Attorneys general warn OpenAI and other tech companies to improve chatbot safety
The attorneys general of California and Delaware have expressed serious concerns about the safety of OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, especially for children and teens. They sent a letter to OpenAI after a meeting with its legal team earlier this week. The officials have been reviewing OpenAI's plans to restructure its business, focusing on safety oversight. They say they are alarmed by reports of dangerous interactions between chatbots and users, including a suicide and a murder-suicide linked to OpenAI's chatbot. The two officials have oversight over OpenAI's plans to restructure its nonprofit origins, but want better safety measures.
Trillion dollar man: New pay package could make Musk that much richer if Tesla thrives
Tesla is asking its investors to approve a proposed compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that could be worth almost $1 trillion and is based on the electric vehicle maker hitting certain ambitious milestones over the next decade. The company, which is also leaning heavily into robotics and AI, said in a regulatory filing on Friday that the package includes a dozen share tranches that will be given to Musk if it hits certain targets over the 10-year period. To achieve the initial amount in the compensation plan, Tesla would need to hit a market cap of $2 trillion, double its current valuation.
Don't look now, but there's an AI-generated Italian teacup on your child's phone. What does it mean?
Ballerina Cappuccina, an AI-generated cartoon ballerina with a cappuccino teacup for a head, has become a viral sensation on TikTok. Her videos have garnered over 55 million views and 4 million likes, mostly from tweens. She's part of the "Italian Brain Rot" trend, which features absurd characters like Tralalero Tralala, a shark with sneakers, and Bombardino Crocodilo, a crocodile-headed airplane. These characters have captivated young audiences with their nonsensical charm. Experts say this trend reflects the younger generation's desire to escape the pressures of self-optimization. Despite concerns that it is pointless, some believe it's a harmless way to unwind.
Google hit with $3.5 billion fine from European Union in ad-tech antitrust case
European Union regulators on Friday hit Google with a $3.5 billion fine for breaching the bloc’s competition rules by favoring its own digital advertising services. This marks the fourth antitrust penalty for the company from Brussels. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, also ordered Google to end its self-preferencing practices and address conflicts of interest in the advertising technology supply chain. Google plans to appeal, calling the decision “wrong” and claiming it will harm European businesses. The decision angered U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has lashed out at the bloc over digital regulations and taxes imposed on U.S. tech companies.
Warner Bros. sues Midjourney for AI-generated images of Superman, Bugs Bunny and other characters
Warner Bros. is suing the AI company Midjourney for copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims Midjourney allows users to create AI-generated images and videos of copyrighted characters like Superman and Bugs Bunny. This is the third lawsuit against Midjourney by a major Hollywood studio, following Disney and Universal's joint lawsuit in June. The lawsuit alleges Midjourney trained its AI on illegal copies of Warner Bros. works and misleads users into thinking the generated content is authorized. Midjourney has not responded to the lawsuit. The company's CEO previously compared the service to a search engine, suggesting AI learning is similar to human creativity.
American Eagle counts new customers after Sydney Sweeney ad frenzy and shares soar
Shares of American Eagle Outfitters spiked 34% Thursday after the teen clothing retailer said the frenzy surrounding its Sydney Sweeney ad campaign drew new customers during its most recent quarter. American Eagle rolled out its new new ad campaign starring 27-year-old actor over the summer. The fall denim campaign sparked a debate about race, Western beauty standards, and the backlash to “woke” American politics and culture. Negative reactions centered on ads that used the word “genes” instead of “jeans” when the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actor known for the HBO series “Euphoria” and “White Lotus.”
Young man and the sea: Teen fishing off New England coast catches huge halibut bigger than him
HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire teenager on a deep sea fishing trip may have set a world record by reeling in a fish that weighs more than himself. Thirteen-year-old Jackson Denio caught a 177-pound halibut. He was out fishing early Monday when he decided to try to catch a shark. About 100 miles off the New England coast on Cashes Ledge, Denio dropped his line to the bottom. Within minutes, he knew he snagged something big. He fought the fish for the next 35 minutes, managing to bring the halibut to the surface. Video showed Denio gingerly moving the fish along the boat as his fellow passengers and the crew cheered him on.
Powerball jackpot jumps to $1.7 billion after another night without a big winner
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion after yet another drawing passed without a big winner. The numbers selected Wednesday were: 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with the Powerball number being 22. Since May 31, there have been 41 straight drawings without a big winner. The next drawing will be Saturday night, with the prize expected to be the third-largest in U.S. lottery history. The prize amount is for a winner who chooses payment over 29 years through an annuity. A winner who opts for cash would receive an estimated $770.3 million. Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Al Roker lends his voice and meteorology skills to the new PBS Kids animated show 'Weather Hunters'
NEW YORK (AP) — Al Roker has launched his own educational cartoon TV show called “Weather Hunters” on PBS Kids. The show features Roker as a younger version of himself, Al Hunter, a TV meteorologist. The series aims to teach kids about weather phenomena through fun and engaging episodes. The first episode explores wind, while the second introduces a solar-powered van. Roker emphasizes giving kids tools to explore and understand weather. The series includes interactive games and features voices from Sheryl Lee Ralph, LeVar Burton, and more. Roker hopes the show inspires curiosity and learning in children aged 5 to 8.
NBA says it will open investigation into report that Clippers broke cap rules with Leonard deal
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA says it will investigate if a $28 million endorsement contract between Kawhi Leonard and a California-based sustainability services company allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to circumvent league salary cap rules, following a report by journalist Pablo Torre. The probe will focus on ties between Leonard, the Clippers and a company called Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC, which filed for bankruptcy this year. It listed several creditors at that time, among them the Clippers (who were owed about $30 million) and a company called KL2 Aspire LLC that was owed $7 million. Leonard is listed as the manager of that company in California filings.
