Hello lovely newsletter parents,
Another week, another news story of an AI hack. This time it’s an OpenAI agent hacking the Australian Government. I’ve already spent a newsletter in the past talking about why the headlines need to stop calling these hacks “rogue” and that I think more responsibility needs to be put on OpenAI for the lack of controls and security in the way they are testing AI. Head of OpenAI, Sam Altman, has even said this time that there were “issues with protocols”.
I think they’ve messed with the wrong people this time – Australia has been bringing in some of the tightest controls around technology, with a huge focus on regulating AI, and they’ve said this hack has only escalated these regulations. So personally, I’m actually quite happy it was the Australian government because it’s nice to see someone who will stand up to what is happening.
Anyway, that’s all I’m going to say on this matter for now. No doubt Holly will have questions for me about that on the show this Monday but if you also have questions then hit reply on this email and get them over to me.
On the podcast this week: AI might finally be solving the one thing all parents have asked for – but is it safe to use?
Imagine a world where you have a personal assistant, one whose entire job it is to keep your family logistics organised. Every morning you receive a daily brief that informs you everything your kids need for school, the timing of the after-school football practice – even if it’s moved an hour later – and perhaps even what’s for dinner. Sound incredible?
Well that’s the premise of Google CC which has just gone live to select 18+ users in the US. But it requires you to share access to your emails, Google drive, calendar etc. – so on the podcast this week we talk about how safe that is from a privacy perspective, and whether it’s worth the risk.
Plus I’ve managed to get my ChatGPT account flagged as a teen account 😆
Let’s talk about Meta Muse and that cute little creature
Facebook, or Meta, has brought out a similar assistant to Google’s CC, although less focussed on being a family organiser and more as a general, helpful assistant (also only available in the US at the moment). But the functionality isn’t what I wanted to talk about here. I wanted to talk about the Meta Muse character, or avatar.
If you’ve not seen it, it’s a cute little cream-coloured creature, kinda fuzzy and rotund with a sweet face (you can see it on the left of the Meta website screenshot below). And that for me is the potential issue. It’s something called Kindchenschema – a term coined by ethologist Konrad Lorenz. The idea being that if you give something a cute little face and make it look adorable, you trigger an automatic caretaking response in people, which then results in a sense that the thing is harmless.
I’m not saying Meta Muse is harmful, but I’m certain the designers have done this purposely. By making Meta Muse avatar look this innocent, you – as the user – are more likely to put down your walls and assume it’ll do no wrong.
So when these apps do find their way over to the UK, and I don’t think it’ll be long because the Meta Muse app has been number 1 on the US App Store, don’t allow yourself to be pulled in to the cuteness of it. Regardless of how much you want to look after that little guy (they even let you name him!) remember that it’s Meta behind this app and consider carefully what data you want to give them access to on your device.
Thank you, always
I want to be super clear about something as I wrap up the newsletter – we are not endorsing either Google CC or Meta Muse. I just realise that these apps are coming, everyone is talking about them, and I just want you to feel like you are making informed decisions if, and when, you choose to use them.
Before I go, I just wanted to say thank you again for signing up to a newsletter from little ol’ me. I love sitting here on a Friday morning deciding what to write, digging through multiple websites and forums to pick the perfect topic. And it’s only because you’re here that I get to do it. So thank you.
Please do send me any feedback (good or bad) – you can hit reply on this email or get in touch on any of our social accounts: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Looking forward to Monday’s episode already – so much to discuss. See you then!
Fiona