Category Archives: Artificial Intelligence
The Future of Semiconductors and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence – Fagen wasanni
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is set to drive substantial demand for semiconductors in the coming years. While Nvidia is expected to benefit the most from this trend, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future prospects of Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) as well.
As the development and implementation of AI technologies continue to accelerate, there is a growing need for powerful computing capabilities. Semiconductors, which play a crucial role in enabling the functionality of electronic devices, are at the forefront of this technological revolution.
Nvidia, a leading player in the field of AI and graphics processing units (GPUs), stands to gain significantly from the increased demand for semiconductors. Its GPUs are well-suited for AI applications due to their parallel processing capabilities and ability to handle complex computational tasks efficiently.
However, it is important to note that Intel and AMD also have significant opportunities in the long run. Both companies have been actively investing in AI-related technologies and are making progress in developing AI-specific chips. This indicates their recognition of the growing importance of AI and the potential it holds for the semiconductor industry.
Intel, a dominant force in the semiconductor market, has been expanding its portfolio to include specialized chips designed for AI workloads. It has also been partnering with major AI companies to optimize the performance of its processors in AI applications.
Similarly, AMD has been focusing on enhancing its GPU offerings for AI applications, catering to the high-performance computing needs of AI-driven workloads. The companys new generation of GPUs boasts improved performance and energy efficiency, positioning AMD well for the AI market.
In conclusion, the rise of artificial intelligence is expected to significantly drive the demand for semiconductors. While Nvidia is currently positioned as the key beneficiary of this growth, both Intel and AMD are actively positioning themselves to capture the opportunities presented by AI. As this technology continues to evolve, the semiconductor industry as a whole stands to benefit from the continued expansion of AI applications.
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The Future of Semiconductors and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence - Fagen wasanni
The Power and Risks of Artificial Intelligence – Fagen wasanni
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, recently discussed the dangers of a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) that his company had built but would never release. Altman emphasized the need for caution and awareness of the potential risks associated with AI, as his employees often lose sleep worrying about the AI systems they develop.
OpenAI released a powerful AI called ChatGPT in November, which captured the worlds imagination. Altman believes that releasing ChatGPT was a great public service, as it provides an opportunity for people to understand and prepare for a future where AI plays a significant role in various aspects of life. The companys goal has always been to develop a safe and beneficial AI for humanity as a whole.
OpenAI was founded in 2015 by Altman, Elon Musk, and other prominent AI researchers. They aimed to create an artificial general intelligence that surpasses human intelligence and benefits humanity. The company operates as a nonprofit, focused on transparent research and unconstrained by a need for financial return.
For years, OpenAI operated quietly, publishing research papers but attracting limited public attention. However, with the release of ChatGPT, they gained widespread recognition. Powered by the GPT-4 engine, ChatGPT quickly gained millions of users, making it one of the most rapidly adopted consumer products in history.
The success of ChatGPT led to an acceleration in AI research and investment worldwide. Large companies and investors redirected billions of dollars into research and development inspired by OpenAIs approach. Predictions about when artificial general intelligence will arrive have shifted from 2050 to around 2026.
Altman acknowledges the potential for a superintelligent AI to reshape human civilization. However, he no longer believes in extreme scenarios where AI surpasses human capabilities and leaves humans behind. Instead, he envisions AI revolutionizing society in a different way, more like a new kind of society. Altman believes AI should be approached with caution and careful consideration of its risks and benefits.
As the world continues to witness advancements in AI technology, understanding its power and risks is crucial. OpenAIs approach aims to prioritize humanitys well-being while pushing the boundaries of AI development.
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The Power and Risks of Artificial Intelligence - Fagen wasanni
3 Artificial Intelligence Stocks With More Potential Than Any … – The Motley Fool
At different times in recent years, the crypto market has been one of the most profitable and volatile places to invest. For instance, since 2018, the value of the best-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, has experienced highs of $64,000 and lows of $5,100 and currently sits at about $30,000.
