Be Kind Tech Fund

President Biden has taken a significant step toward ensuring the responsible use of artificial intelligence by signing the first national security memorandum. This document outlines how the Pentagon, intelligence agencies, and other national security institutions should utilize and safeguard AI technology. The memo aims to establish "guardrails" for AI applications, affecting critical decisions ranging from nuclear weapon deployment to asylum processes. The new directive addresses the dual challenge of leveraging AI to enhance government operations—such as detecting cyberattacks and predicting extreme weather—while mitigating the risks associated with its misuse, including the potential for autonomous weapons. Spanning approximately 38 pages, with a classified appendix, the memorandum explicitly prohibits AI systems from making decisions regarding nuclear weapon launches, reaffirming that such critical choices rest solely with the President as Commander in Chief. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/dV8xQgRT  This situation illustrates the potential impact of AI technology, highlighting the need to create a framework that ensures its responsible use across various domains. At the Be Kind Tech Alliance, we recognize the necessity of addressing these challenges. Our commitment lies in supporting startups focused on mitigating the misuse of technology, particularly in the realm of Responsible AI. 🌟 🌟 If you share our passion for creating a safer online environment, we invite you to join us! Check our initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/dtyknAWj

🌟 Exciting Times in AI and Media Creation In February, OpenAI introduced its groundbreaking technology, Sora, allowing users to generate photorealistic videos simply by typing a sentence. Just a few days ago, Meta launched its own suite of AI tools, Meta Movie Gen, designed to automatically create videos and synchronize them with AI-generated sound effects and music. This rapid evolution in AI technology is reshaping how we think about video production. Companies like Runway, Pika, Google, and Microsoft are also diving into this space, making it clear that the future of content creation is here! As we embrace these innovations, we must tread carefully. While these tools can enhance the creative process for seasoned filmmakers, they also pose risks regarding the potential for misuse in creating online disinformation raising serious concerns about the authenticity of visual media. At the Be Kind Tech Fund, we believe in the importance of vigilance in this new era of synthetic media. As we unlock the capabilities of AI to create hyper-realistic videos from text prompts, let’s prioritize responsible usage and work together to ensure that these advancements contribute positively to society. Join us in our efforts to foster ethical technology development. Check out our initiatives at https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH 

🚨 In a significant move to safeguard the well-being of young users, Instagram is launching separate teen accounts for those under 18. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of social media on the lives of children and teenagers. Teens in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia will be automatically placed into these new accounts when signing up. Existing users will transition to teen accounts over the next 60 days, with adjustments for those in the European Union scheduled for later this year. Here are some key features of the new teen accounts: Privacy by Default: All teen accounts will have privacy settings that restrict who can view their content. Controlled Messaging: Teens can only receive private messages from people they follow or are connected to. Sensitive Content Restrictions: Content that promotes violence or cosmetic procedures will be limited. Usage Notifications: Users will receive alerts if they exceed 60 minutes of usage. Sleep Mode: Notifications will be turned off from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., with auto-replies enabled for direct messages. While these settings will be mandatory for all teens, those aged 16 and 17 will have the option to turn them off, while those under 16 will require parental permission. You can know more here: https://lnkd.in/d32z3xtx Recent research highlights the severe psychological effects of online harassment, similar to real-world attacks, emphasizing the need for proactive measures. At the Be Kind Tech Alliance, we believe in the importance of addressing these challenges head-on. We are committed to supporting startups that work towards mitigating the misuse of technology, particularly in combating online harassment and abuse. 🌟 If you share our passion for creating a safer online environment, we invite you to join us! Check our initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH 

🌍 The Intersection of AI and Elections 🌍 2024 represents a crucial juncture for global democracy, with nearly half of the world's population preparing to participate in elections. However, as we approach this "super year," concerns have emerged regarding the integrity of these elections, largely driven by the rise of artificial intelligence. A recent article from MIT explores how predictions have painted a bleak picture, with some suggesting we are heading towards a “tech-enabled Armageddon” where AI could fundamentally disrupt electoral processes. As we reflect on the elections that have already taken place this year, we must ask ourselves: How accurate have these assessments been? Some Preliminary Findings: Limited Impact of AI: Recent reports, including Meta’s Adversarial Threat Report and studies from the Alan Turing Institute, indicate that while AI has been used in certain instances, its influence on election outcomes has been minimal.    Complexity of Voter Behavior: Voter decisions are influenced by a multitude of factors beyond mere information—such as values, identities, and social influences—suggesting that AI alone cannot sway the electorate. Information Overload: In an age of information saturation, AI-generated content often struggles to cut through the noise, leading to voter disengagement rather than manipulation. While an in-depth study requires a careful examination of the facts, and with the U.S. election on the horizon, this analysis allows us to gain initial insights into the potential risks of AI amplifying misinformation. It also emphasizes the need to recognize that the real threats to democracy extend far beyond technology. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dKcNBU8U Aligned with Globant’s commitment to responsible AI development, the Be Kind Tech Alliance is dedicated to navigating the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present to society. Follow us and explore our initiatives shaping the future of AI responsibly at https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH. #Elections2024 #ArtificialIntelligence #ResponsibleAI

