Rethink: is big tech stealing your life?

25 snips

Jan 30, 2025

In this discussion, guest Ben Zhao, a Neubauer Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago and expert in generative AI, dives into the complex interactions between individuals and big tech companies. He explores how AI's increasing need for data raises ethical questions about privacy and copyright. Zhao highlights innovative solutions to protect creatives and the urgency for regulatory clarity. The conversation also touches on how tech benefits and societal trade-offs affect everyday life, prompting listeners to rethink their relationship with technology.

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INSIGHT

AI's Data Hunger

AI models require massive datasets to mimic human intelligence, not genuine understanding.
This data hunger drives their need for readily available online content, creating tension with content creators.

ANECDOTE

Mumsnet and OpenAI

OpenAI initially expressed interest in licensing Mumsnet's data, rich in female perspectives.
They later declined, stating a preference for less open data sources, despite Mumsnet's willingness to license.

INSIGHT

Copyright and Legal Challenges

Online content isn't free for use; copying requires licenses, acknowledging sources, and compensating creators.
Legal battles with big tech are costly, potentially hindering access to justice for smaller entities.

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Rethink examines emerging issues in politics, society, economics, technology and the UK's place in the world, and how we might approach them differently. We look at the latest thinking and research and discuss new ideas that might make the world a better place.

In this episode, we consider the changing relationship between the public and big tech companies.

Big technology companies have given us incredible social media and online services, that came with a price - our data. They used it to target advertising and to learn about our likes and dislikes, and the vast majority of us couldn't have cared less about giving up this information.

But Artificial Intelligence products have changed the game, from chatbots that can hold human-like conversations, to Generative AI that can write prose or create a picture from a simple text prompt.

And these unthinking machines require endless amounts of data to train them.

Some companies have been quietly changing their terms and conditions to access our social media and messages for AI training. Privacy regulators in the UK have called a halt to this so far, but US consumers don't have that protection.

Developers have also been scraping the internet, gathering both free and copyrighted material, and leading to legal actions in both the USA, the EU and the UK.

Copyright holders are concerned about a lack of payment or licencing deals, and also that AI imitates their content, putting them out of work. The Government has now launched a consultation to try to balance up the needs of AI and the creative industries.

But with some companies refusing to pay for content, creators have a new tool at their disposal - a program that makes stolen pictures poisonous to AI.

Presenter: Ben Ansell Producer: Ravi Naik Editor: Clare Fordham

Contributors: Ben Zhao, Neubauer Professor of Computer Science at University of Chicago Jack Stilgoe, Professor in science and technology studies at University College London, where he researches the governance of emerging technologies Justine Roberts, CEO and founder of Mumsnet. Cerys Wyn Davies, Partner at Pinscent Masons solicitors, specialising in IP and Copyright. Neil Ross, Associate director of policy for Tech UK