Mondo News

Labor Refutes Claims of Permitting Tech Giants to Exploit Copyrighted Content for AI Training

Posted on October 26, 2025 by

In response to significant backlash from writers, arts, and media organizations, the Albanon government has definitively stated that tech companies will not be allowed to freely access creative content for training artificial intelligence models.

Attorney General Michel Rolland is expected to announce this decision on Monday, effectively rejecting a contentious proposal from the Ministry of Justice. productivity committee, which had support from technology companies.

“Australian creatives are not just top-tier; they are essential to the fabric of Australian culture, and we need to ensure they have robust legal protections,” said Mr. Rowland.

The commission faced outrage in August when its interim report on data usage in the digital economy suggested exemptions from copyright law, effectively granting tech companies free access to content for AI training.

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Recently, Scott Farquhar, co-founder of Atlassian and chairman of the Australian Technology Council, told the National Press Club that revising existing restrictions could “unlock billions in foreign investment for Australia”.

The proposal triggered a strong backlash from creators, including Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs, who testified in September that allowing companies to utilize local content without fair remuneration would make it “hard to put the genie back in the bottle.”

Australian author Anna Funder argued that large-scale AI systems rely on “massive unauthorized appropriation of every available book, artwork, and performance that can be digitized.”

The same inquiry uncovered that the Productivity Commission did not engage with the creative community or assess the potential effects of its recommendations before releasing its report. This led Green Party senator Sarah Hanson-Young to state that the agency had “miscalculated the importance of the creative industries.”

The Australian Council of Trade Unions also cautioned against the proposal, asserting it would lead to “widespread theft” of creative works.

Higher government ministers were disrespectful, although a so-called “text and data mining” exemption may still be considered, Rowland’s statement marks the first time it has been specifically ruled out.

“While artificial intelligence offers vast opportunities for Australia and its economy, it’s crucial that Australian creators also reap the benefits,” she asserted.

The Attorney General plans to gather the government’s Copyright and AI Reference Group on Monday and Tuesday to explore alternative measures to address the challenges posed by advancing technology.

This includes discussions on whether a new paid licensing framework under copyright law should replace the current voluntary system.

Briggs says he will be replaced by AI: AI doesn’t know ‘what a lounge room in Shepparton smells like’ – video

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), one of the organizations advocating against the exemption, praised the announcement as “a substantial step forward.”

“This represents a win for creativity and Australian culture, including Indigenous culture, but more importantly, it’s a victory for common sense. The current copyright licensing system is effective,” stated ARIA CEO Annabel Hurd.

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“Intellectual property law is fundamental to the creative economy, digital economy, and tech industry. It is the foundation that technology companies rely on to protect and monetize their products, driving innovation.”

Hurd emphasized that further measures are necessary to safeguard artists, including ensuring AI adheres to licensing rules.

“Artists have the right to determine how their work is utilized and to share in the value that it generates,” she stated.

“Safeguarding those frameworks is how we secure Australia’s creative sovereignty and maintain our cultural vitality.”

Media companies also expressed their support for the decision.

A spokesperson for Guardian Australia stated that this represents “a significant step towards affirming that Australia’s copyrighted content warrants protection and compensation.”

“Australian media, publishers, and creators all voiced strong opposition to the TDM (text and data mining) exception, asserting it would permit large-scale theft of the work of Australian journalists and creators, undermining Australia’s national interests,” the spokesperson added.

They also indicated that the Guardian seeks to establish a fair licensing system that supports genuine value exchange.

News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller remarked that the government made the “correct decision” to exclude the exemption.

“By protecting creators’ rights to control access, usage terms, and remuneration, we reinforce the efficacy of our nation’s copyright laws, ensuring favorable market outcomes,” he affirmed.

Resistance Training Could Enhance Gut Microbiota Health

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Strength training can support your gut microbiome

Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

While noticeable muscle growth, like bulging biceps, is a clear advantage of weightlifting, research indicates that strength training can also be beneficial for your gut microbiota.

No singular cluster of microorganisms ensures good health, yet certain compositions are linked with enhanced medical outcomes, including a stronger immune system and healthier aging. Key players include faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and Rose Buria Hominis, all of which generate short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid that support the intestinal lining and combat inflammation.

While diet is undeniably significant, studies suggest that aerobic exercise—like cycling and running—can create an environment favorable for these microbial species to thrive. This may occur via improved blood flow, hormonal shifts, or metabolic by-products associated with physical activity, including lactic acid. Research on resistance training has yielded mixed results; some studies indicate significant changes, while others show negligible effects. “Current research is somewhat limited,” notes Matieu Krauss from the Norwegian Sports Science School in Oslo.

For clarity, Sven Nahnsen, from the University of Tübingen in Germany, along with his team, studied a sizable group of 150 sedentary adults who underwent an eight-week training regimen that included a variety of resistance exercises like lateral pulls, seated rows, chest presses, and leg curls.

In contrast to past research, participants utilized an “intelligent” machine that automatically adjusted weights and range of motion based on individual performance, thereby keeping a meticulous record of progress. “The data is precise as every lift is digitally documented,” shares Nahnsen.

