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South Korea announces plan for AI copyright and deepfake management

The South Korean government announced comprehensive plans to restructure its copyright system for AI-generated content and address the spread of fake news created by deepfake technology. This announcement was made during a Cabinet meeting in Seoul, led by Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho, who outlined 20 policy initiatives designed to tackle the pressing issues of the digital age.

Building on the Digital Bill of Rights introduced last September, the new policies aim to establish a digital framework that ensures the protection and advancement of digital rights. The Ministry of Science and ICT emphasized that these initiatives will be developed through extensive public consultations and policy research, with outcomes to be shared with the international community, including OECD member countries and the UN.

“The plan to establish a new digital order is based on the Digital Bill of Rights, and the policies will be made through pan-government efforts so that people can actually solve the issues we face in the digital era,” Minister Lee stated.

Among the 20 policy initiatives, eight key policy tasks have been identified:

Securing AI Safety, Trust, and Ethics by the establishment of frameworks to ensure the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies.
Addressing Deep Fake Fake News by mandating watermarks on AI-generated content.
Reforming the AI Copyright System by revising copyright laws for AI-generated content to support the AI creative industry.
Responding to Digital Disasters and Cyber Threats by enhancing capabilities to address them effectively.
Improving Digital Access and Securing Alternatives by ensuring all citizens have access to digital technologies and services, including alternatives where necessary.
Stable Implementation of Telemedicine through the amendment of the Medical Service Act to establish a legal basis for telemedicine, creating a framework for non-face-to-face medical treatment.
Protecting the Right to Disconnect
Guaranteeing the Right to Be Forgotten by facilitating the removal of unwanted digital records

The government has prioritized the reform of the copyright system for AI-generated content. This reform is expected to be completed by the end of the year and is aimed at supporting the development of the AI-based creative industry. The Ministry highlighted the need to swiftly revise the AI copyright system to support the sector.

In a bid to counter the rise of deepfake technology, the government plans to mandate the use of watermarks on AI-generated content. Additionally, new laws will be enacted and existing ones amended to monitor and promptly remove deepfake content, particularly during election campaigns. The government is also promoting the development of advanced technologies to detect and automate the deletion of deep fakes.

Another major focus is the stabilization and expansion of telemedicine services. Although South Korea permitted remote medical activities among professionals with the amendment of the Medical Service Act in 2002, non-face-to-face treatment between doctors and patients remains restricted. The temporary allowances for contact-free treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for vulnerable populations, highlighted the need for permanent legal frameworks. The government will amend the Medical Service Act to solidify the legal basis for telemedicine, ensuring thorough communication with medical professionals, patients, and consumers throughout the process.

Further policies aim to foster a culture that respects workers’ right to disconnect from work-related communications outside of regular hours and facilitate the removal of digital records that individuals wish to erase from their online presence.

To promote these initiatives globally, the government will host a discussion session on digital rights protection at the AI Seoul Summit, held this week. Additionally, South Korea plans to establish a cooperative framework on digital protocols with leading universities and research institutes, including the University of Oxford and the University of British Columbia.

Price war escalates in China as Alibaba and Baidu cut AI costs

On Tuesday, Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Baidu significantly reduced prices for their large-language models (LLMs), intensifying a price war in the cloud computing sector. Alibaba’s cloud unit announced cuts of up to 97% on its Tongyi Qwen models, with the Qwen-Long model now costing only 0.0005 yuan per 1,000 tokens, down from 0.02 yuan. Baidu quickly followed, making its Ernie Speed and Ernie Lite models free for all business users.

The price reduction comes amid an ongoing price war in China’s cloud computing industry, with Alibaba and Tencent already lowering prices for their cloud services. Cloud vendors in China have increasingly relied on AI chatbot services to boost sales, spurred by the popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The competition has now extended to the LLMs powering these chatbots, potentially impacting profit margins.

Other companies have also joined the fray. Bytedance recently slashed the prices of its Doubao LLMs by 99.3% below the industry average for business users. Chinese startup Moonshot introduced a tipping feature for prioritising chatbot use, targeting both business and individual users. Baidu was the first in China to charge consumers for its LLM products, with its Ernie 4 model costing 59 yuan per month.

Microsoft aims to transform Windows into an AI OS with Copilot+ PCs launch

Microsoft is pushing generative AI to the forefront of Windows and its PCs. At its Build developer conference, the company unveiled new Copilot+ PCs and AI-powered features like Recall, designed to help users find past apps and files. These AI-first devices, featuring dedicated chips called NPUs, will be deeply integrated into Windows 11. The first models will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, promising extensive battery life, with Intel and AMD also on board to create processors for these devices.

In addition to the Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft introduced new Surface devices, including the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro. The Surface Laptop now features up to 22 hours of battery life and faster performance, while the new Surface Pro boasts a 90% speed increase, an OLED display, and an upgraded front-facing camera. Both devices support Wi-Fi 7 and have haptic feedback features.

