AI Politics, Film, and Business: NRSC Deepfake, SoundHound AI

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has sparked debate by employing an AI-generated video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in an attack ad. The ad, which uses a voice and likeness mimicking Schumer, features a quote taken out of context from a New York Times interview to suggest he supports the government shutdown. Despite disclaimers noting the AI generation, the NRSC defends its use of the technology, stating AI is here to stay and they will continue to utilize it. This development highlights the growing use of AI in political campaigning, even as other sectors explore AI's potential for positive applications. In the Chesapeake Bay, researchers at the University of Maryland are using AI with underwater drones to create detailed images of oyster beds, aiming to improve farming methods. Meanwhile, the film and TV industry faces actor concerns over on-set body scanning and the rise of 'AI doubles,' prompting calls for clearer data rights and contract negotiations. In the business world, SoundHound AI is deploying its agentic AI platform for a French insurance broker, following a successful pilot that boosted productivity by 20%. Jabil Inc. is also integrating AI security into data center infrastructure through a partnership with Axiado. Equifax has launched its Ignite AI Advisor platform for lenders, while discussions in higher education, such as at Marshall University, explore how AI can reshape curricula and offer new learning opportunities. Investor Peter Thiel is drawing unconventional parallels between AI and apocalyptic prophecies, and major art museums are debating whether AI creations can be considered art. The pervasive influence of AI is becoming evident, with belief in its capabilities driving investment and measurable productivity gains across various industries.

Key Takeaways

• The NRSC is using AI-generated deepfake videos of Chuck Schumer in attack ads, claiming AI is a permanent fixture in political campaigning.
• University of Maryland researchers are employing AI and underwater drones to map oyster beds in the Chesapeake Bay, aiming to enhance farming efficiency.
• Actors express concerns about AI body scanning and 'AI doubles' in the film and TV industry, advocating for better data protection and contract terms.
• SoundHound AI's agentic AI platform, Amelia, is being adopted by French insurance broker Apivia Courtage, following a 20% productivity increase in a prior trial.
• Jabil Inc. is partnering with Axiado to integrate AI-driven cybersecurity into data center infrastructure for Open Compute Project servers.
• Equifax has introduced its Ignite AI Advisor platform, providing lenders with advanced analytics and generative AI capabilities.
• Discussions at Marshall University highlight AI's potential to transform higher education through accessible programs and ethical curriculum reshaping.
• Investor Peter Thiel is linking artificial intelligence with apocalyptic prophecies and the Antichrist.
• Art museums are contemplating whether AI-generated creations qualify as art, focusing on concept and sophistication.
• The widespread belief in AI's capabilities is now demonstrably leading to productivity gains across various sectors.

Republicans use AI deepfake of Chuck Schumer in attack ad

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) released an attack ad using a deepfake video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The video makes it appear Schumer is saying positive things about the government shutdown. The quote used is real but taken out of context from a print interview. The NRSC's communications director stated they will continue using AI-generated content.

GOP uses AI video of Schumer to misrepresent shutdown comments

Senate Republican campaign leaders created an AI-generated video of Senator Chuck Schumer to falsely show him supporting the government shutdown. The 30-second ad uses a quote from a New York Times interview where Schumer actually said the shutdown was hurting the president and helping Democrats. The ad, running on Facebook and YouTube, uses a voice that mimics Schumer's voice and includes a disclaimer that it is AI-generated.

Republicans defend AI deepfake ad of Chuck Schumer

The Senate Republicans' campaign committee released an ad featuring an AI-generated video of Chuck Schumer, with a small disclaimer noting it is AI-generated. The ad uses a quote from Schumer about the government shutdown, claiming it benefits Democrats. Despite criticism, the NRSC's communications director stated that AI is here to stay and they will use more AI content. They argue that Democrats voted to keep the government closed, causing real impacts.

NRSC uses AI video of Schumer to criticize Democrats

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) shared an AI-generated video depicting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer appearing to praise the government shutdown. The video uses a quote from Schumer that was re-created using AI, showing him saying 'Every day gets better for us.' The ad also includes clips of negative impacts from the shutdown and a quote from Senator Ted Cruz. The NRSC stated they are using Schumer's words to highlight the shutdown's negative effects.

AI project helps Chesapeake Bay oyster farmers

Oyster farmers in the Chesapeake Bay are traditionally using old methods to find good spots for oysters. A new project at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve this process. The AI will combine underwater video and sonar data to create detailed images of oyster beds, helping farmers find better locations.

