Changing Dynamics: Climate change is a growing threat that requires military readiness, while technology, like AI and platforms such as X, reflects changing dynamics in transparency and regulation, shaping our future.
Climate change poses a significant threat, as highlighted by Kai Risdell in his podcast, reflecting on its impact on military preparedness. The Pentagon has been studying this issue since the 1950s, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Meanwhile, in the tech realm, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, sees great potential in artificial intelligence for positive global transformation. Recently, X, formerly Twitter, released its first transparency report since Elon Musk's acquisition, revealing a trend of increased compliance with government requests to remove content. This juxtaposition of military readiness in the face of climate threats and evolving tech platforms shows how rapidly our world is changing and adapting to new challenges. An engaged public discourse around these topics is vital for understanding and navigating our future effectively, as we address both climate crises and the implications of advanced technology on society.
Policy Shift: Under Elon Musk, X has increasingly complied with government requests for user data and content removal, contradicting his earlier stance on free speech and highlighting a major policy shift.
X, formerly Twitter, appears to have shifted its approach under Elon Musk’s leadership, choosing to comply more frequently with government requests for user data and account takedowns. Despite Musk's initial promises of promoting free speech, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of requests that X has acted upon. Reports indicate that X complied with 76% of government requests for personal user data, up from about 50% before Musk's acquisition. This compliance aligns with higher numbers of accounts taken down for violations, reflecting a notable shift in policy regarding user content and government relations, especially involving countries like Japan, South Korea, and Turkey. This change has raised eyebrows, demonstrating a contradiction in Musk’s stated ideals about free speech compared to the actions taken by X since his takeover.
Content Moderation Changes: Under Elon Musk, Twitter has reduced content moderation, with fewer bans on hateful accounts and the removal of protections for trans individuals, raising concerns about safety and community standards.
Twitter, now rebranded as X, has seen significant changes under Elon Musk’s leadership, particularly concerning its approach to free speech and content moderation. This shift has led to fewer accounts being banned for hate speech, which raises concerns about safety and community standards on the platform. Although the report on hateful content actions shows more overall actions, the actual number of accounts removed for hateful behavior has decreased, suggesting a potentially more toxic environment. Additionally, protections against misgendering trans individuals were eliminated from the terms of service, hinting at a trend of reduced regulation in safeguarding vulnerable groups. This lack of transparency in the reporting makes it harder to understand the full impact of these changes, highlighting the challenges users face on the platform today and indicating a shift away from ensuring safety and community standards.
OpenAI's Aspirations: Sam Altman shares an optimistic vision for AI's future while seeking funding for OpenAI. Despite his predictions, many businesses are hesitant to embrace the technology, compounded by executive departures raising concerns about the company’s stability.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, presents an optimistic view of the future with advanced AI, suggesting it could bring wealth, better living conditions, and solutions to problems like climate change. He might be trying to attract investors as the company seeks $6.5 billion funding to enhance its AI tools. However, there's skepticism in the market since many businesses aren't fully adopting these technologies yet. Additionally, his comments about attaining superintelligence within a few thousand days seem ambitious. Meanwhile, OpenAI is facing internal challenges, evidenced by the recent departure of their chief technology officer, which raises questions about stability in leadership amidst rapid developments in AI.
Talent Exodus: Rapid departures at a nonprofit suggest issues linked to its structure, while competitors like Meta AI enhance their chatbot with celebrity voices, aiming for user engagement.
A significant number of employees are leaving a nonprofit organization, which raises questions about possible underlying issues. The company’s unique nonprofit structure may affect talent retention, especially as they explore shifting to a traditional for-profit model. This uncertainty could be driving key personnel away. Meanwhile, competitors like Meta AI are innovating by introducing celebrity voices to their chatbot, reflecting a trend in AI development that aims to engage users in more dynamic ways. The inclusion of well-known personalities, such as Dame Judy Dench, suggests a strategy to enhance interaction with AI technology and make it more relatable, as leaders like Mark Zuckerberg push for advancements in the space. Overall, while one company faces exodus challenges, another is finding creative ways to attract attention in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
AI Celebrity Voices: Meta is shifting from text-based celebrity chatbots to AI voiceovers, emphasizing user connection and respecting celebrity rights after previous controversies with OpenAI.
Meta is experimenting with AI technology by reintroducing celebrity-inspired features, moving from text-based chatbots to using AI voiceovers. This shift follows their previous attempt with celebrity lookalikes, which did not gain traction. Celebrities now have a greater say in the development process. The controversy surrounding OpenAI's initial voice feature, where Scarlett Johansson accused them of using her voice without consent, highlights the need for proper authorization in utilizing celebrity likenesses. With a focus on enhancing user connection and authenticity, these updates aim to make interactions feel more human through familiar voices, while ensuring that celebrity rights are respected and protected.
Creator Engagement: Creators can now train chatbots to reflect their personalities, enhancing authentic interactions with fans. This hands-on approach allows for a more direct connection, making the experience feel more personal and trustworthy than merely a tech company's impersonation.
Creators are now able to take part in personalized training of chatbots, allowing these digital assistants to reflect their unique style and personality. This hands-on involvement helps fans feel a direct connection to their favorite celebrities, instead of interacting with a generic tech company's version of them. It’s about creators being actively engaged in shaping how they are represented, making interactions more authentic and trustworthy. Fans appreciate this transparency and direct communication, as it creates a stronger bond between them and their favorite personalities. By having a say in the development process, creators can ensure that their character and voice remain true to themselves, enhancing the overall experience for their audience. This shift shows a growing recognition of the importance of genuine connections in the digital age.
