Welcome to the Daily AI News podcast.
Ready to dive into some AI news.
It's been a wild week.
I know, right?
Feels like every day something new pops up.
From robots to AI that can like taste shapes.
We even have AI generated Christmas carols going viral.
It's incredible how fast things are moving.
Let's start with the big one.
Open AI.
Yeah, the rumors are flying.
A researcher, Tolga Bilge,
is claiming someone on Open AI's preparedness team
called their latest model, AGI.
Artificial General Intelligence.
That's huge E, if true.
But Open AI CEO, Adam DiAngelo,
is playing it close to the chest.
Typical.
What does he say something vague about the market deciding?
Basically, he can't confirm or deny,
but says the market's the real test.
Cryptic for sure.
Gets people talking though, doesn't it?
It does.
Some folks are saying it means they did achieve AGI,
but are keeping quiet.
Makes you wonder if they're being cautious
or just drumming up hype.
Who knows?
The secrecy is making some academics nervous.
Rightfully so.
Yeah.
Jeffrey Miller, for one, is questioning
if Open AI is prioritizing safety in this AGI rush.
And to add fuel to the fire, some of Bilge's posts
about all this were hidden.
Oh.
He even implied that hiding them might be legally problematic.
And another researcher, David Casten, seemed to agree.
Transparency is crucial in AI, especially
when we're talking about AGI.
Sticking with Open AI, there's also
a report that they're thinking about developing
a humanoid robot.
Interesting.
Sounds like they're moving beyond just software.
Maybe taking a cue from Tesla and their Optimus robot.
Possibly.
The reports are light on details,
but it seems like they might be looking at warehouse
or even household robots.
Fine makes sense.
Those are areas right for automation.
Absolutely.
And speaking of shifting gears, it
seems Microsoft might be distancing itself from Open AI.
Yeah.
Bit of a shocker considering how much they've invested.
Right.
Sources are saying Microsoft is trying
to incorporate its own AI models, and even some
from other companies, into 365 co-pilot.
Big change.
Any thoughts on why?
Well, Open AI's models, while powerful,
aren't cheap to run.
Cost cutting could be a factor.
Makes sense for a company like Microsoft.
What else?
Speed.
Enterprise users need quick responses,
and Microsoft might be finding their own models
are faster for some tasks.
It never hurts to have options, right?
Exactly.
Diversification is key.
They're probably hedging their bets.
And they are diversifying.
They've got their own AI models, like FI-4,
and have integrated models from Anthropik and Google
into GitHub.
Even their consumer chatbot, co-pilot,
now uses a mix of their own models and Open AI's.
Smart move.
The AI landscape is constantly evolving.
You need to be flexible.
Speaking of changing landscapes, let's talk about meta.
They seem to be betting big on wearable tech.
Big time.
The Financial Times is reporting that meta wants
to add displays to their Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Oh, so instead of just taking pictures and listening to music,
you'll be able to see notifications right on your glasses.
That's the idea, yeah.
Initially, it'd be stuff like notifications and responses
from meta's assistant.
Seems like a natural progression.
Definitely.
And it aligns with meta's goal of making wearables
the next big computing platform.
They're also ramping up work on their AR glasses prototype,
Project Orion.
Apparently, early testers are loving it.
From what I've heard, Project Orion
is quite advanced, compact, lightweight,
and with amazing displays that can overlay 3D content
onto the real world.
Like seeing holograms right in front of you.
Exactly.
That's what meta is aiming for.
Imagine a world where we interact with the digital world
through these glasses instead of being tied to our phones.
Pretty wild.
But there must be challenges.
Oh, definitely.
Battery life, for one.
Those displays and sensors will suck up a lot of power.
And cost is always a factor, right?
Those early AR headsets were ridiculously expensive.
Absolutely.
Meta will have to make Orion affordable
if they want it to be mainstream.
Then there's supply chain issues, societal acceptance,
and the question of privacy.
A lot of hurdles to clear before AR glasses
become as common as smartphones.
Definitely a long road ahead, but meta seems determined.
They're even exploring different control mechanisms,
like wristbands with neural interfaces and rings
with trackpads.
Yeah, they're thinking about how
to make these glasses as intuitive and seamless as possible.
So moving away from the consumer tech,
let's talk about AI in scientific research.
Fascinating area.
AI is changing how scientists approach discovery itself.
Yeah, and one of the most intriguing aspects
is the concept of AI hallucinations.
Hallucinations sounds scary, but it's not as bad as it seems.
