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In 2011, contemporary artist Ai Weiwei was arrested for 81 days, imprisoned by the Chinese government in Beijing for criticizing the communist regime and surveillance, and championing human rights. His legacy and body of work often explores such themes, including his widely-reported arrest, shedding light on power and humanity.

His latest exhibition is no exception. This time around, Ai is taking on technology, presenting 81 big questions to artificial intelligence systems. In other words: Ai v AI.

Commissioned by the Cultural Institute of Radical Contemporary Arts (CIRCA), Ai's questions are being projected on billboards across major cities including London, Seoul, Berlin, Lagos, Nairobi, and Milan, with each showcasing the range of spiritual, personal, wide-thinking, and intimate questions put forth by Ai and his collaborators. Described as "an 81-day quest for enlightenment", a set of 81 questions will be publicly broadcast daily at significant global hotspots, including London's high-traffic Piccadilly Circus and other busy areas worldwide.

Ai v AI in Seoul.Credit: CIRCA.

The questions vary from the political ("Is true democracy possible?", "Are you controlled by the privileged class?", "Will capitalism have an end?") to the abstract ("Do plants have feelings?", "Why do tortoises live so long, and do they know about lunar eclipses?"). Then there are the essential questions, those addressing the fundamentals of being human: "Does 'not-knowing' absolve people of guilt?", "Are you capable of self-destruction?", and "What are the most essential values of human life?". Subjects vary from karma to sex to justice to the idea of time itself.

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Most of the questions appear to be posed to OpenAI's ChatGPT. CIRCA has published the answers on its website, too, so the public can view AI's responses to the most thoughtful of questions. Ai's own thoughts are posted alongside those of AI's.

Their views, inadvertently, differ. For example, to the question "If an artist is not an activist, can he/she still be considered an artist?", the two have vastly opposing views. Ai posited that "An artist who is not an activist would, without a doubt, be akin to a lifeless entity", while ChatGPT took a predictable stance: "Yes, an artist can still be considered an artist even if they are not an activist."

Behind-the-scenes of Ai's project.Credit: CIRCA.

Ai also asks questions of AI itself, speaking to the interiority or lack thereof within the machines that are now omnipresent in daily life: "What is the one question you would like to ask humans?", for example, and "How much energy did you use to answer this question?".

Ai v AI in London's Piccadilly Circus.Credit: CIRCA.

The project is derived from a set of 172 questions (entitled "Tinwn" or "The Heavenly Questions") written to the gods by Chinese poet and aristocrat Qu Yuan, who inscribed his queries on the walls of a temple nearly 2,300 years ago. Simultaneously, it is inspired by the interrogation by authorities that Ai himself faced when in detention. The latter examines who has the power to question.

"This is not about freedom of speech. This is about freedom of questions," says Ai in a statement. "Everybody has the right to ask questions."

Each query will be presented on specific dates, running from Jan. 11 to March 31. In the selected cities, the billboards will display Ai's thoughts at 20:24 local time each day, displaying answers by Ai and AI systems comparatively. The nod to the number "24" is, too, intentional: according to the Chinese zodiac cycle, 2024 is a year of transformation, evolution, and change.

The project platforms not only rising systems of technology with its emphasis on artificial intelligence, but also brings to light access to information, the power within questioning, and the importance of doing so.

"If humans will ever be liberated, says Ai, "it will be because we ask the right questions, not provide the right answers."

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Ai Weiwei asks AI 81 major questions about tech, life, and us - Mashable

Key Takeaways

Tesla (TSLA) shares rebounded from early losses Tuesday after CEO Elon Musk said that he wants 25% voting control of the electric vehicle (EV) maker before advancing Tesla's position in artificial intelligence (AI).

Musk said he is "uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I cant be overturned" in a post on X (formerly Twitter), which Musk owns.

He added that "unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla."

In July of 2023, MusklaunchedxAI, an AI-focused company separate from Tesla and X. The AI company said it will work closely with X and Tesla.

Wedbush analysts said they view Tesla "as a disruptive tech leader and if Musk ultimately went down the path to create his own company (separate from Tesla) for his next generation AI projects this would clearly be a big negative for the Tesla story," adding that "Musk having a back and forth about such an important issue over X is far from ideal for the investment community around Tesla."

