NY Times Lawsuit Heats Up, China’s DeepSeek Challenges OpenAI, OpenAI’s Teacher Guide, & Messenger’s Smart Updates

Happy Thursday, AI & Data Enthusiasts! 

In today’s edition: 

• OpenAI Data Deletion Sparks Trouble in NY Times Copyright Case

• China’s DeepSeek Challenges OpenAI with New Reasoning AI

• OpenAI Releases Teacher’s Guide

• Messenger Gets Smarter: HD Calls, AI Backgrounds, and More!

- Naseema Perveen

WHAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION MOST

OpenAI Data Deletion Sparks Trouble in NY Times Copyright Case

OpenAI is under fire after accidentally deleting critical data during The New York Times and Daily News’ copyright lawsuit. The incident highlights challenges in the ongoing legal battle over the alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted content in AI training.

• Accidental Deletion: OpenAI engineers erased search data on a virtual machine provided for legal discovery, compromising efforts to identify where copyrighted articles were used in its training sets. While some data was recovered, its folder structure and file names were lost, rendering it unusable.

• Impact on Plaintiffs: The New York Times and Daily News had to redo over a week’s work, incurring significant costs and delays. Though there’s no evidence the deletion was intentional, plaintiffs argue OpenAI is best equipped to analyze its datasets for infringement.

• Broader Context: penAI insists using publicly available data to train AI falls under “fair use” but has recently struck licensing deals with publishers like the Associated Press and Dotdash Meredith, signaling a shift in its approach to content usage.

The accidental data deletion adds a layer of complexity to the copyright lawsuit, raising questions about OpenAI’s handling of evidence and transparency. As legal battles over AI training practices escalate, the outcome of this case could shape the future of content rights in the AI era.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CODEIUM

Unlock Windsurf Editor, by Codeium.

Introducing the Windsurf Editor, the first agentic IDE. All the features you know and love from Codeium’s extensions plus new capabilities such as Cascade that act as collaborative AI agents, combining the best of copilot and agent systems. This flow state of working with AI creates a step-change in AI capability that results in truly magical moments.

Download It Free Today

WORTH WATCHING

In this thought-provoking video, Sam Harris dives deep into the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, questioning whether innovations like ChatGPT could be the start of a new, unpredictable era for humanity. Watch as he explores the ethical implications and possible risks AI poses to society, offering a cautionary perspective on the future of technology.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT

China’s DeepSeek Challenges OpenAI with New Reasoning AI

A Chinese AI research company, DeepSeek, has launched DeepSeek-R1, a reasoning-focused AI model aiming to rival OpenAI’s o1. The release marks a new chapter in the global AI race, promising innovation while raising questions about government influence and ethical safeguards.

• Reasoning Models Redefined: DeepSeek-R1 mimics OpenAI’s o1 by leveraging test-time computing to tackle complex tasks, providing more thoughtful and accurate answers. It rivals o1 on benchmarks like AIME and MATH but shares similar struggles with basic logic games like tic-tac-toe.

• Government Influence & Limitations: DeepSeek-R1’s responses are shaped by Chinese regulatory pressures, avoiding politically sensitive topics like Tiananmen Square or Taiwan. This aligns with government-mandated guidelines to reflect “core socialist values.”

• AI Innovation Amid Scaling Challenges: With scaling laws reaching their limits, reasoning models like DeepSeek-R1 highlight a shift toward test-time computing. Backed by High-Flyer Capital Management, DeepSeek is well-funded and plans to open-source its model and provide API access soon.

DeepSeek-R1’s launch signifies a bold step forward in AI development, showcasing the potential of reasoning models. However, its government-influenced limitations and ethical vulnerabilities underscore the complexities of balancing innovation with regulation. The global AI race is intensifying—new approaches may define its future.

OpenAI Releases Teacher’s Guide

OpenAI introduces a new teacher’s guide to ChatGPT, aiming to transform classrooms with AI-powered tools. But while some educators see the potential, others remain cautious about its ethical implications and long-term effects.

