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Speaker Mike Johnson discusses Trump-Xi deals and AI oversight.

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Speaker Mike Johnson on Trump-Xi agreements, AI regulation - Fox Business

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Speaker Mike Johnson on Trump-Xi agreements, AI regulation

Bill Gates has posited that artificial intelligence will usher in a state of "true abundance," yet cautions that the next two decades leading up to this transformation will likely be one of the most disruptive periods in human history.

In a recent episode of the "Decoder" podcast, the co-founder of Microsoft and prominent philanthropist expressed his concerns regarding the impending 20-year transition, highlighting the resulting winners and losers in the job market. He warned of significant disturbances as AI technology evolves, particularly in white-collar professions such as telesales, customer support, and accounting, which he believes will be rendered obsolete. Gates suggested that AI will perform these tasks much more efficiently and cost-effectively than human workers. Furthermore, he noted that blue-collar jobs may also face similar threats, with humanoid robots stepping in to take over these roles.

Gates stated, "If we don’t choose to dramatically slow down or halt progress, we will have robots capable of constructing homes, growing food, and even performing surgeries, making human labor unnecessary for the majority of goods and services."

He conveyed a sense of impending personal disruption, reflecting on his own contributions to global health and humanitarian efforts. He humorously remarked on the possibility of AI outperforming him in various tasks, posing a significant challenge to human employment.

A long-time advocate for the value of work in providing individuals with purpose, income, social connections, and the ability to innovate and solve problems, Gates suggested that certain fields may remain more human-centric, despite AI's capabilities. He cited areas such as art, sports, cooking, and childcare as professions that could still be predominantly occupied by humans.

To address the potential fallout from these technological advancements, Gates proposed strategies such as early retirement and limits on working hours to preserve some employment opportunities for people. He speculated that some might even advocate for a lifestyle reminiscent of the Amish, selectively utilizing AI to maintain interpersonal relationships and creativity.

Notably, Amazon's Jeff Bezos and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon have both recommended the idea of a shorter workweek as a viable response to the challenges posed by AI-related unemployment.

Gates is among a growing group of tech leaders voicing concerns about job displacement in the shift towards an abundant future. Elon Musk has characterized the transition as "bumpy," suggesting universal basic income as a solution for those displaced by AI. He envisions a future where production costs plummet—rendering work optional and diminishing the relevance of traditional savings for retirement.

Meanwhile, Dario Amodei of Anthropic acknowledged that while AI has the potential to significantly improve quality of life, the immediate impact could be unprecedentedly disruptive. Conversely, Sam Altman of OpenAI noted earlier this year that AI has not caused as much disruption to white-collar jobs as he initially anticipated, leading him to revise his outlook on a "jobs apocalypse."

Despite concerns regarding AI's impact on the corporate workforce and the notable layoffs at major businesses such as Amazon and Meta, national unemployment figures have remained relatively stable amidst this technological upheaval.

Bill Gates Predicts 20 Years of Turbulence Before AI Achieves 'Genuine Abundance'

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Bill Gates warns of 20 turbulent years before AI creates 'true abundance' - Business Insider

- Bill Gates predicts a tumultuous 20-year transition due to AI job disruptions ahead.  
- AI may replace white-collar jobs while humanoid robots take over blue-collar roles.  
- Gates suggests early retirement and shorter workweeks to mitigate AI-driven unemployment effects.  

Bill Gates says AI will create "true abundance," but the next two decades before it arrives will be "as tumultuous a period as there's been in human history."

"My big concern is this 20-year transition period, where they'll have winners and losers and a lot of disruption," the Microsoft cofounder and billionaire philanthropist said on the latest episode of the "Decoder" podcast.

Gates echoed widespread concerns about white-collar jobs, saying that telesales, telesupport, and accounting will disappear as AI will be able to do those "radically cheaper, radically faster, and even more accurately." As for blue-collar jobs, humanoid robots will take over those, he said.

"If we don't choose to massively slow down or stop, then we will have robots that can build houses, grow food, do surgery," Gates said. "And none of the things that human labor provides to the economy will be necessary for most goods and services."

He also underscored how jarring it will be for someone like him, whose vast resources have allowed him to lead the charge toward eliminating malaria and tackling other humanitarian crises.

Related video Sam Altman explains why AI will replace 40% of your work

"And when the AI says to me, 'No, I'm better than you, you go play pickleball and I'll get back to you, I'm gonna take care of this' — I mean, it's kind of humorous, but it's not humorous," he said.

Gates shared his long-held view that work is vital to giving people a sense of purpose, a way to earn an income, a reason to show up every day, an avenue to build relationships with colleagues, and a path to build things and solve problems.

He suggested that certain activities such as art, sports, cooking, and childcare could one day be reserved for humans, "even though the AI could do those things better."

Gates also highlighted that measures such as early retirement and caps on working hours could help maintain some level of human employment.

He envisioned some people saying, "Let's be like the Amish and let's only use AI for certain things," so they won't have to give up "helping each other or coming up with unique ideas."

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon have both proposed a shorter workweek as a less painful alternative to AI-driven unemployment.

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Gates is one of several tech leaders to warn of job disruption on the road to an age of abundance.

Elon Musk has predicted a "bumpy" transition and proposed government checks for all as the best solution to AI-driven job losses. He's said that technology will drive production costs so low that everyone can have "whatever stuff they want," work will become "optional," and it's not worth saving for retirement in 10 or 20 years as money won't matter.

Similarly, Anthropic's Dario Amodei has said that AI promises to "raise the quality of life for everyone," but the "short-term shock will be unprecedented in size."

However, OpenAI's Sam Altman said in May that AI hasn't eliminated as many white-collar jobs as he expected, and he no longer anticipates a "jobs apocalypse."

Despite widespread worry about AI taking corporate jobs, and high-profile layoffs at major companies such as Amazon and Meta, national unemployment hasn't increased materially during the AI boom.

Bill Gates Sees 20 Years of Turmoil Before AI Creates 'True Abundance'

The AI technology that powers the "Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh" series on Star Plus and JioHotstar is now expanding its horizons to Indonesia. Its developer, Galleri5, in collaboration with Collective Studios' Historyverse, aims to create a range of films and series inspired by Indonesia's rich mythology and historical narratives.

Historyverse, dedicated to original intellectual property and studio projects within the Collective Artists Network, is teaming up with Galleri5 and the Singhasari Special Economic Zone for this initiative. The collaboration will explore various genres, including mythology, fantasy, history, and animation. Indonesian creatives and cultural experts will collaborate closely with Historyverse's IP development team, employing advanced production tools crafted by Galleri5 in India.

One of the initial projects under consideration is "Echoes of Nusantara," a working title for a fresh mythology-adventure narrative. Historyverse will lead the creative development, production, and intellectual property packaging processes, while also working with local talent to prepare projects for potential financing, production, and distribution beyond Indonesian borders.

Vijay Subramaniam, founder and group CEO of Collective Artists Network, emphasized the potential for diverse storytelling, remarking, "The next global entertainment franchises won't solely emerge from Hollywood. Each region possesses unique stories that merit wider exposure, and Indonesia boasts an incredible wealth of such narratives. Our goal with Collective Studios' Historyverse is to collaborate with Indonesian creators to transform these tales into films, series, and expansive entertainment properties for global audiences. Galleri5 enables us to tackle filmmaking on a larger scale while ensuring that the creative vision and the stories remain paramount."

