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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
‘AI veganism': Some people's issues with AI parallel vegans' concerns about diet
New technologies usually follow the technology adoption life cycle. Innovators and early adopters rush to embrace new technologies, while laggards and skeptics jump in much later. At first glance, it looks like artificial intelligence is following the same pattern, but a new crop of studies suggests that AI might follow a different course – one with significant implications for business, education and society. This general phenomenon has often been described as 'AI hesitancy' or 'AI reluctance.' The typical adoption curve assumes a person who is hesitant or reluctant to embrace a technology will eventually do so anyway. This pattern has repeated over and over – why would AI be any different? Emerging research on the reasons behind AI hesitancy, however, suggests there are different dynamics at play that might alter the traditional adoption cycle. For example, a recent study found that while some causes of this hesitation closely mirror those regarding previous technologies, others are unique to AI. In many ways, as someone who closely watches the spread of AI, there may be a better analogy: veganism. AI veganism The idea of an AI vegan is someone who abstains from using AI, the same way a vegan is someone who abstains from eating products derived from animals. Generally, the reasons people choose veganism do not fade automatically over time. They might be reasons that can be addressed, but they're not just about getting more comfortable eating animals and animal products. That's why the analogy in the case of AI is appealing. Unlike many other technologies, it's important not to assume that skeptics and laggards will eventually become adopters. Many of those refusing to embrace AI actually fit the traditional archetype of an early adopter. The study on AI hesitation focused on college students who are often among the first demographics to adopt new technologies. There is some historical precedent for this analogy. Under the hood, AI is just a set of algorithms. Algorithmic aversion is a well-known phenomenon where humans are biased against algorithmic decision-making – even if it is shown to be more effective. For example, people prefer dating advice from humans over advice from algorithms, even when the algorithms perform better. But the analogy to veganism applies in other ways, providing insights into what to expect in the future. In fact, studies show that three of the main reasons people choose veganism each have a parallel in AI avoidance. Ethical concerns One motivation for veganism is concern over the ethical sourcing of animal by-products. Similarly, studies have found that when users are aware that many content creators did not knowingly opt into letting their work be used to train AI, they are more likely to avoid using AI. These concerns were at the center of the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes in 2023, where the two unions argued for legal protections against companies using creatives' works to train AI without consent or compensation. While some creators may be protected by such trade agreements, lots of models are instead trained on the work of amateur, independent or freelance creators without these systematic protections. Environmental concerns A second motivation for veganism is concern over the environmental impacts of intensive animal agriculture, from deforestation to methane production. Research has shown that the computing resources needed to support AI are growing exponentially, dramatically increasing demand for electricity and water, and that efficiency improvements are unlikely to lower the overall power usage due to a rebound effect, which is when efficiency gains spur new technologies that consume more energy. One preliminary study found that increasing users' awareness of the power demands of AI can affect how they use these systems. Another survey found that concern about water usage to cool AI systems was a factor in students' refusal to use the technology at Cambridge University. Personal wellness A third motivation for veganism is concern for possible negative health effects of eating animals and animal products. A potential parallel concern could be at work in AI veganism. A Microsoft Research study found that people who were more confident in using generative AI showed diminished critical thinking. The 2025 Cambridge University survey found some students avoiding AI out of concern that using it could make them lazy. It is not hard to imagine that the possible negative mental health effects of using AI could drive some AI abstinence in the same way the possible negative physical health effects of an omnivorous diet may drive some to veganism. How society reacts Veganism has led to a dedicated industry catering to that diet. Some restaurants feature vegan entrees. Some manufacturers specialize in vegan foods. Could it be the case that some companies will try to use the absence of AI as a selling point for their products and services? If so, it would be similar to how companies such as DuckDuckGo and the Mozilla Foundation provide alternative search engines and web browsers with enhanced privacy as their main feature. There are few vegans compared to nonvegans in the U.S. Estimates range as high as 4% of the population. But the persistence of veganism has enabled a niche market to serve them. Time will tell if AI veganism takes hold. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: David Joyner, Georgia Institute of Technology Read more: The biggest barrier to AI adoption in the business world isn't tech – it's user confidence Is AI dominance inevitable? A technology ethicist says no, actually Can you trust AI? Here's why you shouldn't David Joyner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Solve the daily Crossword