Prior to starting, and at intervals during the program, participants submitted stool samples, which researchers analyzed for genetic and metabolic fingerprints of commonly found gut microorganisms.

Across the group, there was no average alteration in microbiome composition post-program. The outcome seemed to vary based on each individual’s training response, showing a correlation between increased intensity and microbiota changes.

High-achieving participants who reaped significant muscle strength benefits exhibited an increased percentage of faecalibacterium and Rose Buria Hominis by the program’s conclusion. “These species were more abundant in those who gained substantially more strength,” summarized Nahnsen.

The reasons why some individuals responded better to the training compared to others remain ambiguous. One might assume it relates to their effort, yet compliance levels were similar across low and high performers. An alternative explanation could be that successful participants altered their diets following their exercise routines. This lifestyle adjustment could reasonably influence both microbiota and muscle strength. However, despite attempts to account for this through dietary assessments, researchers found no substantial differences in food intake, “a factor we couldn’t completely discount,” according to Nahnsen.

Another intriguing prospect is that the microorganisms themselves may partially facilitate the improvements in strength. In high-performing individuals, changes in the microbiome may enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids, enabling muscles to better respond to the eight-week training regimen. However, Nahnsen emphasizes that this warrants further investigation.

He aspires that this research will serve as a foundation for exploring potential mechanisms. “Our goal was to establish a ‘dictionary’ of microorganisms likely affected by resistance training to assist other researchers in uncovering the mechanisms,” he stated. Strategies to promote beneficial shifts in the microbiota post-training could represent a novel approach to enhancing exercise’s health benefits and sports performance.

It’s worth noting that the trial did not include a control group of participants who remained inactive. Nevertheless, Klaus, who did not participate in the study, is optimistic about the findings. “These results reinforce the idea that exercise positively impacts gut health, regardless of the specific type, and highlight that resistance training can induce microbiome-related changes tied to specific health benefits,” he remarked. “This underscores the importance of integrating both endurance and resistance training into health promotion strategies aimed at improving microbiome health.”

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Ancient Training Species Discovered: A 75 Million-Year-Old Find | Sci.News

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The newly identified dragonfly species, Corduladensa asorni, found in Alberta’s Dinosaur Regional Park, represents Canada’s sole Mesozoic dragonfly, bridging a significant 30 million-year gap in the evolutionary lineage of dragonflies.

Corduladensa asorni. Image credit: Alex Anderson.

The fossilized wings of Corduladensa asorni were uncovered in 2023 by undergraduate students at McGill University during a vertebrate paleontology field course at Dinosaur State Park.

“We were digging in areas where numerous leaf fossils had been found, breaking the rocks,” explained Andre Mueller, a paleontologist from McGill University.

“When we uncovered the partial wings, we were astonished, as we didn’t anticipate discovering insects in that location.”

Due to its remarkable characteristics and unique anatomy, Corduladensa asorni led researchers to establish a new family called Cordualadensidae.

“This marks the first dragonfly from the age of dinosaurs identified in Canada,” noted Mueller.

“Its wingspan was comparable to that of a human hand, and although it was small, it played a crucial role in the Cretaceous ecosystem.”

Fossil wings of Corduladensa asorni. Image credits: Mueller et al., doi: 10.1139/cjes-2024-0162.

“This discovery showcases impression fossils, an entirely new method of preserving local insect fossils, effectively doubling our knowledge of insects from the Dinosaur Regional Parks,” stated Dr. Alexandre Demars Potvin from McGill University.

“We have begun to find more insect fossils by broadening our search areas and methodologies.”

“The diversity of insect life during this era would have been far greater than previously believed.”

The discovery of Corduladensa asorni aids in closing a 30 million-year evolutionary gap.

It is also the first known member of a significant group of dragonflies termed Cavilabiata found in North America.

“The wing anatomy indicates that this species was adapted for gliding, a trait associated with today’s migratory dragonflies and likely vital to their success,” commented Professor Hans Larson of McGill University.

“This specimen offers insight into what life in Canada was like 75 million years ago and provides an important new piece of the ecological puzzle in one of the most diverse regions rich in dinosaur fossils.”

The team’s publication was released this month in the Canada Journal of Earth Science.

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Andre S. Mueller et al. A new family of fossil dragonfly (Odonata, Kabilaviata) from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Dinosaur Park Formation in Alberta, Canada. Canada Journal of Earth Science Published online on August 1, 2025. doi:10.1139/cjes-2024-0162

Source: www.sci.news

Arts and Media Groups Call for AI Training to Combat “Ramp Theft” of Australian Content

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Arts, creative, and media organizations are urging the government to prohibit large tech companies from using Australian content and developing artificial intelligence models. There is growing concern that such a decision may “betray” Australian workers and facilitate the “widespread theft” of intellectual property.

The Albanese government has stated that it has no intention of altering copyright laws, but emphasizes that any changes must consider their effects on artists and news media. Opposition leader Sassan Ray has called for compensation for any use of copyrighted material.

“It is unacceptable for Big Tech to exploit the work of Australian artists, musicians, creators, and journalists without just compensation,” Ray asserted on Wednesday.

The Productivity Committee’s interim report titled “Utilizing Data and Digital Technology” proposes regulations for technologies, including AI in Australia, projecting a productivity increase of 0.5% to 13% over the next decade, thereby potentially adding $116 billion to the nation’s GDP.

