BBC's health reporter, Jim Reed, joins a discussion on compensation for infected blood victims. Scarlett Johansson expresses shock at OpenAI's chatbot using her voice. Is AI posing a threat to acting? The podcast explores the controversy and implications of AI technology in the entertainment industry.
Infected blood scandal victims may receive up to £2.6m in compensation, with initial payments of £210,000.
AI technology, like OpenAI, using voices without consent sparks ethical concerns about voice ownership in the industry.
Deep dives
Impacts of the Infected Blood Scandal Compensation Scheme
The government recently announced new proposals for compensating individuals affected by the infected blood scandal. Initially, there was no compensation in place until 2022, and even then, only certain groups received interim payments. The government plans to extend the interim compensation to those infected with HIV or hepatitis C, providing additional financial support. Furthermore, a full compensation scheme is expected to roll out by the end of the year, encompassing a broader range of beneficiaries, such as children who lost parents.
Challenges of Providing Evidence for Compensation
One of the complexities in the compensation process involves proving the impact of the infection on individuals' lives. Issues like societal tariffs consider factors such as stigma and job loss due to the illness. The scheme assigns varying compensation amounts based on unique circumstances, with estimates reaching 2.5 million pounds for HIV-infected individuals and 750,000 pounds for those with hepatitis C. However, proving infection origins, especially through transfusions, presents challenges in securing compensation.
Financial Ramifications and Cost Estimates
The financial implications of the compensation scheme are substantial, with estimates ranging from 8 to 12 billion pounds, potentially exceeding these figures. The impact on public finances, including potential borrowing for compensation payouts, poses challenges for meeting fiscal targets. Balancing timely compensation with managing national debt becomes crucial, as the government navigates the significant financial burden associated with addressing the aftermath of the infected blood scandal.
Ethical Concerns Surrounding AI's Usage of Voices
Recent controversies in AI technology, such as OpenAI's use of Scarlett Johansson's voice without her consent, raise ethical dilemmas about voice ownership and consent. Instances like voice actors unknowingly signing contracts allowing their voices to be used in AI-generated content highlight the need for legal frameworks to protect artists' livelihoods. Initiatives like template contracts from unions aim to safeguard voice actors against unauthorized AI usage, addressing the evolving landscape of voice ownership and AI ethics.
Today, we look at, how much the victims of the infected blood scandal could receive in compensation And a major row between a Hollywood A Lister and OpenAi.
The government has announced some infected blood victims will receive £210,000 compensation within 90 days. This is an initial payment whilst work continues on a final scheme. It is estimated final payments could rise to £2.6m for certain infected people. Adam is joined by the BBC’s health reporter Jim Reed.
And, Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has said she was left "shocked" and "angered" after OpenAI launched a chatbot with an "eerily similar" voice to her own. The AI company have said they would remove the voice, but insisted that it was not meant to be an “imitation”. Does AI pose a real danger to acting? Adam speaks to the BBC’s AI Correspondent Marc Cieslak and Remie Michelle Clarke, a voice over artist who discovered her voice was being used by AI without her knowledge.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Elliot Ryder and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
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