"Godfather of AI" Quits Google, Warns About Dangers of AI
Geoffrey Hinton — a computer scientist who has been dubbed “The Godfather of AI” — told The New York Times on Monday that he's quitting his part-time position at Google and will instead devote his time to warning the world about the potential threat of artificial intelligence.
In 2012, Hinton and two of his University of Toronto graduate students created technology that later became the foundation for many current AI systems. He says he “consoles” himself with the excuse: “If I hadn't done it, somebody else would have."
Hinton’s decision to speak out comes as lawmakers, advocacy groups, and tech insiders have raised concerns about the potential negative consequences of AI. The widely used ChatGPT has drawn particular attention as tech companies look to develop similar AI tools.
Narrative A
When the person known as the “Godfather of AI” starts to overtly warn the public about the technology’s immense dangers, you know the situation is serious. Hinton isn't alone in the scientific community in making dire warnings about AI, and the public must be aware and alert about the pace of AI development. While Hinton didn't want to smear his former employer, it's pretty obvious that Google is more concerned with keeping up in the AI arms race than the potential threat to humanity posed by irresponsible AI development.
Narrative B
Geoffrey Hinton is one of the most accomplished and influential researchers of the last half-decade, and his breakthroughs have been invaluable. It's natural for a pioneer of such a revolutionary technology to be worried about the potential consequences of its development. However, the processes and principles being used today aren't so different from those employed by Hinton over the last decade. Exploratory development is bound to prompt anxiety, but the potential benefit of advancing AI far outweighs the risks.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that AIs will program programs that can program AIs by November, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Khader Adnan Dies in Israeli Prison After Hunger Strike
Khader Adnan, a senior member of the militant Palestinian group Islamic Jihad who was charged and indicted with belonging to a terrorist organization, died Tuesday in an Israeli prison after 87 days [also reported as 86 days in some outlets] on hunger strike.
Adnan, who went on hunger strikes shortly after his arrest on Feb. 5, was found unconscious Tuesday morning in his cell at Nitzan Prison and was taken to a hospital outside Tel Aviv, where he was pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts.
According to Israeli accounts, the 45-year-old — reportedly the first Palestinian to die as a result of a hunger strike in Israeli detention since 1992 — refused medical treatment, while his family accused Israeli authorities of medical neglect for declining to relocate him to a civilian hospital.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Adnan's death was deliberate murder and reveals once again the true nature of Israel's regime and its prison system. Adnan's death needs to result in an International Criminal Court investigation to hold Tel Aviv accountable for what is the latest in a long list of crimes against leading Palestinian freedom fighters. The international community can no longer turn a blind eye to Israel and must take immediate action to protect Palestinians in Israel's prisons from arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity.
Pro-Israel narrative
While the Palestinians are now proclaiming a new "martyr" and have found yet another reason to threaten Israeli security, the international community must not ignore the fact that Adnan was imprisoned because of his membership in the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. Moreover, while tragic, his death was self-inflicted, as he refused any medical care offered to him. Israel must not allow itself to be blackmailed by terrorists who use hunger strikes as leverage to force their release.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Israel will recognize Palestine by March 2069, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Believes 20K Russians Killed Fighting in Ukraine Since December
Russia is estimated to have suffered at least 100K casualties, including 20K killed, in only five months of fighting since December, the White House said on Monday.
John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesman, told reporters the estimate is based on newly-declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how the figures were derived and they cannot be independently confirmed.
Last month, leaked Pentagon documents dating to February put Russian losses at between 189.5K and 223K casualties, with 35.5K to 43K killed in action since the beginning of the war.
Pro-establishment narrative
The White House estimates show that Russia has had a devastating few months of fighting — an acceleration from the beginning of the war and more losses than some of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Russia is on the back foot as Ukraine's counteroffensive approaches.
Establishment-critical narrative
If the numbers are to be trusted, the Russia-Ukraine war would be one of the bloodiest in modern history. The problem is that all parties have an interest in minimizing their losses while exaggerating those of their enemies. Getting accurate casualty data is fraught with difficulties and these numbers should not be accepted blindly.
Nerd narrative
There's a 75% chance that Russia will control any formerly Ukrainian territories other than LPR, DPR, or Crimea on January 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
White House to End Most COVID Vaccine Mandates
The Biden admin. announced Monday that it will end most vaccine requirements for federal workers, international travelers, contractors, Head Start employees, and healthcare workers at many hospitals on May 11.
This comes after House Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) introduced a bill in February to end the pandemic national emergency, which was passed by all Republicans and some Democrats in a 229-197 vote. Pres. Biden then signed the bill on April 10.
