AI News Wrap-Up: February 12th 2025

AI News Wrap-Up: February 12th 2025

 

Paris AI Summit Highlights Divergent Approaches

The recent AI Action Summit in Paris highlighted global disagreements over AI governance. A key takeaway was the refusal of the United States and the United Kingdom to sign a declaration aimed at promoting ethical and sustainable AI development.

Concerns were raised about the declaration’s lack of enforceable governance measures and its potential impact on national security. U.S. Vice President JD Vance emphasized an "America First" approach, warning that over-regulation could stifle innovation. Meanwhile, European and other international leaders continue to push for global AI frameworks to ensure responsible development.

Eric Schmidt Advocates for Open-Source AI to Counter China

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has called on Western nations to ramp up open-source AI initiatives to maintain competitiveness with China’s rapid advancements. He pointed to China’s DeepSeek, an open-source large language model, as an example of how innovation can be democratized.

Schmidt warned that many leading AI models in the U.S. remain closed-source, which could hinder scientific progress. He proposed a hybrid approach combining both open- and closed-source models, striking a balance between innovation and safety. To support this effort, Schmidt announced a $10 million investment in a new AI Safety Science program.

Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out Against AI Deepfakes

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has publicly condemned the misuse of AI after an AI-generated video falsely depicted her condemning Kanye West’s antisemitic comments. The video, which also featured AI-generated versions of other celebrities, was created without her consent.

Johansson, who has been vocal about protecting privacy and combating misinformation, urged governments to take stronger regulatory action against AI misuse. She emphasized the need for clear legal frameworks to prevent AI-driven disinformation and protect individuals from unauthorized deepfakes.

AI and the Rise of 'Cheapfake' Revenge Porn

New concerns have emerged over AI-generated "cheapfake" technology, which allows users to manipulate real images into compromising or explicit content. Unlike traditional deepfakes, cheapfake tools are more accessible, allowing even non-technical users to create manipulated media.

This has sparked fears about harassment, revenge porn, and the exploitation of AI for malicious purposes. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing for stronger safeguards and legal measures to curb the rising misuse of AI in digital harassment.

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