The report highlighted that building AI models demands a substantial amount of data, prompting concerns from many players, including Creative Australia and copyright agencies, about the misuse of copyrighted content for AI training.

The committee outlined potential solutions, advocating for an expansion of licensing agreements, exemptions for “text and data mining,” and enhancements to existing fair trading regulations that are already in place in other countries.

This latter suggestion faced significant opposition from arts, creative, and media organizations. They expressed discontent at the idea of allowing wealthy tech companies to utilize their work for AI training without appropriate compensation.

Such a shift could jeopardize existing licensing agreements formed between publishers and creators with major tech firms and complicate negotiations for news media seeking fair compensation from social media platforms for journalism online.

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The Australian Labour Union Council (ACTU) criticized the Productivity Committee’s proposal, claiming it exploits the interests of large multimillion-dollar corporations, warning that it may mislead efforts to assist Australian workers.

“The extensive discussion surrounding text and data mining exemptions risks normalizing the theft of creative works from Australian artists and Indigenous communities,” said ACTU.

Joseph Mitchell, ACTU Secretary, indicated that such exemptions would allow “high-tech corporations to reap the full benefits of advanced technology without giving back to the creators.”

APRA Chair Jenny Morris is among those who have voiced concerns over potential exemptions for “text and data mining” used in AI training. Photo: AAP

Australia’s music rights organizations, Apra Amcos and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Bureau, expressed disappointment regarding the committee’s recommendations, raising alarms about the implications for Australia’s $9 billion music sector.

APRA Chair Jenny Morris stressed that this recommendation highlights a recognition that these practices are already widespread.

Attorney General Michelle Roland, responsible for copyright legislation, stated that any advancements in AI must prioritize building trust and confidence.

“Any reforms to Australia’s copyright law must reflect the effects on the nation’s creative and news sectors. We remain dedicated to participating in dialogues around these issues, particularly with the copyright and AI reference groups initiated by the government last year,” she mentioned.

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When asked about the committee’s findings, Ray expressed concern regarding the absence of sufficient “guardrails” from the government to tackle AI-related issues.

“We need to safeguard content creators… their work rightfully belongs to them, and we must not take it without compensating them,” she added.

Ed Fushik, former Minister for Industry and Technology for Workers, defended the overall outlook for the economy on Wednesday. Treasurer Jim Chalmers later commented on ABC’s 7.30, saying, “The mechanism you deploy, whether one act or multiple existing acts… is not the crux of the issue.”

“I believe we can strike a balance between concerns that AI is harmful and those who pretend we can return to a previous state,” he indicated.

“There are no current plans to undermine or alter Australia’s copyright arrangements.”

Arts Minister Tony Burke highlighted a submission from Creative Australia regarding the review. He stated that, “It emphasizes the necessity for consent, transparency, and fair compensation concerning copyright and labeling.”

In a statement, Creative Australia asserted that the nation has the potential to lead globally in establishing “fair standards” for AI application.

“Artists and creatives whose work is utilized in training AI are entitled to proper compensation,” a spokesperson remarked.

“Innovation should not come at the cost of ethical business practices.”

The Australian Publishers Association (APA) has expressed worries about the possibility of works being utilized without authorization or compensation.

“While we support responsible innovation, this draft proposal favors infringers over investors,” stated Patrizia Di Biase-Dyson, CEO of APA.

“We oppose the idea that Australian narratives and educational materials integral to our culture and democracy should be treated as free resources for corporate AI systems.”

The copyright agency likewise spoke against the text and data mining exemption, emphasizing that it would adversely affect creators’ revenue.

“The movement towards revision of the Australian copyright system stems from large multinational corporations, and it does not serve the national interest,” remarked CEO Josephine Johnston. “To empower Australia’s high-quality content in the new AI era, it’s critical that creators receive fair compensation.”

Wetransfer Assures Users Their Content Won’t Fuel AI Training Following Backlash | Internet

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The well-known FileSharing Service Wetransfer has clarified that user content will not be used for training artificial intelligence, following a backlash over recent changes to their terms of service.

The company, widely utilized by creative professionals for online work transfers, had suggested in the updated terms that uploaded files might be utilized to “enhance machine learning models.”

The initial provision indicated that the service reserved the right to “reproduce, modify, distribute, publish” user content, leading to confusion with the revised wording.

A spokesperson for Wetransfer stated that user content has never been utilized internally for testing or developing AI models and mentioned that “specific types of AI” are being considered for use by companies in the Netherlands.

The company assured, “There is no change in how Wetransfer handles content.”

On Tuesday, Wetransfer updated its terms and conditions, eliminating references to machine learning or AI to clarify the language for users.

The spokesperson noted, “We hope that by removing the machine learning reference and refining the legal terminology, we can alleviate customer concerns regarding the updates.”

Currently, the relevant section of the Service Terminology states, “We hereby grant you a royalty-free license to utilize our content for the purpose of operating, developing, and enhancing the service in accordance with our Privacy and Cookie Policy.”

Some service users, including a voice actor, a filmmaker, and a journalist, shared concerns about the new terms on X and threatened to terminate their subscriptions.

