US bill proposes AI companies list what copyrighted materials they use

The debate over using copyrighted materials in AI training systems rages on — as does uncertainty over which works AI even pulls data from. US Congressman Adam Schiff is attempting to answer the latter, introducing the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act on April 9, Billboard reports. The bill would require AI companies to outline every copyrighted work in their datasets.

"AI has the disruptive potential of changing our economy, our political system, and our day-to-day lives. We must balance the immense potential of AI with the crucial need for ethical guidelines and protections." said Congressman Schiff in a statement. He added that the bill "champions innovation while safeguarding the rights and contributions of creators, ensuring they are aware when their work contributes to AI training datasets. This is about respecting creativity in the age of AI and marrying technological progress with fairness." Organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), SAG-AFTRA and WGA have shown support for the bill.

If the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act passes, companies would need to file all relevant data use to the Register of Copyrights at least 30 days before introducing the AI tool to the public. They would also have to provide the same information retroactively for any existing tools and make updates if they considerably altered datasets. Failure to do so would result in the Copyright Office issuing a fine — the exact number would depend on a company's size and past infractions. To be clear, this wouldn't do anything to prevent AI creators from using copyrighted work, but it would provide transparency on which materials they've taken from. The ambiguity over use was on full display in a March Bloomberg interview with OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, who claimed she was unsure if the tool Sora took data from YouTube, Facebook or Instagram posts.

The bill could even give companies and artists a clearer picture when speaking out against or suing for copyright infringement — a fairly common occurrence. Take the New York Times, which sued OpenAI and Microsoft for using its articles to train chatbots without an agreement or compensation, or Sarah Silverman, who sued OpenAI (a frequent defendant) and Meta for using her books and other works to train their AI models.

The entertainment industry has also been leading calls for AI protections. AI regulation was a big sticking point in the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last year, ending only when detailed policies around AI went into their contracts. SAG-AFTRA has recently voiced its support for California bills requiring consent from actors to use their avatars and from heirs to make AI versions of deceased individuals. It's no surprise that Congressman Schiff represents California's 30th district, which includes Hollywood, Burbank and Universal City.

Musicians are echoing their fellow creatives, with over 200 artists signing an open letter in April that calls for AI protections, the Guardian reported. "This assault on human creativity must be stopped," the letter, issued by the Artist Rights Alliance, states. "We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists' voices and likenesses, violate creators' rights, and destroy the music ecosystem." Billie Eilish, Jon Bon Jovi and Pearm Jam were among the signatories. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-bill-proposes-ai-companies-list-what-copyrighted-materials-they-use-123058589.html?src=rss

US bill proposes AI companies list what copyrighted materials they use

The debate over using copyrighted materials in AI training systems rages on — as does uncertainty over which works AI even pulls data from. US Congressman Adam Schiff is attempting to answer the latter, introducing the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act on April 9, Billboard reports. The bill would require AI companies to outline every copyrighted work in their datasets.

"AI has the disruptive potential of changing our economy, our political system, and our day-to-day lives. We must balance the immense potential of AI with the crucial need for ethical guidelines and protections." said Congressman Schiff in a statement. He added that the bill "champions innovation while safeguarding the rights and contributions of creators, ensuring they are aware when their work contributes to AI training datasets. This is about respecting creativity in the age of AI and marrying technological progress with fairness." Organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), SAG-AFTRA and WGA have shown support for the bill.

If the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act passes, companies would need to file all relevant data use to the Register of Copyrights at least 30 days before introducing the AI tool to the public. They would also have to provide the same information retroactively for any existing tools and make updates if they considerably altered datasets. Failure to do so would result in the Copyright Office issuing a fine — the exact number would depend on a company's size and past infractions. To be clear, this wouldn't do anything to prevent AI creators from using copyrighted work, but it would provide transparency on which materials they've taken from. The ambiguity over use was on full display in a March Bloomberg interview with OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, who claimed she was unsure if the tool Sora took data from YouTube, Facebook or Instagram posts.

