Tuesday 17 August 2021

Brian Cox and Simon Pegg among British stars rallying in support of Hollywood strike: 'AI is taking our jobs'

 Dozens of actors and performers descended on London's Leicester Square in solidarity with their colleagues in the US, who have walked out in protest at pay and conditions in the industry.Actors including Brian Cox, Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis have told Sky News of their fears about AI as they rallied in support of the Hollywood strike.

Dozens of British stars turned out to London's Leicester Square on Friday for the demonstration, which was organised by British acting union Equity in solidarity with performers in the US.

It comes after 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA in the US walked out last week in protest over pay and conditions - including concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry.

The action has brought Hollywood to a virtual standstill, forcing many film and TV productions to shut down, and marks the first time in more than 60 years that both actors and writers have gone on strike.

Members of the Writers Guild of America union launched a separate walkout two months ago.

Equity actors cannot legally take part in the strikes in the UK - but can if they are working in the US and are also SAG-AFTRA members. However, the walkouts have already had a knock-on effect on productions in Britain.

Succession star Brian Cox said the issues involved were of concern for performers around the world."This is a major strike that's happening in the States and we need to support them.

"We'll be under siege next, we're already under siege, particularly with artificial intelligence, and it's something that has to be stopped and nipped in the bud."Mr Cox also called for greater regulation of the industry in the UK - or as he put it: "Legislation that says 'AI f*** off'".

The Crown star Imelda Staunton said pay was also a major issue for struggling performers in the industry, but said technological advancements had added to anxiety across the profession.

"The issues that are being raised about streaming and AI are all issues that really need addressing.

"This is a global problem, this isn't America or England, it's all over," she toldOther stars at the rally included Rob Delaney, Jim Carter, Naomie Harris and Penelope Wilton.

Some protesters carried signs reading: "Leave AI to Sci-fi," "Write to Strike" and "This Barbie's last residual was $0.02".

Shaun of the Dead writer and star Simon Pegg, who is a member of both SAG-AFTRA and Equity, described the industrial action as a "tipping point" after years of concern over pay and the impact of streaming services such as Netflix."AI is worrying too, because we're looking at being replaced in some ways.

"And they want to scan the faces of background artists and then use their image in perpetuity, which is incredibly unreasonable, because they could use them for anything.

"We have to be compensated and we have to have some say in how it's used.

"I don't want to turn up in an advert for something I disagree with, some fossil fuel company, because I'm fundamentally opposed to them. I want to be able to hang on to my image, and voice, and know where it's going."Hayley Atwell, who stars in the new release Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, said the industry needed a "course correct" as bosses had failed to keep up with rapid technological advancements.

"We have the existential threat of AI taking human jobs, that means that it's a more precarious situation than ever before," she told"This is a time to adapt to that and regulate it, so that people who are creating content can continue to do so and make a fair living wage from it."

She added: "We're striking and it's absolutely the right thing to do. I'm 100% in support of it. [But] it's awful because it's a last resort for everyone. We don't want to strike but we've been stonewalled."

Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis, who described himself as "one of the most scanned actors on the planet", said he was hopeful strikers in the US - and actors across the world - would eventually win their fight."I think there's unquestionably going to be a victory for SAG, for the Writer's Guild, for Equity, it's going to come out positive. They are going to hold on this time."

Serkis also said he had grave concerns over the future of AI, adding: "Artists are becoming severely undervalued. We think actors going on strike is a bit of a joke, [but] when the pandemic was happening, what was everyone doing for two years inside? They were watching shows...

"It's a very important job. It's a service and you just want to be paid a reasonable wage."

Industry body the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major film and TV studios in the US, says it has offered better terms and conditions, while it also accused SAG-AFTRA of walking away from negotiations.

The union has rejected the claims and said its members would remain on strike indefinitely until concessions were made.

The impasse has prompted fears the dispute could drag on and delay the release of major films and TV programmes later this year, while also causing disruption to major industry events such as the 75th Emmy TV awards, which is scheduled to be held in September. 

