Sophie Ellis-Bextor says AI cannot copy human connection in music
Ellis-Bextor was presented with her award on Wednesday by Nordoff and Robbins, the UK's largest music therapy charity.
Mika, who was given the global impact award, told of what Nordoff and Robbins means to him.
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Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Sir Billy Connolly sending ‘love & cuddles' as he issues alarming warning to fans
The comedy legend shared the worrying update with his legions of fans on his official channels. 'BE AWARE' Sir Billy Connolly sending 'love & cuddles' as he issues alarming warning to fans Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR Billy Connolly has warned online scammers are using AI to recreate his voice and likeness in order to extort his fans. The comedy legend, 82, said he had become aware of multiple accounts impersonating him on social media and targeting his followers. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up Fans who follow the comedian's official Facebook page have been sent messages by bogus accounts pretending to be him. They are encouraged to move the conversation over to a private messaging app before being asked to send money to secure merchandise or a meeting with Billy. Billy has insisted he would never engage directly with fans online and said his wife Pamela Stephenson, 75, is also being impersonated online as part of the scam. The Glasgow-born comic said his Facebook page is his only active social media account and warned that scammers can use AI to convince people they are in touch with him. In a statement issued on his official website, Billy said: "Dear friends, I have learned that, unfortunately, online scam artists are targeting my fans and supporters. "They are impersonating me, often reaching out to fans soliciting direct messaging. They create multiple deceptive social media and email accounts, and there could well be criminal intent. "For the protection of all my fans and supporters, please be aware of the following: I NEVER interact directly with fans or supporters, and would never suggest they direct message me, meet me, send me money or purchase goods directly. "I do not sell memberships, fan cards, meetings. I will never suggest meeting personally or ask for personal information. "If you are asked for any of the above, it is a scam. My likeness and the sound of my voice can be created by AI so beware. "My wife Pamela is also being impersonated, but please be aware that neither she nor any of my children have public social media accounts or pages. Sir Billy Connolly honoured with BAFTA Fellowship - BAFTAS 2022 "Please be safe everyone. Love and cuddles, Billy." One of his fans online posted: "I've had no less than 12 scammers message me saying they're Billy Connolly. We all know they aren't, I mean they can barely sound coherent, let alone like someone from Scotland. "As long as they're chatting with me, they aren't stealing money from vulnerable people. There's a special place in hell for scammers." Another follower said she had been contacted by someone pretending to be one of Billy's daughters after she posted a comment on a fan page. Earlier this year it was revealed a scammer had tricked a French woman into believing she was dating Brad Pitt, before persuading her to part with almost £700,000 using AI images and videos. Billy retired from stand-up after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He discovered he had the illness 13 years ago after a doctor spotted him walking strangely through the lobby of a hotel in Los Angeles. He moved to Florida from his previous home in New York after doctors advised him to live in a warmer climate.
Sky News
a day ago
- Sky News
Publishers issue warning on AI-created books imitating sports autobiographies
The publishing industry has warned that books created by artificial intelligence - often imitating autobiographies - are a growing concern, and called on retailers to issue clearer warnings to consumers. Sky News has spent months tracking apparent AI recreations, particularly sports books, that have been sold on Amazon as Kindle e-books, as well as printed versions. Some titles were removed after we informed the e-commerce giant. But we understand there are no immediate plans for Amazon to label content that AI was involved in generating. "AI created books are an increasing problem for us," Publishers Association chief executive Dan Conway told Sky News. "It is incredibly easy using these new, amazing tools to create content. "The problem is that on the consumer side, it's really, really difficult to tell the difference often between a properly researched book that covers a topic that you want to read about versus something that's been spun up incredibly quickly using AI technology. And you've got some real consumer confusion out there." In recent days, we found several books quickly feeding off England's success at the Women's Euros, which appeared to be created by AI. Books on scoring stars Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang shared the same style covers, even featuring the wrong ball - from American football. Fewer than 50 pages each, they sell in paperback for about £11. The Agyemang book was published the day after her dramatic equaliser in the Euros semifinal against Italy, while the Kelly book appeared online the day after her winning penalty in the final against Spain. The named author, who has no digital trail beyond Amazon and other online retailers, has more than 45 books to their name since the start of July, on politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and musicians, as well as sports stars. It is frustrating for sports stars telling heartfelt stories in books only to see imitations online, confusing consumers. 