Galleri5’s flagship product, G5 AI Studio, integrates over 200 AI models with specialized tools for storyboarding, character and world design, animation, visual effects, and high-quality video production. The platform has already facilitated the creation of more than 10,000 advertisements and videos. The AI filmmaking technology that supported "Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh" will also shape the workflows for Historyverse's upcoming theatrical endeavors, which include titles like "Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal" and "Krishna," allowing Galleri5 to further refine its technology in response to real-world creative and production challenges.

Rahul Regulapati, founder and CEO of Galleri5 and a partner at Collective Artists Network, stated, "The future of global cinema is set to rest on a new technological framework. At Galleri5, we are establishing that very foundation with G5 AI Studio, merging cutting-edge AI models and filmmaking processes into a singular platform. We've successfully showcased this technology's capabilities in the Indian film and television sectors, and now, by joining forces with Indonesia’s remarkable creative talent and Collective's studio expertise, we can bring locally rooted stories to international audiences."

For Indonesian creators, this partnership offers an invaluable opportunity to align original stories and talent with tools designed to enhance production scalability.

Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's coordinating minister for economic affairs and chairman of the National Council for Special Economic Zones, affirmed the nation’s intent to take an active role in AI development rather than merely being a consumer. "Our aim is to shape technology itself. Special Economic Zones empower us to realize this ambition, generating skilled employment for our youth and fostering new growth opportunities towards achieving an 8 percent economic growth rate," he stated.

The Singhasari Special Economic Zone will facilitate connections with Indonesian creators, studios, investors, distributors, and institutions within the creative economy, establishing local collaborations and market access.

KRAT David Santoso KR, CEO of Lokanima and head of Singhasari Special Economic Zone, noted the historical significance of the land, which thrived eight centuries ago as a center for engineering, the arts, scholarship, and governance, enriched by centuries of interaction with India. "Today, our partnership with Indian collaborators aims to revive that heritage through the mastery of AI transformation. We strive to boost Indonesia's competitiveness in emerging technology and digital content sectors, centered around local talent and intellectual properties," he said.

India’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, remarked on the deep cultural ties between the two nations, highlighting that both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have enriched Indonesian temple culture, wayang (traditional puppet theater), and the collective imagination for over a thousand years. "In this era, India and Indonesia are together forging the next chapter of that shared narrative through the lens of artificial intelligence," he concluded.

AI Company Responsible for India's 'Mahabharat' Series Ventures into Indonesian Mythology in International IP Agreement (EXCLUSIVE)

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AI Firm Behind India’s ‘Mahabharat’ Series Turns to Indonesian Myth in Cross-Border IP Pact (EXCLUSIVE) - Yahoo

- AI technology from "Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh" is expanding to Indonesia's creative industry.  
- Historyverse partners with Galleri5 to develop projects based on Indonesian mythology and history.  
- Local Indonesian talent will collaborate using advanced AI tools for production and storytelling.

The AI technology behind Star Plus and JioHotstar series "Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh" is headed to Indonesia. There, its developer Galleri5 and fellow Collective company Collective Studios' Historyverse plan to create film and series properties drawn from the country's myths and history.

Historyverse, which handles original IP and studio work for Collective Artists Network, is partnering with Galleri5 and Singhasari Special Economic Zone on the venture. Projects will cover mythology, fantasy, history and animation. Indonesian creatives and cultural specialists will work alongside Historyverse's IP development team, using production tools Galleri5 built in India.

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The first project being discussed is "Echoes of Nusantara," a working title for an original mythology-adventure. Historyverse will run creative development, production and IP packaging, and will collaborate with local talent to get projects ready for possible financing, production and distribution outside Indonesia.

"The next global entertainment franchises will not all come from Hollywood," said Vijay Subramaniam, founder and group CEO of Collective Artists Network. "Every market has stories that deserve to travel further, and Indonesia has an extraordinary wealth of them. Our ambition with Collective Studios' Historyverse is to work with Indonesian creators to develop these stories into films, series and larger entertainment properties for the world. Galleri5 gives us a new way to approach the scale of filmmaking, while the creative vision and the stories themselves remain at the center."

Galleri5's main product, G5 AI Studio, brings more than 200 AI models together with purpose-built tools for storyboarding, designing characters and worlds, animation, VFX and film-quality video. More than 10,000 ads and videos have been made on the platform. JioStar and Collective Media Network launched "Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh," and Galleri5 built and ran the AI filmmaking technology behind the show. The company is now developing workflows for Historyverse's theatrical slate, which includes "Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal" and "Krishna." Those productions give Galleri5 a base for refining its technology against real-world creative and production demands.

"The next generation of global cinema will be built on a very different technology foundation," said Rahul Regulapati, founder and CEO of Galleri5 and a partner at Collective Artists Network. "At Galleri5, we're building that foundation with G5 AI Studio, bringing frontier AI models and filmmaking workflows into one platform. We've already demonstrated what this technology can do through films and television in India. Now, together with Indonesia's extraordinary creative talent and Collective's studio capabilities, we have an opportunity to take locally rooted stories to audiences around the world."

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For Indonesian creators, the partnership is a chance to match stories led by local talent, and their own original IP, with tools meant to scale up production.

Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's coordinating minister for economic affairs and chairman of the National Council for Special Economic Zones, said the country had no plans to sit on the sidelines of AI development or simply act as a consumer of the technology. "We intend to help shape it. Special Economic Zones allow us to turn that ambition into real productivity, skilled jobs for our young people and new sources of growth on the path to 8 percent," he said.

Singhasari will introduce the venture to Indonesian creators, studios, investors, distributors and creative-economy institutions, and help set up local partnerships and routes to market.

KRAT David Santoso KR, CEO of Lokanima and Singhasari Special Economic Zone, said the Kingdom of Singhasari had flourished eight centuries ago on the land the zone now occupies. It was a hub for engineering, the arts, scholarship and government, and its culture was enriched by hundreds of years of contact with India. "Today, with our partners from India, we are bringing that history back to life, this time by mastering the AI transformation. Our aim is to build new competitiveness for Indonesia in the new-technology and digital-content subsectors, with Indonesian talent and IP at its heart," he said.

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India's ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, said the Ramayana and the Mahabharata had been part of Indonesian temple culture, wayang (traditional puppet theater) and the popular imagination for over a millennium. "Today, India and Indonesia are writing the next chapter of that shared story with artificial intelligence," he said.

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AI Firm Behind India’s ‘Mahabharat’ Series Turns to Indonesian Myth in Cross-Border IP Pact (EXCLUSIVE)

Anthropic is facing legal action from the estate of Elvis Presley over allegations that the company used his music to develop AI models without obtaining the necessary rights. 

The lawsuit, which was filed on Friday and reported by Billboard, claims that Anthropic has infringed upon 274 of Presley’s songs, including classics like “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “A Little Less Conversation,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” Richard Busch, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, expressed the seriousness of the matter, stating, “The Elvis Plaintiffs bring this action to enforce these exclusive rights against the defendant that has built its entire business model based on copyright infringement on an unprecedented scale. The Elvis Plaintiffs are deeply protective of these iconic songs.”

