Toolbox

The Biden administration unveiled a set of far-reaching goals Tuesday aimed at averting harms caused by the rise of artificial intelligence systems, including guidelines for how to protect people's personal data and limit surveillance.

The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights notably does not set out specific enforcement actions, but instead is intended as a White House call to action for the U.S. government to safeguard digital and civil rights in an AI-fueled world, officials said.

"This is the Biden-Harris administration really saying that we need to work together, not only just across government, but across all sectors, to really put equity at the center and civil rights at the center of the ways that we make and use and govern technologies," said Alondra Nelson, deputy director for science and society at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. "We can and should expect better and demand better from our technologies."

The office said the white paper represents a major advance in the administration's agenda to hold technology companies accountable, and highlighted various federal agencies' commitments to weighing new rules and studying the specific impacts of AI technologies. The document emerged after a year-long consultation with more than two dozen different departments, and also incorporates feedback from civil society groups, technologists, industry researchers and tech companies including Palantir and Microsoft.

It puts forward five core principles that the White House says should be built into AI systems to limit the impacts of algorithmic bias, give users control over their data and ensure that automated systems are used safely and transparently.

The non-binding principles cite academic research, agency studies and news reports that have documented real-world harms from AI-powered tools, including facial recognition tools that contributed to wrongful arrests and an automated system that discriminated against loan seekers who attended a Historically Black College or University.

The white paper also said parents and social workers alike could benefit from knowing if child welfare agencies were using algorithms to help decide when families should be investigated for maltreatment.

Earlier this year, after the publication of an AP review of an algorithmic tool used in a Pennsylvania child welfare system, OSTP staffers reached out to sources quoted in the article to learn more, according to multiple people who participated in the call. AP's investigation found that the Allegheny County tool in its first years of operation showed a pattern of flagging a disproportionate number of Black children for a "mandatory" neglect investigation, when compared with white children.

In May, sources said Carnegie Mellon University researchers and staffers from the American Civil Liberties Union spoke with OSTP officials about child welfare agencies' use of algorithms. Nelson said protecting children from technology harms remains an area of concern.

"If a tool or an automated system is disproportionately harming a vulnerable community, there should be, one would hope, that there would be levers and opportunities to address that through some of the specific applications and prescriptive suggestions," said Nelson, who also serves as deputy assistant to President Joe Biden.

OSTP did not provide additional comment about the May meeting.

Still, because many AI-powered tools are developed, adopted or funded at the state and local level, the federal government has limited oversight regarding their use. The white paper makes no specific mention of how the Biden administration could influence specific policies at state or local levels, but a senior administration official said the administration was exploring how to align federal grants with AI guidance.

The white paper does not have power over tech companies that develop the tools nor does it include any new legislative proposals. Nelson said agencies would continue to use existing rules to prevent automated systems from unfairly disadvantaging people.

The white paper also did not specifically address AI-powered technologies funded through the Department of Justice, whose civil rights division separately has been examining algorithmic harms, bias and discrimination, Nelson said.

Tucked between the calls for greater oversight, the white paper also said when appropriately implemented, AI systems have the power to bring about lasting benefits to society, such as helping farmers grow food more efficiently or identifying diseases.

"Fueled by the power of American innovation, these tools hold the potential to redefine every part of our society and make life better for everyone. This important progress must not come at the price of civil rights or democratic values," the document said.

Garance Burke is an AP writer

Acres of water lilies will bloom on Wall Street this fall, at least digitally.

A massive, immersive exhibition celebrating French artist Claude Monet will make its U.S. debut in downtown New York starting in November, promising a multisensory experience that puts visitors as close to inside his iconic flower paintings as possible.

"Monet's Garden: The Immersive Experience" will splash the Impressionist pioneer's paintings across walls and floors of a spacious, one-time bank building and boost the effect by adding scents, music and narration in multiple language.

"To be able to address more than just two senses I think will immerse people a bit more," said Dr. Nepomuk Schessl, producer of the exhibition. "We certainly hope it's going to be the next big thing."

Visitors will be greeted by aromas of lavender and water lilies wafting in the air and learn much about Monet, who during his long life evolved from a gifted but slightly conventional landscape painter churning out realistic images to a painter whose feathery brushstrokes captured shifting light, atmosphere and movement.

"He was living right at the moment when photography was invented. So the whole world of art changed," said Schessl of Monet, who lived from 1840-1926. "Painting was not needed for documentary reasons anymore."

The exhibit will offer many of Monet's works, which vary from the rocky coastline of Normandy to haystacks and poplars, to the Japanese bridge and water lily-filled pond at his home in Giverny.

The exhibit begins Nov. 1 at the Seamen's Bank Building at 30 Wall Street and runs until Jan. 8. Tickets are on sale now, and Schessl hopes it will tour the U.S. in 2023.

The concept for "Monet's Garden" was developed by the Swiss creative lab Immersive Art AG in cooperation with Alegria Konzert GmbH. It has been shown in European cities such as Berlin, Zurich, Vienna, Hamburg and London.

In some ways, Schessl thinks a massive, 360-degree presentation of Monet's works fits with the artist's own intentions. After all, some of his paintings were intentionally massive.

"He wanted the spectator to completely immerse himself or herself into the painting," he said. "Maybe it's a little bit presumptuous, but I think that if he had our opportunity, he might have done it."

"Monet's Garden" comes a year after dueling traveling immersive exhibits of Van Gogh arrived in New York and also married his work with technology. Gustav Klimt's paintings have also been made immersive.