Wednesday 11 August 2021

Tony Blair: Impact of AI on par with Industrial Revolution

 

he former prime minister discusses AI's potential to change the way we live and why governments must work with each other and innovators to work out how to harness the technology.When it comes to the topic of artificial intelligence, Sir Tony Blair is clear on the technology's potential to change the way we live.

"I think it is on a par with the 19th-century Industrial Revolution," he says."I think it [technology] already was, but generative AI has given it a further push forward."

The former prime minister's eponymous institute is writing papers on AI, while he has given talks and penned newspaper opinion pieces on the technology.

Sir Tony wants us to understand the risk as well as the reward.

"It is a technology that is, simultaneously, very good but potentially very bad," he tells me.

"The advantages are massive. It can transform the way we live and work, it can do enormous things in healthcare and education; in the way government configures itself.

"It is going to change business work - it should increase productivity dramatically.

"On the other hand, you can get disinformation deepfakes, people using it for example to create bio-terror weapons.

"How does government need to approach it? It needs to understand it, master it and harness it. Access the opportunities, mitigate the risks."

The question that prompts that answer was written by the AI chatbot, ChatGPT.It asks Sir Tony for his views on the potential benefits and risks of AI, and how governments and societies should deal with such a rapidly advancing technology.

"Well, that's a pretty obvious question," he replies.

Nevertheless, he answers.

I ask him to describe the moment we find ourselves in.

"This is akin to the industrial revolution," he says. "Just as that moment changed humanity, changed the state, this moment and generative AI will do that too."

And are we ready for it? Here, he is more careful in his response.

When asked if politicians in the UK have been naïve, he says no, but says there has been ignorance of the power and use of the technology.

"Part of the problem is you've got the changemakers in one room and the policymakers in the other," he says.

The US, China, and the private sector have stolen a march - and Sir Tony says countries such as Singapore are catching up with the UK too."China is a leader in the AI field, along with the US. Like so much else, the 21st century is going to be shaped, in part, by the competition between the two [China and the US]."

But Sir Tony says the competing superpowers will have to find a way to work together - particularly on climate change and global health.

"Is it possible to do that in technology? I don't know."

And what about the UK, can it still be a leader?

"We are strong in life sciences, we are strong in climate, we are strong in AI itself," he tells me.

"We need to keep our universities strong, we need to invest heavily in the infrastructure, build our computing capacity.

"There is a whole set of things we can do, and it has to be driven from the top."

One positive, Sir Tony says, is the UK's hosting of a major AI conference this autumn.

"One of the reasons I think it is a good idea is to explore all the different possibilities in regulation and try to get the leading countries together," he says.

"At the very least, Europe and America should be trying to work together on this."As a final question, I asked if AI could have done his job as prime minister.

"No. It couldn't have," he says with a smile.

But there are parts of his job where AI would have been an aid, he says."It could make decision-making much more efficient. It could replace some of the processes in government.

"Already around the world, for example, you have people using AI to do planning, you have one country in Europe now using it to do small claims, rather than going through an expensive court process.

"In the end, it is maybe best to look at it as an aid to the people making a decision.

"But in the end you have to keep the decision-making capability for the human, but it will be much better informed by the technology."

As he leaves, Sir Tony tells me about how his kids have asked AI to make a rap song using the text of one of his speeches.

Was it any good? He doesn't say...

Tuesday 10 August 2021

AI: Facebook owner Meta announces its rival to ChatGPT will be free to use

This version of the model is trained on 40% more data compared with Llama 1, according to Meta.The owner of Facebook has announced plans to make its version of the artificial intelligence technology behind ChatGPT free for researchers and companies to use.

The latest version of Meta's large language model, called LLaMa 2, will rival OpenAI's GPT-4, which powers the chatbot app.The technology came to the fore last November after the release of ChatGPT built a user base of 100 million in just two months.

Meta said in a news release that it decided to open up access to LLaMa 2 so businesses and researchers could access more AI tools and use them to experiment.

LLaMa 2 is the second generation of Meta's large language model, which was first announced in February.

The second version of the model is trained on 40% more data compared with LLaMa 1, according to Meta.

Artificial intelligence has been around for decades and is used in satellite navigation systems and virtual assistants like Siri, but large language models have ushered in a new era of generative AI.The development of regulation to ensure companies are transparent about how their AI is trained and guard against misinformation and bias is still in the early stages across the world.

