Five Top Tech Takeaways: AI Rapping Mona Lisa, Calls for AI Oversight, AI in the Banks, AI Art Receives Limited Copyright and Meta Competes with ChatGPT

Lights, Camera, Robots!

Movie Maker's Dream or Deep Fake Nightmare? Microsoft's AI Animates Art with Caution

Microsoft's latest AI innovation, detailed by their researchers last week, introduces an AI model capable of animating still images into realistic videos synchronized with audio. The VASA-1 technology can produce lifelike animations from photos, artwork, or cartoons, featuring accurate lip-syncing and naturalistic movements of the face and head. Demonstrated with a video of the Mona Lisa rapping a comedy piece by Anne Hathaway, the technology aims to enhance educational tools, assist individuals with communication challenges, and possibly create virtual companions. 

However, concerns about potential misuse for impersonation and misinformation persist. Microsoft has decided to withhold the public release of VASA-1 to ensure responsible use, aligning with practices of cautious distribution similar to their partner OpenAI's approach with the AI video tool, Sora.

Author's note: As discussed in these two posts (here and here), the possibility of creating a Hollywood studio in one's garage is becoming more realistic. Many will highlight the challenges posed by deepfakes, which are undoubtedly significant. However, there is also a positive aspect to consider. These tools could potentially enable artists to tell their stories through a cost-effective model. In fact, Tyler Perry halted his $800 million studio construction plan, influenced by the advanced visual effects achievable through OpenAI's Sora, demonstrating the shifting economic landscape of Hollywood production.

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft's new AI, VASA-1, animates still images into realistic videos with natural movements and synchronized audio.
• The technology showcases potential uses in education and accessibility, yet also raises significant concerns about misuse for creating false representations.
• Microsoft is withholding VASA-1's public release, focusing on responsible and regulated technology deployment.

(Source: CTV News)

For the original Microsoft post and more videos, see here. 

Former OpenAI Board Member Calls for Regulatory Oversight in AI

Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner advocated for increased transparency and regulation in the AI industry during a TED talk in Vancouver. Toner emphasized the necessity for AI companies to publicly disclose details about their technologies' capabilities and risks, and to implement robust data collection systems to address incidents. She proposed the establishment of "AI auditors" to ensure that companies are held accountable, rather than self-regulating, reflecting on her experiences and challenges, including her controversial tenure on OpenAI's board.

Key Takeaways:

• Helen Toner, ex-OpenAI board member, stressed the importance of AI companies being transparent about their technologies and the associated risks.
• Toner proposed the creation of independent "AI auditors" to oversee company practices and enhance accountability in the industry.
• Reflecting on her own experiences, Toner highlighted the need for effective incident reporting mechanisms within AI companies, akin to those in aviation.

(Source: Bloomberg)

Jamie Dimon Outlines AI’s Role in JPMorgan’s Future in Shareholder Letter

In JPMorgan Chase's latest shareholder letter, the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the firm's growth and operations was highlighted. Over the past decade, the firm has significantly expanded its AI capabilities, now boasting over 2,000 AI and machine learning (ML) specialists and a robust portfolio of over 400 AI-driven use cases across various business sectors like marketing, fraud, and risk management. The firm is also exploring generative AI's potential to enhance software engineering, customer service, and general productivity. Recognizing AI's importance, a new executive role—Chief Data & Analytics Officer—has been established to ensure AI and data are integral to decision-making processes company-wide.

Key Takeaways:

• JPMorgan Chase has developed extensive AI and ML capabilities, with over 2,000 experts and 400 active AI use cases driving business improvements.
• The firm is actively exploring generative AI applications to reimagine business workflows and enhance overall productivity.
• A new executive role, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, has been created to integrate AI deeply into the company’s strategic and operational decisions.

(Source: JPMorgan Chase)

GenAI, Art, & Copyrights: USCO Grants Limited Copyright for AI-Assisted Work

Elisa Shupe successfully obtained copyright registration for her AI-assisted novel, "AI Machinations: Tangled Webs and Typed Words," from the US Copyright Office (USCO). Shupe extensively used OpenAI's ChatGPT while writing the book and initially faced rejection from the USCO. However, with the help of the Brooklyn Law Incubator and Policy Clinic, Shupe appealed the decision, arguing that she used ChatGPT as an assistive technology due to her disabilities. The USCO granted Shupe copyright for the selection, coordination, and arrangement of the AI-generated text, but not for the actual sentences and paragraphs. This decision is seen as a significant marker in how the USCO is grappling with the concept of authorship in the age of AI.

Key Takeaways:

• The US Copyright Office granted Elisa Shupe copyright registration for her AI-assisted novel, recognizing her as the author of the selection, coordination, and arrangement of the AI-generated text.
• Shupe's case highlights the nuances and challenges the USCO faces in determining the scope of protection for works produced using AI.
• The decision to grant Shupe a limited copyright registration is seen as a compromise, as she believes she should be able to copyright the actual text of the book due to her extensive involvement in the creative process.

