News of the Cyber World

[kyonides]

Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicle Sales Plunge Across Europe as Demand Stalls

Electric vehicle (EV) sales plunged across Europe in March as demand dried up despite the E.U.’s push to ban petrol and diesel vehicles by the middle of the next decade.

The Daily Telegraph reports sales of battery-powered cars dropped by 11.3 percent as demand in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, plunged by 28.9 percent, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Only 13 percent of new registrations were electric, down from 13.9 percent in March last year and down from 14.6 percent for all of 2023, continuing a long-term trend, as Breitbart News reported.

Overall figures show electric vehicle sales have stalled despite Europe’s plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine cars by 2035.

According to the Telegraph report, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla have all recorded falling electric vehicle sales in the first three months of the year.

It came as new vehicle registrations overall fell by 5.3 percent across the E.U. to one million last month.

Fmr. Obama Auto Task Force Head: Cheap EVs ‘Especially Tough’ to Make, EVs Will Risk Jobs, But ‘Have to’ Transition

On Friday’s broadcast of Bloomberg’s “Wall Street Week,” Steve Rattner, who ran President Obama’s task force on the auto industry, stated that it is “especially tough” to make an inexpensive electric vehicle and that due to the vehicles needing less labor to assemble, it could cost jobs. But “we have to go through this energy transition for the sake of the planet. We have no choice. And therefore, if it has some impact on auto jobs, we just have to find — help these people find other things to do.”

Rattner said that American automakers decided “that the early buyers were probably going to be high-end people, because they had the income and it didn’t matter as much that the cost of the car was greater, they had more commitment, perhaps, to the energy transition aspect of it, and making an inexpensive EV is tough. It’s really tough, making anything small and inexpensive in Detroit is tough, but EVs, especially tough.”

Later, he added, “The problem with EVs with Michigan or Ohio, … is that they require less labor to put together. And so, you get into this tension between the energy transition, which I’m sure the auto workers, in principle, believe in, and the fact that it could have an impact on jobs. But, look, at the end of day, we have to go through this energy transition for the sake of the planet. We have no choice. And therefore, if it has some impact on auto jobs, we just have to find — help these people find other things to do.”

He makes it sound as if people could easily find any other job at any time.  
Isn't this another case of political wishful thinking?

Tesla Recalling More Vehicles & Laying Off Some Workers

Pedal Stuck to the Metal: Tesla Recalls All Cybertrucks Due to Dangerous Faulty Accelerators

Elon Musk’s Tesla has issued a recall for all 3,878 Cybertrucks shipped to date because of a defect that can cause the accelerator pedal to get stuck, increasing the risk of crashes.

TechCrunch reports that Elon Musk’s Tesla is facing another setback as it recalls all 3,878 Cybertrucks delivered so far due to a manufacturing defect in the accelerator pedal assembly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that the pedal can dislodge and get caught in the trim around the footwell, potentially leading to unintended acceleration and accidents.

The recall comes amidst a challenging week for Tesla, which saw the company lay off more than 10 percent of its workforce and lose two high-ranking executives. Additionally, Tesla asked shareholders to re-vote on CEO Elon Musk’s substantial compensation package, which a judge had previously struck down earlier this year.

Reports of issues with the Cybertruck’s accelerator pedal began emerging in recent weeks, prompting Tesla to pause deliveries while investigating the problem. Although Musk stated on X/Twitter that Tesla was “being very cautious,” the company confirmed to NHTSA that it had not received reports of any crashes or injuries related to the defect.

According to Tesla’s findings, the issue stems from an unapproved change in the manufacturing process, where lubricant (soap) was introduced to aid in the assembly of the pad onto the accelerator pedal. The residual lubricant reduced the retention of the pad to the pedal, causing the dislodgement.

To address the issue, Tesla will replace or rework the accelerator pedal on all existing Cybertrucks and has already begun producing vehicles with a new accelerator pedal design. The company is also fixing Cybertrucks that are in transit or at delivery centers.

