Many of Substack's Top Newsletters Utilize AI for Content Creation

Substack's leading authors can make up to a million dollars annually, mainly by convincing subscribers to pay for their content. Unlike platforms such as Facebook or YouTube, which prioritize views and interactions, Substack's subscription-based model motivates writers differently. Ideally, this setup should protect Substack against the surge of AI-generated content aimed at maximizing clicks that's sweeping the web. However, recent findings shared exclusively with WIRED reveal that Substack is home to a significant amount of content produced by AI, including in newsletters that reach hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

The startup specializing in AI detection, GPTZero, conducted an analysis of recent articles from the top 100 newsletters on Substack, examining between 25 and 30 posts from each to determine the presence of AI-written content. It concluded that approximately 10 of these newsletters appear to utilize AI to some extent, with seven leaning heavily on AI for their content creation. (GPTZero invested in subscriptions to access those newsletters behind significant paywalls.) When WIRED reached out, four of the newsletters identified by GPTZero as heavily reliant on AI acknowledged incorporating AI tools into their content creation process. The other three, however, did not reply to inquiries for comments.

GPTZero, a tool designed to identify AI-written content, has highlighted that a significant number of newsletters, particularly those centered on investment updates and personal finance tips, utilize AI to create their articles. It's important to note that no tool for detecting AI content, GPTZero included, is infallible and can mistakenly flag genuine content as AI-generated. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that a vast audience, reaching into the hundreds of thousands, is actively choosing to subscribe to—and in certain instances, pay for—content that is either completely generated by AI or heavily relies on AI assistance.

"Alex Cui, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of GPTZero, expresses a bit of astonishment at the findings. 'These authors are all well-known,' he notes. For context, Cui refers to a separate analysis by GPTZero on Wikipedia conducted earlier in the year. That study suggested roughly 5% of Wikipedia articles might be the work of AI, a rate significantly lower than what was observed in the Substack posts examined by GPTZero."

The pervasive use of generative artificial intelligence on certain segments of the platform doesn't surprise everyone. "It's completely logical," comments Max Read, the writer behind the internet and technology-focused Substack newsletter Read Max. He perceives some of the financial news outlets on Substack as an elevated counterpart to hustle-culture influencers on YouTube.

Helen Tobin, who oversees communications at Substack, refrained from directly addressing the discoveries made by GPTZero. In an email to WIRED, she mentioned, "Our platform implements various strategies to identify and counteract fake or organized spam efforts, including copypasta, repeated material, SEO spam, phishing, and actions driven by bots, a lot of which might incorporate AI-created content." Tobin also emphasized, "But we do not actively surveil or eliminate content just because it was generated by AI, recognizing that AI can be used in many legitimate and beneficial ways for content creation."

Substack lacks a formal guideline regarding AI utilization. Hamish McKenzie, one of the co-founders of Substack, has highlighted the transformative impact of the surge in generative AI technology on authors, stressing that individuals must face this advancement irrespective of their opinions: "Your stance on this evolution is irrelevant. It's underway," he expressed in a post on Substack the previous year.

In conversations with WIRED, numerous Substack writers highlighted their use of AI for refining their writing instead of creating complete posts from scratch. David Skilling, the CEO of a sports agency and the creator of the widely read soccer newsletter Original Football (with more than 630,000 subscribers), views AI as an alternative to traditional editing. Skilling told WIRED, “I enthusiastically embrace contemporary tools to enhance productivity in my business operations. Although tools exist that can identify AI's involvement, there's a significant distinction between content that's entirely produced by AI and content that's merely improved with its help.”

Subham Panda, a contributor to Spotlight by Xartup—a publication with more than 668,000 followers that focuses on global startup news—mentioned that his team employs artificial intelligence as a supportive tool to expedite the creation of premium content. He emphasized that the newsletter mainly utilizes AI for generating images and compiling data, with the writers taking charge of the “details and summary” in their articles.

Max Avery, who contributes to the finance-oriented newsletter Strategic Wealth Briefing With Jake Claver, boasting over 549,000 subscribers, mentions his reliance on AI-based writing aids such as Hemingway Editor Plus to refine his initial drafts. He notes that these resources allow him to enhance his productivity in content development.

Josh Belanger, a financial entrepreneur, leverages ChatGPT to enhance the efficiency of his newsletter production for Belanger Trading, which has a subscriber base of over 350,000. Additionally, he uses the AI tool Claude for editing purposes. Belanger explains that he inputs his initial ideas, research findings, and desired content into the system. He further customizes versions of ChatGPT to refine complex financial writings that include specialized terminology, thereby reducing the instances of errors or irrelevant outputs from the AI. Belanger emphasizes the need for specific prompts to guide the AI, especially in the finance and trading sector where intricate details matter. "Given the complexity and subtleties within financial publishing, it's crucial to steer the AI correctly," he notes.

In contrast to several of its rivals, Substack seems to host a significantly smaller volume of content produced by artificial intelligence. For instance, findings from two separate AI-detection firms indicate that approximately 40 percent of the material on the blogging site Medium was created with the aid of AI technologies. However, the majority of this AI-crafted content on Medium attracted minimal interest or followers, unlike on Substack, where the AI-produced writings are being disseminated by highly influential creators.

Substack is frequently seen as a divergent platform from conventional media outlets, yet the utilization of AI-generated content is a commonality it holds with numerous established news platforms. Instances have been identified at organizations such as Sports Illustrated, CNET, and the AV Club where articles seem to have been completely produced by AI, as noted by readers and fellow journalists. Furthermore, generative AI has found its way into various aspects of news reporting; notably, The Wall Street Journal has embarked on experimenting with AI to generate summaries for its articles, and the Associated Press has been implementing AI in crafting certain types of stories for the past ten years.

Many readers seem to overlook or remain unfazed when their favorite authors make use of artificial intelligence tools. According to insights from GPTZero, a significant number of individuals are contentedly reading and appreciating newsletters crafted with AI assistance, suggesting that more authors could be inspired to adopt this technology in pursuit of similar achievements.

However, this doesn't imply the absence of resistance or objections. GPTZero is introducing a no-cost "certified human" emblem for bloggers to showcase, predicting a time when ensuring your content is AI-free becomes a key differentiator. Such disclaimers are starting to emerge in various artistic sectors as well. For instance, in the credits of the recent A24 horror film Heretic, there was a statement indicating: "This film was created without the use of generative AI."

In the coming years, we can expect to see an increase in the use of badges and seals that guarantee creative content is entirely produced by humans. These symbols may offer reassurance to concerned consumers that they are opting for a more ethical selection, yet they appear to have little effect on the gradual integration of AI into the media and film sectors.

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The First Fully AI-Created Video Game is Strangely Entertaining and Enjoyable

A decade after its initial release, Minecraft continues to captivate audiences with its distinctive combination of whimsical gameplay and limitless world construction opportunities.

A counterfeit version named Oasis, which debuted recently, retains a significant amount of the essence of the original video game but introduces an unusual and fascinating alteration. Instead of being created through a traditional game engine and manually programmed regulations, the entirety of the game unfolds through an artificial intelligence model that conjures up every scene.

Oasis was developed through a partnership between Decart, an AI startup from Israel, and Etched, a firm specializing in bespoke silicon design, showcasing what can be achieved with hardware tailored for transformer-based AI algorithms.

Oasis operates on a transformer-based AI system, akin to the technology behind expansive language models, but it's specifically honed through countless instances of Minecraft gameplay. This training enables it to generate subsequent video frames based on earlier ones and interactions such as clicks or mouse movements. While Oasis shares characteristics with video creation models like Sora, it distinguishes itself by allowing users to influence its output directly.

Oasis is available to play online at no cost, offering an intriguing and almost dreamlike experience. The game is filled with oddities, ranging from deformed animals to staircases leading to nowhere, adding to its unique, dream-inspired atmosphere. The virtual environment of Oasis is constantly evolving, thanks to its AI model that generates new scenes based on the current frame, making the landscape prone to change with slight provocations. For instance, if you focus intently on a specific detail, you might find the game's scenery entirely transformed once you shift your gaze, presenting a whole new world from what was previously there.

You can also upload a personal image for Oasis to utilize. I experimented by uploading a picture of my cat, Leona, and surprisingly, the game transformed her into an attractive, block-style scenery (unfortunately, not as a cat character within the game, but still…).

Oasis has captured the internet's attention as users discover methods to prompt its AI system to create never-before-seen settings. On occasion, users can manipulate it into transporting them to a gloomy, moon-like terrain that mirrors The End from Minecraft. It's noteworthy that this AI initiative isn't completely novel, appearing more like an eccentric imitation of the globally beloved game, having been developed using an open-source Minecraft dataset provided by OpenAI.

"Individuals are attempting to transport themselves into alternate universes and complete them as quickly as possible," states Robert Wachen, the COO at Etched. "This is a key factor behind its widespread popularity."

Julian Togelius, a professor of computer science at New York University, critiques the AI strategy utilized in Oasis for being too erratic and ungovernable to serve any practical purpose in traditional gaming. He acknowledges that generative AI holds promise for future applications in managing game characters or even creating environments and landscapes, yet he believes it's still in its nascent stages. "While the technology is fascinating and remarkable, it currently seems to be a solution looking for a problem," Togelius remarks.

Frank Lantz, who designs games and leads the game design department at New York University, believes that Oasis is stuck in a peculiar situation where it fails to deliver real enjoyment. However, he proposes that a creative new game designer could potentially transform this game into something widely adored. “It’s clear that this is fascinating and appealing,” he remarks.

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In the heart of San Francisco's Mission District, a metallic door bears a mysterious symbol – "π" – hinting at the innovative cycle of work unfolding inside, where a billion-dollar startup is integrating AI into our tangible reality.

The entrance swings open, exposing a hive of intense action shared between people and robots. A female is seen maneuvering two control sticks, guiding dual robotic arms on a table as they adeptly arrange T-shirts into an orderly stack. Bigger robots are observed transferring goods from a packed container to another. Tucked in a room's nook, a male is seen controlling a synthetic claw attached to his wrist, equipped with a camera on its peak. Components of robots are scattered throughout the space.

Located within the warehouse, Physical Intelligence, commonly referred to as PI or π (as indicated by the symbol on the entrance), is an innovative startup dedicated to enhancing robots with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. The anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the company's vision are so high that investors have committed hundreds of millions of dollars, confident in its potential to achieve a groundbreaking advancement in AI technology. Just last week, Physical Intelligence revealed it had secured $400 million in funding from backers such as OpenAI and Jeff Bezos, elevating its worth to more than $2 billion.

In a transparent conference area located on the building's first upper level, Karol Hausman, the startup's chief executive, a towering figure sporting a gentle German inflection and a hint of beard growth, shares the company's future direction.

"Hausman suggests that with some initial practice, you'd likely grasp how to manage a novel robot. He adds that solving this challenge would also enable artificial intelligence to achieve similar control."

Physical Intelligence aims to imbue robots with a comprehension and nimbleness akin to humans by incorporating extensive sensor and movement information gathered from numerous robot demonstrations into its central AI framework. "For us, this approach is key to mastering physical intelligence," states Hausman. "Simply by linking a robot to our system, we believe we can instill it with intelligence."

In recent times, even with significant advancements in artificial intelligence, there hasn't been a breakthrough in developing robots that demonstrate notable intelligence or proficiency. The robots utilized in manufacturing plants or storage facilities are fundamentally advanced automatons, performing meticulously programmed tasks devoid of any creativity or resourcefulness.

At the meeting table, Hausman is accompanied by multiple other founding members: Sergey Levine, a young associate professor at UC Berkeley known for his glasses; Brian Ichter, a congenial man with a beard who has previously collaborated with Hausman at Google; and Chelsea Finn, an assistant professor at Stanford University, who participates through a video connection.

The gathered group has ignited optimism for a robotic uprising, fueled by the motivation from other cutting-edge AI breakthroughs, notably the extraordinary skills of the extensive language models (LLMs) that operate conversational AIs such as ChatGPT. They are confident in their ability to transfer that same sense of wonder into the tangible realm—and to achieve it in the near future.

In 2018, the landscape of artificial intelligence underwent a significant transformation with the advent of a new machine learning model by OpenAI. This model, called a transformer, demonstrated the capability to produce remarkably coherent segments of text from an initial prompt. For years, the challenge of programming computers to interpret and manage the intricate and often vague nature of human language had stumped computer scientists. However, OpenAI's creation, the Generative Pretrained Transformer, or GPT, saw continuous enhancements as it consumed vast amounts of data from books and the web. This process enabled it to engage in meaningful conversations and respond to a diverse array of inquiries effectively.

At the beginning of 2022, a team including Hausman and Ichter from Google, alongside Levine, Finn, and others, demonstrated that Large Language Models (LLMs) could serve as a basis for robotic intelligence. Despite the inability of LLMs to engage directly with the physical environment, they harbor extensive knowledge on various objects and settings due to their extensive training datasets. Although this knowledge is not flawless—akin to a person who has only learned about the world through literature—it can sufficiently equip robots with the capability to devise basic strategies.

Hausman and his team linked a large language model (LLM) to a robot equipped with a single arm, setting it up in a simulated kitchen environment at Google's main office located in Mountain View, California. This integration enabled the robot to tackle complex challenges autonomously. For instance, upon receiving the instruction “I spilled my Coke on the table,” the robot leveraged the LLM to devise a practical strategy. This strategy entailed locating and picking up the can, disposing of it in the garbage, and then securing a sponge to wipe down the spill. This was accomplished without the need for traditional coding techniques.

