California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two new bills into law aimed at protecting actors and performers from unauthorised use of their digital likenesses through AI. The following measures have been introduced in response to the increasing use of AI in the entertainment industry, which has raised concerns about the unauthorised replication of performer’s voices and images. The first bill mandates that contracts unambiguously specify the use of AI-generated digital replicas and requires professional representation for performers during negotiations.
The second bill restricts the commercial use of digital replicas of deceased performers. It prohibits their appearance in films, video games, and other media unless the performer’s estate gives explicit consent. These steps are crucial in safeguarding the rights of performers in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, where AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent.
The legislative actions mentioned highlight widespread concerns about AI technology, not just in entertainment but across different industries. The increasing use of AI has raised worries about its potential to disrupt sectors, lead to job displacement, and even pose a threat to democratic processes. Although President Biden’s administration has advocated for federal AI regulations, Congress is split, which makes it challenging to enact comprehensive national-level legislation.
Slack is undergoing a major transformation as it integrates AI features into its platform, aiming to evolve from a simple messaging service to a ‘work operating system.’ CEO Denise Dresser said Slack will now serve as a hub for AI applications from companies like Salesforce, Adobe, and Anthropic. New, pricier features include AI-generated summaries of conversations and the ability to interact with AI agents for tasks such as data analysis, web searches, and image generation.
This shift follows Salesforce’s 2021 acquisition of Slack and its broader move toward AI-driven solutions. Slack’s AI integration seeks to enhance productivity by offering tools to catch up on team discussions, analyse business data, and create branded content, all within the chat environment. However, questions remain about whether users will embrace and pay for these premium features and how this change aligns with Slack’s core identity as a workplace communication tool.
Concerns around data privacy have also surfaced as Slack leans further into AI. The company faced criticism earlier this year for handling customer data, which was used for training purposes, but maintains that it does not use user messages to train its AI models. As Slack continues integrating AI, it must address growing scepticism around managing and safeguarding data.
Microsoft is enhancing its $30-per-user Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription with new AI-driven features across Office apps. Excel now integrates Python with Copilot for advanced data analysis, while PowerPoint offers improved AI-assisted narrative building, and Word benefits from more efficient AI-generated drafts. The Copilot AI will also assist with organising Outlook inboxes.
Excel’s Python integration allows users to perform complex data analysis, such as forecasting and machine learning, using natural language commands. PowerPoint’s AI features can now help draft slide decks using company templates, and Teams will summarise both spoken and written conversations in meetings, helping organisers track important questions.
Outlook users will soon benefit from AI-powered inbox prioritisation, with Copilot sorting emails based on personal preferences. Additionally, the AI will be able to track keywords or topics, marking related emails as high priority. Word and OneDrive will also see updates, allowing users to reference data from emails, meetings, and documents seamlessly.
Microsoft aims to attract more businesses to Copilot, with Vodafone signing up for 68,000 licenses after successful trials. Microsoft reports that 60% of Fortune 500 companies now use Copilot, with daily usage nearly doubling each quarter.
Italy is testing AI-assisted learning tools in selected schools to close the nation’s significant digital skills gap. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has introduced the initiative in 15 classrooms across four regions, aimed at supporting both students and teachers through virtual assistants.
The AI tools are designed to tailor education to individual needs, providing an improved learning environment. Though few details have been provided, officials remain optimistic that the experiment will offer insights into a potential wider rollout. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara emphasised the importance of these digital advancements for future generations.
Italy currently lags behind most EU countries in basic digital skills, ranking near the bottom of the bloc. The government has also introduced a ban on mobile phones in classrooms, a move aimed at reducing distractions and promoting focus.
The trial will be carefully monitored throughout the year to assess its effectiveness and inclusiveness, with the hope of addressing past struggles to digitalise Italy’s education system.
Apple’s ‘Visual Intelligence’ feature is exciting and seems to set the stage for future AR glasses. Allowing users to scan and identify objects, copy text, and gather information on the go gives them a glimpse into what could be an integral part of AR glasses.
The idea of using AR glasses to receive real-time information about your surroundings without taking out your phone is very appealing. It could be a significant advantage if Apple successfully integrates Visual Intelligence into future AR glasses.
Given that Apple is known for refining technology before launching it, the Visual Intelligence feature on the iPhone could be an essential part of a broader strategy for AR. It’s a smart move to build and perfect this technology now so that when AR glasses do arrive, they can offer a seamless and polished experience.
The potential for AR glasses is enormous. Other companies like Meta and Google have already invested in this space, so Apple will need to ensure they can compete with a standout product. Hopefully, by the time those glasses are ready, Visual Intelligence will be a well-developed feature that enhances the overall user experience.