Bytes: Week in Review — X’s transparency report, Sam Altman’s “Intelligence Age” and Meta’s celebrity chatbots
Recent Episodes from Marketplace Tech
What do generative AI and social media have in common? A lack of regulation.
This week, we’re talking about how teenagers are using artificial intelligence tools like chatbots and image generators, often without the knowledge of their parents and teachers, according to a recent report from the nonprofit Common Sense Media. Monday we heard about that research from Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of the group. And now we want to home in on a specific piece of what he said: “If you look back at the advent of social media, about 20 years ago, we pretty much blew the regulatory side of that, but also the educating teachers and parents part of that. And we left kids on their own.” So we called up Nathan Sanders, an affiliate of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard, who has written about the overlapping risks of AI and social media.
Parents, educators are unaware how their students use generative AI, report finds
As soon as ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, it became clear that artificial intelligence was going to send massive shockwaves through education. And, as with any new technology, young people were likely to adopt it more quickly. Well, now we have some data about that phenomenon. A new report from the non-profit Common Sense Media shows seven in 10 teenagers from ages 13-18 are using generative AI in some way. And Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, told Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino it’s not all about cheating.
Bytes: Week in Review — X’s transparency report, Sam Altman’s “Intelligence Age” and Meta’s celebrity chatbots
It’s perhaps not a big surprise, but OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a very optimistic take on what his company’s technology could mean for the world. He shared his vision of a near future transformed by ever-advancing artificial intelligence systems in a much-discussed blog post earlier this week. Plus, Meta revealed more of its AI plans at its big developer conference including another go at celebrity chatbots. But first, X, formerly Twitter, finally released a new transparency report. It’s the first one since 2022, when Elon Musk bought the platform. And it’s full of data on reported abuse, harassment, how many accounts were suspended and more. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino discussed these topics and more with Anita Ramaswamy, columnist at The Information, on this week’s Tech Bytes: Week in Review.
Commercial space travel is risky business
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission made history this month with the first-ever commercial spacewalk. It seems space travel is no longer reserved for highly trained government astronauts, but increasingly open to anyone with the funds (and the courage) to try it. But before we all go strapping on our spacesuits, Chris Impey, a professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, says we need to be clear-eyed about the risks. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke to Impey about those risks and the rewards that might make them worth it.
Inside the data center capital of the world
The infrastructure that enabled Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence boom is not located in California, but rather in northern Virginia. How did the region become the data center capital of the world? And what does it mean for tech companies, the local economy and residents? Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino has the story.
VoteFlare’s mission to upgrade voter communication
There have been a lot of rumors and misinformation recently about voter registration and voter list maintenance, adding confusion to what experts say are secure processes. And while election officials regularly update voter lists, it’s become increasingly important that individuals also keep their voter registration information up to date. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams recently spoke with Josh Visnaw, project manager at a Harvard University initiative called VoteFlare, about the challenges of maintaining accurate voter lists and how VoteFlare is trying to help.
How teenagers can get hooked on sports betting
You might say online gambling has been on a winning streak since a Supreme Court decision in 2018 cleared the way for states to allow sports betting. It’s now legal in 30 states and its influence is hard to miss: online sportsbook companies like DraftKings and FanDuel are on billboards, commercials even college campuses, many of which have made deals with sports betting companies. Yanely Espinal, host of Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined” podcast, recently covered this topic on her show and she explained to Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino how these online betting companies are reeling in younger users.
Tech Bytes – Week in Review: Senate weighs AI regulation, Instagram launches teen accounts and AirPods aid the hard of hearing
This week, Meta announced teen accounts with a slew of new safety features. We’ve also got Apple news to talk about — no, not the latest iPhones or watches, but new functionality for AirPods that basically turns them into hearing aids. First, though, are we ready for artificial general intelligence, or AGI, that could match or exceed human capabilities? It could be a mere one to three years away, according to testimony at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Tuesday. A number of AI insiders spoke, including former Google and OpenAI researchers and Georgetown’s Helen Toner, who explained the stakes. “That technology will be at a minimum extraordinarily disruptive and at a maximum could lead to literal human extinction,” she said. “So I would argue that a wait-and-see approach to policy is not an option.” Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital, for her take on all this for our weekly segment “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”
Polling response rates are dropping. AI chatbots could be the solution.
In this tense election year, polling is top of mind. But collecting polling data has become harder. It often relies on people actually answering the phone and then speaking frankly to a pollster, both of which are becoming less common. The result has been data that is less predictive, and repeated misses in recent elections have made the public much more skeptical. Polling, it seems, needs an update for the digital age. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke to Bruce Schneier, lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, who says AI can help.
An appeals court heard arguments on TikTok’s ban-or-sale case. What’s next?
A federal appeals court heard arguments Monday in a case that pits the First Amendment against national security. TikTok sued to block a bipartisan-backed law that will ban the Chinese-owned app in the U.S. by January 19 — unless it finds a U.S. buyer. This week, the government argued the app gives China access to Americans’ sensitive data, as well as the ability to spread propaganda. While TikTok argued it’s been unfairly singled out and that a sale isn’t the only way to address security concerns. TikTok touts 170 million users in the U.S., and that includes both candidates for president. A group of U.S.-based creators have also joined as plaintiffs in this lawsuit. Anupam Chander, professor of law and technology at Georgetown University, walked Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino through the arguments in the case.