PR in the Philippines

The recent surge of Studio Ghibli-style memes on social media can be attributed to several factors. Notably, OpenAI recently updated ChatGPT, enabling users to generate higher quality images with the 4o model. This update is considered a significant improvement in AI image generation, allowing for more accurate adherence to text prompts and producing images with greater fidelity. However, the updated ChatGPT isn't the sole cause for the meme surge. OpenAI has also eased restrictions on the types of images users can create, with CEO Sam Altman describing the move as a new benchmark for creative freedom. This includes permitting the generation of images depicting adult public figures and reducing the likelihood of ChatGPT rejecting prompts, even those with potentially offensive content. Altman acknowledged the potential for both positive and offensive creations, stating that the aim is to prevent the tool from generating offensive content unless specifically requested, within reasonable limits. Users quickly capitalized on these changes, sharing "Ghiblified" images of controversial subjects. Even the official White House account on X posted a Studio Ghibli-style image of an ICE officer detaining an alleged undocumented immigrant. This shift has been developing over time. OpenAI initially operated as a research lab with tightly controlled tools. Early chatbots and image generation models featured strict content filters to prevent misuse. Over the years, OpenAI has broadened access to its tools through a strategy known as ".", with the release of ChatGPT in November 2022 being the most prominent example. The company believes this approach is crucial for society to adapt to the changes brought about by AI. However, this change in OpenAI's model behavior policies is also influenced by the recent election of President , and the subsequent cultural shift. Trump and his allies have strongly criticized what they view as censorship of free speech online by major tech companies. Some conservatives have drawn parallels between social media content moderation and the more recent efforts by AI companies, including OpenAI, to restrict the content generated by AI models. Elon Musk has described ChatGPT as having "woke programmed into its bones." Like many large corporations, OpenAI is actively seeking to build relationships with the Trump White House. They achieved an early success when Trump, on his second day in office, stood alongside Altman to announce a significant investment in the datacenters OpenAI believes are necessary to train the next generation of AI systems. However, OpenAI faces a delicate situation, as Musk, a key Trump supporter and advisor, has a well-known dislike for Altman. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015, left the company after an unsuccessful attempt to become CEO and is now suing Altman and OpenAI, alleging that they have deviated from OpenAI's original non-profit mission. With Musk holding influence within the White House and leading a competing AI company, xAI, it is particularly important for OpenAI's business interests to foster positive relations with the Trump administration. Earlier in March, OpenAI submitted a document outlining recommendations for the new administration's tech policy, signaling a shift in tone compared to previous communications. The document emphasized that OpenAI's freedom-focused policy proposals could strengthen America's leadership in AI, drive economic growth, enhance American competitiveness, and protect national security. It urged the Trump administration to exempt OpenAI, and the rest of the private sector, from 781 state-level AI regulations, arguing that they could hinder innovation. In return, OpenAI offered to provide the U.S. government with "learnings and access" from AI companies and ensure that the U.S. maintains its leading position in the AI race against China. Alongside the new ChatGPT update, OpenAI reinforced its commitment to policies designed to grant users greater freedom to create with its AI tools, within certain boundaries. Joanne Jang, OpenAI’s head of model behavior, stated that they are moving away from blanket refusals in sensitive areas towards a more precise approach focused on preventing real-world harm. The goal is to embrace humility, acknowledging the limits of their knowledge and adapting as they learn. Jang cited examples of previously disallowed content that OpenAI is now allowing. This includes generating images of public figures, although OpenAI will offer an opt-out list allowing individuals to control whether ChatGPT can generate images of them. Children will be subject to stricter protections and guardrails. The concept of "offensive" content will also be reevaluated under OpenAI's new policies. Uses that may be considered offensive by some but do not cause real-world harm will be increasingly permitted. Jang explained that previously, the model rejected requests such as altering a person's eyes to appear more Asian or making a person heavier, unintentionally implying that these attributes were inherently offensive. Such prompts may be allowed in the future. OpenAI's tools previously prohibited the generation of hate symbols like swastikas. However, Jang stated that the company recognizes these symbols can sometimes appear in educational or cultural contexts. They will shift towards using technical methods to better identify and refuse harmful misuse without completely banning them. Jang concluded that AI lab employees should not be the arbiters of what people should and shouldn’t be allowed to create.

