Latest news with #AxelSpringer
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York Becomes First State to Require Employers Disclose When Layoffs Are Due to AI
If you lose your job as part of mass layoffs at your company because your boss believes an artificial intelligence model can do your work instead, they will have to start filing more paperwork disclosing the decision. That is according to a new law in New York state that requires employers to disclose if mass layoffs — which is defined as 50 or more workers — were due to AI. The change to New York's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) system went into effect in March, but has received little coverage since then; Bloomberg was the first major outlet to report on the change on Thursday. Now, employers have to fill out a form at least 90 days before a mass layoff round, according to New York law, and check a box if the cuts are due to 'technological innovation or automation.' If that box is checked, the employers then go to another screen on the WARN website where they have to specify whether AI or another technology is the reason for the cuts. New York is the first state with such a law. Other states have looked to put safeguards in place against AI replacing workers, including in California, which had a law go into effect at the start of 2025 which protects actors from having their likeness used by AI models without informed consent; California also passed a similar law last year that requires the estates of dead actors and performers to give clearance for AI models to use their likeness. The new law in New York comes as AI's rapid rise has led to questions over which jobs are safe in a number of fields. This has been an issue in the media world as of late, where a number of outlets, like Axel Springer and News Corp. have signed content licensing deals with OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT. Editorial staff at some outlets have said they are concerned about newsrooms growing too cozy with AI models; the Vox Media Union, for example, called for protections to be put in place for writers at outlets like New York Magazine and The Verge so that their jobs would not be taken by AI bots. That concern is a common one in the U.S. A Pew Research Center survey earlier this year found 52% of Americans were 'worried' about AI in the workplace, compared to 36% who said they were 'hopeful' about it. The post New York Becomes First State to Require Employers Disclose When Layoffs Are Due to AI appeared first on TheWrap.
Business Insider
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Disney says these images show how Midjourney steals its characters
Disney and NBCUniversal sued the AI company Midjourney, alleging copyright infringement. The lawsuit claims the tech creates unauthorized copies of works ranging from Star Wars to The Simpsons. Hollywood has been cautious about AI, fearing its misuse, but investors see cost-cutting potential. Hollywood is taking aim at the AI image generator Midjourney. On Wednesday, Disney and NBCUniversal's movie studios sued Midjourney, alleging its product ripped off their famous characters in properties ranging from Star Wars to The Simpsons. The media companies use colorful language in their 110-page copyright infringement lawsuit. They argue that Midjourney's tech amounts to a "virtual vending machine, generating endless unauthorized copies of Disney's and Universal's copyrighted works." They call Midjourney "the quintessential copyright free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism." Midjourney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Many news media companies, including Business Insider's parent Axel Springer, have struck deals with AI companies to help train their models. The film and TV industry, however, has been slower to follow because of worries that the nascent tech will be used to replace their IP and talent. AI has also been a battleground between Hollywood companies and the industry's labor unions. Despite this, investors have poured money into AI companies that are aimed at Hollywood. These startups see the opportunity to use the tech to cut time and costs for making filmed entertainment. This new lawsuit could throw a wrench in some of those plans. Of particular note, Disney and Universal included examples of images created by Midjourney's tools in their suit, side by side with the original source material, to show how close Midjourney's versions are to their characters. The suit describes how when a user gave it a prompt like "Chewbacca, screenshot from movie," Midjourney generated images copying the movie companies' famous characters. According to the suit, a user doesn't have to request a specific Disney character for Midjourney to create one that copies its copyrighted work, giving the example of the prompt "Superhero fight scene" that produced an image that resembled Disney's Spider-Man. Below are some examples they share in the lawsuit. What do you think?
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Activists try to block Axel Springer media group print site in Berlin
Activists attempted to block access to a print facility of German media group Axel Springer in Berlin late on Wednesday, aiming to disrupt newspaper deliveries. Protesters from the group New Generation parked three vehicles in front of the building and glued themselves to the roofs, a police spokesman said. Authorities on site were directing the activists to relocate to a nearby area that did not obstruct traffic, he added. New Generation, which succeeded the Last Generation protest movement, said on social media that the action was intended to prevent the distribution of Axel Springer newspapers. Apart from Germany's largest tabloid Bild and the Welt broadsheet, Axel Springer also owns Politico, Business Insider, Morning Brew, media outlets in Poland and the German comparison platform Idealo. The group accuses Bild in particular of fuelling social divisions and eroding public trust in democratic institutions through its reporting. It also says the newspaper downplays the urgency of the climate crisis. Last Generation, formed after a climate hunger strike in Berlin, changed its name and relaunched the movement in February, after the group's protest tactics drew widespread criticism and a harsh crackdown from the authorities. The group's aggressive tactics, including sit-down street blockades and efforts to storm airport runways, drew widespread attention and extensive news coverage after the climate activists launched a nationwide campaign in 2022. But the protests also attracted the anger of many Germans, as well as aggressive police investigations. At the beginning of this year, the group announced a change of strategy and a move away from the blockades, which often involved activists gluing themselves to roadways.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Politico's UK newsroom to unionise as Trump pressures media
