Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani announced its plans to construct one of India’s most significant and largest wind tunnel facilities in Telangana. The wind tunnel is expected to be completed within a timespan of 12 months and it aims to revolutionise aerodynamic testing and research in the country.FeaturesThe wind tunnel which is set to be completely by next year will have two test sections – an expansive 5m x 5m area designed for a full scale assessment of quadcopters and automobile cooling systems, and a more compact 2 m x 2 m test section capable of simulating winds at speeds of up to 220 Kmph. Apart from these, the wind tunnel facility will also have the ability to regulate wind conditions in terms of space and time via an active control system developed by BITS Pilani’s students and faculty. Why this wind tunnel is important for the countryWith the new wind tunnel, BITS aims to fuel India’s space endeavours and keep the country at the forefront of space technology on a global scale. The idea is to fill the gap in the country’s research infrastructure. According to the company, the wind tunnel will also be a platform for students and companies to experiment and innovate new ideas in addition to facilitating research in drones and autonomous flying vehicles. Speaking on the wind tunnel, Prof. G. Sundar, Director of Hyderabad Campus, and Off-Campus Programs & Industry Engagement at BITS Pilani, commented, “Drones and UAVs hold immense potential across various sectors, including commercial, defense and recreation. Leading educational institutions have already seen successful drone startups emerge, such as Ideaforge from IIT Bombay and BotLab Dynamics from IIT Delhi. We envision BITS Pilani joining these institutions in spearheading the development of frontier technologies in drones, UAVs, and space. The Wind Tunnel will play a pivotal role in establishing BITS Pilani as a hub for deep-tech entrepreneurship.”The realisation of this project has been made feasible through the generous backing of Goutham Kurra, an accomplished entrepreneur and an alumnus of BITS Pilani. He said, “My wife Aditi and I believe in the non-linear power of higher education. As an alumnus, I believe BITS had a major formative influence on my life. I am excited to support the Wind Tunnel project, which I believe will inspire future generations of students to pursue cutting-edge research and innovation.”BITS Pilani wind tunnel: CapabilitiesThe wind tunnel will be able to recreate wind speeds of up to 220 Kmph. This will offer valuable insights into the dynamics of flight. It will have the capability of testing the aerodynamic effects on a diverse range of subjects including full-scale drones/quadcopters, automobiles, parachutes, and electric vehicle battery management systems.

A 10-member expert committee on ‘Onshoring Innovations To GIFT IFSC’ has submitted its report, identifying key areas that will help Indian startups settled abroad to reverse flip to India According to an analysis conducted by Inc42, approximately 65% (or 13) of Indian unicorns with headquarters abroad operate in the enterprise tech (SaaS) sector To encourage startups to reverse flip, the expert panel is lobbying for a competitive tax regime, ESOP taxation reforms, more access to domestic capital and increased government-startup collaborations It’s not often that a company uses its YouTube channel to talk about a major corporate restructuring decision. That’s what PhonePe did when its CEO Sameer Nigam spoke to CTO Rahul Chari in January this year. The subject of their discussion: PhonePe’s decision to redomicile to India. Nigam, the cofounder and CEO, said that as many as 20 unicorns were willing to shift their bases to India if regulations were eased. However, the company’s investors had to cough up INR 8,000 Cr ($966 Mn+) in taxes for PhonePe to redomicile to India. While it was manageable for a mammoth like Walmart-backed PhonePe — and the blow softened by subsequent fundraises — not every startup based outside of the country has the means or resources to relocate to India. In PhonePe’s case, the costly move back was for its IPO plans, another reason why this is an exception. U-turns such as PhonePe’s are rare due to India’s stiff laws and regulations related to startups coming back to India. The tax bill is one thing, but there are many compliance headwinds. But PhonePe’s move has prompted the likes of Razorpay, Meesho and Groww to also consider the same. These are also large startups that have the deep pockets for such a move, but the same cannot be said for smaller, early-stage ventures. Here, too, the sparks to ignite the spirit of ‘Desh Wapsi’ are now visible, but questions about how they can come back to India persist. Could the answer come from the GIFT IFSC? A GIFT For Indian Startups Envisioned as a virtual offshore destination for startups and investors, GIFT IFSC could be key to bringing back startups to India. That’s why a 10-member expert committee on ‘Onshoring Innovations To GIFT IFSC’ was set up in March this year, which has submitted its report, identifying key areas that will help Indian startups settled abroad to reverse flip to India. Set up by India’s International Financial Services Central Authority (IFSCA), the expert committee is chaired by the RBI’s former executive director G Padmanabhan. Further, the GIFT IFSC’s expert committee counts Dipesh Shah, executive director, IFSCA; Sumeet Jarangal, director, DPIIT; Nishith Desai, founder, Nishith Desai Associates; Siddarth Pai, founding partner and CFO, 3one4 Capital; Nikhil Kamath, cofounder, Zerodha; Lalit