Daily AI NEWS - August 2, 2024
AI, Unions, and Privacy

The integration of AI in various industries is reshaping the workforce. In the gaming sector, the launch of a significant union by 'World of Warcraft' developers at Activision Blizzard was partly driven by concerns over job security amidst layoffs and AI advancements.

In the tech industry, Intel's moves are emblematic of broader trends with massive layoffs despite governmental financial support. The chipmaker, grappling with both a product scandal and poor earnings, plans to cut over 15,000 jobs, signaling a reshaping of its workforce landscape.

Meanwhile, the impact of AI is also a central issue in the entertainment industry. Video game actors represented by SAG-AFTRA initiated a strike to secure AI protections, directly affecting future productions for major titles like Fortnite.

OpenAI’s newest model is described as “a data hoover” by experts. Concerns about privacy and data use have surfaced, but there are still ways to use it while minimizing risk.

ChatGPT will soon have a new voice after resolving issues related to actor Scarlett Johansson's likeness. The Voice Advanced Mode is set to launch with a new demo voice.

The Biden administration plans continued monitoring of open-weight AI models as potential regulations loom, impacting AI developers.

America’s Cyber Security Agency has appointed its first Head of AI amid comparisons of AI technology to nuclear weapons by the agency's leader. The role's inception highlights the growing emphasis on safeguarding national security through advanced technological oversight.

In the entertainment sector, there is ongoing concern among video game performers over the use of generative AI to reproduce their voices, potentially putting their jobs at risk. Legislators have responded with a proposal for a 'Digital Replication Right', which would protect likeness rights for 70 years posthumously, aiming to safeguard the interests of voice actors.

Internationally, the Biden Administration is set to announce a rule restricting AI chip equipment exports to Chinese companies. This move is part of a broader strategy to maintain the US technological edge and address national security concerns related to the \b>Chinese chipmaking industry.

Wix's AI now offers tools to generate entire SEO-optimized blog posts including imagery, simplifying content creation. Taco Bell is integrating AI into drive-thru operations across the U.S., aiming for hundreds of AI-run locations by year's end.

EA has leveraged AI to craft the faces of 11,000 players in College Football 25, marking a major step in game development. Meanwhile, Writer's AI models show high proficiency in healthcare and finance, surpassing broader models in specific tasks.

Meta's business continues to thrive financially, even with substantial investments in AI. However, Zuckerberg has advised investors not to expect immediate returns from Llama. Additionally, Meta AI is on track to becoming the most popular AI assistant, despite significant expenditures in Reality Labs.

Similarly, Qualcomm has reported impressive gains in their earnings, highlighting significant growth thanks to their new Snapdragon AI chips, particularly in the automotive sector.

AMD’s AI chip sales have exceeded expectations, generating $1 billion last quarter. The success of their Instinct MI300X GPUs has played a significant role in this impressive financial performance.