Focue Provides the Latest and Most Up-to-Date News, What You Focus On is What You Get.
⎯ 《 Focue • Com 》
Marc Becker, Co-Head of Impact Investing at Apollo, Dies at 51
Marc Becker, Co-Head of Impact Investing at Apollo, Dies at 51
Marc Becker, a 27-year veteran of Apollo Global Management Inc. and co-head of impact investing at the private
2023-08-16 08:19
China’s Coal Build-Out Raises Questions on Future Power Plans
China’s Coal Build-Out Raises Questions on Future Power Plans
China is continuing to permit massive amounts of new coal power plants, raising questions about its promises to
2023-08-29 13:07
A bill that would have required Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments has failed
A bill that would have required Texas public schools to display the Ten Commandments has failed
The Republican-controlled Texas State House failed to advance a controversial bill on Tuesday that would have required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
2023-05-24 15:39
COP28’s Biggest Conflicts Are on Display at the UN General Assembly
COP28’s Biggest Conflicts Are on Display at the UN General Assembly
As world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City this week, everyone seemed
2023-09-20 08:21
Internet joins Tyreek Hill in slamming IShowSpeed's risky 'Coke and Mentos' challenge: 'Things are getting crazy'
Internet joins Tyreek Hill in slamming IShowSpeed's risky 'Coke and Mentos' challenge: 'Things are getting crazy'
IShowSpeed's viral 'Coke and Mentos' draws flak on the Internet
2023-11-19 13:13
Hollywood AI backlash: What striking writers and actors fear about tech replacing roles
Hollywood AI backlash: What striking writers and actors fear about tech replacing roles
Hollywood’s actors and writers have both gone on strike for the first time since 1960 to protest against a number of decisions by major studios that include not just job cuts but also a potentially unsettling future in which they could be replaced by artificial intelligence. The leaders of SAG-AFTRA, the Hollywood union representing 160,000 television and movie actors, went on strike on Thursday, joining the industry’s screenwriters who have already been picketing for over 70 days. Among the many issues flagged by both the writers and actors in the protests has been how generative AI tools could replace their roles in the industry. Over the last decade, AI has found several uses in the movie and television industry, from de-aging actors, analysing patterns and behaviours of viewers on streaming platforms, bringing back the voices of late actors and even helping stitch together entire movie trailers. One of the proposals, as explained by SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, feels like it is straight out of dystopian science fiction series Black Mirror. During a press conference on Thursday, Mr Crabtree-Ireland alleged that a proposal from Hollywood studios was to use “groundbreaking AI” to scan background performers and only offer them a day’s pay while the companies get to own the scans and use them for any project they want. “This ‘groundbreaking’ AI proposal that they gave us yesterday, they proposed that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get one day’s pay, and their companies should own that scan, their image, their likeness and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity on any project they want, with no consent and no compensation,” the executive said. “If you think that’s a groundbreaking proposal, I suggest you think again,” Mr Crabtree-Ireland said. A statement from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), that represents the studios, claims the “groundbreaking AI” proposal “protects actors’ digital likenesses for SAG-AFTRA members”. “We are being victimized by a very greedy enterprise... The entire business model has been changed by streaming and AI If we don’t stand tall right now, we are all going to be in jeopardy,” the actors’ guild president Fran Drescher said on Thursday. Follow along here for real-time updates on the SAG-AFTRA strike Writers who have already been protesting since May have also sought assurances from studios that their jobs would not be threatened by AI. With the steady rise of online streaming services looking to rack up user subscriptions by churning out endless amounts of digital content, writers on strike have sought new pay structures, guaranteed periods of work as well as better discussions on the limits of AI use. Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) shared concerns that producers may seek to use AI to write scripts or at least use the technology to complete unfinished screenplays, and have also urged production houses to agree to safeguards around its usage. Screenwriters fear AI could be used to churn out a rough first draft with a few simple prompts and writers may then be hired after this initial step to punch such drafts up – albeit at a lower pay rate. Without further dialogue with studios, writers have raised concerns there could be a number of new ways that AI could be used to craft outlines for stories, fill in scenes and even come up with mock-up drafts. “There are ways it can be useful. But too many people are using it against us and using it to create mediocrity. They’re also in violation of copyright. They’re also plagiarizing,” Michael Winship, president of the WGA East, said in May. With these risks in mind, the WGA seeks more safeguards on how AI can be applied to the screenwriting process. Read More Hollywood actors and writers strike after ‘disgusting’ studios turn down deal. Here’s what it means for you Hollywood in historic shutdown as actors union joins writers strike: ‘The eyes of the world are upon us’ Cast of Oppenheimer walk out of UK premiere ahead of actors’ strike announcement What happens next as striking actors send Hollywood into meltdown? Issa Rae and Jamie Lee Curtis lead A-listers voicing support for actors strike Hollywood in historic shutdown as actors union joins writers strike
2023-07-14 13:28
8 Bodily Secretions You’d Rather Not Think About
8 Bodily Secretions You’d Rather Not Think About
Rheum, cerumen, and mucus are just a few of our gross bodily fluids.
2023-05-20 00:00
Who was Claire Risoldi? Flamboyant Philadelphia socialite and fraudster dies before serving jail time
Who was Claire Risoldi? Flamboyant Philadelphia socialite and fraudster dies before serving jail time
The circumstances surrounding Claire Risoldi's death have yet to be revealed, adding another layer of mystery to her already enigmatic legacy
2023-08-07 15:04
In-Game Reference of Blizzard Employee Removed in Overwatch 2
In-Game Reference of Blizzard Employee Removed in Overwatch 2
In Overwatch 2, Blizzard has changed the name of an in-game coffee shop to remove its reference to one of
1970-01-01 08:00
Here’s What Economists Are Saying About the US Jobs Report
Here’s What Economists Are Saying About the US Jobs Report
Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said that he’s still concerned about inflation picking up after wage growth was
2023-08-05 00:41
Paul Blackburn pitches Athletics to 2-1 victory over Yankees in Josh Donaldson's return
Paul Blackburn pitches Athletics to 2-1 victory over Yankees in Josh Donaldson's return
Paul Blackburn pitched into the sixth inning for Oakland, allowing one run on Josh Donaldson’s homer in his return to the lineup and sending the Athletics to a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees
2023-06-28 12:40
Mushfiqur leads Bangladesh to 245-9 against New Zealand in World Cup
Mushfiqur leads Bangladesh to 245-9 against New Zealand in World Cup
Mushfiqur Rahim hit a fine half century to lead Bangladesh to 245-9 against New Zealand in their World Cup clash on Friday as veteran Black Caps fast bowler Trent Boult...
2023-10-13 20:29