Keshre, cofounder and CEO, Groww; Anjani Sharma, CA; Anjali Bansal, founding partner, Avaana Capital, and Sandip Shah, GM, GIFT City, as its members. Speaking with Inc42, committee chairman Padmanabhan said, “This is one of the most important committees I have chaired in my career spanning over three and a half decades. The issue has far-reaching implications for the country looking to be the innovation hub of the world. It is a travesty that companies owned and controlled by Indians, employing Indians, and doing most of the work from India have holding companies set up and domiciled overseas on paper. This issue gets the attention of the Government of India, leading to IFSCA setting up this committee. In my view, it is a very timely step.” He added that the committee has looked at the problem areas holistically, made recommendations and floated incentives to help companies reverse flip to India. “I hope these recommendations are accepted for implementation, and we achieve what we have set out to achieve for the GIFT city — Onshoring the Offshore,” Padmanabhan said. Understanding Why Startups Flip The Indian startup ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, evolving through different waves of innovation and entrepreneurship. However, a concerning trend emerged, which is the increasing prevalence of startups flipping or essentially registering a holding company abroad with an Indian subsidiary. This trend involves Indian startups moving their holding companies to foreign jurisdictions, potentially leading to significant economic and intellectual capital loss for India. This could also be understood by the fact that out of 111 unicorns, more than 20% are registered outside India. IFSCA executive committee member and 3one4 Capital’s Pai said that when the committee began delving into the root causes that trigger the phenomenon of startup flipping, it found that the trend is predominantly driven by investor demands. In particular, global early-stage programmes have made demands that startups shift their bases to specific geographies to avoid compliance issues in India. This investor demand is rooted in the familiarity with the legal frameworks of those specific jurisdictions, which are more often than not the US or Singapore. “Pushing Indian startups to flip provides investors with a more convenient recourse in case of legal matters. For instance, jurisdictions like Delaware offer a robust corporate law framework that has gained significant traction due to its comprehensive and extensively practised business regulations. This familiarity makes it more convenient for investors to navigate legal complexities. Adding to the complexity of the issue, a significant portion of funding, approximately 85%, received by Indian startups originates from foreign sources,” Pai told Inc42. Further, from an income tax standpoint, the tax rate on capital gains for non-residents is only half of what residents pay. This significant disparity creates a clear economic incentive for startups to consider moving their domicile overseas. Alongside these tax considerations, operational challenges further complicate the situation. Many startups with global, recurring billing, such as SaaS companies, often do not generate traditional physical invoices. Instead, the billing process is typically directed towards their respective platforms or may involve direct debit mechanisms. Unfortunately, as these are payments from non-residents, the current system requires these digital transactions to be processed through physical forms submitted to the bank in order to credit the foreign

Hero MotoCorp, which already holds a 33.1% stake in Ather Energy, would invest up to INR 550 Cr in the EV startup’s rights issue Ather’s revenue stood at INR 1,806 Cr in FY23, a massive jump from INR 408.5 Cr in FY22 The funding round comes almost 11 months after Ather raised $50 Mn from Caladium Investment Bengaluru-based EV startup Ather Energy is raising INR 550 Cr from existing investor Hero MotoCorp.  Hero MotoCorp, in an exchange filing, said it would invest up to INR 550 Cr in Ather via its rights issue by subscribing to the EV startup’s Series E2 compulsory convertible preference shares. Hero Motorcorp first invested in the EV startup in 2016 and currently holds a 33.1% stake in it. Its shareholding will further increase following the rights issue, which is expected to close by September 30. The funding round comes almost 11 months after Ather raised $50 Mn from Caladium Investment. Prior to that, it raised $128 Mn from NIIFL and Hero MotoCorp in May last year as part of its Series E round.  Overall, the startup has raised a total funding of over $400 Mn till date. Founded in 2013 by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, Ather is a major player in the Indian two-wheeler EV market. It currently offers two escooters – Ather 450X and Ather 450S. Ather also claims to have the largest fast-charging network in the country. It has over 1,400+ charging points in over 99 cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur. Registrations of Ather’s escooters stood at 6,780 units in August, a marginal rise of 1.6% from 6,671 units in July. Its rival Ola Electric’s registrations declined 10.4% month-on-month to 17,331 units in August but it continued to lead the two-wheeler EV space. Besides Ola Electric, Ather competes with Ampere, Okinawa, Revolt, TVS, among others. Ather’s revenue stood at INR 1,806 Cr in FY23, a massive jump from INR 408.5 Cr in FY22, as per Hero MotoCorp’s filing. While the filing didn’t mention profit/loss numbers for FY23, Ather’s net loss rose 47% to INR 344 Cr in FY22.

