OpenAI has partnered with Dotdash Meredith, the publisher of People magazine, to enhance its ChatGPT system. Dotdash Meredith said the collaboration will incorporate “trusted content” from the company’s array of brands — including “Better Homes & Gardens,” “Food & Wine” and “InStyle” — providing ChatGPT with access to recipes, health information, entertainment coverage and product reviews.
“We have not been shy about the fact that AI platforms should pay publishers for their content and that content must be appropriately attributed,” said Neil Vogel, CEO of Dotdash Meredith, said. “This deal is a testament to the great work OpenAI is doing on both fronts to partner with creators and publishers and ensure a healthy Internet for the future.”
Brad Lightcap, COO of OpenAI stated, “We’re thrilled to partner with Dotdash Meredith to bring its trusted brands to ChatGPT and to explore new approaches in advancing the publishing and marketing industries.”
Dotdash Meredith joins other companies who have partnered with OpenAI, like the Financial Times, Axel Springer and The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Alden Global Capital’s newspapers, including the New York Daily News and Chicago Tribune, have sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, echoing a previous lawsuit by The New York Times.
US pauses shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over Rafah operation
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over an invasion in Rafah. Stormy Daniels testifies in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump, prompting a bid for a mistrial by his legal team. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
US pauses shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over Rafah operation
The Biden administration confirmed Tuesday, May 7, that it paused ammunition shipments to Israel last week due to concerns about a major ground operation in Rafah, a Gaza border city. U.S. officials said the shipment included 3,500 bombs, some weighing 2,000 pounds, others weighing 500 pounds. This marks the first time the administration has delayed an arms delivery to Israel since the war began following Hamas’ terror attack in October.
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The pause in arms shipments occurred hours after the Israeli military sent tanks into Rafah in what the U.S. and Israel described as a “limited” operation. Israel forces seized control over the crossing with Egypt, a vital corridor for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The U.S. has repeatedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a major offensive in Rafah, where over one million Palestinians have relocated.
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized, R-La., the decision to withhold weapons, stating it does not reflect the “will of Congress” following the passage of the latest foreign aid bill last month.
President Joe Biden, speaking at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the Capitol, did not mention the delay but addressed the surge of antisemitism in America and around the world. He reaffirmed America’s support for Israel.
“To the Jewish community, I want you to know,” Biden said. “I see your fear, your hurt and your pain. Let me reassure you. As your president, you’re not alone. You belong. You always have, and you always will. And my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad even when we disagree.”
Wednesday, May 8, is the deadline for the State Department to report to Congress on whether Israel’s use of U.S. weapons in Gaza is violating international humanitarian laws. Reuters reports the department is likely to miss this deadline. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is also expected to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee today, where he will likely face questions about the administration’s policies.
Russian airstrikes damage Ukrainian energy facilities
Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian infrastructure sites early Wednesday, May 8, damaging three Soviet-era thermal power plants. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes injured three people and impacted energy facilities, homes and public transportation across several regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, which occurred on the same day Ukraine celebrates Victory Over Nazism in World War II. He called for global recognition of the threat posed by modern Nazism.
Russia has not immediately responded to these latest strikes.
Judge denies Trump’s motion for mistrial after Stormy Daniels’ testimony
The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York denied the former president’s legal team’s motion for a mistrial on Tuesday, May 7. Trump’s attorneys called for a mistrial as they argued that testimony by adult film star Stormy Daniels was “extraordinarily prejudicial.”
During her testimony, Daniels detailed an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, leading to numerous objections from the former president’s team. Trump’s attorneys argued her testimony was not relevant to the case, where Trump is accused of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments his former lawyer made to Daniels amid the 2016 presidential election.
While dismissing the motion for a retrial, the judge noted, “It would have been better if some of these things had been left unsaid,” but argued that Trump’s team should have raised more objections. Trump has denied the encounter with Daniels ever happened and has pleaded not guilty in the case.
Daniels is scheduled to return to the stand for further cross-examination on Thursday, May 9, when the trial resumes.
