OpenClaw's Founder Joins OpenAI as Open-Source Bot Transitions to Foundation

Peter Steinberger, the visionary behind OpenClaw, has made a significant move by joining OpenAI, as announced by CEO Sam Altman. This transition marks a pivotal moment for OpenClaw, which is set to evolve into a foundation, ensuring its continued support as an open-source project. Altman expressed his enthusiasm on social media, stating that Steinberger will spearhead the development of the next generation of personal agents. He emphasised that OpenClaw will thrive within a foundation framework, allowing it to maintain its open-source ethos while benefiting from OpenAI's resources and expertise.

Credit: UNSPLASH

OpenClaw, previously known as Clawdbot or Moltbot, has garnered a dedicated following for its capabilities as a personal assistant. Users have praised its ability to manage emails, interact with insurers, check in for flights, and perform a multitude of other tasks. The bot's functionality has resonated with many, leading to its viral success since its introduction. Steinberger noted that OpenClaw received over 100,000 stars on GitHub, a testament to its popularity, and attracted two million visitors in just one week, highlighting its rapid ascent in the tech landscape.

However, this surge in popularity has not come without scrutiny. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential security risks associated with OpenClaw, particularly from China's industry ministry. They warned that if improperly configured, the open-source AI agent could expose users to cyberattacks and data breaches. Steinberger acknowledged these concerns, stating that it has always been crucial for him that OpenClaw remains open source, allowing it the freedom to flourish. He believes that OpenAI is the ideal environment to further his vision and expand the reach of OpenClaw.

The collaboration between Steinberger and OpenAI is expected to enhance the capabilities of personal agents, making them more efficient and user-friendly. As the tech industry continues to evolve, the integration of OpenClaw into OpenAI's ecosystem could lead to groundbreaking advancements in AI technology. Steinberger's commitment to keeping OpenClaw open source while leveraging OpenAI's support is a promising development for both the project and its users. This partnership signifies a new chapter for OpenClaw, one that aims to push the boundaries of what personal assistants can achieve in the digital age.

• Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI to lead the next generation of personal agents

• OpenClaw transitions to a foundation while remaining an open-source project

• The bot has gained significant popularity, receiving over 100,000 stars on GitHub

• Concerns about security risks associated with OpenClaw have been raised by authorities

ByteDance Enhances Safeguards Following Seedance AI Video Controversy

ByteDance is taking steps to bolster safeguards for its Seedance 2.0 video-generation tool after facing significant backlash over alleged intellectual property violations. The Chinese short-video giant announced its commitment to addressing these concerns, which have arisen due to the tool's purported use of copyrighted content to train its artificial intelligence model. Recently, a surge of videos featuring Hollywood celebrities, Disney characters, and comic book heroes generated by Seedance has emerged online, prompting widespread criticism.

Credit: DISNEY

In a notable development, Disney issued a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, accusing the company of engaging in a "virtual smash-and-grab" of Disney's intellectual property. This legal action highlights the gravity of the situation, as the new model is reportedly capable of generating videos featuring characters from Disney's Marvel and Star Wars franchises. The South China Morning Post has reported that this move follows strong objections from major Hollywood organisations, including the actors' union SAG-AFTRA, which labelled the model's actions as "blatant infringement". Charles Rivkin, the CEO of the Motion Picture Association, has also called for ByteDance to halt its infringing activities immediately.

Credit: BYTEDANCE

In response to these allegations, ByteDance stated that it respects intellectual property rights and is actively working to enhance its safeguards to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property and likenesses by users. This commitment comes amid a growing chorus of concerns from foreign governments as well. For instance, Japan's cabinet office has initiated an investigation into ByteDance regarding potential copyright violations, particularly after AI-generated videos featuring popular Japanese manga and anime characters, such as Detective Conan and Ultraman, began circulating on social media. Japan's AI minister, Kimi Onoda, expressed the need to address situations where content is used without the copyright holder's permission.

ByteDance's Japanese subsidiary has indicated that it is taking action in response to the investigation. However, the company has not disclosed the datasets it employs to train its powerful Seedance models. Previously, it claimed that its data-acquisition strategy prioritised ethically and legally sourced content from diverse public and licensed repositories. A technical report for Seedance 2.0 has yet to be released, leaving many questions unanswered regarding its operational practices.

