Daily Archives: June 21, 2023

The Grammys’ New Rules—AI Can’t Win Awards

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AI proved just how talented it can be at ripping off major artists after a computer-generated song based on The Weeknd and Drake went viral in April. Now, the Recording Academy—the body that votes on and manages the annual Grammy Awards—is setting new rules for AI’s role in the coveted accolade.

Speaking to Grammy.com, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. laid out some confusing new standards for acceptable use of AI. Mason Jr. said that AI-assisted music can be submitted, but only the humans, who must have “contributed heavily,” will actually be awarded. For example, in a songwriting category like Song of the Year, a majority of a the nominated song would have to be written by a human creator, not a text-based generative AI like ChatGPT. Similarly, in performance categories like Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, only the human performer can be considered for the award. Sorry, Hatsune Miku.

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Source: The Grammys’ New Rules—AI Can’t Win Awards

EU votes on battery reform – including being able to replace them in your mobile

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With 587 votes in favour, nine against and 20 abstentions, MEPs endorsed a deal reached with the Council to overhaul EU rules on batteries and waste batteries. The new law takes into account technological developments and future challenges in the sector and will cover the entire battery life cycle, from design to end-of-life.

Key measures foreseen by the regulation:

  • A compulsory carbon footprint declaration and label for electric vehicles (EV) batteries, light means of transport (LMT) batteries (e.g. for electric scooters and bikes), and rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity above 2kWh;
  • Designing portable batteries in appliances in such a way that consumers can themselves easily remove and replace them;
  • A digital battery passport for LMT batteries, industrial batteries with a capacity above 2 kWh, and EV batteries;
  • A due diligence policy for all economic operators, except for SMEs;
  • Stricter waste collection targets: for portable batteries – 45% by 2023, 63% by 2027 and 73% by 2030; for LMT batteries – 51% by 2028 and 61% by 2031;
  • Minimum levels of materials recovered from waste batteries: lithium – 50% by 2027 and 80% by 2031; cobalt, copper, lead and nickel – 90% by 2027 and 95% by 2031;
  • Minimum levels of recycled content from manufacturing and consumer waste for use in new batteries: eight years after the entry into force of the regulation – 16% for cobalt, 85% for lead, 6% for lithium and 6% for nickel; 13 years after the entry into force: 26% for cobalt, 85% for lead, 12% for lithium and 15% for nickel.

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Source: Making batteries more sustainable, more durable and better-performing | News | European Parliament

Great plan!