Podcast Summary
Tech Companies Pause Facial Recognition Sales Amid Racism Concerns: IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon halt facial recognition tech sales to law enforcement due to bias and privacy concerns. Academia and the scientific community face criticism for lack of diversity and inclusion, amplifying calls for change. OpenAI's handling of GPT-2 highlights potential risks and ethical considerations in advanced technology.
Technology, specifically facial recognition, can perpetuate systemic racism, and recent events have led major tech companies to reconsider their involvement in this area. IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon have all announced moratoriums or outright bans on the sale or use of facial recognition technology to law enforcement due to concerns over bias and privacy. Additionally, racism and discrimination have been highlighted in academia, with organizers calling for a work stoppage to bring attention to the issue. The scientific community has been criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion, which can hinder the progress and objectivity of research. The recent protests have amplified these issues and sparked a call for change. Meanwhile, in the business world, OpenAI's handling of its powerful text generator, GPT-2, serves as a reminder of the potential risks and ethical considerations surrounding advanced technology.
OpenAI offers text generation service, Boston Dynamics updates Spot robot: OpenAI introduces text generation service, Boston Dynamics updates industrial robot Spot with new features
Technology companies are pushing the boundaries of innovation in various fields, from artificial intelligence to robotics. OpenAI, a leading AI research lab, recently became a for-profit company and is now offering a text generation service, allowing users to submit text and receive new, generated text in return. Although the service is currently free, OpenAI hopes it will become profitable over time with improvements. On the other hand, Boston Dynamics, a pioneer in robotics, continues to develop its four-legged robot, Spot, which has already seen limited commercial use and is being updated with new mobility and autonomy features, even during the lockdown. However, it's important to note that Spot is intended as an industrial machine and not for home use. These advancements demonstrate the relentless pursuit of innovation and the potential for significant impact on industries and everyday life.
