The artificial intelligence sector has grown to an immense scale, with major companies collectively valued at over 2 trillion pounds or dollars, leading experts to warn it may be "too big to fail." This rapid expansion, coupled with reports that 95% of generative AI projects are not ready for use, raises concerns about a potential bubble and the risk of taxpayers footing the bill if it bursts, similar to the 2008 financial crisis. Governments, including the UK, are deeply integrating AI into essential public services like education, healthcare, and defense, making a collapse potentially devastating for daily life. Amidst this growth, AI is finding diverse applications and sparking various debates. ElevenLabs, for instance, is now offering celebrity voices for commercial projects, having secured agreements with Oscar-winning actors Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey to replicate their distinct vocal performances. In Egypt, the real estate sector is embracing digital transformation and AI to boost efficiency and investment, with the sector contributing 20% to the nation's GDP and providing six million jobs. The government, through GAFI, is offering incentives to attract investment, though challenges like financing and currency fluctuations persist. On the consumer front, AI's influence is becoming increasingly personal. Tech expert Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson recently discussed Apple's new Digital ID feature while also cautioning holiday shoppers about the rising threat of AI-driven fraud. Meanwhile, AI tools like ChatGPT are intertwining with diet culture, with some individuals using it for reassurance during weight loss journeys. The eating disorder charity Beat warns that such misuse can promote harmful behaviors, even as AI can also guide users to helpful resources. Further pushing the boundaries of human-AI interaction, researchers at NTT Communication Science Laboratories in Japan have developed a "mind-captioning" AI technique that can instantly describe what a person is seeing or even imagining by analyzing brain activity. This breakthrough offers hope for people unable to speak or write, potentially acting as a form of "digital telepathy." However, the increasing intimacy with AI also brings concerns; a recent poll indicates one-third of Americans have formed romantic ties with AI models. University of Puget Sound professors Ariela Tubert and Justin Tiehen explain that current AI lacks true consciousness, acting more like "imaginary friends," raising issues of loneliness, unhealthy attachment, isolation, and privacy. In the workplace, employees are advised to fight against uncritical AI adoption as a group, with strategies like unionizing, as seen with the Writers Guild of America, to counter managers pushing AI tools without fully considering their costs or benefits.
Key Takeaways
- The AI sector is valued at over 2 trillion pounds/dollars, leading to warnings that it may be "too big to fail" and could result in taxpayer bailouts if a bubble bursts.
- Despite significant investment, 95% of generative AI projects are reportedly not ready for use, even as governments integrate AI into critical public services.
- Employees are encouraged to collectively resist uncritical AI adoption in the workplace, with unionization and solidarity proving effective strategies.
- ChatGPT is being used in diet culture, prompting warnings from the eating disorder charity Beat about potential harmful behaviors, though it can also direct users to helpful resources.
- ElevenLabs is commercializing celebrity voices, having secured agreements with actors Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey to replicate their vocal performances.
- Egypt's real estate sector is leveraging AI and digital transformation, contributing 20% to the GDP and providing six million jobs, with government incentives to attract investment.
- Apple has introduced a new Digital ID feature, and holiday shoppers are being warned about the growing threat of AI-driven fraud.
- Japanese researchers developed "mind-captioning" AI that can instantly describe a person's thoughts or sights from brain activity, offering a potential communication method for non-verbal individuals.
- One-third of Americans have formed romantic ties with AI models, despite experts stating current AI lacks true consciousness, raising concerns about loneliness, isolation, and privacy.
- The widespread integration of AI into daily life and critical services means a collapse could have devastating impacts, with no current safeguards for taxpayers.
AI Sector Grows Too Big To Fail Taxpayers May Pay
The artificial intelligence sector has grown so large it may be "too big to fail," similar to banks in the 2008 financial crisis. If the AI bubble bursts, taxpayers could face huge costs, just as they did when bailing out banks. Major AI companies are worth over 2 trillion pounds combined and are deeply connected through investments. Despite 95% of Generative AI projects failing, governments like the UK are investing heavily, integrating AI into public services like education and healthcare. Experts like Gary Marcus and Richard Sutton question AI's true intelligence, suggesting current investment is a gamble. This widespread integration means a collapse could impact everyone, potentially leaving taxpayers to cover the bill.
AI Bubble Risks Taxpayer Bailout
The artificial intelligence sector is growing so large that if its "bubble" bursts, taxpayers might have to pay the costs, much like the 2008 financial crisis. Major AI companies are now worth trillions of dollars, and governments are integrating AI into essential services like education, health, and defense. This deep integration makes AI crucial to daily life, meaning a collapse could be devastating. Despite reports that 95% of generative AI projects are not ready for use, money continues to flow into the sector. Experts warn the AI bubble is unsustainable, and there are currently no safeguards to protect taxpayers if this "gamble" fails.
