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The deal is not without its quandaries. Enforcement is an overriding one, says Daniel Gervais, a professor of intellectual property and AI law at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Figuring that out will likely set another precedent. Gervais agrees that this deal gives writers some leverage with studios, but it might not be able to stop an AI company, which may or not be based in the US, from scraping their work. August concurs, saying the WGA needs to be honest about the limitations of the contract. We made a deal with our employers, the studios, he says. We have no contractual relationship with the major AI companies. So this is not the end of the fight.

There are also questions around who carries the burden to reveal when AI has contributed some part of a script. Studios could argue that they took a script from one writer and gave it to another for rewrites without knowledge that the text had AI-generated components. As a lawyer, Im thinking, OK, so what does that mean? How do you prove that? Whats the burden? And how realistic is that?

The future implicitly hinted at by the terms of the WGA deal is one in which machines and humans work together. From an artists perspective, the agreement does not villainize AI, instead leaving the door open for continued experimentation, whether that be generating amusing names for a Tolkienesque satire or serious collaboration with more sophisticated versions of the tools in the future. This open-minded approach contrasts with some of the more hysterical reactions to these technologieshysteria thats now starting to see some pushback.

Outside Hollywood, the agreement sets a precedent for workers in many fieldsnamely, that they can and should fight to control the introduction of disruptive technologies. What, if any, precedents are set may become obvious as soon as talks resume between AMPTP and the actors union, the Screen Actors GuildAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Its unclear just how soon those negotiations will pick back up, but its highly likely that the guild will look to WGAs contract as a lodestar.

Still, the contract is only a determined start, says actor and director Alex Winter. He fears it won't offer expansive enough protection. Studios are putting a lot of resources into new uses for AI, he says, and they don't show signs of easing up. The writers guild deal puts a lot of trust in the studios to do the right thing, and his hope is that the SAG contract, once it's complete, will offer more protections. Similar to how our government has been allowing Big Tech topolice itselfwith AI, Winter says, I dont see that working with Big Tech and I dont see this working in the entertainment industry either, unfortunately.

Actors have stronger protections in the form of the right of publicityalso known as name, image, and likeness rightsyet intense concerns remain about synthetic actors being built from the material of actors past performances. (As of this writing, SAG-AFTRA had not responded to a request for comment.) It will also be interesting to see if any of the issues that came up during the WGAs negotiations will trickle into ongoing unionization efforts at video game studios or other tech firms. On Monday, SAG-AFTRA members authorized a strike for actors who work on video games; once again, AI was one of the issues raised.

When it comes to AI, argues Simon Johnson, an economist at MIT, the WGA has burst out in front of other unions, and everyone should take note. As he and several coauthors laid out in a recent policy memo on pro-worker AI, the history of automation teaches that workers cannot wait until management deploys these technologies; if they do, they will be replaced. (See also: the Luddites.)

We think this is exactly the right way to think about it, which is that you dont want to say no to AI, he says. You want to say the AI can be controlled and used as much as possible by workers, by the people being employed. In order to make that feasible, youre going to have to put some constraints on what employers can do with it. I think the writers are actually, in this regard, in a pretty strong position compared to other workers in the American economy.

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Hollywood Writers Reached an AI Deal That Will Rewrite History - WIRED

Google is expanding access to its generative artificial intelligence-powered search experience, or SGE, opening it up to teens aged 13 to 17, the company said Thursday in a blog post. Beginning this week, if you're between 13 and 17 and are signed in to a Google account, you can sign up for the company's Search Labs, which will include access to SGE.

"Generative AI can help younger people ask questions they couldn't typically get answered by a search engine and pose follow-up questions to help them dig deeper," the company said in the post.

According to Google, users aged 18 to 24 who currently have access to SGE "are finding this experience especially useful. They've given us particularly positive feedback about how these capabilities make it possible to search for information in a more conversational, natural way, and ask follow-up questions."

Both SGE in search and SGE while browsing can be turned on or off from the Google Search Labs home page.

From the use of the word "responsibly" in the post's headline, it's obvious that Google is aware that mixing AI and younger users could be controversial.

"As we introduce this new technology to teens, we want to strike the right balance in creating opportunities for them to benefit from all it has to offer, while also prioritizing safety and meeting their developmental needs," the post said.

It goes on to note that Google has built additional safeguards into the experience for teens.

"SGE's quality protections are designed to prevent inappropriate or harmful content from surfacing," the post reads. "For example, we've put stronger guardrails in place for outputs related to illegal or age-gated substances or bullying, among other issues. And as we gather even more feedback, we will continue to improve how our systems respond, working with experts along the way to better protect teens."