The bill could even give companies and artists a clearer picture when speaking out against or suing for copyright infringement — a fairly common occurrence. Take the New York Times, which sued OpenAI and Microsoft for using its articles to train chatbots without an agreement or compensation, or Sarah Silverman, who sued OpenAI (a frequent defendant) and Meta for using her books and other works to train their AI models.

The entertainment industry has also been leading calls for AI protections. AI regulation was a big sticking point in the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last year, ending only when detailed policies around AI went into their contracts. SAG-AFTRA has recently voiced its support for California bills requiring consent from actors to use their avatars and from heirs to make AI versions of deceased individuals. It's no surprise that Congressman Schiff represents California's 30th district, which includes Hollywood, Burbank and Universal City.

Musicians are echoing their fellow creatives, with over 200 artists signing an open letter in April that calls for AI protections, the Guardian reported. "This assault on human creativity must be stopped," the letter, issued by the Artist Rights Alliance, states. "We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists' voices and likenesses, violate creators' rights, and destroy the music ecosystem." Billie Eilish, Jon Bon Jovi and Pearm Jam were among the signatories. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-bill-proposes-ai-companies-list-what-copyrighted-materials-they-use-123058589.html?src=rss

The Razer Stream Controller is down to its all-time low price

Streaming can be an art form in its own right and made all the more enjoyable with the proper tools — though they don't always come cheap. That's why the 26 percent discount currently running on the Razer Stream Controller is so exciting. The sale brings the all-in-one keypad down from $270 to $200 — a return to its record-low price. 

Razor launched its Stream Controller back in 2022 as a competitor to Elgato's Stream Deck — albeit at a much higher price point. To be fair, the device offers quite a lot for the cost, including 12 haptic switchblade keys, six tactile analog dials and eight programmable buttons. The haptic switchblade keys have customizable icons and, of course, have adjustable haptic feedback. The tactile analog dials control audio levels and the programmable buttons can make regular actions all the more accessible — and speedy.

The Razor Stream Controller works with Mac or PC and has integrated support for platforms like Discord, Twitch and Spotify. It's also good for any artists looking for a new creative device, as it works with Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator and more. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-razer-stream-controller-is-down-to-its-all-time-low-price-143755384.html?src=rss

The Razer Stream Controller is down to its all-time low price

Streaming can be an art form in its own right and made all the more enjoyable with the proper tools — though they don't always come cheap. That's why the 26 percent discount currently running on the Razer Stream Controller is so exciting. The sale brings the all-in-one keypad down from $270 to $200 — a return to its record-low price. 

Razor launched its Stream Controller back in 2022 as a competitor to Elgato's Stream Deck — albeit at a much higher price point. To be fair, the device offers quite a lot for the cost, including 12 haptic switchblade keys, six tactile analog dials and eight programmable buttons. The haptic switchblade keys have customizable icons and, of course, have adjustable haptic feedback. The tactile analog dials control audio levels and the programmable buttons can make regular actions all the more accessible — and speedy.

The Razor Stream Controller works with Mac or PC and has integrated support for platforms like Discord, Twitch and Spotify. It's also good for any artists looking for a new creative device, as it works with Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator and more. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-razer-stream-controller-is-down-to-its-all-time-low-price-143755384.html?src=rss

Apple’s M2 MacBook Air drops to $849 at Amazon

If you're anything like me, then you put off buying a new MacBook until absolutely necessary or there's a big sale to avoid a large bill. Right now, the latter is making a purchase more tempting, with Apple's 2022 MacBook Air with M2 chip on sale for $849 from $999. The 15 percent sale brings the 13.6-inch 256GB device down to a record-low price. 

We gave the 2022 MacBook Air a 96 in our review when Apple first released it, dubbing the device "near-perfect." The MacBook is thinner than its predecessor, but the screen is a noticeable one-third of an inch larger — with a liquid retina display and up to 500 nits of brightness. Other perks include a 1080p FaceTime camera and a 60Hz refresh rate. We were also big fans of the 2022 MacBook Air's high-quality quad-speaker array and solid three-mic system. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 USB-C thunderbolt ports and a MagSafe connector. 