Body of 6th victim in Baltimore bridge collapse recovered
Crews have recovered the body of the final missing worker from the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, as they prepare to demolish the wreckage.
The worker was among six killed when the container ship Dali lost power, struck a support column, and caused the bridge to collapse, halting most maritime traffic through Baltimore’s port.
Panera discontinuing Charged Lemonade following wrongful death lawsuits
Panera Bread announced it will discontinue its Charged Lemonade beverages nationwide following lawsuits linking the drink’s high caffeine content to at least two deaths.
A company spokesperson confirmed the decision on Tuesday, May 7, stating the drink is being discontinued as part of Panera’s “menu transformation,” but did not address the wrongful death lawsuits.
In October, the family of a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition filed a lawsuit alleging she died after consuming the beverage. In December, the family of a Florida man with a chromosomal deficiency disorder also filed a lawsuit after his death, which they claim was caused by the drink.
Following reports of the lawsuits, Panera updated its warnings, advising that the lemonade was not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or people sensitive to caffeine.
Panera has previously stated it stands by the safety of its products.
OpenAI partners with publisher of People magazine
OpenAI has partnered with Dotdash Meredith, the publisher of People magazine, to enhance its ChatGPT system. Dotdash Meredith said the collaboration will incorporate “trusted content” from the company’s array of brands — including “Better Homes and Gardens,” “Food and Wine,” and “InStyle” — providing ChatGPT with access to recipes, health information, entertainment coverage and product reviews.
As part of the licensing agreement, ChatGPT users will soon find links to the publisher’s various sites in relevant responses. Additionally, OpenAI will collaborate with Dotdash Meredith to develop new AI products for its readers and improve its ad-targeting tools.
Record-breaking $10B clean energy deal to help Microsoft power AI at data centers
Microsoft has agreed to a deal which the company describes as the largest single electricity purchase agreement signed between two corporate partners. Partnering with Brookfield Asset Management, Microsoft is investing more than $10 billion to provide power for its artificial intelligence operations at data centers.
The funds will go toward building solar farms, wind turbines and other forms of carbon-free energy sources in the United States and Europe to procure 10.5 gigawatts of clean power. This allocation of energy is substantial, equivalent to powering nearly 8 million homes.
Microsoft’s deal comes at a time when the energy consumption of data centers is projected to significantly contribute to total U.S. electricity demand in the coming years. Analysts predict that by 2030, data centers could consume enough energy to power a third of the nation. Meeting the electricity demand from data centers in the U.S. over the next five years will require the energy equivalent of 40 new nuclear plants.
Currently, the largest data center market globally is situated in Northern Virginia, where 3.5 gigawatts of electricity are consumed. Microsoft’s plan to secure clean power for its facilities triples this figure, as the company prepares for the amount of energy which will be required to support data centers powering advanced technologies like AI.
Universal, TikTok strike new deal to end feud that kept Taylor Swift off the platform
Artists from Universal Music Group (UMG), including Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, are set to return to TikTok following a new licensing agreement that resolves a three-month dispute. Announced Wednesday, May 1, the deal addresses past concerns over artist compensation, the use of AI and user safety on TikTok.
Universal Music Group and TikTok have reached a new licensing agreement, ending their months-long dispute and bringing the label’s catalog back to the short-form video platform.
This agreement specifically tackles issues with generative AI by ensuring future AI developments within the music industry will protect artists’ and songwriters’ creative rights and financial earnings.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew emphasized the platform’s commitment to drive value and promote UMG’s talent, including removing unauthorized AI-generated content and enhancing attribution for artists and songwriters. The deal also aims to create a safer online community by preventing fake merchandise and ticket sales scams.
Additionally, the agreement introduces new monetization avenues and global promotional campaigns for UMG artists, aiming to leverage TikTok’s vast user base for greater artist visibility and engagement.
Our core mission is simple: to help our artists & songwriters attain their greatest creative and commercial potential, which is why we must call time out on TikTok.
However, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. Recent legislation requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell to a U.S. owner within a year or shut down, posing potential challenges to such agreements.
TikTok maintains it has not and will never share U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
Major newspapers sue OpenAI, Microsoft over copyright infringement
Eight major newspapers, including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune and Denver Post, have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft. Owned by Alden Global Capital, the newspapers allege the tech giants illegally used millions of their copyrighted articles to train sophisticated AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot.
The newspapers contend that these companies use their journalistic content to fuel AI products that compete directly with traditional media by replicating and distributing their work. This includes instances where AI models produce content nearly identical to the original articles.
The suit also accuses the AI systems of generating errors or “hallucinations,” attributing false information to these newspapers, which could damage their reputations and spread misinformation.
In response to these legal challenges, some news organizations have opted for licensing agreements with AI companies.
The Financial Times announced a deal allowing OpenAI to use its content for ChatGPT responses. The Associated Press and Axel Springer have also entered into similar licensing agreements for their content.
In a statement, OpenAI reaffirmed its commitment to working with news organizations globally to address concerns and explore opportunities involving AI tools. This lawsuit mirrors a similar action taken by The New York Times in December, where it accused OpenAI of using stolen content to train its AI.
OpenAI defends its practices, claiming that using publicly available data such as news articles for AI training constitutes fair use.
Experts warn world is running out of time to regulate AI in warfare
Civilian, military and technology officials from over 140 countries met in Vienna on Monday, April 29, to address the integration of artificial intelligence with military technologies. At this inaugural international conference on autonomous weapons systems, attendees were warned about the urgent need to manage AI’s role in modern warfare.
“Autonomous weapons systems will soon fill the world’s battlefields,” Schallenberg said. “We already see this with AI-enabled drones and AI-based target selection.”
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing military operations, enabling drones to strike strategic targets deep behind enemy lines with unprecedented precision. The rapid increase in lethal autonomous weapons has sparked a heated debate about the ethics and controllability of this technology.
Schallenberg likened the current moment to a pivotal point in history, urging international cooperation to ensure human oversight in weapon systems.
“This is, I believe, the Oppenheimer moment of our generation,” Schallenberg said. “We cannot let this moment pass without taking action.”
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are now deploying first-person view drones with auto-targeting capabilities, indicating that AI guides these drones to their targets even after video feed loss.
“Decisions that might be too fast for humans to make themselves, but there is a tradeoff,” Tallinn said. “Whenever you opt for speed you give up control. Autonomous weapons that promise the advantage of speed do not allow for accountable human control and therefore risk destabilizing the very international order.”
“Accidental errors caused by autonomous weapons have the potential to spark the kinds of wars that should never be waged,” Tallinn said, noting the dangers of errors in autonomous weapons. “No autonomous weapon should be designed or used to target a human, nor should it be used to distinguish between one human and another.”
In the spring of 2020, an autonomous drone strike in Libya involved Turkish-made drones weighing 15 pounds each, operating without human intervention to target forces of the Libyan National Army. These drones were equipped with advanced autonomous targeting, capable of swarm operation, resistant to GPS and radio jamming, and included facial recognition software to identify human targets.
Schallenberg emphasized the profound questions posed by this technology.
“We are faced with profound legal, ethical and security questions,” Schallenberg said. “How to prevent seeding life and death decisions to machines. How to deal with algorithms prone to mistakes and bias. How to stop an AI-driven arms race and to keep the technology out of the hands of terrorists.”
In 2023, Austria led the first United Nations resolution on autonomous weapon systems. The United Nations secretary-general recommended that by 2026, states should agree on a legally binding instrument to ban lethal autonomous weapon systems operating without human control or oversight.
Private equity firm bets on natural grass after artificial turf issues
On his first home game on artificial turf, Aaron Rodgers lasted just four snaps before his Achilles snapped at MetLife Stadium. His season-ending injury reignited a fierce debate about the safety of artificial turf.
