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Citing human rights risks, UN calls for ban on certain AI tech until safeguards are set up

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The United Nations Human Rights chief on Wednesday called for a moratorium on the sale of and use of artificial intelligence technology that poses human rights risks — including the state use of facial recognition software — until adequate safeguards are put in place.

The plea comes as artificial intelligence develops at a rapid clip, despite myriad concerns ranging from privacy to racial bias plaguing the emerging technology.

“Artificial intelligence can be a force for good, helping societies overcome some of the great challenges of our times. But AI technologies can have negative, even catastrophic, effects if they are used without sufficient regard to how they affect people’s human rights,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement Wednesday.

Bachelet’s warnings accompany a report released by the U.N. Human Rights Office analyzing how artificial intelligence systems affect people’s right to privacy — as well as rights to health, education, freedom of movement and more.

“Artificial intelligence now reaches into almost every corner of our physical and mental lives and even emotional states,” Bachelet added. “AI systems are used to determine who gets public services, decide who has a chance to be recruited for a job, and of course they affect what information people see and can share online.”

The report warns of the dangers of implementing the technology without due diligence, citing cases of people being wrongly arrested because of flawed facial recognition tech or being denied social security benefits because of the mistakes made by these tools.

While the report did not cite specific software, it called for countries to ban any AI applications that “cannot be operated in compliance with international human rights law.” More specifically, the report called for a moratorium on the use of remote biometric recognition technologies in public spaces — at least until authorities can demonstrate compliance with privacy and data protection standards and the absence of discriminatory or accuracy issues.

The report also slammed the lack of transparency around the implementation of many AI systems, and how their reliance on large data sets can result in people’s data being collected and analyzed in opaque ways as well as result in faulty or discriminatory decisions. The long-term storage of data and how it could be used in the future is also unknown and a cause for concern, according to the report.

“Given the rapid and continuous growth of AI, filling the immense accountability gap in how data is collected, stored, shared and used is one of the most urgent human rights questions we face,” Bachelet said.

“We cannot afford to continue playing catch-up regarding AI — allowing its use with limited or no boundaries or oversight, and dealing with the almost inevitable human rights consequences after the fact,” Bachelet said, calling for immediate action to put “human rights guardrails on the use of AI.”

Digital rights advocacy groups welcomed the recommendations from the international body, especially as many nations lag in implementing federal laws surrounding artificial intelligence.

Evan Greer, the director of the nonprofit advocacy group Fight for the Future, told ABC News that the report further proves the “existential threat” posed by this emerging technology.

“This report echoes the growing consensus among technology and human rights experts around the world: artificial intelligence powered surveillance systems like facial recognition pose an existential threat to the future [of] human liberty,” Greer told ABC News. “Like nuclear or biological weapons, technology like this has such an enormous potential for harm that it cannot be effectively regulated, it must be banned.”

“Facial recognition and other discriminatory uses of artificial intelligence can do immense harm whether they’re deployed by governments or private entities like corporations,” Greer added. “We agree with the UN report’s conclusion: there should be an immediate, worldwide moratorium on the sale of facial recognition surveillance technology and other harmful AI systems.”

Multiple studies have indicated that facial recognition technologies powered by artificial intelligence have the potential of racial bias and false negatives. Just last summer, a Black man in Michigan was wrongfully arrested and detained after facial recognition technology incorrectly identified him as a shoplifting suspect.

A sweeping 2019 study from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology found a majority of facial recognition software on the market had higher rates of false positive matches for Asian and Black faces compared to white faces. A separate 2019 study from the U.K. found that 81% of suspects flagged by the facial recognition technology used by London’s Metropolitan Police force were innocent.

Browns Star Odell Beckham to be held out this weekend

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be held out against Houston this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday.

“[I] just felt like that was the right thing to do,” he said. “Last week, I thought we had a good plan. He was close, working very hard on the side, but felt like it made more sense to have clarity early in the week from a game-planning [and] practice standpoint.

Stefanski said Beckham has not had a setback and will continue to practice this week on a limited basis.

Beckham has been recovering from knee surgery after he tore his left ACL last season.

