Techmeme Ride Home: Wed. 11/20 – AI To Read The Books

Released on November 20, 2024 by Ride Home Media

1. AI Training on Authors’ Works Sparks Controversy

Overview: The episode opens with a pressing issue in the literary and tech worlds: the use of authors' books to train artificial intelligence (AI) models. Microsoft has secured a deal with HarperCollins to utilize nonfiction books for training an undisclosed AI model. This collaboration allows authors to opt out, but the arrangement has stirred significant debate.

Key Points:

• Microsoft and HarperCollins Agreement:

  • HarperCollins has partnered with an unnamed AI firm to use select nonfiction backlist titles for enhancing AI model quality.
  • Authors retain the choice to participate, aiming to balance opportunities with the protection of their work's value and revenue streams.

• Industry Context:

  • Technology giants like Microsoft, OpenAI, and others are actively seeking high-quality textual data from various publishers to refine their AI capabilities.
  • Previous agreements include partnerships with prominent publishers such as News Corp, OpenAI, and media entities like Vox Media and Time magazine.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian McCullough [00:04]: “Technology companies use an array of data from social media sites to news articles to train AI models, and companies like Microsoft are hunting for additional sources of high quality text that they can license...”

2. Author Daniel Kibblesmith Rejects AI Training Proposal

Overview: Daniel Kibblesmith, a comic author and writer for Stephen Colbert, publicly criticized the proposal to include authors' works in AI training datasets. His stance highlights the tension between authors and tech companies regarding data usage and compensation.

Key Points:

• Kibblesmith’s Refusal:

  • Received an offer of $2,500 to include his book in AI training for three years.
  • Described the proposal as “abominable” and rejected it, emphasizing the devaluation of authors' works.

• Broader Implications:

  • Penguin Random House (PRH) has taken a strong stance by amending its copyright notice to explicitly prohibit AI training usage.
  • This move reflects growing resistance among major publishers against the unregulated use of literary works for AI development.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel Kibblesmith [02:06]: “... the fear of robots replacing authors is a false binary. I see it as the beginning of two diverging markets...”
• HarperCollins Statement: “... Technology companies use an array of data...”

3. Google Accelerates Android 16 Development

Overview: Google has unveiled the first developer preview of Android 16, marking a significant shift in its development timeline to address fragmentation issues and streamline the rollout of the new operating system.

Key Points:

• Early Release Strategy:

  • The Android 16 Developer Preview 1 was released in November, much earlier than previous years.
  • Aims to provide developers with ample time to adapt to new APIs and behavioral changes ahead of the anticipated June 3, 2025, full release.

• New Features:

  • Introduction of an embedded photo picker, medical record support, and an updated privacy sandbox.
  • Emphasis on platform stability, ensuring no changes to APIs or core behaviors post-platform stability milestone.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian McCullough [02:07]: “Google is releasing Android 16 DP1 today so that app developers can test the new APIs and behavior changes that will arrive in next year's big update.”

4. Sony Launches Cloud Streaming for PlayStation Portal

Overview: Sony has introduced a beta version of cloud streaming on the PlayStation Portal, enhancing the gaming experience for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers by allowing them to stream select PS5 games.

Key Points:

• Streaming Specifications:

  • Available in select countries to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers.
  • Requires a minimum of 7Mbps for 720p streaming and 13Mbps for 1080p quality.

• Limitations:

  • Initial rollout excludes features like game trials, party voice chat, and streaming of PS4 and PS3 titles.
  • Child accounts are unable to access the cloud streaming service.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian McCullough [07:15]: “Sony has launched cloud streaming on the PlayStation portal in beta, letting PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers...”

5. Crypto Gains Momentum with Presidential Nomination

Overview: President-Elect Trump has nominated Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as his Commerce Secretary. Lutnick's background in cryptocurrency, particularly his company's role with Tether, underscores the administration's interest in integrating crypto into national commerce strategies.

Key Points:

• Lutnick’s Credentials:

  • Cantor Fitzgerald serves as a custodian for Tether, managing substantial US treasuries backing the USDT stablecoin.
  • Recently launched a Bitcoin financing division with an initial funding of $2 billion.

• Stance on Cryptocurrencies:

  • Lutnick advocates for Bitcoin’s recognition as a commodity to ensure favorable regulatory treatment.
  • Expressed preference for Bitcoin over other cryptocurrencies, citing its decentralized and censorship-resistant nature.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian McCullough [08:08]: “Howard Lutnick has been a Custodian for stablecoin company Tether since 2021...”
• Brian McCullough: “I am a fan of crypto, but let me be very specific. Bitcoin, just bitcoin.”

6. BlueSky App Surges, Narrowing Gap with Threads

Overview: BlueSky, a social media platform, has surpassed 20 million users, maintaining its position as the top app in the US App Store since November 13th. Its rapid growth is closing the user base gap with Instagram Threads.

Key Points:

• User Growth Metrics:

  • Achieved 15 million users on November 13th, expanding to over 20 million shortly after.
  • Daily active users (DAUs) and website visits are nearly matching Threads, though Threads still leads globally.

• Competitive Landscape:

  • SimilarWeb data indicates a narrowing gap in DAUs between Threads and BlueSky, particularly in the US.
  • Meta's Adam Mosseri has disputed the accuracy of these metrics, highlighting the limited transparency in user data.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian McCullough [13:21]: “BlueSky now has more than 20 million users after hitting 15 million users just on November 13th.”

7. Government Concerns Over Smartphone Tracking and National Security

Overview: A collaborative investigation by Wired, BaeSreicher, Rundfunk, and Netpolitik.org has exposed how US data brokers are enabling the tracking of military and intelligence personnel abroad. This unregulated data collection poses significant risks to national security.

Key Points:

• Investigation Findings:

  • Tracked movement patterns of US military and intelligence workers in Germany using billions of location coordinates.
  • Devices were traced to sensitive locations like NSA facilities, Air Force bases, and even recreational spots, revealing daily routines and routines at high-security sites.

• Security Implications:

  • Location data can be exploited for blackmail, espionage, and identifying vulnerabilities within military operations.
  • Low-level personnel with access to critical systems represent potential weak links in security protocols.

• Official Reactions:

  • US Senator Ron Wyden condemned the unregulated sale of location data, emphasizing the threat to national security.
  • An internal Pentagon review acknowledged the pervasive nature of data collection and its unavoidable impact on service members' privacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian McCullough [16:23]: “A collaborative analysis of billions of location coordinates obtained from a US data broker provides extraordinary insight into the daily routines of US service members.”
• Daniel Kibblesmith [18:16]: “...location data can piece a lot of secrets together on their own...”
• Vivek Chilukuri at CNAS: “A system is only as secure as its weakest link...”

Conclusion: This episode of Techmeme Ride Home delves into critical intersections between technology, privacy, and national security. From the ethical implications of AI training using authors' works to the vulnerabilities exposed by unregulated data brokers, the discussions underscore the need for balanced advancements and stringent protections in the digital age.