After the launch of ChatGPT last year, Google responded with Bard, a search engine powered by artificial intelligence, and Microsoft launched its own version called BingChat.

Unlike the models developed by OpenAI and Google, Meta is making LLaMa 2 open source, which means the code is freely available to download and modify.Meta said in a statement on Tuesday night: "We believe an open approach is the right one for the development of today's AI models, especially those in the generative space where the technology is rapidly advancing.

"Opening access to today's AI models means a generation of developers and researchers can stress test them, identifying and solving problems fast, as a community."

The model will be available through Microsoft's cloud computing platform, Azure, as well as Hugging Face and Amazon Web Services.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta, said in a post on Facebook: "Open-source drives innovation because it enables many more developers to build with new technology ... I believe it would unlock more progress if the ecosystem were more open, which is why we're open-sourcing LLaMa 2."

Oli Buckley, a professor of cybersecurity at the University of East Anglia, said it is important to improve our understanding of AI before making source code publicly available.

"Every significant technological innovation in the last 100 years has had some capacity for misuse, with no shortage of people ready and willing to actually misuse it," he explained.

"The difference between a nuclear weapon and a [large language model] is that we are at least able to identify people procuring the pieces they need to make a nuclear weapon, it's much harder to identify who is exploiting AI for something untoward."

Mhairi Aitken, ethics fellow at the Alan Turing Institute - the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence - said Meta's openness does not extend to transparency around what content the model was trained on.

"The worry here is that as the models are increasingly accessible and being used in an ever wider range of ways, rather than democratising AI we will instead see marginalised or vulnerable communities increasingly experience the worst of its impacts, while developers find new ways to profit from its use," she added.

OpenAI's ChatGPT under investigation by Federal Trade Commission

 The probe is the latest threat faced by OpenAI - it is already being sued by two authors and comedian Sarah Silverman.The US competition watchdog has launched an investigation into the creator of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has begun an examination into the ChatGPT maker, OpenAI, seeking to find out what the company's data privacy rules are and what action it takes to stop its technology from giving wrong information.It will look at whether there have been any harms posed by ChatGPT responding with false answers to users' questions.

The competition regulator wrote to OpenAI seeking detailed information on its business, including its privacy rules, data security regulations, processes and AI technology.No comment was given by an FTC spokesperson to the story, first reported in the Washington Post.

According to the FTC letter, published in the Washington Post, OpenAI was being investigated over whether it has "engaged in unfair or deceptive privacy or data security practices" or practices that harm users.The company founder, Sam Altman, said he will work with investigating officials but expressed disappointment at the case being opened and how he found out via a leak to the Washington Post.In a tweet, Mr Altman said the move would "not help build trust," but added the company will work with the FTC.

"It's super important to us that our technology is safe and pro-consumer, and we are confident we follow the law," he said.

"We protect user privacy and design our systems to learn about the world, not private individuals."

The FTC probe is not the only legal challenge facing OpenAI.

Comedian Sarah Silverman and two other authors have taken legal action against the company, as well as Facebook owner Meta, claiming copyright infringement.

They say the companies' AI systems were illegally "trained" by datasets containing illegal copies of their works.

AILhow migrants can earn revenue for the countries and how AI automated machines can be used in various ways to get revenue from them

 Migrants can contribute to the economy of their host countries in various ways. By leveraging AI and automation, these contributions can be further enhanced. Here are some ways migrants can earn revenue for countries with the assistance of AI:

1. Skilled Labor and Innovation:

  • Encourage migrants to contribute their skills and expertise to the host country's workforce.
  • AI can help match skilled migrants with relevant job opportunities and provide upskilling programs.

2. Entrepreneurship:

  • Support migrant entrepreneurs in starting businesses.
  • AI can assist in business planning, financial management, and marketing.

3. Agriculture and Farming:

  • Provide opportunities for migrants to work in agriculture and farming.
  • AI can optimize farming practices, crop management, and harvesting.

4. Healthcare Services:

  • Train migrants for roles in healthcare, including nursing and caregiving.
  • AI can support telemedicine and healthcare diagnostics.