University of Maryland uses AI for Chesapeake Bay oysters

Researchers at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering are using artificial intelligence to help oyster farmers in the Chesapeake Bay. Doctoral students Michael Xu and William Chen are using an underwater drone equipped with sonar and AI. This technology combines murky underwater images with sonar readings to create clear images of oyster beds. This innovation aims to revolutionize oyster farming in the region.

Actors fear AI body scanning in film and TV industry

Actors and crew in the film and TV industry are concerned about the increasing use of on-set body scanning and its connection to AI. Performers are often asked to be scanned without full understanding of their data rights or how it will be used, leading to fears of job displacement. This unease has grown with the development of 'AI doubles' and 'AI actors.' Lawyers are advising performers to negotiate clearer contracts to protect their data and future work.

Peter Thiel connects AI, Armageddon, and the Antichrist

Investor Peter Thiel is drawing parallels between artificial intelligence and ancient apocalyptic prophecies. While thousands of articles have linked AI to the apocalypse since 1980, Thiel has recently begun discussing the Antichrist in relation to AI. This discussion occurs as AI technology continues to advance rapidly.

Museums debate if AI creations are art

Major art museums are grappling with whether artificial intelligence creations qualify as art. An installation at the Museum of Modern Art features AI-generated text that changes every minute, raising questions about human involvement in art. Curators are working to define what constitutes art in the age of AI, focusing on the concept and the sophistication of its use rather than just the technology itself.

SoundHound AI secures deal with French insurance broker

SoundHound AI's agentic AI platform, Amelia, will be implemented by Apivia Courtage, a French insurance brokerage. This follows a successful prior partnership where SoundHound AI's technology improved productivity by 20%. This marks one of the first uses of agentic AI in the insurance sector, showcasing its ability to automate complex customer service tasks. The deal highlights the growing adoption of advanced AI in businesses.

Jabil partners with Axiado for AI security in data centers

Jabil Inc. is collaborating with Axiado Corporation to enhance data center infrastructure with AI-driven cybersecurity. They will integrate Axiado's AI security platform with Jabil's manufacturing capabilities for Open Compute Project (OCP) servers. This partnership aims to improve the security and performance of data centers, addressing the increasing demand for AI hardware and sophisticated cyber threats. The move strengthens Jabil's position in the growing AI and cloud data center markets.

Equifax launches Ignite AI Advisor platform

Equifax has launched its new Ignite AI Advisor platform, offering lenders advanced analytics and generative AI capabilities. This launch occurs as the industry faces changes, including shifts in credit scoring access that could impact future earnings. The company is pushing AI-powered products for lenders amidst evolving industry dynamics and competition.

West Virginia discusses AI's impact on higher education

A roundtable discussion at Marshall University explored how artificial intelligence (AI) and workforce changes are shaping higher education in West Virginia. Experts discussed the need for colleges to adapt by offering accessible educational opportunities and shorter, skill-based programs like microcredentials. They also addressed how AI could ethically reshape curricula and expand access to learning tools for students.

AI's belief becomes evidence of its impact

Artificial intelligence has reached a point where belief in its capabilities is now generating evidence of its impact across industries. Initially seen as speculative, AI is now showing measurable productivity gains in areas like customer service and logistics. This shift, similar to the 19th-century railroad boom, shows how conviction can drive investment, talent, and infrastructure, ultimately creating the very results that validate the initial belief.

Sources

• Republicans use deepfake video of Chuck Schumer in new attack ad
• GOP turns Schumer print quotes into AI-generated video of him saying shutdown good for Democrats
• Republicans double down after outrage over AI deepfake of top Democrat Chuck Schumer
• NRSC uses AI video of Schumer to slam Dems over shutdown
• Artificial Intelligence project to aid Chesapeake Bay oyster farmers
• Artificial Intelligence project to aid Chesapeake Bay oyster farmers
• ‘Have we done ourselves out of a job?’: concerns in film and TV industry over on-set body scanning
• Artificial intelligence, Armageddon and the Antichrist
• Does A.I. Count as Art? Ask the Curators
• SoundHound AI (SOUN) Lands Key Insurance Deal: Does Enterprise Adoption Define Its Competitive Edge?
• Can Jabil’s (JBL) AI Security Push Reinforce Its Edge in Data Center Infrastructure?
• Equifax (EFX): Evaluating Valuation After Ignite AI Advisor Launch and Major Industry Changes
• Roundtable Explores AI, Future of Higher Education In West Virginia - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
• When Belief In AI Becomes Evidence Of AI.