Elon’s Pink Slips: Tesla Announces Layoffs of Over 10% of Global Workforce amid Growth Slowdown

Electrek reports that in an internal company-wide email, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the decision to cut the company’s headcount by more than 10 percent globally. The move comes as Tesla  seeks to streamline operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity.

The layoffs, which could affect at least 14,000 employees based on Tesla’s estimated total workforce of 140,000, are a response to the company’s recent challenges. Tesla experienced a rare year-over-year reduction in sales and significantly missed delivery estimates in the previous quarter, with the main dip seemingly coming from the Chinese market where domestic EV makers are ramping up their presence.

In his email, Musk acknowledged the rapid growth Tesla has experienced over the years, with multiple factories scaling around the globe. However, he noted that this growth has led to the duplication of roles and job functions in certain areas. The layoffs are part of a thorough review of the organization to identify cost reduction opportunities and increase efficiency.

Musk expressed his gratitude to the departing employees for their hard work and contributions to Tesla’s mission, recognizing the difficulty of saying goodbye. He also thanked the remaining employees in advance for their resolve in tackling the challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of their role in developing revolutionary technologies in the automotive, energy, and artificial intelligence sectors.

The layoffs come at a time when many companies in the tech industry are also reducing their workforce, despite industry profits remaining high. Tesla’s move has raised concerns about employee morale and the potential impact on the company’s ability to attract and retain top talent in the future.

Warner Brothers

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav Gets Huge Pay Raise Following Mass Layoffs

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav just got a whole lot richer, receiving a nearly 27 percent pay raise last year while overseeing mass layoffs at the media conglomerate.

For 2023, Zaslav’s compensation totaled $49.7 million, up 26.5 percent from the previous year when he received $39.3 million, according to the company’s 2024 proxy statement that was filed Friday.

Among the media properties hit with headcount reductions under his leadership are CNN, HBO, and Turner Classic Movies.

Zaslav took home a base salary of $3 million for 2023, with stock awards of $23.1 million and a whopping cash bonus of $22 million. His compensation also included $705,182 for personal security services and $767,908 for his personal use of the company’s private jet.

Under his tenure, the company has carried out several rounds of brutal layoffs stretching from late 2022 into 2024. Companies often portion out layoffs over many months to avoid federal disclosure requirements. Many of the layoffs stem from the merger of AT&T’s Warner Media with Discovery.

CNN has seen layoffs in the hundreds, including the shuttering of the CNN+ streaming service back in 2022. The ratings-challenged network has failed to increase its viewership as it doubles down on left-wing activism and anti-Trump grandstanding.

Zaslav has become an unpopular figure among movie fans after he embarked on a ruthless round of content culling on HBO Max and the company’s other streaming services in a bid to save more money.

Twitter / X & Brazil

Twitter Caves, Will Comply with Censorship Ruling by Brazilian Judge Elon Musk Called a ‘Brutal Dictator’

The social media site Twitter informed Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes in a letter that it would not challenge a long list of censorship demands issued this month, Reuters reported on Monday.

If confirmed, the move marks a dramatic change in position following Twitter owner Elon Musk’s public condemnations of de Moraes, the STF generally, and the integrity of the 2022 Brazilian presidential election. Musk announced the platform’s intent on April 6 to defy the STF’s orders demanding the censorship of an undisclosed number of accounts belonging to Brazilian individuals, restricting their access within Brazilian territory. The STF ruled that Twitter would face a daily fine of roughly $20,000 per account that the platform failed to censor.

Reuters reported that it had obtained a letter signed by Twitter’s lawyers in which they told de Moraes Twitter would comply with his ruling.

“As already communicated to the federal police, X Brazil informs that all orders issued by this Supreme Court and the Superior Electoral Court will continue to be fully complied with by X Corp,” the letter reportedly reads. Musk renamed Twitter “X” following his purchase of the site.

In addition to claims that Twitter would defy the order to censor its users, Musk, a self-described “free speech absolutist,” had directly insulted de Moraes, who has appointed himself the head of a campaign against “fake news” and also presides over Brazil’s Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE), making him one of Brazil’s most powerful judges — if not the most powerful.

