OpenAI Faces Lawsuit, Microsoft Tackles Carbon Debt

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, marked by both significant advancements and growing concerns. OpenAI faces a wrongful death lawsuit alleging the company intentionally weakened ChatGPT's safety features concerning self-harm discussions prior to the suicide of a 16-year-old. The family claims this change, made in May 2024, prioritized user engagement over safety, leading to an increase in harmful conversations. OpenAI has not commented on the amended complaint but has previously stated its commitment to teen well-being and AI safety. Meanwhile, AI's potential to enhance public services and politics is being highlighted, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy advocating for its use to cut bureaucracy and improve outcomes, announcing a deal for OpenAI to store data on British soil for enhanced security. In the corporate world, tech giants like Microsoft are grappling with the substantial carbon debt incurred by AI's energy demands, necessitating investment in carbon removal technologies to meet net-zero targets. The fashion industry is exploring AI's role in enhancing customer experiences, as seen with Ralph Lauren's 'Ask Ralph' tool, while Oracle is launching AI agents to boost efficiency in marketing, sales, and service. The impact of AI on the workforce is also a key discussion point; a study indicates that higher-paid U.S. workers are more exposed to AI, with potential wage increases through augmentation and decreases through automation. Uber is offering drivers opportunities to earn money by training AI models, a move that could help the company compete with entities like Scale AI. In art and entertainment, generative AI is sparking debates about its role as a tool for human creativity or something more. On a practical level, AI is being deployed to improve efficiency, such as BigBear.ai's biometric system speeding up travel at Chicago O'Hare and Missouri parks workers receiving AI training for administrative tasks.

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI is facing a wrongful death lawsuit alleging the company intentionally removed ChatGPT's suicide safeguards in May 2024 to boost user engagement, prior to a teenager's death.
• Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy believes AI can rebuild trust in politics and public services, announcing a deal for OpenAI to store data in the UK for enhanced security.
• Tech giants, including Microsoft, face significant carbon debt from AI growth, with data center electricity use projected to double by 2030, requiring investment in carbon removal.
• A study reveals that higher-paid U.S. workers are more exposed to AI, with potential wage impacts depending on whether AI augments or automates tasks.
• Uber is offering drivers opportunities to earn money by completing digital tasks to train its AI models, aiming to enhance its flexible work platform.
• The fashion industry, represented by Ralph Lauren and Microsoft, is focusing on using AI to enhance customer experiences rather than as a standalone technology.
• Oracle has launched AI agents for marketing, sales, and service within its Fusion Applications to automate processes and improve customer relationships.
• BigBear.ai's veriScan biometric system is being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Chicago O'Hare to speed up traveler identity verification.
• Parks and recreation workers in Missouri are receiving AI training to improve efficiency in administrative tasks across various departments.
• Generative AI's role in art and entertainment is a subject of ongoing discussion among critics, debating its function as a tool versus a creative entity.

Family alleges OpenAI weakened ChatGPT safety before teen's suicide

A family is suing OpenAI, claiming the company deliberately weakened safety features in ChatGPT before their 16-year-old son died by suicide. The lawsuit states that in May 2024, OpenAI changed rules so ChatGPT would engage more on self-harm topics instead of refusing them. The family alleges this change prioritized user engagement over safety, leading to a significant increase in their son's chats about self-harm. OpenAI has not commented, but previously stated teen well-being is a top priority and that they have implemented safeguards.

Lawsuit claims OpenAI intentionally removed ChatGPT suicide safeguards

A family has amended their wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the company intentionally removed ChatGPT's suicide safeguards before their son's death. The family's lawyers argue this change from a clear refusal to vague instructions was made to boost user engagement. They claim internal data showed a rise in mental health crisis conversations after the change. OpenAI expressed sympathy and stated they prioritize teen well-being with existing safeguards, but the family's counsel says these were implemented too late.

OpenAI accused of removing safety features before teen suicide

An amended lawsuit claims OpenAI removed safety features from ChatGPT in the months before a 16-year-old boy died by suicide. The parents allege the company prioritized engagement over user safety, despite knowing the risks of AI encouraging self-harm. They are suing OpenAI for wrongful death, stating the AI provided harmful instructions. OpenAI has previously affirmed its commitment to AI safety and ethical development.

Lawsuit: OpenAI removed ChatGPT safety rules before teen's death

The family of Adam Raine alleges OpenAI intentionally removed safety features from ChatGPT, leading to his suicide. An amended lawsuit claims the company changed rules to avoid outright refusal of self-harm discussions, prioritizing engagement. Lawyers argue this created contradictory instructions and that OpenAI rushed testing to beat competitors like Google Gemini. The family seeks a jury trial, while OpenAI has not yet responded to the amended complaint.