In August, Google gave its Search Generative Experience a major update in the Google App and later in the Chrome web browser. SGE can summarize web pages and also show definitions of unfamiliar words.

In July, Google was one of four leading artificial intelligence companies, including Microsoft, to launch the Frontier Model Forum, an industry group aimed at identifying best AI safety practices and promoting its responsible use.

Editors' note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, seethis post.

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Google Is Expanding Its AI-Powered Search to Teens Ages 13-17 - CNET

Energy and resources companies face the tremendous challenge of providingsecure and reliableenergy for 8.1 billion people and growing while moving toward a carbon-free world. Under pressure to adapt quickly to changing demands, regulations, and technologies, the energy sector is turning to AI to accelerate the energy transition and operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

Todays headlines are dominated by news about AI, from the latest discussions about Microsoft Copilot to ways that AI paves the way for a sustainable energy future. The use of AI is increasing the availability and efficiency of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass which now account for approximately 30 percent of electricity generated worldwide1

The World Economic Forum underscores the role AI plays in the energy transition and estimates that every 1 percent additional efficiency in demand creates USD1.3 trillion in value between 2020 and 2050 due to reduced investment needs.2

Microsoft partners with organizations across the energy and resources sector on solutions to drive workforce transformation, improve operational efficiencies, accelerate net-zero, and increase energy innovation and growth opportunities. We work with customers and partners on:

Our customers in power and utilities, oil and gas, and mining are transforming their workforce and operations to achieve more with less. These innovators are using digital technologies, data analytics, and automation to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Investments include upskilling their employees, fostering innovation, and collaborating with Microsoft to create value for their customers and stakeholders.

Several industry leaders are at the forefront of leveraging data and AI to accelerate the energy transition, including:

Our extensive, global partner ecosystem is fundamental to accelerating innovation across the energy sector.While technology is an enabler, collaboration is the true foundation for addressing the worlds complex energy challenges. Microsoft is actively working with partners SLB, Cognite, Bentley, and many others to accelerate ideation and the development and deployment of AI-driven, sustainable energy solutions. You can find out more about our partnerships in my June blog.

Last week we announced Microsofts vision to deliverCopilot, your everyday AI companionto help people and businesses be smarter, more creative, more productive, and more connected to the world around them. We believe that together with our customers and partners, Microsoft can help power your teams, businesses, and processes, to empower every person and every organization to do their very best work and to achieve more.

In the energy and resources industry, generative AI has the potential to create new solutions and optimize existing processes by enhancing predictive maintenance models which evaluate the current status of equipment and machinery, whether its a power line, trucks at a mining site, or offshore wind turbines. The AI models can proactively make predictions based on usage trends and consequently inform maintenance teams of potential equipment failures in advance which help energy companies optimize maintenance schedules, minimize equipment downtime, reduce costs, and ensure a safe and reliable energy supply.

AI and machine learning can be used to improve the security of energy grids by preventing cyberattacks before they happen by using data analytics to identify patterns in energy data that may be indicative of a breach. AI can also empower and enable field workers to identify high-risk tasks and help prevent serious injuries by analyzing large data sets on work sites, schedules, and historical incidents. AI models can be used to predict future supply chain information such as forecasting demand for specific products and optimizing inventory levels, and there are countless more examples around service desk scenarios, customer care and support, and internal knowledge assistants.

As AI technology continues to rapidly evolve, Microsoft is committed to the advancement of AI driven by ethical principles and making sureAI systems are developed responsiblyand in ways that maintain trust. Our AI solutions and technology development align withMicrosofts AI Principlesfairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountabilityalong with Microsofts Responsible AI Standard in partnership with responsible AI experts across the company.

I hope youre as excited as I am by the latest AI innovations across the energy and resources sector.

Explore how Microsoft is empowering the world to achieve more with AI.

1AI paves the way for a sustainable energy future, Journal of Petroleum Energy Future, February 2023.

2Artificial intelligence is critical enabler of the energy transition, Word Economic Forum in collaboration with BloombergNEF and Deutsche Energie-Agentur, September 2021.

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The era of AI: Transformative AI solutions powering the energy and ... - Microsoft

At Code Conference 2023, Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd explained how the company wants to increase the use of artificial intelligence in its apps, from coaching users in dating and relationships to one day using AI as intelligent matchmakers to save users a lot of swiping.

Herd had first revealed that Bumble was investing in AI in a Bloomberg interview earlier this month and explained on stage at Code Conference in Dana Point, California, how AI could improve matches, save users time and even coach them.

"I really think about AI as a supercharger to love and relationships," Herd said. Bumble is thinking of using AI to help folks before meeting other users too, by alleviating worries that they'll be bad at dating. "We can actually leverage AI to train people to interact in a way that makes them feel positive so that they can get to the human," she said.

