• MediaMorph
  • Posts
  • Media Metamorphosis - Edition 12 -Strikes, AI Challenges, and Media Evolution

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 12 -Strikes, AI Challenges, and Media Evolution

Stay informed about the latest developments in journalism, technology, and beyond with HANA News

Author

Mark Riley
July 30, 2024

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 12 -Strikes, AI Challenges, and Media Evolution: This Week's Highlights by HANA News

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here

  • OpenAI's testing of its AI-driven search engine, SearchGPT, aims to improve connections between users and news publishers while maintaining content integrity.

  • The B2B newsletter platform Trending Now has rapidly expanded its user base beyond one million, showcasing the growing demand for curated content.

  • The rise of chatbots introduces legal challenges, as their automated nature may render creators liable for misinformation.

  • Elon Musk’s platform X promotes free speech while facilitating the spread of misinformation, notably through manipulated AI-generated videos.

  • The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposal to mandate transparency in political advertising touches on AI's critical role in shaping public perception.

  • Researchers warn of potential "model collapse" in AI outputs

  • Read about developing new detection methods, such as those at the University of Hull, to identify deepfakes.

OpenAI testing prototype search engine with news publishers - Press Gazette

Date: 2024-07-26 10:33:16 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: Press Gazette 

OpenAI has begun testing its new AI-driven search engine, SearchGPT, which aims to enhance user connections to news publishers while addressing concerns over traffic loss for these sites. The prototype, currently available to a select group of users, offers real-time information and includes attribution links to help highlight sources. Major media executives express optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the importance of maintaining quality and trust in content as AI integration becomes more prevalent. This innovative approach to search is seen as a crucial step in redefining how we navigate the internet and engage with journalism.

B2B newsletter publisher without journalists exceeds one million subs - Press Gazette

Date: 2024-07-23 07:02:18 | Reading Time: Reading time: 7 minutes | Source: Press Gazette 

Trending Now, an innovative B2B newsletter platform has successfully surpassed one million subscriptions, offering tailored content across 27 industry verticals. Launched in 2022, it aggregates top stories from international news sources, streamlining information for its readers while powered by AI technology that continues to evolve. With a strong focus on industries like construction, design, and business, managing director Joe Newton envisions further growth, including expanding into sectors like healthcare and technology. As the platform gears up during 2024, it aims to refine its sales strategies and enhance user engagement for an even brighter future.

AI Chatbots Have a Donald Trump Problem - New York Magazine

Date: 2024-07-23 09:00:09 | Reading Time: Reading time: 8 minutes | Source: New York Magazine 

Chatbots are becoming a significant part of our digital interactions, yet their ability to generate content poses a unique legal challenge for their creators. Unlike traditional search engines protected under Section 230, chatbots essentially act as automated publishers, potentially making their owners liable for any misleading or defamatory statements they produce. In response to these concerns, companies like OpenAI are partnering with news organizations to source reliable content and mitigate risks, essentially outsourcing the complicated nuances of news gathering while seeking to enhance the quality of their chatbot outputs. This collaboration reflects a broader strategy among AI firms to balance innovation with accountability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Analysis | False rumors about Vance, Musk’s X show misinfo cuts both ways - The Washington Post

Date: 2024-07-26 17:05:55 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: The Washington Post 

Elon Musk is positioning his platform X, formerly Twitter, as a bastion of free speech, emphasizing user-driven truth over traditional media moderation. Despite this push, critics argue that Musk's approach may favour conservative narratives, especially after recent incidents where falsehoods about public figures gained significant traction among users. One notable case involved a bizarre claim about Republican candidate JD Vance, which spread virally before being debunked, highlighting how misinformation can thrive irrespective of political leanings. As Musk's vision unfolds, the balance between open dialogue and the proliferation of hoaxes remains a precarious challenge for the platform.

Video game performers will go on strike over artificial intelligence concerns - The Associated Press

Date: 2024-07-26 13:21:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: The Associated Press 

In a significant move, Hollywood's video game performers, represented by SAG-AFTRA, have announced a strike starting Friday due to unresolved issues regarding artificial intelligence protections in their contracts with major game studios. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly two years. Still, the union claims that the industry's proposals fail to adequately protect performers from having their voices and likenesses used without consent or fair compensation. The strike follows similar concerns that previously fueled the film and television strikes, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the artistry and labour that drive the billion-dollar video game industry. As tensions rise, both sides express disappointment over the impasse, with the union stating that they exhausted all options before resorting to this last resort.

