Today’s AI news: Apple’s AI research, growing concerns over deepfakes in the UK, and more.
As we approach the end of the year, artificial intelligence (AI) remains a significant topic of discussion for both corporations and governments. Apple has recently released new AI research that highlights the ability to run large language models (LLMs) on limited storage devices, such as iPhones, without relying on the internet. This advancement could potentially give Apple an advantage over its competitors. Additionally, former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland is urging the government to intensify its efforts in preventing deepfakes from causing disruption in the upcoming 2024 general election. These are just a few highlights from today’s AI roundup, so let’s delve deeper into the details.
Apple’s AI research could give it an edge over the competition
Apple has recently published an AI research paper highlighting that LLMs can run on limited storage devices like iPhones. The paper, titled “LLM in a Flash”, addresses the computational bottleneck and proposes a solution to enable efficient inference of LLMs on devices without cloud storage. These inferences determine how LLMs respond to user queries. Typically, these are calculated via AI data centers in the cloud, but Apple claims they can be brought to smartphones, significantly improving their capabilities. If this research comes to fruition, it could give the company a big advantage over its competitors in the space, allowing Apple to bring AI features to its iPhones without compromising user privacy.
In Great Britain, there is a fear of deep fakes before the general election
Former Attorney General Sir Robert Buckland has called on the British government to intervene in what he sees as a “clear and present danger” to democracy, according to a BBC report. He is particularly concerned about the threat of deepfaking, which can be used to create realistic audio and video clips of politicians saying things they never said. Buckland warned that the use of artificial intelligence-generated disinformation poses an immediate risk to democracy and expressed fears of potential disruption in the next general election.
“The future is here. It’s happening. Unless policymakers [in the UK] show leadership on the need for a strong and effective domestic guardrail – as well as international work – we’re going to be left behind,” he told the BBC.
In particular, the UK government claims to be taking steps to protect elections from foreign interference through the Defending Democracy Taskforce, led by Home Office Security Secretary Tom Tugendhat.
Pulitzer winners join copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft
A group of 11 nonfiction authors, including Pulitzer Prize winners Taylor Branch, Stacy Schiff and Kai Bird, have joined a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court accusing OpenAI and Microsoft of copyright infringement, according to a Reuters report. The authors claim that their books were misused to train OpenAI’s GPT large language models, including the popular chatbot ChatGPT and other AI-based software. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI and Microsoft have violated the creators’ copyrights by using their works without proper permission for educational purposes.
“The defendants are raking in billions from the unauthorized use of non-fiction books, and the authors of these books deserve fair compensation and treatment,” said Rohit Nath, a lawyer for the authors.
California voters fear AI could take their jobs, poll says
According to a Politico Morning Consult survey of registered voters in California, the results revealed a split in opinion on the impact of artificial intelligence. While 43 percent expect artificial intelligence to have a positive impact on their lives, 39 percent expect a negative impact and 18 percent expect no impact. According to the survey, about half of registered voters express concern that their jobs will be replaced by artificial intelligence in the next five years, while half are not concerned. California lawmakers are preparing to tackle the potential harms of artificial intelligence, reflecting mixed feelings among their constituents.
Allen & Overy launches AI contract negotiation tool
Magic Circle law firm Allen & Overy has launched an AI contract negotiation tool called ContractMatrix in partnership with Microsoft and legal AI startup Harvey, reports the Financial Times. The tool uses existing contract templates to create new contracts that lawyers can modify or approve.
ContractMatrix aims to generate additional income, attract more business and save time for the building company’s lawyers. The estimated time saving in contract negotiations is up to seven hours. More than 1,000 Allen & Overy lawyers currently use the tool, and according to the report, five clients from different industries have committed to using the platform since January.