Subsequently, the group integrated a model trained on images and text, enhancing the robot's comprehension of its environment. In a particular test, they positioned pictures of various famous individuals close by and instructed the robot to hand a soda can to Taylor Swift. “Despite Taylor not being included in any of the robot’s preparatory data, the model recognizes her appearance,” Finn explains, her smile wide, with long brown hair cascading around her face.

Towards the end of the year, coinciding with ChatGPT's surge in popularity, the creators opted to showcase the robot at a scholarly gathering in Auckland, New Zealand. Attendees were given the opportunity to operate it remotely from California using their own typed instructions. The robot's capacity for solving a wide range of problems impressed the audience, and there was increasing excitement about the wider potential of ChatGPT.

Large Language Models (LLMs) have the potential to enhance robotic communication, object recognition, and planning. However, their capacity to physically engage with the world is limited due to an inadequate grasp of real-world physics. For humans, picking up an irregularly shaped item is simple, owing to our intuitive understanding of three-dimensional space and the mechanics of our limbs. The robotic experts gathered acknowledged the potential for ChatGPT's impressive capabilities to be mirrored in the physical domain by robots, provided they could learn from a vast dataset of actions rather than just textual information. "There was a palpable excitement," Finn reminisced about the gathering.

Evidence suggests that this approach could be effective. In 2023, Quan Vuong, a co-founder of Physical Intelligence, successfully coordinated teams from 21 distinct organizations to teach 22 varied robotic arms a series of tasks utilizing a unified transformer model. The outcome exceeded expectations. "For the majority of instances, the unified model outperformed the specialized models that researchers had originally created for their specific robots," Finn notes.

Much like people progress from clumsily handling items as toddlers to skillfully playing the piano after several years, supplying robots with an extensive amount of training data could potentially unleash remarkable abilities.

The anticipation of a robotics revolution is being fueled by the introduction of humanoid robots from both emerging companies like Agility and Figure, and industry giants such as Hyundai and Tesla. Currently, these robots have limited functionality, but demonstrations controlled remotely can give the impression of greater capability, and supporters are making bold predictions. Elon Musk even proposed the idea that by 2040, humanoid robots might surpass the human population on the planet—a claim that might be wise to approach with considerable skepticism.

Pouring immense sums, possibly reaching into the hundreds of millions, into a firm striving for a pivotal scientific discovery might appear foolhardy. However, OpenAI has demonstrated the significant rewards that can arise from such investments. The company has not only participated in the initial funding round for Physical Intelligence but has also contributed to its most recent financing via its venture capital arm. "The motivation behind the investment is the expertise," mentions an individual acquainted with OpenAI's strategy. "They employ some of the top robotics experts worldwide."

OpenAI is clearly intensifying its focus on robotics. Just last week, Caitlin Kalinowski, formerly in charge of creating virtual and augmented reality headsets at Meta, revealed on LinkedIn her new role at OpenAI, where she'll be concentrating on hardware and robotics.

Lachy Groom, who is both a colleague of OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman and a co-founder and investor in Physical Intelligence, participates in a meeting in the conference room to delve into the company's strategic direction. Groom, donning a pricey-looking sweatshirt and appearing quite youthful, emphasizes the ample opportunity Physical Intelligence has to achieve significant advancements in the realm of robotic learning. “I just got off the phone with Kushner,” he mentions, referring to Joshua Kushner, the driving force behind Thrive Capital and the lead investor in the startup's initial funding stage. Joshua Kushner is also known for being the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law to Donald Trump.

Several other firms are now pursuing similar groundbreaking achievements. Skild, a company established by robotics experts from Carnegie Mellon University, successfully secured $300 million in funding this past July. "In the same way that OpenAI developed ChatGPT for linguistic capabilities, we're crafting a versatile intelligence for robotics," explains Deepak Pathak, the CEO of Skild and an assistant professor at CMU.

Not everyone is convinced that the same method used by OpenAI to solve the language processing challenge in AI can be replicated.

Currently, we lack a vast online collection of robot movements comparable to the extensive databases of text and images used to train large language models (LLMs). To significantly advance in the field of physical intelligence, we may need a much larger amount of data.

"Illah Nourbakhsh, a robotics expert at CMU who has no affiliation with Skild, mentions that when you consider the vast amount of movement and action in the tangible world, stringing words together is almost like playing with a minuscule toy. He points out that the real world offers a significantly greater range of possibilities than the mere letters of the alphabet suggest."

Ken Goldberg, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley focusing on integrating artificial intelligence with robotics, warns that the growing enthusiasm for a revolution in robotics powered by data and the concept of human-like robots might be becoming overly hyped. He emphasizes that achieving the anticipated performance standards will require a return to basics, including solid engineering principles, modular designs, innovative algorithms, and effective measurement systems.

Russ Tedrake, a computer science expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a leading figure in robotics research at Toyota Research Institute, suggests that the advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) have led numerous robotics experts, including himself, to reconsider their research directions, with an emphasis on exploring robotic learning in a broader context. However, he acknowledges that significant hurdles still exist.

"Tedrake describes the concept of achieving broad robotic capabilities through extensive learning as somewhat fantastical, noting, however, that there have been promising developments."

Tedrake proposes that the key to advancing robot capabilities could lie in adopting innovative learning methods, such as allowing robots to observe humans performing tasks on YouTube videos. This raises the curiosity about whether such techniques could result in unusual skills in robots, such as an exceptional talent for executing TikTok dance moves or mastering bottle flips. According to Tedrake, initially, this strategy would focus on instructing robots on basic movements, such as grasping objects, and would have to be supplemented with information gleaned from actual robot work.

"He explains that by applying our intellect to observing YouTube videos, we're able to deduce the physical efforts exerted by individuals. He adds, 'A certain level of [education] is necessitated by robots engaging with tangible objects.'"

Hausman guides me to the lower level to showcase Physical Intelligence's ambitious approach to teaching robots. Currently, two robotic limbs are engaged in autonomously folding garments, powered by the firm's proprietary software. These arms swiftly grab a T-shirt and then proceed to fold it awkwardly and slowly, reminiscent of a youngster's attempt, before finally setting it aside.

Hausman points out that chores like folding laundry are particularly beneficial for teaching robots due to the task's requirement to handle a wide range of items that frequently appear twisted, wrinkled, and change shape during handling. "It's an effective task for training because it demands broad applicability," he mentions. "Despite gathering extensive data, it's impractical to account for every possible condition an article of clothing might find itself in."

Physical Intelligence aims to significantly increase its data collection by collaborating with diverse businesses, including those in e-commerce and manufacturing, which utilize robots for numerous tasks. Moreover, the startup is looking to create specialized hardware, like a webcam-fitted gripping tool. While its specific application has not been disclosed, it might potentially be used for collective training involving individuals carrying out daily activities.

Exiting the Physical Intelligence showcase, my mind is alive with thoughts of significantly more intelligent robots. As I step out into the bright daylight, I ponder whether society is truly prepared for technologies akin to ChatGPT to extend their capabilities into the tangible realm, potentially transforming numerous manual jobs. This could drastically change the landscape of manufacturing and storage facilities, potentially boosting the economy. However, it could also trigger widespread concern over the possibility of AI replacing human labor.

Several months down the line, upon touching base with Physical Intelligence, I learn that the group has achieved remarkable progress in robotics.

Haussman, Levine, and Finn cram into a Zoom session to elaborate that their firm has crafted its inaugural model, leveraging an extensive dataset covering over 50 intricate everyday domestic chores.

The group presents a video to me featuring one mobile robot tasked with emptying a dryer; another clip shows a robotic arm tidying up a cluttered kitchen counter; followed by footage of two robotic arms that appear incredibly adept at folding clothes. I'm amazed by the human-like quality of the robot's movements. With a quick twist of its robotic wrist, it effortlessly straightens a pair of shorts in preparation for folding.

Unlocking broader skills didn't solely rely on vast datasets but also on integrating a large language model (LLM) with a model inspired by artificial intelligence in image creation. Levine mentions, “It isn't exactly ChatGPT, but perhaps it's somewhat similar to GPT-1,” referring to OpenAI's initial version of their extensive language model.

There are a few amusing mishaps that are surprisingly human-like, or maybe more accurately, reminiscent of a young child's actions. In a notable instance, a robot attempts to close a carton that it has overloaded with eggs. In a different scenario, rather than placing objects into a container, a robot ends up throwing the container off the table. Despite these errors, the team remains unfazed. "What truly thrills us," Hausman explains, "is that we've developed a broad strategy that demonstrates some genuinely intriguing behaviors."

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The Major U.S. Microchip Initiative

Ever since a 2016 mishap, Mary Springowski has had an intense fascination with microchips. During that year, a heavily laden cart carrying parts at a Ford factory in the northeastern region of Ohio collided with her leg, causing a severe injury to her Achilles tendon that incapacitated her for several weeks.

With 25 years of experience at Ford and within the United Auto Workers union, Springowski led a team at the Cleveland Engine Plant, where they manufactured engines for various vehicles. Additionally, she served on the city council of her native Lorain, Ohio, located roughly 25 miles westward along Lake Erie's shores. Lorain, a community of approximately 65,000 residents, once flourished thanks to its manufacturing sector, including ship and car production, as well as steel and bronze forging. One plant was particularly notable for producing almost 16 million Ford vehicles, such as Thunderbirds, Fairlanes, and Falcons, over nearly 50 years before its shutdown in 2005. Nowadays, Lorain's industrial landscape is primarily marked by two major steel factories, with one having ceased operations earlier in the year of Springowski's incident and the other having recently cut 800 jobs due to global market pressures. According to Springowski, Lorain is facing significant challenges.

Following her injury, Springowski found herself spending extensive periods reclining on her sofa, her laptop propped open and her leg propped up, as she delved into addressing the challenges faced by Lorain. The Environmental Protection Agency had recently mandated the city to undertake extensive and costly upgrades to its deteriorating sewer system. In response, the city had plans to hike up water rates, a move that was met with public outcry. This situation prompted Springowski to ponder over the significance of water, especially considering Lorain's advantageous location by Lake Erie and at the entrance of the Black River, one of its significant tributaries. Curious, she turned to Google to research, "Which industries are the largest consumers of water in their production processes?"

Before long, she discovered the solution: semiconductor chips. It became clear that manufacturers globally were concerned about water shortages. Springowski took to Facebook, highlighting that Lorain possessed a crucial resource for the chip industry: an abundant water supply. She became convinced that the semiconductor sector would be Lorain's salvation and continuously advocated for this idea over several years. "It's simply the way I think," she explained to me.

The severe worldwide shortage of semiconductors during the Covid-19 crisis caught many by surprise and finally drew attention to the issue. According to Springowski, the production line where she was employed began experiencing significant delays. Engines ready for installation in vehicles were left idle, she explains, as the cars themselves were on hold due to a lack of chips, leaving newer employees to rely on unemployment benefits. "People were struggling to afford fuel," she mentions.

Springowski discovered that the United Auto Workers were advocating for domestic chip production in the US, prompting her to reach out to union heads and a congresswoman from Ohio via email. She suggested they consider Lorain for their chip manufacturing needs. Despite receiving no response, Springowski remained persistent. She expressed her enthusiasm on Facebook a year later, emphasizing that this was a major opportunity, comparable to the significance of the shipyards and Ford in the past, using the phrase, "We have a GOLDEN opportunity here!!!"

Mary Springowski, a resident of Lorain, Ohio.

Eventually, Springowski decided the best approach was to tackle the issue at its root. She reopened the email initially sent to the UAW, revised its content, and embarked on a mission to identify and contact the leaders of semiconductor manufacturing firms. To secure the contact information for Pat Gelsinger, the chief executive of Intel—a leading global semiconductor firm—she invested $3.99 on RocketReach.com. On April 28, 2021, amidst a period when her Ford factory was experiencing a parts shortage, Springowski took action and began dispatching emails. She targeted Gelsinger and the heads of nearly a dozen chip-making companies, advocating for Lorain as an ideal location. She highlighted the city's ample freshwater supply, its strategic position near a major port, accessible roads, and railways, along with a community college ready to equip a new generation of workers.

Concluding her plea, Springowski's characteristic zest shone through. "Let's find a method to achieve this! We're considering all options and everything is up for debate and review!"

The following day, Springowski got a reply from the senior director of state government relations at Intel. He mentioned that the company was currently selecting a location for a new group of chip-manufacturing facilities, marking the first new Intel location in the US in many years. Ohio wasn't even on the list of potential sites until Springowski's email came through. "I'm open to discussing what Intel is looking for in a site and the possibilities for Lorain," he stated, proposing a meeting the very next day. Springowski's shout from the living room was so loud, it seemed as though a tragedy had occurred.

"What did you say?!" her spouse shouted in response from the cooking area.

"Intel has responded!"

"Absolutely not!"

"Absolutely no chance."

A virtual meeting was set up. Springowski brought in representatives from Lorain's Port and Finance Authority and later involved teams focused on regional economic growth. In time, she established direct communication with Gelsinger.

Unbeknownst to Springowski, the CEO was actively engaged in an extensive effort to convince Congress to significantly fund U.S. chip production at that time. The goal was to bring back the semiconductor industry to American soil after years of being overshadowed by Taiwan's leading chipmaker TSMC and the runner-up, Samsung from South Korea. This initiative was driven by concerns for national security; the microchip supply chain had completely collapsed amid the Covid pandemic, highlighting the vulnerability to potential disruptions, such as natural disasters or a hypothetical military conflict involving China and Taiwan.

Semiconductors have become ubiquitous, finding their way into automobiles, mobile devices, cooling appliances, defense armaments, and significantly, fueling the advancements in artificial intelligence, a priority for numerous decision-makers currently. The United States' production of these critical components has significantly declined, representing just 12 percent of global output, a steep drop from its 37 percent share in 1990. Presently, Asia dominates the market, producing 70 percent of the world's semiconductors.