The central question in energy and climate discussions is the extent to which AI will increase power consumption in the coming years. Many analysts predict a surge in AI-driven electricity use within five years due to its expanding applications for consumers and businesses. However, some analysts advise caution, suggesting that not all planned data centers will be realized, and AI could become more energy-efficient. While this debate is critical, the complete picture is more complex. Even if AI's energy demands are less than currently anticipated, various other factors will drive electricity demand. A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that global electricity demand rose by 4.3% last year due to factors beyond data centers, including the electrification of heating and cooking, increased air conditioning use due to record temperatures, and more. According to Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, electricity growth is a very clear trend. Broadening the discussion around future power demand helps prevent over-fixation on a single technology, no matter how transformative. It also helps avoid overlooking the complex interaction of factors that will shape our energy future, along with the related challenges and opportunities. To understand the nature of electricity demand growth, it's useful to analyze it geographically, starting with emerging markets and developing countries. Electricity demand in China increased by 7%, and in other emerging and developing economies by over 4%, while the European Union saw a growth of about 1.5%, according to the IEA. Some of this growth results simply from expanding economies. Greater wealth leads to increased electricity consumption. However, a significant portion of the rising demand stemmed from high temperatures, particularly heat waves in India and China, which led consumers and businesses to increase air conditioning usage. U.S. electricity usage also grew by about 2% last year, according to government . The primary driver was new data centers, but other factors also contributed. Federal programs enacted during the Biden Administration, such as the , have supported the growth of advanced manufacturing in the country. This translates to new facilities requiring electricity on previously undeveloped land or in renovated vacant buildings. Furthermore, modern manufacturing plants rely more on electricity than in the past, when they might have used on-site fossil fuel power. Electric vehicles are another factor. Despite perceptions of challenges in the U.S. EV market, with sales not meeting expectations, the IEA reports that sales continued to grow at a rate exceeding 10%. Increased EV adoption will inevitably lead to greater power demand in the coming years. Several lessons can be drawn from this information. Relying solely on AI efficiency improvements to avert an electricity crisis overlooks the broader picture. While developments like more energy-efficient language models could reduce AI's future electricity demand, they won't address all other demand sources. There are also positive aspects to note. The IEA reports that 80% of new electricity generation globally last year came from renewable energy or nuclear power. This means that emissions grew at a slower pace than the economy. Birol notes that there is a continuous decoupling of economic growth from emissions growth, offering a silver lining. While this decoupling is encouraging, emissions still need to decline to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. This imminent power crunch could force us to address the full range of available solutions. Power companies are actively building natural gas infrastructure to meet demand, but they are also investing in solar power and battery storage. Furthermore, the value of nuclear power is being rediscovered. Demand-reducing technologies like smart grids and demand response are gaining importance, and companies are incentivized to find more energy-efficient operational methods. This trend should continue to grow. To get this story in your inbox, subscribe to the TIME CO2 Leadership Report newsletter .

` tags. `` Artificial intelligence has gradually integrated into our lives, often without explicit consent. Phone and computer updates now offer text message summaries, and predictive text anticipates our writing. We can use AI to generate , or seek advice from chatbots on difficult conversations or crafting emails. Dating app companies are increasingly focusing on AI, aiming to address user frustrations and enhance safety. However, it's uncertain whether current AI features will truly benefit daters in the long term. With user numbers declining, dating apps are turning to AI to improve user experience. Bumble and Grindr have recently introduced AI features to attract and retain users. Bumble's CEO, Lidiane Jones, has expressed hope that AI will "reduce the friction" in profile setup. Grindr aims to enhance user experience by incorporating AI into features like curated matches and identifying "gayborhoods." Bumble's "Concierge" and Grindr's "Wingman" services allow users to leverage AI for tasks such as selecting pictures, creating profiles, matching, and messaging. Bumble is also working to by detecting fake and spam profiles. Despite significant investments in AI, dating apps haven't become more enjoyable. Their focus remains on the intricacies of the dating process they created, rather than providing a safer, more affirming, and humane experience. A indicates that most people feel burned out by dating apps. Match Group, owner of Tinder, Hinge, Match, and OKCupid, could coordinate efforts to ban abusers across its platforms, but this doesn't seem to be a priority. The Markup reported an instance of a user reported for rape in 2020 remaining on Hinge for three years, continuing