Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 686 of 704

US Air Force jets engage in dogfight, one piloted by AI

In a groundbreaking demonstration of technological advancement, two US Air Force fighter jets recently engaged in a dogfight over California, with one jet piloted by a human and the other by AI. The AI-piloted jet, named Vista, showcased the Air Force’s strides in AI technology, which dates back to the 1950s but continues to evolve.

The US is in a race with China to maintain superiority in AI and its integration into weapon systems, raising concerns about the potential for future wars fought primarily by machines. Despite assurances from officials that direct human intervention will always be required on the US side, questions linger about adversaries’ intentions and the need for rapid deployment of US capabilities.

AI’s military history traces back to the 1960s and 1970s when systems like the Navy’s Aegis missile defence were developed, which employed if/then rule sets for autonomous decision-making. However, big advancements came in 2012 with the ability of computers to analyse big data and generate their own rule sets, marking a significant milestone dubbed AI’s ‘big bang.’

Why does it matter?

Numerous AI projects are underway across the Pentagon, including enhancing communication between pilots and air operations centres and developing AI-based navigation systems independent of GPS satellites. Safety remains a top priority as AI learns and adapts, with extensive precautions taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of AI-driven systems. Despite challenges, AI technology promises to revolutionise military operations, offering enhanced capabilities and strategic advantages in future conflicts.

US and China to meet in Geneva for AI risk discussions

The US and China are set to meet in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss advanced AI, with US officials underscoring that Washington’s policies would not be open for negotiation, despite exploring ways to address risks associated with the technology. President Joe Biden’s administration aims to engage China on various fronts to minimise miscommunication between the two countries, with AI being a focal point. Earlier discussions between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing laid the groundwork for these formal bilateral talks on AI.

Highlighting concerns over China’s rapid deployment of AI across multiple sectors, including civilian, military, and national security, US officials stress the need for direct communication to address security implications for the US and its allies. However, they clarified that talks with Beijing do not involve promoting technical collaboration or negotiating technology protection policies.

Despite competing interests in shaping AI rules, both the US and China hope to explore areas where mutual agreements can enhance global safety. Tarun Chhabra from the US National Security Council and Seth Center from the State Department will lead the discussions with Chinese officials, focusing on critical AI risks. Meanwhile, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intends to issue recommendations on addressing AI risks in the coming weeks, emphasising the need for proactive legislation to navigate the competitive landscape with China and regulate AI advancements effectively.

U.S. considers new AI software export control to China

The US government is considering new measures to limit China’s access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) software. This initiative, driven by national security concerns, aims to prevent the use of these technologies in military applications and cyberattacks.

This potential measure follow broader US restrictions over export of AI chips and manufacturing tools to China. In the same context the US proposed a “know your customer” rule that would require national cloud companies to inform the government when their services are used by foreign entities to train AI models that could potentially be deployed for cyberattacks. The new area of restriction aims to cover AI models and their core software.

The Biden administration’s proposal involves establishing regulatory controls over the export of proprietary or closed source AI models , which are developed and kept confidential by companies like OpenAI and Google DeepMind. Currently, nothing is stopping US AI giants, which have developed some of the most powerful closed source AI models, from selling them to almost anyone in the world without government oversight.

The Commerce Department is reportedly discussing the use of a computing power threshold, which was outlined in a recent AI executive order, to determine which AI models would be subject to export controls. This move is part of a broader effort to maintain technological superiority and manage the risks associated with AI advancements. The proposed controls would primarily target new models that have not yet been released, as existing technologies have not reached the defined thresholds.

These considerations come in response to the rapid development and potential misuse of AI technologies that could be used to enhance cyber and biological warfare capabilities. Recent discussions highlighted by researchers from Gryphon Scientific and the Rand Corporation emphasize that advanced AI models could assist in the development of biological weapons. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security’s 2024 threat assessment warns that cyber actors are likely to leverage AI to conduct more sophisticated cyberattacks. The U.S. aims to establish a regulatory framework that can keep pace with technological advancements while addressing the complex challenges of effectively implementing export controls. The Commerce Department has yet to finalize any rules, indicating that the discussions are ongoing and that feedback from industry stakeholders will be essential in shaping the final regulatory approach.

