The holiday shopping season has started fast, especially online, and those automated chatbots are working overtime. Artificial intelligence is increasingly finding its way into decisions that once were purely human, like whether or not to buy a sweater. This year, more than ever, smart computer programs are stepping between customers and their shopping. These programs make recommendations based on purchase history, browsing behavior and demographics. They also sharpen the results from online product searches, adjust prices based on competitive factors, and improve product placement or promotions. AI-powered customer service can answer questions and take orders. AI can even enable apparel shoppers to virtually “try on” clothes to see if they’ll fit. This integration of AI with routine tasks of our everyday lives isn’t new, but its ubiquity is growing. Merchants say their embrace of AI creates more efficient and personal shopping experiences. If Santa can tell when you’ve been bad or good, as the Christmas carol goes, imagine what a computer analyzing every keystroke can surmise about you and your holiday shopping list. Some AI applications rival science fiction. A recent survey of 2,000 adults under age 40 showed that 13% of young men and 9% of young women are open to friendships with AI-generated companions, and 1 in 4 young people say they believe AI partners could eventually replace real-life romance. The Institute for Family Studies, a conservative think tank that conducted the poll, concludes, “Robots aren’t just coming for your jobs but for your relationships, too.” In the U.S., this incursion is largely unregulated, which could be risky based on how AI is being used. The European Union has developed a sensible AI regulatory framework that rates the risk from “minimal” to “unacceptable.” Most AI related to holiday shopping falls into the catch-all category of “limited” risk, meaning the systems could be used to deceive people in relatively small ways. For example, the EU requires that chatbot programs conversing in text or voice make it clear that human users are interacting with AI, not other humans. The EU framework is still being sorted out, but at least the Europeans have one. In the U.S., Congress so far has failed to pass legislation, and the only national standards to date stemmed from an executive order that outgoing President Joe Biden imposed in 2023. With ex-President Donald Trump returning to the White House, Biden’s order is probably headed for the trash, and it’s unclear what AI guardrails a Trump administration might want, if any. ... During the run-up to Election Day, both Republicans and Democrats used AI to target messages and generate memes. Fortunately, the worst fears of a lifelike fake message or video disrupting the election never materialized. Advocates in the AI industry have pushed for rules of the road to help the technology gain acceptance and head off problems. The Europeans have provided a reasonable starting point. Now it’s up to the ruling GOP to recognize that imposing regulations on the AI free-for-all stands to promote innovation and ensure that these powerful tools are used in a manner that serves the public. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.Emerging tight end Noah Gray gives Mahomes and the Chiefs another option in passing gameIf you still have holiday shopping to do, Saturday's the day to start. A federal tax "holiday" will kick in this weekend, lasting for two months. It waives the tax on some categories of essential goods, a measure the federal government says is meant to help Canadians battle the high cost of living. Thought it's a federal measure, in Ontario the entire 13 per cent harmonized sales tax will disappear off categories of items including children's clothing, prepared foods, restaurant meals, toys and book and even real Christmas trees, even though the federal portion of the tax is just five per cent. "We'll start marketing first thing tomorrow morning that it's available," Richard Peddie, owner of River Bookshop in Amherstburg, told CBC's . "So yes, I would hope [we see more business]. I mean 13 per cent is pretty significant." Nicole Sekela is one of the owners of Rock Bottom Bar and Grill. She says that she's heard customers talking about the tax break, but hasn't seen anyone delay dining out in anticipation. "We've got lots of parties booked already, so I'm hoping more people come out. I hope they take advantage of it," she said. The tax holiday was announced last month. Shoppers don't need to do or claim the exemption; rather, it will not be charged at the point of sale. The break will be in place until Feb.15, 2025. Initially, Sekela says she worried about the tech side of it — having to make changes to each individual menu item to turn off the tax. But instead her software allowed her to do it by menu category — sandwiches, beers, etcetera — so it was easier than anticipated. But, she said, there are items like cocktails that are not tax-exempt, so she's had to educate her staff in preparation for customer questions. Both Peddie and Sekela agreed the move was largely political — but Sekela says she's still planning to capitalize on it. "Historically for restaurants, you know, January and February is our slow time. So I guess we'll just take advantage." At River Bookshop, Peddie says staff were combing through titles one by one until nearly the end of the week to make sure the tax was turned off. It's been a bit of added complexity at an already-busy time of year. "I think ... the whole idea was done by a bunch of people who really didn't understand retail," he said. "The bookshop we have 40,000 titles... available and we had to go through everything. "So it was a challenge. It's still going to be worthwhile. We've got high unemployment in this area, the highest in in Canada, inflation still really high. There's going to be a lot of people that take advantage of this. "So, on balance we'll take it for sure." Here's a list of items getting a tax break: Prepared foods such as sandwiches, salads, platters and pre-made meals. Snacks including chips, candy, baked goods, fruit-based snacks and granola bars. Energy bars, but only if they are considered to be food by Health Canada are not enhanced by protein, caffeine, vitamins and/or minerals and meets other qualifications. Gift baskets, as long as at least 90 per cent of the contents are qualifying food or beverage items. Prepared meals and beverages, including delivery, but only when the food establishment delivers the meal. Prepared meals delivered by a third party (the delivery cost is not tax-exempt). All non-alcoholic drinks, such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices and smoothies, provided they aren't sold through a vending machine. Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, cider and sake, so long as the alcohol volume is 22.9 per cent or less. Spirit mixed coolers and premixed alcoholic beverages with an alcohol volume of seven per cent or less. Energy and protein shakes, provided they aren't enhanced with protein, caffeine, vitamins and/or minerals, and provided Health Canada considers them to be a food or beverage. Meals purchased at pubs, bars, food trucks or other places serving food and beverages. Mixed drinks served in restaurants and bars if they are qualifying beverages — sparkling wine and orange juice qualify, but a vodka and soda does not. Tips paid on meals and drinks, but only if they are included in the bill. Catering services that provide qualifying food and beverages. Infant and children's clothes, including accessories such as bibs, blankets, hats, belts, suspenders, gloves and mittens. Footwear with an insole length of 24.25 cm or less. Some sports clothing, such as jerseys, ski jackets, leotards, unitards and bodysuits that can be worn outside of sports or dance activities. Diapers, both cloth and disposable, training pants or rubber pants designed to be used with diapers. Children's car seats, provided they meet Canadian safety standards and are not part of a stroller/carrier travel system. Specialized items of clothing — including wetsuits, soccer cleats, bowling shoes, skates, ski boots and tap shoes — do not qualify. Board games and card games, including playing cards and Pokémon cards. Toys that involve building, creating or assembling structures. Dolls, plush toys and soft toys and their accessories. Toys marketed for children below 14 years of age. Jigsaw puzzles for all ages. Video game consoles and video games for consoles qualify, but downloadable or online-only games do not. Collectibles — including hockey cards, dolls or other toys marketed to adults — do not qualify. Most published books, including guide books and audio books. Bound or unbound printed versions of scripture associated with any religion. Magazines and periodicals bought with a subscription which have no more than five per cent of their printed space devoted to advertising. Newspapers that contain news stories, editorials, features, or other information of interest to the general public and are published daily, weekly or monthly.
Japan business mood improves slightly, global risks cloud outlook
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden brought together researchers, investors and advocates Wednesday for the White House's first ever research conference on women's health. "The National Institutes of Health is using their funding to break down the silos," President Biden said during the event. "For example, we know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. But we don't know enough about how menopause may affect heart disease, and that's going to change." The Biden Administration launched an initiative last year to focus on Women's Health Research. And according to the White House, in the last year they "galvanized nearly $1 billion in funding to close gaps in research on women's health. These investments will advance research to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and conditions." In the spring, President Biden also signed an executive order that directed federal agencies to expand and accelerate research into not just women-specific health issues, but how to prevent, diagnose and treat conditions uniquely for women. "The goal was to fundamentally change and improve how we approach and invest in women's health research," he said. "To pioneer the next generation of scientific research and discoveries that are going to improve care women receive all across the country. Because the fact is the health of our moms and grandmothers, sisters and daughters, friends and colleagues, affects not just women's well-being but the prosperity of the entire nation." RELATED STORY | Who decides health care costs? This group recommends how doctors should be paid The gender gap in medical research extends to both the public and private sectors. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found "Despite having a longer life expectancy than men, women spend more years living with a disability and in poor health:" roughly 25% more time than men in poor health. It also found that grant funding from the NIH on women's health research between fiscal years 2013-2023 averaged only about 9 percent of its total research spending. It was not until 1993 that it was required for women and minorities to be included in clinical research funding the National Institutes of Health. Prior to that they had not just been excluded but for a period outright banned. In 1977 the FDA created a guideline that prohibited the inclusion of women of reproductive age from participating in phase 1 and phase II clinical trials following the use of the sedative Thalidomide, which caused birth defects. Today, researchers have found biological discrepancies in areas like heart disease and Alzheimer's, but differences in treatment and risk. "A new future can ring out from this conference," First Lady Jill Biden told attendees. "One that answers the call from women who have been waiting for too long. Let this be the moment that we push harder. The moment that people say change the world of women's health forever." Both the President and First lady emphasized that this is the starting point, not the finish line. And Dr. Biden said she plans to continue to build alliances and push for funding after she laves the White House, as well.