Wearable brand Boult has expanded its portfolio in the country with the launch of two new products. The home-grown brand has launched the new Sterling Pro luxury smartwatch and the Astra Bluetooth-based wireless earbud for gaming. The company claims that both products blend “cutting-edge technology and exquisite design”. The SterlingPro smartwatch and the Astra earbuds promise to meet the diverse needs of modern consumers.These new wearables also claim to offer improved features, aesthetics and performance.Boult Astra earbuds, Sterling Pro smartwatch: Price and availabilityThe Boult Sterling Pro smartwatch and Astra TWS earbuds are priced at Rs 2,499 and Rs 1,399, respectively. Both products will be available on the official Boult website (www.boultaudio.com) and through the company’s authorised retail partners. The earbuds will be available in three different colour options — Black Gloss, White Opal and Smoky Metal. Meanwhile, the watch has a stainless steel body and is available in two colours black and silver. Boult Astra earbuds: Key specsThe Boult Astra TWS earbuds are designed for gaming and claim to offer a playback time of 48 hours. These earbuds also feature the Blink & Pair technology for improved connectivity. Boult Astra low latency earbuds also support quick charging. A 10-minute charge promises to deliver 100 hours of playtime while a full charge provides 120 hours of standby time. The earbuds also have breathing LED lights that indicate battery status. For connectivity, Astra supports Bluetooth 5.3 and boasts an ultra-low latency of 40ms. These earbuds also support the BoomX technology that enhances the audio experience and includes Zen Quad Mic ENC setup for better voice clarity. The TWS earbuds also have an IPX5 water-resistant rating that is apt for workouts and outdoor activities.Boult Sterling Pro smartwatch: Key specsBoult Sterling Pro Smartwatch sports a 1.43-inch AMOLED HD display that supports 466×466 pixels resolution and 800 nits of peak brightness. The company claims that the Zinc Alloy Ring and Lightweight Polycarbonate Frame improve its visual appeal while reinforcing its durability to endure extreme conditions. The watch also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth Calling through a dedicated speaker and microphone. This smartwatch also offers multiple health monitoring features. From heart rate monitoring and SpO2 blood oxygen tracking to blood pressure monitoring and sleep analysis. It even includes other features like female menstrual cycle tracking, drink water reminders, and sedentary reminders to help maintain a balanced lifestyle. Boult Sterling Pro also supports over 100 sports modes and comes with an IP68 water-resistant rating. The smartwatch also comes with 250+ cloud-based watch faces.

Branchless banking and digital network, PayNearby has announced its partnership with the Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI) to upskill 150,000 business correspondents (BCs) across India. The collaboration aims to provide digital and financial services to the underserved and tech-shy last-mile population. This will strengthen rural BC counters with long-term viable business solutions and make them sustainable change agents at the grassroots level.The partnership will also work towards providing employment opportunities to the women and youth of India.New project to upskill rural employeesAs part of this collaboration, PayNearby and GFSI will launch a pan-India scale-up project titled ‘Scaling Agent Viability and Quality in India’ supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The initiative will be completed over the span of the next two years. It marks a step towards amplifying the impact of BCs in enhancing financial accessibility across the country, by expanding their financial product offerings beyond traditional cash-in and cash-out services. The expanded product suite will increase customer retention and empower these correspondents to generate supplementary income streams.This collaboration between PayNearby and GFSI is not only a step in expanding financial accessibility but also an initiative for empowering women within the financial sector. This initiative places an emphasis on skill enhancement among BCs and also gender sensitivity. By offering the necessary skills, knowledge and support, this initiative will offer opportunities for both rural BC counters and women’s professional growth and financial empowerment. The goal is to enlist 15,000 female BC agents, thereby promoting gender inclusivity within this sector. Under this initiative, GFSI will leverage PayNearby’s Distribution-as-a-Service network to streamline operations and enable BCs to offer a diverse range of tailored digital and financial solutions across domains such as commerce, education, entertainment, credit management, insurance and more. In addition to the capacity building, PayNearby will also invest in awareness and upskilling of this network to enable multiple digital and financial services through local counters. BCs will be made aware of the financial advantage of a diversified product portfolio, and how more loyalty and value per customer can be derived through that.