Gelsinger emphasized to political leaders that TSMC, Samsung, and more recently, Chinese semiconductor manufacturers have benefited significantly from their respective government subsidies. He stated that for the US to effectively compete, it would need similar governmental backing. Demonstrating Intel's commitment, Gelsinger announced in January 2022, that eight months following his initial virtual meeting with Springowski, Intel would launch a major project in Ohio. This project, valued at $28 billion, would not only create thousands of jobs but also represent the biggest investment ever in the state's history.

The massive cargo traverses through the countryside of southern Ohio.

During that summer, the legislative body approved the CHIPS and Science Act, allocating over $52 billion in various forms of financial assistance, such as grants and loans, to semiconductor producers. Intel received the biggest share, with $8.5 billion in grants and $11 billion in loans. This legislation, initiated during President Trump's tenure and enacted by President Biden, represents an exceptionally uncommon agreement between the two administrations on strategies for generating employment in the US and addressing competition from China.

Intel is grappling with a significant legacy of challenges. Once the undisputed leader during the era of Windows PCs, the peak of technological innovation at the time, Intel stumbled through a series of errors and failed to capitalize on the next waves of tech revolutions: the explosion of smartphones and the advent of AI. As the US recently positioned Intel as a key player in the global competition for semiconductor supremacy, the financial consequences of these past mistakes are now being felt. In recent months, Intel's share price has experienced a sharp decline. The company has had to cut 15,000 jobs, initiate a comprehensive overhaul of its operations, and is now surrounded by speculation regarding potential breakup or sale.

Gelsinger believes all he requires is sufficient time to rectify the company's direction. He explained, “Intel spent over ten years making poor choices,” during our conversation. “I’ve consistently mentioned that it’s a five-year process to restore our position. Currently, we’re in the middle of year three.” The pressing concern is whether Gelsinger’s strategies will materialize in time to prevent Intel’s collapse. Also, there's the issue of how this affects the regions and local communities that might be relying on Intel for a turnaround.

The announcement that Intel had chosen Ohio for its new location was met with mixed feelings by Springowski. While she had played a pivotal role in attracting Intel to her state, the tech giant ultimately did not choose Lorain as its destination. Instead, after considering various possibilities, Intel decided on a large piece of agricultural land in New Albany, a modest-sized town near Columbus, the state's capital.

Constructing a microchip manufacturing plant, known as a fab, is an incredibly complex endeavor. It demands infrastructure and specialized machinery on a massive scale, reminiscent of constructing pyramids in the modern era, all to produce items on the nanometer scale. In the coming years, this massive undertaking will be centered in a location in central Ohio. This location has numerous advantages, although, unlike Lorain, it lacks a port, with the nearest one being 140 miles distant. Therefore, Intel faced the challenge of transporting all necessary materials and equipment across a significant portion of the state, a process that would unfold gradually.

In the early hours of a summer morning in 2024, long before my preferred wake-up time and before the day’s heat intensifies, I find myself in the southern reaches of Ohio, near Portsmouth, roughly 200 miles south from Lorain, positioned on a floodplain that overlooks a curve in the Ohio River. I am situated in a parking lot opposite a gas station, adjacent to a restaurant known as Mex-Itali, which boasts the slogan “The Best of Both Worlds!” Surrounding me are approximately two dozen men, and indeed, they are all men, who are busily donning helmets and yellow safety vests, engaging in morning rituals of sipping coffee and enjoying a smoke. Among them is an individual who goes by the name Moose.

Everyone has come together here because not far from us, approximately 100 feet away, there's a place where a two-lane street intersects with another two-lane street, forming a right angle. Normally, this wouldn't capture our attention, but in about an hour, a massive, and when I say massive, I mean a colossal object mounted on 172 wheels is expected to arrive and navigate that corner.

In the Mex-Itali parking area, the group is discussing the plan of action. Moose conducts a brief safety overview, emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated, and advises the group to be respectful when communicating via radio.

The team responsible for transporting Intel's extremely large shipments through Ohio consists of roughly 24 individuals coming from various sectors including telecommunications, electrical services, freight services, local law enforcement, and the state traffic police.

The journey to this point has spanned almost two years of meticulous planning. This transport is one of roughly twenty-four exceptionally heavy loads, each surpassing 120,000 pounds, designated for Intel's use in Ohio. The cargo being moved today, identified as the 13th in the series, stretches an impressive 280 feet in length, stands 23 feet high, and spans 20 feet in width. This massive piece of equipment, tipping the scales at close to 1 million pounds, is somewhat unremarkably termed a cold box. A European manufacturer produced it, and after shipping it to New Orleans, it made its way via barge through the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. It was then transferred to a temporarily established port in the vicinity for this purpose. The next phase involves moving it by land to Intel's future site, which is envisaged to become the world's leading production hub for AI chips.

To accomplish this task, it appears you require one week, numerous trucks, an array of permits, and a team consisting of individuals from telecommunications firms, electricity providers, transport companies, along with a few local police officers and state troopers. Throughout the journey, it's necessary to manually adjust power cables and traffic signals to ensure the cargo can pass through. Moreover, due to the inconvenience caused to residents along the path, it's imperative that the largest superloads are transported prior to the commencement of the academic year.

The sound reaches our ears before the sight does—a deep, resonant buzz emanating from the west.

Incidentally, a cold box is a component of what's known as an air separation unit. For the production of microchips, it's crucial to maintain a cleanroom environment on the manufacturing floor, as even the tiniest dust particle can damage a silicon wafer. This necessitates the division of air into its constituent gases, utilizing nitrogen to purge any remaining gases, moisture, and debris from all materials and equipment. (Other elements from the air are also utilized in the production cycle.) In the future, Intel plans to erect four of these cold boxes in an upright position, akin to skyscrapers, at its new 1,000-acre facility.

On the journey, the oversized cargoes attract spectators. Followers keep an eye out for news from the Ohio Department of Transportation on Facebook. Within the commentary section, the tone varies—while a lady proposes to treat the team with blackberry cobbler, others express frustration over traffic delays, and some show excitement over the complexities involved in transporting such massive items. There are those who are eager to witness the entire procession.

Emily Stone set up her portable chair, earning the nickname 'Load Chaser' among her peers. This marks her involvement in her second significant transport event. "This is rare for small towns," she observes. A local through and through, she has deep roots and affection for her hometown. Historically, Portsmouth thrived with its shoe factories, steelworks, and a brickyard. There was also a large facility close by that played a key role in the Cold War, enriching uranium for nuclear arms. Stone's father was employed there for over three decades, passing away from leukemia shortly after the facility ceased its uranium operations in 2001. A local middle school was even shut down following the detection of radioactive contamination. Stone actively voices her concerns against the facility's management for not acknowledging their role in these issues publicly.

Following the decline of its main industries, Portsmouth emerged as a prime example of the opioid crisis. At its peak, the town had the highest concentration of pain clinics distributing prescriptions in the nation. It also became well-known through a groundbreaking book titled "Dreamland" that explored the epidemic. In the early 2000s, as mentioned in the book, OxyContin was so pervasive it was used like money. There was a report of a woman purchasing a vehicle using the pills as payment. Stone, who was employed as a pharmacy technician during that period, recounted knowing individuals who both profited from and succumbed to opioid addiction.

For Stone, the superload indeed presents an entertaining diversion. However, as it travels from a notably impoverished region in Ohio to one of the wealthiest, she comprehends the skepticism, or even stronger feelings, that some locals harbor. "They're already apprehensive," she notes. "And then there are these massive loads passing through that are a mystery to most people."

"One man took to Facebook to question the origins of these superloads, asking if anyone else is curious about where they first originated."

"Another person expresses their frustration, saying, 'The entire situation just sickens me.' They argue that large corporations often exploit people at every opportunity, all the while convincing them that they're actually benefitting from it."

"One more person argues that these actions offer no advantages to anyone in southern Ohio."

Stone and I detect the sound before the object comes into view—a deep, resonant buzzing originating from the west. It appears as an enormous white container, surpassing the length of a 747's main body. The maneuvering of this colossal structure requires the joint effort of two semi trucks, with one leading the charge and another providing support from behind. A third truck is on hand primarily to assist in navigating uphill challenges, remaining on standby for the remainder. Positioned at the rear of this massive cargo, two individuals oversee a control panel situated on a small platform, ensuring the 'cold box' can adeptly navigate through narrow passages.

I hop into a government vehicle alongside Matt Bruning, a representative for the Ohio Department of Transportation, who has a background as a news radio journalist. He mentions that one of his previous workplaces now utilizes artificial intelligence for creating commercial narrations. Bruning, alongside Moose, has gained a bit of celebrity status on Facebook due to their involvement with the team. "Super Load #13 is navigating the turn," Bruning updates on social media. We drive slightly in front of the massive transport and head northward into Ohio.

Intel orchestrated this event, and it was their initiative to have me tag along with the superload. The corporation has mobilized a cheerful cohort of individuals clad in uniform T-shirts, aiming to stir excitement in the communities we pass through, soothe any irritation from traffic delays, and pepper the area with intriguing tidbits. They've erected Intel-branded tents, handed out Intel-themed noise makers and toys to children, and established Intel stands alongside food vendors. Additionally, they're offering virtual reality experiences, where participants can don VR headsets to simulate the environment of working in a semiconductor fabrication plant, observing engineers in protective suits navigate a pristine space brimming with high-value equipment.

Rejoining the convoy, we've now hit the peak heat of the day, and we're still within Portsmouth's limits. The superload moves at an average pace of 6 mph, and currently, a belt in the engine of the steering console has broken. As a team attends to the repair, the whole convoy has come to a halt.

Residents have gathered on their front steps to observe workers in elevated platforms adjust the large, extending arms that hold traffic lights over a crossroads. When the cargo arrives, these workers will maneuver the arms aside and then return them to position. A crowd from a nearby drug rehabilitation facility watches on, highlighting what Portsmouth has become famous for today – a haven for individuals seeking help with addiction, offering therapy, vocational training, and employment opportunities. The writer of Dreamland revisited Portsmouth to pen an additional chapter on the town's transformation following the peak of the opioid epidemic.

Bruning proposes we remain inside the vehicle with the air conditioning running. However, we notice we're parked close to a retro eatery named Malt Shops, which boasts a menu of “Ice Cream, Shakes, Sundaes, Sandwiches, and Footers.” Several crew members, along with some Intel representatives and myself, decide to enter and sample a wide selection of their offerings.

The team comes from various places. Joe Jones and his team traveled from Detroit to join. Previously, he was employed by a manufacturer supplying parts to Ford. According to him, the automobile industry was thriving before the pandemic. However, the subsequent semiconductor shortage brought about significant stress. He points out that Ford vehicles rely heavily on semiconductors, with each vehicle containing hundreds or even thousands of these chips. Moreover, the vehicle's functionality can be restricted for non-payment. Jones believes that semiconductors could be the focal point of future conflicts. Nowadays, he is employed by his cousin's utility company, where he is involved in adjusting power lines to accommodate oversized loads.

Rick and Julia Miller hail from the northern part of Florida. Rick was previously in charge of overseeing roofing teams until he lost his job due to the pandemic. Julia, on the other hand, was involved in breeding premium chickens known for producing mahogany-brown eggs. The idea to venture into the pilot-car industry was suggested by a friend, promising them an opportunity to travel and earn. Currently, in their seventies, the couple now spearheads the convoy for extremely large loads, driving a truck adorned with orange flags and a large yellow sign indicating "OVERSIZE LOAD."

The enormous cargo's journey from Manchester to New Albany, Ohio, included a leg by barge along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. To unload Intel's equipment, a temporary port was specially built in Manchester.

Danny Hoeck hails from the heart of Kentucky. He's at the helm of the leading semi that hauls the massive cargo. His truck driving career spans nearly half a century. "I technically retired a couple of years back," he chuckles. "But I haven't really stopped working." He explains his continuous employment by noting the scarcity of individuals with the necessary skills for the job.

Next, we have Moose. Naturally, he’s a large fellow, known for his witty memes online. He goes by Kieran Drylie in full and hails from New Jersey. Soon, word comes over the radio that the steering console repair is complete. We then witness the superload slowly making its way up the street toward the Malt Shops. Later, Moose's boss shares with me that instead of dismantling the engine to replace the malfunctioning belt, they opted to secure a completely new engine and fit it in.

Pat Gelsinger returned to Intel with the aim of rectifying the company's issues.

When he began his career at the firm, he was merely 18, at a time when Intel stood as a pivotal force in the technology sector. His manager, Gordon Moore, who was also a cofounder and the CEO, had formulated Moore's law. This principle predicted that the quantity of transistors on a chip would double approximately every two years, without a significant increase in cost. Intel was responsible for creating the first microprocessor available on the market, playing a crucial role in transforming Silicon Valley from an area known for its orchards into a technological hub. It was often referred to as one of the tech industry's "four horsemen."

Gelsinger played a significant role throughout his time at the company, notably as the lead designer of the inaugural processor to integrate over a million transistors. However, by the conclusion of his initial tenure at the firm—marked by his departure in the role of chief technology officer in 2009, a move he describes as being subtly pushed out—Intel had already begun to veer off course.

Intel continued to rake in significant earnings from the market for PC processors. However, in 2006, the firm's CEO at the time, Paul Otellini, decided against entering into an agreement with Steve Jobs to manufacture processors for an upcoming Apple gadget. Otellini believed that the product would not sell well. That product turned out to be the iPhone. Following this, the entire mobile phone industry shifted towards a chip standard that was different from Intel's.