So it's not like the AI is just spouting nonsense
like some chatbots we've seen.
Not quite.
Here, hallucinations refer to the AI
generating outputs that are factually wrong.
But sometimes those incorrect outputs
can actually lead to groundbreaking insights.
Wait, really?
How could a mistake be helpful in science?
Think of it this way.
The AI is sifting through tons of data.
Sometimes it stumbles upon something unexpected,
something that human researchers might have missed
because they were looking in a different direction.
So it's not that the AI is being deliberately wrong.
It's more like it's exploring and sometimes find
something off the beaten path.
Exactly.
A great example is David Baker, who recently won a Nobel Prize
in Chemistry for his work on protein design.
That's right.
He was designing brand new proteins that don't even
exist in nature.
And he openly credits AI hallucinations
with being key to that work.
AI helped him win a Nobel Prize.
Incredible.
It is.
And there are other examples, too.
Anima Anankumar's team used AI to design a bacteria-resistant
catheter.
And Amy McGovern is using AI to create better weather forecasts
and understand extreme weather events.
AI is really shaking things up in the scientific community.
It is.
It's challenging us to rethink how we approach discovery.
It's not just about hallucinations, either.
Right?
AI is being used in tons of other ways in science,
sharpening blurry medical images,
improving robot navigation, figuring out how proteins fold.
Wow.
A lot of potential there.
Huge potential.
AI could lead to breakthroughs in health care, sustainability.
You name it.
There's a lot of optimism in the scientific community
about what AI can do.
Now, this one really blew my mind.
AI that can taste colors and shapes.
This sounds strange, right?
But research led by Carlos Velasco shows generative AI
can make similar connections between senses,
like humans do.
Hold on.
AI can taste.
How does that even work?
It's not literal tasting, but it's
showing that AI can associate shapes and flavors in a way
that aligns with human perceptions.
Give me an example.
Round shapes are often associated with sweetness,
while spiky shapes are more linked to sour or bitter tastes.
Wow.
It's like AI is learning our subconscious connections
between our senses.
It is fascinating, and not just shapes and taste.
Research also shows links between certain colors
and specific tastes, like red and pink with sweetness.
So this AI isn't making this stuff up.
It's learned it from the data it was trained on,
data created by humans, with all our inherent biases
and perceptions.
Exactly.
It's like a mirror reflecting back at us
how we experience the world.
So could this type of AI actually be used for something?
Definitely.
Imagine using it for marketing or product design,
creating packaging that subconsciously appeals
to consumers based on these cross modal correspondences,
or enhancing food and drinks by pairing the right colors, shapes,
and flavors.
That's amazing.
Yeah.
But we need to be careful with that kind of power, right?
Absolutely.
We have to ensure we're using these AI insights responsibly,
and not just amplifying existing biases.
We should use AI to enhance our world, not just replicate it.
OK, time for a reality check.
Not everything in the world of AI is positive.
We're seeing a rise in AI-generated fakery,
and it's becoming harder to separate fact from fiction.
It's a real concern, isn't it?
As AI gets more powerful, so does the potential for misuse.
And it's not just deep fakes anymore.
We're seeing it pop up in unexpected places,
like Christmas music, a developer named
Carbonic highlighted how YouTube is flooded with AI-generated
Christmas carols.
I saw that.
It's a bit unsettling.
Some of them have altered melodies, the wrong artists
listed, even creepy AI-generated visuals.
It's like AI is trying to hijack our holiday spirit
with fake nostalgia.
The scary part is it might actually
work on some people who don't realize that content isn't
genuine.
Exactly.
Speaking of fake music, Spotify has been under fire lately
for hosting suspicious artists.
Yeah, those artists like Dean Snowfield and the North Star
and the North Smiths write their music, their bios,
their connection to Warner Music's ADA label.
It's all a little too similar.
Makes you wonder if they're actually AI-generated artists
or just some kind of mass produced music scheme.
The lines are definitely blurring.
It's harder to tell what's real anymore.
And it's not just music.
Fake reviews are becoming a huge problem.
Huge.
The transparency company and Double Verify
both reported a huge increase in AI-generated fake reviews
across all sorts of industries.
The FTC even sued a company called Right Tree
for offering a service that could contribute
to fake review proliferation.
And even companies like Amazon, Yelp, and Trustpilot,
who are actively trying to combat this,
are having a hard time keeping up.
They're developing AI detection systems
and setting guidelines for AI-assisted reviews.
But it's an uphill battle.
