for Power Keeps Coal Fires Burning Bright
Increased energy demands from AI data centers are counteracting efforts to reduce coal reliance in the U.S. For example, Omaha's power plans to phase out coal have been thwarted due to the energy needs of tech giants like Google and Meta, endangering air quality.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Immediate | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
AI Copyright, Regulation, and Antitrust
New York Times Issues Cease and Desist to Perplexity Over Content Use
The New York Times issued a cease and desist letter to Perplexity, demanding cessation of content usage for AI summaries, arguing it constitutes unjust enrichment and copyright infringement. This follows its existing legal actions against other AI entities, reflecting growing tensions in content ownership amidst AI advancements.
techcrunch.com | https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/15/new-york-times-sends-perplexity-cease-and-desist-letter-demands-it-stops-using-its-content-in-ai-summaries/
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Immediate | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
AI Ethics
AI companies are trying to build god. Shouldn’t they get our permission first?
The article discusses the ethical implications of AI companies' push towards artificial general intelligence (AGI) without public consent. It argues that powerful tech leaders must consider democratic input on technologies with immense societal impacts, echoing fears of unintended consequences and risks to humanity's future.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Long-term | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
AI Healthcare
AI Medical Advice from Microsoft Copilot May Cause Serious Harm, Study Finds
Research indicates Microsoft Copilot provides correct medical advice only 54% of the time, with 42% of responses potentially leading to harm. A warning emerges against using AI for medical inquiries, suggesting traditional consultations with healthcare professionals are essential to avoid severe consequences.
windowscentral.com | https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-copilot-ai-medical-advice-danger
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management
OpenAI Confirms Cybercriminals Use ChatGPT to Develop Malware
OpenAI has officially confirmed that cybercriminals exploit ChatGPT to enhance malware development and cyber-espionage techniques. The report details how threat actors utilized the AI for debugging, scripting, and spreading misinformation, highlighting a concerning trend in the misuse of generative AI tools in cyber operations.
bleepingcomputer.com | https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/openai-confirms-threat-actors-use-chatgpt-to-write-malware/
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Immediate | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
AI Warbots
Silicon Valley is debating if AI weapons should be allowed to decide to kill
Silicon Valley leaders are increasingly divided over the potential use of AI for autonomous weapons, weighing ethical concerns against strategic advantages. While some advocate for human oversight, others, like Palmer Luckey, challenge traditional views, highlighting evolving defense needs in the context of global military advancements.
techcrunch.com | https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/11/silicon-valley-is-debating-if-ai-weapons-should-be-allowed-to-decide-to-kill/
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
OpenAI is quietly pitching its products to the U.S. military and national security establishment
OpenAI is exploring partnerships with U.S. military and national security agencies, having removed previous prohibitions against military applications. Following key hires and collaborations, it is positioning itself for defense contracts amid rising concerns about AI's ethical implications in warfare.
fortune.com | https://fortune.com/2024/10/17/openai-is-quietly-pitching-its-products-to-the-u-s-military-and-national-security-establishment/
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
Defense startup developing AI-powered 'kamikaze drones' for the U.S. Marines
Anduril has introduced its Bolt-M drone designed for the U.S. Marine Corps, specializing in combat and surveillance. With AI capabilities, a flight duration exceeding 40 minutes, and a modular payload, the Bolt-M enhances operational flexibility and precision in combat scenarios.
livescience.com | https://www.livescience.com/technology/robotics/defense-startup-developing-ai-kamikaze-drones-for-the-us-marines
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Immediate | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
Artificial Intelligence Raises Ukrainian Drone Kill Rates to 80%
Ukraine utilizes AI to enhance drone capabilities, raising target accuracy from below 50% to approximately 80%. The advancements exemplify Ukraine's strategic technological approach against larger adversaries, highlighting the transformative role of AI in modern warfare while raising ethical concerns about autonomy and decision-making on the battlefield.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
AI and Robotics
‘I, Robot’ Director Slams Elon Musk For Ripping Off Sci-Fi Film’s Designs
Alex Proyas, director of "I, Robot," accused Elon Musk of copying design elements from his film for Tesla's new robotaxi and Robovan prototypes. This criticism follows Musk’s recent product unveilings, leading to social media scrutiny and a stock drop for Tesla, reflecting investor concerns over innovation authenticity.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
Elon Musk’s Robot Tricks Were Used on Soviets in the 1950s, Too
Musk's recent humanoid robot showcase, initially perceived as autonomous, involved remote human control, reminiscent of Cold War-era teleoperation. The demonstration sparked criticism for lacking transparency, drawing parallels to past promotional deceptions in technology. Investor reactions indicate skepticism regarding Musk’s ongoing product hype and implementation viability.