Microsoft’s upcoming Recall feature for Windows 11 will allow users to ‘remember’ apps and content accessed weeks or months ago, enabling them to find past activities easily. Recall can associate colours, images, and more, allowing natural language searches. Microsoft emphasises user privacy, ensuring that all data remains on the device and is not used for AI training.

Other AI enhancements include Super Resolution for upscaling old photos and Live Captions with translations for over 40 languages. These features are powered by the Windows Copilot Runtime, which supports generative AI-powered apps even without an internet connection. CapCut, a popular video editor, will utilise this runtime to enhance its AI capabilities.

Google introduces AI Overviews to enhance search experience

Google has announced the rollout of ‘AI Overviews’, previously known as the Search Generative Experience (SGE), marking a significant shift in how users experience search results. The following feature will provide AI-generated summaries at the top of many search results, initially for users in the US and soon globally. Liz Reid, Google’s head of Search, explained that the advancement simplifies the search process by handling more complex tasks, allowing users to focus on what matters most to them.

At the recent I/O developer conference, Google unveiled various AI-driven features to enhance search capabilities. These include the ability to search using video via Lens, a planning tool for generating trip itineraries or meal plans from a single query, and AI-organized results pages tailored to specific needs, like finding restaurants for different occasions. Google’s Gemini AI model powers these innovations, summarising web content and customising results based on user input.

Despite the extensive integration of AI, only some searches will involve these advanced features. Reid noted that simple searches like navigating a specific website won’t benefit from AI enhancements. However, AI can provide comprehensive and detailed responses for more complex queries.

Why does it matter?

Google aims to balance creativity with factual accuracy in its AI outputs, ensuring reliable information while maintaining a human perspective, especially valued by younger users. Google’s shift towards AI-enhanced search represents a broader evolution from traditional keyword searches to more dynamic and interactive user experiences. By enabling natural language queries and providing rich, contextual answers, Google seeks to make searching more intuitive and efficient. The approach not only aims to attract more users but also promises to transform how people interact with information online, reducing the need for extensive typing and multiple tabs.

Scarlett Johansson slams OpenAI for voice likeness

Scarlett Johansson has accused OpenAI of creating a voice for its ChatGPT system that sounds ‘eerily similar’ to hers despite declining an offer to voice the chatbot herself. Johansson’s statement, released Monday, followed OpenAI’s announcement to withdraw the voice known as ‘Sky’.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman clarified that a different professional actress performed Sky’s voice and was not meant to imitate Johansson. He expressed regret for not communicating better and paused the use of Sky’s voice out of respect for Johansson.

Johansson revealed that Altman had approached her last September with an offer to voice a ChatGPT feature, which she turned down. She stated that the resemblance of Sky’s voice to her own shocked and angered her, noting that even her friends and the public found the similarity striking. The actress suggested that Altman might have intentionally chosen a voice resembling hers, referencing his tweet about ‘Her’, a film where Johansson voices an AI assistant.

Why does it matter?

The controversy highlights a growing issue in Hollywood concerning the use of AI to replicate actors’ voices and likenesses. Johansson’s concerns reflect broader industry anxieties as AI technology advances, making computer-generated voices and images increasingly indistinguishable from human ones. She has hired legal counsel to investigate the creation process of Sky’s voice.

OpenAI recently introduced its latest AI model, GPT-4o, featuring audio capabilities that enable users to converse with the chatbot in real-time, showcasing a leap forward in creating more lifelike AI interactions. Scarlett Johansson’s accusations underline the ongoing challenges and ethical considerations of using AI in entertainment.

Microsoft set to reveal new AI devices and features at its developer conference

Microsoft is gearing up to unveil a range of hardware and software updates for consumer devices at an event on Monday, taking place at its Redmond, Washington campus. Among the anticipated reveals are new iterations of its Surface Pro tablet and Surface Laptop, powered by Qualcomm chips built on Arm Holdings’ architecture. This move signifies a big shift from Intel’s longstanding dominance in the personal computer market.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips, expected to feature prominently in Microsoft’s new devices, boast a neural processing unit designed to enhance AI-focused applications like Microsoft’s Copilot software. The emphasis on AI acceleration underscores Microsoft’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation in consumer electronics.

While Microsoft’s product event is not slated for live streaming, it serves as a prelude to its annual developer conference, offering insights to attending journalists and industry analysts. Microsoft’s strategic partnership with OpenAI has positioned it ahead of competitors like Alphabet’s Google in the race to develop consumer-centric AI tools, setting the stage for further advancements in the field.

Why does it matter?

The tech landscape is rapidly evolving, with Apple’s introduction of custom Arm-based chips for Mac computers intensifying pressure on the PC industry. The collaboration of Microsoft with Qualcomm to migrate Windows to Arm’s chip designs reflects a concerted effort to adapt to these changes. With the impending expiration of Qualcomm’s exclusivity on Microsoft Windows devices, competition among chip designers, including Nvidia, is poised to escalate in the pursuit of next-generation PC performance.

Google invests $1.1 billion in Finnish data centre expansion for AI growth

Google has revealed plans to inject an additional $1.1 billion into its data centre campus expansion in Finland, emphasising its commitment to bolstering its AI business growth in Europe. The investment aligns with a broader trend of locating data centres in the Nordic region due to factors like the favourable climate, tax incentives, and abundant renewable energy sources.

