Daily AI NEWS - September 22, 2024
Nuclear, AI, and Elections

Microsoft’s AI energy needs are driving a significant development at Three Mile Island. The tech giant has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy to revive the Pennsylvania nuclear plant, which was the site of a 1979 reactor accident.

The refurbished site is set to reopen by 2028 with Microsoft as its sole customer, using the energy to power its demanding AI data centers. This move marks a trend among tech companies exploring nuclear energy as a sustainable solution for their energy-hungry operations.

With the growing carbon emissions from AI technologies, Microsoft's decision to tap into nuclear power is seen as a strategic attempt to meet the massive power demands while addressing environmental concerns.

Microsoft is testing a new Copilot key customization feature for Windows 11. It will allow you to launch apps with the Copilot key. This new capability is part of a Windows 11 preview build, giving users the flexibility to customize the dedicated Copilot button on their PCs.

Windows 11 is finally introducing a feature that lets users change what the Copilot key does, offering more control over their computing experience. However, it's important to note that there's a small catch to this new functionality.

AI expert Yoshua Bengio has raised alarms about the need for stronger regulatory oversight for advanced AI models, citing OpenAI's new model, o1, as an example. Bengio stresses that stricter safety tests are essential to prevent potential misuse.

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, admitted that their GPT-4 model "kind of sucks," with recent research revealing the high environmental cost—consuming up to 3 water bottles for just 100 words generated. This has sparked environmental concerns alongside its performance issues.

Investors are increasingly confident in OpenAI's unique position, foreseeing it as the world's dominant AI company, potentially worth trillions of dollars. As the company nears completion of its $6.5 billion funding round, sources report an oversubscription with excess demand in the billions, signifying high investor interest.

Liongate's recent partnership with AI video startup Runway signals a transformative period for the major film studio. This collaboration highlights a shift towards using artificial intelligence in the production and pre-production phases of filmmaking.

In another development, Indian filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has announced plans to exclude human musicians, opting instead for AI-generated music in forthcoming projects. This decision exemplifies AI's expanding influence within creative spheres.

Lionsgate's deal with Runway could substantially alter the greenlighting process for movies. Proprietary AI models might enable studio executives to evaluate a preliminary version of a film, thereby improving decision-making and potentially reshaping industry norms.

Generative artificial intelligence is playing a major role in the 2024 presidential campaign. While initial concerns about AI disrupting the election have not fully materialized, candidates are utilizing this advanced technology to enhance their strategies.

Campaigns are employing AI tools to generate tailored content, streamline communications, and analyze voter data, aiming for greater engagement and effectiveness in their outreach. Despite the fears, AI’s influence is proving to be more about efficiency than disruption.