Anthropic Leads AI Pilot as JP Morgan Estimates $650 Billion Need

Artificial intelligence continues to shape various sectors, from gaming and education to national economies and language preservation, though its rapid expansion also brings both opportunities and significant challenges. In the gaming world, Activision faces criticism from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 players over the apparent use of generative AI in in-game calling cards, with many noting a resemblance to 'Studio Ghibli' AI art. Activision confirmed using AI as one of many digital tools to support its creative teams, sparking a broader debate about AI's role in mainstream game development and its impact on artists. Meanwhile, in education, a panel in Fort Wayne discussed AI's potential as a powerful tool, emphasizing the need for student guidance and clear expectations for its use in assignments. Educators acknowledge AI will change teaching and assessment methods, suggesting systems like a 'traffic light' to indicate allowed AI use. On the economic front, Dakhla recently signed major agreements to establish the 'Igoudar Dajla' green data center, powered by renewable energy, and the Jazari Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Energy Transition. These initiatives aim to position Dakhla as a low-carbon digital hub and a center for sustainable innovation in Africa. Tencent Holdings Ltd. is also leveraging AI, integrating it across its cloud computing, gaming, and social media platforms, which Bloomberg reports is contributing to strong third-quarter earnings. Tencent is also exploring the carbon credit market, further boosting its growth potential. However, the rise of AI is creating a tough job market for new college graduates, with many entry-level positions disappearing as AI diminishes the value of certain skills. Employers announced 234,000 job cuts in 2024, significantly impacting technology and finance sectors, and the Class of 2025 has seen fewer job offers. In Europe, DeepL CEO Jarek Kutylowski discusses the company's strategy amid intense AI competition, expanding its translation service with DeepL Agent for AI interaction. Kutylowski highlights DeepL's focus on 'super mission-critical use cases' for large businesses, where high accuracy and legal compliance are paramount, viewing its European base as an advantage for data security and geopolitical trust. On a cultural note, Iceland's former prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, warns that the Icelandic language, with only about 350,000 speakers, could disappear within a generation due to the rise of AI and the dominance of English-language media. Despite efforts like a partnership with Anthropic for an AI education pilot, she stresses the need for a stronger movement to preserve the language, which she believes shapes thought and human value. Financially, an opinion piece suggests that current AI investments might be leading to a market storm, reminiscent of the IT bubble. JP Morgan estimates that the tech sector would need $650 billion in annual revenue by 2030 just to achieve a 10% return on projected AI spending, indicating a high bar for investment returns and prompting caution among sophisticated investors.

Key Takeaways

• Activision confirmed using AI as a digital tool in the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, specifically for in-game calling cards, sparking player criticism.
• Dakhla launched the 'Igoudar Dajla' green data center, powered by renewable energy, and the Jazari Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Energy Transition to boost sustainable innovation in Africa.
• Tencent Holdings Ltd. is experiencing strong growth due to its advancements in AI across cloud computing, gaming, and social media, and its exploration of the carbon credit market.
• Iceland's former prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, warned that the Icelandic language is at risk of disappearing within a generation due to AI and English-language media dominance, despite a partnership with Anthropic for an AI education pilot.
• The rise of AI is making the job market difficult for new college graduates, with 234,000 job cuts announced in 2024, particularly in tech and finance.
• A panel in Fort Wayne discussed AI's role in education, emphasizing the need for student guidance and clear expectations for AI tool usage in assignments.
• DeepL CEO Jarek Kutylowski is expanding the company's AI offerings with DeepL Agent, focusing on 'super mission-critical use cases' for large businesses and leveraging its European base for data security.
• JP Morgan estimates that the tech sector needs $650 billion in annual revenue by 2030 to achieve a 10% return on projected AI investments, raising concerns about a potential market downturn.
• The debate over AI art in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 highlights broader questions about AI's role in mainstream games and its impact on human artists.
• Colleges are under pressure to provide more career-readiness experiences like internships to help graduates become more marketable in an AI-influenced job market.

Activision Addresses Black Ops 7 AI Art Concerns

Activision responded to claims about using generative AI for calling cards in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The company stated in an email to Insider Gaming that it uses a variety of digital tools, including AI, to support its teams. Activision emphasized that talented individuals in their studios still lead the creative process. Insider Gaming has requested more details on specific AI-generated assets.

Black Ops 7 AI Art Sparks Gaming Industry Debate

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 faces criticism for using generative AI in its Calling Cards, which are in-game cosmetics. Many players noticed the art style resembled "Studio Ghibli" AI creations. Activision released a statement saying they use various digital tools, including AI, to support their teams. This incident raises questions about AI's role in mainstream games and its impact on artists, following similar discussions about AI voicework in ARC Raiders.