to drug and rape at least 15 others, highlighting this issue. (In October 2024, a Denver judge sentenced the man to 158 years to life in prison.) These AI interventions may not improve the situation. They could lead to for daters, particularly younger ones who and struggle with in-person interactions. Introducing a bot might hinder their ability to develop resilience and valuable practice. Many clients express dissatisfaction with the disconnect they feel from their matches on dating apps. Promising conversations can abruptly end without explanation, and ghosting, dishonesty, and being stood up are common concerns. Users often feel they are paying for features that promise better matches but yield the same results, leading to frustration with paid plans and the feeling of putting themselves out there without any return. While a bot might assist with profiles or conversations, it's questionable whether this materially improves the experience if the other person doesn't engage meaningfully. In the case of Bumble's Concierge service, if two bots are communicating, how can daters ascertain genuine connection? Future generations may not long for AI-assisted "old-fashioned" dating. With an increasing number of completely, a fundamental shift in the dating app landscape is needed, one that prioritizes in-person meetings based on shared interests over internet personas. Utilizing AI to facilitate offline connections could be a welcome change. Dating inherently involves allowing interactions to unfold naturally, embracing individual quirks, and accepting the risks and imperfections. Dating apps have long imposed their version of dating, often complicating rather than simplifying our experiences. The solution lies not in adding more technology but in using it to foster real-world connections. There is an opportunity to improve dating. Real change will occur when dating apps prioritize meaningful conversations, connections, and relationships, while proactively removing bad actors and addressing abuse swiftly and permanently. If AI can contribute to these goals, it would be a positive development. ``

Turkey is once again in a state of turmoil. Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul and a key figure in the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the main opposition party, was initially detained and then formally arrested on March 23. The charges against him include “establishing and managing a criminal organization, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging a tender,” which Imamoglu has dismissed as a “sham”. He has also been suspended from his mayoral duties. If convicted, as anticipated, he will be barred from running for President. Despite these events, the CHP, denouncing the arrest as a political maneuver, proceeded with its scheduled primary and rally for the 2028 election. Simultaneously, protests have erupted in response. Police are attempting to control these demonstrations in Istanbul, the largest city; Ankara, the capital; Izmir; and other locations throughout the country. This situation is not new. Erdogan has held power for 22 years and intends to continue doing so. He has consolidated his government's control over the military, which faced a coup attempt in 2016, the judicial system, and the media. Given this context, the arrest of Imamoglu, a strong potential challenger to Erdogan, is not unexpected. After Imamoglu's initial election as Istanbul's mayor in 2019, Erdogan alleged electoral fraud and demanded a rerun. However, Imamoglu won the second election by an even larger margin, and the CHP now controls every major city in Turkey. Erdogan believes he can weather the protests, as he has done in the past. In 2013, when his government announced plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park, one of the city’s few green spaces, into an Ottoman-era military barracks and a shopping mall, widespread protests broke out. The harsh police response to those camping in the park ignited significant national protests. Erdogan allowed the protests to subside, and now, with a stronger grip on the country, he likely feels confident in his ability to manage the current situation. Despite this, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and other opposition figures are working to keep Imamoglu's situation in the spotlight by mobilizing the CHP's 1.7 million members. On March 24, Ozel called for a boycott of media outlets that refuse to cover the protests, reiterating accusations that Erdogan is abusing state power to undermine Turkish democracy. However, Erdogan's track record of suppressing dissent suggests that these protests are unlikely to pose a serious threat to his government. As of March 27, nearly 1,900 protesters have been arrested since Imamoglu's detention. Erdogan has accused the protesters and organizers of inciting unrest to “disturb the peace and polarize our people.” While the government has largely permitted mass protests in Istanbul, where hundreds of thousands have gathered, it appears poised to suppress demonstrations elsewhere in the country by any means necessary. Additionally, there are efforts underway to silence opposition voices on social media. Erdogan faces limited international pressure to change his course. The European Commission has issued a statement urging Erdogan's government to “respect fundamental rights and freedoms,” but lacks real leverage. Turkey's President maintains a strong relationship with Donald Trump. Moreover, those seeking stability in the Middle East need Erdogan's help in stabilizing the new government in Syria, and Europe requires Turkey, a NATO member, to support its security guarantees for a new security architecture. Imamoglu's arrest represents another significant step towards authoritarianism in Turkey, where democracy was already limited.