He was a game-time decision for the team’s week one game against Kansas City but was ruled inactive for the game.

“He was pushing to get there, just didn’t feel like he could play a significant number of snaps,” Stefanski said. “I just felt like this for this week, the prudent thing to do was let those other guys get all those reps, although they got a bunch last week and, let’s game plan accordingly.”

Reba McEntire thanks firefighters after rescue from old building

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Reba McEntire is speaking out after the fire department had to rescue her from the second floor of a building in Oklahoma, when the stairs collapsed while she and her boyfriend, Rex Linn, were inside.

“While my team and I were in Atoka, OK yesterday checking out an old historical building, a staircase collapsed,” Reba shared on social media. “Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. We were safely evacuated from the building thanks to the quick response from the Atoka fire and police departments.”

In a tweet posted by KTEN reporter Lisanne Anderson, Reba can be seen coming down a ladder, with help from a member of the fire department.

“Close call for [Reba] in Atoka, Oklahoma Tuesday,” Lisanne wrote. “Sure glad she and boyfriend Rex Linn are ok! While touring an old building, a staircase collapsed. They were among seven people inside. Atoka’s finest came to the rescue. No one hurt, just some bumps and bruises.”

Reba’s Revived Remixed Revisited box set will be out on October 8.

Probe after Elijah McClain’s death finds police department racially biased

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

(DENVER) — A 14-month probe into the actions of the Aurora Police Department in Colorado found the department “has a pattern and practice of violating state and federal law through racially biased policing, using excessive force, and failing to record legally required information when interacting with the community,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said Wednesday.

Investigators found that Aurora Police have used force against people of color almost two and a half times more than against white people based on their relative percentage of the population, according to the attorney general’s report.

The report, which was conducted in response to the death of Elijah McClain, also found Aurora Police arrested people of color “1.3 times more than whites based on population percentage alone.”

“That multiplier was even greater for Black community members, who were arrested over two times more than whites,” the attorney general’s office said in a statement.

The Aurora Police Department didn’t immediately return messages to ABC News for comment.

The report highly recommends the city of Aurora enter a consent decree with the department to require changes to training, policies and record-keeping.

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” ranked number five on ‘Rolling Stone’s’ updated 500 Best Songs of All Time list

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is number five on Rolling Stone‘s newly updated list of the 500 Best Songs of All Time.

The publication “completely remade” its previous ranking, which was originally published in 2004 and slightly updated in 2010. On that first list, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was ranked number nine.

Naturally, a number of newer songs that weren’t out when the original list was unveiled are now included. For example, Lorde‘s breakout hit “Royals” is ranked at number 30, while Billie Eilish‘s “bad guy” comes in at number 178.

Additionally, several tracks that were eligible for the original 2004 list or the 2010 update but weren’t included now show up on the 2021 ranking, including The Killers‘ “Mr. Brightside” at 378, Foo Fighters‘ “Everlong” at 409 and Pearl Jam‘s “Alive” at 416.

Meanwhile, The White Stripes‘ “Seven Nation Army” made a big leap on the list, from its initial ranking of 286 all the way up now to 36.

As for the number-one greatest song of all time, that’d be Aretha Franklin‘s rendition of the Otis Redding-penned song “Respect.” It takes the title from Bob Dylan‘s “Like a Rolling Stone,” which now occupies the number-four spot.

Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” ranked #1 on ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine’s new “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Rolling Stone has published a brand-new list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time — it’s first since 2004 — and the top-ranked tune is Aretha Franklin‘s classic 1967 version of Otis Redding‘s “Respect,” moving up from #5 on the previous tally.

Explaining how the Queen of Soul’s version of the song differed from Otis’ original 1965 rendition, Rolling Stone notes, “In Redding’s reading, a brawny march, he called for equal favor with volcanic force. Franklin wasn’t asking for anything. She sang from higher ground: a woman calling for an end to the exhaustion and sacrifice of a raw deal with scorching sexual authority. In short: If you want some, you will earn it.”