OpenAI set to challenge Google with new AI-powered search product

OpenAI is gearing up to unveil its AI-powered search product, intensifying its rivalry with Google in the realm of search technology. The announcement, slated for Monday, comes amidst reports of OpenAI’s efforts to challenge Google’s dominance and compete with emerging players like Perplexity in the AI search space. While OpenAI has remained tight-lipped about the development, industry insiders anticipate a big step in the AI search landscape.

The timing of the announcement, just ahead of Google’s annual I/O conference, suggests OpenAI’s strategic positioning to capture attention in the tech world. Building on its flagship ChatGPT product, the new search offering promises to revolutionise information retrieval by leveraging AI to extract direct information from the web, complete with citations.

Why does it matter?

Despite ChatGPT’s initial success, OpenAI has faced challenges sustaining user growth and relevance during the chatbot’s evolution. The retirement of ChatGPT plugins in April indicates the company’s engagement to refine its offerings and adapt to user needs.

As OpenAI aims to expand its reach and enhance its product capabilities, the launch of its AI search product marks a breakthrough in its quest to redefine information access and reshape the future of AI-driven technologies.

TikTok adopts technology to label AI-generated content

TikTok has announced that it will implement a new technology called ‘Content Credentials’ to label images and videos created by AI on its platform. Developed by Adobe, this digital watermark technology aims to address concerns regarding the authenticity and potential misuse of AI-generated content, particularly in relation to the upcoming US elections.

The Content Credentials technology will attach digital watermarks to indicate how images and videos were created and edited, allowing users to distinguish content produced by humans from AI-generated content. TikTok’s adoption of this technology follows in the footsteps of other companies like OpenAI and is part of a broader effort by tech giants to combat the potential use of AI-generated content for misinformation purposes. YouTube and Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram and Facebook, have also expressed their intention to adopt Content Credentials, even though they already use AI-generated content labelling tools.

For the watermark system to be effective, both the creators of the generative AI tools and the platforms must agree to use the industry standard. For example, if an image is generated using OpenAI’s Dall-E tool, a watermark will automatically be attached to the resulting image. If this marked image is then uploaded to TikTok, it will be labelled as AI-generated content.

Why does it matter?

While TikTok already labels AI-generated content created within its app, this new initiative expands the labelling to content generated outside the TikTok ecosystem. By doing so, TikTok aims to enhance control over disseminating AI-generated material and maintain transparency for its user community.

Furthermore, the decision to regulate the content on its platform comes amid the ongoing legal battle between TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and the US government. ByteDance has been ordered to divest TikTok due to national security concerns, but it has filed a lawsuit arguing that this requirement violates the First Amendment. This legal dispute adds another layer of complexity to TikTok’s operations and its future in the United States.

South Africa to establish AI expert advisory council to shape future regulations

South Africa is about to create an AI Expert Advisory Council in an effort to address the regulatory issues surrounding the use of AI. This initiative was highlighted at a national AI summit organised by the Department of Communications,

The proposed Expert Advisory Council led by Vukosi Marivate, the associate professor of computer science and the ‘ABSA UP’ chair of data science at the University of Pretoria, will coordinate in collaboration with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies the formulation of effective and ethical AI governance frameworks in order to guide the development of a national AI policy that would align with both national and continental objectives. Professor Marivate will be tasked with overseeing the selection process for specialists who will serve on the AI Expert Advisory Council.

Vukosi Marivate is an expert in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), with a specialised focus on integrating these technologies with natural language processing (NLP). His work involves developing methods that use ML and AI to understand and process human language, a key component in advancing AI applications and technologies.

The summit also underscored the broader challenges and ethical considerations tied to AI adoption, including privacy concerns, data governance, and the societal impact of automation and AI technologies. Minister Gungubele’s address outlined the steps South Africa is taking to become a leader in AI technology. Gungubele emphasised the importance of AI in achieving the UN sustainable development goals and enhancing societal well-being. He also highlighted the economic benefits projected from AI adoption across Africa and added that there is a need for an inclusive approach to technology that benefits all segments of society.

