Author: Art Ryan

Microsoft (MSFT.O) will likely sign the European Union’s code of practice to help companies comply with the bloc’s landmark artificial intelligence rules, its president told Reuters on Friday, while Meta Platforms (META.O) rebuffed the guidelines. Drawn up by 13 independent experts, the voluntary code of practice aims to provide legal certainty to signatories. They will have to publish summaries of the content used to train their general-purpose AI models and put in place a policy to comply with EU copyright law. The code is part of the AI Act which came into force in June 2024 and will apply to Google owner Alphabet (GOOGL.O) Facebook owner…

Nvidia-backed Perplexity AI, the startup challenging Google (GOOGL.O) with its AI-powered search engine, is in discussions with mobile device makers to pre-install its new Comet browser on smartphones, CEO Aravind Srinivas told Reuters on Friday. The move could significantly boost Perplexity’s reach by capitalizing on browser “stickiness”, where users tend to stick with browser apps that are pre-installed or set as default on their devices, potentially driving habitual use of the company’s AI tools. “It’s not easy to convince mobile OEMs to change the default browser to Comet from Chrome,” Srinivas said, referring to original equipment manufacturers and highlighting the challenge of…

The European Commission set out guidelines on Friday to help AI models it has determined have systemic risks and face tougher obligations to mitigate potential threats comply with European Union artificial intelligence regulation (AI Act). The move aims to counter criticism from some companies about the AI Act and the regulatory burden while providing more clarity to businesses which face fines ranging from 7.5 million euros ($8.7 million) or 1.5% of turnover to 35 million euros or 7% of global turnover for violations. The AI Act, which became law last year, will apply on Aug. 2 for AI models with systemic risks…

Netflix has taken a significant step forward in integrating technology into its content production by utilizing generative AI for the first time in one of its TV shows. The streaming giant confirmed that it employed AI tools to create a scene in its Argentine science fiction series, The Eternaut. This particular scene, which depicted the collapse of a building in Buenos Aires, was generated using AI rather than traditional visual effects (VFX) methods. The decision to use AI was driven by the need to make the production process more efficient and cost-effective. The AI-assisted sequence was completed approximately ten times…

Major AI companies are phasing out cheap data labelling workers in Africa and Asia for skilled, higher-paid professionals to help train smarter models. Before, data labelling workers were primarily given simple annotation tasks. However, AI companies have come to realize that improving their models requires even larger volumes of data. As a result, workers are expected to work even faster and complete hundreds of tasks each day, hence their shift to industry experts. Scale AI, Turing, and Toloka are hiring more experts Developing “reasoning” AI systems, including OpenAI’s o3 and Google’s Gemini 2.5, has hastened the shift from low-wage workers in countries like…

The landscape of artificial intelligence in Europe is being reshaped by a remarkable collaborative initiative: ELISE (European Learning and Intelligent Systems Excellence). As the continent aspires to global leadership in trustworthy, human-centered AI, ELISE emerges as a critical force for research excellence and innovation. 🌍 What is ELISE? ELISE is a pan-European research network uniting some of the brightest minds in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Its mission is to advance AI technologies that are explainable, reliable, and human-centered—addressing key societal needs while ensuring ethical and transparent use of technology. The network is part of the European ICT-48 initiative, which…

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Europe has taken bold steps to ensure that innovation remains deeply aligned with ethical principles and the public good. At the forefront of this vision is CLAIRE — the Confederation of Laboratories for AI Research in Europe — a unique and ambitious initiative that is shaping the future of AI research across the continent. 🔷 What is CLAIRE? CLAIRE (Confederation of Laboratories for AI Research in Europe) is a pan-European network of AI research laboratories and centers dedicated to advancing excellence in artificial intelligence while firmly embedding human-centered values into the development…

The Allen Institute for AI (AI2) stands as a beacon of purposeful innovation in the global AI research community. Founded by the late visionary Paul Allen, AI2 operates as a non-profit research institute with a singular mission: to contribute to humanity through high-impact AI research that benefits everyone. Here’s an in-depth look at AI2’s work and why it continues to shape the future of artificial intelligence in meaningful ways. A Vision Rooted in Humanity Unlike many AI organizations driven by commercial interests, AI2 was designed from the outset to prioritize social good. Paul Allen envisioned an institute where brilliant minds…

In an age of unprecedented technological advancement, the question of how humanity navigates the risks of its own creations has never been more urgent. At the forefront of this global conversation is the Future of Life Institute (FLI), a nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding humanity from existential threats posed by powerful emerging technologies. A Vision for Safe and Beneficial Technology Founded with the conviction that innovation must not outpace wisdom, the Future of Life Institute works to ensure that technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and nuclear capabilities are developed and deployed safely. Its guiding mission is clear: to mitigate…

A Beacon of Accountability in the Age of AI As artificial intelligence technologies permeate every facet of modern life—from healthcare to labor markets and surveillance systems—understanding their social implications becomes not just desirable but essential. Standing at the forefront of this critical discourse is the AI Now Institute, a research center based at New York University. Established as a thought leader and watchdog, the institute brings an interdisciplinary approach to examining how AI technologies redistribute power, challenge civil rights, and reshape society. Interdisciplinary Research with a Social Lens What sets the AI Now Institute apart is its commitment to addressing…