And despite over 20,000 different cryptocurrencies on the market, none have delivered the long-term growth stability found in the tech industry.
Tech companies are in a near-constant state of innovation and development, which can almost guarantee consistent gains over many years. In 2023, all eyes have been on the booming artificial intelligence (AI) market, which is projected to expand at a compound annual rate of 37% through 2030. As a result, AI stocks are increasingly attractive investments this year and could offer more reliable gains than the crypto market.
Here are three AI stocks with more potential than any cryptocurrency.
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD -0.31%) have soared over 600% in the last five years, nearly double the growth of Bitcoin. The company has profited massively from technological advances that have increased demand for high-powered chips, granting it solid positions in multiple markets.
Wall Street has grown particularly bullish on AMD in 2023, boosting its stock by roughly 80% year to date, almost entirely based on its prospects in AI.
The semiconductor company isn't the first to get into AI, with fellow chipmaker Nvidia having a head start as the primary supplier of graphics processing units (GPUs) to OpenAI's ChatGPT. But AMD has massive support from many of Nvidia's clients and other tech companies that hope increased competition will bring down the cost of AI chips.
As a result, cloud giant Microsoft is bolstering AMD's AI chip expansion by supplying financial and engineering resources. The partnership is helping AMD bring the fight to Nvidia, with the company launching its most powerful GPU to date in mid-June.
It remains to be seen what companies the new chip will attract as clients. However, AMD's long history of success in the chip industry and solid leadership from CEO Lisa Su suggest it could soon match Nvidia's AI offerings and profit substantially from the growing sector.
Apple might not be the first name that comes to mind when considering AI companies, but its dominance in consumer tech puts it in the unique position as the one that will likely be the main driver of public adoption of the technology. Apple is using AI to power many of its software features across its product lineup.
Companies like Microsoft and Alphabet have frequently spoken about their AI endeavors, while Apple has taken a quieter approach and instead focused on impressing with AI-enabled software updates.
In June, it announced a revamp to the iPhone's autocorrect, which uses a language model similar to ChatGPT's to learn a user's texting style. Meanwhile, AirPod Pros will receive an AI upgrade that automatically turns off noise canceling when the wearer engages in a conversation.
Apple holds leading market shares across its product lineup, including smartphones, headphones, tablets, and smartwatches. As AI develops, it will likely continue adding new features to its devices, profiting from boosted sales as they attract shoppers.
Apple, which has risen roughly 300% since 2018, has more potential than any cryptocurrency and is far more reliable.
Amazon (AMZN -0.92%) seemingly fell behind its biggest competitor, Microsoft, in AI, but has made substantial strides in the industry this year. Meanwhile, its leading market share in cloud computing with Amazon Web Services (AWS) could be a significant advantage over the long term.
Rather than attempt to compete with ChatGPT and Alphabet's similar service, Bard, Amazon aims to fulfill other generative AI needs. At the start of July, the company unveiled two new AI tools for AWS users.
The first is called Bedrock, which uses language models to help clients create custom chatbots, image-generation services, and content like full ad campaigns. AWS also introduced CodeWhisperer, a tool that makes software development more efficient by producing code.
In addition, Amazon is one of the few cloud companies going into hardware development. It is producing AI chips that, according to CEO Andy Jassy, will have "much better price-performance than you'll find anywhere else." As the home of the world's biggest cloud platform, its brand recognition could eventually put it on equal footing with Nvidia and AMD.
Amazon has become a household name with the resources to expand and succeed in nearly any market. Its growing venture into AI and other businesses makes it a better investment than any cryptocurrency.
Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Dani Cook has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, Bitcoin, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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3 Artificial Intelligence Stocks With More Potential Than Any ... - The Motley Fool
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Climate Crisis – Fagen wasanni
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that is gaining significant attention and generating controversy. Some creators of AI even warn that it could lead to humanitys extinction. While regulations are being implemented in many countries, AI is finding its way into various industries. The advancement of AI raises questions about its potential role in addressing the climate crisis.