Our pick for 2024's best budget MacBook is currently $200 cheaper than the latest M3 chip MacBook Air but has similar stats. Both laptops offer an 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 18 hours of battery life. Plus, both devices have up to 24GB of unified memory and can handle up to 2TB of storage. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-m2-macbook-air-drops-to-849-at-amazon-134240095.html?src=rss

Apple’s M2 MacBook Air drops to $849 at Amazon

If you're anything like me, then you put off buying a new MacBook until absolutely necessary or there's a big sale to avoid a large bill. Right now, the latter is making a purchase more tempting, with Apple's 2022 MacBook Air with M2 chip on sale for $849 from $999. The 15 percent sale brings the 13.6-inch 256GB device down to a record-low price. 

We gave the 2022 MacBook Air a 96 in our review when Apple first released it, dubbing the device "near-perfect." The MacBook is thinner than its predecessor, but the screen is a noticeable one-third of an inch larger — with a liquid retina display and up to 500 nits of brightness. Other perks include a 1080p FaceTime camera and a 60Hz refresh rate. We were also big fans of the 2022 MacBook Air's high-quality quad-speaker array and solid three-mic system. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, 2 USB-C thunderbolt ports and a MagSafe connector. 

Our pick for 2024's best budget MacBook is currently $200 cheaper than the latest M3 chip MacBook Air but has similar stats. Both laptops offer an 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 18 hours of battery life. Plus, both devices have up to 24GB of unified memory and can handle up to 2TB of storage. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-m2-macbook-air-drops-to-849-at-amazon-134240095.html?src=rss

Google announces Axion, its first Arm-based CPU for data centers

Google Cloud Next 2024 has begun, and the company is starting the event with some big announcements, including its new Axion processor. It's Google's first Arm-based CPU specifically created for data centers, which was designed using Arm's Neoverse V2 CPU.

According to Google, Axion performs 30 percent better than its fastest general purpose Arm-based tools in the cloud and 50 percent better than the most recent, comparable x86-based VMs. They also claim it's 60 percent more energy efficient than those same x86-based VMs. Google is already using Axion in services like BigTable and Google Earth Engine, expanding to more in the future.

The release of Axion could bring Google into competition with Amazon, which has led the field of Arm-based CPUs for data centers. The company's cloud business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), released the Graviton processor back in 2018, releasing the second and third iterations over the following two years. Fellow chip developer NVIDIA released its first Arm-based CPU for data centers in 2021 named Grace, and companies like Ampere have also been making gains in the area.

Google has been developing its own processors for several years now, but they've been primarily focused on consumer products. The original Arm-based Tensor ship first shipped in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro smartphones, which were released in late 2021. Subsequent Pixel phones have all been powered by updated versions of the Tensor. Prior to that, Google developed the "Tensor Processing Unit" (TPU) for its data centers. The company started using them internally in data centers in 2015, announced them publicly in 2016, and made them available to third parties in 2018. 

Arm-based processors are often a lower-cost and more energy-efficient option. Google's announcement came right after Arms CEO Rene Haas issued a warning about the energy usage of AI models, according to the Wall Street Journal. He called models such as ChatGPT "insatiable" regarding their need for electricity. "The more information they gather, the smarter they are, but the more information they gather to get smarter, the more power it takes, Haas stated. By the end of the decade, AI data centers could consume as much as 20 percent to 25 percent of US power requirements. Today that's probably four percent or less. That's hardly very sustainable, to be honest with you." He stressed the need for greater efficiency in order to maintain the pace of breakthroughs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-announces-its-first-arm-based-cpu-for-data-centers-120508058.html?src=rss

Google announces Axion, its first Arm-based CPU for data centers

Google Cloud Next 2024 has begun, and the company is starting the event with some big announcements, including its new Axion processor. It's Google's first Arm-based CPU specifically created for data centers, which was designed using Arm's Neoverse V2 CPU.

