AI Robocalls Ban & Google's Gemini

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• US bans AI Robocalls

• Google’s New Chatbot: Gemini

• Cancer & Age

• Metaverse Attacks

• E-Bike Concerns

US bans AI Robocalls
Have you ever gotten a random call with a robotic voice trying to get to you either buy something or pay something off? These are robocalls. And this Thursday, according to an article from BBC News, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made robocalls generated by AI illegal. This means that states are now able to immediately prosecute those who make AI robocalls. Furthermore, the same article also states that the decision was prompted by a surge in robocalls that impersonated celebrities or political figures, which often tried to exploit the general public and spread misinformation. This decision aligns with global concerns about deepfake technology, particularly with its potential impact on elections. And, we may very well see similar laws passed in the future regarding this technology soon.

Google’s New Chatbot: Gemini

You’ve heard of ChatGPT, Copilot, and Google’s Bard. But have you heard of Gemini? Well actually, Google announced that Bard will now be renamed to Gemini, and with it comes a new paid subscription. According to an article from The Washington Post, Google has recently announced that they will start selling access to their advanced artificial intelligence model, Gemini Advanced, for $20 a month, integrating it into their cloud storage subscription. This new $20-a-month subscription fee will be similar to OpenAI’s GPT Plus subscription, as Google is actively trying to compete in the AI space.

Phone with Google pulled up. @Solen Feyissa

Cancer & Age

Cancer risk increases as humans get older, but does anyone know why? Well, according to an article from BBC News, scientists are beginning to understand why. According to the article, aging leads to accumulated DNA damage, impairing repair mechanisms and raising the risk of uncontrolled cell division. Additionally, studies also show that mutations impair immune cells, particularly the p53 pathway, which suppresses tumors. Clonal hematopoiesis, the expansion of blood stem cells due to gene mutations, increases the risk of blood cancers and alters immune cell function. Now, new theories suggest that cells may "lose their memory" with age, behaving incorrectly and proliferating. According to the article, this could be due to epigenetic changes, making the genome less stable in transmitting information. Thus, these new theories and conclusions could lead to new cancer treatments in the future.

Metaverse Attacks

Virtual Reality has been on the market for years now, however, only now are some suggesting new laws for this technology. According to an article from The Washington Post, rising incidents of attacks and sexual assault in virtual reality (VR) have raised concerns among US citizens. According to the article, The Zero Abuse Project aims to educate police about VR dangers, supported by a U.S. Justice Department grant. According to the article, the immersive nature of VR intensifies online attacks, prompting a call for a comprehensive response amid major tech companies' increasing investments in VR programs.

Women wearing virtual reality glasses. @Maxim Hopman

E-Bike Fears

E-bikes are great ways for people to travel around cities quickly and without the work of a traditional bike. However, according to a BBC News article, the e-bike boom is causing fire concerns due to the use of cheap and potentially unsafe batteries. The lack of awareness about lithium-ion battery risks and inadequate regulations contribute to an increasing number of incidents. According to the article, experts stress the need for synchronized batteries, compatible chargers, and safety standards for charging facilities. However, industry and government funding are crucial to ensuring the long-term safety of e-bikes.