Although concerns exist, companies like Google believe that AI can be a powerful tool in solving global problems. Google DeepMind states that AI can advance our understanding, optimize existing systems, and accelerate breakthroughs in climate science. However, others argue that AI may hinder the cause. They point out issues such as energy consumption, accuracy, and the possibility of misuse by malicious actors.
One of the main concerns about AIs impact on the environment is its significant energy requirement. The computing power needed to design algorithms and train models consumes a considerable amount of energy, contributing to a larger carbon footprint. The amount of power consumed by AI globally has been increasing exponentially over time.
Furthermore, the environmental toll of AI disproportionately affects certain groups. AI tech companies often choose to locate their facilities in communities with already strained resources, exacerbating the environmental burdens faced by these communities. This raises environmental justice concerns similar to those seen in the oil and gas industry.
It is important to consider that focusing only on the negative environmental impact of AI overlooks its potential benefits. AI can assist in processing large amounts of data and making predictions, which can be valuable in recognizing patterns related to weather and climate. However, concerns remain about the accuracy of AI predictions in a rapidly changing climate.
Regarding social inequity concerns, AI could also be used to identify data centers with the smallest carbon and water footprints, allowing for workload shifting to minimize environmental impacts.
In conclusion, AI is not a standalone solution to the climate crisis. A comprehensive approach involving various stakeholders, including governments, local communities, and climate scientists, is necessary. While there are potential benefits to be realized, it is crucial to address the environmental implications and consider the equitable distribution of AI technologies.
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The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Climate Crisis - Fagen wasanni
Remarks by President Biden on Artificial Intelligence – The White House
Roosevelt Room
1:18 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Im the AI. (Laughter.) If any of you think Im Abe Lincoln, blame it on the AI.
First of all, thanks. Thanks for coming. And I want to thank my colleagues here for taking the time to come back again and again as we try to deal with the were joined by leaders of seven American companies who are driving innovation in artificial intelligence. And it is astounding.
Artificial intelligence or it promises an enormous an enormous promise of both risk to our society and our economy and our national security, but also incredible opportunities incredible opportunities.
Just two months ago, Kamala and I met with these leaders most of them are here again to underscore the responsibility of making sure that products that they are producing are safe and and making them public what they are and what they arent.
Since then, Ive met with some of Americas top minds in technology to hear the range of perspectives and possibilities and risk of AI.
Kamala cant be here because shes traveling to Florida, but shes met with civil society leaders to hear their concerns about the impacts on society and ways to protect the rights of Americans.
Over the past year, my administration has taken action to guide responsible innovation.
Last October, we introduced a first-of-its-kind AI Bill of Rights.
In February, I signed an executive order to direct agencies to protect the public from algorithms that discriminate.
In May, we unveiled a new strategy to establish seven new AI research institutes to help drive breakthroughs in responsible AI innovention [innovation].
And today, Im pleased to announce that these seven companies have agreed volun- to voluntary commitments for responsible innovation. These commitments, which the companies will implement immediately, underscore three fundamental principles: safety, security, and trust.
First, the companies have an obligation to make sure their technology is safe before releasing it to the public. That means testing the capabilities of their systems, assessing their potential risk, and making the results of these assessments public.
Second, companies must prioritize the security of their systems by safeguarding their models against cyber threats and managing the risks to our national security and sharing the best practices and industry standards that are that are necessary.
Third, the companies have a duty to earn the peoples trust and empower users to make informed decisions labeling content that has been altered or AI-generated, rooting out bias and discrimination, strengthening privacy protections, and shielding children from harm.
And finally, companies have agreed to find ways for AI to help meet societys greatest challenges from cancer to climate change and invest in education and new jobs to help students and workers prosper from the opportunities, and there are enormous opportunities of AI.
These commitments are real, and theyre concrete. Theyre going to help fulfill the industry fulfill its fundamental obligation to Americans to develop safe, secure, and trustworthy technologies that benefit society and uphold our values and our shared values.