5. Language and Cultural Education:

  • Offer language and cultural education programs to migrants.
  • AI-powered language learning platforms can facilitate communication and integration.

6. Gig Economy and Online Work:

  • Facilitate participation in the gig economy by connecting migrants to online job platforms.
  • AI can assist in matching gig workers with suitable tasks.

7. Renewable Energy Projects:

  • Involve migrants in renewable energy initiatives.
  • AI can optimize energy production and grid management.

8. Digital Banking and Finance:

  • Promote financial inclusion through digital banking services.
  • AI can provide access to financial advice and services.

9. Small-Scale Manufacturing:

  • Encourage small-scale manufacturing ventures run by migrants.
  • AI can improve production efficiency and quality control.

10. Trade and Commerce: - Promote trade between migrant communities and the local population. - AI can assist in online marketplaces, logistics, and supply chain management.

11. Research and Development: - Engage migrant professionals in research and innovation projects. - AI can support research endeavors and data analysis.

12. Art and Culture: - Showcase migrant art, music, and cultural performances. - AI can assist in event planning, promotion, and content distribution.

13. Education and Tutoring: - Enable migrants to become educators and tutors. - AI can enhance online learning platforms and personalized education.

14. Civic Engagement: - Encourage migrants to participate in community projects and volunteer work. - AI can assist in organizing and coordinating community initiatives.

15. Remote Work: - Connect migrants with remote work opportunities. - AI can help match remote workers with suitable jobs.

AI technologies can facilitate job matching, language learning, and the overall integration of migrants into the host country's workforce and society. Additionally, blockchain technology can provide transparent and secure payment systems.

Governments, NGOs, and international organizations play a critical role in creating policies and programs that support migrants' economic participation. By leveraging AI and automation, these efforts can be more efficient and effective.Migrants can earn revenue for the countries in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples:

  • Working in essential industries: Migrants can work in essential industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and construction. This can help to fill labor shortages in these industries and boost the economy.
  • Starting businesses: Migrants can start businesses that create jobs and generate revenue for the country. For example, migrants could start restaurants, retail stores, or service businesses.
  • Paying taxes: Migrants who are employed should pay taxes on their income. This will help to generate revenue for the government, which can be used to fund public services and programs.
  • Purchasing goods and services: Migrants should purchase goods and services from local businesses. This will help to support the local economy.

AI automated machines can be used in various ways to get revenue from migrants. Here are a few examples:

  • Use AI to match migrants with jobs: AI can be used to match migrants with jobs that are suitable for their skills and experience. This can help to reduce unemployment and boost the economy.
  • Use AI to automate tasks in businesses owned by migrants: AI can be used to automate tasks in businesses owned by migrants, such as accounting, customer service, and marketing. This can save time and money, and it can also free up migrants to focus on more important tasks.
  • Use AI to provide government services to migrants: AI can be used to provide government services to migrants, such as tax preparation and immigration assistance. This can make it easier for migrants to access the services they need.

It is important to note that some of the above approaches may require an investment in AI automated machines or other resources. However, the long-term savings and benefits can be significant.

In addition, it is important to use AI and other technologies in a responsible and ethical manner. Governments should ensure that they are using these technologies in a way that benefits migrants and the economy, and that they are not harming migrants or society.

AI:Best way to earn revenue from each and every house and building premises of cities/states of the country like india/pakistan/bangladesh and how AI automated machines can be used there to boost income

 There are many ways to earn revenue from each and every house and building premises of cities/states of the country like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Here are some examples:

  • Rent out the property: You can rent out your property to tenants, either on a long-term or short-term basis. This is a common way to earn revenue from property, and it can be a good source of passive income.
  • Use the property for a business: You can use your property for a business, such as a restaurant, a retail store, or an office building. This can be a good way to earn revenue from property, but it requires more work than renting it out to tenants.
  • Sell the property: You can sell your property to buyers. This is a good way to earn revenue from property, but it is important to note that the value of property can fluctuate over time.

AI automated machines can be used to boost income from property in a variety of ways. For example, AI-powered chatbots can be used to manage tenant relationships, AI-powered security systems can be used to protect property, and AI-powered energy management systems can be used to reduce energy costs.