A manipulated video shared by Musk mimics Harris' voice, raising concerns about AI in politics - The Associated Press

Date: 2024-07-28 21:04:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: The Associated Press 

A manipulated video shared by Elon Musk on social media has sparked concerns over using artificial intelligence in political contexts, especially with the upcoming Election Day just three months away. The video, which convincingly mimics Vice President Kamala Harris's voice, includes misleading claims about her qualifications and presents her as a "diversity hire." As AI-generated content becomes increasingly advanced and accessible, experts warn that such deepfakes can mislead voters and blur lines of satire and misinformation, raising urgent questions about regulation. With many questioning the video's authenticity, the incident highlights the pressing need for clearer guidelines around AI use in politics and misinformation prevention.

FCC pursues new rules for AI in political ads, but changes may not take effect before the election - The Associated Press

Date: 2024-07-25 17:41:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: The Associated Press 

The FCC has taken a significant step towards increasing transparency in political advertising by proposing a rule that requires political advertisers to disclose the use of artificial intelligence in broadcast media. This initiative aims to inform voters about AI-generated content, particularly as such technology can potentially mislead with lifelike representations. However, the proposal has drawn mixed reactions, with some fearing potential confusion and regulatory conflicts as the November presidential election approaches. Still, advocates argue that it is crucial to preserve the integrity of democracy in an evolving digital landscape.

AI systems could be on the verge of collapsing into nonsense, scientists warn - The Independent

Date: 2024-07-26 07:23:08 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: The Independent 

Researchers are sounding the alarm over the risk of "model collapse" in AI systems, warning that as content created by artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent online, we may be left with increasingly nonsensical outputs. This phenomenon arises as AI models trained on data that includes content generated by other AIs could perpetuate gibberish cycles, diminishing the output's diversity and utility. The findings suggest that without intervention, such as watermarking content and filtering training datasets, the future of AI-generated content may become a chaotic echo chamber, raising concerns about the value of these technologies. As we navigate this AI-driven landscape, it’s vital for companies to be mindful of data practices to maintain the benefits of diverse, meaningful engagement.

AI-generated faces can be spotted by studying eyeballs, researchers find - The Indian Express

Date: 2024-07-24 07:29:30 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: The Indian Express 

Researchers at the University of Hull have developed a promising new AI detection method focused on the light reflections in human eyeballs, which could help identify deepfake images. This technique leverages tools originally designed for studying galaxies, examining the symmetry of reflections in each eye to distinguish real faces from AI-generated ones. While the approach shows potential, it’s not foolproof, as it requires a close view of the eyes and may yield false positives or negatives. As AI technology advances, the challenge of detecting increasingly convincing deepfakes remains a pressing concern.

Opinion | In praise of The New York Times and The Washington Post - Poynter

Date: 2024-07-29 11:35:28 | Reading Time: Reading time: 10 minutes |Source: Poynter 

Major developments have unfolded in the whirlwind of a captivating news cycle, including President Biden emerging as the presumptive Democratic nominee and significant coverage of domestic and international events. Renowned outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post have showcased exceptional journalism, from in-depth pieces about foreign conflicts to running political narratives. Amidst the evolving political landscape, technology continues to complicate matters, as seen in the controversy surrounding manipulated media shared by Elon Musk, raising questions about authenticity in our current media climate. Meanwhile, the Olympics have drawn impressive viewership numbers, with NBC attempting a fresh approach to coverage that sparked mixed reviews yet successfully captivated a diverse audience.

FCC pursues new rules for AI in political ads, but changes may not take effect before the election - The Associated Press

Date: 2024-07-25 17:41:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: The Associated Press 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has advanced a proposal that would require political advertisers to disclose the use of artificial intelligence in their broadcast advertisements, a move aimed at enhancing transparency in political campaigning. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel highlighted the potential for AI to create misleading content, emphasizing the public's right to know when technology has been used in ads. While the proposal is open for public comment, concerns have been raised about its timing and potential conflicts with the Federal Election Commission, particularly as the November presidential election approaches. As the landscape of political advertising evolves, with many already utilizing AI tools, this proposal could help voters discern fact from fiction.

This newsletter was partly curated and summarised by AI agents, who can make mistakes. Check all important information.

For any issues or inaccuracies, please notify us here