SriLankan Airlines secures second consecutive ‘Emerging Cargo Airline’ Award at Arabian Cargo Awards
Percentages: FG 42.029, FT .571. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro fights back: "I am still a legitimate candidate"OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Washington brought a cat back down to earth after the feline spent five days stranded in a tree. Adams County Pet Rescue said on social media that the short-haired cat had been stranded for five days at the top of a tree in Othello's Lions Park, braving frigid temperatures, rain and snow. "The trees divide Lions Park in Othello almost in half so she could go from tree to tree making it harder for us to find a tree that we could maneuver up," rescuers wrote on Facebook. The cat was spotted on a lower branch Thursday. An ACPR rescuer climbed a 10-foot ladder then was able to climb 4 feet higher on the tree to reach the frightened cat. The cat was wearing a collar but did not have any tags or identification, the rescue said. "She's eaten, used the litter box and is getting warm. We are glad that she's safe," rescuers wrote. Read More
Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Best bets: Odds, expert picks and predictions, recent stats, trends for December 13The Biden administration should seize Russia's frozen assets held by the US, two researchers say. Doing so could prompt a less-eager Europe to follow suit, they write this week. The outgoing president was granted power to seize reserves held by the US in April. President Joe Biden's final move to help Ukraine should be to seize Russia's reserve assets held by the US before the start of Donald Trump's second term, two researchers wrote this week. "To motivate Europe to stand on its own in the era of Trump, President Joe Biden should set the precedent for sovereign seizure and confiscate the estimated $4-5 billion of Russian assets in the United States' jurisdiction," Foreign Policy Research Institute fellow Maximilian Hess wrote alongside Carey K. Mott, a researcher at the Yale Program on Financial stability. Congress granted the outgoing president this authority in an April law known as the REPO Act , but Biden has held off on using it until European powers follow suit. The US and its Western allies froze roughly $322 billion worth of Russia's foreign reserves in 2022 as part of the package of financial and economic sanctions againts the Kremlin over its invasion of Ukraine. These assets are recognized as a significant source of potential defense funding for Kyiv, but Western leaders have been cautious. To avoid a negative response from Moscow, complete seizure of the assets has so far been off the table. Instead, the Group of Seven has agreed to use profits from the frozen funds as collateral for a $50 billion loan to Ukraine. But Hess and Mott argue that more should be done before the White House changes hands. President-elect Trump could withdraw US financial backing for Kyiv, they said, pulling a key pillar of support for the country's fight against Russia. The researchers expect that Biden has been waiting for unilateral " political will " to seize Kremlin assets, but the chances of finding this in Europe appear slim. "Europe has demurred, citing negative impacts to the euro and concerns over the European Union's international financial role," they said. "Saudi Arabia, for example, has threatened to sell its European debt holdings if Europe seizes the frozen assets." Political realities among EU leaders also play a role, Hess and Mott noted, citing a dissolved coalition in Germany and Hungary's continued opposition. Faced with this, Biden should forgo multilateral action before he leaves office in January, they argued. The US wouldn't be completely alone in doing so — both Canada and the United Kingdom appear willing to seize assets held in their countries. "But neither ally will act unless they are following Washington's lead. By setting a precedent for exercising asset-seizure authority, and demonstrating Putin's limited ability to respond, the United States and its allies can help smooth the legislative path to asset seizure in Europe, opening the possibility for the European Parliament to finance Ukrainian resistance if the next U.S. presidential administration does pull back its support." Russia has warned of retaliation if its frozen assets are seized, cautioning that it could seize Western-owned corporate assets still in the country . On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen noted that the administration is considering extra sanctions on Russia before it leaves the White House. She also told Bloomberg TV that Washington's contribution to the Ukraine loan should stay in place in the future. "What we're really trying to do is to strengthen Ukraine's situation, its ability to defend itself, and hopefully at some point to come to the table to bargain with Russia for a just peace," she said.
