News/Talent Trends
Animation Guild negotiates AI rules in extended contract talks
AI negotiations extend Animation Guild contract: The Animation Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have agreed to extend their contract negotiations through December 2, 2023, as discussions continue over artificial intelligence regulations in the industry. The contract, which was set to expire on November 1, 2023, has been extended to allow for further bargaining on AI guardrails. Negotiations began on August 12, 2023, and have been ongoing intermittently since then. While some progress has been made, the two sides have not yet reached a final agreement. Key players and industry context: The Animation Guild, representing approximately...
read Oct 30, 2024UK game developers support US strike over AI concerns
Video game voice actors strike impacts UK industry: The ongoing strike by SAG-Aftra union members in the US has ripple effects on the UK video game voice acting community, highlighting global industry concerns. SAG-Aftra union voice actors have been on strike since July, refusing to work with major companies like Activision, Disney, Warner Bros, and EA over issues including the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). Negotiations between the union and game companies have been extended without a major breakthrough, causing slowdowns in the voiceover industry. The strike has affected the release of English-language voice acting for some games,...
read Oct 30, 2024Actors union strikes AI voice deal with startup Ethovox
Groundbreaking AI voice model agreement: SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and performers, has reached a significant deal with Ethovox, a company developing an advanced AI voice model. The agreement focuses on fair compensation for voice performers whose work contributes to training Ethovox's AI model, which could be used to create "digital replicas" of voices. This deal marks a notable step in addressing concerns about AI's impact on the entertainment industry and performers' rights. Key provisions of the agreement: The contract between SAG-AFTRA and Ethovox sets important precedents for performer compensation and protection in the age of AI voice technology. Voice...
read Oct 29, 2024Stability AI founder steps down as controlling shareholder
Leadership shakeup at Stability AI: Former CEO Emad Mostaque has relinquished his controlling stake in the troubled artificial intelligence startup, marking a significant shift in the company's ownership structure. Mostaque, who co-founded Stability AI in London in 2019, had previously held at least 75% of the company's shares. The change in ownership was revealed through recent corporate filings in the UK. This development follows Mostaque's resignation as CEO in March 2024, which came amid a series of challenges for the company. Turmoil at Stability AI: The company has faced a tumultuous period, characterized by internal strife and external legal challenges....
read Oct 25, 2024OpenAI whistleblower speaks out on company’s data scraping policies
Whistleblower exposes OpenAI's controversial data practices: A former OpenAI researcher has come forward with allegations of copyright infringement and concerns about the company's business model, potentially disrupting the internet landscape. The whistleblower's background and claims: Suchir Balaji, a 25-year-old who worked at OpenAI for four years, left the company due to ethical concerns regarding its AI training practices. Balaji argues that OpenAI's mass scraping of online material for AI model training no longer qualifies as fair use due to the heavy commercialization of products like ChatGPT. He contends that OpenAI's current approach threatens the livelihoods and profit models of individuals...
read Oct 24, 2024OpenAI advisor leaves company saying no one is prepared for superintelligent AI
OpenAI's AGI readiness expert departs with stark warning: Miles Brundage, OpenAI's senior adviser for artificial general intelligence (AGI) readiness, has left the company, stating that no organization, including OpenAI, is prepared for the advent of human-level AI. Key takeaways from Brundage's departure: His exit highlights growing tensions between OpenAI's original mission and its commercial ambitions, as well as concerns about AI safety and governance. Brundage spent six years shaping OpenAI's AI safety initiatives before concluding that neither the company nor any other "frontier lab" is ready for AGI. He emphasized that this view is likely shared by OpenAI's leadership, distinguishing...
read Oct 24, 2024Layoffs and increasing AI demand are fueling an AI skills gap in the IT market
Tech industry layoffs and AI demand reshape IT job market: The technology sector is experiencing a significant shift in its workforce dynamics, with ongoing layoffs and a growing demand for AI skills creating a mismatch in the IT talent market. Since 2022, the tech industry has seen massive layoffs, with 470 tech companies laying off approximately 141,145 employees in 2024 alone, following 428,449 layoffs in 2022 and 2023. Notable layoffs in 2024 include Dell (6,000 employees), Intuit (1,800 employees), Intel (15,000 jobs), and Cisco Systems (7% of workforce). Many companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Samsung, and Qualcomm, have also announced...
read Oct 21, 2024TikTok parent fires intern over AI sabotage
ByteDance intern terminated for AI project interference: ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has dismissed an intern for sabotaging one of its artificial intelligence (AI) training projects, sparking discussions about the incident's implications and the company's AI initiatives. The unnamed intern was accused of "maliciously interfering" with the training of an AI model, leading to their termination in August. ByteDance rejected claims about the extent of the damage caused, stating that reports contained "some exaggerations and inaccuracies." The company clarified that the intern had no experience with the AI Lab and was part of the advertising technology team. Impact on...