Returning from a trip to Canada, I navigate Toronto’s Pearson Airport, following signs with American flags toward U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Canadian staff repeatedly check my passport, but approaching the U.S. clearance area intensifies my anxiety. The U.S. border agent gestures for me to approach and present my passport, his demeanor and silence fueling my worries about what information his system reveals, especially concerning past data. I recognize my privilege in that my physical appearance aligns with the “M” on my passport, yet I am aware the system might show a conflicting history, the “F” that was once there. Since a presidential mandate on January 20th declared only two unchangeable sexes, male and female, American trans individuals face mounting fear and insecurity. The consequences vary based on their identification documents. As a white U.S. citizen typically perceived as male, the impact on me is less severe. I dedicate considerable time to supporting trans people of color, those with nonbinary genders now disregarded, and immigrants, who experience greater challenges. Online, I read about fears of those with an X on their documents, intersex individuals, and those dreading passport renewals fearing gender marker reversion. Some fear U.S. border crossings, others hesitate to travel for essential reasons. They imagine inhumane searches, travel restrictions, detention, or indefinite delays. These anxieties are valid. News reports detailed a trans passenger being at airport security because their driver's license gender marker differed from their passport. Some renewing passports received ones displaying their birth sex, while others face passport application delays. These restrictions build upon a history of limiting trans people's travel. Since governments began issuing IDs, trans individuals have faced challenges. In 2015, a trans woman recounted her experience of being detained and searched by TSA after a body scanner identified an "anomaly." TSA agents have long been required to select a blue or pink button, guessing a traveler's gender before scanning. Scanners flag unexpected physical features, like chest tissue on a trans man without top surgery, marking it on-screen and requiring a physical pat-down by an agent of the "same gender," an often awkward process. Driver's licenses, frequently required, are unpredictable for trans people. Over a decade ago, I faced challenges at the DMV moving from Pennsylvania to California post-transition. The conflicting gender markers on my Pennsylvania license and California birth certificate caused system confusion. A DMV worker described bureaucratic back-and-forth between databases due to the gender mismatch. I learned that administrative tasks for trans people rarely conclude in one visit, often involving managers, calls, and repeated attempts. However, identification documents are crucial for mobility. They are our tickets to travel. When a gender marker or name carries risks, and travel depends on a government invalidating trans existence, trans people lack equal rights. We are second-class citizens, potentially trapped if border crossing risks detention or humiliation. Many trans individuals, particularly in states with anti-trans laws, have moved to maintain healthcare access. Some consider leaving the country entirely. In Canada, I learned about increasing inquiries from trans Americans regarding jobs, housing, and residency. Although the U.S. doesn't qualify trans people for refugee status in Canada, interest in moving north has surged. My father, whose Jewish parent escaped Europe, worries about the administration's impact on me. My parents urge my partner and me to join them in Europe. I appreciate having supportive family abroad, but the underlying message is unsettling: what if we wait too long? While mandates cannot dictate identity, they can make survival unbearable. American trans eradication may involve eroding rights, forcing us to choose between staying in a country that seeks to erase us or risking border crossing to seek refuge elsewhere.

WASHINGTON — A recent poll indicates a decline in the number of Americans who view Canada as a close ally of the United States. This shift suggests that President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs and discussions of potentially taking over Canada are negatively impacting the crucial economic and military partnership between the two nations. According to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, this change in American perception is primarily driven by Democrats, although fewer Republicans also consider Canada an ally. Among Democrats, the percentage who saw Canada and the U.S. as close allies has decreased from about 70% before Trump's return to office to approximately 50%. For Republicans, the figure has dropped from 55% to 44%. While most Americans still perceive the relationship as at least "friendly," less than half now regard the U.S. and Canada as "close allies." This represents a decrease from roughly 60% in a poll conducted in September 2023. Lynn Huster, a 73-year-old lifelong Democrat from York, Pennsylvania, expressed her dismay at Trump's actions and their effects on relationships with allies, including the United Kingdom. "He's turning everybody against us," she lamented. She stated that Canada had always been "our friends" who "backed us," while some other countries, like the U.K., "don't want any part of us anymore." She added, "It's sad that our country's going to stand alone if anything happens." The poll's results reflect Trump's significant reshaping of U.S. foreign policy and international relations since resuming office. He has imposed widespread tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, and recently added a 25% tariff on imported automobiles. He plans to implement "reciprocal" taxes mirroring other nations' tariffs, which he refers to as "Liberation Day," in the coming week. Beyond economic measures, Trump has repeatedly antagonized and disparaged long-standing partners, particularly Canada, with which the U.S. shares a 5,500-mile (8,900-kilometer) border. He has questioned Canada's sovereignty, suggesting it become the 51st state, and consistently referred to its prime minister as "governor." These actions have triggered strong feelings of betrayal in Canada, where the U.S.