Journalists at online media outlet Politico are preparing to unionise as Donald Trump puts its parent company in his sights. Staff in Politico's UK newsroom have submitted a formal request for union recognition to the company, which is owned by German media giant Axel Springer. Insiders said morale at the publication had slumped, with staff unhappy about pay and benefits. It comes amid a chilling of relations between the Trump administration and Axel Springer, which is run by media tycoon Mathias Döpfner. Mr Döpfner, whose empire also includes Business Insider and newspaper titles Die Welt and Bild, has previously been sympathetic to Mr Trump's politics and arranged for Elon Musk to write an opinion piece expressing his support for Germany's far-right AfD in one of his papers. However, he has since distanced himself from Mr Trump over the US president's treatment of Ukraine in its war against Russia. Politico has found itself in the spotlight after Mr Trump repeated false claims that the outlet had received millions of dollars in funding from the US Agency for International Development. The payments were in fact subscription fees for the news outlet for US government departments. Relations soured further last month after Business Insider published a story scrutinising Donald Trump Jr's business dealings and comparing him to Hunter Biden. The story reportedly sparked anger in the White House, fuelling speculation that Mr Trump could seek to retaliate against Axel Springer through a potential federal investigation. Politico also came under scrutiny from one pro-Trump Axel Springer board member, who branded journalists 'woke' in a row over the outlet's coverage of the war in Gaza. Martin Varsavsky, a Spain-based entrepreneur, accused Politico of 'one-sided Hamas support'. He parted ways with the Axel Springer board just a week later. The union plans come amid unrest in Politico's US newsroom about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver summaries of major political news stories. US staff, who are represented by the PEN Guild union, have complained that the rollout of the new technology violates an agreement that states bosses must give 60 days' notice. Increased use of AI has also stirred tensions at Business Insider, which this week sparked fury and a union backlash after it announced plans to lay off more than 20pc of staff. In the same memo bosses declared the outlet was going 'all-in' on AI. Leaders of the nascent UK union are set to survey members about their concerns ahead of negotiations over a house agreement, with guarantees around AI likely to be included. Staff have also raised concerns about a leadership vacuum in the newsroom. Politico, which publishes the popular Westminster newsletter Playbook, has been without a UK editor since Jack Blanchard relocated to Washington DC. Nevertheless, sources close to the union insisted discussions with the company had so far been amicable and that they were aiming to develop positive relations. A member of the Politico NUJ Chapel said: 'Members of the Politico UK newsroom are seeking recognition through the National Union of Journalists. 'The chapel looks forward to fruitful negotiations with the company and on working together for Politico's continuing success.' Politico was founded in 2007 by media executive Robert Allbritton with the aim of capitalising on the rapid growth of online news. It focuses on politics and policy in the US and internationally, while it also hosts a number of live events. The website was snapped up by Axel Springer in 2021 in a deal worth more than $1bn (£743m). Politico and the NUJ have been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
01-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Politico's UK newsroom to unionise as Trump pressures media
Journalists at online media outlet Politico are preparing to unionise as Donald Trump puts its parent company in his sights. Staff in Politico's UK newsroom have submitted a formal request for union recognition to the company, which is owned by German media giant Axel Springer. Insiders said morale at the publication had slumped, with staff unhappy about pay and benefits. It comes amid a chilling of relations between the Trump administration and Axel Springer, which is run by media tycoon Mathias Döpfner. Mr Döpfner, whose empire also includes Business Insider and newspaper titles Die Welt and Bild, has previously been sympathetic to Mr Trump's politics and arranged for Elon Musk to write an opinion piece expressing his support for Germany's far-right AfD in one of his papers. However, he has since distanced himself from Mr Trump over the US president's treatment of Ukraine in its war against Russia. Politico has found itself in the spotlight after Mr Trump repeated false claims that the outlet had received millions of dollars in funding from the US Agency for International Development. The payments were in fact subscription fees for the news outlet for US government departments. Relations soured further last month after Business Insider published a story scrutinising Donald Trump Jr's business dealings and comparing him to Hunter Biden. The story reportedly sparked anger in the White House, fuelling speculation that Mr Trump could seek to retaliate against Axel Springer through a potential federal investigation. Politico also came under scrutiny from one pro-Trump Axel Springer board member, who branded journalists 'woke' in a row over the outlet's coverage of the war in Gaza. Martin Varsavsky, a Spain-based entrepreneur, accused Politico of 'one-sided Hamas support'. He parted ways with the Axel Springer board just a week later. Unrest in US newsroom about use of AI The union plans come amid unrest in Politico's US newsroom about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver summaries of major political news stories. US staff, who are represented by the PEN Guild union, have complained that the rollout of the new technology violates an agreement that states bosses must give 60 days' notice. Increased use of AI has also stirred tensions at Business Insider, which this week sparked fury and a union backlash after it announced plans to lay off more than 20pc of staff. In the same memo bosses declared the outlet was going 'all-in' on AI. Leaders of the nascent UK union are set to survey members about their concerns ahead of negotiations over a house agreement, with guarantees around AI likely to be included. Staff have also raised concerns about a leadership vacuum in the newsroom. Politico, which publishes the popular Westminster newsletter Playbook, has been without a UK editor since Jack Blanchard relocated to Washington DC. Nevertheless, sources close to the union insisted discussions with the company had so far been amicable and that they were aiming to develop positive relations. A member of the Politico NUJ Chapel said: 'Members of the Politico UK newsroom are seeking recognition through the National Union of Journalists. 'The chapel looks forward to fruitful negotiations with the company and on working together for Politico's continuing success.' Politico was founded in 2007 by media executive Robert Allbritton with the aim of capitalising on the rapid growth of online news. It focuses on politics and policy in the US and internationally, while it also hosts a number of live events. The website was snapped up by Axel Springer in 2021 in a deal worth more than $1bn (£743m).
