941 tacks
‘They filmed me without my consent’: the ugly side of #kindness videos
Some social media users are building a following through â??feelgoodâ?? videos, in which, for instance, they give flowers to a stranger. The stranger then becomes their clickbait. Is there anything we can do to stop this?
Unlike with academics and reporters, you can't check when ChatGPT's telling the truth
ChatGPT is a sophisticated AI program that generates text from vast databases. But it doesn’t understand the information it produces, which also can’t be verified through scientific means.
Will the government finally force Netflix and co to make Australian content?
The Australian government’s National Cultural Policy, set to be unveiled, will likely not include a local content quota for streaming platforms like Netflix. While the government supports the idea of a quota, the complexities of the streaming industry, including varying business models and the impact on existing Australian content production, make it difficult to determine a suitable percentage. The debate highlights the need for a sustainable solution to ensure continued investment in Australian screen stories.
Are AI-generated songs a ‘grotesque mockery’ of humanity or simply an opportunity to make a new kind of music? | Jeff Sparrow
Nick Cave criticized AI-generated lyrics imitating his style, calling them a "grotesque mockery" of human creativity. While technology has historically disrupted art, its use often prioritizes profit over quality or originality. AI's adequacy and cost-effectiveness risk reshaping industries, including music, threatening human artistry and jobs in the process.
Is modern life ruining our powers of concentration?
Our attention spans are shrinking in a fast-paced digital world, fueled by technology, stress, and cultural shifts. Dr. Gloria Mark's research challenges common beliefs, suggesting we embrace a balance of focus and distraction, align work with our natural rhythms, and use technology wisely to regain control of our mental resources.
Microsoft's New AI Tool Just Needs to Hear Three Seconds of Your Voice to Mimic You
Microsoft’s new AI model, VALL‑E, generates highly convincing voice clones using just a three-second recording. Built on Meta’s EnCodec technology and trained on 60,000 hours of public-domain speech, it can mimic a speaker’s timbre, emotion, and acoustic environment. While impressively realistic, it sometimes struggles with accents or emotional nuance. Microsoft hasn’t released the tool publicly due to ethical concerns, but plans to develop detection mechanisms and apply its AI safety principles.
WhatsApp and other messaging services left out of new Australian misinformation code, regulator says
Australia’s media regulator, ACMA, welcomed a new voluntary code on disinformation by major tech companies launched in December 2022, but flagged a key gap: it doesn’t cover encrypted group messaging services like WhatsApp. ACMA said this omission needs addressing, urging powers to compel platforms to provide complaint-handling data and improve transparency. It continues pushing for expanded measures, including applicable standards for group messaging platforms. 
Could a robot ever recreate the aura of a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece? It’s already happening | Naomi Rea
The article explores concerns sparked by an AI-generated “Leonardo Da Vinci” painting sold as fine art. Artists and experts warn that while AI can mimic artistic styles convincingly, it lacks genuine creativity, intention, and emotional depth. They emphasize that art’s value lies in human experience, expression, and authenticity—elements AI can’t replicate. The incident sparked debate on protecting artists’ rights and preserving the human essence of creativity in an AI era.
AI is finally good at stuff. Now what?
AI systems like ChatGPT and DALL‑E can now perform impressive creative and technical tasks—writing essays, debugging code, generating art—but their “smart” outputs are ultimately statistical, not truly intelligent. They often sound confident yet may lack deep understanding and can hallucinate. The article argues we must recognize both their capabilities and limitations, especially as they become increasingly integrated into society.
Disinformation is an epidemic. We’re the vaccine.
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