Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week (we definitely released an issue last week, definitely) at the Watchtower where we dig into all that’s happening in the world of AI 🤖. We've got some exciting topics to cover that you won't want to miss. 🎯

From AI helping to give a voice to dementia patients 🗨️, to complex legal issues 💼 that have even the best of us scratching our heads 🤔, we're taking a close look at some impactful developments. 🌟

Whether you're into the artistic side of tech or more into the business applications of AI, there's something here for everyone. 🌈 We're going to explore ideas that'll really make you think 💭.

If you're not already pumped 😎, you might just need a little update in your enthusiasm algorithms! 😄

Ready to get started? 🚀 

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📊 AI is setting off a great scramble for data

As AI continues to revolutionise our world, there are two key ingredients fuelling its growth: datasets and processing power. 🤖💡 But here's the twist – these ingredients are kind of like best buddies. You can either add more data to enhance your AI or beef up the processing power. But guess what? The hunt for powerful AI chips is getting tough due to shortages, making data the hotshot in town. 💥

Talking about data, think of it as the "brain food" for AI models. They chomp on high-quality text, like well-structured, informative articles and even specialized info nuggets. The better the data, the smarter the AI! 🧠

Ah, but hold on! Accessing primo data isn't as easy as ordering a pizza. Creators want their due, and copyright battles are on the rise. 🕵️‍♂️ Lawsuits are popping up, like comedians taking on AI chatbots and artists suing text-to-image AI makers. Drama alert! 🎭

So, what's the scoop on AI companies? They're on a data-shopping spree! 🛍️ OpenAI joined forces with Associated Press and Shutterstock for data deals. Google's even chatting with Universal Music for songwriting AI. Rumor has it, AI labs might be sliding into BBC and academic journals' DMs too. 🔍

Here's the deal – there's gold in those unstructured data hills. 🏞️ Companies are waking up to untapped treasures hidden in their servers. Big shots like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google offer tools to bust those data silos. Startups are in the mix too – Weaviate, PineCone, and Neon are shaking things up with their AI-focused databases. 🗄️

Remember, this data craze is just beginning! The AI adventure is getting juicier, and we're all part of the show. Stay curious, tech-savvy scholars! 🌐

_{Published by Li Li, August 22 2023}

🎨 The Art of Copyrighting the Uncopyrightable: AI Joins the Scene 🤖

Hey there, all you tech aficionados, culture vultures, and starry-eyed students stuck between coding and your art history elective! Gather 'round; I've got a story that Picasso would've retweeted. 😎

So, August 18 was a day of reckoning for all you AIs out there who had dreams of becoming the next da Vinci. U.S. Judge Beryl A Howell took the spotlight to decide whether a piece of artwork, masterfully named "A Recent Entrance into Paradise," by a computer algorithm (coolly called the Creativity Machine) could be copyrighted. Pop quiz! Would you hang an AI-made artwork on your wall? 🤔

Now, listen to this. Stephen Thaler, the CEO of Imagination Engines, had the audacity to claim that the Creativity Machine is the sole creator and should own the copyright. You might think that's wilder than an engineer at an art gallery, but stay with me. The U.S. Register of Copyright was like, "Hold up! Where's the human touch?" They tossed the application out the window, faster than you can say "machine learning."

📜 The Ancient Scrolls of Copyright Law

Now, here's where things get juicy. Judge Howell dug deep into the scrolls of 1884. That’s like the Stone Age in tech years! A time when copyright law was extended to photography. The judge said, "Listen, folks, times change, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater." Human creativity is still the golden ticket. But, and here’s a big but, she dropped hints that the law might evolve, just like your favorite Marvel superhero.

💡 What Does This Mean For You?

Let's slice and dice this, shall we? If you're studying the fascinating mix of tech and art, or you’re about to launch a startup that turns cat memes into modern art, you better keep tabs on copyright law. Thaler's audacious move has sparked a fire that will blaze its way through courts and legislatures.

Fields Impacted:

🎨 Arts: Sorry, AI, you're not in the Picasso club yet, but you're giving artists mad new tools.

💼 Business: Intellectual property rights are nothing to sneeze at. Who owns what is changing faster than you can swipe right.

🧪 Science & Engineering: AI is leaping from data analysis into creative zones. Will your next thesis be co-authored by an algorithm? 🤖

🎭 Humanities: Philosophy majors, how does AI art influence our understanding of creativity? That's your next essay sorted.

So, here's a question to gnaw on: Do we need a new category between "creator" and "tool" for our AI friends? Look, law books are hard to rewrite, but you can bet this tale has more twists coming. And while we're at it, why not copyright this moment as the time you were mind-blown by the potential of AI in every industry? 🤯

Stay curious, you brilliant thinkers! And remember, whether you’re a machine or a human, creativity has no bounds. Until it does. But then it doesn't. Get it? 😜 

_{Published by Andrew Suryanto, August 22 2023}

Closing Notes

That’s a wrap! 🌯

Companies 🏢, from OpenAI to startups like Weaviate, are racing 🏃‍♀️💨 to acquire data and copyright battles 🤺 have emerged as “creators” seek recognition. The AI journey is ✨ unfolding ✨, and we're all part of this evolving story.

As usual, we welcome any and all feedback/suggestions for future topics here or email us at [email protected].

Stay tuned,

🥫Sauces 🥫

Here, you can find all sources used in constructing this edition of WatchTower:

• Meet Viv and other AI characters

• Shutterstock shares pop as company expands partnership with OpenAI

• Google and Universal Music negotiate deal over AI ‘deepfakes’

• US Judge Rules AI-Generated Art Not Protected by Copyright Law