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Artificial Intelligence

Canadian Lawsuit Challenges OpenAI’s Data Scraping Practices Under Copyright Law

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OpenAI is facing a legal challenge in Canada over allegations of breaching copyright laws through unauthorized data scraping from news websites. Several Canadian news organizations have filed a lawsuit claiming OpenAI violated their terms of service by bypassing protective measures, such as the Robot Exclusion Protocol, and using their content for commercial purposes. The plaintiffs argue that by scraping their material, OpenAI copied their work without authorization and infringed upon terms limiting use to “personal, non-commercial” purposes. This dispute centers on whether data scraping constitutes reproduction protected by copyright or falls under the fair dealing exception. Under Canadian and U.S. copyright law, fair dealing or fair use allows limited unauthorized copying for purposes like education or research. OpenAI contends its practices qualify as transformative use, similar to Google’s digitization of books for searchable databases. Legal scholars and groups like Creative Commons support this view, noting that AI models abstract metadata rather than reproducing original works, creating outputs that do not compete with the original content. In response to earlier lawsuits, OpenAI has taken steps to allow news organizations to opt out of its training processes and has pursued licensing agreements. However, the Canadian case raises broader questions about the balance between innovation in AI and the financial interests of media companies. The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the AI industry. If OpenAI’s actions are deemed fair dealing, it may weaken the licensing market for news content. On the other hand, a settlement or licensing arrangement could set a precedent for future AI training practices. As Canadian and U.S. courts prepare to hear these cases, the decisions will likely shape the future interplay between AI development and intellectual property rights.

I&B Minister Warns Big Tech: Address Fake News or Risk Losing ‘Safe Harbour’ Protection

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Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw issued a stern warning to Big Tech companies on National Press Day, urging them to take stronger measures against fake news and algorithmic biases. Speaking at a Press Council of India event in Delhi, the minister highlighted four critical challenges impacting the news media: misinformation, AI-generated content, algorithmic manipulation, and unfair compensation for traditional media. Vaishnaw called out digital platforms for failing to verify information, leading to the unchecked spread of fake news, which he described as a “threat to democracy.” He suggested revisiting the Safe Harbour clause under Section 79 of the IT Act, 2000, which currently grants immunity to platforms like Meta and X for user-generated content. The minister argued that the provision, formulated in the 1990s, is outdated given the vast influence of today’s digital platforms. “In a country as diverse as India, misinformation and algorithmic bias pose significant societal risks. Platforms must take greater responsibility to align their operations with our sensitivities,” he said. On algorithmic bias, Vaishnaw criticised platforms for amplifying sensational content to boost engagement, often at the cost of social harmony. He advocated for ethical solutions that prioritize responsible dissemination of information. The minister also addressed the economic disparity between traditional and digital media, urging Big Tech to ensure fair compensation for conventional media outlets that create original content. Highlighting the risks of artificial intelligence, Vaishnaw raised ethical concerns over AI-generated content and its impact on creators’ rights and recognition. He called for open debates and collaborative efforts to address these pressing issues, emphasizing the need for accountability and fairness in digital media governance. The speech underscored the government’s growing focus on regulating Big Tech and safeguarding democratic values in the digital era. Source: Indiatvnews Photo Credit: Indiatvnews