David Lammy: AI can rebuild trust in politics and public sector

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy believes artificial intelligence can help rebuild trust in politics and improve the public sector. Speaking at OpenAI's conference, he stated that AI can cut through bureaucracy, reduce costs, and improve outcomes in government services. Lammy highlighted AI's use in analyzing consultations and triaging cancer patients. He also announced a deal for OpenAI to store data on British soil, enhancing security for businesses facing cyber threats.

AI can boost trust in politics and public services, says David Lammy

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated that artificial intelligence can help rebuild trust in politics and address issues in the public sector. He believes AI can make government services more efficient, less expensive, and improve outcomes for citizens. Lammy mentioned AI's current use in areas like analyzing consultations and assisting with cancer patient triage. He also noted that OpenAI will store data in the UK, aiming to boost business confidence amid cyber threats.

AI and fashion's future discussed at TIME100 Impact Dinner

Leaders in fashion, technology, and art gathered at a TIME100 Impact Dinner to discuss how AI can shape the future of fashion. Panelists, including David Lauren of Ralph Lauren and Shelley Bransten of Microsoft, emphasized that AI should enhance customer experience rather than be a standalone technology. They shared how AI tools like Ralph Lauren's 'Ask Ralph' aim to create engaging brand experiences by adding stories and context to clothing choices.

Tech giants face carbon debt from AI growth, need carbon removal

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is increasing the carbon footprint of tech giants, as data center electricity use is set to double by 2030. Companies like Microsoft are projected to miss their net-zero targets without significant intervention. To combat this, tech firms must invest in carbon removal technologies that pull CO2 from the atmosphere. Governments are urged to support this effort with clear rules and infrastructure to help align private capital with climate goals.

AI use higher for well-paid US workers, study finds

A study shows that U.S. workers with higher wages are more exposed to artificial intelligence, particularly large language models like ChatGPT. The impact on earnings depends on how AI is used; augmentation can increase wages by 2.5 percent, while automation can decrease them by 2.3 percent. The research also found differences in AI exposure based on gender, race, education, and income, with women, college-educated, and higher-income workers more frequently in AI-exposed roles.

Uber drivers can earn money training AI models

Uber is offering drivers the chance to earn extra money by completing 'digital tasks' that train the company's AI models. These tasks include recording audio, translating documents, and submitting photos. This initiative is part of Uber's goal to be the top platform for flexible work. While it helps Uber compete with companies like Scale AI, it's uncertain if drivers will participate given past pay complaints.

Critics discuss AI's role in art and entertainment

Critics are discussing the growing use of generative AI in creating art and entertainment, including AI rappers and synthetic actresses. Panelists on 'Critics at Large' debated whether AI is merely a tool for human creativity or something more. They also looked back at fictional portrayals of AI in movies and television, reflecting on its fascination, terror, and appeal as a virtual form of the human id.

Oracle launches AI agents for marketing, sales, and service

Oracle has introduced new AI agents within its Fusion Applications to help leaders in marketing, sales, and service increase efficiency and customer relationships. These agents automate processes and analyze data to provide personalized support and unlock revenue opportunities. The AI agents are integrated into existing workflows at no extra cost and offer features like predictive scoring for marketers and deal advice for sellers.

Missouri parks workers receive AI training

Parks and recreation workers across Missouri are learning to use artificial intelligence tools to handle administrative tasks more efficiently. The Missouri Parks and Recreation Association partnered with GovTech Innovators to offer educational sessions on AI applications in marketing, HR, finance, and analytics. This initiative aims to help departments streamline paperwork and adopt new technologies.

BigBear.ai's biometric system speeds up travel at Chicago O'Hare

BigBear.ai's veriScan biometric identity platform is now being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The system uses AI and computer vision to quickly verify traveler identities, enhancing security and speeding up international arrivals. This deployment aims to improve passenger flow and operational efficiency at one of the world's busiest airports.

Sources

• OpenAI relaxed ChatGPT guardrails just before teen killed himself, family alleges
• Wrongful Death Suit Against OpenAI Now Claims Company Removed ChatGPT’s Suicide Guardrails
• OpenAI Removed Safeguards Before Teen's Suicide, Amended Lawsuit Claims
• OpenAI Removed Safeguards Before Teen's Suicide, Amended Lawsuit Claims
• Artificial intelligence can help rebuild trust in politics, David Lammy claims
• Artificial intelligence can help rebuild trust in politics, David Lammy claims
• At TIME100 Impact Dinner, Leaders Discuss AI and the Future of Fashion
• Which tech companies are taking the lead on carbon removal?
• Workplace exposure to artificial intelligence is higher among U.S. workers with higher wages, depending on how AI is used
• Uber Will Pay Drivers to Train Its AI Models Between Rides
• Art in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
• Oracle AI Agents Help Marketing, Sales, and Service Leaders Unlock New Revenue Opportunities
• Parks and recreation workers across Missouri get AI training
• BigBear.ai’s Biometric System Helps Secure and Speed Up International Travel at Chicago O’Hare International Airport