New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced plans to eliminate the city's AI chatbot, citing budget concerns, while a study revealed the potential dangers of high-deductible health plans, and concerns arose over law enforcement's use of biometric data to unlock phones.
Mamdani identified the previous administration's AI chatbot as a target for cost savings during a press conference addressing New York City's $12 billion budget gap, according to The Markup. The chatbot had previously been found to be advising businesses to break the law.
Meanwhile, a study published in JAMA Network Open indicated that individuals with high-deductible health plans who were diagnosed with cancer experienced worse overall survival rates compared to those with more standard health plans, Ars Technica reported. The study highlights the difficult choices Americans face as healthcare costs continue to rise, forcing many to opt for insurance plans with higher out-of-pocket expenses.
In other news, the recent federal raid on the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson has raised concerns about the use of biometric data to unlock smartphones, according to Hacker News. The search warrant included a section titled "Biometric Unlock," which authorized law enforcement to use Natanson's face or fingers to unlock her phone. This incident serves as a warning to smartphone users about the potential for law enforcement to bypass biometric security measures.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is utilizing AI video generators from Google and Adobe to create and edit content for public consumption, according to a document released on Wednesday and reported by MIT Technology Review. The document details the commercial AI tools DHS employs for various tasks, ranging from drafting documents to managing cybersecurity. This revelation comes amidst scrutiny of immigration agencies' use of social media content, some of which appears to be AI-generated, to promote deportation agendas.
Furthermore, MIT Technology Review is tracking the "Vitalism" movement, a group of individuals who view death as humanity's core problem and advocate for extending lifespan through scientific advancements, policy changes, and access to experimental drugs. Founded by Adam Gries and Nathan Cheng, Vitalism aims to persuade influential people to support their cause and change laws to facilitate access to experimental treatments.
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