A new task force has been launched by the White House to address the growing demands of AI infrastructure. Led by the National Economic Council and the National Security Council, the group aims to balance AI development with national security, economic, and environmental goals. Senior US officials and executives from major technology companies, including OpenAI and Google, took part in the meeting on Thursday.
The focus of the discussion was on the power requirements for advanced AI systems. Leaders explored how to meet clean energy targets and infrastructure needs, particularly in the face of increasing demand from data centres. AI has raised both hopes for efficiency gains and concerns over potential misuse, with its energy consumption being a significant challenge.
The Biden administration is pushing tech firms to invest in eco-friendly power solutions. The AI industry’s energy needs could complicate the government’s ambition to decarbonise the power grid by 2035. Representatives from major agencies, including Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, were part of the conversation on tackling these issues.
AI infrastructure plays a crucial role in the future of the US economy, according to OpenAI. The company emphasised the importance of expanding data centres domestically, not only to support industrial growth but also to ensure that AI’s benefits reach all corners of society.
Top executives from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are set to meet with senior US officials at the White House to discuss the energy infrastructure needed to support the growing demand for AI. The meeting will bring together key figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google’s Ruth Porat, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, along with government representatives such as Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Discussions are expected to focus on how the US can strengthen its AI leadership while managing the strain on energy resources.
The Biden administration, led by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and other top officials, is pushing for the construction of more data centres in the US while ensuring that AI is developed responsibly. A White House spokesperson emphasised the government’s commitment to balancing technological advancement with national energy demands.
The rise of generative AI, which can produce text, images, and videos, has highlighted its potential benefits and risks. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday tasks, it raises concerns about energy consumption, with technology companies vying for an increasingly limited supply of electricity to fuel their AI and cloud computing operations.
DISG and AI Singapore are spearheading an expanded phase of the ‘Upskill with Meta’ programme, which now emphasises AI to support better small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and students. The initiative, aligned with the Digital Enterprise Blueprint launched by Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), aims to empower 500 businesses and 4,500 students with advanced digital skills.
The programme is designed to address SMBs’ challenges in effectively leveraging AI and machine learning technologies, offering targeted training to help them integrate these tools into their operations.
The initiative by DISG and AI Singapore is part of a broader effort to demystify AI for SMBs. The goal is to make AI more accessible and less intimidating for non-technical users, thereby fostering confidence in using these technologies. The expanded programme includes masterclasses on AI-driven strategies for marketing, customer support, and business messaging tools, providing practical skills that SMBs can directly apply to enhance their capabilities and innovate within their industries.
This expansion complements other government-led efforts, such as the generative AI (GenAI) Sandbox programme, which allows SMEs to gain hands-on experience with AI technologies. By supporting these initiatives, DISG and AI Singapore aim to build a digitally resilient workforce and ensure that every sector is included in the digital transformation process.
In Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling tech hub, a new attraction draws crowds: the Robot Cafe, where robots deliver meals to diners. This innovative eatery, the first of its kind in East Africa, features three robots—Claire, R24, and Nadia—gliding between tables with food trays, captivating customers who come to witness this futuristic service. The cafe’s owner, Mohammed Abbas, was inspired to bring robot waiters to Kenya after experiencing them in Asia and Europe despite the high cost of importing the technology.
While the robots add a unique, entertaining element to the dining experience, they don’t replace human staff. Waiters still play a crucial role in taking orders and serving drinks, with the robots primarily handling food delivery. The technology highlights the potential for automation in the hospitality industry, but cafe manager John Kariuki notes that robots aren’t a cost-saving replacement for human workers. Instead, they complement the service, showing how human and robotic labour coexist.
Industry experts believe robotic and human service can thrive together, catering to different customer preferences. While some diners may enjoy the novelty of robot service, others still value the warmth and personal touch that only human waitstaff can provide. As Nairobi continues to grow as a tech hub, the Robot Cafe symbolizes the city’s embrace of innovation while recognizing the enduring importance of human interaction in hospitality.
Thailand has given the green light to Western Digital’s $693 million project to expand hard disk production within the country. The investment, announced by Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), is set to enhance the nation’s economy, adding 200 billion baht in annual exports and creating 10,000 new jobs. Western Digital employs 28,000 people in Thailand, a key hub where 80% of the world’s hard disks are produced.
The approval is part of a broader trend in Thailand’s hard disk industry, which has seen 82.6 billion baht in investments over the past decade. Last year, Seagate, a rival in the industry, also expanded its operations with a 16 billion baht investment, highlighting the growing demand driven by cloud technology and data centres.
As Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, Thailand aims to attract 800 billion baht in overall investment applications by 2024, reflecting its strategic push to remain one of the bigger leaders in hard disk manufacturing.