Machine learning (ML) is revolutionizing industries and daily life, but ensuring its progress is fair, reproducible, and accessible remains a challenge. This is where MLCommons, a global open engineering consortium, steps in. With a mission to make ML better for everyone, MLCommons fosters a collaborative environment where benchmarks, datasets, and best practices come together to accelerate innovation responsibly. Why MLCommons Matters Founded to democratize access to high-quality ML tools and standards, MLCommons unites academic institutions, research labs, startups, and tech giants under one goal: to improve the state of ML technology for the greater good. One of its key contributions…

The landscape of artificial intelligence is often dominated by closed, proprietary models developed in secrecy by a handful of tech giants. Against this backdrop, the BigScience Project, hosted by Hugging Face, shines as a beacon of transparency, inclusion, and open research. A Groundbreaking Collaborative Experiment Launched as an ambitious initiative to reimagine how large language models (LLMs) are developed, BigScience is not a company project but a global research workshop. It brings together over 1,000 researchers, engineers, and practitioners from academia, industry, and civil society to work toward a shared goal: making the development of LLMs accessible, ethical, and understandable…

Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved into a transformative force across industries and societies. Yet with this power comes responsibility — to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that are ethical, fair, and beneficial to all. Enter the Partnership on AI (PAI): a pioneering nonprofit initiative dedicated to advancing these ideals through global collaboration. A Multi-Stakeholder Mission The Partnership on AI is not just another industry consortium. Founded as a multi-stakeholder nonprofit, PAI brings together a diverse community of stakeholders, including: This broad coalition reflects a fundamental belief: the challenges posed by AI cannot be solved in…

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly influences every aspect of life — from healthcare and education to justice and governance — questions about ethics, fairness, and human dignity are more urgent than ever. Recognizing this challenge, UNESCO’s AI Ethics program has positioned itself at the forefront of the global effort to ensure AI develops in ways that are both beneficial and just. The World’s First Global Normative Framework on AI Ethics At the heart of UNESCO’s work is its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted unanimously by its 193 Member States. This landmark document is the…

Harnessing AI for Humanity’s Greatest Challenges In an era where technology increasingly shapes the way we live, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched a groundbreaking initiative: AI for Good. This global platform is dedicated to harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative recognizes that while AI is often celebrated for its business and entertainment applications, its true promise lies in solving the most pressing challenges of our time — from eradicating hunger to combating climate change and reducing inequalities. Through collaborative action, AI for Good works…

As artificial intelligence reshapes the world at an unprecedented pace, the need for collaborative, human-centric governance has never been more urgent. Standing at the forefront of this effort is the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an international initiative dedicated to fostering responsible AI development that aligns with shared human values. What is GPAI? The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is an innovative multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2020. It brings together experts and representatives from governments, industry, academia, and civil society with the mission of ensuring that AI technologies are designed and deployed responsibly, inclusively, and for the public…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies, societies, and the very fabric of decision-making at a global scale. Yet, as its capabilities grow, so too do the questions around ethics, governance, and trust. One initiative at the forefront of answering these questions is the OECD AI Policy Observatory (OECD.AI) — an ambitious platform spearheaded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A Global Policy Hub for AI Launched to help governments, companies, and civil society navigate the AI revolution, OECD.AI provides a central hub of data, analysis, and policy resources. Its mission is clear: to help shape AI that…

Amazon has shared details on how its streaming service Prime Video is using generative AI to improve the viewing experience of its subscribers. The company is using Amazon Bedrock, a service from Amazon Web Services (AWS) for building generative AI applications, to create personalised content recommendations, spoiler-free recaps, AI-powered sports highlights, and to boost accessibility. The tool has also been used for enhanced asset management to streamline operations. Amazon shared five specific ways Prime Video is now using generative AI from AWS: 1. Personalised content recommendations Amazon Bedrock is helping power personalised content recommendations directly within the “Movies” and “TV…

Key Points Artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly weaving its way into our daily lives. Goldman Sachs estimates that 9.2% of U.S. companies now use AI to produce goods and services, twice the number using the technology at the same time last year. And Morgan Stanley estimates that AI software sales will increase by 580% over the next three years, topping $400 billion in 2028. AppLovin (NASDAQ: APP) and HubSpot (NYSE: HUBS) are likely to benefit from that trend, and most Wall Street analysts see substantial upside in the stocks, as detailed below: Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to…

Saga Communications, which owns 113 AM/FM radio stations across Central New York, Southern New England, and Vermont—including several in Syracuse—is transitioning its station imaging from traditional voiceover artists to AI-replicated human voices from a third-party provider. 🤖 Why AI for Station Imaging? CEO Chris Forgy explains the move is driven by cost-efficiency. While Saga experienced a 4% drop in Q1 revenue to roughly $24 million and reduced operating losses to $2.3 million, the AI transition is helping the company avoid major layoffs. “The savings we generated… saved about 10 people who otherwise would have lost their jobs,” Forgy said. The…