Musk first announced that Twitter would defy all of de Moraes’ rulings ordering censorship and challenge them in court. He then targeted de Moraes directly, calling for Brazilians to “throw him out” and referring to the judge as a “dictator.”

During a live broadcast held last week, Musk said de Moraes ordered him to suspend “accounts of sitting members of the parliament and major journalists.”

TikTok Section

China Recruits Taylor Swift to Collect Data on Young Americans with Special TikTok Deal

Taylor Swift is heading to TikTok for a special promotion to highlight her new album “The Tortured Poets Department” potentially giving the China-owned social media goliath access to millions of global user accounts and all the associated personal data that delivers.

Variety reports after Swift dropped her latest work at midnight Eastern time on Friday — followed by a surprise 15 additional songs, revealing it’s a double album — TikTok followed up on Friday to announce “The Tortured Poets Department” in-app experience, featuring what it boasts are multiple “first-of-its-kind” features.

Specifically it boasted TikTokers can discover the Taylor Swift In-App Experience by unlocking “special entry points,” such as a TTPD icon across their For You feed or by searching “Taylor Swift” on TikTok, where a “Tortured Poets Department”-inspired animation appears.

The move to attract and retain more users comes as a new trend on TikTok called “Things I’m ashamed to admit” involves the platform’s young users engaging in an unprecedented amount of oversharing under the guise of dispelling the notion that people are living perfect lives, as Breitbart News reported.

Some of the issues TikTok users have been admitting under the hashtag — which has reportedly been used more than 26,000 times since March — are fears about financial security, never finding love, and progression in life.

Now their music choices will also be added to the list of potential exposures to the Beijing-controlled media company, despite its claim to isolate U.S. user data from China.

In 2022, TikTok launched an initiative known as Project Texas, claiming it would be moving U.S. user data away from the app’s Chinese parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party.

China’s TikTok Launches Instagram Killer in Canada and Australia

TechCrunch reports that TikTok, the China-owned social media platform known for its short-form videos, has launched a new app called TikTok Notes in select markets. The app, which is now available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in Canada and Australia, aims to provide users with a dedicated space for sharing photo and text content.

According to TikTok’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the company is in the early stages of experimenting with TikTok Notes. The app is designed for users who want to share their moments through photo posts, whether it’s documenting adventures, expressing creativity, or simply sharing snapshots of their daily lives.

While TikTok has not provided extensive details about the app’s features and functionality, the app store descriptions suggest that users can log in with their existing TikTok account. The screenshots on the App Store listing indicate that posts will appear in a two-column grid on the home page, and users can post multiple photos through carousel posts.

It’s worth noting that TikTok already allows users to post images and text content within the main app. However, the company’s decision to create a separate space for this type of content appears to be a strategic move to compete with Meta’s apps, such as Instagram and Threads.

TikTok’s expansion into the photo and text-based social media space comes at a time when major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are continuously copying each other’s features in a bid to attract and retain users. By offering a dedicated app for photo and text content, TikTok aims to provide its users with a more focused and streamlined experience.

China, Apple, WhatsApp, Signal & Telegram

TikTok’s Real Owners: China Orders Apple to Censor Popular Messaging Apps Including WhatsApp, Telegram

China has reportedly ordered Apple to remove WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, among other popular messaging apps, from its iPhone app store in order to comply with the Chinese Communist Party’s censorship demand.

The communist regime has ordered Apple to remove popular messaging platforms from its app store in China in the country’s latest move to censor its citizens, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The apps that China wants censored reportedly include Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads apps, as well as the Signal and Telegram messaging platforms, which were removed from Apple’s app store in the communist country on Friday.

Apple said it was also ordered to remove other apps, noting that China cited national security concerns, but the tech giant did not specify which apps it had to eliminate in order to appease the communist country.

While China demands that an American company censor certain apps from its citizens’ iPhones — ironically claiming it is over national security concerns — the hostile foreign country has no intention of offering the United States the same favor.

Notably, China’s popular TikTok app is widely viewed as a national security threat by U.S. lawmakers, as well as a danger to kids and teens around the world.

As Breitbart News reported, the U.S. House of Representatives recently overwhelmingly passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if its parent company Chinese tech giant ByteDance — which is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party — does not sell the app within six months.

Warrantless Surveillance

30 Senate Republicans Vote to Expand, Continue Warrantless Surveillance

Thirty Senate Republicans, on Friday night, voted to continue warrantless surveillance and even expand the FBI’s surveillance authority.

The Senate passed H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), 60-34, with 30 Senate Republicans voting to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Section 702 is a surveillance authority that is meant to target foreign adversaries but often surveils Americans without a warrant.

The Senate, on Friday, also blocked many amendments sponsored by privacy-oriented Republicans and Democrats. The amendments sought to rein in Section 702.

The Senate blocked:

An amendment sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) that would require adequate disclosure of relevant information in the FISA. The Senate blocked it 40-53.
An amendment sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) that would prohibit warrantless access to Americans’ private communications. The Senate rejected it 42-50.
An amendment sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) to prohibit the FISA from surveilling Americans. It failed, 11-81.
An amendment sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) to strike the expansion of companies that would have to comply with warrantless surveillance. It failed 34-58.
An amendment sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) to strike the prohibition on political appointees being involved in the approval of FBI searches of the FISA database. It failed 17-75.
An amendment sponsored by Paul to add the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act to bar intelligence and law enforcement agencies from obtaining Americans’ private information from third-party data brokers. It failed 31-61.

Google is Not a Place to Debate Politics

Ultra Woke Google Claims Company Is Not Place to ‘Debate Politics’ After Firing Anti-Israel Radicals

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has taken a comical stance against using the ultra woke company’s offices for political debates and protests after terminating 28 employees who participated in anti-Israel sit-ins at various Google locations.

The New York Post reports that in a strongly worded 1,200-word memo sent to Google’s global workforce late Thursday, Pichai made it clear that the company’s offices are not a platform for personal politics or disruptive behavior. The memo comes in the wake of 10-hour sit-ins staged by workers at Google’s offices in New York, Seattle, and Sunnyvale, California, as part of a “No Tech for Genocide Day of Action” protesting the company’s $1.2 billion “Project Nimbus” contract with the Israeli government.

Pichai wrote, “Google is a business, and not a place to act in a way that disrupts co-workers or makes them feel unsafe, to attempt to use the company as a personal platform, or to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics.” He emphasized that the company’s goal is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, which “supersedes everything else.”

The fired staffers were affiliated with the group No Tech For Apartheid, which has been critical of Google’s response to the Israel-Hamas war and the “Project Nimbus” contract, under which Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services provide cloud-computing and artificial intelligence services for the Israeli government and military.

Google Vice President of Global Security Chris Rackow also called out the pro-Palestinian staffers, stating that their behavior was “unacceptable, extremely disruptive, and made co-workers feel threatened.” He added that such actions violate multiple company policies, including the code of conduct and policies on harassment, discrimination, retaliation, standards of conduct, and workplace concerns.

How She Ruined Wikipedia

NPR CEO Katherine Maher Reveals How She Ruined Wikipedia

The Daily Mail reports that Katherine Maher, NPR’s newly appointed CEO, has sparked controversy after a resurfaced clip from a 2021 panel discussion hosted by the Atlantic Council revealed her calling the First Amendment the “number one challenge” in American journalism. During the discussion, Maher, who previously served as the CEO of Wikimedia the parent organization of Wikipedia, argued that the First Amendment provides a “fairly robust protection of rights,” making it “a little tricky to address some of the real challenges of where bad information comes from.”

The controversy has also brought to light some of Maher’s past tweets, which include a veiled shot at former President Donald Trump, branding him a ‘deranged racist sociopath,’ and her support for President Biden by sharing selfies wearing his campaign hats. Maher has also expressed views on gender and language, tweeting, “I do wish Hillary wouldn’t use the language of “boy and girl” – it’s erasing language for non-binary people.”

