In partnership with

Sign Up - LInkedin

Get in Front of 50k Tech Leaders: Grow With Us

Middle of the week Fellows,

Today we talk about the big question. What makes us unique in the age of AI? Also, How Russia is trying to undermine the Olympics with hacking tactics and where the Vice President pick stands on Tech Policy. Let’s dive in Team.

• 📰 News and Trends.

• In The Age of AI, What Makes YOU Unique?

• 🧰 AI Tools (Avatars / Selfies)

• Russia Responds to Olympic Ban with Widespread Disinformation Campaign.

• Who is Tim Walz and Where Does He Stand on Tech Policy?

📰 AI News and Trends

• OpenAI is experiencing leadership upheaval: Co-founder John Schulman has joined competitor Anthropic, President Greg Brockman is on extended leave, and Product Manager Peter Deng has left the company (TC)

• NVIDIA’s AI team reportedly scraped YouTube, and Netflix videos without permission (Engadget)

• AI Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Joins UK's Safeguarded AI Project to Develop Systems Ensuring AI Safety (MIT)

• AI Voices Stir Controversy in Reggae Sound Clashes, Threatening Authenticity (TheGuardian)

• AI Is Coming for India’s Famous Tech Hub (WSJ)

• Figure 2 has released the most advanced robot up to date (X)

🌐 Other Tech news

• Musk-backed PAC under investigation for potential violations of Michigan laws (Reuters)

• For the first time since 2018, more U.S. companies have been included in Fortune’s Global 500 List than Chinese firms. Walmart retained its position at the top of the list (Fortune)

• Uber stock price gets a lift. The company’s second quarter saw an increase of 25% year-over-year in rideshare trip bookings, as well as an uptick in delivery (FC)

• Independent Podcasters on Patreon Rake in $350 Million Amidst Booming $25 Billion Industry (TubeFilter)

• Elon Musk's X Files Lawsuit Against Advertisers Over Antitrust Violations Amid Revenue Crisis, after he told them to f#$% off (BI)

FREE AI & ChatGPT Masterclass to automate 50% of your workflow

More than 300 Million people use AI across the globe, but just the top 1% know the right ones for the right use-cases.

Join this free masterclass on AI tools that will teach you the 25 most useful AI tools on the internet – that too for $0 (they have 100 free seats only!)

Get it now for absolutely free! (for first 100 users only) 🎁

This masterclass will teach you how to:

• Build business strategies & solve problems like a pro

• Write content for emails, socials & more in minutes

• Build AI assistants & custom bots in minutes

• Research 10x faster, do more in less time & make your life easier

You’ll wish you knew about this FREE AI masterclass sooner 😉

Register & save your seat now! (valid for next 24 hours only!)

In The Age of AI, What Makes YOU Unique?

AI is making us question what makes humans unique. In an era where AI matches and sometimes exceeds human capabilities in areas like creativity and complex decision-making. Rothman highlights a paradigm shift from comparing humans with animals to juxtaposing them with machines, a reflection of our technological advancements.

Experts Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor criticize the broad use of "AI" as a term that often masks the limitations and variabilities of AI technologies. They emphasize the importance of skeptical evaluation to prevent overestimation of AI's effectiveness. Philosophically, Shannon Vallor in "The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking," argues that despite AI's ability to emulate human behaviors, it lacks the authentic experiences and virtues that define human essence. Her perspective urges a reassessment of human values and a focus on the irreplaceable aspects of human life that technology cannot duplicate.

This discussion invites a deeper reflection on the interplay between human qualities and AI's capabilities, urging a thoughtful consideration of how technology should enhance, rather than diminish, our understanding of what it means to be human. This is a good time to think about what makes you unique. What makes you, well YOU, at work, with your peers, with your family, and as a partner among other areas? Technology will continue to improve and permeate every aspect of our lives, even replacing our significant others as crazy as that sounds. Let’s ask ourselves.

Russia Responds to Olympic Ban with Widespread Disinformation Campaign.

Despite being banned from participating in the Olympics, Russia is influencing the event through a widespread social media disinformation campaign involving at least 30,000 bots linked to a Russian group that is disseminating false information.

Notably, this includes an AI-generated video that shows a lookalike of French President Emmanuel Macron criticizing Paris's cleanliness. Additionally, Russian networks have been stoking the culture war by amplifying debate over Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s Olympic victory, spreading baseless claims about her gender identity. According to a Microsoft security report, Russia has a longstanding pattern of attempting to undermine the Olympics if it cannot win or participate, aiming to degrade the international competition.

🧰 AI Tools

Avatars / Selfies.

• Profile Picture AI - Generate perfect profile pictures that capture who you are.

• Avatar AI - Create an AI professional photo shoot from your laptop or phone.

• Lensa - Lensa is a photo editor tool for retouching portrait selfies.

• Xpression Camera - The only real-time generative AI app for video chatting and live streaming.

• Reface AI - Create amusing videos and photos using this advanced AI face swap tool.

• FRENZ Brainband by Earable - Silence your thoughts and drift into a deeper sleep. —AI-powered, scientifically-backed sleep tech transforming restless nights into restful slumber. Exclusive savings with code 'celis'!*

Who is Tim Walz and Where Does He Stand on Tech Policy?

Tim Walz, the current Governor of Minnesota, has been selected as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. A former congressman and Army veteran, Walz is recognized for his legislative and executive experience. He's been applauded by some progressives for advancing liberal policies in Minnesota, such as free public school meals, college tuition coverage for low-income students, and legalization of recreational marijuana. Additionally, Walz is a strong advocate for abortion rights and climate initiatives. His selection by Harris aims to appeal to swing voters with his Midwestern appeal and progressive track record.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's technology policy largely aligns with the Biden administration, focusing on expanding broadband access and regulating AI technologies. Notably, he signed legislation criminalizing the harmful use of deepfakes in politics and the non-consensual distribution of deepfake imagery. His administration has also supported initiatives to make Minnesota a hub for innovative medical technology, integrating AI and data science. Additionally, Walz has advocated for increased broadband access, announcing significant funding to enhance internet connectivity across Minnesota. Although not heavily focused on tech in the past, these actions highlight his contributions to tech policy.