As AI gets better at creating fakes,
the detectors have to get better at spotting them.
It's an endless cycle.
So what can we, as consumers, do to protect ourselves
from being misled by these fake reviews?
Well, be skeptical of reviews that are either
overwhelmingly positive or negative.
Look for suspicious patterns, like repetitive language
or overuse of jargon.
And most importantly, try to cross-reference reviews
from different sources to get a more well-rounded perspective.
Good advice.
So from fake music and reviews to manipulated images,
it seems like AI is making it harder
to trust what we see and hear online.
It's a real concern, isn't it?
A photographer, Carl DeKaiser, sparked a lot of controversy
recently for using AI to create a series of images
called Putin's Dream.
I heard about that.
Some people were outraged calling it misleading and unethical,
especially in the age of rampant misinformation.
Others defended him, saying his work was clearly
labeled as AI-generated and intended as art,
not documentary photography.
That's a tricky situation, isn't it?
It highlights the ethical dilemmas
that AI is bringing to the forefront.
Absolutely.
And the photographic community is wrestling with this right now.
Magnum Photos, the agency DeKaiser belongs to,
has stated their archive will only include photographs
taken by humans.
It's almost like the existence of these AI-generated images
undermines the credibility of all images.
Exactly.
It's like a liar's dividend, where
the mere possibility of fake recasts doubt on everything.
So what's the solution?
How do we navigate this new world where anything could be fake?
Transparency is key.
When AI is used in creative fields,
it needs to be clearly stated.
We also need to start thinking about copyright, bias,
representation.
The ethical implications of AI go beyond just the realness
of the image itself.
It's a complex issue with no easy answers.
Definitely food for thought, though.
It is a lot to think about.
It is.
But we've talked about AI fakery in music and photography,
but this isn't just limited to creative fields, right?
Definitely not.
Think about fake reviews.
Yeah, those are getting out of control.
Companies like Amazon and Yelp are trying to fight back,
but it's an uphill battle.
And it goes even further than that.
What about fake news articles or social media posts
designed to spread misinformation and influence
public opinion?
Oh, that's a huge concern, especially
with elections coming up.
AI can create incredibly convincing fake news
and social media posts.
It's scary how realistic they can be.
And they can spread like wildfire online, potentially even
swaying election results.
Well, what can we do about it?
How do we protect ourselves from being manipulated
by all this AI-generated fakery?
Well, we have to become more discerning.
Develop our critical thinking skills.
Be more skeptical of everything we see online.
Exactly, especially if it seems sensational or too good
to be true.
Always check the sources, look for evidence,
and be wary of emotional appeals or biased language.
Basically, don't believe everything
you read on the internet.
Pretty much.
And it's important to be aware of our own biases, too.
How do our own biases play into this?
Our biases can influence how we perceive information.
We might be more likely to believe something
if it aligns with our existing beliefs,
even if it's not true.
So it's not just about being skeptical of the content
itself, but also being aware of our own internal filters.
Exactly.
And we need to teach these skills to younger generations,
too.
Critical thinking and media literacy
are crucial for navigating an increasingly AI-driven world.
OK, good advice.
Let's shift gears a bit and talk about the workplace.
AI is impacting that in a big way.
It is.
In every industry imaginable, manufacturing, agriculture,
health care, finance, AI is changing everything.
And it's not just about jobs disappearing, right?
No, not at all.
While some jobs are being automated,
new jobs are also being created in areas like AI development
and data science.
So it's more about jobs evolving and new jobs emerging.
That's a better way to put it.
The key is to adapt to these changes.
How can people prepare for this AI-driven future of work?
Embrace lifelong learning and focus
on developing in-demand skills.
What kind of skills are we talking about?
Technical skills, of course.
Things like coding, data analysis, and machine learning
are valuable.
But soft skills are equally important.
Soft skills, like what?
Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity,
communication, and collaboration.
So the skills that make us human.
Exactly.
Those are the skills that will set us apart
from machines in the future.
The people who thrive in this AI-driven world
will be those who can combine their technical expertise
with their human ingenuity.
OK, let's talk health care.
AI's potential in health care is huge,
but there are definitely some ethical concerns
we need to address.
Absolutely.
AI is already being used to develop new drugs,
diagnose diseases, and personalize treatments.
It's mind-blowing to think AI could help us
live longer, healthier lives.
It truly is.
But we have to be careful about how these technologies are used.
What kind of ethical challenges are we talking about?
Data privacy is a big one.
AI systems in health care rely on tons
of sensitive patient data.
