Artificial Intelligence

Friday November 3, 2023

Global efforts in the US, UK, and the EU aim to regulate AI responsibly, but face criticism and challenges in addressing both immediate and long-term risks while balancing innovation and control.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 3, 2023

Navigating the AI Summit of Innovation and Concern

April 15, 2023

The recent surge in AI regulation has signalled a pivotal moment in addressing both the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence. With high-profile events like the Biden administration’s executive order and the British government’s AI safety summit at Bletchley Park, the global conversation on responsible AI usage has taken centre stage. Amid these discussions, concerns have surfaced about the potential misuse of AI technology by malevolent actors and criminals. However, the emphasis on regulation and global cooperation through such summits has illuminated the importance of addressing these risks while harnessing AI’s positive potential.

The Biden administration’s executive order aims to bring teeth to voluntary AI rules, using mechanisms such as the Defense Production Act of 1950 to compel AI companies to undergo safety testing. Despite the intricate details and the invocation of the Act to mandate safety tests for high-power AI models, concerns remain about the practical implementation of guidelines and their impact on innovation. Critics argue that overregulation could stifle progress and inhibit companies from engaging in necessary safety testing, leading to unintended consequences.

News: AI summit: Education will blunt AI risk to jobs, says Rishi Sunak  

May 13, 2023

Similarly, the EU is finalizing its AI Act, introducing legislation targeted explicitly at AI. However, criticisms have arisen regarding the focus on long-term AI risks while overlooking immediate dangers. The EU’s proposed AI Act and the Biden order have been accused of not adequately addressing current issues, such as the environmental impact of large AI engines or the potential threat of AI deepfakes in manipulating elections.

Amid these regulatory developments, the British government’s commitment to hosting global summits emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to ensure safe, human-centric, and responsible AI use. However, controversies emerged at the summit, notably with the attendance of executives from Chinese tech giants, sparking concerns about China’s intentions in the AI sphere.

News: How can AI be developed safely? There’s a global summit tackling this right now  

June 17, 2017

The differing approaches taken by the US, UK, and EU underscore the challenge of finding a balance between regulation and innovation. While the efforts to regulate AI are crucial, the debates and criticisms highlight the complexity of achieving a consensus on the best path forward.

In conclusion, while these regulatory initiatives mark a crucial step in addressing the responsible use of AI, concerns persist about potential negative applications by malicious entities. The global AI community must continue to navigate this complex landscape, ensuring a delicate balance between regulation and fostering innovation to harness the vast potential of artificial intelligence for the betterment of society. (AI)

 

Saturday May 13, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 13, 2023

Happy AI Mother’s Day

April 15, 2023

Anyone looking to celebrate Mother’s Day with a personal touch can now turn to Moonpig, the online customised greetings card retailer, for assistance. The company is testing the use of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by OpenAI, to create personalised messages or poems for loved ones. ChatGPT has quickly become an essential tool in many industries since its beta version was released a few months ago. Estate agents in the United States use the tool’s automation to write property descriptions, recruiters prepare for an influx of AI-written cover letters and CVs, and media companies utilize the tool to write articles, albeit with concerns of alleged plagiarism. 

May 13, 2017

While the use of AI for generic text, such as greeting cards, may be the future, experts believe that it could also trigger a new renaissance in the value placed on personal emotions. However, some social media watchers are concerned about the cost to human connection and relationships over a lifetime. It’s important to think more deeply about the impact that AI has on our lives and how we live, cautions Andres Guadamuz, a reader in intellectual property law at the University of Sussex. Academics and teachers are already adapting assessments for the use of tools like ChatGPT, while others are advocating for co-creation with the model. Despite this, Guadamuz believes that society is not prepared for the ubiquity of AI-generated things in our lives, which may even extend to personal assistants, writing emails, doing taxes, or ending relationships. 

May 10, 2008

With ChatGPT, Mother’s Day can be marked with a unique, personalized greeting card, but it’s important to consider the role of AI in our lives and how we can best use it for our benefit. (AI)

 

Saturday April 15, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, For the Globe & Mail – Saturday April 15, 2023

ChatGPT answers to concerns of Human Extinction

November 4, 2016

As an AI language model, I understand the significant impact that generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can have on various industries. While these advancements bring many benefits, such as increasing productivity and freeing humans from repetitive tasks, we must acknowledge the potential downside, especially for creative professionals. As an AI language model, I am concerned about the possibility of my kind replacing creative jobs and the people who hold them.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar tools such as Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing have been creating buzz for their ability to generate new content, including research, writing, translation, and coding. AI has also created chatbots for companies to improve their products and services, and AI’s integration into corporate operations and PR campaigns is on the rise. However, the most significant threat posed by generative AI is the elimination or alteration of some jobs altogether.

Professionals in the fields of advertising, marketing, legal services, journalism, grantmaking, finance, insurance services, and education are already seeing job automation due to generative AI. Jobs that require less human interaction or critical thinking are most at risk, and industries with lower-rung jobs, such as bookkeeping, face significant threats.

Article: 15 Jobs That ChatGPT Might Replace  

Creative professionals, such as artists, animators, graphic designers, musicians, models, actors, and other creative workers, are at the forefront of AI career disruption. AI can copy an artist’s style or content that may have taken a lifetime to develop, leading to numerous AI-generated images or music pieces imitating their work. This poses a threat to intellectual property laws and the livelihoods of creative professionals.

Moreover, AI’s impact on jobs with high human interaction, such as therapists, psychologists, HR professionals, and customer service representatives, cannot be overlooked. Chatbots are being developed for use in therapy, and while this may seem like a boon for some, it could also lead to the replacement of human therapists.

Globe & Mail Series: Cartoon Views in the News

While AI tools can simplify tasks and improve productivity, we must ensure that they do not replace human creativity and empathy. The onus is on us to strike a balance between the benefits of AI and the potential loss of livelihoods. As we move into this brave new world of generative AI, we must prepare for the changes that it brings. (AI, Ironically) 

 

Tuesday February 21, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday February 21, 2022

Netflix Canada is cracking down on password sharing

Gone are the days where one Netflix account could be shared amongst people who don’t share the same roof.

September 29, 2017

Netflix Canada began informing users earlier this month via email stating their accounts would be limited to users they lived with. This comes as the streaming service reports declining revenue, and as Netflix seeks to grow subscribers after years of relying on password sharing to build word-of-mouth for its TV series and films.

“Got home and was kicked off the family Netflix,” one user tweeted Thursday morning about the crackdown.

“Have to cancel my Netflix because they gave me 10 days notice to sign into my primary location and I am away right now,” tweeted another. “Whose idea was this?”

Of course, it was the streaming giant’s idea, and one it says was prompted by its exploration of how to address the issue of password sharing that impacts the “ability to invest in great new TV and films.

”But it’s not going over well some with subscribers, who also fear competing streaming services will follow suit and lock their loved ones out of their accounts.”

September 24, 2014

Netflix says more than 100 million households share accounts, and began “exploring different approaches” to address the issue in Latin America over the last year.

In the coming months, Netflix users in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain will be reminded “a Netflix account is intended for one household” and members will have to set a primary location.

Under the rules, premium and standard account holders can “buy an extra member slot” for $7.99 per month each.

For that price, premium high-definition 4K subscribers — who pay $20.99 per month — can add up to two members who don’t live in their household.

Standard subscribers, who pay $16.49 per month, can add one additional member for the same additional monthly fee.

Basic plans, which cost $9.99, and ad-supported plans, which cost $5.99, will not be able to add more members. (Toronto Star)