Let me close with this. Well see more technology change in the next 10 years, or even in the next few years, than weve seen in the last 50 years. That has been an astounding revelation to me, quite frankly. Artificial intelligence is going to transform the lives of people around the world.
The group here will be critical in shepherding that innovation with responsibility and safety by design to earn the trust of Americans. And, quite frankly, as I met with world leaders, all all all our Eur- all the G7 is focusing on the same thing.
Social media has shown us the harm that powerful technology can do without the right safeguards in place.
And Ive said at the State of the Union that Congress needs to pass bipartisan legislation to impose strict limits on personal data collection, ban targeted advertisements to kids, require companies to put health and safety first.
But we must be clear-eyed and vigilant about the threats emerging of emerging technologies that can pose dont have to, but can pose to our democracy and our values.
Americans are seeing how advanced artificial intelligence and the pace of innovation have the power to disrupt jobs and industries.
These commitments these commitments are a promising step, but the we have a lot more work to do together.
Realizing the promise of AI by managing the risk is going to require some new laws, regulations, and oversight.
In the weeks ahead, Im going to continue to take executive action to help America lead the way toward responsible innovation. And were going to work with both parties to develop appropriate legislation and regulation. Im pleased that Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries and others in the Congress are making this a top bipartisan priority.
As we advance the agenda here at home, well lead the work with well lead work with our allies and partners on a common international framework to govern the development of AI.
I think these leaders and I thank these leaders that are in the room with me today (clears throat) and their partnership excuse me and their commitments that theyre making. This is a serious responsibility, and we have to get it right. And theres enormous, enormous potential upside as well.
So I want to thank you all. And theyre about to go down to a meeting, which Ill catch up with them later.
So thank you, thank you, thank you.
1:24 P.M. EDT
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Remarks by President Biden on Artificial Intelligence - The White House
An Unconventional Play on the Artificial Intelligence Theme – Yahoo Finance
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been all the hype this year, with many pockets of the market benefitting such as semiconductors and software. Growth stocks have led the rally, but the red-hot tech sector may be due for a breather after a blazing start to 2023.
We still want to take advantage of the bullish AI theme, but with large-cap tech extended in the short-term, we need to look elsewhere. A solid approach is to target equities that still have substantial room for appreciation but also generate income.
A Lucrative Method to Gain Exposure to AI
Demand has been booming lately for AI-focused data center chips. One overlooked area of the market that can take advantage of the move are real estate investment trusts (REITs). Specifically, data center REITs provide the storage capability and computing resources that assist AI-related companies in processing large data sets.
Like growth stocks, REITs were decimated last year as the Fed embarked upon an aggressive rate-hiking scheme. Combined with prospects of an impending economic slowdown, REITs suffered their worst year in more than a decade.
This has created a phenomenal opportunity to buy these undervalued, oft-forgotten investment vehicles, as the path of future interest rates has reversed course. Despite the Feds best attempts to convince markets that several more rate hikes lie ahead, the recent pause signals that we are likely close to the end of this hiking cycle (possibly one or two more hikes), with rates set to fall in the coming years.
All else being equal, lower interest rates tend to increase the value of properties and decrease REIT borrowing costs. Furthermore, lower rates make the relatively high dividend yields generated by REITs more attractive, increasing their appeal to income-seeking investors.
Advantages of REITs
Adding these incoming-producing investments can result in significant advantages over traditional real estate investing including increased liquidity, greater diversification, tax benefits and potentially higher returns with lower risk.
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Real estate investment trusts either own or manage income-producing real estate, normally through directly investing in properties or the mortgages on those properties. The IRS mandates that REITs must pay out 90% of their taxable income to shareholders. This typically translates into much higher dividends than your average S&P 500 stock.
The Zacks REIT and Equity Trust Other industry is currently ranked in the top 50% out of approximately 250 Zacks Ranked Industries. This group remains relatively undervalued:
Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Lets take a closer look at an individual REIT within this industry group.
