Ken Case, a longtime software developer for Apple platforms and CEO of Omni Group, talks about developing software for Apple Vision Pro. Oren Etzioni unveils TrueMedia.org, a nonprofit developing an AI-powered tool to detect deepfakes, combatting political disinformation in 2024 elections. They discuss pros and cons of generative AI tools for democracy and society.
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Quick takeaways
The Apple Vision Pro allows for the placement of windows anywhere in space, making it essential for productivity apps to adapt to the possibilities offered by spatial computing.
TrueMedia.org is developing an AI-powered tool to detect deepfake videos, photos, and audio, aiming to combat political disinformation in preparation for the 2024 elections, providing a free tool accessible to journalists and influencers.
Deep dives
Omni Group CEO discusses developing productivity apps for Apple Vision Pro
Ken Case, co-founder and CEO of Omni Group, discusses the decision to develop productivity apps for the newly launched Apple Vision Pro. He highlights the need for productivity apps to escape the limitations of traditional screens and embrace the new possibilities offered by spatial computing. Case describes how the Apple Vision Pro allows users to place windows anywhere in space, make them as large as desired, and have multiple interactive windows simultaneously. He also emphasizes the importance of utilizing keyboards and mice for efficient typing and navigation.
TrueMedia.org combats AI on political deepfakes
AI leader Oren Etsioni introduces TrueMedia.org, a nonprofit technology organization aimed at combating AI-generated deepfakes in politics. The organization is developing an AI-powered tool to detect deepfake videos, photos, and audio, with a focus on combating political disinformation in preparation for the 2024 election. TrueMedia.org plans to provide a free tool accessible to journalists and influencers, allowing them to quickly assess and identify deepfakes encountered on social media. Through partnerships and advanced algorithms, TrueMedia.org aims to provide a unique and effective solution in the ongoing fight against deepfakes.
The challenges and potential of AI technology
During an interview, Oren Etsioni discusses the potential benefits and risks of powerful technologies like AI. He acknowledges the risks associated with deepfakes but emphasizes the broader positive impacts technology can have on various fields such as medicine, climate change, and more. Etsioni asserts that balancing the benefits and costs of technology is crucial and that being overly focused on risks can overshadow the potential that technology holds. He emphasizes the evolution of technology from software to AI, highlighting the continuous progress and the need to adapt to the changing landscape, while acknowledging the challenges and constant need for improvement in combatting the negative consequences of AI.
First up this week on the GeekWire Podcast: an inside take on developing software for the Apple Vision Pro.
We talked with a longtime software developer for Apple platforms, Ken Case, co-founder and CEO of Seattle-based Omni Group, which makes productivity apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and just released a version of its OmniPlan project management software for the newly launched Apple Vision Pro.
Then, it's AI, politics, and a new attempt to detect and defuse deepfakes.
A few weeks ago on the show, Oren Etzioni, a University of Washington computer science professor and longtime artificial intelligence specialist, hinted at a secret project in the works. This week, he unveiled nonprofit, nonpartisan technology organization, TrueMedia.org, that is developing an AI-powered tool to detect AI-generated deepfake videos, photos, and audio, aiming to combat political disinformation in the leadup to the 2024 elections.
We jumped back on the line with Etzioni to get the details on the new initiatives, and discuss the pros and cons of the rapid development of new generative AI tools for democracy and society.