Beyond the alleged intellectual property violations, Seedance has also sparked controversy domestically due to its capability to generate users' voices using only their photographs. A user from Beijing, Shi Yu, expressed her discomfort at seeing a video generated of her with a voice that closely resembled her own, despite only providing a photo. This incident raises significant concerns about personal privacy and the ethical implications of such technology. In light of this criticism, ByteDance has reportedly decided to roll back some personalisation features, temporarily disabling the option to upload real people's faces as references for video generation.

In the lead-up to the Lunar New Year holiday, ByteDance launched several major models, including Seedance 2.0, Seedream 5.0, and a new flagship large language model, Seed 2.0. Unlike other prominent Chinese AI companies, ByteDance has opted not to open-source its flagship models, instead limiting access to its Doubao app and its domestic and global AI content-creation platforms, Jimeng and CapCut. While Chinese large language models still lag behind their American counterparts in overall performance, models for video and image generation, such as Seedance, have consistently performed well in third-party evaluations.

According to Rui Ma, founder of the San Francisco-based consultancy Tech Buzz China, the controversy surrounding Seedance may be part of ByteDance's initial distribution strategy to showcase its underlying technical capabilities. As the situation continues to unfold, the implications for ByteDance and the broader AI landscape remain to be seen.

• ByteDance is enhancing safeguards for its Seedance 2.0 tool following backlash over IP violations.

• Disney has issued a cease-and-desist letter accusing ByteDance of infringing on its intellectual property.

• Japan is investigating ByteDance for potential copyright violations related to AI-generated content.

• Concerns about personal privacy have arisen due to Seedance's ability to generate voices from photos.

China's Innovative Approach to Sustainable AI Data Centres

China is leveraging its unique geographical advantages, particularly its vast coastlines and abundant renewable energy resources, to create data centres that are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. By harnessing the power of the sea and space, China aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with data processing and storage, which has become a pressing concern in the age of big data and AI.

Credit: China Daily

The integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, is at the forefront of this initiative. Coastal regions are being developed into hubs for data centres that utilise offshore wind farms, which can provide a steady and sustainable energy supply. This innovative approach not only helps in meeting the energy demands of these facilities but also aligns with China's broader goals of achieving carbon neutrality by a specified target year. The strategic placement of data centres near renewable energy sources is a crucial step towards minimising reliance on fossil fuels, thereby significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, the use of advanced cooling technologies is another key aspect of making these data centres more sustainable. Traditional data centres often consume vast amounts of water for cooling purposes, which can strain local resources. In contrast, China's new facilities are designed to utilise seawater for cooling, a method that is both efficient and environmentally friendly. This not only conserves freshwater resources but also takes advantage of the natural cooling properties of the ocean, further enhancing the sustainability of these operations.

In addition to energy efficiency, the design and construction of these data centres are being re-evaluated to ensure they meet modern sustainability standards. This includes the use of eco-friendly materials and construction practices that minimise waste and environmental impact. By prioritising sustainable architecture, China is setting a precedent for future developments in the tech industry, encouraging other nations to follow suit in their quest for greener solutions.

The collaboration between government bodies and private enterprises is also pivotal in this transformation. By fostering partnerships, China is able to pool resources and expertise, driving innovation in the field of sustainable technology. This collaborative approach not only accelerates the development of green data centres but also promotes a culture of sustainability within the tech sector, encouraging companies to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

As the demand for data processing continues to surge, the need for sustainable solutions becomes increasingly urgent. China's proactive measures in establishing AI data centres that prioritise sustainability serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar challenges. By embracing renewable energy, innovative cooling methods, and sustainable construction practices, China is not only addressing its own environmental concerns but also contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.

The implications of these advancements extend beyond national borders. As countries around the world strive to reduce their carbon footprints, China's initiatives could inspire a wave of similar projects globally. The emphasis on sustainability in technology is becoming a crucial factor in the decision-making processes of businesses and governments alike, highlighting the importance of environmental considerations in the digital age.

• China is leveraging coastal regions and renewable energy for sustainable AI data centres.

• Offshore wind farms provide a steady energy supply, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

• Seawater cooling methods conserve freshwater and enhance efficiency.

• Collaboration between government and private sectors drives innovation in sustainable technology.