Human Intelligence® News Update (1/6)
Humans create. AI imitates. Welcome to your weekly roundup about human creativity in the age of AI.
Human Creativity
GUARANTEED HUMAN - iHeartRadio Doubles Down Against Non-Humans
The media conglomerate behind 850+ radio stations and podcasts has formally adopted a Guaranteed Human initiative mandating that all DJs, voices, hosts, and played music/artists/podcasts are bona fide human beings. It’s a big wet kiss to humanity as a differentiator. Read the policy » [2-min read]
HUMAN MUSIC - Golden Guitar Awards for Humans Only in the Land of Oz
Per more than 280 judges - and after five (5!) AI-generated songs were submitted - non-human entries have been banned from competing in the CMAA (Country Music Assoc. of Australia). Whether AI has creativity or not (and we land on “NOT”), CMAA says it’s committed to real artists. Find out why » [5-min read]
HUMAN ORIGINS - EU Focuses on Operationalizing Human Provenance Signals
The First Draft Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-Generated Content is the European Union’s inaugural attempt to implement the 2024 EU AI Act, systematizing practices for AI providers that safeguard against deception, manipulation, and erosion of the public trust. Read the legislation » [2-min read]
HUMAN BROWSING - Surf the Web Like It’s 2022
Artist and environmental engineer Tega Brain is highlighting enshittification by turning back the clock to pre-December 2022, before ChatGPT (and soon scads of others) flooded the interwebs with low-quality slop. Step into the past here. Download the extension here. [4-min read; 1-minute install]
Human VS Robot
THE SLOP TAX - A Proposal to Impose a Small Levy on GenAI Companies
Author and tech guy Mike Pepi offers a sneak peek into a digital New Deal that would, among other things, mandate a ~1% tax on AI companies, creating an endowment to ensure human creativity and IP that feeds AI models remains vibrant, autonomous, and funded. What do you think? [4-min read]
COPYWRITER TALES - A Collection of “AI Killed My Job” Stories
Copywriters were one of the first to have their jobs targeted by AI firms. Three years into the AI era, Brian Merchant of Blood in the Machine continues his AI Killed My Job series with 12 of their stories. Whether you’re a writer or not, this is a sobering must-read » [19-min read]
I PAID WHAT? - Instacart’s “Individual Pricing” Pilot is Shut Down
Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative uncovered an insidious AI-driven experiment that simultaneously priced identical products differently - by as much as 23% - based on what the algorithm determined an individual would pay. Once it was exposed, Instacart halted the trial. Learn more » [2-min read]
STRIKE’S ON - Safeguarding UK Writers against AI Misuse
Do you like being scanned at the airport before your flight? Us, neither. But that’s (metaphorically) what UK’s Equity actor’s union proposed actors and stunt people accept so AI can co-opt their likenesses. The response? A Doc Martens® stomp on the concept. Fingers crossed they win. Check it out » [1-min read]
Artificial “Intelligence” & Other Myths
MYTHICAL TECHNOLOGY - AI Myths Have Existed for Centuries
From the ancient Greeks to the Pope’s chatbot (yes, that exists), the AI bubble is nothing new according to literary scholar Michael Falk. To underscore his POV, he offers a brief historical tour of AI mythology, starting with Prometheus and ending with Silicon Valley. Read his hypothesis » [4-min read]
ACADEMIC OOPSIE - Fake Citations Found in AI Ethics Guide
The UK’s Sunday Times discovered dozens of fabricated citations, suspected to be AI-generated, included in a new Springer Nature book: Social, Ethical, and Legal Aspects of Generative AI. (The same thing happened with another Springer book in April 2025.) Rest assured, Springer’s VP promises renewed integrity going forward. Feeling confident? [2-min read]
PAYWALL NON-PROTECTION - A New Threat of Misinformation
“Hey @Grok, what’s this story saying behind a paywall?” can now send Grok (or choose your AI) down the path of real-time scanning that can scrape and steal a paywall-protected story. Trouble is, journalists are getting hosed (bad), and bot synthesis is fooking up the facts (really bad). Explore the dangers » [4-min read]
CONTRARIANS NO MORE? - AI Skepticism May Be on the Rise in 2026
According to Gary Marcus, emeritus professor of psychology and neural science at NYU, concerns about an economic bubble bursting, along with doubts regarding return on investment, suggest the tide may be turning for the AI industry. Dot-com boom redux? Read his opinion on the pullback » [3-min read]
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