Plus ICE expands its network of surveillance technology
From Sotheby’s to slop? AI art enters a brand new phase
It can seem absurd that AI tools such as Midjourney and Runway, which generate art using generative AI, could be used in this era of AI slop.
But among all the muck there are people who use AI tools with real thought and intent. Some of them have achieved notable success as AI Artists: They are gaining large online followings, they are selling their work at auctions, and they are even having it displayed in galleries and museums. Read the complete story. This story is part of our upcoming print issue which is about the body. Subscribe now to orreceive future issues. You’ll also get a free digital report about nuclear power. Take our quiz to find out how much you know about antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
The World Health Organization gave us some shocking news this week: Antibiotics have failed. These medicines are failing to treat a growing number of bacterial illnesses, including those that affect the gut, blood, and urinary system. If you’re infected by one of these bugs there’s a good chance that antibiotics won’t work.
Antimicrobial resistance is something you’ve heard of before, but what do you really know about it? Test your knowledge! This article appeared in The Checkup MIT Technology Review’s Weekly Biotech Newsletter. Sign up to receive it every Thursday by clicking orhere.
Envision Energy’s “smart wind turbines” and 2025 climate tech companies that should be watched
Envision Energy is one of China’s largest wind turbine manufacturers and has expanded into batteries and green hydrogen. Industrial parks are being designed to run heavy industries on clean energy.
The company is testing whether renewables will be able to decarbonize sectors where electricity alone cannot reach. Read the complete story. Envision Energy is on our annual list of the 10 most promising climate tech companies in the world. Check out the other companies on the list
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
ICE is enhancing its surveillance capabilities.
The agency has recently purchased iris-scanning software, spyware, and location tracking software. (WP $)
+ Viral ICE Videos are shaping Americans’ perceptions of the agency. Protesters in Chicago are fighting back against mass arrests after the city. The New Yorker$]
OpenAI has stopped people generating videos of MLK, Jr.
after some people used Sora for “disrespectful portrayals” of the civil right activist. (TechCrunch )
+ This is not the first time AI has been criticized for its depiction public figures. The Information($)
Three teenagers are suing the makers of the “nudifying app” ClothOff
One classmate used the image of a New Jersey student to create fake nudes. (WSJ $)
+ Meet 15-year old deepfake victim who is pushing Congress to act. MIT Technology Review
Amazon’s Ring camera division is signing deals to share footage with law enforcement
The company works with Flock Safety, Axon and Axon in order to share footage for criminal investigations. (CNBC )
+ An ICE division has used Flock’s AI-powered network. Amazon Ring uses domestic violence as a marketing tool to sell doorbell cameras. MIT Technology Review
Five Plug-in Hybrids pollute almost as many as diesel cars
According to a new report, pollution levels are far above official estimates. (The Guardian)
+ Expectations if you are expecting a plug in hybrid. MIT Technology Review
South Korea prohibits its citizens from traveling to Cambodia
The country claims that hundreds of its citizens have been kidnapped, and forced into scam compounds. (FT$)
+ Inside the romance scam compound and how people are tricked to be there. MIT Technology Review
What it will be like to be trans in 2025 online
Once the internet helped trans people connect, it is now being weaponized to harm them. The Verge
Eight Generative AI can make you the star in ads
Businesses have to make a return on all of that AI investment. (NY Mag $)
(NOW$)
10 Samsung is making tri-folding phones
But attendees at the event where it’s being displayed won’t be able to touch it. (Bloomberg $)
Today’s Quote
Grandma will be kicked off the Internet if Junior illegally downloads a few tracks on a trip.”
– US broadband provider Cox Communications outlines a possible scenario in a lawsuit filed by major record label, who have accused Cox for failing to disconnect those who are illegally stealing music. Ars Technica (19459036) reports.
Another thing
A hyperrealistic deepfake made by an AI startup is so good that it’s frighteningUp until now, AI-generated video of people has tended to be stiff, glitchy, or have other unnatural elements which make them easy to distinguish from reality.
Synthesia, an AI video startup, has been producing these AI-generated avatars for several years. In April 2024 it launched a brand new generation of avatars, the first to use the latest advances in generative AI. They are more expressive and realistic than anything else we’ve ever seen.
To test it, we created an AI clone Melissa Heikkila. She was our former senior AI journalist. Check out the story and the synthetic version Melissa.
You can still enjoy nice things
This is a place to relax, have fun and distract you from your daily routine. (Do you have any ideas? Drop a line (or or skeet them at me).
Did you know that the blue Windows icon desktop picture for Windows 10 was taken from an actual photograph? Look behind the scenes at . Rest in Power Ace Frehley, Kiss cofounder (19459036) and undisputed guitarist hero.
+ A food-trail week in France, a 385-mile journey along the French food trail ? Yes, please.
+ In the spirit of Halloween, would you dare to tour America’s most spooky cities ?