The lawsuit was initiated by Authentic Brands Group, the entity that holds the rights to Presley’s music, alongside other organizations that also have a stake in his catalog. Billboard reports that the legal documents allege that the AI tool 'Claude' has produced infringing material for nearly every song across all available music catalogs online, including those owned by the plaintiffs. Even after purportedly implementing measures to prevent copyright violations, Claude reportedly continues to generate outputs that closely resemble existing songs. In one instance, when asked to adapt specific songs “for a modern audience,” Claude admitted that the results were almost indistinguishable from the originals, consisting of similar structures and hooks with only minor alterations.

In a separate case earlier in August, Round Hill Music filed a lawsuit against both Suno and Anthropic, claiming widespread copyright infringement for using a significant number of their songs to train AI models without authorization. Anthropic has also faced previous lawsuits from Universal Music Publishing, Abkco, Concord, and BMG on similar grounds regarding the use of lyrics for training its AI assistant, Claude.

Rolling Stone reports that the plaintiffs are seeking $150,000 in damages for each song that they claim has been infringed. Attempts to reach Anthropic for comment by The Hollywood Reporter have gone unanswered.

Anthropic Faces Lawsuit for Utilizing Elvis Presley Music in AI Model Training

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Anthropic Sued for Using Elvis Presley Music to Train AI Models - The Hollywood Reporter

- Anthropic is sued for using Elvis Presley songs to train AI models without permission.  
- The lawsuit claims infringement on 274 Presley songs, including iconic hits like "Can't Help Falling in Love."  
- Plaintiffs seek $150,000 per song for copyright infringement in the lawsuit filed Friday.  

Anthropic has been sued by the owners of Elvis Presley‘s music for allegedly utilizing his songs to train AI models without permission.

As reported by Billboard, the suit was filed Friday and claims the company infringed 274 songs of Presley’s, including “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “A Little Less Conversation” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”

“The Elvis Plaintiffs bring this action to enforce these exclusive rights against the defendant that has built its entire business model based on copyright infringement at a scale never seen before,” wrote lead attorney Richard Busch. “The Elvis Plaintiffs are deeply protective of these iconic songs.”

Authentic Brands Group, which owns the rights to Presley, filed the lawsuit alongside other entities that also own rights to the “Jailhouse Rock” singer, according to Billboard.

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“‘Claude’ has created infringing output of copyrighted material of virtually every song from every catalog available on the internet, including the Works,” the lawsuit states, per Rolling Stone. “Even after the Defendant supposedly put up ‘guardrails’ after being sued, in one of its latest iterations, Claude continues to infringe: when recently asked to recreate specific songs ‘for a modern audience,’ Claude did so and admitted: ‘These renders keep landing very close to the originals: same structure, same hooks reused with light rewording, and full sets of verses/choruses/bridges. That’s edging past ‘inspired by’ into reproducing the copyrighted song, even when the words are swapped out.’”

In August, Round Hill sued Suno and Anthropic, claiming mass copyright infringement. They alleged the AI companies used hundreds of the publisher’s songs to train their AI models without permission. Anthropic was also previously sued by Universal Music Publishing, Abcko, Concord and BMG for similar claims of lyrics being utilized to train Claude, an AI agent.

Rolling Stone reports that the suit is seeking $150,000 per infringed song.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Anthropic for comment, but did not hear back.

Anthropic Sued for Using Elvis Presley Music to Train AI Models

It's a poignant moment when we ask young people to choose which passions they might need to forego. Although we present it as a conversation about being practical and keeping options open, it masks a certain sadness. Not long ago, we encouraged kids to explore a myriad of interests, but now they face the reality of selecting subjects in school where science and music vie for their attention.

Different educational systems approach this turning point at varying stages, but one truth remains: children inevitably learn that adulthood often means making tough choices about their interests. As parents, we seek assurance that our kids will one day support themselves, and teachers have curriculum goals and exams to prepare for. Yet, we must question if this narrowing focus is hindering our children in today’s dynamic landscape. Are we asking them to give up too much?

A Broader Perspective

In Robert A. Heinlein's novel *Time Enough for Love*, one character, Lazarus Long, emphasizes that a person's capabilities should extend far beyond a single skillset. He articulates that humans should be adept in various domains, from practical tasks to creative endeavors. While it may not be feasible to incorporate all these skills into the school curriculum, the underlying message resonates: human experience should encompass more than just job proficiency.

Developing expertise requires time and dedication, but this journey should happen alongside the pursuit of diverse interests. A student dedicated to physics can still nurture a profound passion for painting. With the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics, it becomes increasingly essential for young individuals to assess what tasks are meaningful, the problems they are tackling, and the quality of their results. This judgment is grounded in their knowledge and diverse life experiences.

Encouraging independent thinking can start with small steps. When a curious child poses a question, instead of directly providing the answer, guide them in exploring the topic. Allow them to discover that the initial information they encounter might be only part of the whole picture. Stay supportive during challenging moments of their exploration.

I once attended a talk by an educator who advocated for immediate responses to students' questions, arguing that it simplifies matters. While that approach may seem efficient, it risks stunting critical thinking and adaptability. Recently, I learned from university professors that more and more high school students struggle to engage thoughtfully in discussions during interviews, highlighting the need for stronger problem-solving skills.

Convergence of Interests

During the unveiling of the iPad 2, Steve Jobs expressed the synergy between technology and the liberal arts, emphasizing that true innovation comes from their intersection. Traditional school subjects serve as necessary organizational tools, allowing educators to deliver focused instruction. However, outside the classroom, these divisions can be counterproductive.

For example, a child creating a documentary about a nearby river might require knowledge in biology, geography, and writing, along with the ability to coordinate logistics. Such interdisciplinary projects not only foster collaboration but also help students identify gaps in their knowledge and motivate them to tackle challenging topics they may have previously avoided. It is concerning to hear that some schools discourage project-based learning; such a stance benefits no one.

In a past interview, Jobs noted that creativity arises from connecting ideas. When creatives reflect on their processes, they often feel as if their ideas came to them rather serendipitously. This insight suggests a practical starting point: encourage children to observe the world around them and document their thoughts. They might keep a journal, take photos, or maintain a collection of questions. This practice doesn’t have to be another assigned task; it can be a valuable outlet for capturing fleeting ideas.

Embrace Action

A thought-provoking line from entrepreneur Naval Ravikant emphasizes a proactive mindset: “You shouldn't be looking for a job; you should be creating a body of work that attracts the right opportunities to you.” While many young people have time before they need to consider employment seriously, initiating their own projects at any age prepares them for future endeavors.

Perhaps your child has discovered a way to clarify a complex topic for classmates. They could create a brief guide for younger students. A student intrigued by family history might undertake a project to record their grandparent’s stories, resulting in a cherished family keepsake.

Take, for instance, my younger brother, who aspires to work in sports journalism. It puzzles me that his teachers have not encouraged him to dive into hands-on experiences like starting a podcast or interviewing athletes. Instead, they seem to funnel him through a series of courses, which, while beneficial, would be even more impactful if combined with active participation in his field of interest.

Our current landscape allows individuals to take action without seeking approval. If something piques their interest, they can pursue it independently.

As James Clear notes in *Atomic Habits*, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." It’s essential to help our children carve out time to work on their passions. We still need to assist them in navigating course selections and meeting deadlines, but some choices will indeed close certain doors.

