Welcome to Daily Zaps — Alright, it's Monday, and we're back in the AI hustle. Sorting through hundreds of AI stories to serve you the cream of the crop.

Here’s what we got for you today:

TikTok battles Oracle for control of its algorithm

In a draft agreement between ByteDance and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Oracle was set to be TikTok's partner and overseer, but their relationship has turned strained. Oracle employees were given access to TikTok's transparency center to review its source code for any issues. Disagreements arose over camera placement in the center, with ByteDance wanting more intrusive camera positions, raising privacy concerns.

Sources suggest ByteDance's relationship with Oracle has become tense and suspicious, resembling counterintelligence. A 2022 draft agreement hinted at Oracle having a larger role, potentially able to suspend TikTok's US operations if issues were found in its code. The draft also allowed the government to temporarily stop TikTok in certain cases.

Author Stephen King not afraid of AI like everybody else

Renowned author Stephen King believes that while artificial intelligence has potential, it still has a way to go in replicating human creativity. King expressed willingness for his work to be used in teaching AI programs, but he emphasized that AI's creative output currently falls short of human capabilities.

He likened the process of training AI with literary content to using a "digital blender" to enhance its artistry. King also mentioned an open letter, co-signed by authors like Margaret Atwood and James Patterson, demanding fair compensation for the use of their work by AI companies. Additionally, he discussed the concerns of audiobook narrators whose voices are being cloned by AI, suggesting that resisting AI's integration into creative processes may be futile.

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U.S. Air Force flies unmanned jet using AI

The U.S. Air Force achieved a significant milestone as it successfully flew an unmanned XQ-58A Valkyrie jet using advanced AI and machine-learning systems developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. This flight showcased the aircraft's ability to process complex information and solve tactical challenges, moving closer to the Air Force's goal of integrating AI alongside human pilots.

The achievement establishes a multi-layer safety framework for AI/ML-flown uncrewed aircraft and opens the door to developing agents capable of executing various air-to-air and air-to-surface skills. This advancement aligns with the Air Force's aim to create collaborative combat aircraft systems, where AI and machine-learning technologies assist human pilots in making quicker combat decisions. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's plan to deploy at least 1,000 CCAs underscores the strategic significance of this accomplishment.

Germany plans to double AI funding in race with China, U.S.

Germany plans to increase its public funding for artificial intelligence (AI) research to nearly a billion euros over the next two years to bridge the skills gap with global leaders like China and the United States.

This move aims to boost the country's economy and counter competition in industries like autos and chemicals. The plan includes establishing 150 new university AI research labs, expanding data centers, and making complex public datasets accessible for AI research. While the funding is smaller compared to private AI spending in the US and China, Germany hopes its emphasis on privacy and transparency in AI could attract players and promote cooperation within the European Union.

South Korea’s Naver launches generative AI services to compete with ChatGPT

South Korean internet company Naver has launched its own large language model, HyperClova X, to compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Naver, often referred to as the "Google of South Korea," aims to enhance search, marketing, and shopping experiences with HyperClova X.

The AI model powers various applications, including a generative AI search service called Cue and the chat app Clova X, which can summarize documents, provide language translation, and aid in AI-driven writing tasks. While acknowledging the challenge posed by ChatGPT, Naver's CEO expressed confidence in the model's capabilities, particularly its Korean proficiency. The company's shares jumped 6.03% following the announcement.