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Amazon CEO’s anti-union comments broke federal laws, labor judge rules

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Continuing the long American tradition of wealthy corporate overlords making union-busting comments, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy went on a media blitz in 2022 to warn of the workplace-altering terrors of labor unions. (Surely, it’s an unfortunate happenstance that his urgent PSA coincided with an uptick in organizing efforts at Amazon.) Sadly for Mr. Jassy, the US still has a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and CNBC reports that the board ruled Wednesday that his anti-union comments broke federal labor laws.

Jassy popped up on CNBC in April 2022 to say that if employees voted for and joined a union, they would become less empowered and could expect things to become “much slower” and “more bureaucratic.” In an interview with Bloomberg, he added, “If you see something on the line that you think could be better for your team or you or your customers, you can’t just go to your manager and say, ‘Let’s change it.’”

He capped off his union-busting trifecta at The New York Times DealBook conference, where the CEO said that a workplace without unions isn’t “bureaucratic, it’s not slow.”

It’s the latest in Amazon’s long history of union-busting behavior.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy gestures toward the audience as part of an onstage talk. Black backdrop.Amazon CEO Andy Jassy gestures toward the audience as part of an onstage talk. Black backdrop.

Amazon

NLRB Judge Brian Gee said Jassy violated labor laws by suggesting employees would be less empowered or “better off” without a union. However, Gee said the CEO’s other comments about worker-employer relationships changing were lawful. According to the judge, the difference is that the more aggressive quotes “went beyond merely commenting on the employee-employer relationship.”

Gee added that the comments “threatened employees that, if they selected a union, they would become less empowered and find it harder to get things done quickly.” The judge recommends that Amazon “cease and desist” from making similar comments in the future. The company is also required to post and share a note about the judge’s order with all of its US employees.

In December, Jassy’s Amazon shares were valued at $328 million, making him one of America’s wealthiest CEOs.

In a statement to CNBC, an Amazon spokesperson said the judge’s ruling “reflects poorly on the state of free speech rights today.” Because, hey, what kind of free country do we even have if a retail magnate can’t tell low-income workers scary bedtime stories about the perils of voting to empower themselves in the workplace?

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OpenAI insider discusses AGI and Scaling Laws of Neural Nets

OpenAI insider discusses AGI and Scaling Laws of Neural Nets

Imagine a future where machines think like us, understand like us, and perhaps even surpass our own intellectual capabilities. This isn’t just a scene from a science fiction movie; it’s a goal that experts like Scott Aaronson from OpenAI are working towards. Aaronson, a prominent figure in quantum computing, has shifted his focus to a new frontier: Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This is the kind of intelligence that could match or even exceed human brainpower. Wes Roth explores deeper into this new technology and what we can expect in the near future from OpenAI and others developing AGI and Scaling Laws of Neural Nets.

At OpenAI, Aaronson is deeply involved in the quest to create AGI. He’s looking at the big picture, trying to figure out how to make sure these powerful AI systems don’t accidentally cause harm. It’s a major concern for those in the AI field because as these systems become more complex, the risks grow too.

Aaronson sees a connection between the way our brains work and how neural networks in AI operate. He suggests that the complexity of AI could one day be on par with the human brain, which has about 100 trillion synapses. This idea is fascinating because it suggests that machines could potentially think and learn like we do.

OpenAI AGI

There’s been a lot of buzz about a paper that Aaronson reviewed. It talked about creating an AI model with 100 trillion parameters. That’s a huge number, and it’s sparked a lot of debate. People are wondering if it’s even possible to build such a model and what it would mean for the future of AI. One of the big questions Aaronson is asking is whether AI systems like GPT really understand what they’re doing or if they’re just good at pretending. It’s an important distinction because true understanding is a big step towards AGI.

Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) :

Scaling Laws of Neural Nets

But Aaronson isn’t just critiquing other people’s work; he’s also helping to build a mathematical framework to make AI safer. This framework is all about predicting and preventing the risks that come with more advanced AI systems. There’s a lot of interest in how the number of parameters in an AI system affects its performance. Some people think that there’s a certain number of parameters that an AI needs to have before it can act like a human. If that’s true, then maybe AGI has been possible for a long time, and we just didn’t have the computing power or the data to make it happen.

Aaronson also thinks about what it would mean for AI to reach the complexity of a cat’s brain. That might not sound like much, but it would be a big step forward for AI capabilities. Then there’s the idea of Transformative AI (TII). This is AI that could take over jobs that people do from far away. It’s a big deal because it could change entire industries and affect jobs all over the world.

