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Uber To Launch OpenAI-powered AI Assistant For Drivers
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- Uber will launch a new AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o
- The chatbot will inform and advise drivers who want to transition to electric vehicles
- A new mentorship program will connect experienced EV drivers with curious drivers who want to switch to EVs
Uber announced this Tuesday it will launch a new AI assistant in alliance with OpenAI during Uber’s Go-Get Zero event in London. The new chatbot, powered by GPT-4o, will help drivers answer questions about electric vehicles (EVs) and assist with the transition as part of the company’s goal to become a zero-emission platform by 2040.
“Going electric is a big decision, and drivers have lots of questions,” states the document shared by the company. “That’s why we’re announcing an AI Assistant in the driver app – powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o– to help drivers get answers to every EV question under the sun.”
The new AI assistant will provide relevant and personalized information as well as guidance considering the driver’s city and the incentive options available for them.
“Uber drivers are adopting EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. In London, nearly 30% of all miles driven on Uber are now electric,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO, in the announcement.
Uber will also allow drivers to connect with experienced EV drivers, to act as mentors for those interested in switching though a new program. “We’re launching an EV mentorship program to connect experienced EV drivers with drivers who are EV-curious, allowing them to share their experiences and answer their questions,” added Khosrowshahi.
During the conference, the company acknowledged the challenges the industry and the drivers face when it comes to switching to EVs and wants to become a “catalyst” in the sector.
Uber has also been partnering with other companies like Waymo to launch robotaxis in Atlanta and Austin, and Wayve to accelerate the development of self-driving taxis .
Image from Freepik
New Report Exposes Widespread Viewer Surveillance In Streaming Television
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- CTV industry utilizes extensive surveillance to target viewers with personalized ads.
- Major companies like Comcast and Disney employ advanced data-gathering technologies.
- Political campaigns may exploit CTV data for covert ad targeting this election year.
A new report from the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) reveals that the Connected TV (CTV) streaming industry in the United States has established a vast surveillance system that transforms televisions into sophisticated monitoring devices.
The report, titled How TV Watches Us: Commercial Surveillance in the Streaming Era, details how CTV companies harvest extensive viewer data to deliver targeted advertising, often without proper consumer consent.
The CDD report outlines alarming trends in CTV operations, showing that major streaming platforms, device manufacturers, and data brokers are creating comprehensive digital profiles on viewers. This data includes identity information, viewing habits, purchasing behaviors, and a myriad of other online and offline activities.
Popular Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels like Tubi and Pluto TV are particularly highlighted as key players in monetizing viewer data through advanced marketing techniques.
The report stresses that surveillance mechanisms are built directly into smart TVs, with Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) and other monitoring software capturing highly granular data on viewers.
“The transformation of television in the digital era has taken place over the last several years largely under the radar of policymakers and the public, even as concerns about internet privacy and social media have received extensive media coverage,” the report explains.
“The U.S. CTV streaming business has deliberately incorporated many of the data-surveillance marketing practices that have long undermined privacy and consumer protection in the ‘older’ online world of social media, search engines, mobile phones and video services such as YouTube.”
“CTV has become a privacy nightmare for viewers,” explained report co-author Jeff Chester, who is the executive director of CDD.
“It is now a core asset for the vast system of digital surveillance that shapes most of our online experiences. Not only does CTV operate in ways that are unfair to consumers, it is also putting them and their families at risk as it gathers and uses sensitive data about health, children, race and political interests,” Chester noted.
“Regulation is urgently needed to protect the public from constantly expanding and unfair data collection and marketing practices,” he added, “as well as to ensure a competitive, diverse and equitable marketplace for programmers.”
As political ads are expected to proliferate this election year, CDD warns that these surveillance practices could allow for covert, personalized political campaigns that exacerbate polarization in the United States. Chester emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory action to protect consumer privacy and ensure a fair marketplace.
The CDD is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and California regulators to investigate these practices and implement robust regulations. The report’s authors call for a policy framework that prioritizes consumer rights, promotes civic engagement, and fosters diverse creative expression within the television industry.
In the wake of these revelations, Chester and Dr. Kathryn C. Montgomery, report co-author, emphasize that policymakers must address these issues to ensure that digital technologies serve democratic values and protect citizens from intrusive surveillance.
The CDD is taking steps to bring these concerns to the forefront by submitting letters to key regulatory bodies, highlighting the need for immediate action in an era where privacy and consumer protection are increasingly at risk.