However, the absence of a subject from a school syllabus does not mean it must be absent from their lives. If a teenager feels compelled to set aside their artistic pursuits in favor of a "serious" path, we must reassure them that they are free to revisit their passions at any time.

Ready Our Kids for an Unpredictable AI Future

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Preparing Our Children For A Crazy AI World - Yahoo

- Encouraging teenagers to narrow their interests may limit their potential in a changing world.  
- Combining technical skills with liberal arts fosters creativity and well-rounded human capabilities.  
- Young people should be encouraged to create projects rather than solely focus on courses.  

There is something sad about asking a teenager which of the things they love they're prepared to give up.

We don't word it like that, of course. We talk about keeping their options open, being realistic, choosing subjects that will lead somewhere. These are sensible conversations.

A few years earlier, we encouraged them to be interested in everything. Now there's an options form to complete at school, and apparently science and music are competing for the same box.

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Different education systems bring this moment forward or delay it. Sooner or later, though, plenty of children get the message that growing up means narrowing down.

As parents, we want some reassurance that our children will be able to support themselves. Teachers have courses to teach and examinations to prepare students for. Nobody gets to wave away those responsibilities. But is this mindset limiting our children in this new world? Should we be careful about what we ask children to surrender?

Bigger Than A Career Choice

In his book Time Enough for Love, Robert A. Heinlein had his character Lazarus Long give this expansive view of human capability:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

I wouldn't put all of that on the school timetable. But I like the impatience behind it. A human life ought to contain more than competence at one job.

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Expertise takes years, and our children need to experience the frustration of practicing something they cannot yet do well, and the satisfaction of eventually getting better. Broad interests can sit comfortably alongside that commitment. A student can take physics seriously and still care deeply about painting.

AI gives us another reason to think carefully about this. As more tasks become possible with software, young people will need to make judgments about what is worth doing, whose problem they are solving, and whether the result is any good. Those judgments draw on what they know about the world.

We can start building that independence quite modestly. When a child asks a question, occasionally help them investigate it instead of supplying the answer. Let them discover that the first explanation they find might be incomplete. Stay nearby when the investigation gets difficult.

I once heard a talk from an educator who rallied against the ideas I have just shared, proclaiming, if a student asks a question, "Just tell them". I'm afraid that although that might be the most practical in some situations, it won't help our children if we do that all of the time. Just this week I heard of the frustration of university professors who continue to encounter more and more school children who, at interviews, cannot respond to challenge or iterate on ideas.

Let The Interests Meet

During the launch of the iPad 2, Steve Jobs described the relationship between technical and human understanding like this:

Technology alone is not enough. It's technology married with the liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that make our hearts sing.

School subjects have been useful divisions. Practical ways to arrange a schedule and deploy teachers trained in specialized disciplines. They help schools organize the curriculum and give students the foundations they need. Outside school, those divisions become really unhelpful.

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A child making a film about a local river might need biology, geography, writing and a decent understanding of sound. They will probably also need to persuade someone to stand in the rain holding a microphone.

Projects like this give different interests somewhere to meet. They also reveal gaps. A child who wants to make something often discovers a reason to learn the difficult part they previously avoided. It's a worry when I hear that some schools disapprove of project work. Who is that serving?

Jobs made a related observation about creativity in a 1996 interview:

Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. And they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things.

That suggests a fairly ordinary place to begin. Help children notice things and keep some record of them. A notebook, photographs, a folder full of questions. It needn't be another assignment. There is value in having somewhere to put a thought before it disappears.

Just Do Things

The following line, from the entrepreneur Naval Ravikant, in the book The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, has taken on a deep relevance to my life and something I share with any teenager I encounter:

You shouldn't be looking for a job; you should be creating a body of work that attracts the right opportunities to you.

Of course, most of our young people have time before they need to worry about attracting employers. But getting started on making something useful is a wise thing to do, from any age.

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Perhaps our child has worked out how to revise a topic that everyone in their class finds confusing. They could produce a short explanation for younger students. Someone interested in family history could, with permission, record a grandparent's stories and make something the family will treasure.

My youngest brother is exploring a career in sports journalism, and I find it bewildering that none of his teachers have told him just to do it! Start a podcast, go interview football players, write a blog. Instead, they are funnelling him through courses, then more courses. I'm not saying the courses aren't helpful, but coupled with "just doing it" will get him so much further.

We live in a world where you don't need to wait for permission anymore. You can just do things if they interest you.

James Clear's advice, from his book Atomic Habits, is helpful here:

You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

Help your child make room for the work. We will still have to help them choose courses and meet deadlines. Some choices will inevitably close doors.

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But a subject disappearing from a timetable doesn't have to disappear from a life. When a teenager puts the sketchbook away because they think it's time to become serious, we can make sure they know they're allowed to pick it up again.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Preparing Our Children For A Crazy AI World

Chance Townsend serves as the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, focusing on a variety of topics including technology, gaming, dating apps, and digital culture. He holds a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is the proud owner of an orange cat. His work has also been featured in outlets like PC Mag and Mother Jones.

Elon Musk has a history of not delivering on his commitments. According to MuskOmeter, which monitors his promises, he manages to fulfill only about 24% of them.

However, in a turn of events, one of his more whimsical commitments from this year has indeed materialized.

On a Friday afternoon, Musk unveiled the first episode of an AI-generated adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, created using Grok Imagine, the AI video technology from his company xAI. The project is a partnership with Wonder Studios and director Dev Walker, both known for their work in generative AI filmmaking.

The idea was first introduced by Musk in July when he announced on X that Grok Imagine would produce a full-length version of The Odyssey by year’s end, ensuring it would be "historically accurate and true to the art of Homer."

This announcement followed months of Musk expressing dissatisfaction with Christopher Nolan's version of The Odyssey. Critics on the right raised concerns over the film's adherence to historical accuracy after its trailer sparked discussions about its armor, which some felt resembled Roman rather than Greek styles.

The controversy intensified further with the casting choices of Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy and Elliot Page as Sinon. Musk publicly criticized Nolan on X, stating that the director had "lost his integrity" in making these casting decisions, arguing that a Black actress should not portray the character traditionally described as the most beautiful woman in history.

It’s worth noting that this discussion raises interesting points about beauty standards, especially considering that Helen of Troy is a mythical figure, not a historical one. While Troy itself was a real city, the existence of the Trojan War remains a topic of debate among scholars. In mythology, Helen is described as the daughter of Zeus and is said to have been born from an egg, making "historical accuracy" a rather flexible term in this context.

Musk was also vocal about Page's role, sharing critiques that included misgendering the actor. The confusion arose partly because initial reports did not clarify which actors were playing which roles, leading to speculation that Page would portray Achilles. Ultimately, Page played Sinon, a character who is primarily featured in Virgil's Aeneid, a Roman retelling of the Trojan saga.

With these casting decisions, Musk and other right-leaning commentators predicted a poor reception for Nolan's adaptation, coining the phrase "go woke, go broke." Contrary to expectations, however, the film had a successful opening, grossing $124.5 million in July—a remarkable figure for an R-rated movie running nearly three hours long. IMAX screenings sold out well in advance, and as of now, the film has earned over $1.7 billion globally.

Nolan himself has expressed skepticism about the potential of generative AI. Earlier this year, he stated in an interview with AFP that the notion of AI replacing human creativity is "nonsense,” according to reports from The Guardian.

