Concerns about AI spread from the United Nations and OECD to Hollywood

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Promotional work on Barbie The film is among the victims of Hollywood’s first industry shutdown since 1960, with paying actors for the AI ​​digital double a key focus in talks with studio and streaming bosses.

The strike is so far the most visible sign of discontent from workers alarmed by the relentless rise of AI. It follows a week of warnings from US regulators at the OECD and the United Nations about its potential side effects.

The Federal Trade Commission yesterday launched a wide-ranging investigation into the maker of ChatGPT Open AI to examine whether people have been harmed by chatbots creating false information and to investigate violations of privacy and data security.

The OECD on Tuesday called on its member states to prepare for the negative side effects of the mass adoption of AI in the workplace. Potential benefits, such as higher job satisfaction and productivity gains, needed to be weighed against the disadvantages, particularly for traditionally high-skill occupations, he said.

Big Tech is moving fast to capitalize on developments. Meta, which is racing to catch up with Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Google, said yesterday it would release a commercial version of its AI model, allowing startups and enterprises to build custom software based on the technology.

The promise of AI has also revitalized the venture capital business in Silicon Valley. In recent weeks, software group Databricks bought generative AI start-up MosaicML for $1.3 billion, Thomson Reuters paid $650 million for legal services from artificial intelligence group Casetext, Robinhood bought credit card start-up X1 for $95 million and financial automation company Ramp has acquired Cohere .io, a start-up with an AI-powered customer service tool.

Up until now, much of the excitement around AI, especially the generative kind, has focused on the fun aspects. For example, you can hear here how the FTs music critic used it to create an original fake song in the style of Tom Waits (spoiler alert: it’s pretty bad).

For UNESCO, the scientific and cultural organization of the United Nations, the implications are much more obscure. He chimed in Wednesday, arguing that AI-driven neurotechnology, which connects computers to the brain, was advancing so fast that it threatened human rights and needed global regulation.

The promise, said Gabriela Ramos, deputy director general for social sciences and humanities, could come at a high cost in terms of human rights and fundamental freedoms if abused. Neurotechnology can affect our identity, autonomy, privacy, feelings, behaviors, and general well-being.

I wonder what Barbie would make of all that?

Good to know: UK and European economy

British public finances they are in a very risky position, with public debt set to reach 310% of GDP in 50 years, the Office for Budget Responsibility has warned. THE economy it narrowed in May as activity suppressed by another bank holiday, but the 0.1% drop was smaller than economists expected.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak he advocated pay rises for public sector workers of around 6.5 per cent, but only after ministers were ordered to find significant savings from their budgets.

New research shows how City of England they are recovering from the pandemic faster than rural areas.

UK estate agents they’re gloomier since 2009 when rising mortgage rates hit the market, according to a new survey. The housing affordability crisis has made the gap between those with and without parental wealth much worse, says John Burn-Murdoch. The number of rental homes meanwhile hit a 14-year low.

THE eurozone the trade deficit all but disappeared in May as falling energy prices reduced the value of imports while auto and food exports rebounded.

Germany set out plans for a tougher approach to China, focusing on de-risking the relationship with its major trading partner. A parliamentary report in the UK said the government has not responded to Chinese spying.

To know: global economy

China it’s struggling to revive its battered housing market, but help for developers isn’t translating into investor confidence or increased sales. The country’s exports in June suffered the biggest year-on-year drop since the start of the pandemic, adding to concerns about economic growth. Heres our new explainer on why China is on the brink of deflation.

Part two of our series on how the US is rewriting the rules of global economy examines other countries’ attempts to keep up with Washington’s newfound love of subsidies.

Africa editor David Pilling compares the chances of recovery of the two largest economies south of the Sahara. For South Africa, things are likely to get worse before they get better. In Nigeriathere is some hope that things may start to improve sooner, he writes.

Australia picked a new central bank chief after a backlash against its round of interest rate tightening last year. The first tasks of Michele Bullock, the first female governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, are to implement a series of reforms and bring inflation under control.

Agricultural robots they are ready for a new period of growth as labor costs rise. Their growing capabilities are enabling a more tailored, plant-by-plant approach to cultivation that can minimize inputs such as water and agrochemicals. Read more in our special report: Sustainable Food and Agriculture.

To know: business

The US drug regulator has approved the country’s first over-the-counter drug birth control pill, marking a significant development in a national battle over reproductive rights. Opill, manufactured by Irish-American pharmaceutical group Perrigo, will be available at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and online.

More misery is in store for European air passengers this summer. Understaffing in air traffic control and congested skies caused by war in Europe are set to disrupt schedules as London Gatwick Airport is hit by a pay strike.

Still, global airlines are hoping for a better summer than last year after spending to boost operational resilience. A carrier that isn’t too concerned is Delta Airlineswhich recorded the highest revenues and profits in its history and a 65% increase in sales of transatlantic flights. Cathay Pacific it is also enjoying a post-pandemic rebound.

Cornwall it hopes to become a hub in the UK’s production of lithium, a key component for electric car batteries. Success relies on a handful of developers struggling to secure capital.

The summary of science

Scientists are getting closer to making a statement Anthropocene epoch, or the point at which humanity’s influence on the geology of the Earth became irreversible. Columnist Camilla Cavendish says this is our latest climate warning.

Classified by the World Health Organization aspartamean artificial sweetener commonly found in carbonated drinks, as it is possibly carcinogenic, sparking the risk of a consumer backlash against industry giants such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.

Commentator Anjana Ahuja says the deep sea threatens to turn into an unseen wild west after a United Nations deadline for finalizing regulations on mining in international waters expires with no deal. Countries now have the green light to apply for mining licenses in search of minerals related to the green energy transition. UK MPs have called for a break to protect biodiversity.

UK space policy it needs stronger leadership and better coordination if the country is to thrive in the rapidly growing market for small satellites, according to a parliamentary report. Efforts to create Western Europe’s first commercial launch facilities have been hampered by poor cooperation between regulators, he said.

Something for the weekend

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Some good news

The UN said AIDS it could be finished by 2030 as it released a new report outlining the path to elimination.