“There need to be consequences for when [tech companies] violate the law.” 

Deeper Learning

How AI is helping historians better understand our past

This is cool. Historians have started using machine learning to examine historical documents smudged by centuries spent in mildewed archives. They’re using these techniques to restore ancient texts, and making significant discoveries along the way. 

Connecting the dots: Historians say the application of modern computer science to the distant past helps draw broader connections across the centuries than would otherwise be possible. But there is a risk that these computer programs introduce distortions of their own, slipping bias or outright falsifications into the historical record. Read more from Moira Donovan here.

Bits and bytes

Google is overhauling Search to compete with AI rivals  
Threatened by Microsoft’s relative success with AI-powered Bing search, Google is building a new search engine that uses large language models, and upgrading its existing search engine with AI features. It hopes the new search engine will offer users a more personalized experience. (The New York Times) 

Elon Musk has created a new AI company to rival OpenAI 
Over the past few months, Musk has been trying to hire researchers to join his new AI venture, X.AI. Musk was one of OpenAI’s cofounders, but he was ousted in 2018 after a power struggle with CEO Sam Altman. Musk has accused OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT of being politically biased and says he wants to create “truth-seeking” AI models. What does that mean? Your guess is as good as mine. (The Wall Street Journal) 

Stability.AI is at risk of going under
Stability.AI, the creator of the open-source image-generating AI model Stable Diffusion, just released a new version of the model whose results are slightly more photorealistic. But the business is in trouble. It’s burning through cash fast and struggling to generate revenue, and staff are losing faith in the CEO. (Semafor)

Meet the world’s worst AI program
The bot on Chess.com, depicted  as a turtleneck-wearing Bulgarian man with bushy eyebrows, a thick beard, and a slightly receding hairline, is designed to be absolutely awful at chess. While other AI bots are programmed to dazzle, Martin is a reminder that even dumb AI systems can still surprise, delight, and teach us. (The Atlantic)