gizmodo.com | https://gizmodo.com/elon-musks-robot-tricks-were-used-on-soviets-in-the-1950s-too-2000511120
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
Tesla Caught Using a Lazy Video Editing Trick to Make Its "Autonomous" Robots Look More Capable
Tesla's latest video of its Optimus robot is accused of using sped-up footage to exaggerate capabilities. Despite claims of autonomy, the robot's reliance on human teleoperation and power tether raises concerns about realistic progress, questioning the feasibility of production timelines promised by CEO Elon Musk.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
领英推荐
AI at Work and Employment
All hail the AI Eurocrat: Commission rolls out its own ChatGPT-like tool
The European Commission's DG DIGIT has launched a pilot AI tool, "GPT@EC," to aid staff in drafting policies. The initiative reflects a shift from regulation to application, leveraging generative AI for document summarization, brainstorming, and coding while ensuring data security and compliance with corporate standards.
politico.eu | https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-artificial-intelligence-chat-dg-digit-policy-generative-ai-chatgpt/
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
AI isn’t likely to replace humans at work, says report—but 5 occupations may soon feel its impact more
A new report from Indeed indicates that generative AI is unlikely to replace most workplace skills, with 68.7% deemed "unlikely" to be replaced. While some roles may feel the impact, AI is better suited to assist rather than replace human labor, particularly in technical and repetitive tasks.
cnbc.com | https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/14/ai-isnt-ready-to-replace-human-jobs-5-professions-may-feel-its-impact-more.html
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
‘AI-Mazing Tech-Venture’: National Archives Pushes Google Gemini AI on Employees
The National Archives is set to launch an AI chatbot named "Archie" in December, intending to enhance productivity and accessibility of records. However, employees express apprehension about AI's role in archiving, fearing it may compromise the integrity of historical documentation.
404media.co | https://www.404media.co/ai-mazing-tech-venture-national-archives-pushes-google-gemini-ai-on-employees/
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI is a bubble
AI in Art and the Media
Robot artist Ai-Da to make history as portrait of Alan Turing goes to auction
Ai-Da, a humanoid robot artist, is set to make history with a portrait of Alan Turing at Sotheby’s, projected to fetch ￡100,000-￡150,000. This auction highlights the intersection of AI and art, symbolizing both Turing’s legacy and the evolving role of AI in creative industries.
news.stv.tv | https://news.stv.tv/world/robot-artist-ai-da-to-make-history-as-portrait-of-alan-turing-goes-to-auction
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
AI in Education
Could Elon Musk’s AI Robots Save A Troubled Education System?
Elon Musk's AI robot, Optimus, could potentially transform education by alleviating teacher burnout and personalizing student experiences. The robot's capabilities may facilitate routine classroom tasks, improving engagement and learning outcomes, though concerns regarding data privacy and reliance on technology remain critical considerations for future implementation.
forbes.com | https://www.forbes.com/sites/danfitzpatrick/2024/10/12/could-elon-musks-ai-robots-save-a-troubled-education-system/
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
AI in Finance
AI Revolutionizing Wealth Management: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
The wealth management sector faces disruption from AI, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While AI could enhance access to advice for the underbanked, a key challenge lies in human-computer communication, necessitating AI to adapt to client interactions rather than sticking to static recommendations.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
IBM: Insurance Industry Bosses Keen on AI, Customers Not So Much
IBM's analysis highlights a disconnect between insurance executives and customers regarding generative AI. While 77% of leaders view AI as essential, only 26% of clients trust AI for accurate guidance. The study emphasizes a need for ethical AI governance to bridge customer trust gaps as adoption surges.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Short-term | Future Signal: AI is a bubble
AI in Law and the Legal Profession
Expert witness used Copilot to make up fake damages, irking judge
A New York judge cautioned against AI dependence in legal proceedings after an expert witness used Microsoft's Copilot to estimate damages inaccurately in a real estate case, raising concerns about AI's reliability and calls for disclosure of AI use in courtroom testimony to prevent potential legal disruption.
arstechnica.com | https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/10/judge-confronts-expert-witness-who-used-copilot-to-fake-expertise/
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
AI in Science
Researchers Question AI's Reasoning Ability as Models Struggle with Math Problems
A recent study from Apple researchers highlights AI models' limited mathematical reasoning, struggling with minor question modifications. This suggests that current large language models replicate patterns without true understanding, raising concerns about their touted capabilities in logical reasoning and implications for AI's perceived reliability.
