YouTube to Auto-Label AI Videos; Erin Brockovitch Launches Crowdsourced AI Data Center Map; Spotify Lets you ‘Clip’ Segments from Favorite Podcasts; NASA Picks Blue Origin for Lunar Rover Delivery to Moon

YouTube is going to automatically detect and label videos with what they term ‘significant’ photorealistic AI content. Thenextweb.com reports that the AI labeling will no longer be voluntary. The label will go for videos made with YouTube’s own tools or when verified by C2PA metadata. The labels will also have a more prominent position. For long-form videos, labels will now appear directly below the video player rather than in the expanded description, where most viewers never look. For Shorts, the label will appear as an overlay on the video itself. This is good, since some AI videos are pretty realistic…although a lot of the times, the content gives it away as AI slop.

There has been a lot of community uproar about AI data centers…and with good reason. They consume vast amounts of electricity and suck up lots of water…and in a lot of areas, especially rural ones, water is a pretty precious resource. Also, power companies have jacked up rates on consumers and cut deals with AI data center owners…basically giving them a volume discount. I know a few people in the midwest who are quite conservative politically who are even infuriated about this. Now, along comes Erin Brockovitch. According to engadget.com, she has launched a new platform that will give people  “a platform to speak up and voice concerns about AI data centers in their communities.” The Brockovitch AI Data Center Reporting website has a map of major operational AI data centers AND facilities under construction in the US..plus projects reported by communities. Note that some show up that are rumored or proposed centers…so not every dot is an actual running center. https://brockovichdatacenter.com. Hit the link in the text to report one or see if there is one planned to hoover up your power and water!

Spotify is bowing a new feature that lets you ‘clip’ your favorite moments from a podcast an share them. The feature went live today. Techcrunch.com notes that in the app, a new scissors icon shows up in the ‘Now Playing’ view, and it lets you cut a particular segment from the podcast you are listening to…then share it with your audience on social media or with friends, coworkers, or really anyone else. You have the ability to trim the cut segment and preview it before sharing it. Then, just tap the sharing button for options to share. 

NASA has picked Blue Origin to take lunar rovers to the moon as part of the Moon Base Initiative. Geekwire.com says the initial $188 million contract will be to get the robotic Blue Moon Mark 1 lander ready to deliver lunar terrain vehicles…with an option of another $280 million for two ‘task orders.’ The option depends on Blue Origin’s performance on the initial contract. The first LTV is due to be brought to the moon in advance of the Artemis 4 mission’s crewed landing, which is currently scheduled for 2028.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.