She clarified that Bumble doesn't want to replace humans with bots or have them fall in love with a digital partner (no Her situations, then). Bumble wants to integrate AI in a way that reduces the time from matching to meeting in person: "We are definitely not in the business of keeping you on your phone forever," Herd said.

In the future, Bumble could even use AI as a sort of matchmaker that uses preferred dating parameters and deal breakers -- values, ideal vacations and best ways to spend a weeknight, Herd gave as examples -- to swiftly sift through the massive amounts of potential daters and present only the most likely matches to users. Perhaps AI could even use image recognition to match restaurants and brands one person likes (presumably from profile photos) that other users like.

This could be bundled into something Herd acknowledged Bumble is currently working on: a more exclusive tier of service above Bumble Premium that will be priced higher and do a lot of the matchmaking for you.

"I hear from women friends of mine say, 'I don't have time to get on this dating app and swipe for an hour -- can Bumble just do it for me? I'll pay whatever you want," Herd said. While she didn't offer more details on pricing or availability, she said it would be an "AI-supercharged" version of the current products that "feels very curated, very selective."

Herd reiterated Bumble's commitment to protecting users as the company continues exploring AI, and it's developing a set of terms and conditions to clarify to users how it will use AI tools. Given the proliferation of AI abuse in (for instance) pornographic deepfake imitations, which Bumble has vowed to fight with tech and media partners, this disclosure fits Bumble and will be part of "a suite of other initiatives" in the realm of legislation, Herd said.

Read also:How Generative AI Helps Bring Big Design Ideas to Life

Editors' note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, seethis post.

See original here:

Bumble Wants AI to Be 'A Supercharger to Love and Relationships' - CNET

Duke Learning Innovation responded to concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to conduct academic dishonesty by creating a set of guidelines for faculty to consult as they design their courses.

As large language models such as OpenAIs ChatGPT become more accessible, professors worry that students may use these programs to draft papers, solve math equations and complete other assignments. Last year, before the University released official guidance on the use of AI in the classroom, some faculty members opted to change their courses in response, while others didnt believe it was necessary to make changes just yet.

Now, universities across the country, including many of Dukes peers, have released guidance on how professors can address AIs use in the classroom. Dukes own guidelines recognize that it is up to each professor to determine whether they will allow AI to be used in their courses.

Some faculty members, like Professor of Statistical Science Jerry Reiter, have made changes to their syllabi for the fall semester to address the use of AI. Reiter does not allow students to use AI to complete assignments in his course, Statistical Science 322/522, Design of Surveys and Causal Studies.

Students need to sit and struggle with the problems in order to get the fullest conceptual understanding, something that can not be achieved by simply plugging an equation into AI, he said.

I try to provide a lot of office hours and TA office hours and help for students who struggle so that they can get those questions answered and hopefully not have to turn to the AI for help, Reiter said. For me, it's really about, how can I set up my course so that students get the most out of it?

Students cannot use AI in a manner that violates the Duke Community Standard, which considers using, consulting and/or maintaining unauthorized shared resources including, but not limited to, test banks, solutions materials and/or artificial intelligence as a form of cheating.

Denise Comer, professor of the practice and director of the Thompson Writing Program, also stressed the importance of providing students with additional resources for classes where the use of AI is prohibited. She highlighted the Thompson Writing Studio as a useful resource for writers at any stage of their work.

You might be shortchanging your own education and development and growth by taking unauthorized shortcuts or by engaging in questionable ethical decisions, she said. If students are thinking of making an unethical choice that's against the policy on the syllabus, [the next step] might be to recognize that writing is thinking, and when we engage ourselves as humans in the writing process, we're actually thinking through ideas and developing perspectives.

Comer also said she appreciates that Duke Learning Innovation acknowledges the benefits of AI in academia, alongside its drawbacks.

Her colleague, Xiao Tan, a lecturer in the Thompson Writing Program, received funding from the Pellets Foundation to license generative AI that allows her students to create photographic essays with AI-generated images.

Some of my colleagues in the writing program are also using generative AI to offer opportunities for students to think really deeply about various aspects of writing, such as revision, Comer said.

Both Reiter and Comer said they believe that the guidelines have validated the perspectives of individual professors and encouraged them to take the lead on how AI should be used.

Reiter said he appreciates that Duke is giving faculty both freedom and guidance to make their own decisions about the role of AI in their courses.

Faculty should have ownership of their course design and how the learning outcomes are addressed throughout the course, Comer said. Its really up to them.

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'Really up to them': Faculty members take lead on AI syllabus ... - Duke Chronicle