And that data needs to be protected.
Absolutely.
We also need to address the potential for bias in AI
algorithms.
How could AI algorithms be biased in health care?
If they're trained on bias data,
they could perpetuate existing health disparities
and discriminate against certain groups of patients.
So it's not just about the technology itself,
but also how it's used and the values that
guide its development.
That's a crucial point.
We need to make sure AI is used to promote human well-being
and not exacerbate existing inequalities.
OK, let's shift gears again and talk about AI and government
and public policy.
It has the potential to make government more efficient,
but transparency and accountability are key concerns.
I agree.
AI can automate tasks, analyze data,
and improve decision-making.
But we need to ensure these systems are transparent
and accountable to the public.
So citizens need to understand how these AI systems are
being used and have a say in their development.
Exactly.
We also need to be vigilant about the potential for AI
to be used for surveillance or to erode civil liberties.
It's a powerful tool, and it needs to be used responsibly.
Absolutely.
The potential benefits are huge, but so are the risks.
Speaking of potential benefits, AI
could be a game changer in the fight against climate change.
It could.
AI can help us understand climate change better,
predict its impact, and develop strategies
for mitigation and adaptation.
And it can also be used to optimize energy grids
and reduce waste.
Exactly.
It could play a crucial role in transitioning
to a more sustainable future.
But it's important to remember that AI is just a tool.
It's up to us to make the necessary changes
to our lifestyles and behaviors.
Absolutely.
AI is not a magic solution.
It's a tool that can help us achieve our goals,
but we still need to put in the effort.
OK, this one's a bit more philosophical.
What are the implications of AI for humanity as a whole?
That's a big question.
Some people believe AI will eventually
surpass human intelligence, leading
to a technological singularity.
The singularity, where machines become smarter than humans.
That's the idea.
It's hard to say if or when that might happen,
but AI is definitely raising profound questions
about what it means to be human.
It's almost like AI is forcing us to confront our own humanity
in a new way.
It is.
It's making us think about the nature of intelligence,
consciousness, and our place in the universe.
So where do you see AI heading in the next few decades?
It's hard to predict the future,
but AI will likely continue to advance at a rapid pace.
It will become even more sophisticated and integrated
into our lives.
So we can expect to see AI being used in even more ways
that we can't even imagine right now.
Absolutely.
It's going to be a wild ride.
OK, let's talk about the challenges we need to address
to ensure a positive future for AI bias in AI algorithms
is a big one.
It is.
If those algorithms are trained on bias data,
they can perpetuate and even amplify existing inequalities.
And this can have real world consequences
in areas like hiring, lending, and criminal justice.
Absolutely.
We need to develop ways to identify and mitigate
bias in AI algorithms.
And we need to be proactive, not reactive.
Exactly.
We need to design AI systems that are fair, equitable,
and accountable from the ground up.
Another challenge is the potential for AI
to exacerbate existing inequalities.
Right.
If the benefits of AI are not shared widely,
it could lead to a widening gap between the haves and have-nots.
So it's not just about developing the technology,
but also about ensuring that everyone benefits from it.
Precisely.
We need to think about the social and economic implications
of AI and develop policies that promote inclusivity.
Another challenge is the potential for AI
to erode human autonomy and agency.
As AI becomes more sophisticated,
it might start making decisions that impact our lives
without our direct input.
That's a valid concern.
We need to make sure humans remain in control of AI
and that it's used in a way that respects our dignity.
So it's not about letting machines take over.
No, it's about using AI to empower humans
and enhance our capabilities.
And of course, there's the potential for AI
to be used for malicious purposes.
Cyber attacks, deep fakes, misinformation campaigns,
the possibilities are unfortunately endless.
It sounds like we need to be very careful about how
we develop and deploy AI.
We do.
We need safeguards to prevent AI from being used for harm.
We need to ensure it's used ethically and responsibly
in a way that aligns with human values.
Another challenge is the potential for AI
to disrupt the job market.
As AI and automation become more sophisticated,
they will inevitably replace some jobs currently done
by humans.
And this could lead to significant job losses
in certain sectors.
It's important to think about how to prepare the workforce
for these changes through education and training programs,
as well as policies that support job creation in new fields.
So it's about adapting to a changing world
and preparing for the jobs of the future.
Exactly.
And also about mitigating the potential social and economic
consequences of job displacement.
Another big one is the potential for AI to erode our privacy.
AI systems can collect and analyze tons of data about us,
our location, online activity, even our emotions.
