December-week-2-2023

1.) Bad Bunny Lashes Out At AI Copycats
1.) Was Google’s Gemini Reveal A Desperate Attempt at AI Supremacy?
3.) Bitcoin & Citizenship: El Salvador's Unique Offer Raises Eyebrows

MUSIC RESET
Bad Bunny Lashes Out At AI Copycats

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny recently found himself at the center of a musical maelstrom as his voice was digital generated and used by Chilean artist Mauricio Bustos, aka FlowGPT, to unleashed a wave of AI-generated hits on TikTok. The trendsetter being "NostalgIA," a nod to artificial intelligence.

Using AI to tweak Bad Bunny's vocals, FlowGPT created a viral sensation that not only circulated widely but also sparked parodies and imitations across TikTok. Unimpressed, Bad Bunny didn't mince his words, lashing out and urging his massive WhatsApp following to leave if they endorsed this "shitty song."

FlowGPT, the mastermind behind the AI-generated track, responded as if the AI entity itself. He expressed his admiration for Bad Bunny's artistry, and acknowledged that he has learned from artists like Bad Bunny. He also boldly declared his mission to become the best artist in the world and that he will continue to experiment.

While Bad Bunny's frustration is palpable, the legal landscape around this type of generative AI remains uncertain. Claudia Gutierrez, an AI consultant, highlighted the legal void, suggesting that pursuing legal action might be challenging.

FlowGPT seems unfazed, envisioning a future where it creates a fictional virtual character akin to the virtual band Gorillaz, but entirely powered by AI. Mauricio Bustos has already experimented with AI-generated tracks for other Latin artists, which shows a broader ambition in reshaping the music creation landscape.

As the debate continues between traditional artistry and AI-driven creativity, Bad Bunny's confrontation with AI copycats highlights the evolving challenges in the intersection of music, technology, and legality.

The music industry is witnessing not only a clash of creative expression but a glimpse into the future where AI entities vie for artistic recognition alongside its human counterparts. 😳 

As for FlowGPT, he says “I’m going to keep going” 😎

TECH / AI RESET
Was Google’s Gemini Reveal A Desperate Grasp at AI Supremacy?

In the aftermath of Google's grand unveiling of the Gemini multimodal language model, the gloss is wearing thin. A 24-hour revelation exposes a carefully orchestrated demo video that reeks of manipulation. Google's claim that Gemini outshines OpenAI's GPT-4 is now tainted by a more dubious reality.

In a 6-minute-and-23-second video presented on December 6, 2023, Google showcased Gemini as a Jarvis-style super-AI, akin to something out of Iron Man's tech haven. The AI demonstrated an uncanny ability to grasp real-time scenarios, spewing out responses with human-like logic. However, closer inspection reveals Google's penchant for theatrics rather than technological prowess.

Several keen-eyed internet users noticed subtle changes in the demonstration video, making Gemini seem more than it actually is. While these alterations may not be catastrophic, they certainly cast a shadow over Google's integrity.

The multimodal claims of Gemini Ultra, set to debut in early 2024, don't match the reality presented in the video. Instead of the sci-fi wonder depicted, Gemini Ultra turns out to be a conversational agent responding to textual and photographic cues. Not exactly the groundbreaking revelation it was touted to be. Google's editing prowess was at play, shortening response times, and even manually adding a synthetic voice.

The most damning revelation is the manipulation of prompts. What was presented as Gemini's spontaneous, real-time comments was, in fact, carefully orchestrated questioning by Google. The questions were tweaked to solicit comprehensive responses, creating an illusion of Gemini's intelligence.

This raises serious questions about Google's progress in the AI arena. Was Gemini merely a staged attempt to save face after OpenAI blindsided them with ChatGPT3.5 last year? It appears Google has been stumbling over its ambitions, desperately trying not to appear caught off guard.

Despite Google's attempt to position itself as OpenAI's prime rival, the Gemini fiasco exposes potential vulnerabilities in Google's AI program. The need for falsified demonstrations suggests a lack of genuine progress. OpenAI, with its ChatGPT Voice feature, seems more aligned with public expectations than Google's smoke and mirrors.

As the tech world gears up for the AI race in 2024, Google finds itself in the unenviable position of playing catch-up. So the question remains:

Can Google deliver concrete, unembellished AI solutions that users genuinely want to use? I guess only time will tell.

CRYPTO RESET
Bitcoin & Citizenship: El Salvador's Unique Offer Raises Eyebrows

In a groundbreaking move, El Salvador, the first country to embrace Bitcoin as legal tender, is now offering citizenship for a cool $1 million in Bitcoin. The collaboration between the Salvadoran government and stable coin company Tether, named "Adopting El Salvador Freedom," aims to attract global citizens willing to make a substantial investment in the leading cryptocurrency.

Since officially adopting Bitcoin in 2021, El Salvador has been a crypto pioneer, introducing innovative measures like the Chivo digital wallet. While met with skepticism and protests internally, the country has become a haven for Bitcoin enthusiasts worldwide. Notably, the tourism sector has seen a surge, with crypto advocates from around the globe flocking to El Salvador.

The recent joint initiative with Tether marks a new chapter in El Salvador's crypto journey. President Nayib Bukele, a vocal supporter of Bitcoin, announced the program, emphasizing the nation's commitment to visionary individuals and high-net-worth investors. The move is backed by Bukele's claim that his investment in Bitcoin has become profitable due to recent price rallies.

Under the program, participants can acquire Salvadoran citizenship by making a one-time payment of $1 million in Bitcoin. While labeled as an "investment," it remains unclear how the funds will be utilized. The application process begins with a nonrefundable deposit of $999 in Bitcoin and Ether, followed by a "know your customer" verification. Tether, in collaboration with the government, is driving this initiative, reinforcing the synergy between the state and the crypto industry.

However, this move is not without its challenges. Locals have expressed concerns about the potential displacement of lower-income families due to an influx of crypto-focused tourists. In places like El Zonte, a hub for crypto enthusiasts, tensions rise over issues of gentrification.

El Salvador's venture into coupling citizenship with Bitcoin investments raises eyebrows and questions about the intersection of crypto, national identity, and economic development. As the crypto-friendly nation pioneers these uncharted territories, the world watches to see if this novel approach will lead to a new era in global citizenship.

DISCLAIMER:
This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions or investments. Please be careful and do your own research.