🥤 Coca-Cola's AI Ad Controversy

Coca-Cola's use of AI for its Christmas ad incites debate, of course.

Author

Jack Lajoie
November 18, 2024 • read time ~ 8 minutes

The Daily Current ⚡️

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Coca-Cola's controversial use of AI in its Christmas ad has sparked a debate about the balance between technological innovation and emotional resonance. Simultaneously, researchers are pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities, such as developing systems that can "feel" surfaces, while societal tensions simmer over AI's potential sentience. The behind-the-scenes dynamics of AI development are further revealed in OpenAI's internal emails, highlighting the complex interplay of altruism and market pressures. Meanwhile, geopolitical implications loom as the U.S. imposes restrictions on investments in Chinese AI, underscoring the global stakes of AI advancements.

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Coca-Cola’s decision to employ AI technology for its iconic Christmas campaign has stirred mixed reactions. The photorealistic Santa Claus, while visually striking, has been met with both admiration and criticism. This controversy underscores the ongoing tension between embracing new technologies and maintaining the emotional connection that hand-crafted content often provides, particularly in the context of beloved holiday traditions.

  • Critics argue that the AI-generated imagery lacks the warmth and charm associated with traditional Christmas ads.

  • Supporters praise the technical achievement and visual quality of the AI-generated content.

  • Coca-Cola’s decision to use AI for this iconic campaign has surprised many, given the company’s history of traditional advertising.

🎄 As AI continues to permeate creative industries, companies like Coca-Cola must navigate the fine line between showcasing technological prowess and maintaining the emotional resonance that defines their brand identity.

A new AI system capable of measuring and “feeling” surfaces has been created by scientists at the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering. The technology uses short pulses of light to analyze surface properties by interpreting reflected photons and their associated speckle noise. Tested on various industrial sandpapers, the system achieved accuracy comparable to top-tier industrial profilometers, opening doors for applications in fields like skin cancer detection and autonomous vehicle sensing.

  • Researchers tested the system on 31 industrial sandpapers with varying roughness.

  • The technology could enhance LiDAR capabilities in autonomous cars, smartphones, and robots.

  • The system performed best on fine-grained surfaces like diamond lapping film and aluminum oxide.

  • It can measure extremely small distances crucial for manufacturing quality control.

  • This development represents a significant step in giving AI a human-like sense of touch.

đźš— This approach to surface sensing could be the key to unlocking more reliable and sophisticated autonomous systems, from self-driving cars to robotic surgeons.

Experts are warning that the debate over AI sentience could spark new social ruptures, as people’s beliefs about AI capabilities diverge. This concern, discussed at a University of Cambridge conference, extends beyond philosophical discourse into practical implications for society. The growing presence of AI in various aspects of life may lead to conflicts based on how individuals perceive and interact with these systems, raising questions about discrimination, ethics, and legal frameworks.

  • Researchers suggest that differing views on AI could result in discrimination and ethical dilemmas as AI becomes more integrated into daily life.

  • The debate over AI sentience is expected to lead to conflicts similar to religious or ideological disagreements.

  • Experts emphasize the need for careful consideration in AI development and deployment to mitigate potential conflicts.

  • The growing ubiquity of AI systems in various aspects of daily life is cited as a key factor in the potential for social ruptures.

🤖 As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, society must grapple with the philosophical and practical implications of machine sentience, potentially reshaping our social fabric in ways we’ve yet to fully comprehend.

The emails span from 2015 to 2018 and reveal discussions about the organization’s mission, structure, recruitment strategies, and compensation plans. The correspondence highlights the founders’ concerns about AI development, their desire to create a beneficial AI for humanity, and the challenges they faced in competing with other major players in the field, such as Google’s DeepMind. The emails also touch on negotiations with Microsoft for cloud computing resources and debates about how to position OpenAI in the AI research landscape.

  • The founding vision of OpenAI, as an AI research company benefiting humanity, was articulated in emails from December 2015.

  • Elon Musk expressed concerns about competing with DeepMind, stating in February 2016, “If they win, it will be really bad news with their one mind to rule the world philosophy.”

  • The organization’s approach to research dissemination was discussed in March 2016, with a focus on benefiting the world while considering potential risks.

🧠 The behind-the-scenes negotiations reveal the complex interplay between altruistic aims and market pressures in the AI industry, as OpenAI’s founders grappled with how to structure the organization and compensate researchers competitively.

The U.S. Treasury Department is implementing new restrictions on American investments in Chinese artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, aiming to protect national security interests. This move is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to limit China’s access to cutting-edge technology that could be used for military purposes.

  • The program, set to take effect in 2024, will require U.S. companies and individuals to notify the government about certain investments in Chinese companies involved in semiconductors, quantum computing, and AI.

  • Some investments will be prohibited entirely, while others will require reporting to the government.

  • The restrictions apply to new investments and do not require divestment from existing holdings.

  • The program includes exemptions for certain publicly traded securities and index funds.

🤔 Given what Trump has said so far about China, we should expect for this program to expand during the next presidential administration and Congressional term, whether via executive or legislative action.