Meta Announces Reorganization of AI Division; Australian Stricture on Under-16's Social Media Usage Sparks Debate; Publicis Groupe Australia Unveils Prominent Advertising Agency
In the ever-evolving world of technology, Meta is making significant strides in its artificial intelligence (AI) endeavours. The tech giant is pursuing multiple strategies, including building its own models, forming strategic partnerships, and open sourcing technology.
Recent hires have included Shengjia Zhao, co-creator of OpenAI's ChatGPT, Alexandr Wang, and Nat Friedman. However, internal tensions seem to have led Zhao to threaten to quit Meta shortly after joining, and he eventually signed paperwork to return to OpenAI before Meta named him chief AI scientist. This incident underscores the tension within Meta regarding artificial intelligence dominance.
Meta is considering partnerships with tech giants like Google and OpenAI to enhance AI features in its apps. Discussions include using Google's Gemini model for conversational responses in Meta AI and leveraging OpenAI's models to power Meta AI and other social media tools.
Accuracy is a key concern in Meta's AI development. While facial analysis is 92% accurate for adults, it struggles with teens near the cutoff age. Accuracy also drops for older adults and female-presenting individuals near policy thresholds.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is planning to take a firm stance on social media use by minors. Starting December, the government plans to ban social media accounts for users under 16. Companies must take reasonable steps to block sign-ups and deactivate existing accounts, or face fines up to AUD$50m (£24.1m). Age checks can use ID documents, parental approval, or facial analysis, each with privacy and accuracy issues. ID checks are the most reliable but raise data retention concerns.
The Australian government has hired the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme to test enforcement options for the ban. The final report of the government-commissioned review states that enforcement is possible but comes with risks.
Amidst these developments, Meta has recently hired over 50 researchers and engineers in its artificial intelligence division. However, a temporary hiring freeze has been imposed for this AI sector, with the exact names and specific positions of these new hires not publicly detailed.
A key focus for Meta is ensuring its next model, Llama 5, can compete with top rivals. The company is also considering various methods for age checks, aiming to strike a balance between accuracy and privacy concerns.
On a separate note, Publicis Groupe Australia has launched a new agency called Influential, focusing on social and influencer marketing. This move indicates Meta's continued commitment to expanding its influence in the digital marketing sphere.
The future of Meta's AI development remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the company is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to stay at the forefront of AI technology.
