Grumpy Old Geeks - Episode 673 Summary: Copyright Win for OpenAI, North Korean Internet Shock, and More

In Episode 673 of "Grumpy Old Geeks," hosts Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister, along with occasional guest Dave Bittner, navigate through a whirlwind of tech news, dissecting each story with their characteristic bluntness and humor. This episode covers a broad spectrum of topics, from significant legal battles in the AI industry to major corporate layoffs and regulatory changes affecting global social media platforms. Here's a detailed breakdown of the key discussions and insights shared during the episode.

1. Legal Battle: OpenAI's Copyright Lawsuit Dismissed

The episode opens with a pivotal legal development where a federal judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit filed by news outlets Raw Story and AlterNet against OpenAI. The plaintiffs had accused OpenAI of misusing their articles to train ChatGPT without proper compensation.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [01:06]:
  "Let us be clear about what is really at stake here... the use of plaintiffs articles to develop ChatGPT without compensation."

• Jason DeFilippo [02:22]:
  "We're heading towards a free for all, which is generally never good for people, but great for companies."

Key Insights:

• The judge ruled that the outlets failed to demonstrate sufficient harm to proceed with the lawsuit.
• The case sets a concerning precedent for AI training practices, potentially allowing companies to use copyrighted material without proper attribution or compensation.
• The hosts express skepticism about the plaintiffs' chances if they choose to amend their complaint, highlighting the legal challenges in holding AI companies accountable for training data usage.

2. Social Media Turmoil: Truth Social Stock Crash and NYT Tech Guild Strike

Despite former President Donald Trump's recent election victory, shares of his media company, Trump Media and Technology Group (Truth Social), experienced a steep decline of 22%, obliterating earlier gains. The hosts analyze the volatility surrounding "Meme Stocks" and discuss the underlying issues plaguing Truth Social, particularly its lack of sustainable revenue models.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [04:22]:
  "The emperor has no clothes when it comes to actual revenue at Truth Social."

• Jason DeFilippo [04:53]:
  "Truth Social no longer really has any value in that sense."

Additional Discussion:

• The New York Times is grappling with a strike from its Tech Guild workers, who are demanding better wages and work conditions.

• Brian Schulmeister [13:18]:
  "New York Times tech workers began a strike on Monday... everyone else called them scabby."

• Perplexity's CEO has offered AI solutions to replace striking staff, highlighting the tension between labor rights and technological advancements in the workplace.

3. Corporate Restructuring and Layoffs: Mozilla Foundation, iRobot, and Nissan

The episode delves into significant layoffs across major tech companies. The Mozilla Foundation announced a 30% staff reduction, impacting its nonprofits and advocacy divisions. Similarly, iRobot is laying off 105 employees as part of an ongoing operational restructuring following the failed acquisition by Amazon.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [05:22]:
  "They plan to make some steep cuts to its operation, including 9,000 jobs..."

• Jason DeFilippo [06:10]:
  "Things not going so rosy over there."

Nissan's Struggles:

• Japan's third-largest automaker, Nissan, is cutting 9,000 jobs and reducing its global manufacturing capacity by 20%.
• Brian Schulmeister [08:38]:
  "Nissan Chief Executive Officer Makado Uchida is taking a 50% pay cut from his monthly compensation because the boss deserves to take a fucking haircut too, doesn't he?"

Key Insights:

• These layoffs reflect broader industry challenges, including shifts toward AI, hybrid technologies, and the aftermath of attempted mergers.
• The hosts emphasize the declining relevance of certain product lines and services, using Mozilla's Firefox as an example of a "browser of last resort."

4. AI and Environmental Concerns: Meta Halts Nuclear-Powered AI Data Center

Meta's ambitious plan to build a nuclear-powered AI data center in the US has been halted due to environmental and regulatory challenges, notably the discovery of a rare bee species at the proposed site. Despite initial intentions to partner with existing nuclear plants for emissions-free energy, Meta remains committed to exploring alternative carbon-free energy sources for its AI initiatives.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [17:38]:
  "It's exactly going to be fuck the bees."

