ScotRail Ditches Controversial AI Train Voice

The Controversy Surrounding ScotRail's AI Voice

ScotRail, the national rail operator in Scotland, is facing growing pressure to replace an artificial intelligence (AI) voice used on its trains. This decision comes after criticism from a professional voiceover artist, Gayanne Potter, who claims her Scottish accent was used without her consent to create an AI clone known as "Iona." The controversy has sparked discussions about the ethical implications of AI technology and its use in the creative industry.

Gayanne Potter, a well-known voiceover artist, provided recordings in 2021 for what she believed would be limited accessibility and e-learning software. However, it was later revealed that her voice was used by ReadSpeaker, a Swedish tech firm, to develop Iona, an AI-powered train announcer. Potter expressed shock upon hearing the robotic version of her voice, describing it as "dreadful."

The AI voice, introduced in May, was intended to replace pre-recorded human announcements on some services. While ScotRail initially had no plans to replace Iona, recent developments indicate a shift in their stance. Transport Scotland confirmed that the rail operator is now working to introduce an alternative voice "as soon as practicable."

Concerns from Artists and Passengers

Potter has been vocal about her concerns, urging ScotRail to remove Iona. She emphasized the challenges faced by creative professionals in sustaining their careers, stating that competing with a robotic version of oneself adds "insult to injury." Her sentiments resonate with many in the industry who are worried about the impact of AI on traditional roles.

Passengers have also voiced their dissatisfaction with Iona’s voice, describing it as "weird" and "unnatural" on social media. Despite these criticisms, ScotRail previously maintained that passengers would eventually get used to the AI announcer. However, reports suggest that the company is now actively seeking alternatives.

ReadSpeaker, the company behind the AI technology, uses a text-to-speech system that allows users to input any text and have it spoken aloud in a Scottish accent. Iona is depicted in marketing materials as a red-haired woman in a Scottish landscape, further blurring the lines between AI and human representation.

Legal and Ethical Implications

The dispute between Potter and ReadSpeaker has escalated, with the tech firm claiming it has addressed her concerns multiple times through legal representatives. However, Potter continues to push for the removal of her voice from the AI system, highlighting the emotional toll of having her data used without permission.

Equity, a trade union representing creative industry workers, has raised alarms about the increasing adoption of AI technology. They argue that the use of AI in such contexts poses real concerns for artists and voiceover professionals.

ScotRail has not yet confirmed whether the new voice will be a human recording or another AI-generated voice. The company has declined to provide specific details on when the change might occur but stated that it is continuing to work with ReadSpeaker on the matter. A spokesperson added that they expect to provide a further update in the coming weeks.

The Broader Impact of AI in Public Services

As AI continues to evolve, its integration into public services like transportation raises important questions about ethics, inclusivity, and trustworthiness. Transport Scotland has emphasized its commitment to leading AI development in a way that aligns with these values. However, the case of Iona highlights the need for transparency and consent when using personal data, especially in creative fields.

For now, the debate over Iona’s voice remains unresolved, with stakeholders on both sides advocating for different approaches. As the conversation around AI in public services grows, the lessons learned from this situation could shape future policies and practices.

Can AI Negotiate Bills? I Tested ChatGPT

Exploring the Potential of AI in Negotiating Bills

While many experts suggest cutting back on daily expenses like lattes and avocado toast, there are more practical ways to reduce costs from your budget. One effective strategy is negotiating with your bank or utility provider to secure better deals. If you're comfortable making a phone call, this approach could be beneficial for you.

Artificial intelligence offers a range of tools that can help you save money on groceries, find the best online deals, and even assist in preparing talking points or drafting scripts for negotiations. ChatGPT, a conversational AI tool, has proven to be particularly useful in this context. It can clarify language, offer negotiation strategies, and organize your arguments effectively. Whether you choose the free version or the premium $20-a-month option, ChatGPT can provide valuable support when trying to negotiate better terms.