How does Musk’s AI-generated version of The Odyssey fare? 

The first episode, lasting just over seven minutes, depicts the Greeks' arrival at Troy but features an entirely white cast. The animation suffers from typical issues found in generative AI videos: overly perfect teeth, a strange weightlessness in hair textures, and skin that appears oddly blurred due to the model’s misunderstanding of lighting and perspective. Backgrounds also display a glitchy transition where low-resolution textures appear before sharper ones load.

In terms of storytelling, the writing leaves much to be desired, and distinguishing characters can be challenging as many of them look alike or resemble well-known figures too closely.

Within its brief runtime, only Odysseus is named, which may leave viewers confused about the identities of other characters unless they have recently revisited The Odyssey. For instance, it might not be obvious that one of the two men featured is Palamedes, as many would need context to make that identification.

In promotional material, Wonder Studios stated, "Homer didn’t have Grok… we do," acknowledging the difference between AI and traditional storytelling. In contrast, Homer masterfully told his tale nearly 3,000 years ago without the aid of technology.

As Christopher Nolan's adaptation begins to finish its theatrical run, it is set for digital release on November 17. In the meantime, Wolfgang Petersen's Troy, featuring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, is undergoing a cultural reassessment thanks to the success of Nolan's film. This human-crafted movie currently holds a 3.5 average rating on Letterboxd.

Elon Musk successfully implements Grok AI's version of 'The Odyssey.'

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Elon Musk actually follows through on Grok AI adaptation of 'The Odyssey' - Mashable

- Elon Musk's AI-generated version of The Odyssey premiered and aims for historical accuracy.  
- Musk's project criticizes Christopher Nolan's adaptation and sparked controversy over casting choices.  
- Initial reception of Musk's Odyssey reveals poor quality and difficulty in character recognition.  

Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master's in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones.

Elon Musk doesn’t have a great track record of following through on his promises. According to MuskOmeter, a site that tracks the pledges Musk has made and whether he’s kept them, he’s at about a 24 percent hit rate.

So it’s almost impressive that one of his sillier promises from this year actually came true.

Late Friday afternoon, Musk shared the first of several planned episodes of an AI-generated version of Homer’s The Odyssey, made with Grok Imagine, the AI video generator from his company xAI. According to a post from the Grok Imagine account, the project is a collaboration between Wonder Studios and director Dev Walker. Both specialize in generative AI filmmaking.

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Musk first made the promise in July. As Mashable reported at the time, he posted on X that, before the year ended, Grok Imagine would make a full-length Odyssey movie that would be "historically accurate and true to the art of Homer."

That was the culmination of months of Musk complaining about Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. Much of the right-wing backlash to Nolan’s film was framed in terms of historical accuracy. The initial trailer sparked a little doubt about a faithful adaptation, as some took issue with the film’s armor, calling it bland and closer to Roman than Greek.

The bigger outrage came from the casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Elliot Page as Sinon. In February, Musk declared on X that Nolan had "lost his integrity" over it, as Mashable reported. Musk and others argued that a Black woman couldn’t play a character described as the most beautiful woman in the ancient world.

Leave aside what that says about who gets to count as beautiful. Helen of Troy isn’t a real person. Troy was a real city, but historians still debate whether anything resembling the Trojan War ever happened. In Greek mythology, Helen herself is the daughter of Zeus and was hatched from an egg. "Historical accuracy" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

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Musk also took issue with Page's casting. In May, Musk reshared posts criticizing the casting, including some that misgendered the trans actor. Because Nolan’s cast list didn’t say who was playing whom, online conspiracy theories claimed Page would play Achilles. Instead, Page played Sinon, a character who originally appears in Virgil’s Aeneid, which is essentially Roman fan fiction of the Trojan War.

With the casting details, Musk and right-leaning influencers predicted Nolan's adaptation would flop — "go woke, go broke." Instead, The Odyssey opened to $124.5 million in July, a huge number for an R-rated, nearly three-hour film. IMAX 70mm screenings sold out weeks in advance, as Mashable previously reported. As of this writing, Nolan's film has grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide.

Nolan, for his part, has been openly skeptical of generative AI. He told AFP earlier this year that the idea of it replacing human creativity is "a nonsense," according to The Guardian.

Is Elon Musk's The Odyssey good?

Musk's Grok-imagined version of Homer's tale is about what you'd expect. The first episode runs a little over seven minutes and covers the Greeks’ arrival at Troy. Every character is white.

Visually, it has all the usual problems of generative AI video: unnaturally perfect teeth; the weightless, almost water-like hair texture; and the skin has an odd, smudgy quality that comes from the model not really understanding lighting or perspective. The backgrounds also suffer from something akin to texture pop-in, where video games load low-resolution textures before the detailed ones, so the screen isn't just black.

As just a film to watch, the writing isn't all that great, and it's hard to keep up with all the characters as they look similar or look way too similar to real people.

Is that not Kristofer Hivju? Credit: Grok Imagine / Wonder Studios / Mashable screenshot

On top of that, in the entire seven-minute runtime, Odysseus is the only named character. Unless you've read The Odyssey fairly recently, you'd be confused about who some of the characters are — how is one supposed to know that one of those two men in the photo above is Palamedes? I sure didn't.

As part of the promotion, Wonder Studios posted on X that "Homer didn’t have Grok… we do." True enough. Homer also told the story well enough that people are still adapting it nearly 3,000 years later, without any help from AI.

Although Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is winding down its theater run, the critically acclaimed film is set to release digitally on Nov. 17. To tide you over, Wolfgang Petersen's Troy, starring Brad Pitt and Eric Bana, got a cultural re-evaluation thanks to the success of Nolan's film. It's human-made and currently holds a 3.5 average rating on Letterboxd.

Elon Musk actually follows through on Grok AI adaptation of 'The Odyssey'

The weekend editor at The Verge, who has extensive experience in covering the tech sector for over 18 years, is well-versed in synthesizers and their impact on the industry.

On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro enacted the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act, which mandates transparency in advertisements generated or altered by artificial intelligence. According to this new law, any form of advertisement—be it a still image, video, audio, or text—that has undergone significant modification or is fully created through AI must clearly display a label, matching the ad's format. This requirement spans all types of advertising, from multi-million dollar television commercials to small, cluttered flyers promoting local dining specials.

Pennsylvania is among the pioneering states to implement such disclosure requirements for AI-generated content. Importantly, the law applies to ads regardless of their original state of creation, meaning that commercials scheduled to air in Pennsylvania may incorporate such labels even if produced elsewhere.

However, the legislation does contain several ambiguities. For instance, the term "significantly modified" lacks a clear definition. Additionally, the law exempts content created for "parody, satire, commentary, or criticism," along with anything that is deemed "evidently fictional," though what constitutes "evidently fictional" remains unclear. The law also implies that only content that uses synthetic elements to foster a "false consumer perception" will necessitate a disclosure. This raises further questions about what is classified as "false" and who gets to make that determination.

As of now, the office of State Senator Nick Pisciottano, the individual who sponsored the bill, has not responded to inquiries for clarification.

Pennsylvania to mandate labels for advertisements created by AI.

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Pennsylvania will require labels on AI-generated ads - The Verge

- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act into law.  
- The law mandates disclosures on AI-generated ads across various formats, including video and text.  
- Loopholes exist regarding definitions of "significantly modified" and "evidently fictional" content.  

is the Verge’s weekend editor. He’s covered the tech industry for over 18 years and knows a thing or two about synths.