• Jason DeFilippo [17:33]:
  "Mark Zuckerberg had intended to partner with an existing nuclear plant to supply emissions free electricity for the facility."

Key Insights:

• The discovery of the rare bee species presents significant environmental hurdles, delaying Meta's AI infrastructure plans.
• The discussion underscores the ongoing tension between technological advancement and environmental conservation efforts.

5. AI-Driven Misinformation: Fake Dublin Halloween Parade

A concerning incident involving AI-generated misinformation led thousands of Irish residents to believe there was a three-hour Halloween parade scheduled in Dublin. Organized by a Pakistan-based website, this event never existed, leading to confusion and police intervention.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [18:46]:
  "An apparent AI generated content farm deceived thousands of Irish into visiting the Dublin city center..."

• Brian Schulmeister [20:18]:
  "Trolls are going to troll, but this was a battle."

Key Insights:

• The misuse of AI for generating fake events highlights the potential for technology to facilitate large-scale misinformation campaigns.
• The hosts draw parallels to traditional trolling methods, emphasizing that while the tools have evolved, the intent remains malicious.

6. Cybersecurity Threats: Salt Typhoon's Telecom Hacking

The podcast discusses alarming reports of a Chinese-linked hacking group, Salt Typhoon, infiltrating US telecom infrastructure. The group targeted the phones of diplomats, government officials, and individuals associated with presidential campaigns, accessing call logs and SMS texts.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [21:27]:
  "But you know, the NSA would just say, oh, that's just metadata. It doesn't matter."

• Jason DeFilippo [20:18]:
  "Salt Typhoon... targeting ... systems of telecom firms like AT&T and Verizon."

Key Insights:

• The extent of the breach suggests a significant threat to national security, with implications for personal privacy and political integrity.
• The discussion highlights the challenges in protecting sensitive information against sophisticated cyber espionage tactics.

7. Global Social Media Actions: Canada's TikTok Shutdown and Australia's Age Restriction Proposal

Canada has taken decisive action against TikTok, ordering the platform to cease operations within the country due to unspecified national security risks. While not a complete ban, this move restricts TikTok from maintaining offices and conducting business operations locally.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [22:08]:
  "So, yeah, I'm guessing the advertising is what's going to basically take effect."

Additionally, Australia is proposing legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The proposed law aims to protect minors from cyberbullying and inappropriate content by enforcing strict age verification measures, with substantial fines for non-compliance.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [23:30]:
  "Great luck with that."

• Jason DeFilippo [23:18]:
  "As soon as we get those Internet police to enforce that..."

Key Insights:

• These regulatory actions reflect growing global concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health and national security.
• The hosts debate the practicality and enforcement challenges of such bans, emphasizing the evolving landscape of digital regulation.

8. Tech Product Delays and Updates: Amazon's Kindle ColorSoft and Alexa

Amazon is delaying the shipment of its first color e-reader, Kindle ColorSoft, due to persistent screen issues, including a yellowish bar at the bottom of the display. Customers who pre-ordered or ordered the device will receive it between November 9-18 in the US and by November 26 in the UK. Early reviews have been unfavorable, averaging 2.6 stars.

In parallel, Elon Musk's ex has implemented a controversial update to the blocking function on a platform (likely Twitter/X), allowing blocked users to see posts from the accounts that block them while still restricting interactions.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [42:35]:
  "Removed. Yeah."

• Jason DeFilippo [43:00]:
  "It's the fuck you aspect of it."

Key Insights:

• The Kindle ColorSoft delay underscores the challenges in launching new hardware without adequate quality assurance.
• The update to the blocking function raises questions about user privacy and the effectiveness of traditional blocking mechanisms in social media platforms.

9. AI Integration in Traditional Products: Microsoft's Notepad AI

Microsoft is giving its classic Notepad application an AI makeover by introducing a rewrite feature powered by GPT. This enhancement allows users to rephrase text, adjust tone, and condense content effortlessly. The feature is currently in preview for Windows Insiders in select countries and will require Microsoft credits for full access.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [44:29]:
  "That's right. We're old."

