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Missouri and the World

artificial intelligence

AI is starting to answer surveys instead of humans – and researchers are worried

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Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to generate fake survey responses that imitate human opinions – raising concerns among researchers about whether public opinion polling can still be trusted. 

The practice, known as “synthetic surveys” or “silicon sampling,” involves using AI systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT to simulate thousands of human responses to political, social and commercial surveys.

According to analysis published by The Conversation, the approach is spreading partly because traditional polling has become increasingly expensive and difficult. [Read more…] about AI is starting to answer surveys instead of humans – and researchers are worried

Taylor Swift’s latest legal move could reshape the fight over AI-generated voices

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Taylor Swift is attempting to trademark elements of her voice and stage image in a move that could have major implications for artificial intelligence, celebrity identity rights and the future of copyright law.

According to analysis published by The Conversation, Swift recently filed trademark applications covering two voice recordings – “Hey, it’s Taylor” and “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” – along with imagery connected to her hugely successful Eras Tour performances.

Legal experts say the move reflects growing concern among artists that AI tools can increasingly imitate not only songs and lyrics, but also distinctive voices, appearances and creative styles. [Read more…] about Taylor Swift’s latest legal move could reshape the fight over AI-generated voices

Hotel workers say AI scheduling apps are making stressful jobs even harder

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Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape hotel work across America – not by replacing housekeepers with robots, but by turning many workers into what some describe as “human extensions” of workplace software.

According to reporting published by Proof News, hotel housekeepers in cities including Las Vegas and Palm Springs say management apps designed to improve efficiency are increasing stress, reducing autonomy and making already demanding jobs even harder.

The software, called HotSOS Housekeeping, is now widely used across major global hotel brands. [Read more…] about Hotel workers say AI scheduling apps are making stressful jobs even harder

Is the AI boom becoming another economic bubble?

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Warnings are growing that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could be creating a financial bubble similar to previous technology manias – but some analysts argue the problem runs deeper than overheated stock prices.

According to an opinion article published by Analyst News, the current AI investment surge reflects broader problems within modern capitalism and the way technology research is funded and commercialized.

The article argues that speculative investment has become central to how new technologies are developed, with companies often valued more on future promises than current profits. [Read more…] about Is the AI boom becoming another economic bubble?

Americans increasingly oppose AI data centers as environmental concerns grow

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Massive data centers built to power artificial intelligence are facing growing opposition across the United States, with new polling showing strong public resistance – especially among women.

According to a recent Gallup survey, more than two-thirds of Americans oppose the construction of large data center complexes in their communities, as reported by The 19th. [Read more…] about Americans increasingly oppose AI data centers as environmental concerns grow

AI companies are racing ahead of laws designed to protect people’s voices

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Artificial intelligence companies are rapidly expanding voice-cloning technology while lawmakers and regulators struggle to keep pace, raising concerns about consent, fraud and the growing misuse of digitally replicated voices.

A report by journalism nonprofit Proof News found that many publicly available AI voice-cloning services require little more than a checkbox confirmation from users before allowing them to copy someone else’s voice.

The investigation examined eight AI voice-cloning platforms, including services from Eleven Labs, PlayHT, Speechify, LOVO, Veed and Descript. In most cases, users could upload short audio clips and generate realistic voice replicas without any meaningful verification that the person being cloned had actually granted permission. [Read more…] about AI companies are racing ahead of laws designed to protect people’s voices

AI’s rapid growth is putting increasing pressure on water supplies

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As artificial intelligence systems continue expanding across the global economy, environmental researchers and analysts are warning that the AI boom may be creating an increasingly serious – and often overlooked – problem: water consumption.

Much of the public discussion surrounding AI infrastructure has focused on electricity demand and carbon emissions. But the giant data centers powering AI systems also require enormous quantities of water to cool servers and generate electricity.

An investigation published by Proof News argues that water usage linked to AI development is rising rapidly as major technology companies race to build larger and more powerful AI systems. [Read more…] about AI’s rapid growth is putting increasing pressure on water supplies