Tech Rundown: Meta tackles AI in politics

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Here’s today tech rundown — everything you need to know from the world of tech in 3 minutes!

In today’s email:

• Meta gets proactive on AI

• Cybertrucks’ bizarre resell policy

• AI toothbrushes are now a thing

The Lead Story

Starting in January, Meta will require that political ads note if they've used AI or sneaky digital tweaks on Facebook or Instagram.

They're not just talking about deepfakes; it's any kind of digital jazzing up. So, if an ad alters what someone's saying, plays around with real event pics, or creates fake-looking people, they'll need to disclose as such.

This touches on a wider theme in AI right now: How will AI be monitored going forward?

Will it be led by governmental frameworks, as Biden is looking to do, or will it require internal policing by private companies? The former could stifle innovation, while the latter may be too laissez faire or ignore social costs.

It will be a bit of both, is the likely answer. Governments will look to be proactive with AI having learned lessons from their general omission on safeguarding user data in the past (see: Cambridge Analytica).

While more companies now realise the importance of being prudent given their size & scale. Google and Amazon have joined Meta in deploying AI responsibly. Of course, there is always a difference between rhetoric and reality.

It’s early innings, but balancing governmental oversight and corporate self-regulation is key to ensuring AI advances positively going forward.

More Tech News

• Tesla T&Cs: Tesla will sue cybertruck owners for $50k if they try to re-sell their vehicle in the first year (link)

• Boom Times: Boom, a startup looking to bring back supersonic travel, is progressing towards their first test flight (link)

• Amazon Prime Health: Amazon to provide healthcare (via OneMedical) to Prime members for $9/month (link)

• Mark’s Meddling: Reports allege Zuckerberg personally rejected efforts to improves teen mental health on Meta’s platforms (link)

• Musk Movie: A biopic about Elon Musk is in the works, with famed A24 producing and Darren Aronofsky directing (link)

Startup Fundraising

• Cast leverages AI to help companies optimise and improve their cloud spend. Raised $35m (link)

• Wonder runs a network of cloud kitchens that license dishes from popular chefs. Raised $100m (link)

• Noice aims to combine streaming & multi-player gaming into a single platform. Raised $21m (link)

• Mogul is platform that lets everyday investors invest in real estate via fractional ownership. Raised $4m (link)

• Era is an app that leverages AI to assist with wealth management decisions. Raised $3m (link)

Helpful Sites

• Insta Headshot: Turn selfies into sleek, professional photos

• Oscar: Create personalised bedtime stories

• Hello History: Use AI to chat with historic figures

Chart of the Day

AI to carry the load

Distractions

Dog photographs of the year

• Best destinations to visit in 2024

• Want to try an AI toothbrush?

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