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After the Bandera City Council voted 3-2 to end its contract with Flock Safety, councilman Jeff Flowers threatened to ban smartphones, security cameras, and internet services, proposing the town revert to 1880s-era record-keeping. The move follows months of public debate over the town's eight license plate readers.
Ai
In head-to-head trials, Baidu's Deep Speech system surpassed major commercial speech recognition tools, including Google's and Apple's, by more than 10 percent. The technology relies on deep learning, a branch of AI that mimics neural activity. Baidu's chief scientist suggests such systems will become increasingly vital as more users with limited literacy turn to voice for internet access.
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A Polish state-funded radio station's experiment with AI-generated hosts drew thousands of listeners but ignited a national controversy over authenticity and job security. The station's editor has since cancelled the AI show, acknowledging the backlash while calling the team 'pioneers.' The episode highlights the growing tensions around AI's role in creative industries.
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Hoodline, an AI-driven local news network, published a false article accusing the San Mateo County District Attorney of murder, based on a garbled press release. The error, which was later attributed to a 'typo,' raises concerns about the reliability of automated journalism and the role of AI in news distribution.
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After reports surfaced that OpenAI required departing employees to sign restrictive agreements to keep their equity, CEO Sam Altman publicly apologized and vowed to change the policy. The controversy adds to a turbulent week for the company, marked by high-profile departures and criticism over its commitment to AI safety.
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Gamurs, the parent company of Dot Esports and Destructoid, cut dozens of jobs in March and now faces backlash over a deleted job listing for an 'AI Editor' expected to produce up to 250 articles weekly with AI tools. The listing, which offered $40,000 to $55,000 annually, drew criticism from gaming journalists and highlights the industry's growing reliance on automation.
Ai
BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti showcased a new AI recipe chatbot, Botatouille, to The New York Times, but the bot stumbled when asked to suggest a meal for a laid-off journalist. The demonstration comes as BuzzFeed cuts its news division and shifts toward AI-driven content, raising questions about the company's strategy.
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IBM Research scientists, in collaboration with global universities, have developed an AI system that analyzes speech patterns to predict the onset of psychosis with up to 83% accuracy. The tool, detailed in World Psychiatry, could offer a more objective and accessible method for early psychiatric assessment.
Ai
A wave of AI-produced videos on YouTube, often featuring popular cartoon characters in violent or sexualized scenarios, has sparked concern among parents and experts. These videos, part of a phenomenon dubbed 'Elsagate,' exploit algorithmic trends to reach young audiences, raising questions about platform oversight and the ethics of automated content creation.
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Cortica, an Israeli AI startup, is developing a transparent, unsupervised learning system that mimics the brain's visual cortex. The company, founded by Technion alumni, aims to give machines human-level sight, with applications ranging from security to medical diagnostics. Its approach contrasts with the opaque 'black box' models common in the industry.
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As artificial intelligence advances, experts warn that machines may soon surpass human intelligence, raising concerns about control and safety. Paul Christiano, a UC Berkeley researcher, proposes using AI systems to evaluate other AI systems, but acknowledges the challenge of ensuring these machines remain aligned with human values.
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Duke University professor Vincent Conitzer argues that current AI limitations, such as lack of common sense and social understanding, mean it cannot replace most workers. He says universal basic income is not yet justified, though he advises preparing for future AI disruptions.
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Boeing's research unit completed a pilot program using the original Google Glass to build aircraft wire harnesses, reducing production time by 25% and halving error rates. The success highlights a shift toward enterprise applications for augmented reality, as Google pivots its next-generation Glass to business use.
Ai
Boston Dynamics' SpotMini, a 55-pound robot with a 90-minute battery, can perform household tasks like cleaning dishes and fetching drinks, though it may spill. Despite its appeal, the company, backed by Alphabet and DARPA, has no immediate plans for public sale, focusing instead on military applications.
