These A.I. designed illusions are the new viral trend

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These A.I. designed illusions are the new viral trend

The newest trend in AI-generated images involves creating Stable Diffusion illusions with spiral and checkerboard shapes, building upon the recent QR code craze but with a twist. Below, you can see our attempt at a spiral-shaped depiction of the New York City skyline.

To make your own version, you can utilize the Hugging Face space. This technique relies on Monster Labs QR Control Net, a given prompt, and a distinct pattern. By combining these components with your pattern, it leverages a QR code-based control network to produce captivating visual illusions or effects.

“Defense A.I.” startup raises $233 million

Helsing, a "Defense AI" startup initially backed by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, has secured €209 million (about $223 million) in a Series B funding round, led by General Catalyst. This funding round, which includes strategic investor Saab, strengthens their existing partnership and positions Helsing as a significant player in the European AI and defense tech landscape. This investment propels Helsing's valuation post-money to over €1.7 billion, potentially making it the largest European AI company and defense tech unicorn.

Helsing's AI platform focuses on enhancing defense and national security for liberal democracies by increasing efficiency through real-time data utilization. The company has been actively collaborating with governments across Europe, including contracts for AI-enabled electronic warfare capabilities for fighter jets like the Eurofighter and participation in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. Their mission aligns with bolstering democratic values and resilience through AI technology, which has gained support from both industry and governments.

Why Japan is building its own version of ChatGPT

Japan is developing its own versions of ChatGPT, aiming to create AI chatbots that are well-versed in the Japanese language and culture. The Japanese government and major tech firms like NEC, Fujitsu, and SoftBank are investing substantial funds in developing AI systems based on large language models (LLMs) tailored for Japanese.

While existing LLMs, such as GPT, excel in English, they often fall short in Japanese due to language and cultural differences. To address this gap, Japan is leveraging the supercomputer Fugaku to train an open-source Japanese LLM, which is expected to be released next year.

Other Japanese companies like NEC and SoftBank are also commercializing their own LLM technologies, with applications spanning various industries, from finance to manufacturing. The development of a Japanese AI chatbot is expected to enhance language learning, research on Japan, and international joint research efforts.

How A.I. fits into actors vs. Hollywood studios labor feud

SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, serves as a prominent labor union in the United States, advocating for the rights of various entertainment industry professionals, including actors, journalists, dancers, voiceover artists, and more. Their primary concern revolves around safeguarding the images and performances of their members against potential replacement by artificial intelligence technology.

On the other side of the spectrum, the AMPTP, or the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, operates as a trade association representing several major entertainment companies in the United States. These companies include industry giants such as Amazon/MGM, Apple, Disney/ABC/Fox, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount/CBS, Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery (HBO), among others. The AMPTP is interested in leveraging AI technology when it makes business sense, rather than relying solely on human talent.

AMPTP has proposed a set of protections for writers in the context of generative artificial intelligence (GAI). Since GAI is not a human writer, any content generated by AI is not considered regular literary material. This proposal aims to ensure that human writers are not disadvantaged in terms of compensation, credit, or rights when AI-generated content forms a part of their scripts.