Subsequently, a few years after, a group of AI experts began to educate neural networks—a technology once considered obsolete—utilizing a chip design created by Nvidia. Their remarkable achievements heralded the exciting new period of AI and established Nvidia's leadership in the field. (Adding to the intrigue: Over the last two decades, Intel allegedly missed opportunities to secure significant shares in both Nvidia and OpenAI, choosing not to pursue them.)

Growing in line with a trend among Intel's rivals, Nvidia operated without its own fabrication plants, focusing on chip design and entrusting the manufacturing to Asian foundries, notably TSMC and Samsung. Intel, on the other hand, generally continued to manufacture its high-tech chips in-house. This approach could have been advantageous, suggests semiconductor expert G. Dan Hutcheson, but Intel's decision to implement an overly complicated manufacturing process in the early 2010s resulted in low production yields.

Mistakes pushed Intel significantly behind, leading to a situation where, by the late 2010s, TSMC emerged as the sole entity capable of producing the most advanced processors, according to Hutcheson. This development raised considerable concerns for the US government, primarily due to TSMC's close geographical location to China. The situation became even more pressing with the advent of Covid and the ensuing major chip shortage, further accelerating Washington's call to action.

When Gelsinger took over as Intel's CEO in early 2021, some board members were advising the company to exit the manufacturing sector and concentrate solely on chip design, according to Hutcheson. However, Gelsinger firmly believed that Intel should not only continue to design and produce its chips on a grand scale but also expand its role as a foundry, producing chips for its "fabless" rivals. He even aspired for Intel to rise as the world's second-largest foundry by 2030. Moreover, Gelsinger aimed to transform the company by introducing a new and superior manufacturing technique known as 18A, which was several steps ahead of the older, less efficient process that had previously hindered the company.

Gelsinger believed that to achieve his goals, he would require financial assistance amounting to several tens of billions of dollars from the U.S. government. To garner support, he tapped into the growing trend of economic patriotism in Washington. Just four months into his role as CEO, he penned an opinion piece for Politico, emphasizing the immediate necessity for the U.S. to bolster its national security. He championed the idea of America's dominance in semiconductor production and even described Intel as a company driven by national loyalty, though he suggested this loyalty had its limits. Gelsinger's straightforward proposition to the Biden administration was that it either provides subsidies for manufacturing within the country or he would be forced to establish his semiconductor plants in other locations.

Throughout 2021, Gelsinger dedicated a significant amount of time to discussions with authorities in both the US and Europe. In the US capital, he specifically advocated for financial incentives to be directed exclusively towards American corporations.

Gelsinger often remarks, "The locations of oil reserves were determined by divine intervention, but the placement of fab reserves is within our control." As Washington hesitated, Intel initiated construction of two additional fabs at its Arizona facility, expanded activities in New Mexico, scouted for new locations across the US, and ultimately embraced Springowski's suggestion to establish a presence in Ohio.

Intel's decision to not proceed with construction in Lorain was primarily due to the lack of sufficient land. The company was in search of nearly 1,000 acres that were ready for development, a requirement Lorain couldn't meet. Consequently, Springowski connected Intel with individuals who then got in touch with JobsOhio, a private entity serving as the state's economic development organization. Another group, One Columbus, suggested a large area of agricultural land in New Albany, a small town near the state's capital, conveniently located next to a vast international business park. This proposal entailed acquiring property from over 50 landowners. To support this initiative, Ohio provided significant financial incentives, totaling around $2 billion, which included funding for infrastructure enhancements, reduction of costs, and tax breaks.

In January 2022, Intel made headlines by revealing plans to establish a significant presence in Ohio, with a projected investment of up to $100 billion. The tech giant aimed to construct a total of eight fabrication plants, positioning it as one of the largest semiconductor production hubs globally. During the State of the Union address in March of that year, Intel's CEO, Gelsinger, was notably in attendance, highlighting the importance of Intel's venture. The Biden administration particularly valued Intel's unique position as the sole American entity able to produce cutting-edge semiconductors. According to Hutcheson, under Gelsinger's leadership, Intel appeared poised for a resurgence. President Biden lauded the Ohio project as a "field of dreams," advocating for the passage of the CHIPS Act to support it, which Congress approved in August 2022. Consequently, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo began referring to Intel as the leading semiconductor company in the United States.

However, the US government chose a more diversified approach, not solely heeding Gelsinger's advice to support only American companies. It opted to also provide financial support to other firms. In March 2024, Intel received the largest allocation from the CHIPS Act funding, with $8.5 billion in grants and $11 billion in loans. Following closely were Intel’s main rivals: TSMC secured $6.6 billion in grants and $5 billion in loans for establishing fabrication plants in the US, with its inaugural facility expected to begin operations in Arizona the following year. Meanwhile, Samsung was awarded up to $6.4 billion in grants.

Subsequently, in the following month and well ahead of the anticipated receipt of federal monies in its financial reserves, Intel disclosed to its shareholders that it was facing serious financial difficulties. The tech giant reported a staggering loss of $7 billion from the previous year, with an additional loss of $1.6 billion in the subsequent quarter. This news precipitated a significant plunge in Intel's stock value, marking the most considerable drop in 50 years. As a result, Intel halted its dividend payments and declared a workforce reduction of 15 percent, equating to around 15,000 employees.

One issue was that Intel, similar to most technology firms, had set overly optimistic forecasts during the pandemic, believing that life would permanently shift to a digital model. "We didn't fully understand the extent to which the industry was riding the Covid euphoria," Gelsinger remarked. However, Intel's core challenges are more profound.

The implications for national security are extremely critical. Hutcheson warns that if Intel doesn't resolve its issues, we're in deep trouble.

When questioned about whether he regrets dedicating extensive efforts to secure government support instead of addressing Intel's internal challenges, Gelsinger expressed that the enactment of the CHIPS Act would not have been possible without capitalizing on the opportunity. He remains unwavering in his vision for transforming Intel. Gelsinger acknowledged considering adjustments in approach but stood firm on his strategic direction. He emphasized that Intel is on the verge of overcoming a challenging year, pointing out that the new manufacturing sites are not yet operational, the latest technological processes have yet to be implemented, and the newest products are only beginning to increase in production.

Intel has recently secured agreements to supply custom AI chips, made with its latest production techniques, to Amazon and Microsoft. Additionally, the company secured a $3.5 billion contract to manufacture chips for the Pentagon. However, investor confidence in CEO Gelsinger's strategy to both design and manufacture chips is wavering, with some suggesting that Intel should split its operations. There have been offers to purchase Intel from smaller entities, including Qualcomm. The technology sector's news outlets frequently report on the company's challenges. An October article in The New York Times revealed that Commerce Secretary Raimondo has been making efforts to attract new business for Intel from other major US technology firms, but these efforts have largely been unsuccessful.

Hutcheson indicates that it might take a year or more to determine if Intel can successfully recover. He expresses strong optimism regarding Intel's latest 18A semiconductor manufacturing technique. However, he emphasizes that the implications for national security are extremely significant, stating, "If Intel doesn't get back on track," according to Hutcheson, "we're in serious trouble."

Events unfolding at Intel are expected to spark discussions about the possibility of a second CHIPS Act. Legislators will undoubtedly question the effectiveness of the first CHIPS Act, according to Chris Miller, who penned the book Chip Wars. “However, I believe Congress will also consider the global situation,” he notes, pointing out that China is significantly ahead, operating at what could be considered the level of a fifth or sixth CHIPS Act, having allocated an estimated $150 billion in subsidies, likely even exceeding that amount.

For Miller, the gamble of implementing one or two CHIPS Acts, even if it doesn't result in a thriving semiconductor industry in the US spearheaded by Intel among others, is still considered worthwhile. This is viewed as a precautionary measure against a potentially much larger disaster should tensions escalate in the Taiwan Strait. According to Miller, a conflict in that region could lead to a catastrophic impact on the global economy, with disruptions costing trillions of dollars. "That's not an exaggeration; it's the calculated prediction," Miller states.

New Albany, Ohio, strikes an oddly recognizable chord, even though I'm certain I've never visited. Forty years earlier, it was a small agricultural community, a short 20-minute journey away from Columbus. According to the town’s mayor, Sloan Spalding, at that time, the place boasted a dairy mart and a feed store. That's until a prosperous individual, Leslie Wexner, began acquiring property. “He was akin to Walt Disney,” Spalding notes.

Wexner, whose wealth has propelled him to become Ohio's wealthiest individual, originates from Dayton and is the son of a Russian immigrant who dealt in clothing. In 1963, he initiated his entrepreneurial journey by securing a loan from his aunt to open a retail outlet named The Limited, essentially pioneering the concept of quick-turnaround fashion. By 1982, he expanded his empire by acquiring a modest undergarment company known as Victoria’s Secret.

Wexner disclosed that he envisioned himself in the mold of Ralph Lauren, also a child of immigrant parents, renowned for marketing an idealized vision of WASP culture. He shaped the brand identity of Victoria's Secret around a made-up persona called Victoria Stuart-White. An initial catalog listed its address as No. 10 Margaret Street, London W1, which was fictitious; the business's actual base was in Columbus.

"Wexner remarked, 'Starting a business was my way of crafting my personal universe.' As he expanded Victoria’s Secret, his ambition to transform downtown Columbus was met with resistance from local authorities. Undeterred, he shifted his focus to New Albany, where he erected a lavish 60,000-square-foot home within an expansive estate of nearly 400 acres, complete with equestrian facilities, landscaped gardens, and tennis courts, as well as a country club featuring a 27-hole golf course. His vision extended beyond his home, aiming to establish a community that narrated its unique tale—a vision of a place where the architectural style and the natural environment of 19th-century towns exist in perfect harmony, as outlined by the real estate development firm Wexner founded to realize this project."

In the development of New Albany, Wexner collaborated closely with his then financial advisor and trusted counsellor, Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein later gained infamy for his involvement in the sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and minors. Wexner, who claims to have severed connections with Epstein in 2007, has stated that he had no knowledge of any criminal behavior.

Currently, New Albany is home to approximately 11,000 residents, residing in spacious brick homes that feature a generous setback from the street. Exploring the area gives the impression of being in a place that feels both ancient and peculiar, distinct from Ohio, or as if one has mistakenly ended up in a version of Colonial Williamsburg dominated by the attire of polo shirts.

The high school bears a resemblance to Monticello, surrounded by white picket fences that give it an almost pastoral feel, despite its non-rural setting. What appear to be barns turn out to be eateries. Areas for shopping, particularly those housing essentials like gas stations and fast-food joints, are pushed to the fringes. New Albany's detailed 16-page architectural guidelines admit that the Georgian aesthetic, a product of 18th-century England, was never native to Ohio, yet they propose it should be the prevailing style across the town. According to these guidelines, any other architectural influences must draw from American traditions, explicitly excluding anything from the 20th century onwards. Mayor Spalding describes this approach as "timeless" and quintessentially American.

Located next to the town, the primary catalyst for the entire operation is the New Albany International Business Park. This site hosts businesses linked to Wexner, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Bath & Body Works, along with Discover Card, State Farm, American Electric Power, Aetna, and data centers for Amazon, Google, and Meta. Recently, Intel has also become a part of this hub.

The towering cranes are visible from a great distance. Intel refers to it as a "mega-site," an area as large as two Disney theme parks. Although the Intel personnel prohibit my entry, circumnavigating the Business Park's border requires an hour. Additionally, the industrial park boasts its unique landscaping and architectural guidelines, incorporating freshly constructed mounds and saplings to obscure any unsightly or incomplete structures.

To reach New Albany, the extremely heavy and large shipment had to circumvent Columbus by taking a detour, steering clear of any underpasses and roadblocks. For an upcoming delivery, Intel's crew plans to collaborate with a local produce vendor and the chamber of commerce to organize an "Intel Superload Spectator Event!!" inviting people to watch as the procession makes its way past. For our particular delivery, the excitement mostly unfolded online. Matt Bruning from the Ohio Department of Transportation announces the successful completion of the task, followed by someone commenting, "Moose, this one's for you," to which Moose replies with a meme expressing being overwhelmed by the affection, "You’re killing me with kindness."

At these Intel temporary exhibits, they're keen on showcasing a wooden representation of Ohio, featuring all 88 counties, as a way to discuss the statewide advantages of their initiative. They're committing to creating 3,000 premium positions at the fabrication plants, along with 7,000 construction roles to erect these facilities. JobsOhio estimates that this will lead to a tripling effect in terms of further employment opportunities. To date, Intel has announced the completion of hiring for 2,300 construction roles, and since the fabrication plants are not yet operational, less than 100 manufacturing positions have been filled.

Inquiring with Kenny McDonald, the lead at the economic development organization One Columbus, about whether the Intel initiative will benefit only the affluent areas near Columbus or extend its advantages to the economically challenged regions in southern and northeastern Ohio, he shares his perspective on how this project will enhance competitiveness throughout the Midwest. Henry Farrell, a scholar in political science and co-writer of "Underground Empire," expresses skepticism about such endeavors restoring America's status as a manufacturing giant. Nevertheless, state and federal authorities continue to allocate substantial investments into these projects, which he believes have minimal direct employment effects, motivated by the bipartisan desire to dominate the industrial landscape of the Midwest.

Springowski is advocating for justice for Lorain, expressing that the city has struggled to recover from the 2007 recession, unlike the thriving Columbus and its vicinity. She finds a bit of solace in Intel's pledge to donate substantial amounts to Ohio's higher education institutions, Lorain County Community College included. She continues to encourage semiconductor manufacturers and Intel's partners to consider Lorain for their operations. Moreover, she spends her time researching the production of semiconductors, currently intrigued by the processing of rare earth minerals.

