Facebook Flooded with Deepfake Advertisements Featuring UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak:
In a startling revelation, more than 100 deepfake video advertisements featuring UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were discovered on Facebook, according to research conducted by online communications company Fenimore Harper.
The deepfake ads, reaching approximately 400,000 people through 143 adverts, originated from countries including the US, Turkey, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Expenditures for these deceptive campaigns are estimated to exceed £12,929.
Politicians beware! your face and voice can be cloned to make you say and do anything, even things you would never say or do. it’s like a creepy puppet show where you’re the puppet. https://t.co/j9nZoTb7K9
— Mild Mannered Maniac (@80sGeek) January 14, 2024
Notably, one instance involved a fabricated video clip of BBC newsreader Sarah Campbell falsely reporting a scandal involving Sunak and an app supposedly launched by Elon Musk. The deceptive advert led to a sham BBC News page promoting a fraudulent investment, highlighting the growing challenges of deepfake technology in online spaces.
AI-Powered Prediction Models Exhibit Context-Dependent Accuracy in Schizophrenia Medication Response Predictions:
In a recent study published in the journal Science, researchers from the universities of Cologne and Yale found that AI-powered prediction models, designed to forecast responses of schizophrenic patients to antipsychotic medication, demonstrated impressive accuracy within the specific trial they were developed for.
However, the study revealed a significant limitation as these models provided seemingly random predictions outside of their original trial context.
The research highlights the current challenges in ensuring the generalisation of predictions across diverse study centres, emphasising the highly context-dependent nature of AI models in this domain. The findings underscore the need for further refinement and validation of AI-based prediction models to enhance their reliability and applicability across different clinical settings.
PC and Microchip Companies Turn to AI Features to Boost Laptop Sales Amidst Pandemic-era Challenges:
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), leading PC and microchip manufacturers, including Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel, unveiled a strategic shift to lure consumers into upgrading their pandemic-era laptops by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) features.
The focus lies on the incorporation of “neural processing units” (NPUs) in the latest chip designs, with the aim of enticing users to invest in higher-end laptops. Industry players are optimistic that the additional AI capabilities will not only enhance performance but also facilitate a competitive edge over rivals such as Apple.
Dell Technologies’ PC business president, Sam Burd, highlighted ongoing conversations with customers revolving around preparing PCs for the anticipated AI wave, signalling a concerted effort to adapt to evolving technological trends.
Unravelling the AI Hype: CES 2024 Showcases Pervasive AI Branding:
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 witnessed an overwhelming embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) as the ubiquitous trend, permeating diverse products from cutting-edge gadgets to everyday items.
LG’s Rabbit R1 and AI robots by Samsung were just glimpses into the AI invasion, with products ranging from pillows to toothbrushes now proudly sporting the AI label.
Notably, Motion Sleep’s AI pillow showcased practicality by self-adjusting to reduce snoring, employing AI to discern snoring sounds from ambient noise. The surge in companies rebranding algorithms as AI prompts a critical question: how do we distinguish authentic AI from mere marketing rhetoric? The historical roots of the term ‘Artificial Intelligence,’ coined by John McCarthy in the 1950s, fuel semantic complexities, fostering exaggerated expectations that AI mirrors human-like intelligence. The CES spotlight on pervasive AI branding underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of AI’s true capabilities amidst industry hype.
