A new movement of AI labeling is rising despite OpenAI dropping watermarking due to low accuracy (26%). Instead of labeling content themselves, which seems futile, big tech (Google, YouTube, Meta, and TikTok) pushes users to label AI content with a carrot/stick approach. Google uses a double-pronged approach to fight AI spam in search: prominently showing forums like Reddit, where content is most likely created by humans, and penalties.
Technology
AI race heats up as OpenAI, Google and Mistral release new models
OpenAI, Google, and the French artificial intelligence startup Mistral have all released new versions of their frontier AI models within 12 hours of one another, as the industry prepares for a burst of activity over the summer. The unprecedented flurry of releases come as the sector readies for the expected launch of the next major version of GPT, the system that underpins OpenAI’s hit chatbot Chat-GPT.
Source: AI race heats up as OpenAI, Google and Mistral release new models
Spotlight On Data Transparency
We knew that OpenAI, Google and Meta relied on copyrighted material to train their generative AI models. The companies themselves have acknowledged as much by raising a fair use defense in the myriad lawsuits brought against them by copyright owners, including in the New York Times Co.’s copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft.
We also know that AI developers are increasingly desperate for new sources of high-quality data to train on as they rapidly exhaust the published contents of the World Wide Web, and are pushing the envelope in the pursuit of untapped resources.
Meta will require labels on more AI-generated content
Meta is updating its AI-generated content policy and will add a “Made with AI” label beginning in May, the company announced. The policy will apply to content on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Acknowledging that its current policy is “too narrow,” Meta says it will start labeling more video, audio, and image content as being AI-generated.
Source: Meta will require labels on more AI-generated content
Vocalist AI unveils vocal cloning platform that pays royalties to voice models
Vocalist AI uses algorithms and high-speed GPU processing to achieve vocal transformations. Users simply upload a vocal recording, whether it’s a quick iPhone note or a polished studio track, and then select from a curated library of voice models. These models include Beyoncé, Avicii, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, and Lizzo.
Source: Vocalist AI unveils vocal cloning platform that pays royalties to voice models
SAG-AFTRA Seeks to Write AI Protections Into California Law
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Hollywood actors, is pushing for legislation that would require detailed consent for the use of “digital replicas.” In a separate bill, the union also wants to prevent studios from putting dead performers in movies without the consent of their heirs. Underscoring the contentiousness around AI, the Motion Picture Association has come out against the digital replicas bill.
Source: SAG-AFTRA Seeks to Write AI Protections Into California Law
New Federal Bill Could Require Disclosure of Copyrighted Works Used in AI Training
Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday (April 9) which, if passed, would require AI companies to disclose which copyrighted works were used to train their models, or face a financial penalty. Called the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act, the new bill would apply to both new models and retroactively to previously released and used generative AI systems.
Source: New Federal Bill Could Require Disclosure of Songs Used in AI Training
Major music companies fight back against unlicensed AI in new ICMP-led initiative
An initiative led by the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), representing 90%of the world’s published music, has launched a new online resource called RightsAndAI.com, where rightsholders can reserve their rights against unlicensed exploitation of their works. The centralized platform seeks to send a clear message to AI firms engaging in “unlicensed exploitation.”
Source: Major music companies fight back against unlicensed AI in new ICMP-led initiative
How Tech Giants Cut Corners to Harvest Data for A.I.
OpenAI, Google and Meta ignored corporate policies, altered their own rules and discussed skirting copyright law as they sought online information to train their newest artificial intelligence systems. The companies’ actions illustrate how online information — news stories, fictional works, message board posts, Wikipedia articles, computer programs, photos, podcasts and movie clips — has increasingly become the lifeblood of the booming A.I. industry.
Source: How Tech Giants Cut Corners to Harvest Data for A.I.
Apple to license images from Shutterstock to train AI models
Apple has struck a deal to license millions of images from Shutterstock in order to train its AI models. Other tech companies have obtained similar deals from Shutterstock to help develop visual AI engines, including Google, Meta, and Amazon. News of Apple’s deal comes well after its signing in late 2022, and is expected to cost Apple up to $50 million.
Source: Apple to license images from Shutterstock to train AI models