The move will now allow unvaccinated international travelers to enter the US unhindered, including Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic who had been barred from competing in US tournaments but will now be eligible for the US Open.
Left narrative
Biden's vaccine requirements protected both the American people and foreign nationals who wished to visit the US. While new variants were spreading like wildfire, the president understood the importance of vaccines and their role as the primary tool in combating the virus. Now that the pandemic is waning and the vaccine campaign was a success, the US has entered a new phase of the COVID response that doesn't require such stringent policies.
Right narrative
Vaccine mandates were an unjustified attack on civil liberties. As Biden and his buddies in Big Pharma knew all along, the vaccines were not the only tool available to combat COVID — but they were the most profitable. Now that the media-Big Pharma-government complex has been exposed for its lies, the American people cannot let them off scot-free. Anyone who cares about the truth must investigate the apparent corporate-government coverup and hold those who lied accountable.
Debt Ceiling: Yellen Warns US Could Default by June
On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrote to Congress urging it to raise the debt ceiling "as soon as possible," claiming that the US may run out of cash by June 1 if Washington fails to reach an agreement.
While Yellen acknowledged the prediction could be off by a few weeks, it's slightly sooner than the Treasury's previous estimates after the US hit its borrowing cap of $31.4T on Jan. 19.
Since the US hit its debt ceiling, the Treasury has been using "extraordinary measures" to prevent default, borrowing from various government funds in order to finance operating expenses.
Republican narrative
The GOP has compromised by passing a bill that has the potential to raise the debt ceiling, while Democrats — wishing to extend the nation's credit card limit without any repercussions — have so far produced nothing but complaints. It's now up to Democrats to find a middle-ground between themselves in raising the ceiling while addressing the nation's dreadful fiscal state — just as Republicans have successfully managed to do.
Democratic narrative
The House debt ceiling bill was never expected to pass into law and is simply a message from the GOP. There's no universe in which a clean debt ceiling raise isn't politically advantageous for everyone — yet the GOP continues to ignore this in order to advance its own selfish interests. Despite claims to the contrary, the nation's economic health continues to be held hostage by the far-right of the party.
Cynical narrative
While Republicans and Democrats continue to claim that they "understand the danger" that the US will face if no agreement is reached, both sides continue to gamble with a default-catalyzed economic crisis, continuing a historical trend of disasters occurring because of partisan games that disregard the lives of millions. Both sides must remember the lost art of bipartisanship and come to a compromise together before it's too late.
Nerd narrative
There's a 95% chance that the statutory debt limit will be increased or suspended for at least 30 days in the US before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Australia To Ban Recreational Vaping
On Tuesday, Australia announced a sweeping crackdown on vaping under its biggest anti-smoking reforms in over a decade.
The government said it would take steps to ban single-use disposable vapes, limit nicotine levels in e-cigarettes, and prohibit imports of vaping products, including nicotine-free ones.
In addition, the reforms mandate that vapes be sold only in pharmacies, requiring pharmaceutical-type packaging instead of bubble-gum flavors, pink unicorns, or vapes disguised as highlighter pens.
Narrative A
Recreational vaping was touted as a safer alternative to cigarettes and considered a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers kick the habit. However, instead of a recreational product, it has become a public health disaster, with the health risks from e-cigarettes significantly outweighing any potential benefits. While people will still be allowed to use vapes with a prescription in order to help them quit smoking, these reforms will protect young Australians from this life-threatening addiction.
Narrative B
Vapes should be sold in convenience stores and retail shops from behind the counter under the same strict adults-only regulations as cigarettes to counter a thriving black market and prevent businesses from going bankrupt due to the latest ban. The right way is to allow adults to purchase regulated nicotine vapes through licensed retailers — which can help the government earn millions in tax revenue that goes missing as sales continue under the counter.
Narrative C
Australia already has some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world. Although it is illegal to sell or possess nicotine vapes without a prescription, a flourishing black market fueled by rising demand and a failure to police the rules continues to sell such toxic products to children illegally. State and federal authorities must target the illicit vape market, which sells millions of illicit unregulated vapes to the young at huge profits, instead of taking actions that are equivalent to prohibition and will discourage smokers from using vapes to quit smoking.
Hollywood Writers Strike After Negotiations Stall
After negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and several studios failed to reach a deal over pay, staffing, and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), over 11K film & TV writers went on strike Tuesday, forcing production to halt for film and scripted TV.
