OpenAI may have to start over

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❗ OpenAI may have to wipe ChatGPT and start over

🇨🇳 China brings social credit system to the metaverse

💰 Siemens pours billions in EU, US industrial metaverse hub

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OpenAI may have to wipe ChatGPT and start over [Link]

ChatGPT maker OpenAIfaces legal action over 3rd-party data used to train its language models GPT-3.5 & GPT-4.

The New York Times is reportedly considering a lawsuit against OpenAI for unauthorized use of articles and images to train its models, potentially seeking fines of up to $150K per copyrighted piece used.

What this situation highlights: The complexity of training language models using diverse data sources, including copyrighted content. The lawsuit, if pursued, could not only result in financial penalties but also force OpenAI to reset its language model and start from scratch. This outcome could significantly impact the progress the company has made so far with its AI tech.

OpenAI has encountered prior legal issues concerning its model’s training data, prompting calls for responsible AI training practices. The potential lawsuit from the NYT may set a precedent for how AI firms should manage copyrighted content, thus impacting the future of this novel tech.

China brings social credit system to the metaverse [Link]

China reportedly looks to bring its highly controversial social credit system to the metaverse, putting forth a set of proposals for a “government-controlled internet.”

The nitty-gritty of this news:

• One of China’s state-owned telecom firms, China Mobile, is said to create a “Digital Identity System” for any and all users of the metaverse. The country’s social credit score system, a scheme assessing the trustworthiness of citizens across a range of metrics, appears to be potentially applicable to the virtual worlds.

• What this indicates is China’s bid to link a person’s “natural” and “social” characteristics to their digital ID, along with ways to permanently store the info.

• New research indicates China was leading the way on patents by enough margin, with 90% of all blockchain patents worldwide, potentially giving way to it “mingling social aspects into blockchains” and the social scoring scheme resulting in a person’s ban from using certain services with “inappropriate” behavior.

Experts point to this social tracking as “part of the trifecta of Industry 4.0, the future of finance and social scoring,” where AI, blockchain, machine learning, and cloud tech are all simultaneously put forward.

Siemens pours billions in EU, US industrial metaverse hub [Link]

Siemens has revealed plans to invest billions for an industrial metaverse hub in Germany.

The tech campus in Germany, purported to be the center for tech activities relating to the industrial metaverse, is part of the tech giant’s global investment strategy totaling $2.2B (2B euros) to be invested in Europe, the US, China, as well as Southeast Asia.

Seeing the metaverse as a way to revolutionize its future production - and do it “much more efficiently, flexibly and sustainably,” Siemens seeks to deploy AI and other state-of-the-art tech for flexible and sustainable high-tech production models, including related R&D. An example is accurate digital imaging for factory layouts, adapting them to the real world in the industrial metaverse.

China taps into robots as economic driver [Link]

China plans to bolster robotics usage in industry and manufacturing, citing it as a major growth catalyst. With over half of global industrial robots installed there last year, China intends to spur innovation and breakthroughs in advanced robotics.

Vice-Minister Xin Guobin notes the increasing use of robotics combined with new information technology, and the significant production and revenue growth of China's industrial robotics in recent years. He highlights the Robot Plus Action Plan, which seeks to further robotics development in 10 sectors by 2025 and propel China as a global leader in the space.

With a focus on self-reliance and boosting advanced manufacturing amid international pressures, China is actively supporting its robotics industry with help from local governments, which aid the sector by deploying industrial robots and granting funding.

Quick Hits

🎮 Gaming

• Roblox faces another lawsuit as it’s accused of facilitating child gambling on its platform by two CA-based mothers. (Link)

• Indie game dev Polygonomicon releases a new gameplay trailer of its sword combat action game Varvarion - but with the players taking on enemies with an AI companion by their side. (Link)

• From Minecraft to FIFA Soccer, here are the best iOS games to play on the upcoming iPhone 15. (Link)

• Web2 game publisher Nekki announces its web3 foray via Fight Me, its 1st web3 stake in 2024. (Link)

• PLXYER Game Portal, a new web3 game distribution platform, seeks to provide a comprehensive space for both creators and players. (Link)

