Lingo Telecom has agreed to pay a $1 million fine after the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) accused the company of transmitting fake robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice to mislead voters in New Hampshire’s Democratic primary. The robocalls, created using AI voice-cloning technology, were directed by political consultant Steve Kramer, who now faces charges from the New Hampshire attorney general.
Initially, the FCC proposed a $2 million fine against Lingo but settled for $1 million after the company agreed to implement a compliance plan to adhere to FCC rules on caller ID authentication. The following case highlights growing concerns about the use of AI in political disinformation, particularly as the 2024 elections approach.
The FCC has also proposed fining Kramer $6 million and is considering new regulations to require clear disclosures for AI-generated content in political ads across broadcast and cable media. However, the commission’s authority does not extend to the internet or social media platforms.
OpenAI is pushing back against a proposed California bill, SB 1047, which aims to impose new safety requirements on AI companies. The San Francisco-based startup argues that the legislation would stifle innovation and that AI regulation should be managed at the federal level rather than by individual states. OpenAI also expressed concerns that the bill could negatively impact US AI and national security competitiveness.
The bill, introduced by state Senator Scott Wiener, seeks to establish safety standards for companies developing large AI models to prevent misuse in harmful ways, such as creating bioweapons or causing significant financial damage. The legislation has faced strong opposition from tech companies, who claim it could drive AI businesses out of California and hinder technological progress.
Despite amendments made by Wiener to address some of the industry’s concerns, including removing criminal liability for non-compliance and protecting smaller developers, major tech players like OpenAI remain opposed. OpenAI argues that the bill’s provisions could lead to a talent drain from California and disrupt the state’s leadership in AI innovation.
Wiener defended the bill, stating it requires companies to do what they’ve already committed regarding safety measures. He dismissed concerns about a talent exodus, noting that the law would apply to any company operating in California, regardless of location.
The bill will be voted on in the California State Assembly this month. If it passes, it will go to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has yet to express a clear stance on whether he will sign it into law, though he has spoken about balancing AI innovation with safety concerns.
Energix Renewable has entered into a long-term partnership with Alphabet’s Google to supply electricity and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated from its solar project to the tech giant. Energix will initially supply 1.5 gigawatt-peak of solar project development till 2030, with a possibility of further extension.
Google will be offering Energix tax equity. As a part of the US government’s Inflation Reduction Act, corporate entities are allowed to acquire credits for supporting the development of clean energy projects like solar and wind facilities. The move also ties into Google’s long-term vision of being carbon neutral by 2030.
Why is it important?
AI’s accelerated development pushes power demand to sustain highly energy-intensive data centres. This increase in electricity needs is poised to drive up energy demand on an exceptional scale, and given the huge strides in AI development, it’s likely that computing speed will ramp up faster than improvements in electricity efficiency. Against such a backdrop, this move by Google reveals how big tech players are ramping up their efforts to ensure a seamless electricity supply by entering agreements with energy providers.
Vietnam’s leading tech firm, FPT Corporation, has embarked on a $174 million AI project in Binh Dinh province, marking its latest advancement in the AI sector. The initiative, launched in collaboration with FPT City Danang, FPT Investment, and FPT Software, spans 93.24 hectares and will feature a state-of-the-art AI centre, an educational facility, and a supporting urban zone.
The AI centre will focus on several key areas: research, software development, digital transformation, and cybersecurity solutions. This new development would mark FPT’s commitment to expanding its role in the AI industry.
As Vietnam‘s most valuable tech company with a market capitalisation of $7.7 billion, FPT offers a broad range of AI, cloud computing, and big data services. Last year, the company reported revenues surpassing $2 billion.
In addition to this latest venture, FPT announced plans in April to invest $200 million in an AI factory utilising Nvidia’s advanced graphics chips and software, further highlighting its ongoing investment in cutting-edge technology.
Google has released new updates for Gmail building on its existing ‘Help me write’ feature. These updates will enable users to polish drafts written by users on both web and mobile devices. Additionally, there will also be ‘help me write’ and ‘refine my drafts’ shortcuts on both Android and iOS devices.
Users paying for Google One AI Premium or those who have paid for ‘Google’s Gemini add-on for Workspace’ will have access to the tools. Just by opening an empty draft, one can access the ‘Help me write’ shortcut that enables Gemini to draft texts. As long as there are 12 or more (regardless of whether it’s written by AI or Humans) words in a draft, the ‘refine my draft’ shortcut appears.
The latest addition expands Google’s array of AI offerings as it competes with Microsoft’s Copilot and ChatGPT in the race to capture market share in the AI chatbot space.
California legislators are poised to vote on a bill, SB 1047, that aims to regulate the development and deployment of AI across the state. The bill, advanced by State Senator Scott Wiener, would require safety testing for advanced AI models that exceed $100 million in development costs or use significant computing power. Developers would need to implement a ‘kill switch’ for malfunctioning AI and face potential legal action from the state attorney general if they fail to comply. The bill also mandates third-party safety audits and protects whistleblowers.
