There’s a lot going on in the world today, and while AI is still the topic of the week (it always is), there is plenty going on that deserves attention. Diving into the topics of today are Anne Ahola Ward and John Boitnott, who covered everything from Anthropic’s big move, AI governance, air taxis, and more in the latest episode of Computer AF.
The AI Safety Debate: Will It Survive the Election Season?
One of the most pressing stories on the docket was a piece of AI governance that may be at risk of disappearing as the U.S. heads into another election cycle. There was an executive order issued by President Biden to establish the US AI Safety Institute, but its future remains uncertain as the U.S. prepares for a change in leadership. The concern is that without concrete action from Congress to codify its existence, this AI oversight body could dissolve into bureaucratic oblivion with the changing of the guard.
This is significant, given the growing bipartisan push for AI safety regulations, spurred by industry leaders, universities, and non-profits alike. Despite the cross-party support, there’s still opposition from some political figures and an underlying anxiety about the government’s ability to manage AI effectively.
“You know, it’s hard for me to really feel like our government’s going to do a great job of sort of managing money for an organization like that, a government entity like that, when we aren’t even sure if we’re necessarily going to have social security ten years from now,” remarked John. “It all feels a little up in the air.”
Anthropic’s Big Week: The Sonnet Model & AI Desktop Takeovers
Another big AI story this week, maybe the biggest, was Anthropic’s new Sonnet model and its potential with coding and reasoning tasks. The latest release has caught the attention of major players like Canva, Asana, and Replet, all of whom have integrated the model into their platforms.
Anthropic’s ambitions extend beyond simply improving existing AI. They’ve introduced a somewhat futuristic (and possibly dystopian) feature — allowing AI to take control of your desktop. Imagine needing to fill out a form on a website, and rather than typing in your details manually, you give AI access to your desktop, and it does it for you, pulling information directly from your files.
Anne joked, “The only other use case for Anthrobic that I can think of for a desktop takeover is making your Slack stay active because you’re a remote worker who gets spied on.”
Of course, the broader takeaway is that Anthropic’s innovations are pushing boundaries, making it easier for individuals and companies alike to accomplish tasks. However, ethical considerations remain, especially as AI begins to invade more personal spaces like desktops and email inboxes.
Air Taxis: Will We Finally See Them in the Sky?
The FAA’s historic ruling on electronic power-lifted aircraft means creating the first new category of aircraft in over 80 years. This decision will likely pave the way for innovations in air taxis, bringing the concept closer to reality. The new regulations will allow for advanced air mobility vehicles to operate under a new set of rules and qualifications.
This shift could lead to a surge in funding and innovation, especially for startups that have been teetering on the brink of bringing air taxis to market. While we’re still a long way from a Jetsons-style commute, the groundwork is finally in place for the next generation of urban air mobility.
Google’s Love for Killing Products: Farewell, Search Box
For those who didn’t use the feature, the news might come as a shrug, but for regulars who relied on it, the change marks yet another entry in Google’s graveyard. “Google Reader was my favorite,” Anne lamented, referencing the much-loved RSS feed reader that Google killed off years ago, leaving many in the lurch. In a world where tech giants make the rules, it’s the little features that can sometimes feel like the biggest losses.
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