Microsoft has found itself in a bit of a spot after its AI Copilot produced fictional statements supposedly made by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the death of political prisoner Alexei Navalny. Navalny’s passing on February 16th led to protests in Russia and garnered international attention.
A journalist prompted Microsoft’s Copilot to create a news article about Navalny’s death, but the AI service ended up generating misleading statements. One such claim was that US President Joe Biden had accused Putin of being responsible for Navalny’s death, which Putin allegedly dismissed as “unfounded and politically motivated.”
In response to the incident, Microsoft has launched an investigation and is working on refining its AI algorithms to ensure greater accuracy. They’re advising users to be discerning and verify information from trustworthy sources.
Meanwhile, Waymo’s plans to expand its self-driving car service beyond San Francisco have hit a roadblock. The California Public Utilities Commission has temporarily halted Waymo’s expansion, citing safety concerns. Waymo had proposed extending its operations along Highway 101 and covering a sizable portion of Los Angeles. However, the commission has postponed the expansion until at least June due to insufficient safety data.
San Mateo county supervisor David Canepa explained that the decision was made because Waymo had not provided enough information about safety risks. This pause comes after a recent incident where a Waymo vehicle collided with a cyclist, though fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
In a separate development, the US Department of Justice has appointed Jonathan Mayer as its first-ever chief AI officer. Mayer, an assistant professor at Princeton University, will offer technical expertise on AI-related matters. Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed the importance of staying updated on technological advancements to uphold the rule of law and protect civil rights.
Mayer’s background in computer science and policy positions him as a valuable asset to the DoJ in navigating the complex intersection of AI and law enforcement.
