What's happened
Microsoft has unveiled an AI technology, VASA-1, capable of creating realistic videos of historical figures like the Mona Lisa rapping. This innovation has sparked debate and concern among IT professionals, who fear deepfakes could impact the upcoming general election.
Why it matters
Microsoft's AI technology VASA-1 demonstrates the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, raising concerns about the potential impact of deepfakes on political events like the general election. The need for transparency in AI usage and the development of technical solutions to combat deepfakes are crucial in safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes.
What the papers say
The NY Post and Metro both report on Microsoft's release of an AI-generated video featuring the Mona Lisa rapping. While the NY Post highlights viewers' strong reactions to the video, with some finding it unnecessary and others amusing, Metro focuses on the mixed responses on social media, ranging from creeped out to impressed by the technology's potential for future creations.
How we got here
Microsoft's AI technology VASA-1 combines still images with audio clips to create lifelike videos, as demonstrated by the Mona Lisa rapping to a comedic rap by Anne Hathaway. The release of this AI-generated video has sparked discussions on the ethical implications of deepfakes and the need for measures to address their potential impact on political events.
Common question
More on these topics
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Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress. The recipient of many awards, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe, she was one of the highest-paid actresses in the world in 2015.
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Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services.