The discussion document from the summit provides a blueprint for integrating AI across various sectors, focusing on ethical frameworks, societal benefits, and minimising risks associated with AI deployment. It discusses the need for international cooperation and a common understanding of AI to support policy-making and ensure AI’s safe and beneficial use.

While several African countries like Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia have initiated national AI strategies, formal AI regulations are still not in place. This regulation gap underlines a significant need for frameworks that ensure AI deployment adheres to ethical standards, safeguards citizens’ rights, and fosters responsible AI usage.

About the AI landscape in South Africa

Recognising the key role of AI in this transformation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (PC4IR). The commission’s mandate is to forge a cohesive national response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the 4IR. In its report issued in January 2020, the PC4IR outlined a series of recommendations aimed at helping South Africa improve its AI landscape. Among other, the recommendations include the establishment of an AI Institute.

The Emerging Technologies in South Africa, a landscape analysis report of June 2022, identified 20 emerging technologies being promoted, developed, deployed or used in South Africa. Of these, the top four can be divided between new emerging technologies (artificial intelligence and next-generation health) and waning emerging technologies (mobile applications and e-commerce). These waning technologies are not disappearing but are becoming accepted and assimilated into processes and becoming a form of general-purpose technology. South African government has a robust track record of involvement and prioritisation of digital agendas in Africa.

Microsoft releases GPT-4-based AI chatbot for US intelligence

Microsoft has announced a development in artificial intelligence technology—a GPT-4-based AI chatbot tailored specifically for US intelligence agencies. This advanced tool is designed to operate completely offline, ensuring a high level of security by eliminating internet connectivity risks.

The chatbot, still unnamed, is Microsoft’s first major language model deployed in a secure, isolated environment. Over 18 months of development led to the adaptation of an AI supercomputer in Iowa, enabling the chatbot to analyze top-secret information and engage in secure conversations without internet access. This initiative caters to the growing interest among intelligence agencies to utilize AI for processing classified data while addressing cybersecurity concerns traditionally associated with cloud-based systems.

While the capabilities of this AI chatbot are promising for intelligence operations through providing a new means to handle sensitive information securely and efficiently, there are inherent risks and limitations to consider. The potential for AI to generate incorrect data or conclusions, known as confabulation, poses significant challenges, especially in high-stakes settings. Consequently, the deployment of this technology includes strict checks and controls to mitigate misinformation risks and ensure the reliability and accuracy of the AI, particularly in scenarios where verification against external data sources is not possible.

As Microsoft’s chief technology officer for strategic missions, William Chappell, noted in a Bloomberg report, significant modifications and testing were required to ensure the AI operates effectively in an isolated environment.

On the other hand, the AI tool is set to have a substantial impact on the intelligence community, offering new ways to handle sensitive information securely and efficiently. Its introduction could potentially transform intelligence operations by providing a tool that complements human analysis, allowing for faster and more comprehensive data processing.

In addition to its espionage-focused applications, Microsoft has been integrating AI in its cybersecurity efforts through the development of the Microsoft Security Copilot, which provides AI-driven insights and responses to cyber threats.

OpenAI to introduce content creator control in AI development

OpenAI has announced that it’s developing a tool to enhance ethical content usage for AI development. The tool, called Media Manager, allows content creators to specify the use of their work in AI training, aligning with the digital rights movement and addressing long-standing issues around content usage in a context where it faces a growing number of copyright infringement lawsuits.

The concept isn’t entirely new. It parallels the decades-old robots.txt standard used by web publishers to control crawler access to website content. Last summer, OpenAI adapted this idea, pioneering the use of similar permissions for AI, thus allowing publishers to set preferences for the use of their online content in AI model training.

However, many content creators do not control the websites where their content appears, and their work is often used in various forms across the internet, rendering previously proposed solutions as nonsufficient. The Media Manager tool comes as an attempt to create a more scalable and efficient solution for creators to assert control over their content’s use in AI systems. It is being developed as a comprehensive tool that will allow creators to register their content and specify inclusion or exclusion from AI research and training. OpenAI plans to enhance this tool over time with more features, supporting a broader range of creator needs. This initiative involves complex machine learning research to develop a system capable of identifying copyrighted text, images, audio, and video across diverse sources.