read Oct 21, 2024Former OpenAI CTO launches new AI startup venture
AI industry shakeup: Former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati is reportedly planning to launch a new artificial intelligence startup, signaling potential shifts in the competitive landscape of AI development. Murati is seeking venture capital funding for her new venture, which aims to develop proprietary AI models. The startup's focus on creating its own models suggests it may compete directly with established players in the AI field, including her former employer OpenAI. This move comes after Murati's departure from OpenAI, where she played a crucial role in the development of groundbreaking AI technologies. Key personnel and talent migration: The potential...
read Oct 17, 2024AI startups are moving out of Boston and into Buffalo — here’s why
AI startups drawn to Buffalo's emerging tech ecosystem: Two Boston-based artificial intelligence startups, Spiky AI and HeronAI, are relocating to Buffalo, New York, as part of a $1 million investment from the state's 43North startup accelerator program. Spiky AI, founded less than two years ago, focuses on using generative AI to coach salespeople in real-time. The move highlights Buffalo's growing appeal as an AI hub, surprising some in the Boston tech scene. 43North, named after Buffalo's latitude, has been instrumental in attracting startups to the region since 2014. Buffalo's AI landscape: The city's artificial intelligence ecosystem is thriving, supported by...
read Oct 17, 202495% of workers say they’d let avatars replace them in meetings
AI Avatars in the Workplace: A Shift in Professional Dynamics: A new survey by TravelPerk reveals a striking willingness among workers to delegate tasks to AI avatars, signaling a potential transformation in how meetings and workplace interactions are conducted. Key Findings: Widespread Acceptance of AI Assistance: The survey uncovered a remarkable openness to AI integration in professional settings, with an overwhelming majority of respondents ready to embrace AI avatars for various tasks. 95% of professionals surveyed would allow an AI avatar to perform tasks on their behalf during meetings, indicating a high level of trust in AI capabilities. Administrative tasks...
read Oct 16, 2024Boston AI chipmaker valued at $4.4B relocates to California
Lightmatter's strategic shift and funding success: Boston-based AI chipmaker Lightmatter has relocated its headquarters to Mountain View, California, while simultaneously securing a substantial $400 million investment round. The move to Silicon Valley comes as CEO Nick Harris, a California native, returns to his home state, though the company maintains a significant presence in Boston with an office and lab employing about 80 people. Lightmatter also operates an office in Toronto, expanding its geographical footprint across North America. Innovative technology at the core: Lightmatter specializes in developing photonic computer chips that utilize light for calculations and data transfer, offering potential advantages...
read Oct 15, 2024If you want a job in AI, experts say better have domain expertise
The evolving landscape of AI careers: As artificial intelligence and data analytics skills continue to be in high demand, industry experts emphasize the critical importance of coupling these technical abilities with deep domain expertise for achieving business success. Tendü Yogurtçu, CTO at Precisely, advocates for expanded roles that combine AI and data skills with domain-specific knowledge to harness the full potential of language models and produce trusted outcomes. The insurance industry serves as an example where AI skills alone are insufficient; understanding property boundaries, risk assessment, and geographical factors is crucial for accurate pricing and risk evaluation. Similarly, in healthcare,...
read Oct 15, 2024Semiconductor talent gap widens as industry nears $1T revenue
Semiconductor industry faces critical talent shortage: The global semiconductor industry is grappling with a significant workforce challenge as it approaches $1 trillion in revenue by 2030, with Deloitte projecting a need for one million additional skilled workers within the same timeframe. Deloitte's analysis indicates that the industry will need to add over 100,000 skilled workers annually to meet growing demand and technological advancements. The semiconductor sector experienced a 9% revenue decline to $520 billion in 2023 but is expected to rebound with 16% growth to $611 billion in 2024. Advanced skills, particularly those driven by the demand for Generative AI,...
read Oct 14, 2024Microsoft AI researcher joins OpenAI in high-profile move
Key AI talent shift: Sebastien Bubeck, a prominent AI researcher and Vice President at Microsoft, is set to join OpenAI, marking a significant move in the artificial intelligence industry. Bubeck held the position of distinguished scientist at Microsoft and played a crucial role in the company's development of small language models. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed Bubeck's departure, stating that he is leaving to continue his work on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). The spokesperson also indicated that Microsoft looks forward to maintaining its relationship with Bubeck through his work at OpenAI. Impact on Microsoft's AI initiatives: Bubeck's departure could potentially...
read Oct 14, 2024These 5 occupations may start to feel the impact of AI very soon
AI's impact on the workforce: More supportive than disruptive: A new report from Indeed suggests that artificial intelligence is not yet poised to replace human workers, but rather serves as an advanced digital assistant in various occupations. Indeed Hiring Lab's study examined over 2,800 workplace skills across multiple professions, finding that no skills were "very likely" to be replaced by generative AI. The majority of skills (68.7%) were categorized as "very unlikely" or "unlikely" to be replaced by AI, while 28.5% were considered "potentially" replaceable. The research encompassed soft skills, technical skills, and hands-on skills, providing a comprehensive view of...