Now a sports-focused private equity firm is betting big on natural grass. Bruin Capital, founded by former NASCAR COO George Pyne, is reportedly buying Dutch turf management company PlayGreen for more than $100 million, according to reports by DealBook and Sports Business Journal. PlayGreen owns Stadium Grow Lighting (SGL), a major player in turf care.
Interest in SGL grew after Aaron Rodgers’ injury. Rodgers himself is very familiar with the turf company’s product. He played on a surface it grew for most of his career.
The Green Bay Packers was the first North American team to experiment with the Netherlands light system starting in the 2010 season. Lambeau Field, aka the “Frozen Tundra,” was a prime place to pilot. With less sunlight and unforgiving weather, growing natural grass was a challenge. The lights changed that, Packers fields manager Allen Johnson told AthleticTurf.net in 2014.
“Without them, honestly, I wasn’t growing anything really well beyond the middle of October,” Johnson said. “And now, with some decently mild temperatures, I could probably go til the first week of December.”
From Wisconsin to Saudi Arabia, SGL told DealBook, “We’ve proved we can grow grass under any circumstances.”
SGL has deep roots in the market, with contracts for 90% of stadiums that use grow-light technology. Overall, the company said it works with roughly 20% of professional sports stadiums worldwide. Soccer is its main market but the technology is everywhere from Augusta National Golf Club to Fenway Park.
Bruin Capital’s bet on green came as more teams weigh ditching artificial turf for natural or hybrid options. But it is also on the grounds that PlayGreen is more than a turf company, it is also a tech company. On top of LED grow lights, SGL uses data to predict and treat fungus growth. With all of its client data, SGL has sights on artificial intelligence to automate turf management in the future.
Testimony continues in Trump criminal trial as Supreme Court debates immunity
Developments in former President Donald Trump’s legal cases take us to a New York City courtroom and the U.S. Supreme Court, and USC cancels its main commencement ceremony following dozens of arrests during campus protests. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, April 26, 2024.
Testimony continues in Trump’s criminal trial as Supreme Court debates immunity
On Thursday, April 25, Pecker was further questioned about his interactions with Trump, revealing he agreed to purchase the rights to a story from Playboy model Karen McDougal about her alleged relationship with Trump. He testified that the decision was made after consulting with Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen to prevent embarrassment to Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The defense described these “catch-and-kill” tactics as standard operating procedures in the tabloid industry, with Pecker also mentioning similar deals made with former Congressman Rahm Emanuel and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Pecker also discussed his role in coordinating a $130,000 payment that Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her story about her relationship with Trump from becoming public. Instead of the Enquirer purchasing her story, Pecker suggested Cohen buy it himself, which he did. This payment — and Trump’s reimbursement to Cohen — is the focus of the district attorney’s case.
Additionally, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Trump should have absolute immunity in his federal election interference case.
USC cancels main stage graduation ceremony amid student protests
Despite the cancellation of the main event, USC will continue to host dozens of other events, including individual school commencement ceremonies.
The university earlier confirmed that its decision not to have its student valedictorian, a Muslim who has expressed pro-Palestinian views, not speak at commencement due to safety concerns. USC stated that this decision was not related to freedom of speech issues.
Biden joins 17 world leaders to call on Hamas to release hostages
President Joe Biden and leaders from 17 other nations called on Hamas to release hostages still held captive in Gaza on Thursday, April 26. In a joint statement, they emphasized international laws that protect hostages and the civilian population, and expressed strong support for mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
Last year, we secured the release of Abigail, a 4-year-old who was being held by Hamas.
She’s remarkable and recovering from unspeakable trauma.
Our time together yesterday was a reminder of the work we have in front of us to secure the release of all remaining hostages. pic.twitter.com/M7bNHzZxfM
Also on Wednesday, April 24, Biden met with Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old dual citizen of Israel and America who was among the first group of hostages released during a November truce.
Currently, more than 130 hostages — including five Americans — are believed to still be in Hamas captivity.
