AI is rapidly permeating various sectors, from drug discovery to Hollywood and urban planning. In drug development, companies like Recursion and Insilico are using AI to accelerate the creation of new drugs, though none have yet reached the market. Hollywood is grappling with AI's role in screenwriting, with the Writers Guild of America negotiating limits on its use, while companies like Runway AI are partnering with studios to integrate AI tools into film production. Delta Air Lines is implementing AI for dynamic flight pricing, aiming to optimize revenue, a move that has drawn criticism over potential unfairness to consumers. Meanwhile, cities like San Jose are training employees in AI to boost productivity and improve services, with reported gains of up to 20%. Professor Bing Dong from Syracuse University is set to present AI applications for smart cities at the NeurIPS conference, focusing on transportation, power systems, and building HVAC. To support the energy demands of AI, Crusoe is using recycled EV batteries from Redwood Materials and General Motors to power its data centers. The rise of AI is also impacting the web's business model, as AI-generated summaries replace traditional search results. However, the spread of medical misinformation is a growing concern, with experts warning that AI can easily fabricate content. In the competitive AI landscape, Elon Musk's xAI is striving to enhance Grok's coding abilities to surpass Anthropic's Claude, highlighting the importance of AI leaderboards. Furthermore, a study indicates that 90% of Mexican professionals are seeking AI training, reflecting a broader need for workforce adaptation.
Key Takeaways
- Recursion and Insilico are using AI to accelerate drug discovery, though no AI-designed drugs are currently on the market.
- The Writers Guild of America has negotiated limits on AI use in screenwriting, but concerns remain about job losses and content quality.
- Runway AI is partnering with Hollywood studios to integrate AI tools into film production.
- Delta Air Lines plans to use AI for dynamic pricing on 20% of its flights by the end of 2025, sparking controversy over potential price increases.
- San Jose is training city employees in AI, resulting in up to 20% productivity gains and $50,000 in consulting cost cuts.
- Professor Bing Dong will present AI applications for smart cities at the NeurIPS conference, focusing on transportation, power, and HVAC systems.
- Crusoe is using recycled EV batteries from Redwood Materials and General Motors to power its AI data centers.
- AI-generated summaries are impacting the web's business model by changing how people find information.
- Experts warn that AI is facilitating the spread of medical misinformation by generating fabricated content.
- Elon Musk's xAI is working to improve Grok's coding abilities to outperform Anthropic's Claude on AI leaderboards.
AI drug discovery faces challenges despite promise
Drug discovery is a slow process, but AI offers a new approach. Peter Ray at Recursion is using AI to design drugs, including REC-3565 for blood cancer. Startups like Recursion and Insilico are betting on AI to speed up drug development. While no AI-designed drugs are on the market yet, some have passed phase II trials, showing they are safe for patients. The question remains whether AI can truly make drug development faster and cheaper.
AI screenwriting raises concerns for Hollywood writers
Generative AI is entering Hollywood, concerning screenwriters like Billy Ray. The Writers Guild of America secured an agreement that studios can't force writers to use AI. However, Ray worries AI could lead to bad movies and job losses. He urges the union to set stronger limits on AI before the next negotiations. AI is being used in various stages of film production, but its role in writing is most controversial.
Hollywood's AI civil war: Creativity versus automation
Hollywood is experiencing an AI revolution, with startups like Asteria exploring machine-generated media. Natash Lyonne and Bryn Mooser are developing 'Uncanny Valley,' an AI film with Brit Marling and Jaron Lanier. Companies like Runway AI are partnering with studios to integrate AI tools. However, a countermovement led by figures like Justine Bateman is resisting AI's encroachment on human creativity. Labor groups and even studio bosses are concerned about job losses and the quality of AI-generated content.
Delta to use AI for flight pricing, sparking controversy
Delta Air Lines plans to use AI for dynamic pricing on 20% of its flights by the end of 2025. The airline is partnering with Fetcherr to optimize revenue using AI-enhanced pricing. CEO Edward H. Bastian says they are leveraging AI pricing solutions. Critics like Sen. Ruben Gallego argue this is unfair and predatory pricing. Delta defends its use of AI, stating fares are based on trip-related factors and comply with federal law.
Delta using AI for ticket prices may raise costs
Delta Air Lines is shifting to AI-driven individualized pricing for tickets. By year's end, 20% of tickets will be priced by AI, aiming for a 'super analyst' program. Travel expert Gary Leff notes this has been a long-term airline goal. Critics, including Senator Ruben Gallego, fear unfair and higher prices for consumers. Delta says fares are based on trip factors and comply with federal law.
Professor Bing Dong to present AI for smart cities
Professor Bing Dong from Syracuse University will present at the NeurIPS AI conference. He will lead a workshop on using AI to improve urban areas. The workshop will focus on AI tools for transportation, power systems, and building HVAC. Dong is collaborating with experts from Harvard, Columbia, and other institutions. The conference will be held in San Diego, California, from December 2-7.
Used EV batteries may power AI data centers
Crusoe, an AI cloud platform, is using recycled EV batteries to power its data centers in Nevada. This helps address the growing need for reliable power as AI use increases. Redwood Materials provides the recycled batteries, recovering over 20 gigawatt hours in 2024. General Motors is partnering with Redwood Materials to supply EV batteries. Redwood Materials engineers are confident this setup can be expanded.
AI challenges the web's business model
AI is changing how people find information online. Instead of search engines, people are using chatbots. Google is adding AI-generated summaries to search results. This shift is impacting the web's traditional business model.
San Jose uses AI training to boost city services
San Jose, California, is training city employees to use AI to improve services. The 10-week AI-training program is in partnership with San Jose State University. City departments report up to 20% productivity gains and $50,000 in consulting cost cuts. Employees are using AI to secure grants and analyze service requests. The city plans to train 15% of its workforce by 2026.
Mexican workers want AI training, prefer hybrid work
A study by WeWork and PageGroup shows that 90% of Mexican professionals want AI training. Hybrid work models are becoming more common. In-person work has increased, but most prefer a hybrid model. Commuting is a major challenge, with Mexico City having the highest average commute time. Companies need to offer flexible workspaces and AI training programs.
AI boosts medical misinformation, experts warn
AI is making it easier for medical misinformation to spread. A report by the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F Kennedy, Jr., contained citation errors and unsubstantiated claims. Experts believe AI may have been used to generate the report. AI can invent nonexistent material, making it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Experts call for regulations to govern AI's use in health policy.
xAI aims to beat Anthropic in AI coding
Elon Musk's xAI hired contractors to improve Grok's coding abilities. The goal was to outperform Anthropic's Claude on a popular AI leaderboard. AI leaderboards are important for attracting funding and attention. Anthropic's Claude is a leading AI coding tool. xAI's project trained Grok on web development challenges.
Sources
- Where Are All the AI Drugs?
- AI can write a scene. It can pitch a movie. So what happens to the screenwriters?
- Rise of the Machines: Inside Hollywood’s AI Civil War
- Delta Wants 20% of Flights to Have AI-Powered Dynamic Pricing by the End of 2025
- Will AI lower or raise flight prices? Delta set to rely on it for ticket costs
- Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Bing Dong to Present at Prestigious AI Conference
- How used EV batteries could help fuel the AI boom
- To survive the AI age, the web needs a new business model
- AI training program fuels an especially lean staff in San Jose, Calif.
- AI Training, Hybrid Work: Mexican Talent Sets New Demands
- Medical charlatans have existed through history. But AI has turbocharged them
- xAI sees Anthropic's Claude as the AI coding tool to beat, docs show