• Brian Schulmeister [43:12]:
  "The AI update follows recent upgrades to Paint."

Key Insights:

• Integrating AI into traditional tools like Notepad represents Microsoft's strategy to blend simplicity with advanced functionalities.
• The preview phase indicates gradual adoption, with potential implications for users' reliance on automated text enhancements.

10. Preservation Efforts in Technology: iPod Click Wheel Games Project

Amateur radio enthusiasts and tech preservationists are working to rescue and preserve classic iPod Click Wheel games. Given that these games became inaccessible after Apple removed them from the iTunes Store in 2011, enthusiasts have developed virtual machines and master libraries to sync and play these titles on older iPod devices.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [45:10]:
  "They're tied to specific itunes accounts and hardware, making them unplayable on new devices."

• Jason DeFilippo [46:10]:
  "Yeah, I'm sure people are going to hop all over that."

Key Insights:

• These preservation efforts highlight the challenges of maintaining legacy software and the dedication of tech communities to keep nostalgic content alive.
• The project ensures that rare games remain playable, safeguarding a piece of digital history for future generations.

11. Miscellaneous Tech News: iPhone Security Reboot Feature, Pixelmator Acquisition

Apple has introduced a new security feature in iOS 18 that automatically reboots iPhones stored in Faraday cages after a certain period without a cellular connection, enhancing device security by limiting forensic access. Additionally, Apple announced plans to acquire Pixelmator, a renowned photo editing software developer, marking its re-entry into the professional photo editing market.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo [69:08]:
  "It's a good smart. It's a good feature."

• Brian Schulmeister [47:43]:
  "Apple has announced plans to acquire pixelmator..."

Key Insights:

• The automatic reboot feature underscores Apple's commitment to advancing device security in response to evolving cyber threats.
• Acquiring Pixelmator aligns with Apple's strategy to bolster its creative suite, offering users robust and user-friendly photo editing tools as alternatives to industry standards like Adobe.

12. Additional Highlights: Ham Radio Licensing and Star Wars Trilogy Announcement

Ham Radio Licensing: Guest Dave Bittner shares his recent experience obtaining an amateur radio license, detailing the exam process and his initial foray into radio communication. This personal anecdote adds a relatable touch to the episode, emphasizing the intersection of technology and personal hobbies.

Star Wars Trilogy Announcement: The hosts discuss the news of Lucasfilm adding a new trilogy to its Star Wars slate, potentially continuing the Skywalker saga. Simon Kinberg, along with Carrie Beck and Dave Filoni, are set to write and produce the new episodes, though the hosts remain cautiously optimistic given past cancellations.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Schulmeister [73:17]:
  "Leave a review at GOG Show/review 5 star rating."

• Brian Schulmeister [68:34]:
  "I have three episodes to go. I better get."

Conclusion

Episode 673 of "Grumpy Old Geeks" offers a comprehensive exploration of the latest developments in the tech world, blending critical analysis with the hosts' trademark humor and skepticism. From significant legal decisions affecting AI training practices to major corporate layoffs and regulatory shifts in social media, the episode encapsulates the dynamic and often contentious nature of the technology landscape. The hosts provide listeners with insightful commentary, ensuring that even complex topics are accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

Notable References and Links:

• For more details on the discussed topics, listeners are encouraged to visit the show notes at GOG Show.
• Join the conversation and provide feedback via their Discord channel.
• Support the show and enjoy ad-free, high-definition episodes by subscribing on Patreon.

Shoutouts and Tributes: The hosts extend gratitude to their supporters and acknowledge recent passings in the tech and entertainment industries, including the legendary artist Greg Hildebrandt, music icon Quincy Jones, and Elwood Edwards, the voice behind AOL's "You've Got Mail."

Closing Remark: Jason DeFilippo and Brian Schulmeister sign off with their signature blend of sarcasm and camaraderie, reminding listeners to stay informed and engaged with the ever-evolving world of technology.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "Grumpy Old Geeks" as they continue to navigate the highs and lows of the tech universe with unabashed honesty and humor.