Understanding Bill Negotiation

Bill negotiation involves reaching out to service providers to request discounts or waivers. This practice can be quite effective if you have a compelling reason for seeking a reduction. For instance, if you've experienced issues with your internet or cell service, you might be eligible for a discount as compensation.

There are several scenarios where AI can be used to negotiate bills. Two common situations include addressing random bank fees and managing recurring expenses such as utility bills. Let’s explore how AI can assist in these cases.

Using AI to Negotiate Bank Fees

When reviewing my bank statement, I noticed some overlooked fees, such as an incoming wire fee and a non-Citibank ATM charge. These fees are easy to miss, but having a script to reference made me more confident in calling my bank. I asked ChatGPT to help create a script for this purpose.

The initial prompt was: "I have two bank fees: A $15 charge for an incoming wire fee and a $2.50 charge for a non-Citibank ATM use. I have a Citibank checking account. What talking points can I use to get these fees wiped?"

ChatGPT suggested being polite and highlighting my history as a customer. It provided specific talking points for each fee, which were helpful but somewhat generic. I followed up with more details about my long-term relationship with Citibank.

After updating the script, I received a more personalized message that included my history with the bank and a request for guidance on avoiding future fees. This approach made the conversation more engaging and increased the likelihood of a successful negotiation.

Negotiating Recurring Bills with AI

I also wanted to test ChatGPT's ability to negotiate recurring bills, such as my Verizon Fios internet bill. The monthly cost is $99, totaling $1,188 annually. I asked ChatGPT for suggestions on how to reduce this amount without downgrading my plan.

ChatGPT recommended checking current promotions and researching competitor offers. It also offered creative ideas such as extending the contract, asking about referral programs, requesting a loyalty discount, bundling additional services, paying annually, and exploring promotional rates.

I then asked ChatGPT to incorporate these options into a script. The revised script included a request for an extended contract, loyalty discount, annual payment discount, promotional rates, and enhanced services at the same rate. After tweaking it, the final script was both clear and persuasive.

Strategies for Effective Negotiation

If you need to take a more assertive approach, ChatGPT suggests strategies such as requesting to speak to the retention department, expressing willingness to switch providers, highlighting past service issues, and asking for a complimentary upgrade. These tactics can be useful when negotiating with service providers.

Does Negotiating with AI Work?

While there are no guarantees that negotiating will result in savings, it’s worth the effort. A conversation might take 30 minutes, and there may be waiting times, but it could potentially save you hundreds of dollars over time. Additionally, developing negotiation skills can be beneficial in other areas of life, such as negotiating a raise at work.

Always remain kind, come prepared with figures, and clearly state what you want. Companies are less likely to lose valued customers, so taking the initiative to negotiate can be a smart move.

2000 Honda Insight: Colorado Junkyard Gem

A Glimpse into Automotive History

When exploring the car graveyards scattered across the globe, I always search for milestone vehicles that have left a mark on automotive history. Over the years, I've documented some of the very first Toyota Camrys sold in the United States and even one of the last Oldsmobiles. Today’s Junkyard Treasure is a special find—an early first-year Honda Insight, now resting in a Denver-area boneyard.

The Honda Insight made its debut in the United States in December 1999 as a 2000 model. It was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car to be sold in the country, beating the Toyota Prius to American showrooms by seven months. This vehicle represented a significant leap in automotive engineering, showcasing a super-lightweight aluminum chassis and a drag coefficient of 0.25. At the time, this made it second only to the GM EV1 in terms of aerodynamic efficiency among production cars—assuming the EV1 could be considered a production vehicle.

The 2000 Insight featured a 1.0-liter VTEC straight-three gasoline engine paired with a 10-kW electric motor. Its curb weight was just 1,847 pounds, which allowed it to achieve remarkable fuel efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated it at 49 city/61 highway miles per gallon, far surpassing the second-place gas sipper of that year, the Chevrolet Metro, which managed only 32/41 mpg.