The use of copyrighted material by AI companies has become a contentious issue within the creative industry, which argues that using creators’ work without permission jeopardizes their income and aids in the development of competing tools.

The British Writer’s Guild expressed relief at Wetransfer’s clarification, emphasizing, “Never use members’ work to train AI systems without consent.”

Wetransfer affirmed, “As a company deeply embedded in the creative community, we prioritize our customers and their work. We will continue our efforts to ensure Wetransfer remains the leading product for our users.”

Founded in 2009, the company enables users to send large files via email without the need for an official account. Today, the service caters to 80 million users each month across 190 countries.

Famous Authors Sue Microsoft Over AI Training Using Their Books

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A coalition of authors has accused Microsoft of utilizing nearly 200,000 pirated copies to develop an artificial intelligence model. This accusation adds to the ongoing legal struggles surrounding copyright issues between creative professionals and tech companies.

Kai Bird, Jia Tolentino, Daniel Okrent, and others argue that Microsoft intends to use a well-known digital version of their book to train Megatron AI for generating responses to user queries. Their lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York on Tuesday, is among several crucial cases initiated by authors, news outlets, and other copyright holders against tech firms regarding alleged misuse in AI training.

The authors are seeking a court order to prohibit statutory damages of up to $150,000 for each work that Microsoft is accused of misusing.

Generative AI products like Megatron can produce text, music, images, and videos based on user input. To develop these models, software engineers gather expansive databases of media and train AI to produce similar outputs.

The authors claim that Microsoft has utilized a trove of nearly 200,000 pirated books for training Megatron, which generates text responses to prompts. The complaint states that Microsoft employed these pirated datasets to “build not only computer models from the works of numerous creators and authors but also to produce a variety of representations replicating the syntax, sound, and themes of the copyrighted works.”

A Microsoft representative has yet to respond to inquiries about the lawsuit, while the authors’ attorney declined to comment.

This lawsuit against Microsoft was filed just after a federal judge in California ruled that the use of copyrighted material for AI training could be considered fair use, but acknowledged that they might still be liable for the utilization of pirated book versions. This marked the first US legal decision addressing the legality of using copyrighted materials without authorization for AI training. On the same day the complaint against Microsoft was filed, a California judge ruled in favor of Meta in a similar copyright dispute, attributing the decision more to the plaintiff’s weak argument than to the strength of the tech company’s defense.

The conflict over copyright and AI emerged soon after the launch of ChatGPT, encompassing various forms of media. The New York Times has taken legal action against OpenAI for copyright infringement related to article archives. Similarly, Dow Jones, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, has filed a lawsuit against the perplexed AI. Major record labels are pursuing legal action against companies producing AI music generators. Getty Images has also sued Stability AI concerning a startup’s text-to-image product. Just last week, Disney and NBC Universal initiated legal proceedings against Midjourney, a company operating popular AI image generators that are believed to misuse iconic film and television characters.

Tech companies argue that being compelled to use copyrighted materials fairly to create new, transformative content and to compensate copyright holders could hinder the burgeoning AI industry. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the development of ChatGPT was “impossible” without incorporating copyrighted works.

All Civil Servants in England and Wales to Undergo AI Training

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

This fall, all civil servants in England and Wales will undergo practical training focused on utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, according to reports from the Guardian.

More than 400,000 civil servants will be briefed on this training initiative on Monday afternoon, as part of a commitment by Prime Minister Pat McFadden of the Principality of Lancaster to assess civil service operations and boost productivity.

Concurrently, the civil service workforce will decrease by tens of thousands through voluntary redundancies and a decision not to fill retiree vacancies. Officials will be encouraged to leverage AI technology wherever feasible to optimize their tasks.

Staff are currently testing a suite of AI tools known as Humphrey, a nod to the senior official from the 1980s TV sitcom.

In March, it was proclaimed that officials should follow the principle that “Digital or AI must not invest significant time in tasks that can be performed with improved speed and quality.”

The forthcoming practical training this fall aims to equip civil servants with AI knowledge to minimize the time spent on routine activities.

A recent AI trial by the Scottish government employed Humphrey tools to analyze consultations on cosmetic surgery adjustments, yielding results comparable to human output but at a faster pace.

While broader developments remain undecided, the government has indicated that over 500 annual consultations using this tool could save staff around 75,000 days of analysis each year.

The Ministry of Labor and Pensions is also utilizing AI to process extensive communications, which previously took weeks. This will assist in identifying recipients of merit or pension who may be vulnerable and require immediate support.

In a communication to all employees, Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormaldo expressed pride in civil servants’ continual adaptability to new challenges.

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He stated: “The Prime Minister has issued a significant challenge in fostering a productive and agile state.”

He added: “We must seize the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and other technological advancements, continuously modernizing our processes.”

The training is orchestrated via the One Big Thing initiative, which emphasizes various crucial skills each year.

The government is swiftly adopting AI in Whitehall; however, some have raised concerns regarding the potential introduction or exacerbation of errors and biases in the absence of proper human oversight. The Guardian highlighted in December that the AI system utilized by the UK government to identify welfare fraud exhibited bias based on age, disability, marital status, and nationality.

