标签： North America

OpenAI is set to broaden the scope of content available on its widely-used chatbot, ChatGPT, to include erotica, as part of its initiative to ‘treat adult users like adults,’ according to CEO Sam Altman. In a recent post on X, Altman announced that forthcoming updates will enable the chatbot to exhibit more human-like behavior, but only if users opt for it, emphasizing that the changes are not driven by ‘usage maxxing.’ This move echoes Elon Musk’s xAI, which recently introduced sexually explicit chatbots to its Grok platform, potentially helping OpenAI attract more premium subscribers. However, it also raises concerns about the need for stricter regulations on AI companions. OpenAI has faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from the parents of a teenager who tragically took his own life, alleging that the company’s parental controls were insufficient. Altman acknowledged that previous restrictions were implemented to address mental health concerns but stated that new tools now allow for safer relaxation of these constraints. Starting in December, OpenAI plans to introduce age-gating measures to ensure that adult content, such as erotica, is accessible only to verified adults. Critics argue that this decision underscores the necessity for enhanced federal and state-level oversight. Jenny Kim, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, questioned the effectiveness of OpenAI’s age-gating mechanisms, likening the company’s approach to using users as ‘guinea pigs.’ Meanwhile, a survey by the Centre for Democracy and Technology revealed that one in five students has engaged in romantic relationships with AI. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill aimed at restricting AI chatbot access for children, emphasizing the importance of teaching adolescents to interact safely with AI. At the federal level, the FTC has initiated an inquiry into AI chatbots’ interactions with minors, and bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the Senate to classify AI chatbots as products, allowing for liability claims against developers. Altman’s announcement comes amid growing skepticism about the valuation of AI tech companies, as OpenAI continues to expand its revenue despite remaining unprofitable.

In a stark warning issued on Monday, Canadian economist Peter Howitt, a recent Nobel laureate, highlighted the dual-edged nature of artificial intelligence (AI). While acknowledging its ‘amazing possibilities,’ Howitt emphasized the urgent need for regulation to mitigate its potential to disrupt the labor market. His remarks come at a time of escalating global concerns about AI’s societal and economic impacts. Howitt, a professor emeritus at Brown University in the United States, was among three economists honored by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their groundbreaking work on how technology influences growth. His research, conducted in collaboration with French economist Philippe Aghion, delves into the theory of ‘creative destruction,’ where new innovations render older products obsolete, often displacing established companies. Speaking at a press conference, Howitt expressed uncertainty about AI’s future leadership and its broader implications. ‘It’s a fantastic technology with immense potential, but it also poses significant risks to highly skilled labor. This conflict necessitates regulation,’ he stated. He drew parallels to historical technological advancements, such as the telecoms boom of the 1990s and the advent of electricity and steam power, noting that while these innovations enhanced labor, their modern-day counterparts could lead to job displacement. Howitt admitted to lacking specific solutions but stressed that unregulated markets would fail to address these challenges effectively. Meanwhile, fellow Nobel laureate Joel Mokyr offered a more optimistic perspective, asserting that AI would not replace human labor but rather shift it toward more complex and engaging tasks. Mokyr, recognized for his research on the prerequisites for sustained technological growth, expressed greater concern about future labor shortages due to aging populations rather than technological unemployment. Howitt also reflected on his journey with Aghion, recalling their early confidence in the significance of their work. ‘Philippe always believed we’d win a Nobel Prize. Now, our time has come,’ he remarked, underscoring the profound impact of their research. As California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a pioneering law regulating AI interactions, the debate over AI’s role in society continues to intensify.

SpaceX has marked a significant milestone with the successful test flight of its Starship megarocket, a critical component in NASA’s Artemis program aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon. The launch, conducted on Monday evening from SpaceX’s south Texas facilities, saw the massive rocket ascend into the golden-hour skies before its booster, Super Heavy, landed as planned in the Gulf of Mexico. The upper stage, Starship, continued its journey through space, completing a series of tests before splashing down in the Indian Ocean over an hour after liftoff. This mission, the 11th test flight for Starship, follows a series of earlier setbacks, including explosive failures, which had cast doubt on the project’s timeline and feasibility. However, the recent success signals a turning point for SpaceX, which is under pressure to deliver on its multibillion-dollar contract with NASA to develop a lunar lander. Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder, emphasized the visceral experience of witnessing the launch firsthand, describing it as a pivotal moment in the company’s ambitious vision to eventually transport humans to Mars. The next iteration of Starship, Version 3, is already in development, with Monday’s flight expected to be the last for the current prototype. Despite the progress, challenges remain, including the development of a fully reusable orbital heat shield and the untested process of refueling in orbit. These hurdles are critical for deep-space missions and have been flagged by NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel as potential threats to the timeline. As the U.S. races against China’s lunar ambitions, the success of Starship is seen as a key factor in maintaining America’s leadership in space exploration.