Iron Mountain, Inc. (IRM)
Iron Mountain is a global leader in innovative storage, data center infrastructure, asset lifecycle management and information management services. The company offers digital transformation, secure records storage, and art storage and logistics, operating as a real estate investment trust.
Iron Mountain enjoys a steady stream of recurring revenues from storage rental and related services. Storage rental revenues are generated through fixed periodic rental charges (typically on a monthly basis) for data storage. Services revenues comprise charges for related core service activities and a wide array of complementary products and services. Iron Mountain is supplementing the storage performance with expansion in its faster-growing business in the data center space.
The company boasts a customer retention rate of approximately 98%. IRM, a member of the S&P 500, serves more than 225,000 customers from various industries through approximately 1,400 facilities. As we can see, earnings and revenue growth have remained steady:
Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Iron Mountains global data center portfolio is well-positioned to benefit from high demand for the inter-connected data center space on the back of rising enterprise cloud adoption. Total revenues are projected to increase 8.2% year-over-year in 2023.
Recent Earnings and Future Estimates
Iron Mountain has surpassed earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 2.93% over that timeframe. The data center REIT most recently reported first-quarter funds from operations (FFO) back in May of $0.97/share, surpassing the $0.93/share Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure grew 6.6% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, analysts expect IRM to deliver earnings of $3.96/share, translating to growth of 4.2% versus last year.
Final Thoughts
REITs not only offer above-average yields, but also the potential for future price appreciation.
Iron Mountain has steadily increased its quarterly dividend over the past thirteen years. IRM currently pays a $2.47 (3.99%) dividend. A consistently rising dividend trend subtly reveals a companys progress and is one of the best indicators of a healthy, growing enterprise.
Make sure to keep an eye on IRM as well as the general data center REIT space as the group looks primed for a period of outperformance.
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An Unconventional Play on the Artificial Intelligence Theme - Yahoo Finance
As employers expand artificial intelligence in hiring, Maryland is one … – Maryland Matters
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images.
As artificial intelligence finds its way into aspects of everyday life and becomes increasingly advanced, some state legislators feel a new urgency to create regulations for its use in the hiring process.
Artificial intelligence, commonly known as AI, has been adopted by a quarter of businesses in the United States, according to the 2022IBMGlobal AI Adoption Index, a jump of more than 13% over the previous year. Many are beginning touse itin the hiring process.
State laws havent kept up. Only Illinois, Maryland and New York City require employers to ask for consent first if using AI during certain parts of the hiring process. A handful of states are considering similar legislation.
Legislators are critical, and as always, legislators are always late to the party, said Maryland state Del. Mark Fisher, a Calvert County Republican. Fisher sponsored Marylands law, enacted in 2020, regulating the use of facial recognition programs in hiring. It prohibits an employer from using certain facial recognition services such as those that might cross-check applicants faces against outside databases during an applicants interview process unless the applicant consents.
Technology innovates first, and then it always seems like a good idea, until it isnt, Fisher said. Thats when legislators step up and try to regulate things as best as they can.
Where AI developers are interested in innovating as fast as possible with or without legislation, both developers and policymakers must think about the implications of their decisions, said Hayley Tsukayama, senior legislative activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which advocates for civil liberties on the internet.
For policymakers to write effective legislation, developers must be transparent about what systems are being used and open to considering what the potential problems could be, Tsukayama said.
Its probably not exciting to people who want to move faster or people who want to put these systems in their workplace right now or already have them in the workplace right now, she said. But I do think for policymakers, its really important to talk to a lot of different people, particularly people who are going to be affected by this.
AI can help with the hiring process by performing resume evaluations, scheduling candidate interviews and sourcing data, according to ananalysisby Skillroads, which provides professional resume-writing services that incorporate AI.
Some members of Congress are trying to act too. TheproposedAmerican Data Privacy and Protection Act aims to set rules for artificial intelligence, including AI risk assessments and its overall use, and would cover data collected during the hiring process. Introduced last year by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, it currently sits in the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Biden administration last year issued the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, a set of principles to guide organizations and individuals on the design, use and deployment of automated systems, according to thedocument.