(Source: Wired)

Explore Meta's Latest AI Innovation: Llama 3

Meta has introduced Meta Llama 3, their newest large language model (LLM), marking a significant advancement in AI capabilities. Llama 3, which includes models with 8B and 70B parameters, boasts state-of-the-art performance in various AI benchmarks and supports a wide range of applications with improved reasoning and coding abilities. These models will soon be available across major cloud platforms and feature enhancements in trust and safety with tools like Llama Guard 2 and CyberSec Eval 2. Meta's commitment to open-source development continues with the release of Llama 3, aimed at fostering innovation and responsible use in the AI community. 

Note: Meta.ai is available in Canada and you can try it out, here: https://www.meta.ai/

Key Takeaways:

• Meta Llama 3 introduces enhanced large language models with 8B and 70B parameters, setting new standards for AI performance and capabilities.
• The models are part of Meta's open-source initiative, ensuring broad accessibility and encouraging community-based innovation and development.
• Meta emphasizes responsible AI development, incorporating advanced safety features and guidelines to support secure and ethical usage.

(Source: Meta)

Author: Malik Datardina, CPA, CA, CISA. Malik works at Auvenir as a GRC Strategist who is working to transform the engagement experience for accounting firms and their clients. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent UWCISA, UW, Auvenir (or its affiliates), CPA Canada or anyone else. This post was written with the assistance of an AI language model. The model provided suggestions and completions to help me write, but the final content and opinions are my own.

SEC and Whistleblowers: Can robots come to the rescue?

Saw this following news alert from AccountingToday:

"The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had awarded more than $5.5 million to a whistleblower. According to the SEC, the whistleblower directly reported critical information to the commission about an ongoing scheme at their workplace, and that led to a successful enforcement action..."

The article also gives some useful stats on the number of whistle-blowers coming out and the total number of payouts, so check it out.

This is good news in terms of promoting the idea of speaking truth to power. Without such assistance it can be quite difficult to encourage whisteblowing.

We often have a romantic notion of what it is like to tell the truth when there is a drive by all of those around us to commit fraud. Too many Hollywood blockbusters make us believe, falsely, that there is always a happy ending where the good guys win.

For a reality check, we should take a look at Alayne Fleischmann's ordeal in attempting to blow the whistle on the mortgage fraud at Jamie Dimon's JP Morgan Chase. As Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi notes:

"Fleischmann...had to struggle to find work despite some striking skills and qualifications, a common symptom of a not-so-common condition called being a whistle-blower...Thanks to a confidentiality agreement, she's kept her mouth shut since then. "My closest family and friends don't know what I've been living with," she says. "Even my brother will only find out for the first time when he sees this interview."

As she notes in the video below, the reality of such environments is that there is subordination of the "compliance" functionsto enable the fraud to go through (e.g. the Due Diligence manager got angry when people thought that the loans were bad), lack of effective segregation of duties (e.g. sales people were involved in the due diligence review), and other issues:



Can robots come to the rescue?

When looking at process automation more broadly, we see that one of the "side benefits" is compliance. For example, when library loans out e-books they are never returned late as the patron's access to the digital copy on the reading device is removed right on the due date. Similarly, with autonomous vehicles they never speed, fail to complete to a full stop and the like.

Insurance companies have attempted to use what we can call "compliance tech" by offering drivers a discount for good driving if they are willing to install a monitoring device in their car. As noted in the CBC article, Desjardin Insurance has noted that 7000 people have for this offer which they call Ajusto. As can be seen in the video, Ajusto also leverages gamification and social to promote this program.


Although they have promised that such technology can't be used to penalize the driver, many skeptics are not sure that it will turn out that. For example,  Leonard Kunka, a motor vehicle litigation lawyer, notes:

"It's an invasive technology. It provides a lot more information than insurers currently have to set premiums, and I question whether it's any better than what the insurers use today to set premiums, which is a person's driving record and their history of collisions and accidents."

In other words, can we expect the insurance companies to maintain rates when they can "see" the driver constantly breaking speed limits? Conversely, can we expect them to lower rates when they see that people can drive safely above the speed limits?

Although I doubt it, the reality of such compliance-tech is that it is only used by people who are already compliant: the others who are not compliant would not sign-up for such technology and even if they did would somehow subvert it - as we saw with the whole Volkswagen emission debacle:

"In the test mode, the cars are fully compliant with all federal emissions levels. But when driving normally, the computer switches to a separate mode—significantly changing the fuel pressure, injection timing, exhaust-gas recirculation, and, in models with AdBlue, the amount of urea fluid sprayed into the exhaust. While this mode likely delivers higher mileage and power, it also permits heavier nitrogen-oxide emissions (NOx)—a smog-forming pollutant linked to lung cancer—up to 40 times higher than the federal limit. That doesn’t mean every TDI is pumping 40 times as much NOx as it should. Some cars may emit just a few times over the limit, depending on driving style and load."
Ultimately, technology is only good as the people that support it and so we can't abdicate such responsibility to technology. Instead, we need to continue to encourage people morally and financially to speak the truth when the see things go awry.

Author: Malik Datardina, CPA, CA, CISA. Malik works at Auvenir as a GRC Strategist that is working to transform the engagement experience for accounting firms and their clients. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent UWCISA, UW, Auvenir (or its affiliates), CPA Canada or anyone else