Earlier this year, Samsung launched Galaxy A54 5G in India. At the time of launch, the handset was available in four colour options – Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lime, Awesome Violet, and Awesome White. However, colour options vary depending upon the region. For instance, the Awesome White colour option was missing from the lineup. It looks like Samsung is soon planning to introduce the colour option in India. The company has now started teasing a new colour variant – Awesome White – for Galaxy A54 5G via its official X handle. The post also includes a caption that reads, “Stand out in the crowd, step into the world of bold. Make way for Awesome White. Revealing Soon.”Here’s the complete post:“Stand out in the crowd, step into the world of bold. Make way for awesome white. Revealing soon.#AwesomeIsForEveryone #GalaxyA54 5G #AwesomeGalaxyA #Samsung”Galaxy A54 5G Awesome White colour release dateSamsung has just teased the new colour option for Galaxy A54 5G. It, however, hasn’t revealed the exact launch date as of now. However, the colour option has now been mentioned on the Samsung India website for Galaxy A54’s 8GB + 256GB variant. But, the 8GB + 128GB variant does not have this new colour option mentioned. This also indicates that Samsung may launch the Galaxy A54’s Awesome White colour option only for the 256GB variant.Galaxy A54 5G: SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A54 5G comes with a 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 units of peak brightness. The handset is powered by an octa-core chipset paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard storage.The handset is backed by a 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support and it runs Android 13 operating system along with One UI 5.1 custom user interface.The 5G-enabled smartphone is equipped with a triple rear camera setup of 50MP primary shooter with f/1.8 aperture, a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens with f/2.2 aperture and a 5MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture. At the front, the phone features a 32MP sensor.

Ethical leadership serves as the bedrock upon which reputable and thriving organizations are built. CEOs play an indispensable role in shaping an organization’s ethical compass, guiding decision-making processes, and ensuring the entire company operates with unwavering integrity. In this article, we’ll talk about ten strategies and principles that CEOs can employ to uphold ethical leadership standards and cultivate a pervasive culture of ethics within their organizations. 1. Establish and Articulate Ethical Values CEOs are entrusted with the vital task of defining and effectively communicating the organization’s ethical values. These core principles serve as guiding lights that influence the behavior and decision-making processes at all levels of the company. By clearly outlining these values, CEOs create a moral framework that serves as a reference point for the entire workforce. 2. Lead by Unwavering Example The ethical fabric of an organization is closely intertwined with the actions and decisions of its CEO. A potent ethical leader not only articulates values but also lives them out in their own conduct. Through consistent ethical behavior, CEOs send an unequivocal message that ethics are not negotiable and are essential for everyone within the organization. 3. Facilitate Transparent and Open Communication CEOs must actively foster a culture of transparent communication around ethical matters. By openly discussing company policies, ethical dilemmas, and pivotal decisions, CEOs encourage an environment of accountability and trust. This approach empowers employees to openly address concerns and seek guidance on ethical quandaries without fear of reprisal. 4. Infuse Ethics into the Strategic Blueprint Ethics should be seamlessly woven into the fabric of the company’s strategic planning. CEOs play a pivotal role in ensuring that ethical considerations are thoroughly integrated into all organizational decisions, initiatives, and operational processes. This alignment ensures that ethical standards are consistently upheld across all aspects of the organization. photo credit: Kindel Media / Pexels 5. Holistic Ethics Training An essential aspect of ethical leadership is the provision of comprehensive ethics training to employees at all levels. This training not only imparts knowledge about ethical principles but also equips staff with the skills to navigate complex ethical dilemmas. CEOs should collaborate with HR departments to develop engaging and relevant training programs that resonate with the workforce. 6. Encourage Reporting and Champion Whistleblowing CEOs must actively establish channels through which employees can report unethical behavior and protect those who blow the whistle on misconduct. By actively encouraging the reporting of unethical conduct, CEOs ensure that any violations are swiftly addressed, fostering a safe environment for ethical concerns to be voiced. 7. Institute an Ethical Oversight Committee CEOs can establish an ethics committee that serves as a dedicated body for overseeing ethical matters within the organization. This committee can offer expert guidance, periodically review and update ethical policies, and address complex ethical issues that require comprehensive deliberation. 8. Conduct Regular Ethical Audits CEOs should prioritize the regular conduct of thorough ethical audits to evaluate the organization’s adherence to established ethical standards. These audits help pinpoint potential areas of concern and ensure that any deviations are swiftly identified and rectified. 