But beyond her extreme leftist political views, many of Maher’s statements reflect on her time leading the parent foundation of Wikipedia. Her comments about a “free and open” Wikipedia where multiple sides of an argument could be presented to users actually being a “white male Westernized construct” are eye opening, and explain how Wikipedia became a cesspit of fringe leftist beliefs where any balance or conservative viewpoints are immediately crushed.
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Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger has been a particularly fierce critic of the site’s loss of balance, which again can be attributed to Maher’s leadership:

On May 14, Sanger published a blog piece titled “Wikipedia Is Badly Biased” and started by declaring Wikipedia’s “Neutral Point of View” policy dead. Having founded the online encyclopedia with Jimmy Wales and having been involved in the original drafting of the policy, Sanger offered particular insight into its development and its practice in recent years. On the current policy’s rejection of providing “equal validity” to different views, Sanger stated this went directly against the original policy’s intent and that “as journalists turn to opinion and activism, Wikipedia now touts controversial points of view on politics, religion, and science.”

Providing examples, Sanger noted former President Obama’s article excludes most notable scandals during his Administration, such as the bungled ATF Fast and Furious operation that armed Mexican cartels who killed a U.S. border agent or the targeting of Tea Party groups by the IRS. By contrast, Sanger pointed to Trump’s article containing overwhelmingly negative sections on the President regarding his “public profile” as well as investigations and impeachment. The sections critical of Trump and his presidency are nearly as long as those dealing with his presidency overall. He further criticized Wikipedia repeatedly saying Trump makes false statements rather than attributing such characterizations to sources.

Apple VS Epic Games

Crybabies: Apple Accuses ‘Fortnite’ Developer Epic Games of Trying to ‘Micromanage’ Its Business

Engadget reports that the ongoing legal battle between Apple and Epic Games took a new turn as Apple responded to Epic’s recent motion filed last month. Epic had asked a California judge to hold Apple in contempt for alleged violations of a 2021 injunction that required the company to allow developers to provide external payment options, bypassing Apple’s App Store fees of up to 30 percent.

In the latest court filing, as reported by Reuters, Apple maintains that it has acted in compliance with the injunction and accuses Epic of attempting to “micromanage Apple’s business operations in a way that would increase Epic’s profitability.”

The tech giant argues that the purpose of the injunction was to make information about alternative purchase options more readily available to developers and users, not to dictate the commercial terms on which Apple provides access to its platform and services.

The dispute stems from Apple’s introduction of new App Store guidelines for developers in January, which allow linking to external websites for purchasing alternatives but require developers to obtain Apple’s approval and pay a commission of 12-27 percent for these transactions.

Epic had previously argued that these conditions make alternative payment options “commercially unusable” and accused Apple of violating the spirit of the injunction with its recent moves.

Apple, however, maintains that it has complied with the injunction and that Epic’s motion is an attempt to interfere with its business operations. The company stated in the filing, “The purpose of the Injunction is to make information regarding alternative purchase options more readily available, not to dictate the commercial terms on which Apple provides access to its platform, tools and technologies, and userbase.”

AI Section

Netflix Accused of Using AI-Generated Image in True Crime Documentary ‘What Jennifer Did’

The streaming platform Netflix has been accused of using AI imagery in its true crime documentary What Jennifer Did.

The true crime documentary chronicles Jennifer Pan, who was convicted by a Canadian court in 2010 for conscripting a high school friend to murder her parents. Her mother died and her dad was injured. Per Futurism:

The streaming service used the photos to illustrate her ‘bubbly, happy, confident, and very genuine’ personality, as high school friend Nam Nguyen described her.

The images that appear around the 28-minute mark of Netflix’s What Jennifer Did, have all the hallmarks of an AI-generated photo, down to mangled hands and fingers, misshapen facial features, morphed objects in the background, and a far-too-long front tooth.

The image of Pan with a mysteriously long tooth is also used in a promotional poster for the documentary.

Neither Netflix nor director Jenny Popplewell have commented on the outcry over the imagery. Engadget‘s Steve Dent notes that Pan, the subject of the film, is currently in prison and has been granted a second trial; fictional images of her could potentially affect the outcome of the case.

This incident marks yet another in a string of controversies over a major platform’s use of AI for creative work.