Other songs by veteran acts in the list’s top 10 include Sam Cooke‘s “A Change Is Gonna Come” at #3, Bob Dylan‘s “Like a Rolling Stone” at #4 — it topped the 2004 tally — Marvin’s Gaye‘s “What’s Going On” at #6, The Beatles‘ “Strawberry Fields Forever” at #7, and Fleetwood Mac‘s “Dreams” at #9.

Also ranked high on the list are The Beach Boys‘ “God Only Knows” at #11, Stevie Wonder‘s “Superstition” at #12, The Rolling Stones‘ “Gimme Shelter” at #13, The Kinks‘ “Waterloo Sunset” at #14, The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” at #15, Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at #17, Prince‘s “Purple Rain” at #18, and John Lennon‘s “Imagine” at #19.

Rolling Stone‘s ranking was determined by more than 250 artists, musicians, producers, music industry figures, critics and journalists, who all submitted in their top 50 choices, which the magazine then tabulated. More than half of the songs on the new list weren’t present on the 2004 list.

Duchess Kate visits teams who assisted in Afghanistan evacuation

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — Duchess Kate made her first public appearance in more than two months on Wednesday.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, visited RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, to meet with those involved in the United Kingdom’s evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan.

In the wake of the Taliban’s takeover of the country, the Royal Air Force undertook the largest humanitarian aid operation in more than 70 years as the UK ended its 20-year military campaign in Afghanistan.

Operation PITTING saw the RAF fly out more than 15,000 people from Kabul between Aug. 14 to Aug. 28. More than 850 people arrived in the country via RAF Brize Norton.

During her visit, the duchess met with everyone from military personnel, including RAF aircrew and medics, to civilians and volunteers who helped evacuees in Operation PITTING through a repatriation center at the base. In addition to the RAF, the Royal Navy, the British Army and aid organizations assisted in the mission.

This is the first time Kate has been photographed in public since appearing at two major sporting events on July 11.

The duchess attended the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship with her husband, Prince William, and their oldest child, Prince George, and attended the 2021 Wimbledon Championship finals.

Luke Combs had a personal connection to Loretta Lynn’s Hometown Rising concert

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Luke Combs was one of the numerous artists who participated in Loretta Lynn’s Friends: Hometown Rising concert. The star-studded show was planned by Loretta Lynn to raise money for those affected by the devastating floods in Middle Tennessee last month.

Luke, who sang “Forever After All” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart” at the show reveals it was Loretta who called him personally to ask him to participate — a request he knew he could not deny.

“I live in midwestern Tennessee myself… and I started seeing all the devastation that happened out where I live,” Luke shared from stage. “When I got the call from Loretta, I said ‘Whatever I need to do, I’m there. I want to help.’”

Luke was joined by Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, BRELAND, Little Big Town, Chris Janson and Brittney Spencer for the show, which was held at the Grand Ole Opry.

A final tally of money raised has yet to be announced. Two autographed show posters netted $20,000, while a guitar strap signed by Keith and his wife, Nicole Kidman, raised $75,000. All proceeds go directly to the United Way of Humphreys County.

Gabby Petito’s boyfriend named person of interest after her disappearance during road trip

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Courtesy Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito

(NORTH PORT, Fla.) — Police have named the boyfriend of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old woman who went missing during a couple’s cross-country road trip, a person of interest in her disappearance.

Brian Laundrie raised flags among Petito’s family after he returned home to their home in North Port, Florida, with Petito’s white Ford van — but Petito was nowhere to be found.

The couple embarked on their trip on July 22 from New York, where Petito is originally from, and made stops in Colorado and Utah, her family told ABC News. Her mother, Nichole Schmidt, last heard from her on Aug. 25, when Petito informed Schmidt that they were on their way to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Laundrie returned to Florida on Sept. 1, police said.

The North Port Police Department in Florida announced Wednesday that Laundrie is now a person of interest in Petito’s disappearance. The department has taken a lead in the investigation, since both parties reside there, but investigators “have no information” that a crime took place there, police said.

Petito’s van was recovered from the North Port home where she resided with Laundrie and his parents, but investigators are not ready to release details from the search, North Port Police Public Information Officer Josh Taylor told reporters in a news conference Wednesday. A search warrant for the home has not been issued, Taylor added.