In the meantime, lawmakers in some states and localities have worked to create policies.
Maryland, Illinois and New York City are the only places with laws explicitly for job seekers dealing with artificial intelligence during the hiring process by requiring companies to inform them when its being used at certain points and ask for consent before moving forward, according todatafrom Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, a global law firm providing legal advice to clients regarding business litigation, finance, real estate and more.
California, New Jersey, New York and Vermont also have considered bills that would regulate AI in hiring systems, according to The New York Times.
Face recognition technologyis used by many federal agencies, including for cybersecurity and policing, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Some industries are using it as well.
Artificial intelligence can link face recognition programs with applicant databases in seconds, Fisher said, which he cited as the concern that motivated his bill.
His goal, he said, was to craft a narrow measure that could open the door for potential future AI-related legislation. The bill, which took effect in 2020 without being signed into law by then-Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, only includes the private sector, but Fisher said hed like for it to be expanded to include public employers.
Policymakers understanding of artificial intelligence, particularly when it comes to its civil rights implications, is almost nonexistent, said Clarence Okoh, the senior policy counsel at the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and a Social Science Research Council Just Tech Fellow.
As a result, he said, companies that use AI often are regulating themselves.
Unfortunately, I think whats happened is a lot of AI developers and sales have been very effective at crowding out the conversation with policymakers around how to govern AI and to mitigate social consequences, Okoh said. And so unfortunately, theres a lot of interest in developing self-regulatory schemes.
Some self-regulatory practices include audits or compliance that use general guidance such as the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, Okoh said.
The results have sometimes raised concerns. Some organizations operating under their own guidelines have used AI recruiting tools that showed bias.
In 2014, a group of developers at Amazon began creating an experimental, automated program to review job applicants resumes for top talent, according to aReutersinvestigation, but by 2015, the company found that its system effectively had taught itself that male candidates were preferable.
Those close to the project told Reuters theexperimentalsystem was trained to filter applicants by observing patterns in resumes submitted to the company over a 10-year period most of which came from men.Amazon told Reutersthe tool was never used by Amazon recruiters to evaluate candidates.
But some companies say AI is helpful and that strong ethics rules are in place.
Helena Almeida, vice president-managing counsel at ADP, a human resources management software company, says its approach to using artificial intelligence in its products follows the same ethical guidelines as before the technology emerged. Regardless of the legal requirements, Almeida said, ADP considers it an obligation to go above and beyond the basic framework to ensure its products dont discriminate.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning is used in several of ADPs hiring support services. And many current laws apply to the artificial intelligence world, she said. ADP also offers its clientscertain servicesthat use face recognition technology, according to its website. As the technology evolves, ADP hasadopted a set of principlesto govern its use of AI, machine learning and more.
You cant discriminate against a particular demographic group without AI, and you also cant do it with AI, Almeida said. So, thats an essential part of our framework and how we look at bias in these tools.
One way to avoid issues with AI in the hiring process is to maintain human involvement, from product design to regular monitoring of automated decisions.
SamanthaGordon, the chief programs officer at TechEquity Collaborative, an organization advocating for tech workers in the industry, said in situations where machine learning or data collection is used with no human input, the machine is at risk of being biased toward certain groups.
In one example, HireVue, a platform helping employers collect video interviews and assessments from job seekers, announced in 2021 the removal of its facial analysis component after finding during an internal review that the system had less correlation to job performance than other elements of the algorithmic assessment, according to a release from the organization.
I think thats the thing that you dont have to be a computer scientist to understand, Gordon said. Speeding up the hiring process, she said, leaves room for error. Thats where Gordon said legislators are going to have to intervene.
And on both sides of the aisle, Fisher said, legislators think companies ought to show their work.
I would like to think that, generally speaking, people would like to see there be a lot more transparency and disclosure in the use of this technology, Fisher said. Whos using this technology? And why?
