Is an AI Bot Running for Office in the UK?

Mark Matlock, the Reform UK candidate for Clapham and Brixton Hill, recently faced accusations of being an AI-generated bot. The specifics of this case are silly. Mr. Matlock overly-photoshopped one of his campaign ads and then fell victim to pneumonia. In the process, he sparked an epidemic of deepfake-itus, which sparked a debate about the authenticity of candidates in the generative era (he did not win the seat, BTW). Let's ask some more interesting questions. Could an AI run for office? If elected, could it serve? Continue Reading →

Washington Pushes for AI Regulations to Protect Artists Amid Hollywood Backlash

A bipartisan effort is underway in Washington to introduce the NO FAKES Act, aimed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Tom Tillis (R-NC) are spearheading this initiative, addressing growing concerns about AI-generated replicas of artists' voices and likenesses. Continue Reading →

Your AI Tax Dollars at Work

A Senate working group has proposed $32 billion in annual funding for AI programs, covering a wide range of areas from infrastructure to national security risk assessments. In theory, this "roadmap" sets the stage for future legislation, identifying key investment areas to keep the US competitive in the global AI landscape. Continue Reading →

A New EO to Regulate AI

Built on his previous executive order (EO), President Biden has signed a new EO with comprehensive AI guidelines for the federal government's deployment of AI. Under the new directives, federal agencies are mandated to ensure their AI systems do not compromise American citizens' rights and safety. Continue Reading →

United States v. Apple

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the tech giant has unlawfully monopolized the smartphone market to the detriment of consumers, developers, and competitors. Continue Reading →

Unanimous Decision: TikTok Must Sell

U.S. lawmakers voted 50-0 to force the sale of TikTok, alleging that the app's links with the Chinese Communist Party pose significant threats to national security. The House Commerce Committee approved a bill that would require ByteDance (TikTok's owner) to sell the company within 180 days or risk losing access to the U.S. market. Continue Reading →

Congressional Hearings on Child Safety

Yesterday's Senate hearing on child safety in social media saw CEOs from TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Meta (Facebook's parent company), Discord, and Snapchat face questions from lawmakers. The hearing focused on the impact of social media on children's safety and the bipartisan effort to more effectively regulate these platforms. Continue Reading →

We Can’t Fix Political Deepfakes

ElevenLabs, an AI startup specializing in voice replication technology, has banned a user account responsible for creating an audio deepfake of President Biden. The deepfake featured a message urging people not to vote in the New Hampshire primary. Continue Reading →