However, the analysts said that although Musk only owns about 13% of Tesla currently, they anticipate "the Board and Musk will be able to resolve this issue over the next 3-6 months" and reiterated their "outperform" rating and $250 price target.

Tesla shares were up 1% at $220.97 as of about 11:45 a.m. ET Tuesday, after dropping as low as $212.18 early in the session. The stock has gained 68% over the past year.

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Tesla Stock Seesaws After Elon Musk Says He Wants 25% Control Before Advancing AI - Investopedia

1. Use AI to your advantage

As the adage goes, if you can't beat them join them. While there are loads of tasks humans can complete better than bots, there's no use competing against tools like ChatGPT when it comes to streamlining basic work processes.

By using AI to carry out basic functions like task scheduling, time management, and data analysis, you'll have more time and energy to focus on human-led tasks. Using the technology smartly will also give you a leg-up over other colleagues with less AI literacy, whilst giving you leverage over your workplace's future AI policy.

Learn to work alongside AI systems as tools, leveraging their capabilities to enhance productivity and efficiency Remi Alli, a lawyer from PR firm Elite Exclusivity explains. Actively seek opportunities to incorporate AI tools into your work processes, which can make your role more essential.

A chatbot response is only as good as its input. So, another way to make the most of tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Gemini is by learning to master the art of the prompt.

Generally speaking, there are a number of key factors to bear in mind when crafting your prompt. You should use neutral, objective language to avoid influencing the response with subjective framing. You should also be as specific as possible, add lots of context and examples for the chatbot to replicate, and specify what you aren't looking for in an answer.

Learn how to create prompts and build a process where you canproduce ten times the output in far less time with far less effort. Being able to accomplish the work of multiple people effectively will help you stand out. Steven J.Wilson, Financial services marketingconsultant

Whether you're using ChatGPT for SEO research or content production, it's also worth looking up tried-and-tested ChatGPT prompt examples so you can best utilize it for your specific industry.

OpenAI recently launched the GPT store, enabling users to create and profit from their own custom GPT.Learning the ropes of existing chatbots is one thing, but making a custom GPT for your company will help to make your role even more indispensable by proving to your employer that you're an expert in the field.

Custom GPTs can service businesses in a variety of ways. They could be used as an internal resource center, helping employees get answers to company-focused queries quickly, or could also be used to handle external customer support inquiries.You don't need to be an expert coder to build one, either. The process only takes around 15 minutes from start to finish as long as you follow these simple steps.

There's no denying that ChatGPT is a decent research companion. But with ChatGPT 3.5 only being able to retrieve information up to January 2022, and ChatGPT-4's data cap only expanding to April of last year, the chatbot isn't able to include contemporary data in its responses. AI chatbots are also prone to errors, providing incomplete information, and lacking source information, limiting their use even more.

To remedy these shortcomings it's important to utilize a wide range of channels from online blogs to academic journals when conducting research. It's also worth fact-checking the responses you receive from chatbots, to avoid relying on the tools wholeheartedly.

No matter how advanced AI gets, it will never be able to replace a human's ability to emphasize and connect on an emotional level. Therefore, one way to gain leverage over AI, and to make yourself an indispensable player in your team, is tohone and develop your emotional intelligence (EI).

A worker needs to consider, in their specific industry, what can AI not do. Learn and grow into that space. Will AI eventually move into that space? Possibly, so workers will need to regularly change course. Bryan Driscoll, lawyer and HR consultant

Workers with high levels of EI are more adept at building strong relationships with colleagues, navigating unpredictable situations, and collaborating efficiently. In fact, a TalentSmart survey revealed that 90% of top performers are found to have high emotional intelligence.

There are lots of ways to demonstrate EI in a workplace context, including responding positively to new initiatives, being flexible with demands, socializing with co-workers outside of working hours, and practicing active listening.

Another facet where AI falls short is creativity. While chatbots are capable of processing swathes of data and generating complex code at the drop of the hat, AI will never be able to generate an original idea quite like a human.