🚨 Over the past decade, rapid advances in AI have sparked growing concerns that action is urgently needed. 🏛️ Real-world issues like bias, discrimination, and AI-generated disinformation are coming to the forefront. From flawed facial-recognition systems to biased resume-scanning algorithms, the need to address these developments is undeniable. 🌐 Globally, efforts are underway to create unified AI regulations through summits, the G7's "Hiroshima Process," and the UN. The conversation is ongoing, but one thing is certain: AI ethics and safety are crucial for our future. You can read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gpqk-gvF Aligned with Globant’s commitment and as advocates for responsible AI development, at the Be Kind Tech Alliance, we're dedicated to navigating the challenges and opportunities new technologies present to society. Follow us and explore our initiatives shaping the future of AI responsibly at https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH  

In a context where the proliferation of fake news and deepfakes compels us to be cautious and discerning with the information we consume, evidence is emerging that many voters are being misguided, misled, and misinformed by generative AI tools about electoral processes. A study by Democracy Reporting International (DRI) found in this regard that some chatbots incorrectly explained how to vote by mail in Portugal, where mail voting isn't an option or highlighted that voting is a personal choice but failed to mention that it is compulsory in Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Bulgaria. The DRI's top recommendation? Chatbot creators should "tune chatbots to only provide links to the most authoritative sources of information ... without generating any information themselves." In line with this approach, The Washington Post introduced its first generative AI chatbot, Climate Answers. Unlike other chatbots, this one promises to provide concise summaries of the Post's reporting on climate change, complete with citations and links to relevant stories. And, in a move that underscores the importance of responsible AI, it won’t answer if it can't find a relevant story, displaying: “Sorry, but we could not generate an answer to your question.” 🔗 You can read more about this here: https://lnkd.in/dHgHgqDD We consider this perspective vital. “Sorry, I don’t know” is sometimes the best answer when discussing critical topics like elections and climate change. It’s also a testament to the commitment to responsible AI development—something we deeply value at Be Kind Tech Alliance. 🔗 Learn more about our work here: https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH

In the last hours, the UK’s election watchdog, the Electoral Commission, has been reprimanded over online security lapses that allowed the personal information of 40 million voters to be hacked in August 2021 but was not identified until October 2022. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said the Electoral Commission had not kept its servers up to date with the latest security updates. Members of the ICO noted that if the Electoral Commission had taken basic steps to protect its systems, such as effective security patching and password management, it is highly likely that this data breach would not have happened. By not installing the latest security updates promptly, its systems were left exposed and vulnerable to hackers. Check more information here: https://lnkd.in/dsp544Sa This kind of news is a powerful reminder that data privacy and security is one of the facets of technology impacting individuals and communities around the world. At the Be Kind Tech Alliance, we aim to drive solutions to protect individuals' or organizations' data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or alteration. Check out our initiatives at https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH #DataPrivacy #CyberSecurity #TechForGood #BeKindTechAlliance

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🚀Are you working on groundbreaking solutions in Responsible AI, Screen Time Abuse, Data Privacy & Security, Online Harassment, or Disinformation & Polarization? The Be Kind Tech Alliance is seeking startups that align with our mission to create a positive social impact through technology. Apply now and join us in making a difference! 🌍✨ 👉Apply Here: https://lnkd.in/dJt9C5Sk #Startup #Innovation #TechForGood #Investment #ResponsibleAI #ScreenTimeAbuse #DataPrivacy #OnlineHarassment #Disinformation #Polarization

2024 is a historic election year and continues to be the year of Artificial Intelligence, so it was only a matter of time before AI Steve appeared, a chatbot that ran as an independent candidate in the UK elections. AI Steve is the avatar of Steve Endacott, who leads the company behind this campaign and proposed a unique scenario: if elected, he would physically be in Parliament to enact decisions made through majority rule. If over 50% of local volunteer validators voted for a particular action, AI Steve, via Steve Endacott, would vote accordingly. Ultimately, AI Steve made it to the polls, but without success. In Brighton Pavilion, 179 people voted for AI Steve, which wasn’t enough to secure a win on a day when the Labour Party marked its return to power in the UK. Beyond this, the case illustrates one of the many ways AI has integrated into our lives and elections. Even before this event, the British Government shared guidelines on mitigating the impact of disinformation campaigns, which are increasingly created with greater frequency and quality using artificial intelligence. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ecHSPN5u Aligned with Globant’s commitment and as advocates for responsible AI development, at the Be Kind Tech Alliance, we're dedicated to navigating the challenges and opportunities new technologies present to society. Follow us and explore our initiatives shaping the future of AI responsibly at https://lnkd.in/eHj8__aH