José Andrés honors fallen aid workers at Washington National Cathedral
He expressed hope that World Central Kitchen will continue its global humanitarian efforts, honoring the spirit and dedication of the lost aid workers. The service highlighted the personal stories of the workers and their commitment to helping communities in crisis.
WCK is holding an interfaith Celebration of Life to honor our 7 heroes killed in Gaza. The service at the National Cathedral is by invitation only, but a public livestream will be available—if you would like to attend the service virtually, please join us at… pic.twitter.com/YOcwqEui6W
“In the worst moments, the best of humanity shows up. Saif, John, Jacob, Zomi, Jim, James and Damian, they were the best of humanity,” Andrés, speaking at the event, said. “Their examples should inspire us to do better, to be better.”
Police: Maryland teacher used AI to create fake recording of principal
Dazhon Darien, a physical education teacher and athletic director at Pikesville High School, was arrested Thursday, April 25, on charges including reckless endangerment and disrupting school activities.
Authorities allege Darien created a fake audio recording of the principal making racist and antisemitic remarks, following discussions about whether his contract would be renewed.
The audio quickly spread on social media, resulting in the principal being placed on paid administrative leave. Darien was arrested while attempting to board a flight at BWI Marshall Airport, though it was not specified whether he was trying to flee.
Kim Kardashian attends White House meeting on criminal justice reform
During the meeting, Harris announced the finalization of changes to a Small Business Administration rule, which will remove most restrictions based on a person’s criminal record. The Vice President thanked Kardashian for her advocacy and using her platform to promote second chances.
Kardashian, who became an activist for criminal reform during the Trump administration, discussed the impact of these reforms on prison reentry, particularly highlighting the changes related to small business loans for former inmates.
Energy needed for AI, crypto could power about a third of the US in coming years
For nearly three decades, the demand for electricity in the United States has remained relatively stable. However, forecasts indicate a dramatic shift, with projections suggesting a potential near doubling of where demand was expected to be over the next five years.
The driving force behind this unprecedented increase in demand largely stems from the proliferation of data centers and the emerging technologies they support, such as the mining of cryptocurrency and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
According to the International Energy Agency, the U.S. is expected to see power demand from data centers double over the next two years, with a projected tripling by 2030. This trajectory could equate the energy consumption of data centers to that required to power 40 million homes.
The exponential growth of AI applications further exacerbates the situation, with projections indicating that this technology alone could consume as much power as the entire country of the Netherlands by 2027. This rapid expansion of energy-intensive technologies is outpacing the capacity of the existing power infrastructure, raising concerns about the sustainability of the nation’s energy resources.
Estimates suggest that meeting the anticipated surge in electricity consumption could necessitate the equivalent of constructing 40 new nuclear power plants — something the nation will need to make progress toward quickly. The North American Energy Reliability Council warned that as many as 13 of the continent’s 20 power systems are at risk of experiencing energy shortfalls as early as this summer.
Survey: More US workers now fear losing jobs, lower wages due to AI
Two recent surveys by YouGov revealed growing concerns among U.S. workers about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their jobs. Compared to 2023, more workers now fear that AI will reduce job opportunities in their industries, according to the surveys.
In June 2023, 33% of respondents believed that AI would decrease job opportunities in their sector. However, in the latest survey, that number has risen to 43%.
Despite these concerns, many workers believe that AI will enhance day-to-day routines at work. Of those surveyed, 56% think AI will increase automation of routine tasks, while 51% believe it will help in monitoring employees at the workplace.
However, there are still concerns about the potential for AI to impact employees’ job security. The surveys found that 56% of workers fear AI will decrease jobs, 55% expect reduced working hours and 51% expect to see lower wages with the addition of AI in jobs.
On the flip side, the survey also found that more respondents than last year believe AI will create more job opportunities.
The latest findings come as AI technology continues to gain traction across many industries. The prevalence of the technology has sparked debates over the lack of regulations and consequences of not providing safeguards for AI.
The YouGov surveys were taken from March 14-18, among 2,000 U.S. adults across various industries, though the industries were not specified in the survey. The margin of error for the survey is 4 percentage points.