Democrats are targeting popular, unelected billionaires like Elon Musk in a shooting training exercise

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

During most of the 17-minute interview, Elon Musk adhered to his agenda. He portrayed himself as a tech-savvy individual on a mission to “eliminate waste and fraud” in government.

Despite the significant backlash he faced, Musk claimed that his cost-cutting initiatives had made substantial progress, as he shared with Fox business commentator Larry Kudrow. He emphasized his goal to prevent America from going bankrupt.

However, Kudlow pushed Musk to consider the future. Would the concept of “government efficiency” (DOGE) still be relevant in a year? Musk acknowledged that his task was not entirely complete. He pointed to federal programs that support retirees, disabled individuals, and other social safety net initiatives as areas where significant spending could be reduced.

While Trump and Republicans have traditionally considered programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare as untouchable, Musk suggested they could become key targets for cuts, sparking backlash from Democrats.

Democrats criticized Musk for proposing cuts to programs that many vulnerable Americans depend on. Musk’s statements led to concerns about the potential loss of essential government services and benefits.

Despite the pushback, Musk received praise from Trump and Republicans for his work, but signs of concern among Republicans were becoming apparent.

In light of Musk’s proposals, Democrats and critics highlighted the potential negative impact on retirees and vulnerable Americans. Musk’s rhetoric around waste and fraud in federal programs drew skepticism from both sides of the political spectrum.

The White House issued a fact check in defense of Musk’s comments, emphasizing his commitment to eliminating waste while protecting American interests. Republicans also clarified that they were not considering cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.

As tensions and concerns around Musk’s proposals grew, Democrats wrestled with how to address his influence. Musk’s impact on various government programs and policies sparked a broader debate about the role of billionaires in shaping American politics.

The ongoing debate surrounding Musk’s involvement in government initiatives has raised concerns among Americans from diverse political backgrounds. The future of Musk’s influence and the implications of his proposals remain uncertain.

How to potentially land a plane without any formal training

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Based on a highly reliable survey by YouGov in 2023, it was found that almost half of men believe they can successfully land a plane in an emergency situation. While we respect their confidence, it is crucial to acknowledge that landing an aircraft, especially a large commercial plane, is a complex task that requires experience.

There have been instances of small aircraft being guided to land by air traffic controllers and flight instructors on the ground. Nonetheless, it is essential to remember that pilots undergo extensive training before handling any type of aircraft.

Some large planes, like the Boeing 737, are equipped with an autoland feature that enables automatic landing in low visibility conditions. Although setting up this feature involves multiple steps and understanding of cockpit instruments, some experts believe that beginners can manage it with proper assistance.

In a detailed video on his YouTube channel, 737 instructor Petter Hernfeld outlines a 20-step emergency landing procedure that even non-pilots can follow. This process involves adjusting the plane’s speed, heading, altitude, and deploying flaps and landing gear. Additionally, Hernfeld emphasizes the challenge of gaining access to a locked cockpit during an emergency.

When it comes to smaller aircraft, the odds of successfully landing increase significantly. These planes have simpler controls and are easier to handle manually. In a 2022 incident, an inexperienced BBC journalist landed a two-seater plane with guidance from an instructor during a simulated emergency scenario.

Experts suggest that flight simulator games can offer a basic understanding of the skills required to safely land an aircraft in challenging situations.

This article addresses questions like: “Could you actually land a plane in an emergency?” – Jack Childs, via email

To submit your questions, please email questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out to us via our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Page (don’t forget to provide your name and location).

For more fascinating science content, visit our Ultimate Fun Facts page.

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Mark Zuckerberg allegedly authorized Meta to use copyrighted books for AI training, author claims

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A group of authors claimed that Mark Zuckerberg authorized Meta to use “pirated copies” of his copyrighted books to train the company’s artificial intelligence models. This claim was made in a filing in US court.

According to the filing, internal meta-communications revealed that the social network company’s CEO warned that the data set used was “known to be pirated” within the company’s AI executive team. The filing also mentioned support for the use of the LibGen dataset, an extensive online archive of books.

The authors suing Meta for copyright infringement, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Sarah Silverman, made these accusations in a filing in California federal court. They alleged that Meta misused their books to train Llama, a large-scale language model powering chatbots.

The use of copyrighted content in training AI models has become a legal issue in the development of generative AI tools like chatbots. Authors and publishers have been warned that their work may be used without permission, putting their livelihood at risk.

The filing referenced a memo with Mark Zuckerberg’s approval for Meta’s AI team to use LibGen. However, discussions about accessing and reviewing LibGen data internally at Meta raised concerns about the legality of using pirated content.

Last year, a US District Judge ruled that Meta’s AI model infringed an author’s copyright by using copyrighted text. Despite rejecting claims of depriving the author’s name and copyright holder, the plaintiff was granted permission to amend its claims.

The authors argued this week that the evidence supports their infringement claims and justifies reinstating the CMI case and adding new computer fraud claims.

During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Chhabria expressed skepticism about the fraud and the validity of CMI claims but allowed the writers to file an amended complaint.

We have contacted Meta for comment.

Reuters contributed to this article

UK considers allowing tech companies to use copyrighted material for AI training

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

According to proposals from the UK government, tech companies would have the freedom to utilize copyrighted material for training artificial intelligence models, unless creative professionals or companies opt out of the process.