This drawback is why AI models pose much less of a threat to jobs that hinge on creativity like novelists, choreographers, stylists, and musicians. But it's not just creatives that will be shielded from the takeover. As long as you're able to demonstrate creative processes in your current job, you're going to have an advantage over AI.

You will not be supplanted by AI in futuregenerations if you are a creative thinker who is always poised to solve problems, regardless of whether you are an expert in artificial intelligence or not. ProfessorTe Wu, CEO of PMO Advisory

Even if you think you lack a creative streak, there are tons of ways to illustrate this strength to your employer, including brainstorming new ideas, reassessing establishing processes, and being open to innovative thinking.

AI can accurately be described as a Jack of all trades, but a master of none. While chatbots are capable of carrying out a seemingly limited array of tasks, they will never be able to replicate the expertise, knowledge, and influence held by industry leaders.

Therefore, one of the best ways to safeguard your position in your current job and beyond is by carving out a specific niche in your field and developing your personal brand. Doing so will improve your competitive advantage in your industry, not just against AI tools, but against other workers vying for similar positions.

You don't need to do this on your own either. Connecting with like-minded people and building a network is an excellent way to solidify your position as an industry leader, and to improve your career's longevity.

Finally, for those working in roles at greater risk of automation, now is an excellent time to strengthen your employment advantage by developing new skills.

It's never too late to upskill, and as AI continues to disrupt the job market, adding more strings to your bow is the best way to stay ahead of the curve. Human skills that involve creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving are a great place to start, as they're becoming even more valuable in the age of AI. However, doubling down and improving your digital literacy will also serve you well, and make it easier to adapt to the changing landscape of work.

AI relies heavily on data as a component. Gain expertise in comprehending, interpreting, and working with data by developing your talents. Data analysis, data visualization, and fundamental statistical understanding are all examples of this. Steve Elliot, Owner of Restoration1

Still an AI novice? It doesn't take long to clue yourself up on the developing tech, especially with the right resources. Check out our guide to the best free AI training courses to learn how to use AI to your advantage.

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How to Future-Proof Your Career Against AI With 8 Simple Skills - Tech.co

Generative AI is one of the key topics at the 2024 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, with companies and brands from all over the world sharing innovations and thoughts of the future of the technology. The popularity of generative AI will impact companies like Verizon Communications (VZ), which controls the wireless networks which will transmit so much of this data.

Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg joins Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi and Julie Hyman to discuss how Verizon will implement generative AI into its business, take measures to solidify customer retention, and more.

It's all part of Yahoo Finance's exclusive coverage from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where our team will speak to top decision-makers as well as preeminent leaders in business, finance, and politics about the worlds most pressing issues and priorities for the coming year.Watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live here.

Editor's note: This article was written by Nicholas Jacobino

[MUSIC PLAYING]

JULIE HYMAN: Welcome back to "Yahoo Finance" and our coverage from the World Economic Forum in Davos. I'm Julie Hyman, this is Brian Sozzi. And a lot of the conversations we've been having both on and off camera have been centered around AI, governance of AI, all the cool stuff AI can do. I even talked to a couple of folks off camera who said that they have a new AI-powered device, a generative AI-powered device called the Rabbit, which brings up the new sort of iPhone of AI race, if you will.

Well, let's talk to somebody about all of this. Chairman and CEO of Verizon, Hans Vestberg, is joining us now. Thank you so much for being here, Hans.

HANS VESTBERG: Thank you for having me. Good to be here. Great to be here.

JULIE HYMAN: So, when I think about AI-powered devices, obviously they need to run on something.

HANS VESTBERG: Absolutely.

JULIE HYMAN: So that makes me think of Verizon. So how are you thinking about what comes next and how Verizon plays in it?

Story continues

HANS VESTBERG: So when it comes to AI, I mean, especially the generative AI and things like that, I think at the edge of the network is going to be very important to have AI to take quick decisions, very close to the end user, the customer, or the enterprise. And of course, that's how we build our network.

We built our network with an enormously strong resilience from the data center to the edge of the network. So I think that as you're going to see over time, the network will be very important. I mean, all the power you need for it, of course, to do all the generation of it, but also to transport all the data. And that's how we build the network.