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Robin Williams's Daughter On AI, Matthew Lawrence Backlash
Back in 2023, Robin Williams's daughter, Zelda, passionately spoke out against the 'disturbing' idea of artificial intelligence being used to recreate her late dad's voice, with the hugely beloved actor dying by suicide in 2014 at age 63. Robin was famously very protective of the use of his voice work in life, and even feuded with Disney after they used his Aladdin character, the Genie, to sell merchandise. The feud was so dramatic that Robin didn't return for the animated movie's sequel, and Homer Simpson voice actor, Dan Castellaneta, was cast to replace him as the Genie instead. Robin did return for the third movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, two years later. And Zelda advocated for her father in a statement that was issued in support of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild's fight against AI two years ago. She wrote at the time: 'I am not an impartial voice in the SAG's fight against AI. I've witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/ recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad.' 'This isn't theoretical, it is very very real. I've already heard AI used to get his 'voice' to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings,' she went on. 'Living actors deserve a chance to create characters with their choices, to voice cartoons, to put their HUMAN effort and time into the pursuit of performance.''These recreations are, at the very best, a poor facsimile of greater people, but at their worst, a horrendous Frankensteinian monster, cobbled together from the worst bits of everything this industry is, instead of what it should stand for,' Zelda concluded the post. And this is why people have been left so mad at Matthew Lawrence — who worked with Robin as a child star — after he recently doubled down on his wish to use AI to do 'something really special' in Robin's memory. For reference, Matthew was 12 years old when he played Robin's son Chris in the 1993 movie Mrs. Doubtfire. He was already a pretty established child actor by the time that he landed the role, but he has always been incredibly open about how influential working with Robin on this film was for him. "He stayed a part of my life, you know?' the now-45-year-old star told People earlier this year. 'That movie could have wrapped [and] like everybody else, he could have gone his separate way, but he didn't.''He stayed invested, and he gave me some incredible life lessons that definitely kept me from some dark places at times. And I'll just never be able to thank him enough for that,' Matthew added. In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matthew shared: 'I didn't quite realize it at the time, but that moment there on set of Mrs. Doubtfire, that those six to eight months were the biggest learning curve anyone can get when it comes to making movies and being an entertainer.' 'And then on top of that, you get a chance to be around Robin Williams, and he takes an investment in you, as he does with people. But in particular, he really took an investment with me,' he went on. "He really quantified what it was to be a real artist for me in the sense that he was definitely, and I worked with some great people, and he was definitely the most brilliant artist I've ever worked with.' 'But on top of that, he had the compassion, he had the humility, and he also had these things that he struggled with,' Matthew noted. 'Man, it's a real shame that he's not with us. There's not a day that goes by that I don't hear his voice,' he then told the publication. 'I even wish, now with artificial intelligence, I kind of want to go to his family and be like: 'Would you guys allow me to use his voice for some sort of creative expression?' Because I hear it every day, in my head.' And Matthew doubled down on his idea to use AI to bring Robin's voice back to the masses during his appearance in Entertainment Weekly's Comic-Con video suite on Friday — and it did not go down well with fans. In the conversation, Matthew explained: 'I would love — obviously, with the respect and with the OK from his family — I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic.''It's not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it's in my head — it's in everybody's head. And it would be so cool,' Matthew went on, before detailing that the idea came to him after he watched one of Robin's old commercials. 'It's kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what's going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover,' Matthew shared. 'And it always stuck with me. And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I'm like: 'Man, he's gotta be the voice of AI. He's gotta be the voice in something.' So yeah, I would love to do that.' But this idea sparked instant criticism on social media, with one hugely viral tweet responding to Matthew's quotes simply reading: 'Tell him to fuck off.' 'No. Let the man rest and our memories of him go on,' somebody else wrote, while another tweeted: 'The possibility of exploiting the talent of dead people through AI is sincerely one of its most repugnant uses, utterly disrespectful for artist of the past and the future.' And one more added: 'theres no amount of respect or consent from his family that would ever make it okay to use AI on a person especially if theyve passed away.' Others referenced Zelda's past comments, with one person sharing a screenshot of a news article about her quotes and writing: "Yeah, I doubt Matthew Lawrence is going to get that permission..." "Zelda would never be okay with it. You'll never see him in AI. Don't even bother asking the first time," somebody else wrote: "His daughter, Zelda Williams would absolutely refuse. She absolutely hates it when people use AI to impersonate her father." What do you make of Matthew's comments? Let me know down below!
