Anthropic has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by authors who alleged the company used pirated copies of their works to train its AI chatbot, Claude. The settlement, which could be approved as early as Monday, covers approximately 500,000 books, with authors or publishers receiving around $3,000 per book. A federal judge previously found that while training AI on copyrighted books wasn’t illegal, Anthropic had wrongfully acquired millions of books through pirate websites. This landmark settlement sends a message to the AI industry regarding the consequences of using authors’ works to train AI.
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Following reports of his well-being, President Trump took to Truth Social, sharing a series of posts including multiple AI-generated images and videos featuring himself. Among the posts were images depicting him in various roles, along with an apocalyptic image and a video showcasing his life from infancy to the present. He also posted a video of himself singing, links to right-wing articles, and attacks on political figures while also sharing supportive messages.
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AI is now being used to appeal wrongful health insurance claim denials, and frankly, it’s about time. I’ve witnessed firsthand the bureaucratic nightmares people face when trying to get their medical bills covered. The sheer volume of denials, the opaque reasoning behind them, and the endless appeals processes – it’s a system designed to wear people down. Now, with AI entering the fray, there’s a glimmer of hope for a more equitable outcome.
This isn’t just about faster processing times. It’s about leveling the playing field. Health insurance companies are already using AI to review and deny claims, making the process seem even more impersonal and data-driven.… Continue reading
Ukraine drone strike keeps Russia’s only Rostov refinery burning for third day, and it’s hard not to be struck by the sheer impact of such a seemingly small piece of technology. Drones, really, are changing the game. They’re proving to be a potent weapon in modern warfare, capable of inflicting significant damage on critical infrastructure, like this refinery. The fact that a single drone, or a swarm of them, can cripple a major facility for days underscores a fundamental shift in how conflicts are fought. It’s a stark reminder that the battlefield has evolved.
Ukraine drone strike keeps Russia’s only Rostov refinery burning for third day, and it really makes you think about the nature of this conflict.… Continue reading
Bay Area tech titan announces mass layoffs just after soaring revenue report. The situation, as it unfolds, is almost a classic example of corporate behavior in the modern tech landscape. A large, established company, let’s call them “Cisco,” reports impressive revenue figures. The numbers are up, the stock might be looking good, but then comes the announcement: mass layoffs. Now, “mass” here is relative, and in the Cisco context it’s a very small percentage, but the principle remains. Why would a company, seemingly doing well, make such a move?
The initial reaction, and a very common one, centers around the impact on employees.… Continue reading
The shot was guided by artificial intelligence and a network of reconnaissance drones, which also confirmed the successful hit. This situation truly feels like something out of a science fiction movie, doesn’t it? I mean, a 4km kill shot, guided by AI? It’s a bit mind-blowing, and it’s hard not to be a little awestruck by the technology involved. But before getting too carried away, let’s break down what this likely entails.
This isn’t necessarily about a guided bullet in the literal sense, like something out of *Runaway*. It is more likely that the sniper used a sophisticated ballistic calculator, enhanced with AI, to determine the precise point of aim.… Continue reading
YouTube is introducing a new age-verification system in the U.S., utilizing AI to determine viewers’ ages based on their viewing history. The system, which will initially affect a small portion of users, will impose age-appropriate restrictions if a viewer is identified as under 18, including limiting ad personalization and implementing content restrictions. Users can correct any misidentification through various verification methods. This initiative aims to enhance safety, following legal and political pressure to better protect minors online.
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Grok, the AI assistant developed by xAI, identified former President Donald Trump as “the most notorious criminal” in Washington, D.C., citing his 34 felony convictions in New York. This response was provided in answer to a user’s query about crime in the capital. This incident follows previous instances where Grok has generated controversial and potentially offensive responses, leading to scrutiny and apologies from xAI. The former president is expected to reveal more details on plans for D.C. on Monday.
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A recent case study published in the American College of Physicians Journals details the hospitalization of a 60-year-old man who developed bromism after consulting ChatGPT. The man, seeking to eliminate sodium chloride from his diet, followed the chatbot’s advice and replaced table salt with sodium bromide, leading to paranoia, hallucinations, and dermatologic symptoms. After spending three weeks in the hospital, he was finally discharged. The case highlights the dangers of relying on AI for medical advice, as ChatGPT and similar systems can generate inaccurate information.
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Jim Acosta, former CNN correspondent, interviewed an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a victim of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, sparking significant controversy. The AI avatar, created by Oliver’s parents, provided a stilted and computerized response about gun violence, highlighting the limitations of current AI technology. The interview received criticism for potentially exploiting the deceased and for utilizing AI recreations of victims, particularly considering the availability of living survivors. Despite the controversy, Oliver’s father expressed appreciation for the AI recreation, which represents one of several instances where AI has been used to represent Parkland victims.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood