May 13, 2025

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Scale AI Expands, AI Deepfakes Promote Harmful Products, AI in Law Enforcement and Military

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have raised both excitement and concern. AI-generated deepfakes are being used to promote unproven and potentially harmful products on social media platforms like TikTok, with some using fake celebrity endorsements and evasive language to bypass content moderation. Meanwhile, companies like Scale AI are expanding their presence globally, with planned offices in the Middle East, and venture capital firms like Wyld VC are investing in AI startups. The technology is also being used in various industries, including law enforcement, where it can track individuals without using facial recognition, and in the military, where it will be used in next-generation combat vehicles. However, there are also concerns about the potential slowdown of AI progress, with some predicting that performance gains from standard AI model training will slow down by 2026. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about the intersection of AI and religion, as well as the use of AI in replacing traditional methods like spreadsheets. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to address the challenges and risks associated with its development and deployment, including issues related to copyright and privacy.

Key Takeaways

  • AI-generated deepfakes are promoting unproven and potentially harmful products on social media platforms like TikTok.
  • Companies like Scale AI are expanding their global presence, with planned offices in the Middle East.
  • Venture capital firms like Wyld VC are investing in AI startups, with a focus on connecting Gulf capital with Silicon Valley innovation.
  • AI is being used in law enforcement to track individuals without using facial recognition.
  • The US Army is planning to use AI in its next-generation armored combat vehicles.
  • AI is replacing traditional methods like spreadsheets in industries such as utilization reporting and revenue forecasting.
  • There are ongoing discussions about the intersection of AI and religion.
  • Recursion Pharmaceuticals, an AI-focused biotech company, has attracted attention from investors despite its struggling stock price.
  • The House of Lords has pushed back against the UK government's plans to allow AI companies to use copyright-protected work without permission.
  • Predictions suggest that the progress of reasoning AI models may slow down soon, with performance gains from standard AI model training expected to slow down by 2026.

AI deepfakes promote fake products

AI-generated videos on TikTok are promoting unproven and potentially harmful products, including dietary supplements and sexual remedies. These videos often feature fake celebrity endorsements and use carrots as a euphemism for male genitalia to evade content moderation. Experts warn that this trend is part of a larger issue of AI-enabled deception online. Companies like Resemble AI are working to detect and prevent such content, but the rapid pace of AI-generated videos makes it a challenging task. Researchers say that AI-generated content is being used to spread false information and manipulate unsuspecting users into buying dubious products.

AI deepfakes push fake cures

AI-generated videos on TikTok are promoting unproven and potentially harmful sexual treatments, including supplements and remedies. These videos often use fake celebrity endorsements and carrots as a euphemism for male genitalia to evade content moderation. Experts warn that this trend is part of a larger issue of AI-enabled deception online. Companies like Resemble AI are working to detect and prevent such content, but the rapid pace of AI-generated videos makes it a challenging task. Researchers say that AI-generated content is being used to spread false information and manipulate unsuspecting users into buying dubious products.

AI deepfakes promote fake products

AI-generated videos on TikTok are promoting unproven and potentially harmful products, including dietary supplements and sexual remedies. These videos often feature fake celebrity endorsements and use carrots as a euphemism for male genitalia to evade content moderation. Experts warn that this trend is part of a larger issue of AI-enabled deception online. Companies like Resemble AI are working to detect and prevent such content, but the rapid pace of AI-generated videos makes it a challenging task. Researchers say that AI-generated content is being used to spread false information and manipulate unsuspecting users into buying dubious products.

Scale AI expands to Middle East

Scale AI, a startup backed by Amazon, plans to open an office in Saudi Arabia by the end of the year as part of its regional expansion. The company will also open another office in the United Arab Emirates. Scale AI helps companies develop artificial intelligence products and has been growing rapidly. The expansion to the Middle East is part of the company's efforts to increase its global presence.

Wyld VC launches AI fund

Wyld VC, a venture capital firm based in Saudi Arabia, has launched a $50 million fund to invest in early-stage AI startups across the Middle East and the San Francisco Bay Area. The fund is backed by the family office of billionaire Lawrence Golub and aims to connect Gulf capital with Silicon Valley innovation. Wyld VC plans to begin investing after a visit by US President Trump to the Middle East and will focus on developing ties between Gulf nations and the US.

New AI helps police bypass bans

A new type of AI is helping police skirt facial recognition bans by tracking individuals based on their body size, gender, hair color, and other attributes. The AI tool, called Track, can analyze videos and identify people without using facial recognition. This has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse. The company behind the tool, Veritone, says it is designed to help police identify criminals and malicious behavior, but critics argue that it introduces new privacy concerns.

AI revolutionizes industries

The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming industries and creating new opportunities. AI is automating jobs, but it is also creating new ones, such as AI maintenance and robotics technicians. The value of human labor is being rewritten, and skilled labor jobs are in high demand. The ability to physically build and repair may become the new currency of success. AI is also changing the way businesses operate, with companies like NVIDIA and Veritone leading the way.

Army uses AI in combat vehicles

The US Army is planning to use artificial intelligence in its next-generation armored combat vehicles. The Army is seeking industry proposals for AI-based technologies to enable the development of advanced crew stations. The AI will be used to manage sensor data, aid target recognition, and provide voice-based assistance to crew members. The Army is also interested in enabling technologies for 3D audio, crew health monitoring, and autonomous simulation fidelity.

AI replaces spreadsheets

Artificial intelligence is set to replace spreadsheets as the dominant method for utilization reporting and revenue forecasting. AI can ingest and correlate data in real-time, eliminating the need for manual updates and late-night data pulls. AI can also predict outcomes and provide prescriptions for prevention, making it a more powerful tool than traditional spreadsheets. The benefits of AI investments in service are clear, with over 90% of organizations reporting cost and time savings.

Cyber Monday discusses AI and religion

A recent discussion on Cyber Monday explored the intersection of artificial intelligence and religion. The conversation touched on the potential implications of AI on religious beliefs and practices. While the content of the discussion is not available, it highlights the growing interest in the relationship between technology and faith.

Investing in AI stock

Recursion Pharmaceuticals, an AI-focused biotech company, has attracted attention from investors despite its struggling stock price. The company uses AI to speed up the discovery and development of novel therapies, but it has yet to release promising phase 2 data. While the company has a strong cash position and partnerships with leading drugmakers, it remains a high-risk option. Investors should consider the potential risks and rewards before investing in the stock.

House of Lords opposes AI plans

The House of Lords has pushed back against the UK government's plans to allow AI companies to use copyright-protected work without permission. An amendment to the data bill requires AI companies to reveal which copyrighted material is used in their models. The move is seen as a victory for creators and artists who argue that their work should not be used without permission or compensation. The government has suffered a setback in its plans to introduce new legislation on AI and copyright.

AI progress may slow down

An analysis by Epoch AI suggests that the progress of reasoning AI models may slow down soon. The report finds that the performance gains from standard AI model training are currently quadrupling every year, while performance gains from reinforcement learning are growing tenfold every 3-5 months. However, there is an upper bound to how much computing can be applied to reinforcement learning, and the progress of reasoning training will likely converge with the overall frontier by 2026.

Sources

AI deepfakes Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Deep Learning Content Moderation AI Ethics