Here are some specific examples of how AI automated machines can be used to boost income from property:

  • AI-powered chatbots: AI-powered chatbots can be used to manage tenant relationships by answering tenant questions, scheduling maintenance requests, and processing rent payments. This can save property owners time and money.
  • AI-powered security systems: AI-powered security systems can be used to protect property by detecting intruders, sending alerts to property owners, and recording video footage. This can help to reduce property crime and increase property value.
  • AI-powered energy management systems: AI-powered energy management systems can be used to reduce energy costs by optimizing heating and cooling systems, turning off lights when rooms are empty, and unplugging devices when they are not in use. This can save property owners significant money on their energy bills.

In addition to the above, there are a number of other ways that AI automated machines can be used to boost income from property. The specific approach that is best will vary depending on the specific property and the owner's goals.

It is important to note that some of the above approaches may require an investment in AI automated machines. However, the long-term savings and benefits can be significant.Earning revenue from each and every house and building premise in cities or states involves innovative and sustainable strategies. Implementing AI automated machines can enhance efficiency and income generation. Here are some ideas for both revenue generation and the role of AI:

  1. Property Tax Collection:

    • Use AI for automated property tax assessment and collection.
    • Implement a system that sends notifications and collects payments online.
  2. Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals:

    • Encourage homeowners to list their properties on platforms like Airbnb.
    • AI can help manage bookings and optimize rental pricing.
  3. Smart Parking Systems:

    • Implement AI-based parking solutions to manage parking fees and optimize space utilization.
  4. Advertising and Billboards:

    • Lease building exterior spaces for advertising billboards.
    • AI can analyze data to determine high-visibility locations.
  5. Energy Efficiency and Solar Leasing:

    • Offer incentives for homeowners and businesses to adopt solar panels.
    • AI can track energy production and set pricing structures.
  6. Telecom Infrastructure Leasing:

    • Lease rooftop spaces for telecom companies to install equipment.
    • Earn rental income from telecom infrastructure.
  7. Data Centers:

    • Transform buildings into data centers for cloud computing.
    • Lease data center space to tech companies.
  8. Cultural and Event Spaces:

    • Convert vacant properties into event venues.
    • Host weddings, conferences, and cultural events for a fee.
    • AI can help manage event bookings.
  9. Urban Farming and Rooftop Gardens:

    • Implement urban farming initiatives on rooftops and unused spaces.
    • Use AI for precision agriculture and optimize yields.
  10. Education Centers:

    • Repurpose buildings for educational institutions.
    • Lease space to schools, colleges, and training centers.
  11. Medical Facilities and Telemedicine:

    • Convert properties into medical facilities.
    • Lease space to healthcare providers and offer telemedicine services.
  12. Self-Storage Units:

    • Develop self-storage facilities in unused buildings.
    • Generate rental income from storage units.
  13. Co-Working and Shared Office Spaces:

    • Create co-working spaces for startups and freelancers.
    • Lease office spaces and provide amenities.
  14. Retail and Commercial Spaces:

    • Transform properties into retail or commercial spaces.
    • Lease space to shops, cafes, and businesses.
  15. AI Property Management:

    • Use AI for efficient property management.
    • Monitor maintenance, security, and tenant relations.
  16. Waste Management and Recycling Centers:

    • Use vacant spaces for waste management and recycling centers.
    • Generate income from recycling operations.
  17. Art Galleries and Studios:

    • Convert properties into art galleries and studios.
    • Lease space to artists and for exhibitions.
  18. Online Marketplaces:

    • List available properties on online rental platforms.
    • Attract renters, whether for residential or commercial use.
  19. Heritage and Cultural Preservation:

    • Transform historical properties into museums or cultural centers.
    • Charge admission fees and offer educational programs.
  20. Smart Surveillance and Security Services:

    • Offer smart security solutions for residents and businesses.
    • Implement AI for surveillance and alarm systems.

AI can optimize property management, enhance security, and streamline revenue collection. To achieve success, governments and municipalities should ensure these initiatives are well-regulated, transparent, and meet the needs of their communities.

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