People have different ideas about how many parameters an AI needs to reach AGI. These estimates are based on ongoing research and a better understanding of how neural networks grow and change. Aaronson’s own work on the computational complexity of linear optics is helping to shed light on what’s needed for AGI.

Scott Aaronson’s insights give us a peek into the current state of AGI research. The way parameters in neural networks scale and the ethical issues around AI development are at the heart of this fast-moving field. As we push the limits of AI, conversations between experts like Aaronson and the broader AI community will play a crucial role in shaping what AGI will look like in the future.

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AI Video characters can now follow the laws of physics and more

AI Video characters can now follow laws of physics and more

The world of video production is undergoing a significant transformation, thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in video generation. This shift is not just a fleeting glimpse into what the future might hold; it’s a dynamic change that’s happening right now, reshaping the way we create and experience movies and videos. With AI, filmmakers are gaining an unprecedented level of flexibility and creative control, which is altering the landscape of the industry.

Imagine a tool that can produce videos so realistic they seem to obey the laws of physics. Such a tool now exists in the form of OpenAI’s Sora, an advanced AI video generation technology. Its outputs are incredibly lifelike, a clear indicator of the strides AI technology has made. Another company, P Labs, is making its mark with a feature that allows AI-generated characters to speak with perfectly timed mouth movements, enhancing the realism of digital actors.

The ability to convey emotions through video is crucial, and Alibaba Group’s Emote Portrait Alive research has taken this to a new level. This technology can create expressive portrait videos that are synchronized with audio, achieving realistic lip-syncing and emotional expressions. As a result, AI-generated characters can now establish an emotional connection with viewers, which is vital for storytelling.

AI Video Generation Advancements

Personalized movie experiences are another area where AI is making an impact. Anamorph has developed scene reordering technology that can create different versions of a film for individual viewers. This was demonstrated with a film about the visual artist Brian Eno. Such technology suggests a future where movies can provide a unique viewing experience every time, increasing their value for audiences.

Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of creating videos films and short animations using artificial intelligence :

The process of filmmaking itself is being redefined by Stability AI, in collaboration with Morph Studios, has introduced a platform that simplifies film production. It features a storyboard visual drag-and-drop builder, which streamlines the complex steps involved in creating a film. This innovation makes it easier for a broader range of creators to engage in filmmaking.

Morph Studios Stability AI drag-and-drop interface

Morph Studios Stability AI video clip creation

LTX Studio has launched a comprehensive video creation platform that is altering the way we think about movie production. With this platform, you can produce entire movies from simple text prompts. It includes music, dialogue, and sound effects, and it ensures consistency in character portrayal. This platform is a prime example of the extensive capabilities of AI in video creation.

AI animators are also pushing boundaries by using AI-generated video clips to remake classic films. A team is currently working on a new version of “Terminator 2,” which is expected to make its Hollywood debut soon. This project showcases the potential of AI to reinterpret and breathe new life into beloved stories.

The  Future of AI Video Creation

As we look ahead to 2024, the film industry is preparing for the introduction of more sophisticated AI technology that will continue to enhance the quality of AI-generated videos. Filmmaking is on the cusp of a major shift, with AI poised to offer personalized cinematic experiences that connect with audiences in ways we’ve never seen before. The potential of AI in video generation goes beyond just new tools; it’s about redefining the art of storytelling and the magic of cinema.

This new era in filmmaking is not just about the technology itself but about the possibilities it unlocks. AI is enabling creators to explore new narratives, experiment with different storytelling techniques, and engage with their audiences on a deeper level. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative applications in video production that will challenge our traditional notions of what’s possible in film and video content.

The implications of AI in video generation extend to various aspects of the industry, from the way we write scripts to the way we edit and produce films. It’s an exciting time for filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike, as the lines between reality and AI-generated content become increasingly blurred. The advancements in AI video generation are not just about creating content faster or more efficiently; they’re about expanding the creative horizons of filmmakers and offering viewers new and immersive experiences.

As we embrace this new technology, it’s important to consider the ethical implications and the impact it will have on the industry. Questions about authenticity, creativity, and the role of human actors in a world of AI-generated characters are becoming more relevant. The industry must navigate these challenges thoughtfully to ensure that AI serves as a tool for enhancing the art of filmmaking rather than diminishing the value of human creativity.

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