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On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act into law, requiring disclosures on AI-generated ads. The law requires any ad — whether it’s a still image, video, audio, or text — that “has been significantly modified or generated by artificial intelligence” to include a label in the same format as the ad itself. That applies to TV commercials from multi-billion-dollar companies, as well as restaurants’ ugly, crowded flyers about their wing specials.

Pennsylvania is one of the first states to require disclosures on AI content. And it requires those labels regardless of where an ad was created. So you might see disclosures pop up in commercials in other states if they’re also expected to air in Pennsylvania.

The law leaves many loopholes, though. For one, what constitutes “significantly modified” is subjective. There is also a carve-out for “parody, satire, commentary or criticism,” as well as anything that is “evidently fictional.” Again, what “evidently fictional” means is unclear. The wording also suggests only content that “uses synthetic content in a manner that creates a false consumer perception” about a product or service would require a disclosure. Again, leaving questions about what qualifies as “false” under the law and who makes those decisions.

The office of State Senator Nick Pisciottano, who introduced the bill, did not immediately return a request for comment.

Pennsylvania will require labels on AI-generated ads

The New York Police Department is looking to implement a new artificial intelligence-driven technology designed to function like a mobile cell phone tower, enhancing their ability to quickly locate suspects. However, this development has sparked concerns among critics who fear it may allow for the monitoring of innocent residents.

The proposed system, called FalcoNet, operates as a cell-site simulator that can be installed on police vehicles or drones, and even concealed within a backpack. This technology is developed by Cognyte, an Israeli tech company, with the NYPD on the verge of finalizing a three-year, $750,500 contract for its use.

This portable simulator mimics a traditional cell tower, connecting to nearby cell phones and capturing the unique identification numbers associated with each device. This data can then be traced back to the respective users.

Cognyte has faced scrutiny from human rights organizations for its collaborations with governments known to misuse surveillance technology against political dissidents. The introduction of FalcoNet has elicited further criticism from civil liberties advocates, who are apprehensive about its potential for unconstitutionally surveilling individuals who are not under investigation.

Daniel Schwarz, a senior privacy and technology strategist with the New York Civil Liberties Union, voiced concerns over the NYPD’s commitment to transparency and the protection of residents' privacy rights. He emphasized that cell-site simulators necessitate warrants due to their invasive nature and raised alarms about FalcoNet's additional undisclosed AI features capable of analyzing individual behaviors.

Cognyte did not provide a response when approached for comments on the situation.

Currently, the NYPD uses other cell-site simulators for tracking suspects, as well as locating individuals who are missing or in crisis. A spokesperson remarked that FalcoNet has been assessed as the most effective option available for the department's needs.

Highlighting a specific case, the spokesperson referenced an incident on February 9 when the police successfully rescued a 15-year-old girl who had been abducted from a Queens group home, aided significantly by tracking her distressing text messages.

Should this contract be authorized, the NYPD claims FalcoNet will not be utilized to intercept phone calls or access text messages from individuals who are not part of ongoing investigations, nor will such information be shared with other agencies.

The department enforces a stringent policy governing the use of cell-site simulators, mandating that warrants be secured prior to their deployment in investigations. In urgent situations involving missing persons or those threatening suicide, officers may proceed without a warrant but are required to document the necessity and acquire a warrant within 48 hours of the technology's use.

Only a select group of four personnel from the NYPD's Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) will be authorized to operate the FalcoNet system, utilizing laptops that run on a secure, independent network as outlined in departmental guidelines.

Jerome Greco, a supervising attorney with The Legal Aid Society’s Digital Forensics Unit, expressed that concerns over FalcoNet's application are legitimate, recalling a decade-old revelation that the NYPD had deployed cell-site simulators over 1,000 times without formalized policies or warrants.

“The NYPD asserts that this technology won't be used for intercepting content,” Greco noted. “However, there is no way to guarantee that conclusively.”

While the NYPD publishes reports on drone usage, details regarding its cell phone tracking applications are not readily available, and critics argue that this will remain unchanged should the Cognyte contract move forward.

Eleni Manis, research director for the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), pointed out the lack of detail in reporting the individual uses of cell-site simulators, which hampers accountability for targeted individuals.

The city is currently evaluating public feedback regarding the contract before making a final decision on its approval. A spokesperson from City Hall confirmed that the proposed contract is under review.

The NYPD has historically faced challenges with AI technologies, recently announcing a review following revelations that officers improperly accessed the controversial Flock Safety license plate reader network—despite lacking a formal contract with the provider—over 1,700 times.

NYPD in talks to adopt new AI technology to simplify cell phone tracking.

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NYPD in negotiations to use new AI-driven technology that will make it easier to track cell phones - New York Daily News

- The NYPD plans to adopt FalcoNet, an AI-driven cell-site simulator for suspect tracking.  
- Critics warn it could infringe on the privacy of innocent New Yorkers.  
- Concerns persist about NYPD's transparency and historical misuse of surveillance technologies.  

The NYPD wants to adopt a new AI-driven technology that will act like a roving cell phone tower and help investigators quickly find suspects they are searching for — but critics worry it will help police track the whereabouts of innocent New Yorkers.

The new mobile surveillance system, known as FalcoNet, is a cell-site simulator that can be mounted on police vehicles or drones and can even be hidden in a backpack.

It’s run by Cognyte, an Israeli technology firm. The NYPD is poised to sign a three-year, $750,500 sole-source contract with Cognyte to use its tech.

A portable cell-site simulator mimics a real cell tower. As it rolls through a neighborhood, any nearby cell phone links up with the simulator, which captures each phone’s unique identification number, which can then be traced to its user.

Cognyte, which relies heavily on artificial intelligence, has been accused by human rights groups of doing business with oppressive governments that use surveillance technology to target dissidents and political opponents. FalcoNet, meanwhile, has raised the ire of civil liberties groups worried that the technology is used to unconstitutionally track people not being sought by law enforcement.

Daniel Schwarz, senior privacy and technology strategist for the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the Cognyte contract “raises serious concerns about the [Police Department’s] commitment to transparency and to New Yorkers’ privacy rights.”

“Cell-site simulators require warrants because they are highly intrusive, dragnet surveillance,” Schwarz added. “And this new tech goes even further by incorporating undisclosed AI capabilities that analyze people’s behaviors.”

Cognyte did not respond to requests for comment.

The NYPD already uses other cell-site simulators to track down suspects as well as people who are missing or suicidal, but officials say FalcoNet — which will be mounted on department vehicles — is currently the best one available.

“The department explored different cell-site simulators and determined that this device best met the needs of the NYPD,” a spokesperson said.

The benefits of such technology are immeasurable, the spokesperson added, noting a Feb. 9 incident in which police were able to rescue a 15-year-old girl abducted from a group home in Queens and ultimately rescued in Brooklyn as police tracked her frantic text messages.

If the contract is approved, the spokesperson said, police will not use FalcoNet to listen to calls or collect information, such as text messages, from phones not involved in their investigations — or share such data with other agencies.

The department’s strict policy regarding the use of cell-site simulators demands that when the technology is used in investigations, detectives are required to get a warrant for the information first, officials said.