• A Teacher-Friendly AI Course: OpenAI’s free online course, developed with Common Sense Media, provides K-12 teachers with a nine-module program covering AI basics and practical classroom uses. Initial trials in schools like Agua Fria and San Bernardino showed promising feedback, with 98% of participants finding it useful.

• Skepticism Over Privacy and Ethics: Educators like Lance Warwick raise concerns about privacy contradictions and ethical implications. Modules encourage using past assignments for prompts yet warn against inputting student data, creating potential conflicts in safe use.

• Monopoly and Mistrust: Critics argue OpenAI’s guide focuses solely on its own tools, reinforcing a monopoly-like image. Others, like Tes Souhaits, worry about unclear policies on content ownership and potential future misuse of educator-generated material.

OpenAI’s foray into education sparks both excitement and debate. While the guide aims to empower teachers with AI, concerns about privacy, ethics, and over-reliance on one platform remain. The future of AI in classrooms will depend on thoughtful integration, trust, and collaboration between educators and tech providers.

Messenger Gets Smarter: HD Calls, AI Backgrounds, and More!

Meta is giving Messenger a major boost with new features designed to improve call quality, add creative flair, and make communication smoother. From HD video calls to AI-generated backgrounds, here’s everything you need to know about the latest updates.

• HD Video Calls & Noise Suppression: Messenger now offers HD calls as the default for Wi-Fi users, ensuring crystal-clear visuals and audio. Cellular users can enable HD in the call settings. Noise suppression takes it further, filtering out background noise for better voice clarity.

• Leave a Message in Style: Use the new “Record message” feature to send audio or video messages when a contact doesn’t answer. Think of it as voicemail, reimagined for the digital age.

• AI Backgrounds & Siri Integration: Add a touch of creativity to your video calls with AI-generated backgrounds, available under the “effects” icon during calls. For iOS users, Siri makes multitasking easier—simply ask Siri to send a message or make a call on Messenger, hands-free.

These updates come alongside other improvements Meta recently introduced, such as a Communities feature, enhanced file-sharing tools, and an integrated Meta AI chatbot in the Messenger search bar. End-to-end encryption is also now the default for private conversations, boosting security. Meta’s latest Messenger updates blend innovation and practicality. From clearer calls to personalized touches, these features make staying connected easier and more enjoyable than ever. 

TERM OF THE DAY

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Natural Language Processing (NLP), is a type of technology that helps computers understand, interpret, and respond to human language, like speech or text. For example, when you ask Siri or Google something, NLP helps the computer figure out what you're saying, find the right information, and give you an answer in a way you understand. It’s like teaching computers to understand and “talk” like humans!

Read more terms like this in our Glossary. 

ICYMI

• Microsoft will soon let you clone your voice for Teams meetings.

• OpenAI brings ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode to the web. 

• Microsoft brings together its enterprise AI offerings in the Azure AI Foundry.

• Google launches the Gemini app for iOS worldwide.

• Former Palantir chief security officer joined OpenAI.

$$$ MONEY MATTERS

• Physical AI startup BrightAI bootstraps to $80M in revenue.

• DevRev raises over $100 million in Series A joins AI unicorn Club.

• Global AI market projections will rise to over $631 billion by 2028.

• AI investment in banking will be nearly $31.3 billion in 2024.

• AI coding startup Poolside raised a massive $500 million round.

LINKS WE’RE LOVIN’

✅ Podcast: The A.I. Bubble is Bursting with Ed Zitron. 

✅Cheat sheet: Open Source Data Engineering Cheat Sheet.

✅Course: Introduction to Neural Networks by Dr. Kumar Muthuraman.

✅Whitepaper: Learn about AI’s Role in Healthcare.

✅Watch: Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Unboxing & First Look.

A Quick Question before you go…

What does “IaaS” stand for in cloud computing?

SHARE THE NEWSLETTER & GET REWARDS

Your referral count: 0

Or copy & paste your referral link to others: https://youraiexperience.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

That’s all for now. And, thanks for staying with us. If you have specific feedback, please let us know by leaving a comment or emailing us. We are here to serve you!

Join 130k+ AI and Data enthusiasts by subscribing to our LinkedIn page.

Become a sponsor of our next newsletter and connect with industry leaders and innovators.