Schessl said technology — especially stronger processing power and high tech LCD laser projectors — make these immersive exhibits possible. He admits to checking out rival shows to ensure his team stays cutting edge, but he adheres to one rule.

"The content needs to be the star. The technology is our means to achieve something, but it never should only be the technology," he said.

Three universities of applied sciences--the Hochschule der Medien (HdM), Hochschule RheinMain (HSRM), and Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt (HSHL)--have earned approval to launch Germany’s first SMPTE Student Chapter. The new SMPTE Student Chapter will be the first jointly hosted chapter, leveraging the resources of all three institutions to engage and support students through educational and networking opportunities that support a future in media technology and digital entertainment fields.

“Students, educators, and researchers today are eager for opportunities to learn about emergent technologies--media in the cloud, data, virtual production, and others--and to connect with the people and companies setting the course for the future,” said SMPTE executive director David Grindle. “SMPTE Student Chapters deliver those valuable experiences, making innovation accessible and opening pathways to careers on the cutting edge of media arts, both technical and creative. I believe it’s why we’re seeing interest in SMPTE Student Chapters growing, and imaginative new partnerships developing, as well! It’s fantastic to see these three universities working collaboratively to make the benefits of a SMPTE Student Chapter available to their student bodies.”

SMPTE Student Chapters give students the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and trends, and to develop and even refine the skills they need to move into a workplace in need of those talents. Thanks to their close connection with SMPTE and its extensive professional network, SMPTE Student Chapters are able to host educational and networking events that are in tune with the skills needed, the knowledge most valuable, and the opportunities available for students as they move into the professional realm.

“I am delighted that the German SMPTE Student Chapter will offer my students what SMPTE has given to me: A giant pool of learning resources on state-of-the-art topics in media production and distribution, as well as an extremely welcoming, personal network with which to build a career,” said Prof. Jan Fröhlich of Hochschule der Medien in Stuttgart. “I hope my students will fully engage in all SMPTE topics and contribute our expertise in color science, image coding, VFX, and virtual production. We live in amazing times, working together--around the globe, but as one family of media engineers and scientists--on the future of media.”

“I’m thrilled that our media technology students at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences are participating in the SMPTE Student chapter,” added Prof. Wolfgang Ruppel of Hochschule RheinMain, noting that an introductory workshop soon will be offered to inspire active participation in the new chapter. “We look forward to fruitful discussions and knowledge sharing on advanced topics such as Professional Media over Managed IP Networks, SMPTE ST 2110, the Interoperable Master Format, the Academy Color Encoding System, and many others.”

“In launching the German SMPTE Student Chapter, our students get their hands on an international network of media industry professionals with their eyes on the technologies at the horizon,” said Prof. Stefan Albertz of Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt. “In addition to enjoying connections and exchanges with students from all over the world, participating students have immediate access to the industry’s current topics, standards, and research. This will help them to gain speed, focus on their progress, and find their path and place. For our own international and interdisciplinary courses of study, the benefit increases and creates a perfect match.”

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Awards Committee has unveiled the winners of the 2022 HPA Award for Engineering Excellence. The awards will be bestowed at this year’s HPA Awards gala on November 17 at the Hollywood Legion in Hollywood, Calif.

The HPA Awards recognize creative artistry and innovation in the professional media content industry. The Engineering Excellence Award rewards outstanding technical and creative ingenuity in media, content production, finishing, distribution, and archive.

HPA Awards Engineering Committee chair Joachim Zell said, “The pace of innovation in our industry continues unchecked! This year, we received more submissions for Engineering Excellence consideration than ever before. It’s gratifying to see this record number of submissions, driven by a deep understanding of the true needs and desires of our industry, laying the groundwork for future progress even as they launch us ahead in the moment. Congratulations to the winners, and our deep respect for all of the entrants, who have contributed to the continued evolution of our industry.”

The winners of the 2022 HPA Award for Engineering Excellence are:

• Amazon Web Services: Color in the Cloud.    Leveraging JPEG-XS, signals are compressed to be suitably transmitted over AWS Direct Connect, AWS VPN or the open internet while maintaining lossless or uncompromised image quality, resulting in a viable and scalable solution for high fidelity, visually lossless color from a cloud provider. 
• ARRI: REVEAL Color Science    The ALEXA 35 REVEAL Color Science reveals improved dynamic range, color gamut, and superior rendering of skin tones and subtle colors. It separates looks from display transforms, to support dual monitoring of HDR and SDR on set, enabling more efficient grading for multiple deliverables in post production.
• LG Electronics: LG UltraFine Pro OLED Monitor    The UltraFine OLED Pro EP950 reference grade HDR monitor meets color critical needs for content creation in cost-effective small-formats (32in & 27in). The RGB additive OLED UHD panel delivers close to 100% AdobeRGB and P3 coverage with peak luminance of up to 700 nits at 25% APL (HDR mode) and 250 nits full-field white. In-monitor 1D LUTs, 3D LUTs and 3x3 matrices allow accurate user calibration with Calman or LG software.
• Mo-Sys Engineering: LED Key    LED Key makes VP filming affordable by allowing wide shot capture on small LED walls. Virtual Production LED wall based filming is great for mid and close up shots, but wide shots required set builders to build floor and wall extensions or huge LED walls, which increases cost and time. LED Key allows filming with much smaller walls or even projectors, enabling greater location flexibility for filmmakers.

Four technologies followed closely, earning honorable mention: Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC (ZEISS CinCraft Mapper), Frame.io (Camera to Cloud), Glassbox Technologies (DragonFly virtual camera) and LucidLink (Filespaces).