According to Google, Axion performs 30 percent better than its fastest general purpose Arm-based tools in the cloud and 50 percent better than the most recent, comparable x86-based VMs. They also claim it's 60 percent more energy efficient than those same x86-based VMs. Google is already using Axion in services like BigTable and Google Earth Engine, expanding to more in the future.

The release of Axion could bring Google into competition with Amazon, which has led the field of Arm-based CPUs for data centers. The company's cloud business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), released the Graviton processor back in 2018, releasing the second and third iterations over the following two years. Fellow chip developer NVIDIA released its first Arm-based CPU for data centers in 2021 named Grace, and companies like Ampere have also been making gains in the area.

Google has been developing its own processors for several years now, but they've been primarily focused on consumer products. The original Arm-based Tensor ship first shipped in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro smartphones, which were released in late 2021. Subsequent Pixel phones have all been powered by updated versions of the Tensor. Prior to that, Google developed the "Tensor Processing Unit" (TPU) for its data centers. The company started using them internally in data centers in 2015, announced them publicly in 2016, and made them available to third parties in 2018. 

Arm-based processors are often a lower-cost and more energy-efficient option. Google's announcement came right after Arms CEO Rene Haas issued a warning about the energy usage of AI models, according to the Wall Street Journal. He called models such as ChatGPT "insatiable" regarding their need for electricity. "The more information they gather, the smarter they are, but the more information they gather to get smarter, the more power it takes, Haas stated. By the end of the decade, AI data centers could consume as much as 20 percent to 25 percent of US power requirements. Today that's probably four percent or less. That's hardly very sustainable, to be honest with you." He stressed the need for greater efficiency in order to maintain the pace of breakthroughs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-announces-its-first-arm-based-cpu-for-data-centers-120508058.html?src=rss

The Nintendo Switch Lite and ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ bundle drops to $179

If you want a solid but small portable game console to play as you travel around (or comfortably sit in bed), then you're in luck as our pick for best handheld gaming console for commuting is currently on sale. The Nintendo Switch Lite is discounted to $179, down from $200 — and it comes with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This sale at Walmart brings the bundle to a record-low price.

The Nintendo Switch Lite came out in 2019, and we gave it a 90 in our review. As the name suggests, it's lightweight and more comfortable to hold than the bulkier Switch. The Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch screen, compared to the regular Switch's 6.2-inch, and both have a 720p display. It also offers four hours and 15 minutes of continual use before the battery life runs out.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is all about creating a new civilization right on a deserted island. You can make your own "island paradise" and slowly build a relaxed world for yourself. Plus, the Switch Lite has a Timmy and Tommy Aloha theme to go with the game. A new Switch is rumored to drop in 2025, but this sale is a good opportunity if you've yet to pick one up or need a good gift for someone.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-nintendo-switch-lite-and-animal-crossing-new-horizons-bundle-drops-to-179-131054703.html?src=rss

The Nintendo Switch Lite and ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ bundle drops to $179

If you want a solid but small portable game console to play as you travel around (or comfortably sit in bed), then you're in luck as our pick for best handheld gaming console for commuting is currently on sale. The Nintendo Switch Lite is discounted to $179, down from $200 — and it comes with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This sale at Walmart brings the bundle to a record-low price.

The Nintendo Switch Lite came out in 2019, and we gave it a 90 in our review. As the name suggests, it's lightweight and more comfortable to hold than the bulkier Switch. The Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch screen, compared to the regular Switch's 6.2-inch, and both have a 720p display. It also offers four hours and 15 minutes of continual use before the battery life runs out.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is all about creating a new civilization right on a deserted island. You can make your own "island paradise" and slowly build a relaxed world for yourself. Plus, the Switch Lite has a Timmy and Tommy Aloha theme to go with the game. A new Switch is rumored to drop in 2025, but this sale is a good opportunity if you've yet to pick one up or need a good gift for someone.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-nintendo-switch-lite-and-animal-crossing-new-horizons-bundle-drops-to-179-131054703.html?src=rss