Call of Duty Players Criticize AI Art in Game

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 players are upset about the apparent use of generative AI for in-game calling cards. These cards, found in "Jack of All Trades" and "Embrace the Nightmare" campaign challenges, look similar to AI-generated "Studio Ghibli" art. Activision has confirmed that AI was used during the game's development. The community is debating the use of AI for these cosmetic items.

Dakhla Signs Major AI and Green Energy Deals

Dakhla hosted the signing of two key agreements on artificial intelligence and energy transition during the MDS\u00e1hara Forum from November 13 to 16. Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni and Minister Leila Benali oversaw the event. The first agreement launches the "Igoudar Dajla" green data center, a digital platform powered entirely by renewable energy for data hosting and processing. The second agreement establishes the Jazari Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Energy Transition, an academic center for advanced training and research in AI and energy applications. These projects aim to boost Dakhla's role as a low-carbon digital hub and a center for sustainable innovation in Africa.

Fort Wayne Panel Discusses AI in Education

A panel in Fort Wayne, hosted by AI in Fort Wayne at Indiana Tech, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in education. Experts like Lucy Yang and Josh Wenning described AI as a powerful tool, but stressed the need for student guidance. Panelists noted AI will change teaching and assessment, and educators cannot stop students from using tools that help them learn. Suggestions included creating clear expectations and using a "traffic light" system to show allowed AI use for assignments.

Tencent Boosts Growth with AI and Carbon Credits

Tencent Holdings Ltd. is showing strong growth potential due to its advancements in AI and its plans for the carbon credit market. Bloomberg reported that Tencent's ongoing AI development should lead to strong third-quarter earnings. The company uses its AI across cloud computing, gaming, and social media, investing heavily in talent and infrastructure. Additionally, Tencent is exploring how its technology can help with carbon trading and promote sustainable practices. This dual focus positions Tencent for significant long-term success.

Former PM Warns AI Threatens Icelandic Language

Iceland's former prime minister, Katr\u00edn Jakobsd\u00f3ttir, warns that the Icelandic language could disappear within a generation. She blames the rise of AI and the growing dominance of English-language media, which surrounds young people. With only about 350,000 speakers, Icelandic is one of the world's least-altered languages. Jakobsd\u00f3ttir believes Iceland needs a stronger movement to preserve its language, despite efforts like a partnership with Anthropic for an AI education pilot. She emphasizes that language shapes thought and its loss would mean losing human value.

AI Creates Tough Job Market for New Graduates

The rise of artificial intelligence is making the job market difficult for new college graduates. Many entry-level positions are disappearing as AI renders certain skills less valuable. Employers announced 234,000 job cuts in 2024, with technology and finance sectors seeing significant impacts. The Class of 2025 received fewer job offers than the previous year, with only 30% securing full-time jobs in their fields. Colleges now face pressure to prove their value, and experts suggest students need more career-readiness experiences like internships to become more marketable.

DeepL CEO Discusses AI Future and European Edge

DeepL CEO Jarek Kutylowski discussed the company's strategy amid intense AI competition. DeepL, a German company known for its translation service, is now expanding with DeepL Agent, a new tool for AI interaction. Kutylowski emphasizes DeepL's strength in "super mission-critical use cases" for large businesses, where high accuracy and legal compliance are crucial. He believes being a European company offers an advantage in data security and geopolitical trust. DeepL aims to meet customer demand for reliable AI solutions beyond casual translation.

AI Investments May Lead to Market Storm

An opinion piece suggests that AI investments are becoming a financial liability, potentially leading to a market downturn. Tech stocks, including AI companies, have seen a significant sell-off, reminiscent of the IT bubble 25 years ago. While tech sector revenues are high, projected AI spending in the trillions sets an extremely high bar for return on investment. JP Morgan estimates a need for $650 billion in annual revenue by 2030 just for a 10% return. Sophisticated investors are already showing caution, indicating a possible shift away from AI as the next big financial opportunity. A market crash could curb consumer spending and investment.

Sources

• Activision Responds To Black Ops 7 AI Claims
• Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7’s Awful AI Use Is A Watershed Moment
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 players call out "awful" apparent use of generative AI for in-game calling cards
• Seghrouchni oversees the signing of two strategic agreements on artificial intelligence and energy transition in Dakhla
• Fort Wayne panel tackles artificial intelligence's role in education
• How Tencent’s (TCEHY) AI Strength And Carbon Credit Plans Shape Its Growth Outlook
• Icelandic is in danger of dying out because of AI and English-language media, says former PM
• AI puts the squeeze on new grads — and the colleges that promised to make them employable
• DeepL CEO On AI Competition And Europe's Future
• Opinion | With AI looking increasingly like a liability, a storm is coming