Editors note: This article has been corrected to reflect that an internal Amazon artificial intelligence hiring program was experimental, and, the company says, never used by recruiters to evaluate job candidates.
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As employers expand artificial intelligence in hiring, Maryland is one ... - Maryland Matters
What is artificial intelligence? Experts weigh in – ABC News
Artificial intelligence, or AI, has migrated from techie niche to cultural mainstream. Today, the technology eases many basic tasks but raises profound life-or-death concerns.
By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy -- an amount that exceeds the current annual output of China and India combined, accounting and research firm PwC found.
In recent months, a reckoning with AI has swept across institutions as disparate as universities, factories, media companies, governments and even amusement parks.
Here are some answers to fundamental questions about the technology:
AI simulates the human capacity to think and learn for the sake of performing tasks.
Computers or other machines equipped with the technology can serve dinner, package boxes, recommend personalized ads or write college-level essays, among many other uses.
Sauvik Das, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who focuses on AI and cybersecurity, characterizes AI as a "broad umbrella term."
"AI is our attempt at creating tech that mimics human cognition," Das told ABC News. "The pace of development is pretty rapid right now."
The term was coined in the 1950s and was notably deployed by Alan Turing, who devised a test that examines whether a human interlocutor can distinguish between their conversations with a fellow individual versus those with a machine.
Over the ensuing decades, as computational capacity ballooned, AI grew increasingly sophisticated.
The technology manifests in everyday life through social media and movie recommendation algorithms, phone unlocking systems that rely on facial recognition, and personalized search engine results.
"The seeds have been there for a while," Chris McComb, a professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and director of the Human+AI Design Initiative, told ABC News.
AI garnered mainstream attention last year after the release of a new-and-improved version of ChatGPT, a conversation bot that reached 100 million users within two months.
ChatGPT immediately responds to prompts from users on a wide range of subjects, generating an essay on Shakespeare or a set of travel tips for a given destination.
Microsoft launched a version of its Bing search engine in March that offers responses delivered by GPT-4, the latest model of ChatGPT. Rival search company Google in February announced an AI model called Bard.
The text bots, known as large language models, have prompted clashes within university classrooms, newsrooms and TV studios over uses and abuses in creating original work.
Art generators, meanwhile, instantly produce fresh artwork based on written prompts.
"We've just crossed the hump where AI seems to be doing a lot more than it used to do," Das said.
Proponents of AI say the technology could increase productivity, automate unpleasant or mundane tasks, and afford the opportunity to focus on creative and innovative endeavors.
"AI allows humans to focus on higher-value activities," Adam Wray, founder and CEO of AstrumU, an education-focused company that uses artificial intelligence, told ABC News.
The technology, Wray added, performs an array of tasks that would be "impossible for someone to efficiently handle at scale."
Detractors, however, warn AI could supercharge the spread of misinformation, hate speech and deceptive information, such as deep-fake video and audio. The technology could even pose an existential threat for humanity, some experts have warned.
In May, hundreds of business leaders and public figures sounded a sobering alarm over what they described as the threat of mass extinction posed by artificial intelligence.
Experts agree it's important to have conversations about safety and the implications of using AI.
"We have lots of experts thinking about the implications on society, safety, policy -- the right policies that we need to ensure we have safe, productive use of this technology," Brendan Englot, director of The Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI), Stevens Institute of Technology's cross-division focus on AI, told ABC News.
"These same issues have come up with every new wave of technology," he added, citing cars and airplanes as two examples, "and ushered in new machines and tools that have potential to be impactful in a positive way and also carry risks."
While much uncertainty about AI remains, one forecast stands assured, Wray said.
"The only constant when it comes to AI is change," he said.
McComb said it's worth exploring AI, especially when it comes to small tasks that help make daily life "a more joyful experience" -- but it's important to be able to verify the results.
He added, "Were deeply social beings. There's something fundamentally human we have to protect about relationships and the dignity of humanity."
