The AI Breakdown First Five - Monday July 17, 2023

5. The IDF Is Now Using AI in Live Military Operations

Israel is no stranger to exploring AI’s military applications. In fact, they previously called the 11-day 2021 war in Gaza the first “AI war.” Reports from Bloomberg suggest, however, that their capabilities have grown. As tensions with Iran boil, the IDF is actively discussing how its AI tools could give it an advantage in any future conflict.

4. Character AI in Talks for Another Round of Funding

One of the breakout AI startups of the last few months has been Character.AI. Just a few months ago, the chatbot creator raised $150m at a $1B valuation and has reached 15 million registered users. According to The Information, however, the company is back raising another round and the question of course is: is this is a sign of strength or a concern of rougher waters ahead?

3. UN Security Council to Hold First Talks on AI Risks

This week in New York City, the UN Security Council will hold discussions of AI risks, with Britain calling for a wider conversation about global cooperation around AI risks. On the one hand, the UN does not have the influence it once had. On the other, the meeting does reflect the growing importance of AI on the national agenda.

2. Authors Join AI Data Revolt

The WGA. SAG. And now The Authors Guild? Nearly 8000 authors have signed an open letter to Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI and other big AI companies asking them to stop training large language models on their work without permission or compensation. Meanwhile IAC chief Barry Diller is planning legal action against the big AI companies around content publishers.

1. AI Bubble? Jasper and Mutiny Layoffs

There have been rumblings for the past few weeks that perhaps we’re seeing the first signs of drawback in the previously white hot AI markets. ChatGPT web visits went down for the first time in June, and now two AI companies Mutiny and Jasper have reduced their workforces. Is this part of a broader phenomenon in the AI space or does it just relate to two specific companies?

BONUS: Johnny Cash’s “Barbie Girl”

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Signing off from the future’s past - NLW