• Ethereum gaming token PRIME claims to defy the bear market with a 42% weekly surge. (Link)

• Aptos Foundation forges partnership with NEOWIZ and Intella X to redefine web3 gaming. (Link)

🕶 Fashion

• Trendsetting in the metaverse, BAPE x adidas Originals tease their limited-ed sneakers. (Link)

• Ralph Lauren and Fortnite partner to launch the P-Wing Boot, a shoe that wants to resonate with next-gen consumers. (Link)

• E-commerce platform ZALORA integrates AI via TITAN, aiming to drive new efficiencies in operations and enhance CX and growth opportunities. (Link)

• In NFT wearables, here are the top 10 fashion brands leading the charge in merging fashion and the metaverse. (Link)

• Indian workwear apparel Dennison debuts its brand store in the PARIZ metaverse on Aug 28 for immersive shopping. (Link)

🏀 Sports

• “Frightening” future of AI in football: Could we see games being played out or gamed out, results known before a ball has been kicked, and the betting industry single-handedly destroyed? (Link)

• To help Indian athletes win more medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 and more, researchers tap into smart tech to maximize preparation and training. (Link)

• From AI to the metaverse to hyper-growth plans, here’s what’s happening in the American gambling space recently. (Link)

• Here are the top 5 blockchain sports projects unfolding in 2023. (Link)

• Accelerator project Real-Time XR Sport Edge harnesses interactive digital athletes, motion capture, AI, and more for live XR sports workflows in 3D metaverse worlds. (Link)

🎥 Media & Entertainment

• Local media outlets differ on strategies to counter Meta's news block, which has reduced web traffic to news sites. (Link)

• Meta releases a guide to its AI-powered ad tools Advantage+ to help improve the performance of Facebook and Instagram campaigns during the holidays. (Link)

• From accurate avatar creation to metaverse chatbots, here’s how AI can power metaverse use cases. (Link)

• Somalia’s government bans TikTok and Telegram and an online betting app, citing that these are used by "terrorists.” (Link)

• X/Twitter glitch wipes out most pictures and links tweeted before Dec 2014. (Link)

• Mona Shorts Fest fuses immersive tech and creative vision by showcasing diverse creators, films, and 3D artistry. (Link)

🖼 Art

• A US federal judge confirms art solely created by AI is not eligible for copyright protection. (Link)

• The Shiba Inu team partners with artists and devs to introduce NFT collections and marketplaces linked to the SHIB crypto and blockchain system. (Link)

• NFT platform Recur is shutting down despite a $50M raise and big-name backers. (Link)

• Power Rangers and Funko partner to create new collectibles celebrating the Power Rangers' 30 years. (Link)

• New media artist Jason Ting creates code art inspired by natural phenomena. (Link)

🤖 AI

• The UK government invests $127M (£100M) in AI chip development, yet experts deem it insufficient compared to other countries' stakes. (Link)

• Nestle and Unilever use gen AI to increase productivity and reduce costs in advertising. (Link)

• LinkedIn report: Singapore workers are the world's fastest in adopting AI skills. (Link)

• Scientists uncover unexpected parallels between electronic neural networks, a key concept in AI research, and biological neurons. (Link)

• AI will make shopping "easier and more convenient,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon says. (Link)

• This AI model can detect atrial septal defect (ASD) with 93.7% accuracy. (Link)

• India uses AI to bring voice-activated mobile payments. (Link)

💸 Funding & Partnerships

• IBM Watson developer David Ferrucc raises $60M for his AI startup Elemental Cognition, which offers enterprise chatbot solutions Cogent and Cora. (Link)

• Apica acquires LOGIQ.AI and secures $10M in funding to modernize data management. (Link)

• TrialAssure collaborates with global clinical research org MMS on a new AI initiative to create generative text for medical writing in drug development. (Link)

• OKX and CoinRoutes expand their partnership to provide API-enabled trading services to institutional clients. (Link)

• Conductive.ai and Highstreet announced a strategic partnership for technical development to improve user experience and analytics. (Link)

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All content on this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not aim to serve as or replace expert investment advice.

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