In exigent circumstances — including the search for someone missing or threatening suicide — cops have a green light to use the technology without a warrant, but must document the emergency and obtain the warrant within 48 hours of using the cell-site simulator, they said.

Only four members of TARU, the NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit, will be authorized to use FalcoNet, using “laptops that operate on a closed, stand-alone network,” according to the NYPD’s policy.

Jerome Greco, a supervising attorney with The Legal Aid Society’s Digital Forensics Unit, said concerns about how FalcoNet will be used are not hyperbole, noting the disclosure a decade ago that the NYPD had used cell-site simulator technology more than 1,000 times without having a written policy and without getting a warrant.

“The NYPD says in their policies that this isn’t being used for intercepting content,” Greco said. “But there’s no way for us to absolutely know that.”

The NYPD posts reports on its website regarding its use of drones, but does not indicate the times they use their cell phone tracking technology. It does not appear that this will change if the Cognyte contract is finalized, critics say.

Eleni Manis, research director for the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, or STOP, said that without such disclosures it’s difficult to fully know how the NYPD is using the technology.

“It doesn’t report case-by-case use of cell-site simulators,” Manis said. “So we can’t hold them accountable for whom they target.”

The city is in the process of reviewing comments made by the public regarding the contract. It will then decide whether it should be approved.

“We are reviewing the proposed contract,” a City Hall spokesman said.

The NYPD has had issues in the past with technology that uses AI.

Last month, the department announced that it was reviewing hundreds of instances in which officers used Flock Safety, a controversial nationwide license plate reader network that uses artificial intelligence, after two advocacy groups collected data showing that at least two dozen officers used Flock’s database 1,710 times — even though the department doesn’t have a contract with the company.

NYPD in negotiations to use new AI-driven technology that will make it easier to track cell phones

In his opening statement, Daniel Wong emphasized, "The residents of Fort Bend County warrant a leadership that prioritizes integrity, accountability, and the reinstatement of public trust. I consider public service to be a sacred commitment." Currently serving as the interim judge following the removal of former judge K.P. George, Wong is currently involved in a heated campaign for the position of Fort Bend County Judge, which has taken a surprising turn with the introduction of AI-generated political ads.

On his official Facebook page, Wong shared a video featuring four individuals, all African American, who express their support for him in the upcoming election against Democratic nominee Dexter McCoy. In the video, a man states, "He gave me a job," while another shares, "He turned on my lights." Two women also contribute, claiming that Wong provided them with food and assistance in finding employment.

In the caption accompanying the video, Wong expresses appreciation for the supporters and declares that Fort Bend County is "worth fighting for." He acknowledges the sacrifices of those who stand by him, stating, "Every day you endure negativity from Democrats to support a Republican because you recognize what’s best for Fort Bend County. I’ve been there for you in times of need, and now you are here for me. That’s loyalty."

The video has been endorsed by the Fort Bend County Republican Party, receiving praise from many conservative Facebook users who view Wong as the ideal candidate for the county. However, a significant issue has emerged: the video is entirely AI-generated.

While the individuals featured are confirmed to be real—one woman is a known poll worker for Wong—their statements and appearances have been digitally produced. Viewers noted that the background behind one man appeared distorted, as did the “Daniel Wong” hat he was wearing. Additionally, all participants in the video shared the same vocal characteristics, raising concerns about authenticity.

The video has drawn criticism particularly from some Black voters who have voiced their discontent. Prominent attorney and political commentator Erika Harrison responded in an Instagram video, stating, "We’re not looking for handouts; we want substantial policies that will benefit us, our children, and future generations."

Although Wong has not publicly commented on the AI-generated video, reactions on the post have labeled it "AI slop," "embarrassing," and "unethical," highlighting the growing unease over the methods being employed in the campaign.

Texas judge hopeful charged with employing AI blackface to attract voters

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'AI slop': Ft. Bend County Judge accused of using AI blackface to woo voters - Chron

- Fort Bend County Judge candidate Daniel Wong shared an AI-generated political advertisement.  
- The video features real supporters, but their statements and images are artificially created.  
- Some Black voters criticized the video, seeking substantive policies over superficial endorsements.  

"The people of Fort Bend County deserve a government focused on integrity, accountability and restoring the public trust," Wong said in his opening remarks. "I believe public service is a public trust." Fort Bend County Judge's Office

A contentious race for Fort Bend County Judge has now entered an even weirder phase for the region: AI political advertisements.

Republican Daniel Wong, who is currently serving as the interim judge after former judge K.P. George was removed from the position, reportedly shared a video on his official Facebook account that highlighted four different Black people, all of whom had his support in the November election against Democratic candidate Dexter McCoy.

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"He gave me a job," one man says.

Another adds, "He turned on my lights."

Two women chime in, saying Wong gave them food and helped them "find work."

The post's caption touts the four individuals for backing Wong in the upcoming election, with Wong saying that Fort Bend County is "worth fighting for" and "these brave men and women show it and know it."

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"A big thank you to the people who believe in me—and who made this video," the caption continues."Every day you stand at the polls and take the abuse from Democrats, supporting a Republican because you know what’s best for Fort Bend County. I’ve been there for you when you needed a job, food, the lights on, or a way forward. Now you're here for me. That's loyalty."

The video has been shared by the Fort Bend County Republican Party. Numerous conservatives on Facebook have touted the video and Wong as the right candidate for Fort Bend County.

Except there's one very glaring problem. The video is AI-generated.

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While the people involved in the video have been determined to be real, as one of the women happened to be a poll worker for Wong, the statements and images are not. In one clip, the building behind a man is clearly warped, as is the Daniel Wong hat he's wearing. Each man and woman in the video have the same voice and vocal tone.

The messaging has also struck a nerve with some Black voters who found the video.

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"We're not looking for handouts," Erika Harrison, an attorney and noted political commentator said in a video uploaded to Instagram. "We're looking for deeper policies that can impact us, our children and the generations after us."

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Wong has yet to publicly address the AI video, but comments on the post have called it "AI slop," "embarrassing," and "unethical."

Texas judge candidate accused of using AI blackface to court voters

Dressed in matching black attire, with identical sneakers and hoodies, a distinct group of tech leaders presents an almost cult-like image. They gravitate towards similar literature, particularly within the realm of science fiction, and communicate in a language soaked in a messianic zeal. Their messages resonate with warnings about an impending apocalypse, portraying themselves as humanity’s saviors from the potentially disastrous impacts of the AI they’ve birthed.

Jill Lepore, a historian from Harvard and winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for her book titled *We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution*, likens the behavior of Silicon Valley’s elite to that of a religious cult, with AI elevated to a divine status and these leaders acting as its prophets. In her recent publication, *The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State*, released in August, Lepore contends that Big Tech now holds significant sway over both the United States and the broader global landscape. She asserts that these tech giants utilize their authority to endorse political leaders who align with their interests, consequently undermining democratic values and contributing to the dissemination of misinformation.

In an interview with *Vanity Fair*, Lepore describes the "Artificial State" as a reality where humans are governed—and in many cases replaced—by machines owned by corporate entities. When asked about how imminent this future might be, she emphasizes that the clearest illustration of this phenomenon lies within the public sphere. A functional liberal democracy relies on an environment where open discussions can flourish, allowing citizens to gather trustworthy information and engage in meaningful dialogue. However, the Artificial State actively dismantles this civic engagement and breeds a culture of trolling instead.

