In an exciting development that combines music, history, and artificial intelligence technology, the Beatles have released a 21st-century track, despite the loss of John Lennon four decades ago and George Harrison two decades ago. Thanks to AI, this seemingly impossible feat has become a reality.
The track, "Now and Then," is from a collection of unreleased demos written by Lennon in the 1970s, given to his former bandmates by Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow. However, the song's completion was hindered by the poor quality of the original tape, where Lennon's voice was obscured and the piano was barely audible. These limitations were insurmountable with the technology of that era.
Fast forward to 2022, the remaining Beatles, with the help of technology used in the Beatles-inspired documentary series directed by Peter Jackson, managed to isolate Lennon's voice from the original cassette. The key to this achievement was machine learning, a subset of AI that equips systems with the ability to learn from experience.
In a different context, the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) and Amazon Web Services have introduced a new 'Shot Speed' stat to the Bundesliga Match Facts, demonstrating another excellent application of AI. The 'Shot Speed' stat, a critical factor in overcoming the goalkeeper and scoring, will be measured from live tracking data of the ball and the player at the moment of the shot, when the ball reaches its maximum speed.
These developments represent significant leaps in the application of Artificial Intelligence. AI's diverse capabilities and the substantial progress in the field over the past few years are showcased, whether it's reviving voices from the past or revolutionizing data analytics in sports.
Several intriguing advancements have emerged as we delve deeper into the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, underscoring both the potential and the challenges of these burgeoning AI technologies. Adobe's generative AI feature in the latest version of Photoshop allows a photograph to be manipulated simply by using a tool and a command that says "remove person in background". However, this advancement raises complex questions about the future credibility of media.
A new camera that supports the 'Content Credentials' standard can encode secure metadata directly into the file at the point of capture, which could track image provenance and edits. This could be an ideal solution for combating misinformation or deception initiated through image editing tools like Adobe's generative AI. However, for content credentials to become widely adopted, participation from all major manufacturers, software developers, and the public is required.
AI ethics is another concern that has come up with the second wave of AI application. Recent investigations reveal that care insurers under Medicare Advantage are using AI to prematurely deny care without fully understanding patients' specific health needs. Another concerning use of AI is the proliferation of AI-generated fake profiles or bots on dating apps. These bots are programmed to engage in realistic conversations and even use generated photos and audio to deceive users.
As technology evolves, the old adage holds true - with great power comes great responsibility. We need a judicious blend of policy, technology, and social oversight to ensure AI is a boon, not a bane.
In a recent move, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world's largest computer chip maker, pledged a substantial $40 billion investment in a production hub in Phoenix. The goal was to maintain and strengthen America's position as a global tech leader. However, a surprising obstacle has emerged – a shortage of skilled workers. Chairman Mark Liu revealed that the company has had to fly in experienced technicians from Taiwan to train local workers because the US talent pool was insufficient.
A report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy found that the U.S. is in danger of losing its competitive edge in STEM research to China. This issue is part of a broader, global competition for skilled workers who can help their nation maintain or attain world leadership in a number of areas, from military strength, economic resilience, to breakthrough technologies like AI.
The U.S. is grappling with 8.8 million job openings, with only 6.3 million unemployed workers to bridge that gap. This indicates a pressing labor shortage, influenced by America’s aging population and dwindling birth rates. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring a reliable flow of skilled workers to fill in-demand jobs. The proposed solution includes implementing comprehensive policies for retaining high-skilled immigrant workers, especially those with STEM skills, and investing in education for American students and workers.
America's competitiveness is rooted in its climate of openness and innovation, reflective of a democracy that upholds freedom and individual rights. The key is making policy changes to attract and retain high-skilled leaders from other countries while also cultivating our own talent.
Links:
Listen to the last new Beatles song with John, Paul, George, Ringo and AI tech: 'Now and Then'
DFL, AWS Add New ‘Shot Speed’ Stat to Bundesliga Match Facts
Content Credentials (Probably) Won’t Save Photojournalism
STAT+: Democrats push government to police algorithms in Medicare Advantage
LoveGPT: The AI dating scam fooling Aussies
Foreign workers could fill the current gap in our high-tech competition with China
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