FTC's Eye on AI: Fair Play?

A breakdown of why the FTC is paying attention; Our favorite summarization hack

Author

The AI Exchange
September 12, 2023

Welcome to another edition of the best damn newsletter in AI. Here we’ll break down AI topics that matter, open your mind to use cases, and keep you ahead of the curve.

Our #1 goal is to be useful. So please shoot us an email 📩 if you have questions or feedback, and especially if you implement something we share!

Here's what we're covering today:

  • The FTC and anti-competitive behavior

  • Summarize this way instead (it rocks)

  • BIG copyright stories are popping up

... and if someone forwarded this email to you, thank them 😉, and subscribe here!

Let’s get to it! 👇

TODAY'S PERSPECTIVE

The FTC is on watch; the anti-competitive landscape brewing

Tech Crunch dug up a blog the FTC Bureau of Competition posted this summer that piqued our interest. In it, the FTC outlined (and basically subtweeted) many anti-competitive behaviors brewing in AI. With a clear tone that they’re not going to stand for it.

Why is the FTC concerned about anti-competitiveness? Let’s break it down: 👇️

1) Data is King

Generative AI requires large datasets, think massive. And the head start of companies like OpenAI and existing datasets of tech giants like Meta and Google certainly hinder new players from entering the market.

2) Talent is Scarce

Developing these AI models requires a specific skillset and a significant workforce. The scarcity of such talent could incentivize companies to hoard, a phenomenon already quite common in big tech.

3) Computational Resources are Pricey

Generative AI systems require significant computational resources, which can be expensive to operate and maintain. New entrants typically access these resources through cloud computing services, which are provided by only a few firms, many of whom also have their own AI projects… again raising the risk of monopolization.

4) Open-Source Tactics

The FTC specifically calls out the double edged sword here.

While open-source can democratize the development of generative AI, companies can use "open first, closed later" tactics to undermine long-term competition. (also known as scorch the earth)

5) Unfair Methods of Competition

Last, there are certainly unfair methods of competition that big tech can use to entrench their power or gain control over this new generative AI market. Things like bundling, exclusivity and acquisitions are not looking good in the FTC’s eyes.

So, while the battle for AI is heating up, the FTC is ensuring that it's a fair fight.

And for all of us - that’s probably a very good thing.

USE CASE

You’re summarizing with ChatGPT wrong

It’s ok, we were too. 😆 

Let us introduce you to the Inverted Pyramid method.

This method has been used by journalists since the 19th century, when telegraph technology was still in its infancy.

The idea is simple: put the most important facts at the beginning. This way, even if the full content isn't transmitted due to technical issues or time constraints, readers still get the most crucial information.

(aka, make summaries super skimm-able with the most important stuff up top)

#StealOurPrompt

Enjoy!

p.s. yes, our prompts are that structured. 👀 It’s one of the techniques we teach in the Prompting for AI Ops bootcamp and helps us get to high quality prompts for any problem, faster.

LINKS

For your reading list 📚

AI and Copyright is coming in hot…

Next on the AI provider wars…

And if you're really nerdy...

That's all!

We'll see you again on Thursday. Thoughts, feedback and questions are much appreciated - respond here or shoot us a note at [email protected].

... and if someone forwarded this email to you, thank them 😉, and subscribe here!

Cheers,

🪄 The AI Exchange Team