Chaos & Amazement #2347 OpenAI Drama, Future Dogs, and the Coat Hinger

What a week, huh?

Tech News

• What sparked the wildest corporate drama of the year, the firing and rehiring of OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman?

  • Perhaps nothing more than a Georgetown University research paper co-authored by board member Helen Toner. https://themessenger.com/tech/openai-sam-altman-helen-toner-reserach-paper-artificial-intelligence-chatgpt-chatbot Here’s a link to it: https://cset.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/CSET-Decoding-Intentions.pdf

  • Or was it this letter from OpenAI researchers cautioning about Q*, an AI breakthrough with potential threats, reportedly contributed to the decision to remove Altman from the board. https://www.reuters.com/technology/sam-altmans-ouster-openai-was-precipitated-by-letter-board-about-ai-breakthrough-2023-11-22/

  • OpenAI's board of directors had also reportedly approached rival Anthropic about merging the two AI startups. (They refused) https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-board-approached-anthropic-ceo-about-top-job-merger-sources-2023-11-21/

• Over the past year, Twitter hasn't met any of what this research calls the 6 "Need States": exploring, having fun, learning, progressing, chilling, or connecting. It's disappointing, especially considering it used to be my favorite social media platform. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unlocking-the-power-of-social-platforms-new-snapchat-and-mindshare-research-reveals-how-to-maximize-audience-resonance-301990111.html

  • Renate Nyborg, former Tinder CEO, aims to combat loneliness with Meeno, her new AI-driven app. Focused on real-life connections, she sees it as a crucial step in addressing the modern epidemic of loneliness. https://www.euronews.com/business/2023/11/22/loneliness-is-biggest-threat-after-climate-crisis-ex-tinder-boss-says-ai-will-fix-relation

Fresh AI

• AI is changing how marketing works, making it more precise and personalized. To thrive in this fast-paced era, it’s essential for marketers to stay informed and adaptable. Embracing AI is crucial for success in digital marketing. https://foundationinc.co/lab/ai-marketing-tools/

  • CapCut, the video editor from TikTok, has officially taken the lead in its category and is now earning more than any other competitor. Including the one that led the way for years! https://appfigures.com/resources/insights/20231117?f=4

• GraphCast, DeepMind's new AI model, revolutionizes global weather forecasting with unprecedented accuracy. Predicting extreme weather events up to 10 days in advance, it offers a crucial tool for decision-making in various sectors. https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/graphcast-ai-model-for-faster-and-more-accurate-global-weather-forecasting/

• Basepaws collaborated with vet Ernie Ward to project dogs' appearance in 10,000 years. Two scenarios: a warmer future leading to smaller, furless dogs adapting to water scarcity; an Ice Age scenario with dogs developing thicker fur and wolf-like traits. https://interestingengineering.com/culture/ai-visualize-dogs-in-10000-years

  

• Posse Unit mixing Taylor Swift’s voice triggers concerns about AI’s impact. The legal maze of AI-generated music dives into worries about copyright and artist rights. Welcome to to the messy but fascinating world of AI in the music biz. https://www.lalal.ai/blog/ai-duet-with-taylor-swift/

  

Weird and Wonderful

• GOAT (GO to Any Thing) universal navigation system isn't just for getting around—it could also be used to recognize and interact with objects. Its flexibility makes it a cool tool for different situations, showing potential for new ideas in robotics https://theophilegervet.github.io/projects/goat/

• Swedish maker Simone Giertz spent three years designing a space-saving coat hanger called the ‘Coat Hinger.’ It folds in half to save closet space. Check out her Kickstarter to pledge and welcome innovation into your wardrobe. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/simonegiertz/coat-hingers-foldable-coat-hangers

• … Thanks Steve.