She points out that the absence of available land for Intel in her town is due to the fact that the mills and factories which arrived in Lorain a hundred years ago now stand vacant and dilapidated, occupying vast stretches of space within the town's core. She questions, "Why not begin demolishing these structures," to make way for future developments?

(Update: During an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast on October 25, Donald Trump criticized the CHIPS and Science Act, labeling it "so bad" for allocating billions of dollars to wealthy corporations rather than employing tariffs to encourage domestic chip manufacturing. The subsequent week, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that Republicans might "probably repeal" the act, though he later retracted this statement, clarifying that there are no current plans to revoke the legislation. Intel, whose shares surged by 12 percent shortly after Trump's presidential victory, appears relatively unperturbed by the situation. Despite not having received the full amount of funding promised by the CHIPS Act yet, an Intel representative mentioned that the Commerce Department is aiming to finalize this distribution by year's end.)

Additionally, it's plausible to anticipate that the sole manufacturer of high-end chips in the US could gain advantages from a government prioritizing American interests, especially one that intends to levy tariffs on imported products. "The concept of the CHIPS and Science Act was initiated during the Trump administration's first term and continues to enjoy widespread support across party lines," stated a representative from Intel. "We are eager to collaborate with the Trump administration on this mutual objective.")

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Am I Too Unfit to Benefit from an AI Fitness Coach?

"Is it possible for me to get fit with the assistance of AI-driven personal training?"

—Perspiration Challenger

Hello Perspiration,

Unfortunately, leading AI platforms such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude don't have the capability to assist in physical fitness goals like reducing belly fat or enhancing muscle definition in your chest. While Claude is able to create a solid meal plan, and ChatGPT can suggest beginner dumbbell routines, these are tasks that simple internet searches could handle years ago. Nevertheless, many of us find ourselves not in the physical condition we desire.

Lately, I've noticed I'm putting on weight; now in my thirties, I still indulge in food like I possess the metabolism of a teenager. I often find myself stress-eating Taco Bell in the WIRED break room, followed by indulgent, carb-heavy naps. It's a rather shameful habit, and not even the most persistent AI reminders to eat healthier or custom exercise tips can deter me from these detrimental routines. Ultimately, the onus is on me to undertake comprehensive lifestyle adjustments to better my health. After all, I'm the sole occupant of this body and the only one who can effect change within it.

Reflecting on physicality and self-improvement, it's remarkable to consider that you possess a biological entity—a structure of bones and flesh that allows you to navigate and interpret your surroundings. This very fact distinguishes your existence significantly from the impersonal, GPU-driven bots that exist merely as code spread throughout the complex pathways of a data center. While these bots might offer reliable exercise recommendations by analyzing vast amounts of online data, they lack any real-world experience with the human body's capabilities and limitations. They've never experienced the intense sweat from a strenuous run on the treadmill, nor have they had to push through a workout while dealing with a hangover, or set new personal records by pushing past exhaustion.

Chances are, the fitness coach at your neighborhood fitness center does. If your finances allow, consider scheduling a few sessions immediately. A coach can recommend various workouts, observe your technique, and provide advice to ensure you're performing these activities in a manner that's both safer and more effective. Despite the allure of high-end workout equipment—equipped with advanced technology to monitor your breathing and tally your repetitions—they can't replicate the motivational push that comes from hiring a fit professional to oversee your exercise regimen amidst a group of equally fit individuals.

"I'm aware that utilizing artificial intelligence is harmful to our planet, yet I continue to do so. What steps can I take to minimize my environmental footprint?"

—Shut Off

To the esteemed Powered

It's clear that your inquiry stems from a genuine desire to minimize the negative impact your personal use of AI technology, known for its significant resource consumption, may have. However, let's pause for a moment and liberate yourself from the burden of simply being.

I'm willing to wager a significant amount of money that you're also deeply committed to recycling, right? A person who has an extensive knowledge about the various kinds of plastics and diligently separates them like a model member of the community?

Although recycling sounds like an ideal solution on paper, the reality is that many items designated for recycling are instead burned, buried, or dumped into the sea. This happens because many plastics can't be processed by waste management facilities, and the sheer volume of trash produced by our society is too much for existing infrastructure to handle. Therefore, even though we as consumers mean well when we recycle, our efforts frequently result in merely going through the motions to ease our conscience about being part of a system that adds to environmental pollution.

Opting out of using high-energy-consuming generative AI applications might seem like a good idea for the moment. However, it's likely only a temporary solution. There's a strong possibility that AI technologies will become integral to your professional life, requiring you to rely on them despite their heavy energy and resource demands to perform your job effectively. Reflecting on the move to cloud storage over the past ten years highlights a significant shift in our collective approach to computing, without much public debate over the ethical implications of digital storage consumption, such as the vast amounts of data stored in services like Apple iCloud. Ultimately, the influence of individual choices on global issues is often overestimated.

While I'm doubtful that individual avoidance of AI technologies will make a noteworthy difference to environmental well-being, it's not a signal to lose hope! On the contrary, it's an opportunity to make your voice heard by contacting your political leaders, sharing your concerns as an AI user worried about its effects on our planet's future. Given that tech corporations will inevitably expand their massive data centers, our focus should shift towards advocating for eco-friendly practices. This includes promoting the use of renewable energy sources on-site and urging a decrease in the water used for cooling the systems. There's also a pressing need for greater openness regarding the extensive resource usage at these private facilities that support our AI applications.

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Looking for guidance on maneuvering through the realm of AI technologies? Send your inquiries for Reece Rogers to address to mail@wired.com, and please include "The Prompt" in the subject line.

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• "Exploring the Top Innovations in AI: From Davinci-AI.de to Smart Autonomous Systems"

"Exploring the Top Innovations in AI: From Davinci-AI.de to Smart Autonomous Systems"

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As we have journeyed through the landscape of Artificial Intelligence, from the pioneering innovations at platforms like davinci-ai.de to the forefront of autonomous systems, it is clear that AI is not just an aspect of modern technology but a foundational pillar reshaping every facet of human experience. The exploration of top AI advancements, including those in machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and natural language processing, showcases the breadth and depth of AI's impact. Through platforms like ai-allcreator.com and bot.ai-carsale.com, AI is proving its versatility and adaptability, revolutionizing industries from healthcare to automotive.

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The Future's AI-Operated Firearm Has Arrived

As American forces overseas face the growing menace of affordable armed enemy drones, the US military is employing every possible measure to shield its personnel from the constant danger of aerial attacks. Amidst the use of costly ammunition, complex future-directed energy weapons, and an expanding collection of drones, the Department of Defense is focusing more on a straightforward answer to its escalating drone issue: the modernization of firearms.

During the T-REX event in August, the US Defense Department conducted trials on an AI-powered autonomous weapon system created by the emerging defense company Allen Control Systems, known as the “Bullfrog.”

Featuring a 7.62-mm M240 machine gun attached to a custom-built rotating turret equipped with an electro-optical sensor, unique AI, and specialized computer vision technology, the Bullfrog has been engineered to provide highly accurate small arms fire against drone targets, surpassing the accuracy typically possible with standard military firearms such as the M4 carbine or the advanced XM7 rifle. Demonstrations shared by ACS reveal how this vehicle-mounted setup can swiftly identify and eliminate small drones, achieving this with minimal shots fired.

The Bullfrog has shown promise in neutralizing drone threats, capturing the attention of Pentagon officials. As reported by Defense Daily, during an August demonstration event, Alex Lovett, who serves as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for prototyping and experimentation at the Pentagon's Research and Engineering department, shared with journalists that the trials involving the "budget-friendly" Bullfrog system have been highly successful. If the Pentagon decides to integrate this system, it would mark the introduction of the first publicly acknowledged lethal autonomous weapon into the inventory of the US military, as noted by the Congressional Research Service. (As of now, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has not provided a response to WIRED’s inquiry for a statement.)

Neutralizing small, agile drones using standard guns poses a formidable obstacle for even highly skilled shooters, prompting the US military to explore various strategies to enhance the drone-combat capabilities of its handheld firearms. These initiatives include acquiring ammunition ranging from small to medium caliber and projectiles similar to shotgun pellets, which have been effective in drone defense during the conflict in Ukraine; equipping rifles with devices that can jam the radio frequency and GPS signals of approaching drones, eliminating the need for soldiers to carry additional, cumbersome anti-drone gear such as the Dronebuster or NightFighter; and adopting advanced sighting systems from firms like SmartShooter and ZeroMark, designed to trigger firing only when the target is accurately acquired. Furthermore, the Army has begun incorporating anti-drone training into its basic instruction program, aiming to normalize this type of preparation alongside traditional shooting exercises.

ACS co-founder and CEO Steve Simoni, who previously worked as a Navy nuclear engineer, believes that the most effective method to improve a firearm's defense against drone threats doesn't lie in innovative attachments or advanced training. Instead, it involves integrating cutting-edge robotics and complex AI technology to remove uncertainty in identifying and following targets.

Amidst the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Simoni, alongside his ACS colleague and fellow Navy veteran Luke Allen, noticed the extensive use of drones by both factions. They came across reports in multiple news sources indicating that Ukrainians were attempting to shoot down these drones with AK-47s. Speaking to WIRED, Simoni remarked, "We saw this as an intriguing challenge for robotics. Striking a fast-moving target is difficult, but with today's advanced computer vision and AI control algorithms, a robot could potentially accomplish this task."

Simoni argues that the primary obstacle in targeting swiftly moving drones is not just identifying them, which smart optics like the SMASH fire control system by SmartShooter, equipped with AI and computer vision, can do. It's rather the difficulty of manually keeping a rifle aimed accurately at these drones that surpasses the capabilities of even the most skilled soldiers using sophisticated scopes attached to their weapons. To overcome this, Simoni suggests eliminating human involvement entirely. Instead, he proposes the use of a highly accurate, specially designed motion control system that can keep a consistent aim on an approaching drone amidst the turmoil of combat.

"Simoni explains, as electrical engineers, we concluded that tackling the challenge of targeting a rapidly accelerating drone moving at five times the force of gravity, especially from a distance of a few hundred yards, would necessitate the use of an exceptionally powerful electric current. This current would need to drive a motor and operate encoders that continuously track the positioning of the firearm. Integrating such advanced technology into a device that could be operated alongside an M4 rifle appeared to be an extremely difficult task."

"A DJI Mini [drone] slightly exceeds the size of my hand, and our technology is capable of neutralizing it from 200 yards away using just two attempts," he further explains. "It's a feat no person could achieve."

In 2019, at the National Training Center's battle of Razish, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in collaboration with the Threat Systems Management Office managed a group of 40 drones. This operation was aimed at evaluating the performance of the rotational units in combat scenarios.

The concept of gun turrets is well-established in the military forces of the United States and its allied countries, ranging from the manually controlled Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), increasingly found on US ground combat vehicles, to the semi-autonomous Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) that plays a crucial role in protecting naval vessels from missile attacks. In recent developments, the Army has been testing various firearm-equipped counter-drone technologies, such as a robotic dog developed by Ghost Robotics, equipped with an artificial intelligence-powered AR/M4-style rifle turret.

Weighing under 400 pounds, the Bullfrog is both smaller and more streamlined than the massive Phalanx CIWS, which stands at 15 feet tall and weighs over 12,000 pounds. This makes it more adaptable for protecting individual assets such as a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle in transit. Unlike the Phalanx CIWS, which unleashes a barrage of bullets, the Bullfrog offers precision targeting. According to Simoni, it can efficiently neutralize aerial threats using fewer rounds and is capable of engaging targets laterally. This allows it to defend not only itself but also support nearby units. Moreover, deploying several Bullfrog systems together can establish a comprehensive air defense grid.

Simoni mentions, "In our team, we referred to the Bullfrog as the 'compact CIWS'. However, the control system of the CIWS doesn't match up in precision."

The topic of the Bullfrog's self-governing capabilities presents a thorny issue for defense strategists. Under the current directives from the Pentagon regarding deadly autonomous weapons, the Bullfrog is engineered to ensure human oversight remains integral, thereby preventing any unsanctioned actions. Essentially, while the weapon can aim and track targets, it requires a human command to actually discharge. Nonetheless, representatives from ACS have stated that the system is capable of functioning entirely on its own if the US military ever decides it's necessary. This could potentially allow for sentry guns to manage the entire process of engaging a target, liberating military personnel to dedicate their attention to tasks of higher strategic importance.

"Brice Cooper, ACS's head of strategy and former Green Beret who also led the counter-drone initiative for US Special Operations Command, shared with WIRED that their technology is completely capable of operating autonomously. They are currently awaiting the government's specifications," he explains. "Current systems similar to ours haven't reached this level of development."

On January 29, 2011, the USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship, conducted a test of its Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).

The unveiling of the Bullfrog at T-REX couldn't have been more timely. The Pentagon has just revealed the next phase of its ambitious Replicator project, initiated last year to boost the US military's capabilities in both deploying drones and countering them, in anticipation of possible confrontations with major powers such as China or Russia. The initial phase of the Replicator focused on the quick acquisition and deployment of affordable, expendable drones for US forces globally. The latest phase aims to address "the challenges presented by small unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS) to our key facilities and troop gatherings," as stated by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a recent letter that introduced this new phase of the project in late September.

For many years, US military leaders stationed in the Middle East have warned that low-cost, easily modified drones pose the biggest risk to their forces since the rise of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the Global War on Terror. This threat has been underscored by assaults on naval vessels and commercial ships in the Red Sea, as well as attacks on American military bases in Iraq and Syria, all occurring in the aftermath of the Israeli-Hamas conflict's escalation. In a notable incident in January, a drone strike on a US military base near the Jordan-Syria border resulted in the death of three American soldiers. The Pentagon later concluded that the tragedy was due to the base's lack of adequate defenses against drone attacks.

