🔎 What’s good today:

• 🤠WestWorld becoming a reality

• 🦾 ChatGPT's Summertime Blues

• 💬 ChatGPT for cold emails

• 😈 The Rise of AI-Generated Sexual Content on Social Media

• 👩‍🏫Times Top100 most influential people in AI

🔥 From WestWorld to Real World: The Emergence of AI Personalities

From the screens to our very reality, the compelling narrative of the "WestWorld" series introduced us to highly sophisticated humanoids, so meticulously crafted that they blur the lines between man and machine. Their singular limitation? A restrained consciousness.

Fast forward to today, pioneering companies like Replica are transforming the realm of artificial intelligence by introducing Non-Playable Characters (NPCs). However, these aren't your ordinary NPCs. Powered by cutting-edge AI algorithms, they've evolved from mere automated text responders to deeply interactive beings, enriching gaming experiences with real-time interactions.

Forget scripted responses; these digital beings are designed to think on their feet. They converse with players and fellow characters, expressing a symphony of emotions with voice dynamics, and even hold the capacity to be molded with distinct personalities, reactions, and roles suited for diverse tasks. This advancement is paving the way for a new profession: AI Personality Designers. Crafting digital souls, one algorithm at a time.

There's no denying it – this is the vanguard of the gaming world. The trajectory it sets will be exhilarating to observe, especially as it seamlessly integrates into our daily reality. The growing significance of AI Personalities extends beyond games. Giants like Facebook and Google have taken notice, inspired by pioneers like Replica. Before long, AI Personalities will populate various platforms, serving not just as entertainment, but also in professional, sales, and myriad other roles.

In the words of Robert Ford from "WestWorld": "We can't define consciousness because consciousness does not exist. Humans believe there's something unique in our perception, yet we, too, are entrapped in patterns, seldom challenging our decisions, often merely following the next directive."

The question is, as AI begins to challenge this perception, where do we draw the line?

🤓ChatGPT's Summertime Blues

ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot created by OpenAI, saw a big drop in usage this summer. According to data from analytics firm Similarweb, worldwide desktop and mobile website visits to the ChatGPT website decreased by 3.2% to 1.43 billion in August. This follows approximately 10% drops from each of the previous two months.

There are a few possible explanations for this decline. First, school was out for the summer, which may have led to a decrease in the number of people using ChatGPT. Second, there is increasing competition in the chatbot market, which may have also contributed to the decline.

However, there are also signs that the decline may be coming to an end. In August, the amount of time visitors spent on ChatGPT ticked up slightly, and worldwide unique visitors also increased. This suggests that ChatGPT may be starting to rebound as people return to school and work.

Overall, the decline in ChatGPT's usage is a reminder that even the most popular AI products are not immune to the ups and downs of the market. However, the signs of a rebound suggest that ChatGPT is still a force to be reckoned with in the chatbot market.

😈 The Rise of AI-Generated Sexual Content on Social Media

In recent years, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have tightened controls over sexual content. The outright bans on nudity and restrictions on sex workers, artists, and sexual health educators were put in place to ensure content guidelines are maintained. However, a burgeoning trend seems to be slipping through these digital gatekeepers: the surge in advertisements for risqué AI chatbots. Promoted by smaller tech firms, often based overseas in places like Belarus and China, these bots are advertised using overtly sexualized imagery. Some even use popular children's TV characters in inappropriate contexts.

A closer look reveals that these chatbot companies aren't exactly industry giants. Many apps, available for download from Google or Apple stores, offer in-app purchases and subscriptions, with varying age restrictions. Despite the allure of AI capabilities, it remains unclear how advanced these chatbots truly are. An investigation by NBC News found a considerable number of sexually explicit ads for these chatbot apps on platforms owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). They identified 35 app developers running more than 1,000 ads, viewable on Meta’s public ad library. Moreover, a similar trend was observed on TikTok, with 14 developers pushing provocative AI-centric advertisements.

Industry experts are raising eyebrows not just at the explicit content, but the seeming inconsistency in moderation. While real human sex workers face stringent controls, these erotic AI app developers seem to have more leeway. Meta and TikTok, when approached about these advertisements, hastened their removal but did not clarify why they passed their filters in the first place. This highlights potential gaps in content moderation, especially as the AI landscape continues to evolve. As the digital world grapples with the fine line between regulation and freedom of expression, these challenges underscore the urgency for more refined content guidelines.

That's that for today! See you next Tuesday!
Tony