Bihar to Unveil GenNext Lab for Data-Driven Governance

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In a move to modernize governance and streamline decision-making processes, the Bihar government is set to launch its GenNext Lab on October 8. This initiative, spearheaded by the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD), aims to leverage cutting-edge technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to support public administration and rural development. The lab will be inaugurated by B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, and will focus on enhancing government decision-making by utilizing real-time data to predict challenges and craft proactive solutions, especially in rural areas. In addition to the GenNext Lab, two other key facilities—Viksit Chintan Kaksh and Nitishala—will be unveiled. These new initiatives aim to position Bihar as a frontrunner in modern, tech-driven governance. GenNext Lab: The GenNext Lab will assist government officials in making well-informed decisions using AI and data analytics. By processing real-time data, it will enable officials to address governance issues like rural development before they escalate. The lab will also serve as a learning hub with simulations and case studies, offering practical insights for more effective governance. Viksit Chintan Kaksh: This high-tech room is designed for collaborative policy discussions. Government officials can come together to strategize and shape Bihar’s future through collective decision-making and idea-sharing. Nitishala: This learning lab focuses on providing hands-on training for government officers. Through interactive learning methods like simulations and real-life case studies, Nitishala will help officers apply theoretical knowledge to practical governance challenges. Transforming Governance in Bihar: Together, these initiatives will revolutionize governance in Bihar by promoting data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and practical training. The integrated approach will help officials better understand the connections between key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and women’s empowerment, ultimately enabling Bihar to anticipate and address challenges more effectively. Source: eastmojo

Spring Health’s Valuation Jumps to $3.3 Billion After $100 Million Series E

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Mental health funding has been as hot as the weather these past few weeks. Spring Health became the latest startup in the sector to raise big, locking up a $100 million Series E at a $3.3 billion valuation — a 65% increase from the $2 billion valuation it received in 2021 after a $190 million Series C. The new round was led by Generation Investment Management, with participation from existing investors including Kinnevik, The William K Warren Foundation, RRE Ventures, and Northzone. Founded in 2016, the company has raised nearly $467 million, per Crunchbase. New York-based Spring Health partners with employers to provide mental health services to their employees. The company also uses artificial intelligence to help members get care faster. “Our continued growth trajectory means more people are getting the care they need and this new funding allows us to double down on our strengths, increase access, scale our impact, and continue to deliver even greater ROI to employers,” said co-founder and CEO April Koh in a release. Mental Health Funding Ticking Up Just in the past several weeks, mental health has seen its biggest raises of the year. Along with Spring Health, New York-based Talkiatry, a psychiatric care startup, picked up $130 million in mid-June. The round consisted of a combination of Series C equity financing led by Andreessen Horowitz, and debt financing from Banc of California. Then just last week, mental healthcare platform Headway closed a $100 million Series D led by Spark Capital. The new funding values the company at $2.3 billion — a 130% increase just from October when it raised a $125 million Series C at a $1 billion valuation. While well off its 2021 high, mental health funding has remained relatively stable this year.

Sanchana Navaneethakrishnan, Trustee, Vivekam Sr. Sec. School, Coimbatore emphasised on the use of technology in education

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“we ensure that these technologies are used minimally, as it is the teacher who can bring innovative thinking into the minds of children” said Sanchana Navaneethakrishnan Can you tell me more about your institutions? Yes, to be particular, we have two branches in Kuwait. The name in Tamil means “Brilliance.” As the name indicates, one thing that we have been focusing on is the quality of education. Our first institution has been around for over 25 years, and the second one for 14 years. Over time, we have always focused on the quality of education we provide, ensuring equality in how we treat children, regardless of their skill levels. We also emphasize values significantly. Being the only daughter of my parents, I was certain from my schooling that I would take up the institutions. Therefore, I have been training myself specifically to become an educationalist. We aim to instill in children the quality and attitude to perceive the world correctly, focusing more on how to do things better rather than just what not to do. How is your institution adapting to the transition from traditional to digital modes of education? We have recently associated with Oxford and are incorporating artificial intelligence and virtual reality to prepare children for future technological updates. However, we ensure that these technologies are used minimally, as it is the teacher who can bring innovative thinking into the minds of children. Mere books and facts cannot achieve that. What modules does your school have to motivate teachers? We are conducting back-to-back workshops and training sessions for teachers. We also plan to provide a wide range of facilities to help teachers educate themselves. Since most of our teachers are female and have household responsibilities, we are digitalizing our library and providing resources within the campus to help them keep up with the knowledge level of the children without having to do extra work at home. What have you taken away from today’s session? This event has been fantastically organized and is much needed. Most of the discussion comes from top-level people who do not implement changes, but as implementers, we can bring real change on the ground. I have found that many people think like me, and this event has provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with other schools. We can contribute to changing society as a whole since children from various schools are part of a larger educational community. Do you have any message for ArdorComm Media Group? Yes, I would like you to organize more such events, focusing on the next generation, especially in schools. It’s important to concentrate not just on sustainable development but on what is needed overall. We often compare ourselves with the United States, but there are significant differences in population and culture. We need to correct ourselves according to our country’s characteristics rather than relying solely on research or statistics from institutions like Harvard University. It would be wonderful if initiatives could be taken to create our own statistics relevant to our population. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this event.