So very clearly, we think that generative AI will be important for our business. Then, of course, we use AI already today in our company. And think that's going to continue to be an important tool for us.

BRIAN SOZZI: As this AI permeates the United States, does that change how much you invest each year in terms of CapEx?

HANS VESTBERG: No, no, not directly, but of course, over time, the smarter you become to know where you're going to deploy your capital-- now we talk about network capital, how you build your network. I mean, in 2023, we have the guidance between $18 billion and 1/4 to $19 billion and 1/4. So we invest quite heavily, a capital intensive business.

So if we would know a little bit better where we have the holes we need to put in capacity into quicker, that will be helpful from AI. Ultimately, I have a person doing it, but learning where do I have the challenges, where do I have problems, that's very important. So definitely, it can make us much more efficient.

JULIE HYMAN: When you look at your business-- I assume you guys are sort of device agnostic for end users on wireless devices. But I know you guys are trying to minimize churn at this point, you're trying to keep your wireless subscribers. Talk to us-- I know you can't give us a lot of near-term discussion, but give us some big picture around strategy.

HANS VESTBERG: No, because I'm going to report my fourth quarter next week.

JULIE HYMAN: I know, I know

HANS VESTBERG: So I will try to refrain from that. No, I think you come to a market-- if we talk wireless consumer, almost everyone in this country has a mobile phone. So it's much about retention of the customers, continue to give them great services, and building new services. I mean, we have not only the greatest network, we also built a lot of new services, especially with the content providers we have.

Right now, in the market, we have a combination of Netflix and Max. Nobody else can do that. And ultimately, to give the right services and the right type of products.

And we also launched-- my plan in May, where it's basically you customize your own plan. This is the type of network I want. This is the type of perks-- we call it perks. What type I want Disney Plus, I want that. And you can put it together, and that becomes a more attractive offering. So that's how we need to think about it.

Then, of course, it's also new customers that you want to attract. But as a smaller piece today, it's much more important to see that you have the right offering for the existing customers.

BRIAN SOZZI: The more tech CEOs that I talk to, I get the sense that I'm going to need a new phone very quickly. Do you see a major iPhone, Samsung upgrade cycle in the next couple of years because of this AI?

HANS VESTBERG: We have seen, of course, a little bit of a slowdown on customers getting new phones. So they keep the phones longer, because they're getting better and better. Of course, that's part of it. And the networks, of course, even better.

So but of course, every new innovation attracts new players in the market and new devices. And I think the last time, they were really hyped was, of course, when the first 5G phone came in 2019, '20, and '21. Let's see if AI have the same attraction.

You're going to need to see, first of all, that it gives some new application services for the consumer, especially if they're going to attract them. So we are eager to see-- I probably know more than I can say, but it's going to be exciting to see what type of phones will come out in the next couple of years.

JULIE HYMAN: Well, you're kind of on a related note, I mean, we heard one of your European competitors, Vodafone, coming out with a new partnership with Microsoft today that has to do with AI. Can we expect some things like that from Verizon?

HANS VESTBERG: I think we're already working with these type of things. And I think that both-- because what you need to think about when you deliver a service to customers, you need a network to be configured right, you need a devices and the modems that is making the connections right, and you need the applications.

We are long term. We work with our partners all the time to see that we have the best performance and the best innovative service on top of it. So you can not only expect, we're already working with all these players in order to see that customers get the best of us. And there's many different partners you need to work with because we are agnostic for different type of operating system and devices.

BRIAN SOZZI: We've talked to a lot of leaders so far in the two days we've been here. And especially, after the Iowa caucus results, there's now this new level of caution after these results. Of course, President Trump winning that Iowa caucus. Are you preparing for consumer weakening in the back half of the year as we get up to the election?

HANS VESTBERG: I mean, the last couple of years, basically we're preparing for a weakness. I think companies like ours are always prepared for different scenarios in the market. That's our job.

We haven't seen so much until the third quarter. At least, I can't say anything more. The consumer spend has been good. More important, I think, that our service, mobility and broadband, is so important in today's society in order for you to be part of our society. If it's during the education, work from home, or maybe even health care or other societal things are important.

