Scar Jo vs. AI, extreme turbulence, and best places to live.

Adam Rogers
May 22, 2024

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Big Stories

Scarlett Johansson has called out OpenAI for using her voice.

OpenAI will stop using a voice in its ChatGPT system after actress Scarlett Johansson claimed it sounded too similar to her own. Johansson says she rejected a request from OpenAI to use her voice but believes the company created one that mimicked hers anyway.
OpenAI denies replicating Johansson's voice and says it belongs to another actress. However, the company acknowledges it could have communicated better with Johansson.
OpenAI recently updated ChatGPT with new features, including more sophisticated voice interactions that mimic human emotions and respond to user prompts. These features have drawn comparisons to the movie "Her" in which an introverted man (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with an AI-operating system (Johansson). Spoiler Alert: it didn’t work out well for Joaquin.
Some people found the new voice mode in OpenAI's ChatGPT inappropriately flirtatious. This reignited criticism of how tech companies often make virtual assistants with female voices submissive and pandering, an issue present since before AI.

One passenger died and 30 were injured when a flight from London to Singapore hit severe turbulence.

The turbulence hit while the cabin crew served breakfast, prompting the pilots to request an emergency landing in Bangkok. One passenger, a 73-year-old British man, likely died of a heart attack during the incident, and 30 others were injured, with seven critically hurt.
The turbulence caused significant damage inside the plane, with overhead panels and gas masks hanging down and luggage scattered. Passengers said the plane suddenly rose and fell, flinging people into the ceiling. Most passengers were wearing seatbelts, which likely prevented more injuries.
After the emergency landing in Bangkok, the injured passengers were treated at local hospitals. The exact sequence of events remains unclear, but flight data showed the plane briefly tilting before returning to its cruising altitude. Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is looking into the incident.

A Japanese town has blocked a famous photo op to deter tourists.

To prevent disruptive tourist behavior caused by overcrowding, the town of Fujikawaguchiko has blocked a popular photo spot with a large black mesh net. The spot, known as "Mt. Fuji Lawson," offered a unique view of Mt. Fuji appearing to sit on top of a convenience store. (See Photo)
Tourists, mostly foreigners, would crowd the narrow sidewalk, take photos on the busy road, or trespass on private property while trying to take the perfect picture.
While the spot is blocked, there are other locations to capture scenic views of Mt. Fuji. To manage overcrowding, littering, and safety risks officials created a new booking system that limits climbers on the Yoshida Trail to 4,000 per day and restricts nighttime ascents beyond a certain point.
Overtourism is a big concern for Japan. Last year, it had more than 25 million visitors, and numbers are estimated to surpass 32 million in 2024.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized for a "decades-long moral failure" regarding the infected blood scandal. A public inquiry found that contaminated blood treatments infected 30,000 people with HIV and Hepatitis since the 1970s, with authorities covering up the scandal and exposing patients to unnecessary risks. About 3,000 have since died. (More)

Russia began drills simulating the launch of tactical nuclear weapons. Russia claims these exercises are a response to what they view as aggressive statements from Western countries regarding the war in Ukraine. Experts believe this is a warning from Putin to the West to avoid further involvement in the conflict. (More)

Former President Donald Trump decided not to testify in his criminal hush money trial on Tuesday. The move wrapped up his defense quickly and means the jury will start deliberating next week. For weeks, there was a lot of speculation about whether Trump would take the stand to defend himself against charges of falsifying business records. (More)

Israel seized camera equipment from the Associated Press for allegedly violating a new law by providing a live feed to Al Jazeera. This sparked criticism from media outlets and the U.S. Consequently, Israel backtracked and returned the equipment, but the Defense Ministry will now review the situation. (More)

Nestle launched a new frozen food line called Vital Pursuit targeting people on GLP-1 weight loss medication. This is one of the first instances of a major food company catering to this growing market. Vital Pursuit offers portion-controlled meals with high protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, all for under $5. (More)

Can pink noise improve sleep and memory?

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