However, this efficiency came with trade-offs. The Insight lacked comfort, performance, and an appealing design. When the larger and more fuel-thirsty Toyota Prius arrived, it quickly outpaced the Insight in sales. For the 2000 model year, the Insight was available only with a five-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was introduced for the 2001 model, but the manual still offered better fuel economy. This dynamic might not hold true with today's advanced CVT technology.

This particular Insight was manufactured at the Suzuka Factory in Mie Prefecture. The VIN's 004xxx production sequence numbers indicate that it was one of the first 5,000 Insights built for the U.S. market. As such, this car stands as a genuine hybrid pioneer, representing a crucial step in the evolution of environmentally friendly transportation.

For those looking to purchase a new vehicle, there are numerous options available. Exploring the MSN Autos Marketplace can help you find the perfect match for your needs and preferences. Whether you're interested in a classic like the Honda Insight or something more modern, there's likely a car that suits your lifestyle and budget.

One UI 8 Crashes Samsung's Latest Foldables

Samsung's Latest Foldable Phones Face a Critical Bug

Samsung's second Unpacked event of the year, held in July, marked a significant milestone for the company. It was during this event that Samsung introduced its first-ever Fan-Edition foldable phone, aiming to challenge Chinese competitors in the foldable smartphone market. While it's still too early to determine if this strategic move has been successful, one pressing issue currently demands attention: a critical bug affecting the latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 models.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are designed with unique features tailored for foldable devices. However, these models also represent a major step forward in terms of software capabilities. They come pre-installed with One UI 8, which is based on Android 16. This update brings a range of new features and improvements, making it one of the most advanced user interfaces available on the market. Despite this, the software has some serious issues that users are currently experiencing.

One of the most frustrating problems reported by users involves the Do Not Disturb (DND) feature. According to reports from SamMobile, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 automatically resets DND preferences, even when users have set specific exceptions. For instance, if a user configures their device to allow calls and messages from certain contacts while in DND mode, the phone may silence all notifications, leading to missed important alerts.

This issue is particularly problematic because it affects how users manage their notifications. The DND bug is not just an inconvenience; it can disrupt daily communication and productivity. Users are advised to avoid creating exceptions in DND settings on their Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 to prevent potential notification issues.

The DND bug is not the only problem with One UI 8. Earlier this month, another issue was reported with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, though it involved a different kind of glitch. Unlike the current DND issue, this bug enabled a feature that Samsung users had long requested. However, the DND bug has been a recurring concern, with initial reports surfacing on Reddit about a couple of weeks ago.

The good news is that the DND issue has been resolved in the One UI 8 beta 5 update, which means Galaxy S25 users are no longer affected. However, the Stable release of One UI 8 has yet to receive a patch for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 models. As a result, users of these devices are still encountering the same problem.

Despite the ongoing issues, Samsung has not officially commented on the bug. However, there is hope that the company will address this problem in future updates for its newest foldable handsets. Until then, users are encouraged to monitor for any software updates that might resolve the DND issue and improve their overall experience with One UI 8.

NVNO Shares Drop After FDA VenoValve Rejection

The Sharp Decline in enVVeno Medical’s Stock

Shares of enVVeno Medical (NVNO) have experienced a steep drop, falling by 76.1% since August 19. This significant decline was triggered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issuing a not-approvable letter for the company's Premarket Approval (PMA) application for VenoValve. The device is intended as a surgical replacement venous valve for treating severe chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

The PMA application was submitted last year based on data from a successful pivotal trial called SAVVE. However, the FDA found the trial data insufficient to determine whether the benefits of VenoValve outweigh its risks. This decision has had a major impact on the company, especially since VenoValve represents one of its most advanced pipeline candidates.

Impact on the Company’s Performance

So far this year, shares of enVVeno Medical have lost 66.9% of their value, primarily due to the recent crash following the unfavorable FDA outcome. In comparison, the industry as a whole has declined by 6.7%, while the S&P 500 Index has risen by 9.8% during the same period.

