NYT sues OpenAI, possible cancer cure, and a beaver infestation.

Adam Rogers
December 28, 2023

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Big Stories

The New York Times (NYT) has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement.

Why it matters: This makes the NYT the first major media company to sue artificial intelligence (AI) companies over copyright issues.
Details: The complaint argues that OpenAI and Microsoft's “unlawful use of The Time’s work for AI products that compete with it threatens The Time’s ability to provide that service.” The NYT alleges that these companies engaged in widespread copying, with a “particular emphasis” on NYT's content. The Time’s hasn’t demanded a specific amount of damages but hopes to hold them accountable for billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages.
Potential impact: The legal battle is significant because it may establish a precedent for how courts determine the value of news content used to train large language models. Other media companies, like German giant Axel Springer and the Associated Press, have chosen to negotiate deals with AI firms which involve payments for the use of their content in training models. The lawsuit also reflects a broader concern among copyright holders, including music companies and authors, who have also sued generative AI companies on similar grounds. Despite the legal dispute, news companies like the NYT are simultaneously exploring AI technology.

Michigan’s Supreme Court has decided to keep former President Donald Trump on the state’s primary election ballot.

Details: On Wednesday, the court announced that it will not hear an appeal from groups attempting to prevent Trump from appearing on the ballot. The court's order said that they denied the appeal because they were not convinced that the issues raised should be reviewed by the higher court.
Catch up: Several legal challenges across different states aim to prevent Trump's name from appearing on ballots by invoking the so-called "insurrection clause." This clause prohibits anyone engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution from holding office. The Michigan lawsuit stems from Trump's alleged pressure on Michigan election officials not to certify 2020 vote totals. Free Speech for People had previously sued to bar Trump from Michigan’s ballot, but a judge rejected their arguments.
Colorado ruling: Separately, the Colorado Supreme Court recently ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible to be president because of his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Dec. 19th ruling marked the first time in history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was utilized to disqualify a presidential candidate.

Scientists have found a new method to destroy cancer cells using a technique they call “molecular jackhammers.”

Details: Stimulating aminocyanine molecules with near-infrared light causes them to vibrate rapidly in sync, breaking apart cancer cell membranes. The approach is faster and more effective than previous methods which could also break the structures of the problematic cells.
Go deeper: Aminocyanine molecules are simple injectable dyes that have been used in bioimaging for a long time. Because they can be activated by near-infrared light — which can go as deep as 10 centimeters (4 inches) into the human body — doctors could potentially reach deeper into the body to treat cancer in bones and organs without damaging tissue. In lab tests, the molecular jackhammer method showed a 99% success rate in destroying cultured cancer cells. Mice with melanoma tumors also saw promising results, with half becoming cancer-free.
Looking ahead: Cancer often develops resistance to current drugs, rendering them ineffective. However, since the new method isn’t a drug, cancer cells will have a difficult time developing a resistance to it. Researchers are also exploring other molecules that can be used similarly. While still in early stages, the findings offer a promising new route for cancer treatment.

The U.S. announced their final aid package of the year to Ukraine that will provide up to $250 million of arms and equipment. (More)

Two fishermen found an Indiana man alive inside his wrecked car six days after it had crashed on Dec. 20. The man is in critical condition in the hospital. (More)

A migrant caravan of 8,000 is heading towards the U.S.-Mexico border ahead of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s trip to Mexico City to discuss border issues with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. (More)

Former European Commission President Jacques Delors has died at the age of 98. He is known as the architect of the modern EU and was the driving force behind the introduction of the euro and the creation of the bloc’s single market. (More)

Argentina’s new President Javier Milei continued his cost-cutting agenda by saying he won’t renew the contracts for more than 5,000 government employees hired in 2023 before he took office. (More)

The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors Wednesday because of a strike over contract negotiations timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the death of its creator, Gustave Eiffel. (More)

U.S. stock markets closed higher on Wednesday (S&P +0.14%, Nasdaq +0.16%, Dow +0.30%). (More)

Social media companies made over $11 billion in ad revenue from minors last year, according to a Harvard study. Nearly $2 billion was collected from users 12 and under alone. (More)

Online retailer Zulily is shutting down. The women’s and children’s apparel company went public in 2013 and was once valued at roughly $9 billion. (More)

The NBA approved the $3.5 billion sale of the controlling interest of the Dallas Mavericks from Mark Cuban to the families that run the Las Vegas Sands casino company. (More)

Lee Sun-kyun, a popular South Korean actor who starred in the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite” was found dead in a car in Seoul on Wednesday. He was under investigation for his alleged drug use. (More)

The Denver Broncos have benched starting quarterback Russell Wilson for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Backup QB Jarrett Stidham will start in his place. (More)

Patients experience a significant increase in hospital-acquired complications, falls, and infections after a hospital is bought by a private equity firm, according to a new study at Harvard Medical School. (More)

The U.S. Court of Appeals has delayed its decision to ban the sale of Apple watches in the U.S. and will allow Apple to keep selling the watches until January 10, 2024. (More)

Microsoft quietly released a Copilot app for Android, offering AI-powered features like chatbot capabilities, image generation, and text drafting for emails and documents. (More)

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