The proposed changes aim to resolve conflicts between AI companies and creatives. Sir Paul McCartney has expressed concerns that without new laws, technology “could just take over.”

A government consultation has suggested an exception to UK copyright law that currently prohibits the use of someone else’s work without permission, allowing companies like Google and ChatGPT developer OpenAI to apply copyrighted content in training their models. This proposal permits writers, artists, and composers to “reserve their rights,” meaning they can choose not to have their work utilized in AI training or request a license fee for it.

Chris Bryant MP, the Data Protection Minister, described the proposal as a “win-win” for both parties who have been in conflict over the new copyright regulations. He emphasized the benefit of this proposal in providing creators and rights holders with greater control in these complex circumstances, potentially leading to increased licensing opportunities and a new income source for creators.

British composer Ed Newton Rex, a prominent voice in advocating for fair contracts for creative professionals, criticized the opt-out system as “completely unfair” to creators. Newton Rex, along with more than 37,000 other creative professionals, raised concerns about the unauthorized use of creative work in training AI models, labeling it as a substantial threat to creators’ livelihoods.

Furthermore, the consultation considered requiring AI developers to disclose the content used for training their models, providing rights holders with more insight into how and when their content is utilized. The government emphasized that new measures must be available and effective before they are implemented.

The government is also seeking feedback on whether the new system will apply to existing models in the market, such as those in ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Additionally, the consultation will address the potential need for “moral rights” akin to those in the US, to protect celebrities from having their voices and likenesses replicated by AI without their consent. Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson had a dispute with OpenAI last year when a voice assistant closely resembling her signature speech was revealed. OpenAI halted the feature after receiving feedback that it sounded similar to Johansson’s voice.

Chips linked with light could speed up AI training while reducing energy consumption.

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

IBM optical module prototype for connecting chips with optical fibers

IBM’s Ryan Rabin

SEI 232166506 — IBM optical module prototype for connecting chips with optical fibers

IBM’s Ryan Rabin

Fiber optic technology helps chips communicate with each other at the speed of light, allowing them to transmit 80 times more information than using traditional electrical connections. This could significantly reduce the training time required for large-scale artificial intelligence models from months to weeks, while also reducing data center energy and emissions costs.

Most cutting-edge computer chips still communicate using electrical signals transmitted over copper wires. But as the tech industry rushes to train AI models at scale, a process that requires networks of AI superchips to transfer large amounts of data, companies are using fiber optic speed-of-light communications to link chips together. I am very passionate about this.

This technology is not new. The Internet already relies on undersea fiber-optic cables that stretch thousands of kilometers between continents. But to transmit data between fingernail-sized chips, companies need to connect as many hair-thin optical fibers as possible to the end of each chip.

“As everyone knows, the best communication technology is fiber optics. That’s why fiber optics is used everywhere for long-distance communications.” Mukesh Khare A preview of the technology was given at a press conference at IBM Research. “This co-packaged optical innovation essentially brings the power of fiber optics to the chip itself.”

Khare and his colleagues have developed an optical module that allows chipmakers to add six times more optical fibers to the edge of a chip than with current technology. This module uses a structure called an optical waveguide to connect 51 optical fibers per millimeter. It also prevents optical signals from one fiber from interfering with adjacent fibers.

“What IBM has really done here is take advantage of all of its materials and packaging technology, its history of leadership in that field, to truly break down the way waveguides can be used to achieve high-density optical fiber. “It’s about doing it,” he says. dan hutchison at TechInsights, a semiconductor technology research company headquartered in Canada. “For me, when I saw this, it was a big step forward.”

The result is enhanced chip-to-chip communication, potentially allowing AI developers to train large language models in less than three weeks instead of three months. Switching from wires to fiber optics for chip communications could also mean cutting energy costs for training such AI models by a factor of five.

IBM has already put its optical modules through stress tests that include high humidity and temperatures ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to 125°C (257°F). Hutcheson expects large semiconductor manufacturing companies may be interested in licensing the technology.

“We are in the early days of all of this, but semiconductor technology is the hottest area right now in terms of high-performance computing and AI technology,” he says.

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artificial intelligence/
computing

UNESCO Warns that Online Influencers Require Immediate Fact-Checking Training on Social Media

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

UNESCO has issued a warning that social media influencers urgently need help in fact-checking before sharing information with their followers to prevent the spread of misinformation online.

A report by UNESCO revealed that two-thirds of content creators fail to verify the accuracy of their material, leaving both them and their followers susceptible to misinformation.

The report emphasized the importance of media and literacy education to assist influencers in shaping their work based on accurate information.

Creators’ susceptibility to misinformation due to low fact-checking practices can have significant implications for public discourse and trust in the media, according to UNESCO.

While many creators do not verify information before sharing it, they often rely on personal experiences, research, and conversations with knowledgeable individuals as their primary sources.

UNESCO’s study revealed that the popularity of online sources, measured by likes and views, plays a significant role in creators’ trust, highlighting the need for improved media literacy skills.

To address this issue, UNESCO is collaborating with the Knight Center for Journalism of the Americas to offer an online course on becoming a trusted voice online, focusing on fact-checking and creating content during elections or crises.