While some Nordic countries have become more apprehensive about hosting data centres, Finland’s wind power capacity surge has left ample room for expansion. With a staggering 75% increase in wind power capacity in 2022 alone, Finland boasts a surplus of renewable energy, even witnessing negative pricing on windy days. Google secures its renewable energy needs through long-term contracts in Finland, ensuring sustainable operations for its data centres.

Why does it matter?

The exponential rise in AI usage is anticipated to drive a global power consumption surge for data centres. Google’s investment decision in Finland underscores its recognition of this trend, alongside its commitment to sustainability. Notably, Google’s Hamina data centre in Finland already operates with 97% carbon-free energy, with excess heat being redirected to the district heating network, benefiting local communities.

The investment is part of Google’s broader strategy to expand its data centre footprint in Europe, with recent announcements about new data centre constructions in the Netherlands and Belgium. Google’s ambitious sustainability goals aim for net-zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2030, reflecting its proactive approach towards environmental responsibility and technological advancement.

Paris competes for Europe’s AI leadership as major conference approaches

France is set to host tech executives and political figures this week, including former US Secretary of State John Kerry and ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, at the ‘Viva Technology’ conference. The event, supported by Paris-based luxury giant LVMH, aims to spotlight French innovation in AI and address its implications on elections and climate change. LVMH’s Chairman Bernard Arnault is expected to be a key draw at the conference, which features cutting-edge technology from prestigious brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Over the past 18 months, France has positioned itself as a leader in generative AI, the technology behind tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. President Emmanuel Macron has successfully attracted investments from major American tech companies such as Amazon and Microsoft while also pushing for EU-wide capital market integration to support emerging AI startups. Paris, already a global luxury hub, is leveraging its status to attract more tech investments, with dynamic growth in the tech ecosystem and meaningful investment inflows.

Why does it matter?

In 2023, investors funnelled nearly $8 billion into French tech companies, positioning France behind the UK but ahead of Germany in tech investment. Paris has seen a rapid increase in tech startups, with nearly 3,000 new companies founded in 2023, surpassing other European cities’ growth rates. Notable Paris-based AI startups like Mistral AI and Holistic AI have emerged, founded by former researchers from industry leaders like Google DeepMind. The startup Adaptive ML, founded by ex-Hugging Face employee Julien Launay, quickly raised $20 million with significant backing from French and international investors.

Despite these advancements, European startups still need help raising large amounts of capital due to the EU’s fragmented capital markets. However, investment partners like Index Ventures see growing potential in Europe, emphasising the importance of funding and talent recruitment to build competitive AI companies. The ‘Viva Technology’ conference aims to further establish Paris as a significant player in the global AI landscape.

UK AI safety institute enhances US ties with new office in San Francisco

The UK’s AI safety institute is set to open an office in the US this summer, aiming to enhance international collaboration on AI regulation. The new office in San Francisco will recruit technical staff to support the institute’s efforts in London and strengthen connections with its US counterparts. The new office opening underscores the need for coordinated global efforts to manage AI’s rapid advancements and potential risks. Experts have highlighted the existential threats AI could pose, comparable to nuclear weapons or climate change, making international regulation crucial.

Why does it matter?

This announcement comes just before Seoul’s second global AI safety summit, co-hosted by the British and South Korean governments. The summit will bring together leaders to discuss AI safety, innovation, and inclusion.

The initiative follows significant concerns raised after OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022, prompting calls for a development pause due to unpredictable threats. The first AI safety summit at Britain’s Bletchley Park saw world leaders and tech executives, including US Vice President Kamala Harris and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, discuss regulatory approaches.

The summit fostered cooperation despite global tensions, with China signing the ‘Bletchley Declaration’ alongside the US and others. Britain’s technology minister, Michele Donelan, emphasised the importance of international standards on AI safety, which will be a key topic at the upcoming Seoul summit.

South Korea and UK to host global AI summit in Seoul

South Korea and the UK are set to co-host the second global AI summit in Seoul this week, a response to the rapid advancements in AI since the first summit in November. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will lead a virtual summit on Tuesday, emphasising the urgent need for improved AI regulation amidst growing concerns over the impact of technology on society.

In a joint article, leaders of the UK and South Korea highlighted the necessity for global AI standards to prevent a ‘race to the bottom’. The summit, now called the AI Seoul Summit, will address AI safety, innovation, and inclusion. A recent global AI safety report underlined potential risks such as labour market disruptions, AI-enabled cyber attacks, and the loss of control over AI, stressing that societal and governmental decisions will shape the future of AI.

Why does it matter?

Initially focused on AI safety, the November summit saw prominent figures like Elon Musk and Sam Altman engage in discussions, with China signing the ‘Bletchley Declaration’ on AI risk management alongside the US and others. This week’s events will include a virtual summit on Tuesday and an in-person session on Wednesday featuring key industry players from companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, Meta, and IBM.