The company is currently facing a substantial cash burn rate, with expenses ranging between $4 million and $5 million per quarter. At this pace, enVVeno expects its cash reserves to support operations through the third quarter of 2026. This includes pre-commercialization activities for VenoValve and the initiation of a pivotal study for another candidate, enVVe. However, the FDA’s rejection of VenoValve could delay commercialization, which may hinder the company’s ability to generate revenue.

FDA’s Concerns and the Not-Approvable Letter

The FDA’s not-approvable letter cited several concerns regarding the SAVVE trial data. While the study showed that many patients who previously failed standard treatments experienced clinical improvement after receiving VenoValve, the agency determined that the data did not sufficiently support the benefit-to-risk profile of the device.

Additionally, the FDA pointed out that the improvements observed might have been influenced by factors unrelated to the device itself, such as the study environment. There were also safety concerns related to the open surgical procedure required for VenoValve, which led to re-hospitalizations. These issues are unlikely to occur with a non-surgical alternative.

Future Steps for enVVeno Medical

enVVeno Medical is currently reviewing the FDA’s feedback and may seek a meeting to discuss potential resubmission or appeal of the decision. The company is also advancing the development of enVVe, a first-in-class non-surgical transcatheter-based venous valve. enVVe has successfully completed a 6-month pre-clinical GLP study and is on track to submit an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) filing for its pivotal trial in the near future.

A potential approval of the IDE filing could serve as a catalyst for a recovery in NVNO’s share price. Until then, the company will need to address the concerns raised by the FDA and demonstrate the viability of its products to regain investor confidence.

Zacks Investment Research Highlights

Currently, enVVeno Medical carries a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook. Several other medical companies have higher rankings, including LeMaitre Vascular (LMAT), Encompass Health Corporation (EHC), and Envista Holdings Corporation (NVST).

LeMaitre Vascular, with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), has shown strong performance, with earnings surpassing estimates in two of the last four quarters. Encompass Health, ranked #2, has seen impressive growth, with earnings consistently exceeding expectations. Envista Holdings, holding a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), has also performed well, with strong earnings surprises and positive stock performance.

These companies represent some of the better options in the broader medical space, offering investors potential opportunities for growth.

Perplexity AI to Split Revenue with Publishers from AI Searches – Report

Perplexity AI Introduces Revenue-Sharing Program for Publishers

Perplexity AI, a fast-growing artificial intelligence startup backed by Nvidia, is taking steps to address concerns from media companies about the use of their content. The company is reportedly offering publishers a share of the revenue generated from articles that appear on its platform. This initiative comes as the startup faces criticism and legal challenges from some media outlets over how they utilize content in their AI systems.

The company has set aside $42.5 million to be distributed among publishers through a new program. This funding will come from the revenue generated by Comet Plus, a premium subscription service for the Comet browser. Under this initiative, publishers will receive compensation when their content appears in search queries on Perplexity’s Comet browser, drives web traffic, or is used by the AI assistant to fulfill user requests.

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, told Bloomberg that while AI is helping to create a better internet, it is essential that publishers are fairly compensated for their work. The company has designed a model where users pay $5 per month for access to a curated selection of content from participating publishers. In this arrangement, publishers will receive 80% of the revenue, with the remaining 20% retained by Perplexity.

This approach marks one of the first instances of an AI startup implementing a revenue-sharing model based on the use of publishers’ content in user interactions. Other major players like OpenAI and Google have also entered into multimillion-dollar deals with publishers to license and distribute content.

Jessica Chan, head of publisher partnerships at Perplexity, did not disclose which specific publishers are currently part of the program. However, she mentioned that the company is in discussions with previous media partners. Despite these efforts, Perplexity AI has not yet responded to a request for comment from Seeking Alpha.

