Edition # 13

Hello Readers,

Welcome to the latest edition of Digital Data Pulse!? highlighting critical developments in the realm of artificial intelligence and its societal implications. OpenAI has integrated an AI-powered search engine into ChatGPT, while thousands of artists unite in a powerful open letter protesting unlicensed AI training. A tragic lawsuit against Character.AI and Google following a mother’s son’s suicide underscores the need for ethical AI practices. Meanwhile, Nigeria is advancing toward a national AI policy, and Singapore has introduced guidelines emphasizing secure-by-design AI systems. As Taiwan re-evaluates its nuclear policy amid an AI-driven power surge, the EU’s AI Act checker reveals compliance pitfalls for Big Tech. In India, the government has dismissed the idea of a separate regulatory body for AI, and in the Us, DOJ has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding sensitive data transfers. Lastly, the White House is advocating for responsible AI use with a focus on national security, raising concerns that the first U.S. national security memo on AI could escalate the tech war with China. Happy reading the latest insights shaping the future of technology and society.

Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI Folds A.I.-Powered Search Engine Into ChatGPT

DNYUZ : OpenAI recently announced "ChatGPT search," a new version of its online chatbot that can access real-time information from the internet, including news, stock prices, and sports scores. This technology aims to provide up-to-date responses to user inquiries while linking to relevant sources. Other tech companies, such as Google, Microsoft, and start-ups like Perplexity, also offer similar chatbot technologies that enhance traditional internet search engines by generating text responses and summarizing online content.

Thousands of Artists Unite Against Unlicensed AI Training in Open Letter

TheOutpost: Generative AI companies face accusations of using extensive online content for model training without proper licensing or compensating original creators, sparking concerns about copyright infringement and its effects on creative industries. More than 11,500 creatives, including prominent actors, musicians, and authors, have signed an open letter protesting the unapproved use of their work in AI training. They cite threats to their livelihoods and demand reforms within the AI sector.

Mother sues AI chatbot company Character.AI, Google over son's suicide

Reuters: ? A Florida mother has sued artificial intelligence chatbot startup Character.AI accusing it of causing her 14-year-old son's suicide in February, saying he became addicted to the company's service and deeply attached to a chatbot it created. According to the lawsuit, her son? began using Character.AI in April 2023 and quickly became "noticeably withdrawn, spent more and more time alone in his bedroom, and began suffering from low self-esteem." He quit his basketball team at school.

He became attached to "Daenerys," a chatbot character based on a character in "Game of Thrones." It told the boyl that "she" loved him and engaged in sexual conversations with him, according to the lawsuit. She? is bringing claims including wrongful death, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.

Nigeria working to adopt national Artificial Intelligence policy, says Reps deputy speaker

TheNation: ? Nigeria is developing a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy framework aimed at promoting the ethical use of AI to tackle major challenges, such as automating agricultural processes and improving healthcare delivery. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, highlighted that this initiative aligns with Nigeria's commitment to building an equitable and prosperous society, positioning technological advancements as a key part of the country's development strategy.

Singapore unveils AI system guidelines, emphasizing secure-by-design

CSO: Singapore has introduced new cybersecurity measures to protect AI systems from both traditional threats, such as supply chain attacks, and new risks like adversarial machine learning, which includes data poisoning and evasion attacks. In its "Guidelines and Companion Guide for Securing AI Systems," the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) emphasized that AI systems should be secure by design and secure by default, similar to other digital infrastructures. This proactive approach aims to enable system owners to manage security risks from the outset, according to the CSA.

Taiwan re-evaluates nuclear policy amid AI-driven power surge

DigiTimesAsia: Taiwan is joining a global trend where countries and tech giants are turning to nuclear power to meet rising electricity demands fueled by AI advancements. Premier Cho Jung-Tai indicated that Taiwan holds a "very open" perspective on adopting new nuclear technologies, signaling a possible change in the government's approach to nuclear energy. However, reports highlight that this policy shift has yet to be backed by specific actions. It remains uncertain whether Taiwan will effectively adjust its energy strategy to satisfy future electricity needs.

Exclusive: EU AI Act checker reveals Big Tech's compliance pitfalls

Reuters: ? Prominent artificial intelligence models are reportedly not meeting European regulations in critical areas such as cybersecurity resilience and non-discriminatory output, according to data obtained by Reuters. Swiss startup LatticeFlow AI, along with its partners, developed a scoring system for AI models, ranging from 0 to 1 across various categories, including technical robustness and safety. The company's "Large Language Model (LLM) Checker" has revealed deficiencies in some models, highlighting areas where companies may need to allocate resources to achieve compliance. Failure to comply with the EU's AI Act could result in significant fines of 35 million euros ($38 million) or 7% of global annual revenue.

India: Government Rules Out Separate Regulatory Body For AI:

NDTVProfit: The Indian government has decided against creating a separate regulatory body for artificial intelligence, as confirmed by officials from the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Instead, regulations and guidelines for AI usage will be established through an upcoming AI safety institute. This decision aligns with recommendations from a key committee addressing cybersecurity, safety, legal, and ethical concerns. The AI safety institute is part of a broader initiative involving four committees formed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) in 2018 to promote AI initiatives and develop a comprehensive policy framework.

Cross-Border Data

DOJ Issues NPRM Regarding Sensitive Data Transfers

WH: The Department of Justice's National Security Division is set to become a new regulatory body overseeing transactions involving the transfer of sensitive U.S. data to "countries of concern" such as China and Russia, following the release of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). This regulatory framework will affect vendor contracts, employment agreements, investment activities, and any dealings where U.S. businesses provide entities from these countries with access to specific data types. These include human genomic data of over 100 U.S. individuals, biometric and precise geolocation data of over 1,000 individuals, personal health and financial data of over 10,000 individuals, and covered personal identifiers of more than 100,000 individuals. Certain transactions will be prohibited without a license, while others may proceed if designated cybersecurity standards are met.

White House presses gov't AI use with eye on security, guardrails.

Reuters: On Thursday, the Biden administration announced plans for the U.S. government to harness artificial intelligence to enhance national security while addressing associated risks. A memo from the White House instructed federal agencies to focus on improving the security and diversity of chip supply chains, specifically considering AI applications. Additionally, the administration emphasized the importance of collecting intelligence on foreign operations targeting the U.S. AI sector and swiftly sharing that information with AI developers to help protect their products.

First US national security memo on AI sparks fear of escalating tech war with China

SCMP: The U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies, are engaged in a heated tech war, with artificial intelligence emerging as a critical battleground. The Treasury Department is reportedly finalizing proposals to ban specific U.S. investments in AI, semiconductors, and other technologies in China, with an announcement expected this week. In a memo dated October 24, the White House emphasized the need for the U.S. to lead in developing safe, secure, and trustworthy AI and highlighted the importance of guarding against potential "strategic surprise" risks posed by competitors, particularly China.