And this data can be misused for surveillance and control.
We need to be very careful about how this data is collected
and used.
We need strong privacy protections
to ensure that AI doesn't infringe
on our fundamental rights.
Absolutely.
Striking a balance between harnessing the power of AI
and safeguarding individual liberties is crucial.
I couldn't agree more.
It's a tough challenge.
But one we have to address head on if we want AI
to benefit everyone.
Agreed.
So on top of privacy concerns, there's
also the issue of transparency in these complex AI systems.
Oh, that's a big one.
Especially as AI gets more sophisticated,
it can be really hard to understand how these systems
actually work and why they make the decisions they do.
Right.
It's like a black box.
You put data in, get a result out,
but I have no idea what happened in between.
Exactly.
That lack of transparency can lead to distrust,
especially when these AI systems are making important decisions
that impact people's lives.
And how can we hold these systems accountable
if we don't even understand how they're
reaching their conclusions?
Exactly.
We need to push for AI systems that
are more transparent and explainable.
And that means involving people from all walks of life
in their development and deployment, not just tech
experts.
So a more collaborative approach to AI development
with input from ethicists, social scientists,
and the general public.
Absolutely.
It's not just a technical issue.
It's a societal one.
And speaking of societal issues, we also
have to worry about AI being used to manipulate people.
Oh, absolutely.
With AI, it's possible to create incredibly personalized
and persuasive content, which could easily
be used for spreading misinformation or propaganda.
Especially in this age of social media,
where information spreads so quickly,
and it's hard to tell what's real and what's not.
Exactly.
It's like we're living in a world of information overload,
where it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate fact
from fiction.
We need to equip ourselves with better critical thinking
skills and media literacy.
So we need to be more discerning consumers of information,
always questioning what we see in here online.
Absolutely.
And we need to hold those who develop and use
these AI systems accountable for their potential negative
impacts.
It's a shared responsibility.
It is.
Now, another concern is the potential for AI
to become uncontrollable or unpredictable.
That's scary thought.
As AI systems get more powerful and complex,
what happens if we lose control of them?
It's a possibility we can't ignore.
It could lead to unintended consequences,
like AI systems making decisions that harm humans
or even posing an existential threat.
That sounds like something out of a science fiction movie.
I know.
It sounds far-fetched.
But it's a risk we have to consider seriously.
That's why investing in AI safety and controllability
research is crucial.
We need to be sure that we can manage the risks as AI evolves.
So we need to be thinking about not just the potential
benefits of AI, but also the potential downsides
in how to mitigate them.
Absolutely.
We need to be realistic about the challenges
and develop ethical guidelines and governance frameworks
to ensure that AI remains aligned with human values.
So it's not just about the technology itself,
but about how we use it and the values that
guide its development.
Exactly.
We need to be thoughtful and intentional about how we integrate
AI into our lives and into society.
OK, but let's not forget the positive side of AI.
Yeah.
It has the potential to be a powerful force
for good in the world.
Oh, absolutely.
AI can help us tackle some of humanity's biggest challenges,
from climate change to poverty to disease.
It has the potential to improve our lives in countless ways
and create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
That's an inspiring vision.
It is.
But it's not guaranteed.
It's up to us to ensure that AI is used for good
and that its benefits are shared widely.
So we have a responsibility to shape the future of AI
in a positive direction.
We do.
We need to be informed, engaged, and proactive in shaping
how AI is developed and used.
It's a call to action for all of us.
It is.
We all have a role to play in ensuring that AI benefits
humanity and the planet.
Well said.
I think that's a great note to end on.
I agree.
It's been a fascinating conversation,
exploring all the different facets of AI
from its potential to its perils.
It's been an eye-opening deep dive into the world of AI.
And I hope our listeners have found it informative and thought
provoking.
I hope so, too.
AI is a complex topic.
And it's important that we continue
to have these conversations and engage
all the different perspectives.
Absolutely.
We need to be informed, engaged, and thoughtful
as we navigate this new era of AI.
It's a journey we're all on together.
Well said.
And remember, the future of AI is not predetermined.
It's up to us to shape it in a way that benefits everyone.
That's a powerful message.
Thanks for joining me on this deep dive.
It's been a pleasure.
The pleasure was all mine.
And to all our listeners out there,
thanks for tuning in to the Dairy AI News podcast.
Stay curious, be informed, and stay
engaged in the conversation about AI.
We'll be back soon with more deep dives
into the latest developments in the world of AI.
So until next time, stay tuned.