California’s AI Laws, Amazon's Ad Generator, Europe’s AI Act, and OpenAI’s Bioweapons Debate

Happy Friday, AI & Data Enthusiasts! 

In today’s edition: 

• California's New AI Laws: What’s Illegal and What’s Next?

• Amazon Unveils AI-Powered Video Generator for Advertisers

• Tech Giants Seek to Weaken Europe’s AI Act

• OpenAI’s ‘Strawberry’ Model Sparks Concerns Over Bioweapons Risk

- Naseema Perveen

WHAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION MOST

California's New AI Laws: What’s Illegal and What’s Next?

California is leading the charge in regulating artificial intelligence with eight newly signed AI-related laws, and Governor Gavin Newsom is reviewing 30 more bills this month. As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, these new regulations aim to balance innovation with protection. 

Key AI Laws Signed in California:

• Deepfake Nudes: Two laws now criminalize AI-generated deepfake nudes and require platforms to block and remove such content.

  • SB 926: Illegal to blackmail someone with AI-generated nude images.

  • SB 981: Social media platforms must temporarily block and permanently remove confirmed deepfake nudes.

• Election Deepfakes: California is taking a firm stance against AI deepfakes that could influence elections.

  • AB 2655: Requires online platforms to label or remove AI election deepfakes.

  • AB 2839: Targets social media users who post AI deepfakes designed to deceive voters.

  • AB 2355: Mandates clear disclosures for AI-generated political ads.

• Actors and AI: New laws protect actors' rights regarding AI-generated replicas.

  • AB 2602: Studios must get permission before creating AI-generated likenesses or voices of actors.

  • AB 1836: Prohibits AI-generated replicas of deceased performers without estate consent.

Governor Newsom is still deciding on 30 more AI-related bills, including SB 1047, which could set broader standards for AI regulation. 

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KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT

Amazon Unveils AI-Powered Video Generator for Advertisers

Amazon has introduced its latest AI innovation, the Video Generator, designed specifically for advertisers. The tool allows advertisers to create video showcases from a single product image.

• AI-Powered Product Showcases: The Video Generator uses AI to create custom videos that highlight a product’s features. These videos are designed to "vividly bring a product story to life" using Amazon's retail insights.

• Beta Release: Currently available in beta for select U.S. advertisers running sponsored brand campaigns, the tool generates 6-9-second videos with customizable fonts, music, and brand logos. Users receive four variations of each video to choose from.

• Expanding Generative AI: Alongside video generators, Amazon has introduced a related feature, live image, which creates short, animated GIFs from still images. This is part of Amazon's broader push into generative AI for marketers.

As generative AI continues to evolve, Amazon’s new video tool could be a game-changer for advertisers. However, with legal and copyright concerns around AI-generated content, it remains to be seen how these tools will impact the broader entertainment and advertising industries.

Tech Giants Seek to Weaken Europe’s AI Act

As Europe moves forward with its AI Act, tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta are pushing for a lighter regulatory approach to avoid hefty fines and protect innovation. The final enforcement details of the law are still under discussion, but the stakes are high for these companies.

• Final Push for Flexibility: Big tech firms are urging the EU to ease the regulations surrounding general-purpose AI systems like ChatGPT. They're concerned about potential multi-billion-dollar fines and copyright lawsuits under stricter rules.

• Code of Practice: Although non-binding, the AI code of practice will act as a compliance guide for companies. Ignoring it could result in legal challenges for firms claiming to follow the law.

• Copyright Concerns: AI models trained on copyrighted content without permission raise legal issues. The AI Act requires companies to provide detailed summaries of the data used, which could lead to compensation claims from content creators.

As Europe finalizes its AI regulations, the outcome will have a significant impact on the global tech industry. With the AI Act set to take effect in 2025, companies are racing to ensure that the rules strike a balance between innovation and compliance.

OpenAI’s ‘Strawberry’ Model Sparks Concerns Over Bioweapons Risk

OpenAI has revealed that its latest AI model, codenamed o1 or "Strawberry," comes with serious ethical and safety concerns, particularly regarding its potential to create bioweapons. The company has rated the model with a “medium risk,” the highest level ever attributed to its technology, raising questions about the balance between innovation and public safety.

• Increased Risk of Misuse: OpenAI's o1 model boasts advanced reasoning and problem-solving abilities, which could be misused to create chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. This "medium risk" rating has drawn attention from experts and regulators.

• Safety Measures in Place: OpenAI’s chief technology officer, Mira Murati, emphasized that while the model will be available to ChatGPT subscribers and developers, extensive testing and safety protocols have been put in place to minimize risks.

• Call for Regulation: AI researchers, including Yoshua Bengio, have urged for urgent regulation to address the growing risks as AI systems approach artificial general intelligence (AGI). Proposed legislation in California, like SB 1047, aims to mitigate such threats.

As AI continues to evolve, so do the associated risks. OpenAI’s latest model highlights the importance of striking a balance between technological progress and safety, ensuring that innovation does not come at the cost of public security.

🎤 VOICE YOUR OPINION

ICYMI

• Microsoft labels OpenAI as competitor in annual report, others include Anthropic, Meta.

• OpenAI launches AI models capable of reasoning.

• Electricity infrastructure is the next play for AI investors.

• 90% of financial institutions focus on leveraging AI. 

• Anthropic says California AI bill's benefits likely outweigh costs.

MONEY MATTERS

• OpenAI to decide which backers to let into $6.5 billion funding.

• Fal.ai revealed that it’s raised $23 million in funding. 

• AI notetaker Fathom raises $17M. 

• Microsoft, BlackRock to launch $30 billion fund for AI infrastructure.

• AI is expected to boost the U.S. GDP by 21% by 2030.

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