Uma Kannan Founder Principal, Sri Venkateswara Group of Schools, Ambattur expressed how pedagogies and new strategies can upskill and reskill the students

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“The New Normal refers to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and a technologically driven society” said Uma Kannan Could you please highlight some of the initiatives of your institution and give us more light on what your institution is doing? In each and every institution, we take up the growth of the student to bring out the awesome holistic children within the students and through the teachers. The pedagogies, introduction of new strategies to upskill and reskill the students’ energy as well as the faculty’s energy, are crucial. Only then can they produce very good social beings to develop the nation. We are doing a lot of service through seminars and conferences. Would you like to throw some light on the education policy and any initiatives your institution is doing in this regard? Recently, in 2020, the central government adopted a new educational policy and framework. One aspect of that is the 21st-century learning skills, another is the sustainable developmental goals, and the third is design thinking. We incorporate all these with the teachers through some orientation programs to upskill their energy, and then we transform that into the classroom. Any takeaways from today’s forum? Definitely. I learned how to parent the child. Parenting is very necessary with all biological modulations. We need to transparently open up the biological changes to the students. Kudos to Manjula and Chandan for bringing in this transparency. Teachers are the second parents, and we need to instruct the parents to be the first educators, giving all this transparently to the children to bring in a good social being. What does the phrase “New Normal” mean to you? The New Normal refers to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and a technologically driven society. We need to incorporate this into the educational curriculum. However, we should not forget the traditional way of teaching, as it provides an aesthetic approach and emotional well-being for the child and the adult. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group? ArdorComm, you are keeping the summits in very reputed cities like Delhi, which are educational hubs. I want this to extend to all corners of the country, even the villages. Your service should be extended to smaller cities and towns. Thank you. It was a pleasure having you at this forum. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chandan. All the best.

Hollywood’s AI Anxiety Heightens Amid Scarlett Johansson’s OpenAI Feud

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Scarlett Johansson’s public spat with OpenAI over the alleged replication of her voice for their AI model, ChatGPT, has reignited Hollywood’s fears of artificial intelligence encroaching on creative realms. The controversy stems from Johansson’s accusation that OpenAI mimicked her voice without permission, echoing her performance in the film “Her.” This incident has unsettled entertainment executives, particularly as Hollywood explores potential collaborations with OpenAI. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman maintains that the voice was not intended to resemble Johansson’s, the dispute underscores broader concerns within the industry. Some fear that AI models trained on copyrighted works could infringe on intellectual property rights, hindering collaboration between content creators and tech companies. This clash highlights the evolving legal landscape surrounding digital likeness rights. Johansson’s case mirrors past legal battles over celebrity endorsements and sound-alikes, prompting discussions about federal regulations to protect voice and likeness rights. As Hollywood grapples with the implications of AI in content creation, the dialogue surrounding deep fakes and digital rights intensifies, signaling the need for comprehensive legal frameworks in the era of advanced AI technology.  