The WGA, which said screenwriting was facing an "existential crisis," has demanded a greater share of residuals from streaming, a ban on the use of AI in writing material, a staffing minimum of 6-12 writers per show, and a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a trade association negotiating on behalf of Hollywood companies, stated that the main "sticking points" were the staffing minimum and guaranteed working weeks but that they're "prepared to improve" their offer in continued negotiations.
Narrative A
There's no Hollywood without the writers. All they are asking for is fair compensation to keep up with the changing trends in media consumption and to preserve their livelihoods. The streaming age has seen an explosion in the quality and quantity of content thanks to the writers who have been continually demeaned and undervalued. The studios need to offer the writers a deal that accurately reflects this.
Narrative B
These writers may have picked a fight they cannot win. The streaming boom is over, and the once cash-flush platforms are feeling the pinch. Platforms are in no rush to spend money or greenlight another prestige show as investors bear down on them to turn a profit. Everyone in the industry is grappling with this slowdown, and writers shouldn't receive special treatment.
Report: UN Approves Taliban FM Meeting With Pakistan, China
Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s interim foreign minister, has reportedly received permission from a UN Security Council committee to travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan May 6-9 for meetings with his counterparts from Pakistan and China.
This reportedly comes upon request from Pakistan’s UN mission — which will cover the cost of the trip — on Monday for a travel exemption for Muttaqi, who is under UN Security Council sanctions, including a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo.
Although a meeting agenda wasn’t divulged, China and Pakistan have each said they would consider allowing Taliban-led Afghanistan to be part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project.
Pro-establishment narrative
The world must present a united front and isolate the Taliban until they make the crucial reforms necessary to be considered an equal partner with the rest of the world. Allowing Taliban officials to travel and meet with counterparts abroad only drums up unfair anti-American sentiments and empowers the Taliban to never change their brutal ways.
Establishment-critical narrative
The only way to get the Taliban to reform and to aid in the fight against terrorism is to engage with their foreign ministers because they’re in charge in Afghanistan and won’t be going anywhere soon. While respecting the Taliban’s religion and customs, they can be urged to be more inclusive and progressive while also acting to make Asia a safer continent.
Nerd narrative
There’s a 25% chance the US will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Biden Sending 1.5K Troops to US Southern Border Ahead of Title 42 End
The Biden admin on Tuesday announced it will be sending 1.5K troops to the US Southern border. This comes ahead of an expected surge of migrants that will happen after COVID restrictions that allowed US officials to turn away thousands of migrants end on May 11.
The Pentagon approved the US Dept. of Homeland Security’s (DHS) request for the military personnel, which could arrive at the border as soon as May 10, the day before Title 42 is scheduled to expire.
Although the troops will be armed for self-defense, they will serve a monitoring and administrative role — data entry, warehouse support, and detection to fill “critical capability gaps.”
Republican narrative
Biden continues to be weak on border enforcement. The administration has been expelling less than 50% of migrants under Title 42 and letting potentially dangerous individuals into the country while awaiting their hearings. Now he’s going to send less than 2K troops south to be administrators instead of enforcers. Clearly, the president doesn’t get it, and hopefully, the upcoming invasion won’t result in tragedy for the US.
Democratic narrative
There’s a humane way to secure the border, and that’s exactly the tact Biden is taking here. There are already several thousand National Guard troops down there, and the reinforcements will make it easier on the back end to ensure those with legitimate asylum claims get their hearings while other migrants get turned back. The border isn’t open now, and it won’t be after the end of Title 42.
Korean Student Eats $120K Banana Artwork
A South Korean art student has eaten a $120K art installation featuring a banana that was duct-taped to a wall at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul— a piece created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan known as "Comedian" and presented in his "WE" exhibit.
Noh Huyn-soo, a student at Seoul National University, was videotaped eating the banana and told the museum that he was "hungry" when asked why he ate it.
After eating the fruit, Noh placed its peel back in its spot on the wall. He later said that the banana should be eaten since it's replaced every few days, adding that his actions constitute art as he transformed Cattelan's piece and put it on display.
Narrative A
It goes without saying that a banana can never be worth $120k, and the art community's blind enthusiasm to accept this piece as "art" goes to show just how far society has fallen since the Renaissance. Art enthusiasts — determined to force a "deeper meaning" on everything — are now unable to perceive the obvious Cattelan just taped a banana to a wall.
Narrative B
While undoubtedly an unusual piece, art is in the eye of the beholder, and regardless of one's personal opinion, ultimately, this is vandalism. Besides, everyday objects have been readily accepted as artwork since the mid-20th century, and Cattelan's piece is actually a direct challenge to this notion.