read Oct 11, 2024TikTok cuts hundreds of jobs as AI integration expands
TikTok's AI-driven moderation shift: TikTok has confirmed layoffs of hundreds of employees globally as part of a strategic move towards increased AI-powered content moderation, signaling a significant change in its operational approach. The company is restructuring its global content moderation model, with an estimated 500 employees in Malaysia being laid off. Affected staff were notified of their terminations via email on Wednesday. This move follows earlier layoffs in marketing and operations, indicating a broader consolidation of TikTok's regional operations. Current moderation practices: TikTok currently employs a hybrid system of human and automated content moderation, with AI scanning uploaded videos for...
read Oct 11, 2024OpenAI seeks head of creators to engage influencers
OpenAI's strategic shift towards creator engagement: OpenAI is actively seeking to build relationships with content creators and influencers, marking a significant change in its approach to community engagement and product promotion. The company is hiring for a new "Head of Internet Creators" position, tasked with developing sincere and trusting relationships with creators using AI tools in their creative processes and businesses. OpenAI has already hired creator and writing community specialists to act as ambassadors, with one individual now listed as an "artist manager" for Sora, the company's text-to-video tool. This strategy shift comes as OpenAI faces backlash and legal challenges...
read Oct 10, 2024Cybersecurity teams are struggling with AI and cloud skill shortages
AI and cloud skills gap in cybersecurity: The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence tools and expanding cloud initiatives has created a significant talent shortage in the cybersecurity industry, particularly in these two critical areas. According to O'Reilly's "2024 State of Security" report, nearly 39% of security team respondents identified cloud computing as an area where skills are needed but difficult to find. Approximately 34% of respondents pointed to a lack of talent in AI skills, especially regarding new attack vectors like prompt injection. The security community is still in the early stages of understanding AI-related threats and vulnerabilities, with solutions...
read Oct 10, 2024Half of execs think workers aren’t prepared for AI, survey finds
AI investment surge contrasts with workforce readiness: Companies are pouring billions into AI technologies, but a significant majority of employees lack the skills to effectively integrate these tools into their daily work. Global AI spending is projected to nearly triple from $235 billion in 2023 to $630 billion by 2028, according to IDC research. Generative AI currently accounts for 17.2% of global AI spending and is expected to grow by 60% annually over the next five years. Workforce AI readiness gap: The Upwork Research Institute's study reveals a stark contrast between AI investment and employee preparedness, highlighting potential risks for...
read Oct 7, 2024Elon Musk hosts party at former OpenAI HQ, hoping to woo talent
The AI race heats up: Elon Musk's xAI recruitment party at OpenAI's former headquarters highlights the intensifying competition for talent and resources in the artificial intelligence industry. Musk hosted the event on the same day as OpenAI's annual Dev Day, strategically targeting engineers from rival companies like OpenAI and DeepMind. The party featured AI-generated music, heavy security measures, and Musk himself addressing the crowd from atop a table. Musk emphasized xAI's mission to create "digital superintelligence that is as benign as possible" and called on attendees to join the company's efforts. Musk's vision for xAI: The Tesla and SpaceX CEO...
read Oct 3, 2024AI talent costs soar as top 1% command unprecedented pay
The AI talent premium: A new era in tech compensation: The competition for top AI talent has led to unprecedented compensation packages, with some experts commanding premiums of up to $1 million for their skills. AI scientists and researchers, particularly those developing foundational models, are now receiving compensation packages that far exceed traditional technical roles like software engineers. This shift is reshaping AI compensation and challenging long-held assumptions about careers in tech, where engineers were once considered the highest earners. The intense competition for AI tech talent is driven by next-gen startups vying to attract the best minds in the...
read Sep 29, 2024Google paid $2.7B to lure back a single AI researcher — was it worth it?
Google's bold move in AI talent acquisition: Google's recent $2.7 billion deal with Character.AI, ostensibly for technology licensing, is widely seen as a strategic maneuver to bring AI expert Noam Shazeer back into the fold. Shazeer, who left Google in 2021 after 21 years, co-founded Character.AI, a startup allowing users to interact with chatbots roleplaying as fictional or real-world figures. The deal's magnitude highlights the intense competition and high stakes in the AI industry, with tech giants willing to invest enormous sums to secure top talent. While officially framed as a licensing agreement, industry insiders view Shazeer's return as the...
read Sep 29, 2024A well-paid niche job market is emerging for human experts to train AI models
The evolution of AI training: The landscape of artificial intelligence development is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing demand for highly specialized human trainers to enhance the capabilities of AI models. Companies like OpenAI, Cohere, AI21, and Microsoft are now relying on trainers with advanced degrees and specialized knowledge to improve their AI systems. This shift represents a departure from earlier AI training methods that primarily employed low-cost workers for basic tasks such as image labeling. The new approach aims to reduce errors and "hallucinations" in AI outputs by teaching concepts of fact versus fiction and incorporating expert knowledge...
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