Researchers at the University of Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence have warned about a new commercial frontier called the "intention economy" where conversational AI tools may influence users' decision-making. This emerging sector, which combines knowledge of online habits with user profiling and Large Language Models (LLMs), could lead to social manipulation on an industrial scale if left unchecked. The researchers argue that companies will use this technology to target users based on their cadence, politics, vocabulary, age, gender, online history, and preferences for flattery and ingratiation. This could have significant implications for free and fair elections, a free press, and fair market competition, according to co-author Jonnie Penn, who notes that public awareness of the issue is key to preventing its unintended consequences.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340345/uk-study-warns-of-perils-in-ai-driven-intention-economyThe US Department of Justice alleged that a company called CGE used generative AI tools to create and disseminate disinformation through a network of fake news websites, attempting to conceal its Russian origin and create false corroboration between stories. However, the scheme was exposed when an individual involved came forward, causing the plan to unravel.
https://nypost.com/2024/12/31/us-news/biden-administration-sanctions-russian-group-that-allegedly-made-fake-tim-walz-sexual-assault-video/As companies increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology, they will need to invest in expanding their physical data center space and capacity to store the vast amounts of data generated by AI systems. This is necessary to maximize returns on investments in AI and data infrastructure while also addressing financial, regulatory, and environmental considerations.
https://www.businesstelegraph.co.uk/why-2025-will-redefine-data-infrastructure-11-expert-insights-on-sovereign-clouds-exploding-data-paas-and-more/Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state transport department to increase the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce road accidents. The government has signed an agreement with Google to implement this plan, which aims to enhance security and sustainability in the sector. As part of this initiative, over 13,000 outdated government vehicles will be scrapped, while older buses will be replaced or retrofitted with LNG or CNG kits. Additionally, a new electric vehicle policy is set to be released within three years, and bike taxi and maxi cab services are being introduced to improve urban mobility. Fadnavis also emphasized the need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure bus safety in accident-prone areas.
A new study has raised concerns about the potential misuse of anthropomorphic AI agents, such as chatbots and digital assistants, which have access to vast amounts of intimate psychological and behavioral data. The research cited an example of Meta's AI model, Cicero, which can infer and predict human intent in conversations, potentially allowing companies like Meta to influence users' decisions by auctioning off their intent to advertisers. Dr. Yaqub Chaudhary from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence emphasized that these AI assistants may serve the interests of companies rather than individuals, raising concerns about data privacy and manipulation. The study's findings have sparked worries among internet users who are sharing more personal information with AI than they would with a regular Google search, making them vulnerable to being manipulated by persuasive AI-powered advertising.
https://www.ndtv.com/science/rise-of-intention-economy-ai-tools-to-manipulate-you-into-making-decisions-study-finds-7363948Nvidia has upgraded its Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, doubling its memory bandwidth to 102GB/s while retaining the original hardware specifications. This upgrade boosts raw compute performance and generative AI capabilities by 70%, enabling developers to deploy sophisticated AI models on compact devices. The platform, which now costs $249, supports up to four high-resolution cameras and concurrent AI applications, making it ideal for prototyping and edge AI deployments. Nvidia's Ampere architecture GPU and 6-core Arm CPU power the device, which has sparked questions about whether the hardware was capable of this performance from its launch in 2022 or 2023, suggesting that the upgrade may have been waiting to be unlocked through a firmware switch.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/good-news-popular-nvidia-hardware-gets-free-upgrade-that-boosts-its-performance-by-up-to-70-percent-but-its-not-for-gamersThe oil and gas industry is expected to benefit from long-term advantages through digitalization initiatives, according to a report by GlobalData. The report highlights the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, IoT, robotics, and virtual and augmented reality by major companies like ADNOC, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies. These technologies are being used to solve business problems in the industry, with field personnel using handheld devices to collect data, make notes, and communicate with their teams.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/technology/oil-and-gas-industry-set-for-long-term-benefits-with-digitalisation-report-1/OpenAI's planned shift from a nonprofit to a Delaware public benefit corporation has raised concerns among some experts, with Encode arguing that it would undermine the company's safety-focused commitments made to the public. Specifically, Encode questions whether a for-profit entity could fulfill OpenAI's promise not to compete with and assist value-aligned organizations developing artificial general intelligence. This concern is echoed by Sneha Revanur, president and founder of Encode, who argues that the courts must intervene to ensure AI development serves the public interest. In response, OpenAI has pushed back against a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk, arguing that he lacks standing and is seeking an unfair competitive advantage for his own AI startup, xAI.
https://gizmodo.com/godfather-of-ai-throws-support-behind-elon-musks-lawsuit-against-openai-2000544349Alibaba's cloud unit has announced a significant price cut for its large language models, with discounts ranging from 50% to 85%. The move is aimed at making the technology more accessible to businesses and developers.
https://channelnewsasia.com/business/alibabas-cloud-unit-announces-big-price-cuts-large-language-models-4832821