The Level1 Show September 6 2024: Empty Starliner Syndrome

Introduction

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to the Level1 Show. Today is September 6th, and we're diving into AI, business updates, and some noteworthy stories from the week as we transition into the season of Fall, which officially starts around the 23rd of September—though we’re stuck in a brutal heatwave today, reaching temperatures of 98°F.

OpenAI's Valuation and User Growth

In today's tech news, OpenAI is currently in talks for a funding round that would value the company at over $ 100 billion. They recently announced that they have amassed 200 million active users, yet this is still not enough to justify such a high valuation. Last year, during a similar funding round, OpenAI was valued at $ 80 billion. This sudden spike raises eyebrows, especially with meta companies like Meta and Mark Zuckerberg releasing many free or more open-source AI solutions, potentially undermining OpenAI's market position.

The Impact of AI on Jobs

Debates continue over the impact of AI on job markets, particularly in regions like the Philippines, known as the world's call center capital. There's alarming news about how AI technologies are displacing a substantial number of call center workers while maintaining the call center's operational capacity. Even scam callers are utilizing AI to automate their interactions, which brings a wave of concern regarding job security in such sectors.

Moreover, the advent of AI in sectors such as policing is garnering attention. Police departments have started using AI chatbots to assist in writing crime reports. Although this has raised questions about the potential reliability of such reports, it illustrates how ubiquitous AI technologies are becoming across various sectors.

The Dark Side of AI: Deep Fakes and More

Meanwhile, in South Korea, a disturbing trend involving deep fakes among schoolchildren has emerged, where middle and high school students are reportedly using technology to create harmful images of each other, compounding the difficulties of an already tumultuous period in their lives.

Anthropic, a competitor to OpenAI, has made moves to present a more transparent model for its AI systems by revealing the prompts that govern their models, which stands in stark contrast to OpenAI's less public approach to its technology.

Corporate Struggles: Boeing and Dungeons & Dragons

In other news, Boeing finds itself in a precarious position with NASA opting for SpaceX to return astronauts from the International Space Station, further diminishing confidence in the Starliner program, which hasn’t even launched yet. As things stand, the Boeing Starliner is returning empty, raising serious questions about its future.

Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, continues to mess up by reversing controversial changes to its online tools that disappointed its dedicated fanbase. This has led to debates about the viability of their current business model and whether the community should consider a cooperative approach to managing the beloved game.

A Unique Art Exhibit and Celebrity News

A new art exhibit in a museum in Mars is allowing nude visitors—under some caveats, such as wearing shoes. This bizarre ad campaign brought attention to body image and nudity in a fun and unexpected manner.

Lastly, we sadly bid farewell to Roger Cook, known for his appearances on "This Old House," who passed away at the age of 70. He was celebrated for his educational and calming presence in home renovation tutorials.

Closing Thoughts

As we close out this week, we reflect on the state of AI, corporate ventures, personal rights, and community interactions as society presses on into autumn. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey through an ever-changing landscape.

Keywords

OpenAI, funding, 100 billion, AI jobs, Philippines, call center, chatbots, deep fakes, South Korea, Boeing, NASA, SpaceX, Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast, Mars Museum, Roger Cook.

FAQ

1. What is OpenAI's current valuation? OpenAI is in talks for a funding round that would value it at over $ 100 billion.

2. How has AI affected jobs in the Philippines? AI has displaced a significant number of call center workers in the Philippines while maintaining operational capacity.

3. What kind of technology is being used by police departments? Police departments are using AI chatbots to assist in writing crime reports.

4. What controversial changes did Wizards of the Coast make? Wizards of the Coast reversed controversial changes to online tools for Dungeons & Dragons that caused disappointment among the fanbase.

5. What unique experience does the Mars Museum offer? The Mars Museum is allowing nude visitors to explore their exhibits under certain conditions, such as requiring shoes.