With respect to AI, the macro and micro picture are inextricably connected. While making individual-level decisions, it's important to understand how we're impacting the big picture — and how that big picture impacts us as individuals. Here are some perspectives that are catching our attention.
1. How Generative AI could revive profitability for telcos
Source: McKinsey
In a recent study conducted by McKinsey, nearly 130 of telcos surveyed were doing something with AI in order to reduce costs. However, executives are moving forward with a high degree of caution and restraint.
“This blend of optimism and restraint highlights the critical juncture the industry faces,” writes McKinsey’s authors. “Seizing the gen AI opportunity to differentiate services and achieve sustainable growth will require the hidebound industry to embrace innovation, exploration, and agility at an unprecedented level and move from decoupled AI efforts to a holistic, AI-native telco.”
Ethics and restraint are critical considerations.
2. AI and other companies: Quietly changing your terms of service could be unfair or deceptive
Source: Federal Trade Commission
The FTC is taking action against companies engaging in unfair or deceptive practices.
“Even though the technological landscape has changed between 2004 and today, particularly with the advent of consumer-facing AI products, the facts remain the same: A business that collects user data based on one set of privacy commitments cannot then unilaterally renege on those commitments after collecting users’ data.”
The message is clear: consent will be critical to advancing innovation in AI.
3. U.S. and China agree on framework to map out AI responsibly
Source: ABC
Due to the concerns surrounding AI risk, the two nations are planning talks in the next several months to discuss responsible development.
“Both Beijing and Washington have been wary of giving their adversary an advantage by limiting their own research and capabilities, but observers have long-expressed concern that the existential risks of such an approach are far too high.”
Risks include “human extinction” and “irrevocable civilizational collapse,” the article elaborates.
4. Keep it secret or safe? Developers face hard choice in IP
Source: Law360
LLM developers are navigating tradeoffs between keeping their inventions confidential or publicizing the IP for stronger patent protections.
“AI patent claims have tended to focus on methods of training ... and methods of using [the technology] for a particular purpose — trade secrets' protection is often needed to fill the gaps," Toby Bond, a partner in the intellectual property group at Bird & Bird LLP, elaborated in the article.
Transparency into black box methods will be an important theme in the coming year.
5. DOJ hires first chief AI officer to examine internal and external uses
Source: CIO
By appointing key personnel to lead discussions on the topic of AI advancement, and responsible AI implementation in particular, the United States is establishing its global leadership pertaining to the regulation of the technology.
“Jonathan Mayer, a well-known computer science and public policy professor at Princeton University, will serve as both the DOJ’s chief AI officer and as its chief science and technology officer.”
A major area of focus will be the recruitment of AI expertise.
6. The state of generative AI in the enterprise
Source: Deloitte Institute
It’s not all doomsday. Enterprise AI adoption represents a pathway for responsible decision-making and precedent setting.
“The defining time for generative AI is now.”
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Disclosure
Sema publications should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. To request reprint permission for any of our publications, please use our “Contact Us” form. The availability of this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. The views set forth herein are the personal views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Firm.