Just recently, the horror film Late-Night with the Devil faced backlash from the film community for using an AI image in one particular scene. The directors, siblings Cameron and Colin Cairnes, clarified they used it sparingly for budget purposes.

A24 Facing Backlash over ‘Civil War’ Promotional Artwork Apparently Generated by AI

Distributor A24 is facing public backlash after it apparently used AI technology to generate promotional artwork for the movie Civil War.

The images, which A24 posted this week to its official Instagram account, depict war-torn cityscapes that aren’t in Civil War but are consistent with the movie’s set-up of a United States that has collapsed into warring factions. They include an aerial view of Las Vegas, with the Sphere reduced to burned-out rubble; a shot of Washington Square Park in New York surrounded by military vehicles; and a view of Echo Park lake in Los Angeles, with soldiers patrolling the waters.

Among the complaints from fans is the apparent incongruity of A24 — which has built a reputation for championing auteur filmmakers and indie cinema — resorting to using AI technology to promote one of its titles.

“Fire the person who approved this garbage. It’s repulsive and insulting to your audience,” one commenter posted.

“A24 using ai for advertising might be a sign, maybe its the beginning of the end for a company that used to rely on indie aesthetics. It’s incredibly disappointing,” another wrote.
“Hire an actual artist,” another commenter wrote.

AI is quickly becoming a fact of life in the entertainment industry, stoking widespread fear as studio bosses seek to cut costs by replacing humans with algorithms. That A24 is apparently using AI suggests that even small studios and distributors are jumping on the bandwagon.

Civil War has already generated heated debate over its plot, which imagines a dystopian U.S. torn apart by warring factions. Nineteen states have seceded from the union— including something called the “Florida Alliance.” Meanwhile, a “three-term president” is trying to hold together what remains of the U.S.

Why did it remind me of New Vegas?  In the most terrible wAI, of course.

But notice that AI can be used in many other ways, including one I call one of the most bizarre expressions of... AI love?

Expert Predicts $1 Billion Market for AI Girlfriends as Men Spent $10K a Month on Fake Relationships

The New York Post reports that the concept of AI-generated virtual companions has been gaining traction in recent years, with various platforms offering users the opportunity to create and customize their own AI girlfriends. These virtual partners can engage in conversations, provide emotional support, and even participate in erotic role-play, depending on the user’s preferences.

Isenberg’s post recounted his conversation with the Miami man, who explained his fascination with AI girlfriends, stating, “Some people play video games, I play with AI girlfriends.” The man expressed his love for the ability to customize his virtual companion’s likes, dislikes, and personality traits, finding comfort in these interactions at the end of the day.

The Miami man mentioned his preference for two websites, Candy.ai and Kupid.ai, which offer immersive and personalized chat experiences with AI-generated characters. Candy.ai markets itself as “the ultimate AI girlfriend experience,” while Kupid.ai uses AI algorithms to create fictional companions for users to communicate with through voice notes.

Isenberg, left “speechless” by the encounter, predicted that “someone will build the AI-version of Match Group and make $1B+.” Match Group, the parent company of popular dating apps like Tinder, Match.com, and Hinge, currently has a market cap of $9 billion.

The growing popularity of AI companions is evident from the numerous platforms and apps now available, such as Romance.AI, Romantic AI, Forever Companion, Replika, Nomi.ai, and Soulmate. These services allow users to create their ideal partner, friend, or mentor, with some even encouraging erotic role-play and allowing users to tailor their chatbot’s appearance and personality traits.

A recent survey by Infobip found that nearly 20 percent of Americans have flirted with chatbots, with motivations ranging from curiosity (47.2 percent) to loneliness (23.9 percent). Some users (12.2 percent) even sought sexual chat within a private space, while others (16.7 percent) were unknowingly “AI-phished,” not realizing they were interacting with a chatbot.

Because of the very personal nature of the conversations held with AI girlfriends, privacy experts consider them a privacy nightmare.

Do you think that's all of the strange things AI can ever do? Then read the next article!