'It's scary' At the recent Sports Book Awards, former England football captain Steph Houghton was shocked to be told about a 50-page imitation of her autobiography, Leading From The Back, which runs for more than 300 pages. "It takes a lot of hard work to make a book," she said. "It's poor that, in terms of Amazon allowing it to be on there as well." Former Liverpool and Tottenham player Neil Ruddock was in disbelief about a book aping Toxic, his account of addiction, Toxic. His literary agent, James Wills, said: "We do have a real concern about generative AI, which is what this is, somebody putting it in and using it that way." Former Afghanistan football captain Khalida Popal produced My Beautiful Sisters, a harrowing account of sexual abuse in her team and helping players flee the Taliban. She was stunned to be shown a similar account of her life had been produced and placed on sale online. "It's scary," the award winner told Sky News. "This story matters a lot. It's the voices and the stories of hundreds and thousands of women who suffered and who are victims and survivors of brutality and war, and challenges in Afghanistan. "Those sisters, those voices and stories, are very important for me. That's why I really took care of it, telling that story." Those AI versions of the Popal, Ruddock and Houghton books are no longer available on Amazon but they were for some time without it being obvious how they could have been created. What is Amazon doing? An Amazon spokesperson told Sky News: "We have content guidelines governing which books can be listed for sale, and we have proactive and reactive methods that help us detect content that violates our guidelines, whether AI-generated or not. "We invest significant time and resources to ensure our guidelines are followed, and remove books that do not adhere to those guidelines. "We aim to provide the best possible shopping, reading, and publishing experience, and we are constantly evaluating developments that impact that experience, which includes the rapid evolution and expansion of generative AI tools. "We continue to enhance our protections against non-compliant content, and our process and guidelines will keep evolving as we see changes in publishing." People releasing books via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) are required to inform Amazon if content is AI-generated, but that information is not passed on to consumers. KDP authors can be asked by Amazon to verify their identities. Unofficial biographies are a staple of the publishing industry, often written by journalists on celebrities and politicians, but involving their own research and writing. The growing concern is the limited human involvement in putting together books - without it being clear to those browsing online platforms and searching for books to buy. Those churning out AI books are often rapidly reacting to news, such as the election of Pope Leo in May, when few could have been prepared to write at such length about him. The Publishers Association is discussing the framework for AI with the government. "These large language models that exist now are so powerful that it's become incredibly easy to create content of all types," Mr Conway said. "You've effectively got the threat of information saturation.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Pop duo forced to cancel gigs after member collapsed on stage
One member has been struck down with a virus scary ordeal Pop duo forced to cancel gigs after member collapsed on stage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR pop duo have been forced to cancel a string of gigs after one of the members dramatically collapsed on stage. Royel Otis have cancelled upcoming gigs after a worrying turn on stage this week. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Aussie band Royel Otis have pulled the plug on upcoming gigs Credit: Getty 3 They issued this statement after one member of the band fell ill Credit: Instagram The Aussie pop duo had been performing in Germany at the MS Dockville festival when one member fell unwell on-stage. Consisting of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, footage that was circulated on TikTok appeared to show Royel collapsing to the ground mid-set. Members of the on-stage live band rushed to help as Royel stumbled backwards with his guitar still on him. He appeared to fall on his back as gasps could be heard ringing out across the shocked crowd. The band are yet to address what happened to Royel but concert-goers appeared to suggest that his terrifying fall came just 15 minutes into the band's performance. Now, the band have broken their silence to confirm they are pulling the plug on their impending gigs following the scary incident. Writing on their Instagram account, they confirmed that Royel was suffering from a virus as they said: "We are really sorry to say that we need to cancel our set at Lowlands + Pukkelpop festival as Roy has been unwell with a virus since last night's show in Hamburg. "We were really looking forward to playing for you and hope we can see you at one of our other shows soon. "Thank you for all your support always [pink heart emoji] Roy + Otis." The group have been working together for the past six years but have only found mainstream success in recent years. In January 2024 they were named as an Artist to Watch by the Grammy's. Their viral cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Murder on the Dancefloor became a chart hit in Australia.