OpenAI is collaborating with creators, content owners, and regulators to shape the Media Manager tool, with an expected launch by 2025. This collaborative approach aims to develop the tool in a way that meets the nuanced requirements of various stakeholders and sets a standard for the AI industry.

Why does it matter?

The significance of OpenAI’s Media Manager stems from its attempt to respond to the foundational discord of how AI interacts with human-generated content. By providing tools that respect and enforce the rights of creators, OpenAI is fostering a sustainable model where AI development is aligned with ethical and legal standards. This initiative is crucial for ensuring that AI technologies are developed in ways that do not exploit but instead respect and contribute positively to the creative economy. It sets a precedent for transparency and responsibility that could influence the entire AI industry towards more ethical practices.

Nvidia and Databricks sued for alleged copyright infringement in AI model development

Nvidia Corporation and Databricks Inc. face class-action lawsuits alleging copyright infringement in the creation of their AI models. The litigation highlights a growing concern over the use of copyrighted content without permission.

The lawsuits against Nvidia corp. and Databricks Inc., filed on March 8 by authors Abdi Nazemian, Brian Keene, and Stewart O’Nan in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argue that Nvidia’s NeMo Megatron and Databricks’ MosaicML models were trained on vast datasets containing millions of copyrighted works. Notably, the complaints suggest these models include content from well-known authors like Andre Dubus III and Susan Orlean, among others, without their consent. This has sparked a broader debate on whether such practices constitute fair use, as AI developers claim, or if they infringe upon the copyrights of individual creators.

The core of the dispute lies in how AI companies compile their training data. Reports indicate that some of the data used included copyrighted material from ‘shadow libraries’ like Bibliotik, which hosts and distributes unlicensed copies of nearly 200,000 books. The involvement of such sources in training datasets could potentially undermine the legality of the AI training process, which relies on the ingestion of large volumes of text to produce sophisticated AI outputs.

Legal experts and industry analysts are closely watching these cases, as the outcomes could set important precedents for the future of AI development. Companies like Nvidia have defended their practices, stating that their development processes comply with copyright laws and emphasizing the transformative nature of AI technology. However, the plaintiffs argue that this does not justify the unauthorized use of their work, which they claim undermines their financial and creative rights.

The lawsuits against Nvidia and Databricks are part of a larger trend of legal challenges that tech giants face regarding their development of AI technologies and using copyrighted materials to train large language models (LLMs), designed to process and generate human-like text.

OpenAI, the creator of the AI model known as ChatGPT, faced similar legal scrutiny when the New York Times filed a lawsuit against it, alleging that the company used copyrighted articles to train its language models without permission.

These developments raise crucial questions about the balance between innovation and copyright protection in the digital context.

House of Lords committee criticizes UK government for inaction on copyright issues with LLMs

The UK government faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of copyright issues related to the development of large language models (LLMs). After an extensive inquiry, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee issued a report which highlighted a critical need for clearer regulations to protect content creators and prevent misuse of copyrighted materials in AI training processes.

The House of Lords has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s current efforts, describing them as “inadequate and deteriorating.” The Committee’s latest report emphasizes the need for a definitive governmental stance on copyright application to LLMs, urging for legislative updates to ensure the law remains effective in the context of digital change.

The Committee’s concerns are not isolated. Various stakeholders, including industry experts and intellectual property organizations, have voiced similar frustrations. For instance, Getty Images criticized the prevalent ‘ask for forgiveness later’ approach, which is contrary to fundamental copyright principles that require prior permission from rights holders. The lack of a clear government position has led to a contentious environment where larger publishers might secure licensing deals, potentially sidelining smaller content creators.

The government’s response, detailed in their official statement, points to ongoing efforts to introduce a transparency mechanism for copyright holders and potential legislative updates. However, this response has been criticized as insufficient, with accusations that it favors large tech firms, allowing them to entrench business models potentially harmful to the UK’s creative industries.

Furthermore, the Communications and Digital Committee has proposed measures to promote fair competition and transparency in the AI market, stressing the importance of preventing market dominance by a few large companies. They advocate for a balanced approach that does not solely focus on AI safety but also considers AI technologies’ economic and societal impacts.

This ongoing debate highlights the complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and protection of intellectual property amid the ongoing digital transformation.