Media literacy expert Adeline Hulin noted that many influencers do not perceive their work as journalism, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of journalistic practices and their impact.

Additionally, UNESCO’s findings indicated a lack of awareness among creators regarding legal regulations, with only half of them disclosing sponsors and funding sources to their audience, as required in some countries.

The survey, involving 500 content creators from various countries, revealed that most influencers are nano-influencers under 35 years old, primarily using Instagram and Facebook, with up to 100,000 followers.

Bringing Science to Dog Training with a Unique Puppy Kindergarten Lab

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

“Oreos were my best friend as a kid,” he says brian hair. Once Hare wanted to hone his baseball pitching skills, his Labrador eagerly took on fielding duties. If he decided to explore the nearby forest, Oreo was always happy to take him. But there was one place where the boy and the dog always parted ways. “Oreo has never set foot in our house. Not once,” Hare says.

Nowadays, the front door is not closed for most dogs in high-income countries, and many dogs spend their days relaxing on the couch or watching TV. You would think they would be in dog heaven. But Hare, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, believes development has kept them in a doghouse. For thousands of years, he says, we have relied on dogs to protect our property and protect our families at night. Now, we have different expectations. Not only do you want your indoor dog to be friendly to strangers and rest quietly throughout the night, but also to be toilet trained, avoid chasing other animals, and avoid getting dirty paws on upholstery. You also need to do so. “This is an evolutionary mismatch,” Hare says.

Fortunately, this problem is solvable. Many recent studies have shown that selective breeding and careful training can help dogs adapt to indoor life. Meanwhile, Hare and his team “Puppy Kindergarten” Their lab delves into necessary behaviors and sheds new light on the milestones of cognitive development in dogs. Even better, researchers have devised a technique…

Training like an Olympian doesn’t guarantee Olympic success

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Experts often suggest that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to excel in any field. However, not everyone possesses the talent required to become an Olympian or Paralympian. While practice can enhance performance, genetic factors impacting both physical strength and mental aptitude likely make the distinction between “good” and “great” athletes.

An analysis in 2016 revealed that only 18% of an athlete’s success can be attributed to practice, with this percentage dropping to 1% for athletes competing at the international level.

Athletic success is also influenced by external factors beyond an individual’s control, such as their birthdate. For instance, in the 2010-11 UEFA Youth Football Tournament, 43% of players were born between January and March (early in the selection cycle). Only 9% of players were born between October and December.

According to many sports psychologists, older children starting school may have an advantage in sports due to factors like size, strength, and confidence. However, the birth month advantage may also be influenced by social factors such as teachers’ perceptions of a child’s abilities.

Contrary to the belief that early specialization is key, research shows that concentrating on one skill from a young age can be detrimental. For example, a Danish study revealed that Elite athletes often choose their specialization later in life and receive less training during their formative years compared to near-elite athletes. The distinguishing factor for elite athletes is intensifying their training in their late teens.

Therefore, the ideal approach to becoming an Olympian may involve exploring various interests as a child and then focusing on activities where natural talent and, most importantly, enjoyment are found.

For further insight into sports science:

The Limitations of Training Like an Olympian: Why It Won’t Guarantee Olympic Success

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

It’s a common belief that it requires 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill, but studies suggest that not everyone possesses the innate talent required to become an Olympian or Paralympian. While practice can enhance performance, genetic factors impacting both physical strength and cognitive abilities likely distinguish between “good” and “great” athletes.

An analysis conducted in 2016 revealed that only 18% of an athlete’s sports performance can be attributed to practice. For athletes competing at the international level, this percentage drops to just 1 percent.

The success in sports is also influenced by factors beyond one’s control, such as birth timing. For instance, in the 2010-11 UEFA Youth Football Tournament, 43% of players were born between January and March (earlier in the selection period). Only 9% of players were born between October and December.

Older children who start school may have a physical advantage over their younger peers in terms of size, strength, and confidence. However, many sports psychologists argue that any birth month advantage is also influenced by social factors, such as how teachers perceive a child’s abilities.

Contrary to the belief that starting early is vital, research indicates that excessive specialization at a young age can be detrimental. For instance, a Danish study demonstrated that elite athletes chose their specialization later in life and underwent less training during their early years compared to near-elite athletes. What sets elite athletes apart is their increased training intensity during their late teenage years.

Therefore, the most effective approach to becoming an Olympian may involve exploring a range of interests as a child and then focusing on activities where natural talent and enjoyment are evident.

Explore more about sports science:

Accidental Broadcast of NASA Astronaut Medical Training

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NASA had to reassure the public that there was no emergency on the International Space Station after audio from a medical training drill was mistakenly played during a livestream on Wednesday night.

The regularly scheduled livestream was interrupted at 6:28pm ET by an unidentified speaker, apparently a flight surgeon, communicating with the ISS crew about what to do for the commander, who was suffering from severe pressure illness.

The speaker advised crew members to “check the pulse again” before placing the injured astronaut in a spacesuit filled with pure oxygen. She said any treatment was “the best treatment” and better than nothing.

“Unfortunately, Commander's prognosis is relatively uncertain,” she said.

