Hub AI and society

Artificial Intelligence is a key technology that can help us solve major societal challenges such as climate change, energy supply, healthcare, education or logistics. AI can solve specific problems more effectively by supporting us in decision-making, automating solutions and thus scaling them, or discovering completely new solutions. But the use of AI also poses new risks, for example when it comes to surveillance or questions of social justice.

What is our society doing with AI – and what is AI doing to our society? We shed light on this question in our AI and Society Content Hub.

AI and society

US think tank warns of "reverse brain drain" in China's AI sector

AI and society

Researchers used AI to manipulate Reddit users, scrapped study after backlash

AI and society
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xAI alters Grok chatbot to shield Elon Musk from misinformation claims

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AI and society
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A federal judge in San Francisco is questioning whether Meta can use copyrighted books to train its AI models without getting permission from authors. The case centers on Meta's Llama model, which was trained on works including those by Sarah Silverman. Meta argues its use of the material falls under "fair use," while the plaintiffs say it amounts to copyright infringement. During a recent hearing, Judge Vince Chhabria acknowledged that using copyrighted data for AI could be considered transformative, but said that doesn't necessarily make it fair. He pointed out that the resulting technology could undermine the entire market for original works.

You have companies using copyright-protected material to create a product that is capable of producing an infinite number of competing products. You are dramatically changing, you might even say obliterating, the market for that person's work, and you're saying that you don't even have to pay a license to that person.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria

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A majority of Americans hold a pessimistic outlook on the influence of artificial intelligence in news and journalism, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in summer 2024. The survey finds that about half of U.S. adults (50 percent) expect AI to worsen the quality of news over the next 20 years, while only 10 percent anticipate a positive effect. Concerns about employment in journalism are also widespread. According to the survey, 59 percent fear that AI will result in fewer jobs for journalists, compared to just 5 percent who expect an increase in positions. Worries about misinformation generated by AI are pronounced. Sixty-six percent of respondents say they are very concerned about false information produced by artificial intelligence. These concerns are shared across political lines, with both Republicans and Democrats expressing similar skepticism. The survey also finds that Americans with higher levels of education are, on average, more pessimistic about AI’s effects.

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About 300 Google DeepMind employees in London are seeking to join the Communication Workers Union (CWU), reports the Financial Times. The workers want to challenge Google's decision to sell AI technology to defense groups and maintain ties with the Israeli government through Project Nimbus. The move comes after Google went back on its February promise not to develop AI for weapons or surveillance. Workers are worried their work could be used in the Gaza conflict, according to an engineer who spoke to the FT. Five employees have already quit over these concerns. A letter to management in May failed to address the issues. The CWU says the workers' main concerns are ethical, not financial. If the union is recognized, it could lead to management talks or potential strikes.

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China's President Xi Jinping called for greater self-reliance in AI development at a Politburo meeting on Friday. Xi emphasized that China must comprehensively advance technological innovation, industrial development, and AI applications using the new national system. He urged for political support in areas such as research, talent training, and intellectual property. Xi called for strengthening basic research and key technologies like high-performance chips and basic software. He also pushed for accelerating AI laws and regulations to ensure safety and control.

"We must recognise the gaps and redouble our efforts to comprehensively advance technological innovation, industrial development, and AI-empowered applications."

Xi Jinping

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