Laundrie has not made himself available to be interviewed by investigators, police said.

Investigators and Petito’s family are pleading with Laundrie to share crucial information that could help locate her. North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison even accused Laundrie of “hindering this investigation,” stating that “the answers will eventually come out.”

“As a father, I can imagine the pain and suffering Gabby’s family is going through,” Garrison said in a statement. “We are pleading with anyone, including Brian, to share information with us on her whereabouts in the past few weeks.”

Petito was last seen on Aug. 24 as she and Laundrie checked out of a hotel in Salt Lake City, her family said. Schmidt had received two text messages from Petito since Aug 25, but they did not contain any photos or updates on the couple’s plans, so it is not clear whether Petito actually sent those texts. Schmidt also posted her last Instagram post, which was not geotagged, on Aug. 25.

Petito seemed “excited” the last time Schmidt spoke to her, but she began to worry after she had not heard from her for several days, she said.

“A few days is one thing when you’re out camping, but when it starts to become seven, eight, nine, 10 days, that’s a problem,” Schmidt told ABC News.

Instagram posts from both Petito and Laundrie show them at the Mystic Hot Springs in Utah on July 26 and on a large rock structure at Arches National Park in Grand County, Utah, on Aug. 12.

On Aug. 12, police in Moab, Utah, responded to an “incident involving Brian Laundrie and Gabrielle Petito,” but there “insufficient evidence existed to justify criminal charges,” Moab, Utah Police Chief Bret Edge said in a statement Tuesday night. The incident was not reported by Laundrie or Petito, Edge said.

Petito also posted an eight-minute compilation of the couple’s adventures so far on her YouTube channel “Nomadic Statik” on Aug. 19.

Her family reported her missing to the Suffolk County Police Department in New York on Saturday.

Taylor, of the North Port Police Department, expressed concern that Laundrie had been in Florida for 10 days without saying anything before Petito’s family reported her missing.

“We’re hopeful to talk to him. He needs to talk to us,” Taylor said. “We need to know exactly where he was, where she was, their last locations. And the fact that he was back here for 10 days, you know the family reported her missing 10 days later …”

While Laundrie has not spoken publicly, his family released a statement Tuesday through their attorney Steven P. Bertolino, describing Petito’s disappearance as “an extremely difficult time” for both families.

“This is understandably an extremely difficult time for both the Petito family and the Laundrie family,” the statement read. “It is our understanding that a search has been organized for Miss Petito in or near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. On behalf of the Laundrie family, it is our hope that the search for Miss Petito is successful and that Miss Petito is re-united with her family. On the advice of counsel, the Laundrie family is remaining in the background at this juncture and will have no further comment.”

Petito’s family released a statement Tuesday claiming that “the one person that can help find Gabby refuses to help,” adding that they “beg the Laundrie family to not ‘remain in the background’ but to help find who Brian referred to as the love of his life.”

“Brian is refusing to tell Gabby’s family where he last saw her,” the Petito family said. “Brian is also refusing to explain why he left Gabby all alone and drove her van to Florida. These are critical questions that require immediate answers.”

The FBI and agencies in Utah and New York are also participating in the investigation.

ABC News’ Alexandra Faul contributed to this report.

Whitney Houston’s “The Bodyguard” being “reimagined” into new film scripted by Tony nominee

September 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Can you imagine The Bodyguard starring anyone but Whitney Houston? Hollywood can. A “reimagining” of the 1992 romantic drama co-starring Kevin Costner is currently underway, reports Variety.

Tony nominee Matthew López, who wrote the critically acclaimed play The Inheritance, has been tapped to write the film, which will be “inspired” by the original, which grossed more than $400 worldwide. Its soundtrack, featuring “I Will Always Love You” and other hits, is among the most successful movie soundtracks of all time.

The new film is being produced by, among others, Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote and produced the original film. According to Variety, the project has been in the works since 2011, and the actors whose names have been floated to star in it include Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, and Channing Tatum and Cardi B. So far, nobody has actually been cast in the film.

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