President Joe Biden's final move to help Ukraine should be to seize Russia's reserve assets held by the US before the start of Donald Trump's second term, two researchers wrote this week. "To motivate Europe to stand on its own in the era of Trump, President Joe Biden should set the precedent for sovereign seizure and confiscate the estimated $4-5 billion of Russian assets in the United States' jurisdiction," Research Institute fellow Maximilian Hess wrote alongside Carey K. Mott, a researcher at the Yale Program on Financial stability. Congress granted the outgoing president this authority in an April law known as the , but Biden has held off on using it until European powers follow suit. The US and its Western allies froze roughly $322 billion worth of as part of the package of financial and economic sanctions againts the Kremlin over its invasion of Ukraine. These assets are recognized as a significant source of potential defense funding for Kyiv, but Western leaders have been cautious. To avoid a negative response from Moscow, complete seizure of the assets has so far been off the table. Instead, the Group of Seven has agreed to as collateral for a $50 billion loan to Ukraine. But Hess and Mott argue that more should be done before the White House changes hands. President-elect Trump could withdraw US financial backing for Kyiv, they said, pulling a key pillar of support for the country's fight against Russia. The researchers expect that Biden has been waiting for unilateral " " to seize Kremlin assets, but the chances of finding this in Europe appear slim. "Europe has demurred, citing negative impacts to the euro and concerns over the European Union's international financial role," they said. "Saudi Arabia, for example, has threatened to sell its European debt holdings if Europe seizes the frozen assets." Political realities among EU leaders also play a role, Hess and Mott noted, citing a dissolved coalition in Germany and Hungary's continued opposition. Faced with this, Biden should forgo multilateral action before he leaves office in January, they argued. The US wouldn't be completely alone in doing so — both Canada and the United Kingdom appear willing to seize assets held in their countries. "But neither ally will act unless they are following Washington's lead. By setting a precedent for exercising asset-seizure authority, and demonstrating Putin's limited ability to respond, the United States and its allies can help smooth the legislative path to asset seizure in Europe, opening the possibility for the European Parliament to finance Ukrainian resistance if the next U.S. presidential administration does pull back its support." Russia has warned of retaliation if its frozen assets are seized, cautioning that it could seize Western-owned corporate assets . On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen noted that the administration is considering extra sanctions on Russia before it leaves the White House. She also told that Washington's contribution to the Ukraine loan should stay in place in the future. "What we're really trying to do is to strengthen Ukraine's situation, its ability to defend itself, and hopefully at some point to come to the table to bargain with Russia for a just peace," she said. Read the original article onSarnia stands at a pivotal moment in its development, facing challenges that include housing affordability, homelessness, and the growth strain of encampments. As Draft 2 of the proposed zoning by-law is under review—the first major update in decades—its implications for the city’s growth, economy, and housing landscape warrant careful attention. Central to the discussion is the concept of infill development and how zoning policies can either unlock its potential or create unnecessary roadblocks. Here’s why the new by-laws matter and what’s at stake for Sarnia. Sarnia currently ranks 95th out of 100 in housing starts—a stark indicator of how far we need to go to meet the demand for housing. When housing supply is limited, landlords hold significant power, often leading to higher rents and lower housing quality. Scarce supply also drives predatory practices like “renovictions,” where tenants are displaced under the guise of renovations only to see rents increase beyond affordability. On the other hand, an abundance of housing naturally balances this power dynamic. With more options, tenants gain leverage, and landlords are incentivized to maintain and improve their properties to attract and retain residents. Simply put, when housing options are plentiful, everyone benefits. Infill development—the process of building within existing neighbourhoods—offers an efficient, sustainable solution to housing shortages. By utilizing existing infrastructure and increasing population density, infill development can reduce urban sprawl and foster activities that enhance community vibrancy, such as improved access to local businesses and greater opportunities for social interaction. Current zoning regulations in Sarnia introduce complexities for infill projects. While the new Official Plan outlines a vision for progress, some aspects of the draft zoning by-laws include requirements that may pose challenges for development: These restrictions create obstacles to the gradual, incremental growth that’s essential for Sarnia to adapt and thrive. Incremental development—allowing neighbourhoods to grow by small steps, like converting a single-family home into a duplex or adding a granny flat—is a proven method for creating diverse, affordable housing options without disrupting community character. This approach offers several benefits: Zoning policies that enable Missing Middle Housing could have several economic implications for Sarnia: Without significant updates to the zoning by-law, Sarnia risks stifling growth and innovation. The current framework prioritizes single-family homes and restricts the types of housing that meet the needs of a changing population. This “business as usual” approach exacerbates housing shortages and leaves families, seniors, and young professionals with few affordable options. Meanwhile, cities that embrace flexible zoning policies are seeing significant benefits, from revitalized neighbourhoods to thriving local economies. Sarnia must act now to stay competitive and meet its residents’ needs. To address potential challenges in the proposed zoning by-laws, the following changes could be considered: Although the deadline for submitting written comments has passed, residents can still participate in discussions about the proposed zoning by-laws:
Healthcare stocks fall as lawmakers push for bill to break up drug middlemen - ReutersNone