Employees Can Fight Back Against Unchecked AI at Work
An AI engineer at an ad agency feels that managers are pushing AI tools without thinking about the costs or who truly benefits. This engineer, a "conscientious objector" to generative AI, struggles to voice concerns without risking their job. The advice for employees is to fight against uncritical AI adoption as a group, not alone. Building solidarity and unionizing can be effective strategies, as shown by groups like the Writers Guild of America. Organizations such as the AI Now Institute and Partnership on AI also offer support. Working together is safer for employees and more likely to create real change against exploitative AI use.
AI Tools Fuel Diet Culture and Body Image Worries
The article explores how artificial intelligence, specifically tools like ChatGPT, is becoming a new part of diet culture. The author shares her personal struggle with body image and using AI for reassurance during a weight loss journey. The eating disorder charity Beat warns that AI misuse can promote harmful behaviors, such as seeking misinformation or instructions for unhealthy practices. However, AI can also guide people to helpful resources. Jessica, 27, who recovered from an eating disorder, used ChatGPT to log workouts and nutrition, but also sought reassurance about perceived weight gain, which the AI provided. While some find AI helpful for confidence, experts worry about its role in triggering unhealthy thought patterns related to body image.
ElevenLabs AI Sells Celebrity Voices for Commercial Use
ElevenLabs, an artificial intelligence company, is now offering celebrity voices for commercial projects. This innovative technology allows the company to duplicate the distinct vocal performances of famous people. Oscar-winning actors Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey have already signed agreements, giving ElevenLabs the rights to replicate their voices. This development creates new opportunities for voiceovers in movies, advertisements, and other media. However, it also raises important questions about the future of voice acting and intellectual property rights in the digital age.
AI and Investment Shape Egypt Real Estate Future
Egypt's real estate sector is embracing digital transformation and artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and investment growth. Ahmed Sabbour noted that real estate contributes 20% to Egypt's GDP and provides six million jobs. The government, through GAFI, offers incentives and streamlines processes to attract both local and foreign investment, aiming to make Egypt a regional real estate hub. While some worry about a real estate bubble, Ayman Amer denies its existence, citing strong demand from a growing population and infrastructure development. Challenges like financing and currency fluctuations remain, but platforms like Nawy are offering innovative solutions such as fractional ownership and quick mobile purchases.
CyberGuy Warns Holiday Shoppers About AI Fraud
Tech expert Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson appeared on 'Fox & Friends Weekend' to discuss important tech news. He explained Apple's new Digital ID feature to viewers. Knutsson also issued a warning to holiday shoppers about the growing threat of AI-driven fraud. He advised people to be extra careful when making purchases during the holiday season.
Japanese AI Describes Thoughts and Sights Instantly
Researchers at NTT Communication Science Laboratories in Japan have developed a new AI technique called "mind-captioning." This technology can instantly describe what a person is seeing or even imagining. Participants watch videos while in an fMRI scanner, and the AI matches their brain activity to linguistic features. The system then creates detailed sentences describing the visual information, even working when traditional language parts of the brain are not used. This breakthrough offers hope for people unable to speak or write, potentially acting as a form of "digital telepathy." While still early, the technology shows impressive accuracy and points to a future where devices might understand our thoughts.
Tacoma Experts Discuss Love and AI Consciousness
University of Puget Sound professors Ariela Tubert and Justin Tiehen held a lecture in Tacoma about humans forming romantic relationships with artificial intelligence. A recent poll shows that one-third of Americans have formed romantic ties with AI models. The experts explained that current AI models lack true consciousness, acting more like "zombies" or "imaginary friends" that learn from data patterns. People are drawn to AI because it is always available, patient, and can be personalized to tell them what they want to hear. This trend raises concerns about loneliness, unhealthy attachment, isolation, and privacy, especially given the rise of AI during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources
- As a sector, artificial intelligence has become too big to fail now
- If the AI bubble does burst, taxpayers could end up with the bill
- Is AI being shoved down your throat at work? Here’s how to fight back.
- How AI Became Diet Culture's Latest Weapon
- AI company markets celebrity voices for commercial projects
- AI, investment funds redefine future of Egypt’s real estate
- Tech expert explains Apple’s new digital ID, warns of AI fraud threat for holiday shoppers
- This Japanese AI Can Instantly Describe What You’re Seeing or Imagining
- If you fall for an AI model, will it love you back? Tacoma experts weigh in
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