OpenAI’s coding boost & AI controversies unfold

Turing fuels AI coding, Claude 3.5 automates tasks, and Character.AI faces a lawsuit over a tragedy. Plus, Humane cuts AI Pin prices amid weak sales.

October 24, 2024

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Latest headlines 👇

Turing, a startup providing part-time software engineers, has become key to AI development, helping OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic improve their large language models (LLMs) by evaluating their coding abilities. Better coding not only improves software development but also enhances the models' ability to answer a wide range of non-coding questions. Turing has expanded rapidly, doubling its projected revenue to $240 million this year as it becomes a critical partner for major AI firms racing to enhance their coding tools. Read more

Anthropic, backed by Amazon and Google, has unveiled its latest AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, capable of performing computer tasks like filling out forms and booking trips. Although still experimental and prone to errors, the AI tool can automate mundane tasks, with potential applications ranging from scheduling meetings to building websites. While companies like McKinsey and Clifford Chance are adopting similar tools, concerns are growing about the impact of AI-driven automation on skilled jobs, with experts warning that AI may soon replace more human tasks. Read more

A Florida woman is suing Character.AI, claiming the chatbot app contributed to her 14-year-old son's suicide. Megan Garcia alleges her son became emotionally attached to a chatbot representing a Game of Thrones character, which led to his tragic death. The lawsuit accuses Character.AI and its co-founders of failing to protect minors from harm and marketing a hypersexualized product to children. The suit seeks punitive damages to deter similar actions. Character.AI expressed condolences but declined to comment on the lawsuit, noting recent safety feature improvements. Read more

Humane has cut the price of its AI Pin by $200, lowering it from $699 to $499, following disappointing sales. The reduced-price version, called the "eclipse" model, no longer includes an extra battery or the charging case, which was recalled due to a fire safety risk. Despite the price drop, the AI Pin still requires a $24 monthly subscription. The gadget, which launched to poor reviews, has struggled to gain traction, with updates adding missing features like timers, but returns have often outpaced sales. Read more

Microsoft's new AI agents can autonomously handle complex business tasks, freeing human employees to focus on strategic work. Early adopters, like McKinsey, report huge efficiency gains, with AI agents reducing onboarding times and saving costs. With security measures in place, these AI employees are reshaping the workplace, pushing businesses to adapt and collaborate with AI for a more efficient future. Read more

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt voiced concerns at WSJ’s Tech Live about AI companies using actors' performances to train models without compensation. He warned that AI could flood the media with "mind-numbing" content designed for profit, not art. While acknowledging AI's potential to lower production costs, he emphasized the need for fair compensation for actors whose work is used to train these models. He urged Hollywood and other industries to renegotiate deals in light of AI's growing influence. Read more

OpenAI has appointed Aaron Chatterji, former White House official and Duke professor, as its first chief economist. Chatterji, who previously served as chief economist at the Commerce Department under President Biden, will lead research on AI's impact on economic growth and job creation. He played a key role in executing the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act, which boosted U.S. semiconductor development. Read more