So our industry has been growing in importance for the consumer and for enterprises. And I think that's part of it as well. But let us see, we are preparing for any outcome. But until the third quarter, which I reported last time, we didn't see much of it nor in customers payment readiness and things like that. So, but let's see next week, because next week, I'm going to have an earnings call.

Link:

Verizon CEO on the impact of generative AI on wireless networks - Yahoo Finance

Vodafone and Microsoft hit the headlines on Tuesday with the announcement that they have signed a 10-year strategic partnership that will focus on business development in areas including generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), IoT services and mobile payments.

The U.K.-based operator said it will invest $1.5 billion over the next ten years in cloud and customer-focused AI services developed in conjunction with Microsoft. Notably, Vodafone aims to replace its physical data centers with virtual ones operated by Microsofts Azure cloud platform.

Vodafone also hopes to be able to use the deal to scale its African fintech platform, M-Pesa, which is operated by the groups African operators Vodacom and Safaricom.

In turn, Microsoft will use Vodafones fixed and mobile connectivity services. In addition, the U.S.-based software and cloud services giant intends to invest in Vodafones managed IoT connectivity platform, which the operator said will become a separate, standalone business by April 2024.

The move forms part of Vodafone chief executive Margherita Della Valles efforts to return the group to profit growth. For instance, during Vodafones results presentation last May for the year to March 31, 2023, Della Valle identified an opportunity to help enterprises adopt digital strategies, noting that the addressable market was worth 140 billion ($152 billion).

Vodafone said it is aiming to support 300 million businesses and consumers across its European and African markets through the collaboration.

According to a statement from Della Valle, Vodafone has made a bold commitment to the digital future of Europe and Africa. This unique strategic partnership with Microsoft will accelerate the digital transformation of our business customers, particularly small and medium-sized companies, and step up the quality of customer experience for consumers.

In summary, the two partners aim to collaborate in five key areas, with the first identified as GenAI. Here, Vodafone plans to use OpenAI to improve customer support services provided by its digital assistant TOBi. In addition, Vodafone employees will have access to Microsoft Copilot, the GenAI-based tool designed to help people with creating documents, reading and summarizing emails, crafting presentations, and more.

RELATED:Lumen tests Microsoft generative AI tool to boost customer service

In terms of IoT, as noted above, Microsoft intends to invest in Vodafones IoT managed connectivity platform when it becomes a standalone venture. The operator said the platform connects 175 million devices and platforms worldwide. Vodafone also plans to become part of the Azure ecosystem, making the IoT platform available to a vast developer and third-party community using open APIs.

With regard to M-Pesa, Microsoft intends to help further scale the platform by housing it on Azure and enabling the launch of new cloud-native applications. The companies are also launching what they called a purpose-led program that aims to enhance digital literacyand youth training and outreach programs, as well as offer digital services to the underserved SME market.

A further focus area is the enterprise market, and here Vodafone said it will extend its commitment to distributing Microsoft services, including Microsoft Azure, security solutions and Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile.

Finally, the replacement of data centers by Microsoft Azure will enable the operator to improve its responsiveness to customers, while simplifying and reducing the operational costs of its IT estate, as well as reducing energy requirements.

Worth noting here is that the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently investigating the public cloud infrastructure services market following a referral from Ofcom, the telecomregulator. Ofcom has estimated that the market for cloud services in the U.K. was worth up to 7.5 billion ($9.5 billion) in 2022.

Ofcoms concerns relate to features that make it difficult for customers to switch and use multiple cloud suppliers. However, it also cited concerns about the software licensing practices of some cloud providers, in particular Microsoft.

Meanwhile, Vodafone is also in the process of trying to turn around its struggling European businesses in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

For example, Vodafone Germany has required a re-engineering of its commercial model while Vodafone Spain is to be sold to U.K.-based telecom investment firm Zegona Communications. Vodafone UK is to be merged with Three UK, subject to regulatory approval.

In Italy, no decision has yet been reached, although the France-based Iliad Group has offered a solution to the U.K. headquartered group by suggesting the two should merge their respective operations in the Italian market into a 50:50 joint venture.

2024 is certainly set to be another busy year for Vodafone.

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Vodafone, Microsoft sign 10-year partnership covering AI, IoT and more - FierceWireless