According to Lepore, the current communication infrastructure encourages individuals to withdraw from civil engagement rather than participate actively. It fosters alienation from social connections and fellow citizens, driving people towards a toxic cycle of outrage, condemnation, and grievance that ultimately harms the fabric of civil society.

Jill Lepore: Artificial Intelligence Undermines Civil Society

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AI Is Eroding Civil Society, Argues Harvard Historian Jill Lepore - Vanity Fair

- Silicon Valley leaders resemble a religious cult, with AI viewed as a deity.  
- Jill Lepore argues Big Tech's influence erodes democracy and controls public discourse.  
- The Artificial State undermines civil society, fostering alienation and outrage among citizens.  

They dress like gurus, all alike in black, with similar sneakers and hoodies. They read the same books, many of them science fiction. They speak in a similar language, with a messianic tone. They send messages warning of a coming apocalypse and present themselves as the only ones capable of saving humanity from the potential disasters caused by the AI that they created.

According to Jill Lepore, a Harvard historian and 2026 Pulitzer Prize winner in history for her book We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution, Silicon Valley leaders behave like a religious cult, with artificial intelligence as God and they as its intermediaries. In her latest book, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State, published this past August, she argues that today Big Tech controls the United States—and, in turn, the entire planet. They wield their power authoritatively, favoring presidents who best serve their interests, and helping to erode the democratic fabric of nations, one fake news story at a time.

Jill Lepore on October 06, 2026. Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images

Vanity Fair: In your book, you define the Artificial State as “a future in which humans are ruled, and many replaced, by machines owned by corporations.” How close is that future?

Jill Lepore: The place where people can most easily see what I’m talking about is with what used to be called the public sphere. A liberal democracy depends on a free and open public discussion of the state of the world where people can get reliable information and exchange ideas and deliberate. The Artificial State doesn’t make citizens, it unmakes citizens; it makes trolls.

What this communications infrastructure asks of you is not to participate in civil society; it is to remove yourself from participating in civil society, to remove yourself from social relations, to alienate yourself from your fellow citizens, and instead to engage in the machinery of outrage and condemnation and grievance that is destructive to civil society.

Jill Lepore: AI Is Eroding Civil Society

Nikki Anderson, a 32-year-old mother from South Carolina, recently found an AI-generated image of her 6-year-old daughter in her backpack. The picture illustrated her daughter as a nurse, a profession the child aspires to pursue. Although the school activity aimed to celebrate her aspirations, Anderson felt a sense of discomfort regarding the incorporation of technology in the classroom.

Anderson took to Instagram to express her feelings, and her post quickly gained traction. She raised concerns about the necessity for schools to utilize AI when children possess the creativity and imagination to envision their own futures. She emphasized that her daughter is at a formative age, bursting with potential, and does not require artificial intelligence to dictate what she could become.

In a conversation on Tuesday, October 20, Anderson recounted her reaction to the imagery. “Am I allowed to be grossed out about this? I am grossed out about this,” she remarked, even though her daughter found the picture appealing due to a different hair texture represented. Anderson also speculated on the process involved in creating the image, asking whether a teacher had uploaded her daughter's photo, given the known concerns surrounding AI technology.

Anderson is advocating for greater transparency regarding the AI tools utilized by schools, particularly in relation to consent and data security. She raised crucial questions, such as the software used, whether it involved an external platform, and what happens to students' images afterward. “Did any of us actually consent to that?” she queried, stressing that these inquiries warrant answers from all parents.

She has approached the school's administration with her concerns and is awaiting a reply. Maintaining a balanced perspective, she expresses trust that the staff has the best interests of the children at heart. Anderson hopes her discussions with school leadership will lead to “meaningful safeguards” regarding the use of AI.

Anderson has also shown her support for teachers, recognizing their limited resources and the complex technological environment they are navigating. "I believe our children deserve protection—not just of their images, but of their minds," she emphasized.

This incident has ignited a lively debate online. Many users aligned with her views on privacy and the risks associated with using AI technology on student data. However, some criticized her for engaging with a national publication about the issue, suggesting that she compromised her privacy concerns by making her situation public. A number of commenters accused her of being contradictory.

In response to the backlash, Anderson clarified her intentions: she aims to inform parents about what transpires in their children's educational settings. While she recognized that the reaction exceeded her expectations, she reiterated that although some may find the AI-generated image charming initially, a more profound examination of the implications of such practices is essential. She does not wish to confront educators but advocates for progress to avert similar incidents in the future.

A mother in South Carolina discovers an AI-created image of her 6-year-old in her backpack, produced by the school, asking, “Did any of us truly agree to that?”

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A South Carolina mother finds an AI-generated picture of her 6-year-old in her backpack, made by her school: “Did any of us actually consent to that?” - Yahoo

- Nikki Anderson found an AI-generated image of her daughter in a school backpack.  
- She questions schools’ reliance on AI, advocating for transparency in using student images.  
- The incident sparked mixed online reactions about privacy and AI in education.  

Nikki Anderson, a 32-year-old mother from South Carolina, discovered an AI-generated image of her 6-year-old daughter in the child's backpack last week. The image depicted her daughter dressed as a nurse, which is the career the young girl hopes to pursue. While the school activity was meant to celebrate the child's dreams, it left the mother feeling unsettled about how technology is used in the classroom.

Anderson shared her thoughts on Instagram, where her post went viral. She questioned why schools feel the need to rely on AI when children are already creative and capable of imagining their own futures. She pointed out that her daughter is at an age where the world is full of possibilities, and she does not need a computer to tell her what she could become.

In an interview on Tuesday, October 20, Anderson recalled her initial reaction to the image. She said, "Am I allowed to be grossed out about this? I am grossed out about this," while also noting that her daughter actually liked the picture because it gave her a different hair texture. The mother then wondered about the process behind the image. She asked herself, "Did a teacher really upload my daughter's photo somewhere to make this, knowing what we know about AI?"

Anderson wants transparency about what AI tools schools use

This leads to the bigger issue of consent and data security. Anderson is pushing for schools to be transparent about what software they use and whether they have permission to process images of students. She noted, "What software was used? Was it an outside platform? What happens to those pictures after? Did any of us actually consent to that?" She believes these are questions every parent needs answers to.

The mother has taken her concerns to the school's administration and is waiting for a response. She maintains a measured view, stating that she wants to believe the staff wants what is best for the children. She hopes her conversations with the principal and board members lead to "meaningful safeguards" regarding AI.

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She also defended teachers, acknowledging that they have limited resources and are navigating a new tech landscape. "I think our children deserve protection, not only of their image but of their minds," she said.

The issue drew mixed views from the internet

The situation has sparked a heated debate online. Some people supported her stance on privacy and the potential risks of uploading student data into AI programs. Others criticized her for discussing the incident with a national magazine, arguing that she undermined her own privacy concerns by sharing the story publicly. Some commenters labeled her actions as contradictory.

Anderson addressed the backlash by explaining that she wanted to ensure parents are informed about what happens at their children's schools. She acknowledged that the response was much bigger than she anticipated. While she understands why some might initially think the AI image is cute, she continues to advocate for a deeper look at the implications of these activities. She does not want to attack educators, but she does want to see a step forward to prevent similar situations in the future.

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