8
Verge Score
The new compact steadicam doesn’t do much the Pocket 3 can’t, but it improves on nearly all of it.
Caught between fears of job loss and social stigma, Gen Z’s opinions of AI are hitting new lows.
It’s dangerous to tell a courtroom ‘I don’t lose my temper.’
The Financial Times reports Alphabet’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, responded to employee opposition to the deal Google signed with the Pentagon in a memo on Tuesday, saying, “Staying engaged with governments, including on national security, will help democracies benefit from responsible technologies.”
The never-ending fight to end warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act continues, with the House voting 235–191 for a bill that, once again, did not add warrant requirements. The bill now goes to the Senate, which has until tomorrow before the current law expires. Congress already voted in a 10 day extension on April 20.
Alongside Quips, Patreon is also getting collaboration posts, a redesigned Home feed, and a feed just showing creators that you follow. The company initially introduced the features last year, but now they’re available to “the majority of creators and fans.”
I’ve just left the court after one of the most tiresome cross-examinations I have ever had the misfortune to witness. Elon Musk really wants us to think he’s just a poor simple country CEO who is being maliciously tricked by a big-city lawyer. I’m not buying it and I don’t think the jury is, either.
The ecommerce giant confirmed that it will hold the deals event one month early this year, offering discounts to Prime members in 26 countries. Amazon hasn’t revealed an exact date for Prime Day yet, but rumors suggest it could occur in “late June.”
[Amazon News]
Well there goes all my fun! I was so excited to hear about MechaHilter in open court — and, in addition, Sam Altman apologizing to a Canadian town for OpenAI not flagging a mass shooter. But since Musk did bring up the difference in for-profit and not-for-profit motives, there is a limited line of questioning that can proceed.
There are a few matters the lawyers want to discuss with YGR. Musk’s testimony may have opened the door to questions about xAI and its safety record. I do love hearing the phrase “opened the door.”
Savitt hasn’t significantly raised the issue yet, but he’s started hinting at the idea that Musk’s safety-last approach at xAI might undercut his credibility. He asks Musk if it’s important to instill good values in AI systems, and after Musk agrees, asks if racist or sexist training materials could have a negative impact. Musk says systems wouldn’t necessarily absorb those values, and Savitt follows up to mention AI discrimination — and more specifically, an anti-algorithmic discrimination law in Colorado that Musk and xAI have been fighting against.
Savitt also asks whether, if Musk is concerned that a profit motive undermines AI safety, that applies to his own xAI. Musk says sure, it’s an issue across the board.
Savitt briefly explores a line of questioning about Grok, but it ends quickly. (It could be brought up for discussion later.) He moves on to asking about Musk’s purported commitment to care deeply about AI safety. Has Musk ever posted on Twitter/X about AI regulation? Musk doesn’t know off the top of his head. Savitt also sounds dubious of the idea that Musk spoke with Obama about AI safety, asking if there are any press reports or statements from the White House. Then, Savitt asks if Musk has spoken with the current president about the issue, especially since the former White House AI czar, David Sacks, is one of Musk’s fellow PayPal Mafia members.