Recent Developments and Expansion

Earlier this month, Perplexity made headlines after it was reported that the company had made a $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google’s Chrome Web browser. This move would give Perplexity control over a key component of Google's ecosystem, which has been under scrutiny in ongoing antitrust court cases. The browser is considered a critical asset for Google, and its potential sale has sparked significant interest in the tech industry.

In addition to its recent developments, Perplexity has been growing rapidly. According to reports, the company has seen extreme growth, with its CEO stating that users are increasingly tired of traditional browsers. This sentiment aligns with Perplexity’s vision of creating a more intelligent and efficient browsing experience.

Analysts have also noted that Perplexity could play a significant role in Apple’s AI strategy. Some reports suggest that Apple has internally discussed acquiring Perplexity AI, highlighting the company’s potential value in the broader AI landscape.

As Perplexity continues to expand its reach and influence, the company’s focus on fair compensation for content creators may set a new standard in the AI industry. By offering publishers a stake in the revenue generated from their work, Perplexity is not only addressing concerns but also paving the way for a more collaborative and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Is Computing Headed for a Lean Era?

Understanding the LEAN Metric and Its Implications

In July, a groundbreaking idea emerged from the University of Michigan, where a computer engineering professor introduced a new way to evaluate the efficiency of processor designs. Todd Austin’s LEAN metric sparked both admiration and doubt, but even those who were skeptical recognized its underlying logic: a significant portion of silicon is dedicated to tasks that don’t directly contribute to computation.

Austin highlighted that more than 95% of an Nvidia Blackwell GPU is allocated for functions other than computing. While these components perform critical roles, such as determining the next instruction to execute, Austin argues that future processor architectures should prioritize maximizing computation while minimizing unnecessary overhead.

What Is the LEAN Score?

The LEAN score, which stands for Logic Executing Actual Numbers, aims to quantify how effectively a processor uses its transistors. A perfect score of 100% would mean that every transistor is actively involved in computing a number that contributes to the final result of a program. Any score below 100% indicates that some silicon and power are being used inefficiently or for non-computational tasks.

The Role of Non-Computing Logic

According to Austin, high-end processor designs can be divided into two main components: the part that performs actual computation and the part that decides what computation to carry out. Successful designs have been working to minimize the latter, focusing on reducing the amount of logic needed to determine the next step in processing.

Where Is Computing Efficiency Lost?

Two primary sources of inefficiency in current processor designs are precision loss and speculation loss. Precision loss occurs when more bits are used than necessary for a given computation. This trend is evident in GPUs, which have transitioned from 32-bit floating-point precision to 16-bit, 8-bit, and even smaller formats, all aimed at reducing this type of loss.

Speculation loss arises when the processor makes incorrect guesses about upcoming instructions. Speculative execution, a technique where the computer predicts the next instruction and begins processing it before it arrives, often results in wasted computational effort. In high-end CPUs, it's common to see two speculative instruction results discarded for every one that is useful.

Applying the LEAN Metric to Real Hardware

Austin applied the LEAN metric to several types of hardware, including an Intel CPU, an Nvidia GPU, and Groq’s AI inference chip. The results were revealing. The gap between the CPU and GPU was narrower than expected, with the GPU achieving a LEAN score of 4.64% compared to the CPU’s 1.35%. However, the Groq chip stood out with a much higher score of 15.24%, indicating that a significant portion of its design is focused on direct computation.

Why Was the LEAN Metric Developed?

Despite the current state of computing being relatively good, Austin believes there is a growing need for more efficient designs. As AI continues to scale, the demand for greater compute power, larger memory access, and increased memory bandwidth is rising. This challenge comes at a time when Moore’s Law is reaching its limits, making it increasingly difficult to rely on traditional scaling methods.

As a computer architect, Austin emphasizes the importance of rethinking how transistors are arranged to create more valuable designs. He suggests that future processors will need to become progressively leaner, focusing on optimizing every component to maximize computational output.