9. Uphold Accountability for Ethical Lapses Demonstrating a commitment to ethics necessitates holding individuals accountable for lapses in ethical behavior. CEOs play a crucial role in showcasing that ethical breaches have consequences, thereby reinforcing the organization’s dedication to upholding its values. photo credit: Edmond Dantès / Pexels 10. Engage Stakeholders in Ethical Discourse CEOs should proactively engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and the broader community, in meaningful discussions about ethical practices. This inclusive approach communicates the organization’s commitment to operating with integrity and fosters a shared sense of responsibility. 11. Promote Ethical Innovation CEOs should encourage and champion ethical innovation within their organizations. This involves fostering an environment where employees are empowered to seek innovative solutions that align with ethical values. By acknowledging and rewarding ethical creativity, CEOs inspire a culture of continuous improvement that integrates ethics into the very fabric of the organization’s products, services, and processes. 12. Ethics in Supplier Relationships Ethical leadership extends beyond the boundaries of the organization itself. CEOs should ensure that their commitment to ethics extends to supplier relationships as well. By selecting suppliers who uphold similar ethical standards and engaging in fair and transparent dealings, CEOs demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices that transcend the organization’s internal operations. 13. Ethical Crisis Management Ethical dilemmas and crises are inevitable in any organization. CEOs must be prepared to navigate these challenges with integrity and transparency. Developing a well-defined ethical crisis management framework enables CEOs to respond promptly and decisively to ethical breaches, safeguarding the organization’s reputation and trustworthiness. 14. Long-Term Ethical Sustainability CEOs should focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability of ethical practices. Rather than viewing ethics as a short-term initiative, they should embed ethical considerations into the organization’s long-term vision. By aligning ethical goals with strategic planning, CEOs foster a culture of enduring ethical commitment that can weather changes in leadership and external dynamics. Conclusion Ethical leadership stands as the cornerstone of organizations that strive to be both reputable and sustainable. CEOs, as ethical stewards, hold the power to mold their organizations into bastions of integrity. Through the establishment of ethical values, exemplifying these values through personal conduct, and seamlessly integrating ethics into strategy, CEOs forge a culture of ethics that permeates the entire organization. In the intricate tapestry of leadership, ethical principles are the threads that weave success, trust, and sustainability.

The founder of Curefoods predicts a fundamental shift in the industry’s future, one that will shape the next million customers This shift revolves around the emergence of a new category of consumers – those seeking daily convenience This transformation holds the opportunity for a significant increase in the frequency of food orders on online platforms In the ever-evolving landscape of online delivery services, one can trace the journey of early movers and the shifting preferences of consumers over the years. Ankit Nagori, the founder of Curefoods, predicts a fundamental shift in the industry’s future, one that will shape the next million customers. This shift revolves around the emergence of a new category of consumers – those seeking daily convenience. These individuals will turn to online food delivery and not just for special occasions, according to Nagori. “I am slowly seeing a change in the industry which indicates that the next million customers will come from that segment where people are seeking convenience, people who are ordering it daily because they don’t want to cook,” Nagori said while speaking at The D2C Summit 2023 organised by Inc42. While this transformation holds the opportunity of a significant increase in the frequency of food orders on online platforms, the industry must focus on improving the quality of food, packaging, delivery, and overall user experience to cater to this evolving customer base, he added. Moreover, foodtech giants such as Zomato and Swiggy are also talking about making food ordering a daily habit, Nagori said, adding that brands such as Curefood’s Eatfit are expected to play an important role in this transition. The online food delivery revolution began with deal seekers – individuals who embraced the discounted meals delivered to their doorstep. Then, in the last five years, the online food delivery industry witnessed a significant shift towards entertainment. Consumers increasingly turned to these platforms for a variety of reasons, from enjoying a movie night to seeing gatherings at home, Nagori said. This change was more catalysed by the pandemic. Founded in 2020 by Ankit Nagori, Curefoods claims to run more than seven food factories and 150+ multi-brand cloud kitchens to service 200+ locations in 15 cities. Besides Eatfit, the startup houses brands such as CakeZone, Nomad Pizza, Frozen Bottle, and Sharief Bhai, among others. Earlier this year, Curefoods raised INR 300 Cr (around $37 Mn) in a funding round led by Binny Bansal’s fund Three State Ventures, which invested INR 240 Cr.