-Canada relationship was traditionally seen as familial. The U.S. national anthem has been booed at Canadian sporting events, and American liquor has been removed from Canadian store shelves. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Thursday that the U.S. is "no longer a reliable partner" and that Canadians must now "look out for ourselves." His party's stance against Trump has boosted its political standing. Shaya Scher, a 35-year-old Republican from New Jersey, believes that Trump's rhetoric toward Canada is mostly for show. "I think he's just doing it to make them freak out so they can get a deal," Scher explained. He anticipates that an agreement will eventually be reached and that tensions will subside. "I think at the end of the day, they're still allies," he said. "Under the hood we're still allies, and if anything comes up, we'll still be allies." Others expressed greater concern. Scott Cunningham, a 69-year-old Democrat from South Bend, Indiana, remarked, "He's sabotaging decades of goodwill by having tariffs on foreign steel and foreign cars and foreign flowers." He added, "Tariffs are really going to hurt relationships—trading relationships, personal relationships—after being allies for decades. You do something like that, I'm going to remember that." Approximately 30% of Americans view Canada as "friendly but not a close ally," while about 20% consider the two countries "not friendly but not enemies." Very few perceive them as outright "enemies." Cunningham described the current U.S. relationship with Canada as "not friendly but not enemies." "We're not friends because of tariffs and him wanting to take over the country. That's not going well," he said. "It's very strained right now." Regarding other nations, the AP-NORC poll revealed that around half of U.S. adults see the United Kingdom as a close ally, but only about 30% feel the same about France and Germany. Approximately 40% consider the European Union a close ally. Almost no Americans view Russia or China as close allies. Roughly one-third believe China is an enemy of the United States, and a similar proportion hold this view of Russia. Republicans are less likely than Democrats to see Russia as a threat, with about 30% of Republicans viewing Russia as an enemy, compared to around 40% of Democrats. Trent Ramsaran, a 37-year-old freelancer from Brooklyn, New York, observed that many European leaders of traditional U.S. allies hold differing views from Trump, particularly on immigration. "I'm starting to see the pattern there where it seems like all these quote-unquote allies are in favor of having immigrants take over the country," he said. "His vision is really not the same as these allies. So he's saying these allies are not on the same page." However, Ramsaran expressed no concern about the U.S. potentially needing alienated allies in the future, citing the country's substantial defense spending and advanced weaponry. "If America ended up being attacked, I'm totally confident that we do not need the help of our allies to defend this country," he stated. "We've got Tom Cruise. He can teach people how to dogfight in 'Top Gun.'" —Colvin reported from New York. —The AP-NORC poll of 1,229 adults was conducted Mar. 20-24, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. ```

The city of Yiwu, near Shanghai, China, comes alive with Christmas preparations much earlier than most places. This city of two million is known for producing approximately two-thirds of the world's Christmas decorations. International traders were recently seen searching Yiwu Market for holiday samples. Orders usually begin in April, factories produce the goods, and shipments are sent globally by July. However, this year is different. Zhang Xiu Fang, owner of New Di Man Christmas Craft shop, notes that American clients are checking prices but not yet placing orders. The reason for the slowdown is the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Chinese goods. These imports now face a levy of at least 20%. These tariffs significantly impact China's vast manufacturing sector, which produces a wide range of goods. Yiwu, far beyond its Christmas fame, is central to this trade. The World Bank recognizes it as the world's largest small commodities market, with about $70 billion in annual sales. Christmas items only occupy a small portion of Yiwu Market, which consists of seven large buildings covering over 500 football fields and housing around 70,000 shops. If China is the world's factory, then Yiwu is its shopping center, displaying products from various nations. Louisa Line, an Australian businesswoman, appreciates the cultural mix in Yiwu. She highlights the market as a unique city and admires it greatly. However, locals are concerned about a potential trade war between the world’s two largest economies. China's trade surplus hit a record $1 trillion in 2024, supported by $3.5 trillion in exports. With weak domestic spending, exports are crucial to China's economy. But, economists predict that extended tariffs could cut U.S. exports by a third. Lina Liu, owner of Pet Fang Gang, says 40% of her sales go to the U.S. She mentions that customers are delaying orders, awaiting potential tariff relief. Trump recently suggested he might lower tariffs on China in exchange for a deal involving TikTok. Liu admits to some worry but is looking to expand elsewhere, considering sending products to U.S. clients via other countries. Uncertainty has caused many U.S. retailers to pause restocking, hoping for a resolution. However, even if tariffs are reduced, limited supply due to idle factories may increase prices. Trump has also increased tariffs on foreign-made cars and threatened reciprocal tariffs on all countries from April 2. Albert Hu, an economics professor, notes that it's difficult for U.S. consumers to find alternatives. He adds that costs will likely be passed onto consumers because of the thin profit margins. Lin Zhou, owner of Tuoxu Outdoor Lighting, explains that with minimal profit margins, there's no room to cut costs. She believes U.S. traders will absorb the costs to maintain customer relationships. Line suggests that more leaders should see Yiwu's cooperative commerce. She argues that the tariffs will mostly hurt small retailers and consumers. ```