Competition Commission of India to Soon Introduce New Merger Regulations

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The Competition Commission of India (CCI) will soon release a new set of merger regulations following the amendments to the competition law enacted last year. These regulations are expected after the model code of conduct is lifted post-elections, as certain provisions of the amended law need to be notified by the government. According to the amendments, CCI approval is required for any transaction valued over ₹2,000 crore. CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur announced on Monday that the regulatory framework under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023, is in the final stages. This framework incorporates global best practices to address emerging market competition challenges. The new regulations will cover negotiated settlements on anti-competitive practices, merger and acquisition regulations based on deal value, and an expanded leniency scheme to encourage cartels to come forward. The upcoming focus is on merger regulations. The new merger regulations will detail how to assess the transaction value for CCI approval and expedite the merger regulation process by reducing the maximum decision time from 210 days to 150 days. These regulations aim to clarify and streamline the merger approval process, particularly for transactions exceeding ₹2,000 crore, even if they do not meet the traditional asset and sales thresholds. Kaur emphasized that the digital economy’s rise has prompted a global revamp of competition laws. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is working on a Digital Competition Bill to address systemic digital economy firms’ issues. Public consultations on a draft bill are complete, and inter-ministerial consultations will follow before presenting it to parliament. In addition, CCI is initiating a market study on artificial intelligence (AI) to understand its impact on competition. Kaur highlighted the need to regulate digital markets to prevent dominance by a few companies and address data dominance concerns. Attorney General R. Venkataramani, speaking at an event marking CCI’s 15th foundation day, underscored the importance of regulating data as a new currency. He noted the global regulatory actions against data gatekeepers and the ongoing debate in India over the draft Digital Competition Bill, which will determine CCI’s approach to regulating digital markets.  

Tripura Government to Implement E-Attendance System in Government Schools

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In an effort to enhance the quality of education and monitor the performance of teachers and students, the Tripura government has announced plans to introduce an e-attendance system in all 4,912 government schools. The move, to be implemented under the Vidya Samiksha Kendra initiative, aims to bring transparency to the academic system and improve the overall functioning of schools. The digital attendance system will cover both teachers and students, with the entire process expected to be completed within a two-year timeframe. Initially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat in 2022, the Vidya Samiksha Kendra initiative is designed to enhance educational outcomes by leveraging technology and providing real-time monitoring of educational initiatives. Following the implementation of the e-attendance system, a geo-tagging feature will also be introduced to facilitate online access to essential school-related information. Once the e-attendance system is fully operational, monitoring of teacher and school performance will be conducted by the Chief Minister, relevant ministers, and senior officials. Training sessions for headmasters and other stakeholders are already underway to familiarize them with the new digital system. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who oversees the Education Department, recently inaugurated the state’s first Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Agartala. This center aims to digitize educational data, provide real-time visibility into educational initiatives, and support decision-making through data analysis and AI. With over 37,000 teachers and nearly 700,000 students enrolled across various levels of school education, the introduction of the e-attendance system is expected to significantly improve accountability and transparency in Tripura’s education sector.  

Google Urges US Government to Update Immigration Rules for AI Talent

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Google is urging the US government to modernize its immigration policies, particularly focusing on the Schedule A list, to attract and retain top artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity talent from around the world. In a letter addressed to the Department of Labor, the tech giant expressed concerns that outdated policies could lead to a loss of valuable talent in these critical sectors. The Schedule A list, last updated in 2005, identifies occupations with insufficient American workers. Google argues that this list needs to be expanded to include AI and cybersecurity-related fields and should be updated more frequently to reflect changing labor needs. The company emphasized the growing demand for AI talent within its ranks and stressed the importance of addressing the talent shortage to fully harness the potential of AI advancements. Google also highlighted the lengthy process of obtaining permanent labor certification (PERM) and called for a more efficient system to attract and retain top talent. Karan Bhatia, head of government affairs and public policy at Google, underscored the global shortage of AI talent and emphasized the need for the US to adapt its immigration policies accordingly. This call for immigration reform comes amid fierce competition among tech companies to attract AI talent, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly making personal offers to AI researchers. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also expressed concerns about losing key talent to rivals like Apple. The strict immigration policies in the US have exacerbated these concerns, making it challenging for companies to attract and retain AI talent from abroad. While President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI aims to increase AI talent in the country, Google’s letter suggests that more comprehensive reforms are needed to ensure the US remains competitive in the global race for AI dominance.