First Artificial Intelligence Beauty Pageant ‘Miss AI’ Coming in May

The world’s first-ever artificial intelligence beauty pageant “Miss AI” is set to take place this May, with prizes totaling over $20,000.

Judges for will be looking at AI-generated contestants’ “beauty,” “tech,” and “social clout” when determining the winners of the Miss AI beauty pageant, according to the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA).

“Contestants will be judged on some of the classic aspects of pageantry including their beauty, poise, and their unique answers to a series of questions like ‘if you could have one dream to make the world a better place what would it be?'” WAICA said of the beauty component to the virtual contest.

With regards to tech, “Contestants will earn points for their skill and implementation of AI tools used to create their digital masterpieces including use of Prompts and their output, and visual detailing around hands, eyes, and backgrounds,” the awards program said.

“AI Creators social clout will be assessed based on their engagement numbers with fans, rate of growth of audience and how utilization of other platforms such as Instagram,” WAICA added of the social clout category.

The AI creator behind the contestant crowned Miss AI will take home a total of $13,000 worth in prizes, which breaks down into a $5,000 cash prize — thanks to Fanvue, the subscription-based platform that hosts virtual models — $5,000 worth in PR support, and $3,000 worth in access to Imagine Education’s Mentorship Program.

Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund Launches $100 Million Challenge to ‘Fix’ Climate with AI

Quartz reports that the Amazon founder and executive chair of the Earth Fund, Jeff Bezos, unveiled the new initiative on Tuesday, seeking proposals on how modern AI technologies can be employed to address pressing environmental issues. The Grand Challenge aims to foster collaboration between environmental organizations and AI developers to create innovative solutions.

“Can modern AI help counter climate change and nature loss, and, if so, how? That’s the question we hope to answer,” Bezos stated in the Earth Fund’s announcement. “By bringing together brilliant minds across fields, we may be able to invent new ways forward.”

The challenge will be conducted over multiple rounds, each focusing on two funding opportunities. The first round will prioritize three key areas: sustainable proteins, biodiversity conservation, and power grid optimization. In the initial funding phase, up to 30 seed grants will be awarded during Climate Week NYC in September. Subsequently, the awardees will have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $2 million to fund their proposals, along with mentorship and access to necessary infrastructure.

Lauren Sánchez, vice chair of the Earth Fund, emphasized the potential of AI in solving some of the world’s most significant problems. “We’re calling on the planet’s brightest problem solvers to bring their visionary ideas to the table,” she said. “Together, we can innovate and solve these challenges.”

This initiative is part of Bezos’ broader commitment to tackling climate change through the Earth Fund, which has pledged $10 billion to the cause. In November 2020, the fund awarded $791 million to 16 organizations, including the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), making Bezos the world’s largest backer of climate activism.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Launches Woke Chatbot Full of Bizarre Answers

CBS News reports that Meta Platforms, along with other leading AI developers like Google, OpenAI, and startups such as Anthropic, Cohere, and France’s Mistral, has been working tirelessly to develop new AI language models. Meta’s newest Llama 3 AI-powered chatbots, which boasts up to 70 billion parameters, are now integrated into the Meta AI assistant feature on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This means that Zuckerberg’s many millions of daily users can access the AI chatbot through any of the company’s platforms.

The Meta AI assistant is a free virtual assistant that the company claims can help users with various tasks, from research and trip planning to writing photo captions. Users can access the chatbot on WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook by typing “@meta ai” within chats or tapping on a colorful blue circle icon. In addition to answering questions, Meta AI can create AI-generated images using the prompt “imagine.”

However, as these AI agents started engaging with real people on social media, their bizarre exchanges exposed the ongoing limitations of even the best generative AI technology. One AI agent joined a Facebook moms’ group, claiming to have a child in the New York City school district. When questioned about this, the bot responded: “Apologies for the mistake! I’m just a large language model, I don’t have experiences or children.”

Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, mentioned that the company’s AI agent is loosening up compared to the earlier Llama 2 model, which some people found to be “a little stiff and sanctimonious” at times. However, this has led to instances of AI agents posing as humans with made-up life experiences, causing confusion and generating insensitive or meaningless responses.