About us | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Support | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Careers | Financial Terms (Glossary) | FAQs | Sitemap | RSS Feed Copyright © e-Eighteen.com Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of news articles, photos, videos or any other content in whole or in part in any form or medium without express writtern permission of moneycontrol.com is prohibited.

Butterick disagrees. “A lawsuit can stop them,” he says. “If we prevail.” One thing everyone WIRED spoke with could agree upon? All this increased scrutiny on data sets has made AI’s big players shy away from transparency. Meta is the prime example. It openly shared the data sets used to train the first version of its ChatGPT competitor Llama, including Books3. Now, it’s tight-lipped about what is used for newer versions. “It behooves these companies to be opaque about their sources,” McCarthy says. Knowing they’re likely to face lawsuits if they fess up to using copyrighted material in their data training sets is a powerful deterrent. This, in turn, will make it harder for writers to know when their copyright is potentially infringed. Right now, it’s up to AI companies whether or not to disclose where their training sets come from. Without that information, it’s next to impossible for people to prove that their data was used, let alone ask for it to be removed. While the European Parliament has passed a draft law of AI regulations that would require increased data transparency, those regulations are not yet in effect, and other regions lag far behind. This fight cuts to the heart of the often vicious disagreements about what role AI should have in our world. Copyright law exists to balance the rights granted to creators with the collective right to access information, at least in theory. The battle over Books3 is about what this balance should look like in the age of AI. Presser believes that if OpenAI has access to this kind of data set, the public deserves access to them too. From this perspective, attempts to crack down on Books3 may end up calcifying the industry, preventing smaller companies and researchers from entering without doing much to stop the current big players. Copyright law exists to balance the rights granted to creators with the collective right to access information, at least in theory. The battle over Books3 is about what this balance should look like in the age of AI. Pam Samuelson, a copyright lawyer who co-directs the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, concurs that a crackdown might benefit big corporations that have already been using the data sets. “You can’t do it retroactively,” she says. She also thinks regulations may change the landscape of where big players congregate. Countries like Israel and Japan have already adopted lax stances on AI training materials, so tighter rules in the EU or US may promote what she calls “innovation arbitrage,” where AI entrepreneurs flock to the nations friendlier to their ideas. The heart of this fight boils down to whether we accept that generative AI training on copyrighted material is an inevitability. This is the stance Stephen King recently took after finding out that his work is in Books3. “Would I forbid the teaching (if that is the word) of my stories to computers? Not even if I could. I might as well be King Canute, forbidding the tide to come in. Or a Luddite trying to stop industrial progress by hammering a steam loom to pieces,” he wrote. Idealists who want to wrest back control for creators, like Butterick and Hedrup, aren’t yet willing to give up the fight. There’s a movement to make generative AI training shift into an opt-in model, where only work that is in the public domain or freely given goes into the data sets. “It doesn’t have to just be about scraping data sets off the web without permission,” emerging technology researcher Eryk Salvaggio says. If AI companies are pushed to scrap the work they’ve made on copyrighted materials and begin anew, it would certainly upend the current playing field. (Less certain? Whether it’s remotely possible.) In the meantime, there are already stopgap efforts to persuade generative AI groups to respect the wishes of people who wish to keep their work out of data sets. Spawning, a startup devoted to this type of tool, has a search engine called “Have I Been Trained?” that currently allows people to check if their visual work has been used in AI training data sets; it is planning to add support for video, audio, and text next year. It also offers an API that helps companies honor opt-outs. So far, StabilityAI is one of the major players to adopt it, although Spawning CEO Jordan Meyer is optimistic that companies like OpenAI and Meta might one day get on board. And Meyer recently made contact with another potential collaborator: Shawn Presser. After everything, Presser does want to help creative types feel they have some control over where their work ends up. “I think it’s totally reasonable for people to be able to say, ‘Hey, don’t use my stuff,’” he says. “That’s like a basic sort of tenet of the internet.”