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
CBS axes Colbert's 'Late Show'
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a staple of late-night US television, will end in 2026, the CBS network said, days after the comedian blasted parent company Paramount's USD16 million settlement with President Donald Trump as "a big fat bribe." CBS said in a statement the cancellation was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," and was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount." "Next year will be our last season," the host announced on Thursday's episode, to boos and shouts of disbelief. "The network will be ending the show in May." Paramount reached the settlement with Trump this month in a lawsuit the entertainment giant had described as meritless. Trump had sued Paramount for USD20 billion last year, alleging that CBS News' 60 Minutes news program deceptively edited an interview with his 2024 election rival, Kamala Harris, in her favour. Paramount is meanwhile seeking to close its USD8 billion merger with the entertainment company Skydance, which needs federal government approval. Colbert said on Thursday the cancellation was not just the end of his show but the end of the decades-old Late Show franchise, which has been broadcast continuously on CBS since 1993 and was previously hosted by David Letterman. "I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away," Colbert said. 'America deserves to know' Trump celebrated the cancellation, writing on his Truth Social platform, "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings." Trump's political opponents and other critics drew attention to the timing of the decision. "CBS cancelled Colbert's show just three days after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its USD16M settlement with Trump - a deal that looks like bribery," Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said on social media platform X. "America deserves to know if his show was cancelled for political reasons," Warren said. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who was a guest on Colbert's show on Thursday, said: "If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better." The Writers Guild of America called on the New York attorney general to investigate whether the move by CBS was intended to improperly curry favor with Trump. "Given Paramount's recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that The Late Show's cancellation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favour with the Trump Administration as the company looks for merger approval," it said in a statement. Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's The Tonight Show and one of Colbert's rivals, posted on Instagram that "I'm just as shocked as everyone." "I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come," wrote Fallon, whom Trump had earlier referred to as "the moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show." Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program airs on ABC, chimed in: "Love you Stephen." CBS said in its Thursday statement it was "proud that Stephen called CBS home." "He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television," its statement said. Colbert, once a regular on Comedy Central, made use of humour in his incisive political commentary and succeeded Letterman as the host of The Late Show in 2015. The late-night television landscape has long been dominated by satirical comedy shows that blend entertainment with political commentary. For decades, these programs have served as television touchstones, with hosts like Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Letterman and - more recently - Colbert, Fallon and Kimmel shaping public discourse through humour and celebrity interviews.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Powerful Hollywood entity call for investigation into bribery after Stephen Colbert cancellation
A powerful Hollywood group has called for a sweeping investigation into Paramount Global following the abrupt cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The Writers Guild of America wants New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch a probe into whether the cancellation is related to Colbert's criticism of the network's capitulation to President Trump. In a fiery joint statement from the the East and West Coast arms of the Writers Guild, the union suggests the scrapping of the show may amount to political bribery. The guild alleges Paramount's decision to axe the show after Colbert accused the company of bribing Donald Trump to advance its proposed $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media was not merely coincidence, but potentially 'a dangerous capitulation to political pressure.' 'Cancelations are part of the business,' the WGA said, 'but a corporation terminating a show in bad faith due to explicit or implicit political pressure is dangerous and unacceptable in a democratic society.' The union's statement referenced the $16 million settlement Paramount reached earlier this month with Trump over a contentious 60 Minutes segment involving Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. The agreement was widely derided by media watchdogs as a dubious payoff and has already prompted an ongoing investigation by the California State Senate. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has also demanded a federal probe into whether the settlement constituted an illegal attempt to curry favor with the White House. The cancellation came just two days after Colbert slammed the settlement live on air, calling it 'a big fat bribe' and openly questioning whether the payment was made to grease the wheels for the merger's approval. WGA leaders argue that segment may have cost Colbert his job. 'Given Paramount's recent capitulation to President Trump,' the union wrote, 'we have significant concerns that The Late Show's cancelation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration.' The guild called on 'elected leaders to hold those responsible to account' and vowed to pursue every possible legal and political remedy to support its members and protect media freedom. Paramount executives deny any political motive. In a joint statement, co-CEO George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, and CBS Studios president David Stapf insisted the decision was based purely on declining revenues and shifting industry dynamics. 'This was a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,' they said. 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.' But critics aren't buying it. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders fired off a blistering statement on X: 'Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.' Senator Ed Markey went further, suggesting possible political interference: 'If the Trump administration is using its regulatory authority to influence or otherwise pressure your company's editorial decisions, the public deserves to know.' Trump wasted no time celebrating the move on his Truth Social account gleefully writing, 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once-great.' The post prompted a visceral response from Colbert's fellow hosts. Kimmel posted to Instagram: 'Love you Stephen. F**k you and all your Sheldons CBS.' The timing of Colbert's cancellation has only deepened suspicions. On July 2, Paramount agreed to settle Trump's lawsuit. On July 15, Colbert railed against it on national television. On July 17, Paramount pulled the plug on the show despite it still being the top-rated program in its timeslot, beating both Fallon and Kimmel in linear and digital viewership. Indeed, while CBS cited financial strain, the numbers have painted a more complicated picture. Advertising revenue for The Late Show has dropped 40% since 2018 from $121.1 million to $70.2 million last year, according to ad firm Guideline. But the show still drew a nightly average of 1.9 million viewers this past season, more than any other late-night rival with Colbert has maintaining a massive digital following on YouTube and TikTok. But CBS insists the business no longer adds up. One former TV network executive said The Late Show had been hemorrhaging money and losing up to $40 million annually because of shrinking ad dollars and rising production costs. 'Fifteen years ago, a show like The Tonight Show could earn $100 million a year,' they said. 'Now, they're money pits.' CBS had already begun gutting its late-night schedule. The Late Late Show with James Corden was scrapped in 2023. After Midnight was canceled earlier this year. Colbert will end in May of next year with CBS planned to fill the Late Show slot with reruns of the primetime hit Tracker. ABC's Jimmy Kimmel has a contract that also runs out next year. Kimmel, 57, openly wondered in a Variety interview before signing his latest three-year contract extension how long he wanted to do it. He's hosted his show since 2003. "I have moments where I go, I cannot do this anymore," Kimmel told Variety in 2022. "And I have moments where I go, what am I gonna do with my life if I'm not doing this anymore?' It's a very complicated thing ... I'm not going to do this forever." Colbert, Kimmel and Stewart were all nominated for Emmy awards this week. Colbert's cancellation is the latest flashpoint in what critics call a mounting war against media critical of Trump. The president has long sparred with journalists and entertainers, launching lawsuits against The New York Times, CNN, 60 Minutes, and ABC News.
Malaysian Reserve
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
CBS says Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show' to end in May 2026
NEW YORK – 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' a staple of late-night US television, will end in 2026, the CBS network said, days after the comedian blasted parent company Paramount's $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump as 'a big fat bribe.' CBS said in a statement the cancellation was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,' and was 'not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.' 'Next year will be our last season,' the host announced on Thursday's episode, to boos and shouts of disbelief. 'The network will be ending the show in May.' Paramount reached the settlement with Trump this month in a lawsuit the entertainment giant had described as meritless. Trump had sued Paramount for $20 billion last year, alleging that CBS News' '60 Minutes' news program deceptively edited an interview with his 2024 election rival, Kamala Harris, in her favor. Paramount is meanwhile seeking to close its $8 billion merger with the entertainment company Skydance, which needs federal government approval. Colbert said on Thursday the cancellation was not just the end of his show but the end of the decades-old 'Late Show' franchise, which has been broadcast continuously on CBS since 1993 and was previously hosted by David Letterman. 'I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away,' Colbert said. Trump celebrated the cancellation, writing on his Truth Social platform, 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.' Trump's political opponents and other critics drew attention to the timing of the decision. 'CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump — a deal that looks like bribery,' Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said on social media platform X. 'America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons,' Warren said. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who was a guest on Colbert's show on Thursday, said: 'If Paramount and CBS ended the 'Late Show' for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.' The Writers Guild of America called on the New York attorney general to investigate whether the move by CBS was intended to improperly curry favor with Trump. 'Given Paramount's recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that The Late Show's cancelation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration as the company looks for merger approval,' it said in a statement. Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's 'The Tonight Show' and one of Colbert's rivals, posted on Instagram that 'I'm just as shocked as everyone.' 'I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come,' wrote Fallon, whom Trump had earlier referred to as 'the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.' Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program airs on ABC, chimed in: 'Love you Stephen.' CBS said in its Thursday statement it was 'proud that Stephen called CBS home.' 'He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television,' its statement said. Colbert, once a regular on Comedy Central, made use of humor in his incisive political commentary and succeeded Letterman as the host of 'The Late Show' in 2015. The late-night television landscape has long been dominated by satirical comedy shows that blend entertainment with political commentary. For decades, these programs have served as television touchstones, with hosts like Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Letterman and — more recently — Colbert, Fallon and Kimmel shaping public discourse through humor and celebrity interviews. –AFP