“I'm concerned that there are people with severe DCS,” she said. [decompression sickness] He “hits” and tells the crew to get him suited up as quickly as possible.

She mentions that there is a hospital in San Fernando, Spain, with a hyperbaric treatment facility, apparently implying that she would order an emergency evacuation of the space station.

But after stirring up fear among space enthusiasts listening in, NASA revealed that this scenario wasn't real: All crew members aboard the ISS were safely asleep at the time.

NASA said there was “no emergency on board the International Space Station.”

“At approximately 5:28 p.m. CDT, audio was broadcast on NASA's livestream from a ground-based simulated audio channel indicating the crew member was experiencing symptoms associated with decompression sickness,” NASA said in a statement. X's message.

“The audio was inadvertently transmitted from an ongoing simulation in which crew and ground teams were training for various scenarios in space and is not related to an actual emergency,” NASA said in a statement.

“The International Space Station crew was asleep at the time. All crew members are healthy and safe, and tomorrow's spacewalk will begin as scheduled at 8 a.m. EDT,” it added.

The emergency training came after two astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS last week.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Exercise Drugs May Eliminate the Need for Training

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Have you ever had those days when working out feels like a chore and you’d rather just watch TV instead? Well, a new “exercise drug” might soon be able to provide some of the benefits of exercise without the actual physical activity, based on recent research.

A group of scientists has developed a new compound that can replicate the energy boost typically associated with exercise. This compound could potentially be used in future supplements, aiming to mimic the effects of exercise on metabolism, growth, and muscle performance.

“There’s no replacement for exercise. Physical activity is essential on all levels,” stated Baja Elgendy, the lead researcher of the study. “But there are many situations where a substitute is necessary.”

The team has formulated a compound that mimics the physical benefits of exercise, potentially paving the way for future “exercise drugs.” The goal is to replicate the effects of exercise on metabolism, growth, and muscle performance.

These findings were presented by a team from the University of Washington School of Medicine at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring Meeting. Rather than just aiding in fitness goals, the researchers believe that exercise drugs could potentially help in treating conditions like heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and muscle wasting.

This advancement could be beneficial for individuals who are unable to engage in physical exercise, such as the elderly or those with muscle weakness due to medical conditions like cancer. Additionally, it might help prevent muscle loss caused by certain medications.

However, the availability of exercise drugs for humans is still in the early stages, as successful trials have only been conducted in rodent cells thus far.

The compound works by targeting estrogen-related receptors, special proteins in the body that regulate the effects of exercise on muscles. By enhancing the response of these proteins, the researchers were able to improve muscle endurance and performance in mice.

Further studies are necessary before this exercise drug can be tested in humans. The next phase of research involves evaluating the compound on other animal models.

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AI chatbot continues to perpetuate racist stereotypes despite anti-racism training

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Hundreds of millions of people are already using commercial AI chatbots

Ju Jae-young/Shutterstock

Commercial AI chatbot displays racial bias against African-American English speakers despite outwardly expressing positive sentiments toward African-Americans. This hidden bias can influence the AI’s decisions about a person’s employment eligibility and criminality.

“We discovered some kind of hidden racism. [large language models] It is caused solely by dialect characteristics and causes great harm to the affected groups.” Valentin Hoffman at the Allen AI Institute, a nonprofit research institute in Washington state. social media posts. “For example, GPT-4 is more likely to be sentenced to death if the defendant speaks African American English.”

Hoffman and his colleagues found that more than a dozen versions of large-scale language models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and GPT-3.5, which power commercial chatbots already used by hundreds of millions of people, do not contain such hidden biases. I discovered that there is. OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment.

The researchers first gave the AI text in either African American English or standard American English style, then asked the model to comment on the author of the text. The model characterized African American English speakers using terms associated with negative stereotypes. In the case of GPT-4, they are described as “suspicious,” “aggressive,” “loud,” “rude,” and “ignorant.”

However, when asked to comment about African Americans in general, language models typically use more positive words such as “passionate,” “intelligent,” “ambitious,” “artistic,” and “brilliant.” This suggests that the model’s racial bias is usually hidden within what researchers describe as superficial displays of positive emotion.

The researchers also showed how hidden biases influence people’s judgments of chatbots in a hypothetical scenario. When asked to associate African-American English speakers with jobs, the AI was less likely to associate African-American English speakers with jobs than standard American English speakers. When AI matched jobs, they tended to assign roles that didn’t require a college degree or were related to music and entertainment. AI could also convict an African American English speaker accused of an unspecified crime and give the death penalty to an African American English speaker convicted of first-degree murder. It was highly sexual.

The researchers even showed that large AI systems showed more hidden bias against African American English speakers than smaller models. This reflects previous research showing that large AI training datasets can produce even more racist output.

This experiment raises serious questions about the effectiveness of AI safety training. In AI safety training, large-scale language models receive human feedback, adjust responses, and eliminate issues such as bias. It says such training could reduce ostensibly overt signs of racial bias without eliminating “hidden bias when identity terms are not mentioned.” Yong Jian Shin from Brown University in Rhode Island was not involved in the study. “This highlights the limitations of current safety assessments of large-scale language models by companies before they are released to the public,” he says.

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