Hyatt Hotels chairman Thomas Pritzker stepped down from his position on Monday, following the surfacing of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in recently released files from the US Department of Justice, according to BBC Business. In other news, ByteDance is scrambling to add safeguards to its AI video tool, Seedance 2.0, after Hollywood studios like Disney and Paramount Skydance issued cease-and-desist letters, and cybersecurity researcher Allison Nixon found herself the target of death threats. Meanwhile, the world of audio and communications continues to evolve, powered by artificial intelligence and new acoustic technologies, as reported by MIT Technology Review. Finally, actor Robert Duvall, known for his prolific career spanning seven decades, was celebrated for his contributions to American filmmaking.
Pritzker, 75, stated he had exercised "terrible judgement" in maintaining contact with Epstein after the financier's 2008 plea deal on sex crime charges, BBC Business reported. The files revealed Pritzker's regular communication with Epstein. This resignation makes Pritzker the latest business figure to face scrutiny following the release of files detailing Epstein's network of high-profile individuals.
ByteDance, the Chinese company behind Seedance 2.0, is now working to prevent the AI video tool from generating iconic characters and deepfaking celebrities, as reported by Ars Technica. This action comes after significant backlash from Hollywood. Disney and Paramount Skydance claimed the infringement was widespread and immediate, with users sharing AI videos featuring copyrighted characters like Spider-Man and Darth Vader. Disney's letter expressed strong disapproval of the situation.
In the realm of cybersecurity, Allison Nixon, chief research officer at Unit 221B, became the target of death threats in April 2024, according to MIT Technology Review. The threats, made by anonymous accounts using handles like Waifu and Judische, were posted on Telegram and Discord channels. Nixon's work tracking cybercriminals and assisting in their arrests made her a target.
The audio and communications industry is experiencing a transformation driven by artificial intelligence and new acoustic technologies, as highlighted by MIT Technology Review. The shift towards hybrid work environments has accelerated innovation in this area. "Audio and video just working is a baseline for collaboration," said Brendan Ittelson, chief ecosystem officer at Zoom.
Finally, the acting world recognized the contributions of Robert Duvall, a distinguished screen actor, according to BBC World. Duvall, known for his brooding intensity, received seven Academy Award nominations and won Best Actor for his role in "Tender Mercies" in 1983. His notable roles included the mafia consigliere in "The Godfather" and the army officer in "Apocalypse Now."
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