Despite passing the state Senate with overwhelming support, SB 1047 has faced criticism from key California lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi and Ro Khanna, who argue that it could drive AI developers out of the state and harm open-source AI projects. They believe the bill’s regulations might create an unfavourable environment for AI innovation in California.
Tech industry leaders have also expressed concerns, with companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI opposing the bill, fearing it could stifle AI development. They argue that federal regulation would be more appropriate and worry that the bill could negatively impact open-source AI models. However, some notable AI researchers, including Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, have supported the legislation, highlighting the need for robust safeguards in AI development.
A recent report from research firm Arize AI reveals a dramatic surge in Fortune 500 companies identifying AI as a significant risk. Out of the 500 companies, 281—accounting for 56.2%—cited AI as a risk, marking a 473.5% increase from the previous year. The report suggests that while AI is seen chiefly as a risk factor, there are opportunities for businesses to stand out through innovation and transparency in their use of generative AI.
The media and entertainment industry is the most concerned, with 91.7% of its Fortune 500 companies citing AI risks. Netflix and Disney, for instance, highlighted potential competitive disadvantages and unsettled regulations impacting revenue and production processes. Other sectors such as software and tech (86.4%), telecommunications (70%), healthcare (65.1%), financial services (62.7%), and retail (60%) also expressed significant concerns. Conversely, the automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors reported fewer AI-related issues, with only 18.8%, 37.3%, and 39.7% respectively recognising AI risks.
Notable companies have provided concrete examples of AI-related risks. Motorola warned that AI might malfunction or use flawed datasets, potentially harming operational results and reputation. Salesforce highlighted possible governmental scrutiny and reputational damage tied to its AI solutions, especially around human rights and privacy. The importance of AI in cybersecurity was also emphasised, noting both its potential for enhancing security and posing new threats.
The report underscores the need for consumer acceptance of AI’s benefits, with academic experts stressing that public trust is crucial. Overall, the findings indicate that AI risks are now a prominent concern for corporate America, but they also offer a chance for businesses to differentiate through proactive innovation and clear communication.
Recogni, an AI chip and software startup backed by BMW, Bosch, and Mayfield, has unveiled a new computing method that could revolutionise the efficiency of AI systems. The patented system, called Pareto, uses a logarithmic approach to outperform current methods in running large AI models, potentially making AI chips smaller, faster, and less costly to operate. This new method significantly reduces power consumption by converting multiplication operations into simpler additions, all while maintaining accuracy.
Recogni has already tested Pareto on AI models from companies like Meta Platforms and Stability AI. The company’s first chip was developed using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s seven-nanometer process. Recogni is now collaborating with an undisclosed partner to make Pareto more widely accessible, with further details expected in the coming months. The startup is also considering offering its technology through data centres, allowing broader access to its innovative AI computing solution.
An AI-based system has successfully prevented nearly 6,000 deer from crossing busy rail lines in England, enhancing safety for both wildlife and train operations. Network Rail and train operator LNER first installed the system at Stoke Junction in May 2023, later expanding it to Little Bytham in December 2023. The technology uses AI to detect approaching deer and activates alarms to deter them, with cameras monitoring the animals until they are safely away from the tracks.
The trial showed promising results, with 2,765 deer deterred at Little Bytham and 3,147 at Stoke Junction. Network Rail officials expressed optimism about the system’s effectiveness and plan to expand its use. Deer are a significant concern on Britain’s railways, with 349 incidents reported in the past year, the highest among animal-related incidents. Deer population in the UK has risen dramatically to two million, the highest in a millennium, due to factors like milder winters and increased woodland.
A new AI-driven device, the Bzigo Iris, is poised to change how we deal with mosquitoes at home. Equipped with advanced technology, the device detects and tracks pests using AI and infrared LEDs, even in complete darkness. Once detected, the Bzigo Iris marks its location with a safe laser pointer and sends an alert to your smartphone, guiding you to the precise spot.
Designed primarily for use in bedrooms, the Bzigo Iris offers a chemical-free, eco-friendly solution to mosquito control. It stands out by distinguishing them from other insects, ensuring minimal false alarms, and operates continuously without the need for refills or batteries. The device is easy to set up, requiring only a plug-in and a simple app download to start working.
However, while the Bzigo Iris excels at locating mosquitoes, it doesn’t kill them. Users must still rely on the included rechargeable electric swatter to eliminate the pests. Despite this, the device offers significant advantages, particularly for those seeking a safe, non-toxic method to manage gnats.
Priced at $339, the Bzigo Iris represents a significant investment, but its potential to provide a mosquito-free environment around the clock could make it a valuable addition to homes struggling with these persistent insects.