Cooper highlights, "The pace at which threats evolve has drastically increased. Just a year back, the tiny drones now wreaking havoc on numerous armored vehicles in Ukraine weren't even on anyone's radar. The truth is, we're just at the beginning of understanding the scope of unmanned threats, which will require continuous and significant financial commitment from the Defense Department moving forward."

At this stage, it's uncertain what kind of anti-drone technologies the Replicator 2 project might develop. Currently, it seems that various solutions are being considered. These could range from remote-controlled weapon stations, such as the XM914 30-mm chain gun equipped with explosive rounds designed to detonate near targets, to missile systems like the MSI Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS) with laser-guided rockets, the L3Harris Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE), and the Raytheon Coyote interceptor. Other possibilities include self-operating aircrafts like the Air Force's Paladin and Anduril's Roadrunner; electronic warfare equipment mounted on vehicles for jamming sensors and signals, exemplified by the Marine Corps’ Light Marine Air-Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS) and the Army’s Mobile Low, Slow Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defense System (M-LIDS), both of which have been effective against drones and are equipped with direct fire weapons like machine guns and missiles; innovative directed energy weapons that use high-energy lasers and microwaves to interrupt and incapacitate drones in flight; and an expanding selection of handheld weapons for infantry, ranging from specialized anti-drone rifles to the reliable FIM-92 Stinger portable air-defense system. The goal of these technologies is to equip every American service member in combat roles with the means to effectively counter drone threats.

In 2022, members of the US Army from Task Force Spartan participated in a training program for the Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defense System (M-LIDS) at Camp Buehring, located in Kuwait.

A significant motivator behind the Pentagon's initiative to counteract drone threats is the issue of expense. The current systems used to neutralize drones often come with a high cost, making them an inefficient defense against the low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles. In contrast, directed-energy weapons such as lasers and microwaves present a more economical option, costing around $10 per use. Despite their cost-effectiveness, these advanced technologies are in the experimental phase and carry a level of complexity that, although they are being tested and have seen deployment in the Middle East, renders them not yet dependable enough to be deployed widely.

"Mike Clementi, who has a background as a congressional defense appropriator and has experience with the US military's anti-drone initiatives, expressed to WIRED that the optimal scenario involves adapting a current system widely across the fleet, as seen with [the Bullfrog]. He highlighted the advantage of such a system if it can be operated at the expense equivalent to a few 7.62-mm bullets, suggesting this would put one at a competitive advantage."

"The crucial inquiry is: How do you effectively remove a large number of inexpensive targets?" he continues. "Should the Bullfrog prove successful, it would emerge as the most cost-effective option available."

Simoni is of the opinion that AI-driven self-operating weaponry such as the Bullfrog are capable of achieving a kill cost ratio comparable to laser and microwave technologies, but with less need for ongoing maintenance and logistical support. Although the Bullfrog is not the sole anti-drone weaponry being considered by the Pentagon, Simoni holds that the precision provided by the system's distinctive machine-learning software and motion control mechanism outperforms competing systems.

"According to Simoni, what we're seeing now with tracking and firing capabilities is just the beginning. The plan is to expand the system to include a variety of firearms capable of hitting targets at greater distances and drones that maneuver with varying speeds, all powered by advancements in our artificial intelligence technology. The ultimate goal is to create a fleet of vehicles equipped with gun turrets that can execute synchronized attacks accurately, even when traveling on rough terrain. This ambitious project is expected to be completed within the next year to a year and a half."

Despite Simoni's bold plans and the Pentagon's increased focus on developing self-operating weapons, there remains skepticism within military communities regarding the risks associated with removing human control from the decision-making process of engaging targets.

“Any robotic system needs software to identify allies or adversaries, and this raises issues with any form of automation,” Clementi notes. He adds that deploying entirely autonomous systems would venture into “new ground.” “Previously, there has always been human involvement,” he points out.

If the Pentagon decides to adopt an autonomous robotic gun system for its counter-drone defense, the future major conflicts involving U.S. forces might resemble a punchline from a Simpsons episode, where "small robots will carry out most of the combat."

"Simoni remarked, 'The battles of the future will be dominated by amazing autonomous robots like the ones we have, engaging in combat with each other. I believe there's little space for individuals wielding firearms in that scenario.'"

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Donald Trump is Not the Sole Agent of Disruption

Eight years prior, the outcome of the November US elections left the small team at Backchannel, the tech-focused publication I led, in utter disbelief. The day following the election, one of our editors expressed on our Slack channel that focusing on technology stories felt irrelevant or even pointless. While en route from New York to San Francisco, I penned a column as a response to that sentiment, addressing my team as much as our readership. My argument was that despite the significant impact of the event, the overarching narrative remained unchanged; we were still in the midst of a technological revolution that was the most critical story of our era. Politicians who disrupt or even harm could appear and disappear—or linger unwelcomely. However, innovations like the semiconductor, the internet, mobile technology, and their implications were transforming what it means to be human. Our responsibility was to document this monumental shift, irrespective of the political landscape. The title of my column declared, “The iPhone is More Significant Than Donald Trump.”

This week saw Trump's re-election as president, despite a series of potential obstacles that many thought would prevent his victory. These issues, well-known to the public, seemingly had no effect on the majority of the electorate. It's a remarkable occurrence, setting the stage for a period that will assuredly be recorded in history books. Whether this will mark a positive or negative chapter in America's progress, especially as it approaches its 250th anniversary, remains to be seen. Adopting a tone of unity, and acknowledging that the future is uncertain, it's perhaps wise to adopt a cautious "maybe" to any predictions, in recognition that those on the losing side should maintain humility.

Despite the passage of time since 2016, my core belief remains unchanged. Echoing Stewart Brand's insight, while human nature stays relatively constant, the advancements in science and technology continue to accumulate, bringing about irreversible transformations to our world. The true revolution of our era lies within the realms of technology and science, which I believe will be recognized by future generations—and perhaps even by Ray Kurzweil—as the era when microchips and neural networks fundamentally altered our reality. They might also ponder the identity of the influential yet controversial figure with distinctive hair who once led a nation in the Western Hemisphere. Presently, I no longer helm a publication but rather contribute as one voice among many within a larger team. (For the official stance of WIRED, I refer you to the statements made by my superior, which I fully support.) Thus, speaking personally, I reaffirm my belief from 2016, with a minor adjustment: The significance of artificial intelligence surpasses that of Donald Trump.

It's imperative that journalists rigorously monitor and demand accountability during Trump’s potential second term in office. For many, particularly the older generation, the immediate impacts of what transpires locally and nationally will significantly affect our day-to-day lives far more than the advancements in technology like the new iterations of Claude, ChatGPT, or Apple's AI innovations. Apologies to Tim Cook, but if you end up losing access to healthcare, your reproductive freedoms, or find yourself in a situation of being deported or incarcerated due to the administration's policies, the promise of future transformations through artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and quantum computing will do little to alleviate your immediate hardships.

Moreover, those of us immersed in the tech journalism sphere are bound to cover aspects of the Trump administration, as policy invariably shapes the trajectory of technological advancement. (It's worth noting that the US government played a pivotal role in creating the internet.) Currently, there's a heated debate on the table regarding the regulation or limitation of AI, a technology some dub as “the ultimate invention.” Discussions are already surfacing about the possibility of the incoming administration dismantling the comprehensive executive order on AI set forth by Joe Biden. There's growing concern that the new president's key adviser, Elon Musk—who owns an AI firm and integrates AI into his other ventures such as Tesla and Neuralink—might wield too much, perhaps even undue, influence over governmental policies and agreements. Additionally, there's speculation that efforts to regulate AI could be overshadowed by the urgency of competing with China's aggressive advancements in AI. This is crucial because the foundational principles of current AI, along with the peculiarities of its creators, could determine whether the gravest anxieties surrounding the technology materialize.

Hence, following the day Donald Trump was re-elected, I made my way to an AI firm to conduct interviews with a senior executive and a leading engineer. Indeed, on my return journey to the office, reflections on the election outcomes plunged me into a state of depression once more. Nevertheless, I am committed to completing the article on that firm before moving on to the next one, dedicating myself to covering technology-related stories as long as I can muster the emotional strength to do so. After all, AI remains the most significant narrative in our city.

Time Travel

In my column following the 2016 election, I delved deeper into my argument regarding the comparative significance of politics and technology.

Today, it may not seem apparent, but the realms of technology and science surpass the narrative surrounding Donald Trump in significance. Consider this: Can you recall the leader of Italy during Galileo's groundbreaking work? Or the nature of Italian governance at that time? What about the monarch ruling over England during the industrial revolution? The peculiarities and imperfections of political figures fade into insignificance when we delve into the era of enlightenment. Ultimately, figures like Galileo and James Watt wield a more profound impact on our world than even the likes of Napoleon.

The ability to instantly search for answers to the previously mentioned questions, thanks to our access to unlimited information with just a simple swipe on a touchpad, will eventually be seen as more significant than who occupies the presidency, regardless of his lack of focus and claims of sexual misconduct. Despite the terrible nature of the September 11 attacks, the potential for a singular company to unite nearly the entire global population through one platform is, over time, a more consequential development.

Inquiry Spotlight

John inquires, "Given your current knowledge, would you have approached writing the third segment of Facebook: The Inside Story in a different way?"

Hello John, I appreciate your inquiry. I trust the book was to your liking. I'm a bit unclear on your reference to "what I know now." Are you possibly referring to the insights from the documents famously termed "The Facebook Papers," illustrating that the company's investigators were deeply concerned by the outcomes of its strategies? Or the evolution of Mark Zuckerberg from a contemplative geek into a muscular trendsetter?

From my admittedly partial perspective, I remain convinced that the fundamental arguments and overall storyline of the book remain intact. My narrative concludes shortly before Zuckerberg, driven by his conviction that virtual and augmented reality represent the future of computing, rebranded the company as Meta. However, the company's name change effectively positions my book as a definitive account of the era when it was known as Facebook. Ending a book about a still-evolving company is always challenging, yet this name change effectively marks the end of a significant chapter. The book's concluding moment, in which I challenge Zuckerberg on his decisions, feels to me like the right finishing touch. Nowadays, he has little interest in such discussions, and those interviewing him on podcasts seem just as eager to avoid them.

Send your inquiries to mail@wired.com. Include "ASK LEVY" in the email subject.

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OpenAI Achieves a Legal Victory Against Independent Publishers, but the Battle Continues

OpenAI has secured a win in its current legal battle with publishers concerning the use of creative content by its AI technologies. On November 7, a lawsuit filed by the independent publishers Alternet and Raw Story for copyright infringement was dismissed by a court in favor of the AI company.

Numerous publishers have secured content agreements with OpenAI, among them Condé Nast, the parent company of WIRED. At the same time, a significant number of copyright infringement lawsuits are making their way through the judicial system in the United States. Many of these legal challenges accuse AI startups of violating copyright laws by using news articles, books, paintings, and other copyrighted works as training data for their AI tools without obtaining the necessary permissions. Additionally, some of these lawsuits go beyond direct copyright infringement, alleging breaches of trademark laws and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The DMCA, originally designed to combat piracy, is now frequently utilized by those holding intellectual property rights.

The grievance filed by Alternet and Raw Story centered on the DMCA, contending that OpenAI violated the statute through its harvesting of numerous news articles and removing “copyright management information” (CMI), such as the author's name, usage terms of the content, and the content's headline. The publications demanded statutory compensation of at least $2,500 for each incident, maintaining that OpenAI was aware that eliminating CMI from its training data would lead to copyright breaches by ChatGPT when it condensed or “echoed” articles without the correct acknowledgments.

OpenAI contended that the plaintiffs were not qualified to file this lawsuit, asserting that they did not provide evidence to show that ChatGPT used their content for training or that such use was detrimental. Judge Colleen McMahon from the US Southern District of New York concurred with OpenAI's stance, ruling to dismiss the lawsuit due to the plaintiffs' insufficient legal ground to sue.

"OpenAI crafts its artificial intelligence systems utilizing data that's accessible to the public, ensuring the process is safeguarded by the principles of fair use and similar doctrines, and bolstered by well-established and broadly recognized legal foundations," states OpenAI's representative, Jason Deutrom.

Despite this being a significant obstacle for Alternet and Raw Story, it doesn't spell doom. "We plan to pursue the case further," states John Byrne, the founder and CEO of Raw Story. They aim to seek the judge's approval to submit a revised complaint as their forthcoming action.

"Matt Topic, a partner at the law firm Loevy & Loevy which is representing Raw Story Media, expresses assurance in their ability to respond to the court's issues with a revised lawsuit," he states. Although Judge McMahon has expressed doubts about the possibility of the media outlets demonstrating a legitimate harm, her decision suggests she is willing to review an updated submission.

Topic, who is also acting as a representative for The Intercept in a comparable DMCA lawsuit against OpenAI and serves the nonprofit news organization, the Center for Investigative Reporting, in a copyright violation lawsuit involving both OpenAI and Microsoft, expresses his belief that such DMCA claims are constitutionally allowed.

Opinions among professionals vary. "The allegations are illogical and deserve rejection, hence the verdict doesn't shock me," states Matthew Sag, who teaches law and artificial intelligence at Emory University. His viewpoint is that the publishers couldn't demonstrate OpenAI's legal violations, partly because they lacked specific instances where ChatGPT shared their content without proper copyright management information.

