5 things about AI you may have missed today: CJI on AI, Comic-con protest against AI and more

Artificial intelligence has refused to fade away into the background for months and it does not look like it will do so in anytime soon, judging by the reactions it has elicited today too. Chief Justice of India (CJI) has warned against misuse of tech, social media, and AI for harmful purposes; Income Tax Department is using AI to combat tax fraud among salaried employees; Hollywood extras say they are at risk of AI technology createing their digital clones- this and more in our daily AI roundup. Let us take a look.

1. Chief Justice of India (CJI) warns against misuse of tech, Social Media, and AI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has warned against misuse of technology, social media, and AI. He emphasises the importance of human values and individual privacy, urging for roll out of safeguards to prevent misuse. While technology facilitates communication, it has also led to online abuse and trolling. AI, too, has the potential for threats and bullying. Addressing IIT Madras graduates, he stresses the need to curb these issues and ensure technology promotes reliable use without breaching personal liberty.

2. Income Tax Department utilises AI to combat tax fraud among salaried employees

The Income Tax (I-T) department is using AI software to crack down on tax fraud by salaried employees. False rent receipts, fake donations, and exaggerated claims against loans are among the unethical methods used to evade taxes. The I-T department has served notices to many professionals, demanding explanations and evidence for such claims. Individuals with a salary above ₹50 lakh can be reassessed within ten years, while those with a lower bracket can be reassessed within eight years. The department is also focused on claims related to charity and political donations.

3. Hollywood extras at risk as AI technology creates digital clones

Advancements in generative AI are enabling digital clones, raising concerns about Hollywood extras’ future. The technology, which replicates faces and voices with remarkable precision, allows studio executives to save costs and time during film production. It has been successfully used for crowd scenes and filling stadiums during the pandemic. However, actors fear that unrestricted use of this technology may lead to reduced opportunities or job loss for them.

4. Voice Actors Sound Alarm Over widespread AI Menace at Comic-con

Voice actors at Comic-Con express concerns about the pervasive threat of artificial intelligence. They warn that AI allows the cloning of voices without permission or compensation, leading to potential misuse in creating synthetic voices for various purposes, including pornographic content. Hollywood’s ongoing strike, fueled in part by fears of AI’s impact on the entertainment industry, further highlights the urgency of addressing informed consent and fair compensation for digital replicas of performers. Voice actors seek protection against AI encroachment and fair treatment in all contracts.

5. AI was expected to simplify jobs, but instead, It almost doubled worker workloads

The introduction of AI tools in the workplace was expected to enhance efficiency and productivity. However, for Neil Clarke, an editor and publisher of Clarkesworld magazine, the experience has been far from positive. The magazine’s online submission form was flooded with low-quality AI-generated content, doubling the team’s workload. Despite the promises of AI streamlining work, the reality for some industries has been different. Big Tech companies are investing in AI-powered tools for tasks like email drafting and data summarization, but the unintended consequences and challenges remain evident.