160 | 🤖 🛒 Legal GPTs on the GPT Store

In today’s Brainyacts:

1. Military use is ok as long as no harm

2. Trying LawyerGPT from the GPT Store

3. Plenty of AI model news

4. Our fingerprints may not be the best criminal evidence afterall and other related content

👋 to new subscribers!

To read previous editions, click here.

Lead Memo

🔎 🚫 AI Use Policies in Flux: Who’s Keeping Score?

A Quick Heads-Up on OpenAI's Policy Shift

You likely didn’t hear about OpenAI recently changing its usage policy? They've moved away from a clear "no" to military applications.

This was the section that was deleted:

Here is the new language:

This brings up a big question: when policies change this fast, who's responsible for keeping everyone informed?

AI technology is evolving quickly, and so are the rules about how we can use it. But so are the competitive stakes for the incumbent and emergent AI companies out there. What might have been a prohibition before, might not work now if a certain company, say, wants to get a nice Dept of Defense contract.  OpenAI’s shift from a specific ban on military uses to a more general warning against causing harm is a prime example.

Communicating Changes: Whose Job Is It? When companies like OpenAI update their policies, shouldn't they make it clear to everyone? The lack of widespread communication on these changes seems like an oversight or an intentional slight. Whether you're a casual user or a tech expert, staying informed about these shifts is crucial.

Understanding the Implications. Removing a direct ban on military use has significant implications. With AI’s known issues like biases and inaccuracies, this policy change could lead to complex ethical situations, particularly in military contexts. And what does “harm” mean anyway? The new policy's ambiguity also raises concerns about its interpretation and application.

External Influences. It's worth considering the external factors influencing these policy changes. OpenAI's connections with Microsoft, a key defense player, and the Pentagon's interest in AI might be contributing factors. These business relationships could potentially shape policy decisions. Should we care? Should we know?

Private Company - Private Business. Now I not suggesting that we demand all users be notified of any change in policy. No doubt these growing companies are changing in many ways - internally, organizationally, and prodcut-wise. The shear volume of new things coming at these teams is overwhelming. We might want to allow them some grace in terms of these types of things. But it does raise the question - what change is big enough and meaningful enough that they should make us aware?

Like many things in AI - we shall see.

Spotlight

🤖 🛒 Legal GPTs on the GPT Store

Well its been two days since OpenAI launched its GPT Store and a quick search reveals the following legal GPTs.

Going with the first one - Lawyer - I gave it a test run.

I then tried to see what it could do by using a zoning variance hypothetical. It walked me through the basic process of the zoning variance procedures and then added the following language. It was refreshing to see it direct me to a lawyer.

But then it asked if I wanted more specific info - sure why not. I told it I wanted to build a large shed on my residential property and wanted specifics on this. It used Bing to search the internet.

It returned with a slightly better overview of the entire process but then added this language . . .

So in the end this was helpful but was not a lawyer in the truest sense. Not that I was expecting to be.

Go forth and give them all a try. Curious to hear what you get back from them.

AI Model Notables

► Google releases AMIE - A research AI system for diagnostic medical reasoning and conversations

► Antitrust alert! 🚨 - Microsoft wants to automatically launch its Copilot AI on some Windows 11 devices

► OpenAI launches Team subscriptions

► OpenAI launches the GPT Store. Think of it as an App Store but for AI models

• The GPT Store is a marketplace for custom AI applications.

• It means you can make money by creating and selling your own GPT-based apps.

• Developers must adhere to "updated usage policies and GPT brand guidelines" to list their apps.

• No coding experience is needed, potentially turning any professional into an AI app developer.

► OpenAI signs up 260 businesses for its Enterprise ChatGPT

► OpenAI in talks with CNN, Fox and Time to license content

► Amazon Is going ‘Super Aggressive’ on Generative AI

► Quora raised $75M from a16z to grow Poe, its AI chat bot platform

► Did OpenAI accidentally leak this upcoming feature?

News You Can Use:

➭ AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique

➭ Draft bill for the "Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act" introduced by Congress members

➭ European Commission is checking whether Microsoft's investment in OpenAI comes under its merger regulation

➭ CES 2024: Everything revealed so far, from Nvidia and Sony to the weirdest reveals and helpful AI (10 most impressive reveals so far)

➭ N.Y. Governor Hochul proposes $400 Million to launch University AI Consortium

➭ California AG must investigate OpenAI’s non-profit status

➭ Deloitte rolls out AI chatbot to employees

➭ Rabbit sells 10,000 of its R1 AI pocket companions in one day

Who is the author, Josh Kubicki?

Some of you know me. Others do not. Here is a short intro. I am a lawyer, entrepreneur, and teacher. I have transformed legal practices and built multi-million dollar businesses. Not a theorist, I am an applied researcher and former Chief Strategy Officer, recognized by Fast Company and Bloomberg Law for my unique work. Through this newsletter, I offer you pragmatic insights into leveraging AI to inform and improve your daily life in legal services.