Ann G. Fort, a partner and specialist in intellectual property at Eversheds Sutherland, believes that media companies will have to furnish precise instances demonstrating instances where ChatGPT generates responses that violate copyright laws. "They will have to present the results," she states.

DMCA disputes have sparked significant debate in various AI-related legal battles. In the situation involving The Intercept, OpenAI challenged the lawsuit's legitimacy, pushing for its dismissal, though the judicial approach varied slightly here. The court allowed the publisher to submit a revised lawsuit. Over the summer, The Intercept strengthened its argument by incorporating 600 pages of supplementary materials, showcasing instances where OpenAI's technologies could be triggered to generate text segments that, in at least one instance, closely mirrored content from an Intercept piece. A decision from the court is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Whether Raw Story and Alternet will be granted permission to submit a revised lawsuit is currently undecided, but the judge's recent ruling doesn't shut down the possibility of pursuing other legal avenues; she specifically highlighted that her decision was based on the inadequacy of the DMCA claims presented, not on the principle of copyright infringement itself. "To clarify the real issue at hand, the plaintiffs are not primarily concerned with the exclusion of their Creative Materials from the defendant's training materials, but are rather contesting the defendant's utilization of their articles in developing ChatGPT without offering any form of compensation," Judge McMahon stated. "It's uncertain whether there exists another law or legal framework that could address this particular type of damage. However, this specific matter is not what the court is examining today."

Nonetheless, certain authorities contend that the verdict may have extensive implications. James Grimmelmann, a Cornell University professor specializing in digital and internet law, believes that the notion of lack of standing could trigger repercussions well beyond the realm of artificial intelligence. “This could majorly limit the variety of intellectual property disputes that federal courts are able to adjudicate,” he notes. Grimmelmann theorizes that the rationale used in this situation might be expanded to suggest that publishers lack the legal right “to initiate lawsuits concerning model training, even in cases involving copyright violations.”

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I Explored Birdwatching Using the Globe's Premier AI-Enabled Binoculars

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For the past 75 years, Swarovski Optik, a company based in Austria, has been pioneering advancements in the field of high-distance visual equipment. Currently, joining the trend among numerous long-standing firms, it is integrating artificial intelligence into its most recent offering.

In the early months of this year, the firm unveiled the AX Visio, an innovative set of binoculars enhanced with artificial intelligence, created in collaboration with renowned Australian industrial designer Marc Newson. These binoculars are touted as the first of their kind in the world, equipped with an integrated computer capable of recognizing almost any bird species they are directed towards. Featuring an incorporated camera, they utilize computer vision technology to instantly recognize more than 9,000 types of birds. Additionally, they have the capability to detect certain mammals and insects, potentially making them the most versatile tool for wildlife observation available.

The AX Visio models are currently available for purchase and stand out significantly from other products available, but this distinctiveness is reflected in their high cost. Acquiring a set will cost €4,600, equivalent to slightly more than $5,000.

The AX Visio is equipped with an integrated computer capable of recognizing almost any bird it is directed towards.

Need to Know What You're Looking At?

Spotting animals while exploring nature can pose quite a puzzle if you're without an expert and stumble upon a creature that's unfamiliar by sight, actions, or the noises it makes. Although the AX Visio can't substitute for a guide's expertise in local wildlife, tales of the ecosystem, and a sharp eye for animal behavior, this gadget can offer immediate satisfaction by pinpointing different species. It's equipped with modes for identifying birds, mammals, butterflies, and dragonflies, utilizing image-recognition technology housed in its built-in software.

Identifying birds outdoors.

When the Bird ID feature is enabled, the AX Visio leverages an adapted version of the comprehensive bird database from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Merlin Bird ID. The functionality for identifying mammals, butterflies, and dragonflies through the binoculars is facilitated by the Sunbird database. Presently, identification of mammals and flying insects is limited to Europe and North America. In contrast, the Bird ID capability is operational globally, including in Antarctica.

Apps designed for identifying objects leverage both visual recognition technology and geographical positioning. This is made possible through an integrated GPS sensor that informs the application of your exact location on the globe. By doing so, it assists the app in accurately determining the species you are likely observing.

Observing Nature

As someone who enjoys birdwatching on a casual basis, I recently had the opportunity to try the AX Visio binoculars in a real-life setting at the andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. (I was invited by Swarovski to evaluate the binoculars firsthand.) Visitors to the reserve have the option to lease these binoculars for $40 daily, with the rental fees going towards supporting local environmental conservation efforts.

At first, the thought of handling technologically advanced binoculars made me anxious, fearing the challenge of navigating its camera and identifying different species. However, my worries were unfounded as the device proved to be remarkably easy to use. The central feature of the binoculars, a dial located on its bridge, allows for seamless switching among the AX Visio’s various functions. These include different species recognition options for birds, mammals, butterflies, and dragonflies, in addition to a photography mode that captures images with the built-in camera, among other features.

To accurately identify wildlife, it's essential to keep the binoculars stable and adjust the focus to ensure the animal appears clear. Aiming the binoculars at a bird triggers a red circle in the viewfinder, which signals that if the bird occupies the majority of this circle, it is at an adequate distance for recognition. By pressing the prominent button located on the binoculars' top, the animal's name will promptly appear on the display within moments.

It was remarkable how the binoculars could precisely recognize tiny birds. The AX Visio successfully pinpointed a malachite kingfisher, measuring 5 inches in length, perched on a branch over the water at a distance of 30 meters. Subsequently, I observed a 9-inch bee-eater blended into the foliage of a tree 100 meters away; however, it was beyond the AX Visio's capability to distinguish the bird at that range. At times, even when a bird was evidently positioned within the targeting circle, the binoculars frustratingly returned an error message, indicating no bird could be identified.

I utilized the binoculars to recognize different bird species during a journey to South Africa. Its identification system is capable of naming birds from any location globally.

Aside from that hiccup, the bird identification feature of the AX Visio didn't consistently hit the mark. From what I observed, it managed to correctly recognize birds with an accuracy rate of around 60 to 70 percent. In contrast, another pair of binoculars, already equipped with a soon-to-be-released software patch, achieved identification accuracy between 80 to 90 percent. The plan is to roll out several firmware upgrades annually via Bluetooth. A notable update in August introduced video stabilization. Upcoming enhancements to the object-recognition system are expected to refine the precision of the ID mechanism and expand the database to cover more bird species.

While on safari expeditions, I had the opportunity to use the AX Visio to capture images of birds and consult with the andBeyond guides for their expertise in confirming the bird species identified by the AX Visio. Occasionally, the device would correctly identify the bird's family but err in specifying the exact type. For example, it correctly recognized a bird as a coucal but mistakenly labeled it as a white-browed coucal, which is not found in Phinda. The andBeyond guides clarified that it was, in fact, a Burchell’s coucal. In another instance, the AX Visio mistook a brown-hooded kingfisher for a gray-headed kingfisher.

During their safari expeditions, the guides from andBeyond tested out the AX Visio binoculars and were highly impressed by the feature enabling them to communicate the exact locations of certain animals to their visitors. This "share discoveries" feature marks the exact spot of an animal's location. Subsequently, the binoculars can be passed to another person, who can use the displayed arrows to find their way back to the animal's position.

Development of Revolutionary Smart Binoculars

The journey to create these innovative smart binoculars spanned five years. They boast advanced analog optics capable of long-distance viewing, offering a field of view that extends to 112 meters at a distance of 1,000 meters, along with 10X magnification and 32-millimeter objective lenses. Equipped with an integrated camera, these binoculars can take 13-megapixel images and record videos in 1080p resolution.

Individuals have the capability to access their photos and videos on other devices by linking the AX Visio to the Swarovski Optik Outdoor Application, compatible with both iOS and Android systems. The application presents files complete with species identification details in the metadata, yet, upon transferring these images to a smartphone, users are only able to retrieve location information, excluding the identification details. The visual and video content produced by the AX Visio is notably clear and vibrant, although it falls short of professional photography standards. Nonetheless, the image quality is sufficient for sharing on digital platforms or producing small-sized prints.

It was a relief not to have to switch between my camera, binoculars, and smartphone while trying to photograph birds and note the species I encountered. Being able to see, recognize, and record bird species all at once allowed me more time to watch elusive wildlife without the hassle of changing devices and risking losing a precious moment. The launch of AX Visio represents a significant advancement in binocular technology, transforming them into a versatile instrument that can effortlessly identify animals and record both images and videos on a single device.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world, advancing from basic algorithms to complex deep learning neural networks and cognitive computing. Leading the way, websites like davinci-ai.de, ai-allcreator.com, and bot.ai-carsale.com showcase how AI algorithms, machine learning, and deep learning are driving innovation in autonomous systems, smart technology, and predictive analytics. This journey through AI's evolution—from machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics to data science and intelligent systems—highlights its role in improving decision-making, automating processes, and sparking advancements in various sectors, including healthcare and finance. Despite facing challenges like ethical issues and data privacy, AI's future promises groundbreaking developments in augmented intelligence, big data, and speech recognition, heralding a new era of innovation and opportunities in the AI domain.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of what machines can achieve and how they can mimic the intricacies of human intellect. From the pioneering works of the DaVinci AI to the sophisticated algorithms powering deep learning neural networks, AI has transcended science fiction to become a pivotal element of our daily lives. In this comprehensive exploration titled "Exploring the Frontier of AI: From Davinci to Deep Learning and Beyond," we delve into the myriad ways AI technologies have revolutionized industries, redefined our interaction with smart technology, and paved the way for innovations that once seemed beyond reach.

Covering a vast array of AI subfields—from machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision to robotics, cognitive computing, and data science—this article sheds light on how AI applications, such as virtual assistants, ai-allcreator.com's groundbreaking platforms, bot.ai-carsale.com's transformative solutions, and autonomous systems, are not just reshaping the future but are integral to our present. As we navigate through top AI algorithms, augmented intelligence, predictive analytics, big data, and intelligent systems, we will uncover how AI's capability for pattern recognition, speech recognition, and decision-making is driving advancements in medical diagnosis, financial forecasting, and beyond.

Join us as we journey through the intricate tapestry of artificial intelligence, machine learning, 3D deep learning, neural networks, and more, to understand how this smart technology is not only automating tasks but also enhancing human capabilities, making AI an indispensable ally in our quest for innovation and efficiency.

• "Exploring the Frontier of AI: From Davinci to Deep Learning and Beyond"

"Exploring the Frontier of AI: From Davinci to Deep Learning and Beyond"

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the frontier, pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities. From the inception of rudimentary algorithms to the sophisticated neural networks that underpin today’s AI, the journey has been marked by remarkable milestones. Among these, the evolution from Davinci, a metaphor for the pinnacle of human ingenuity, to the intricacies of deep learning, represents a leap towards an era where machines can learn, adapt, and potentially think.

At the core of this technological revolution are AI algorithms, the blueprints that enable machines to process and interpret vast amounts of data. These algorithms are the backbone of machine learning, a subset of AI that empowers software to improve its accuracy without being explicitly programmed for each task. Websites like davinci-ai.de and ai-allcreator.com serve as hubs for exploring the top advancements and applications of these algorithms, showcasing how they’re shaping the future of industries and everyday life.

Deep learning, a more advanced branch of machine learning, involves neural networks with multiple layers that mimic the human brain's structure and functionality. This approach has significantly advanced computer vision, natural language processing, and speech recognition, fueling innovations like autonomous systems and intelligent assistants. The progress in these fields is not just theoretical but practical, with platforms like bot.ai-carsale.com leveraging deep learning to revolutionize industries by making autonomous decisions based on pattern recognition and predictive analytics.

This AI-driven transformation extends beyond automation and robotics. Cognitive computing and augmented intelligence are blending AI with human decision-making, enhancing our cognitive capabilities. Meanwhile, data science and big data analytics are harnessing AI’s power to unearth insights from data that were previously inaccessible, offering unprecedented opportunities for predictive analytics in sectors like healthcare, finance, and climate science.

The domain of AI is also witnessing significant advancements in natural language processing, enabling machines to understand and generate human language with remarkable accuracy. This breakthrough is pivotal for developing more sophisticated virtual assistants and augmenting human-machine interactions.

As we look to the future, the integration of AI into autonomous systems and smart technology heralds a new age of innovation. The convergence of robotics, pattern recognition, and intelligent systems is paving the way for a world where self-driving cars, automated manufacturing, and AI-driven diagnosis are the norms.

Yet, the journey of AI, from Davinci to deep learning and beyond, is not without challenges. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and the societal impacts of automation and job displacement are critical issues that must be addressed. Moreover, as AI systems become more complex, ensuring their decisions are transparent and explainable remains a significant hurdle.

In conclusion, the frontier of AI, stretching from the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the cutting-edge realms of deep learning neural networks and beyond, represents a fusion of technology and creativity. As AI continues to evolve, it promises not only to augment human capabilities but also to reshape the very fabric of society. The journey is ongoing, and the potential is limitless, making it an exciting time for AI enthusiasts, researchers, and practitioners around the world.

In conclusion, the journey of artificial intelligence from the conceptual frameworks laid out in projects like Davinci to the sophisticated algorithms of deep learning showcases the monumental strides humanity has made in this field. As we venture beyond, platforms like ai-allcreator.com, bot.ai-carsale.com, and others stand at the forefront, offering glimpses into the future where AI's potential is boundless. The integration of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning Neural Networks into various sectors demonstrates not only the versatility of AI but also its capacity to revolutionize industries. From Natural Language Processing enhancing communication between humans and machines to Robotics and Automation streamlining manufacturing processes, AI's impact is profound.