ABC News' Melissa Gaffney contributed to this report.
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What is artificial intelligence? Experts weigh in - ABC News
USF’s artificial intelligence researchers say regulation is needed – ABC Action News Tampa Bay
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. USF assistant professor John Licato says humans have never seen an advance like artificial intelligence.
He and others in the Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning Lab are working on how to get AI to understand language better.
He says sees two very different reactions from the public regarding the power of AI systems like Chat GPT.
Unwarranted paranoia on one side. But also the exact extreme opposite, where some people think the technology is not going to affect my job at all. I dont have to pay attention. I think both of those reactions are probably incorrect in some way, said Licato.
Tech giants like Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft are working with the White House to develop artificial intelligence regulations.
That includes security and transparency with the public. And testing of their products before they are released.
Something is necessary, but its very easy to see how they could overdo it and completely stifle innovation, said Licato.
Larry Hall is a professor at USFs Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
Related Story: Big Tech agrees to voluntary testing, safety commitments on AI
He says some sort of regulation is important.
One example would be detectors or watermarks to let people know when AI creates something.
There probably hasnt been enough focus on that piece of making sure that what you see is real. Enough research on that. I think thats probably something we really need to do. It doesnt seem so exciting. But for society, its really important, said Hall.
Weve reported extensively on AI research, including the massive computer system at the University of Florida.
Other departments are working with AI to improve everything from farming to brain health.
At USF, they say they are ramping up their AI department with the hope of helping businesses, the government, and the military in our area.
Weve also got an increasing number of new hires on the faculty side that are bringing in some really innovative research that the community is just now starting to realize the benefit. Chat GPT really helped with that, said Licato.
Some critics say that big tech companies still need to do more to show what data they use to train AI models.
President Biden is expected to sign an executive order for AI regulation eventually, but officials say final details are still being worked out.
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USF's artificial intelligence researchers say regulation is needed - ABC Action News Tampa Bay
Python: The Foundation of Artificial Intelligence – Fagen wasanni
Python and artificial intelligence (AI) share a close relationship, akin to a harmonious duet of reason and imagination. Python, a versatile programming language, has been instrumental in countless AI advancements, fostering industry growth and encouraging creativity.
One of Pythons strengths lies in its clarity and readability, which enables academics, engineers, and data scientists to delve into the intricate web of AI. The languages expansive ecosystem, encompassing libraries and frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and sci-kit-learn, provides robust tools for quickly building and deploying AI models.
Pythons expressive syntax and dynamic nature make it ideal for iterative AI development, supporting flexible exploration and rapid prototyping. Its object-oriented approach facilitates organizing and abstracting modular code, promoting extensibility and maintainability of AI systems.
With its rich collection of libraries, Python empowers programmers to leverage existing solutions, accelerating AI development across various domains. These solutions range from machine learning techniques to natural language processing and computer vision. The thriving Python community actively fosters collaboration, sharing information, experience, and open-source projects, driving the advancement of AI applications.
Pythons adaptability extends even to cutting-edge areas like explainable AI, generative adversarial networks, and reinforcement learning. Acting as a common language, Python enables cross-disciplinary cooperation among AI researchers and facilitates the incorporation of diverse AI methodologies.
In the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence, Python remains the language of choice, enabling the AI community to stretch boundaries, unlock new possibilities, and shape the future of intelligent systems.
Python serves as the throbbing heart of AI, orchestrating its marvels. With its clear syntax and extensive library, Python equips programmers with the necessary tools to harness the immense potential of AI. It takes us into a world where algorithms come alive, data reveals its secrets, and computers are taught to perceive the environment and make decisions.
Pythons compatibility with popular AI frameworks, such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, further amplifies its significance. This allows us to develop intelligent systems that revolutionize industries and shape our future. In this powerful combination, Python becomes the language of creativity, enabling us to unleash the boundless potential and unravel the mysteries of AI.
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Python: The Foundation of Artificial Intelligence - Fagen wasanni