techcrunch.com | https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/11/researchers-question-ais-reasoning-ability-as-models-stumble-on-math-problems-with-trivial-changes/
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
Human scientists are still better than AI ones – for now
Despite advances in artificial intelligence, human scientists continue to outperform AI in a scientific discovery simulation. The DiscoveryWorld simulator aims to enhance AI capabilities for future research applications, indicating ongoing potential for AI development in scientific contexts.
newscientist.com | https://www.newscientist.com/article/2451863-human-scientists-are-still-better-than-ai-ones-for-now/
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
AI in Software Development
LLMs can’t outperform a technique from the 70s, but they’re still worth using — here’s why
MIT's recent evaluation of large language models (LLMs) for time series anomaly detection revealed their zero-shot learning capabilities, outperforming some advanced models, yet underperforming compared to traditional methods like ARIMA. Their potential for operational flexibility presents significant efficiencies, though challenges remain in model deployment and fine-tuning.
venturebeat.com | https://venturebeat.com/ai/llms-are-stuck-on-a-problem-from-the-70s-but-are-still-worth-using-heres-why/
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
AI in the Data Center
Data centers are suddenly everywhere — but some say "no thanks"
As the proliferation of data centers surges across the U.S., communities voice concerns over their environmental and societal impacts, citing increased energy demands and aesthetic issues. Political resistance is growing, prompting discussions on regulations, particularly in tech-hubs like Northern Virginia and Atlanta.
Sentiment: Negative | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
Oregon’s data centers want a lot more electricity. Who’s going to pay? It could be you
In Hillsboro, Oregon, data centers are consuming a staggering amount of electricity, equivalent to the total usage of all homes in Washington County. This surge raises concerns about regional energy demands and the sustainability of Big Tech's infrastructure expansion.
oregonlive.com | https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2024/10/oregons-data-centers-want-a-lot-more-electricity-whos-going-to-pay-it-could-be-you.html
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
Amazon, Google make dueling nuclear investments to power data centers with clean energy
Amazon and Google are investing in small modular nuclear reactors to ensure carbon-free electricity for their data centers amidst increasing energy demands. This strategic pivot highlights the need for alternative energy sources to support expanding operations and meet sustainability commitments effectively.
apnews.com | https://apnews.com/article/climate-data-centers-amazon-google-nuclear-energy-e404d52241f965e056a7c53e88abc91a
Sentiment: Positive | Time to Impact: Mid-term | Future Signal: AI will accelerate
The Path to AGI
Tech executives are setting deadlines for the arrival of superintelligence. They might regret it.
Leading AI executives anticipate the advent of superintelligent AI within the next few years, asserting transformative societal impacts. However, substantial energy and financial challenges persist, raising skepticism about these optimistic timelines in light of the industry's current state and infrastructure demands.
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Long-term | Future Signal: AI is hype
Meta's AI Chief Says World Models Are Key to Human-Level AI, But It Might Be 10 Years Out
Meta's AI chief, Yann LeCun, argues that world models are essential for achieving human-level AI, a goal expected to take up to a decade. Current AI lacks necessary understanding, yet advancements in AI architecture could facilitate complex reasoning and intuition, marking a significant paradigm shift.
techcrunch.com | https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/16/metas-ai-chief-says-world-models-are-key-to-human-level-ai-but-it-might-be-10-years-out/
Sentiment: Neutral | Time to Impact: Long-term | Future Signal: AI will evolve gradually
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About the Curious AI Newsletter
AI is hype. AI is a utopia. AI is a dystopia.
These are the narratives currently being told about AI. There are mixed signals for each scenario. The truth will lie somewhere in between. This newsletter provides a curated overview of positive and negative data points to support decision-makers in forecasts and horizon scanning. The selection of news items is intended to provide a cross-section of articles from across the spectrum of AI optimists, AI realists, and AI pessimists and showcase the impact of AI across different domains and fields.
The news is curated by Oliver Rochford, Technologist, and former Gartner Research Director. AI (ChatGPT) is used in analysis and for summaries.
Want to summarize your news articles using ChatGPT? Here's the latest iteration of the prompt. The Curious AI Newsletter is brought to you by the Cyber Futurists.
Chief Evangelist | Data Security Nerd | Former Gartner Analyst | Former CISO
1 个月I’m honestly not sure what was the most depressing or concerning story of this week. The cease and desist against Perplexity or planned military use of AI decision making. To kill or not to kill! In the other hand, the most amusing is obviously Elon’s robo-actors!