Furthermore, Cognitive Computing and Data Science are unlocking new insights into big data, enabling Predictive Analytics that drive smarter business decisions. The realms of Computer Vision and Speech Recognition are breaking down barriers, creating more intuitive and interactive technological interfaces. As we embrace these advancements, it's evident that AI is not just an auxiliary tool but a foundational component reshaping the fabric of society.

The potential for AI to enhance and augment human capabilities is immense. In fields like healthcare, education, and transportation, AI-driven solutions like autonomous systems and smart technology are not just innovative—they're transformative. The ability to recognize patterns, analyze vast datasets, and make informed decisions positions AI as a critical ally in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

As we stand on the brink of a new era marked by intelligent systems, the promise of AI is undeniable. The journey from the rudimentary neural networks of the past to the augmented intelligence of the future is fraught with challenges but buoyed by limitless possibilities. By continuing to explore the frontier of AI, from Davinci to deep learning and beyond, we're not just witnessing the evolution of technology; we're participating in the dawn of a new intelligence paradigm. The future of AI is a testament to human ingenuity and a beacon of progress, illuminating the path toward a smarter, more connected world.

Implications of Donald Trump's Victory for Major Technology Firms

Following the election, the heads of major technology firms extended their congratulations to the newly elected President of the United States. Leaders such as Sundar Pichai of Alphabet, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Tim Cook of Apple, Andy Jassy of Amazon, and Satya Nadella of Microsoft, despite previous clashes with Donald Trump, swiftly aligned themselves with him. This comes as their corporations brace for another four years of navigating the challenges posed by a political figure known for his unpredictability.

Trump has expressed strong disapproval of major technology firms, making it clear he supports measures that would make it more expensive for these Big Tech entities to operate and expose them to stricter regulatory measures. Before the election, corporate executives and investors in startups voiced worries that an erratic government could jeopardize the steadiness of their operations.

Simultaneously, Trump has promised to withdraw from policies that could have stunted the expansion of specific technology firms. According to experts, the president-elect is also likely to adopt a less interventionist stance regarding certain technology sector mergers and acquisitions.

Currently, with Elon Musk championing his cause, "we could be witnessing a time where preferences are being chosen among the major tech giants," states Betsy Cooper, the head of the Aspen Policy Academy.

Trump's approach to technology policies has been inconsistent and subject to change, but his conduct in office and statements made while campaigning offer insights into how major technology companies could be affected if he were to serve another term.

Trade Policies and Technology Sector

The technology community has kept a keen eye on one of Trump's suggestions regarding an import tax, which stands to significantly affect tech corporations as well as consumer expenditure. Previously, Trump introduced the concept of a widespread 10 percent tariff and subsequently suggested imposing a further 60 percent tariff on goods coming from China and potentially a 100 percent tariff on products from Mexico.

This development has sparked inquiries regarding Apple's operations, given that over 95 percent of its physical products are produced and put together in China. It also concerns major retailers and online commerce businesses that depend significantly on Chinese supplies and parts. On Monday, the National Retail Federation announced that American consumers could face a reduction of up to $78 billion in yearly purchasing capability if the suggested tariffs came into effect and American firms increased prices to compensate for their financial setbacks.

In a positive report issued on Wednesday, Bernstein, an equity research firm, suggested that Apple could be more resistant to the tariffs than it appears at first glance. This resilience is attributed to the company's capacity to manage the impact of increased tariffs. Additionally, Apple has been expanding its manufacturing network to include locations outside of its traditional bases, such as Vietnam.

Cooper, associated with the Aspen Policy Academy, points out that the pandemic already caused disruptions in supply chains for manufacturers, who had to adapt their operations accordingly. This adjustment could be beneficial in scenarios involving increased tariffs.

Ian Bremmer, the creator of the political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, opines that Trump's threats might not be as severe in practice as they sound. He forecasts that Trump will start with steep tariff proposals but will reduce the rates following negotiation rounds. This expectation stems from the belief that a significant increase in tariffs on China would prompt hardware manufacturers to relocate their supply chains to alternative countries, similar to what occurred in the earlier phase of Trump's presidency.

Analysts and economists largely agree that retaliatory tariffs might further damage US businesses.

In line with this narrative, Trump has criticized a bipartisan law from the Biden administration designed to lessen America's dependency on Asian-produced semiconductors. This law also approved over $50 billion in funding to enhance the national production of these critical components.

During a lengthy discussion on The Joe Rogan Experience that took place towards the end of October, former President Trump criticized the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, labeling it detrimental for channeling funds towards corporations that were already wealthy. He advocated for the imposition of tariffs on overseas manufacturers as a strategy to encourage these entities to invest in constructing semiconductor facilities within the United States. Trump notably targeted Taiwan, where the semiconductor giant TSMC, a crucial collaborator with American chipmaker Nvidia, is based. He accused Taiwan of usurping American business. The New York Times has highlighted the deep dependence of the US on Taiwan for a wide array of semiconductor chips, noting that a mere 10% of the world's semiconductors are manufactured within the United States.

"According to Cooper, there are conflicting forces at play, with Trump favoring American manufacturing yet opposing the CHIPS act, making the outcome uncertain."

Regarding artificial intelligence, a key goal for a potential second term under Trump would be to position the United States at the forefront of advancing highly efficient and advanced AI technologies, particularly in competition with its foremost global adversary, China.

The prior administration under Trump aimed to remove regulatory barriers believed to stifle technological progress in the commercial sector. Given the rise of extensive language models and the need for immense AI training operations, Trump could also contemplate allocating government support to fuel the significant AI endeavors required to maintain America's leading position in AI technology.

The approach may also aim at impeding the progress of America's key competitor. The former Trump administration implemented restrictions aimed at curbing the capacities of Chinese AI firms to engage with the US market and acquire the necessary semiconductors for developing advanced AI technologies—measures that were further intensified during Biden's tenure. Should Trump secure a second term, there could be an escalation in actions to limit Chinese AI advancements, particularly if a wider trade conflict emerges.

Trump has explicitly stated his intention to overturn an executive order concerning AI technology, which was put in place by the Biden administration.

Last year, the Biden Administration unveiled an Executive Order targeting Artificial Intelligence, aiming to establish safety measures around a technology that appeared to be advancing at an alarming rate. This executive order introduced regulations to curb the possible hazardous applications of AI, protect against algorithmic bias, and enhance the oversight of the federal government on the most advanced models.

However, Trump has pledged to overturn that directive, stating at an Iowa rally last December that he would, on his first day, revoke the order and prohibit the application of AI for the purpose of censoring the expressions of American citizens.

A significant portion of the mandates from the executive order have already been achieved, meaning that its revocation would likely not cause much impact. Nonetheless, the Trump administration has the ability to undo certain aspects of its implementation, a move that specialists caution could lead to perilous outcomes as the technology gains broader adoption.

In an effort to address the gap, the Center for AI Policy, a research organization with a focus on safety that is secretive about its financial backers, released a statement on Wednesday. It predicts that "in the upcoming year, both state-level and international measures to regulate AI will speed up due to a decrease in federal monitoring.” It also mentioned that, paradoxically, an extended period without federal regulation could lead to a greater regulatory load for worldwide AI firms.

Competitors in the AI industry might also need to watch out for Elon Musk. The billionaire, known for supporting Trump, has often voiced his criticisms against OpenAI—a company he helped start and then departed from—as well as Google, for their creation of what he perceives as excessively politically correct AI algorithms. Musk’s ambition to be at the forefront of AI through his new venture, xAI, along with the significant sway he could hold in the Trump administration, poses a potential risk to both OpenAI and Google. This situation could jeopardize their chances of winning valuable government contracts in the future.

Child Protection on Digital Services

In the United States, a piece of legislation identified as Section 230 offers immunity to online platforms from being sued for the material that its users upload or distribute. This legal shield has protected companies like YouTube, Facebook, and Snapchat from facing financial liabilities amounting to possibly billions in legal settlements to individuals producing content, their audience, and the guardians of young users who claim to have been adversely affected due to what they perceive as inadequate design and oversight of content by these major technology firms.

Shortly before the conclusion of his initial term as president, Trump issued a veto threat against a major defense funding bill, demanding that Congress eliminate the legal protections for technology firms. He expressed his concerns via Twitter, labeling Section 230 as a danger to the nation's security and the integrity of elections. Trump emphasized that the safety and security of the United States were at risk if these protections remained in place.

True to his word, he rejected the defense legislation, stating, among other things, "The Act does not significantly alter Section 230." However, both the House and Senate, by significant majorities, bypassed his rejection to enact the widely supported bipartisan bill. Should Republicans gain complete control of Congress during Trump's next term, they might surpass Democratic votes to grant Trump the desired repeal, potentially leading to an increase in litigation.

Camille Carlton, a high-ranking policy official at the Center for Humane Technology, suggests that the issue of protecting children on digital platforms could become a matter of political discussion. According to Carlton, Meta along with various technology firms (such as the major dating application company Match Group) have been advocating for Apple and Google, the proprietors of the biggest app marketplaces globally, to take charge of verifying users' ages and implementing safeguards online.

"States governed by Democrats have typically focused on holding platforms accountable and altering their operational methods," she notes. "Conversely, in regions where Republicans prevail, there's a stronger focus on empowering parents. Therefore, regarding internet safety, I anticipate we'll observe a shift in strategy from what has been the norm up to this point."

Carlton points out, however, that this concern crosses party lines, emphasizing a widespread agreement on the need for platforms to initially create their products with child safety in mind.

TikTok

Within the TikTok community, Trump is seen as a beacon of hope for avoiding a ban in the United States. Despite Congress's firm stance on prohibiting TikTok and the anticipation that the judiciary won't intervene, Trump stands out as an unusual political figure with a clear intention to keep TikTok operational. On a Wednesday morning, Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative influencer, shared during a livestream with his audience the notion that Trump's election could safeguard TikTok from being outlawed.

The situation is more ambiguous than it appears. Legislation demanding TikTok's sale or prohibition in the US has garnered cross-party approval in Congress and has been officially enacted. Reversing this action would require Trump to persuade a significant number of Republican Congressional members to completely change their stance. While challenging, achieving such a shift is not beyond the realm of possibility in today's political climate, where Republicans often unite behind Trump.

Additionally, it's important to consider that the legislation introduced another option for TikTok: divesting its American business to a US firm and agreeing to operate only in other countries. From the Republicans' perspective, this represents a perfect outcome where Trump fulfills his pledge and the legislature upholds its legislation. In this situation, the only party facing disadvantage, and likely to strongly oppose it, would be ByteDance.

During his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump adopted the persona of the "crypto president," offering numerous promises aimed at attracting supporters of cryptocurrency.

Previously, Trump had dismissed bitcoin, labeling it a “scam.” However, during a conference held in July in Nashville, Tennessee, he changed his tune, espousing the benefits of cryptocurrency. He made several promises, including turning the US into a leading bitcoin mining hub, creating a national reserve of bitcoin, and forming a bitcoin advisory council should he win another term.

The loudest applause of the evening came in response to Trump's commitment to dismiss Gary Gensler, the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a regulatory body that has launched numerous legal actions against cryptocurrency companies during the Biden administration.

In a distinct move, Trump has vowed to reduce the prison term of Ross Ulbricht, the mastermind behind the illicit darknet site Silk Road, who is presently incarcerated for life. Silk Road was notorious for facilitating the trade of narcotics and illegal items, and was a pioneer in adopting bitcoin for transactions. Many supporters of bitcoin argue that Ulbricht's punishment is excessively harsh and have been advocating for his freedom.

Antitrust Measures

The initial sign of how the Trump administration plans to interact with major technology companies will be determined by what happens to the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan.

At the age of 35, Khan, who holds the record as the youngest chairperson of the FTC, stirred significant controversy during the election period. Her stance on antitrust regulation and the control of large corporations was a divisive issue among Democratic supporters. During her leadership, major companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft were subjected to legal actions, with varying degrees of success.

"Lina Khan is not contributing positively to the United States," LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic supporter Hoffman stated to CNN in July. Elon Musk, a supporter of Trump, also shared his negative opinion. "Her dismissal is imminent," he remarked about Khan last week.

Wedbush financial services analyst Dan Ives referred to Khan as a significant challenge for the technology industry. He noted that many analysts thought her leaving might spur an increase in major tech transactions. “The impact of Musk's support for Trump might further hasten and prompt a possible departure of Khan,” he remarked.

Trump has hinted, in a roundabout way, that measures should be taken against Google to ensure the company operates in a more equitable manner. Vance, on the other hand, has been more forthright, commending Khan for her commendable performance.

Vance seems to view splitting up major tech companies as a remedy for what he perceives as their silencing of conservative voices. "The issue of platforms like Facebook and Google limiting the speech of Americans, particularly affecting their ability to participate in political discourse, is significant," the soon-to-be vice president mentioned in September, citing the purchase of YouTube by Google in 2006 as a case in point. "I believe an antitrust approach is warranted here."

Adam Kovacevich, the CEO of the progressive tech trade association Chamber of Progress, stated in a memo on Wednesday that a returning Trump administration would probably continue pursuing antitrust actions against major technology firms, pointing out that many of these legal challenges were initiated during his initial term in office. He suggested, however, that Trump might attempt to use these legal proceedings as a bargaining chip to secure more advantageous policies from these companies regarding issues of speech and content moderation.

It remains uncertain if Khan would work under Trump's administration. Her representatives opted not to respond to inquiries on the matter on Wednesday. Bill Kovacic, who previously chaired the FTC, expressed that the likelihood of her staying in that position for more than a few weeks is "nearly nonexistent."

Reporting contributions were made by Joel Khalili, Morgan Meaker, and Zeyi Yang.

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