Business news in brief

By The Associated Press

Former OpenAI employees lead push to protect whistleblowers

A group of OpenAI’s current and former workers are calling on the ChatGPT-maker and other artificial intelligence companies to protect employees who flag safety risks about AI technology.

An open letter published Tuesday asks tech companies to establish stronger whistleblower protections so researchers can raise concerns about the development of high-performing AI systems internally and with the public without fear of retaliation.

Former OpenAI employee Daniel Kokotajlo, who left the company earlier this year, said in a written statement that tech companies are “disregarding the risks and impact of AI” as they race to develop better-than-human AI systems known as artificial general intelligence.

TikTok says cyberattack targete ‘high-profile accounts’

NEW YORK | TikTok said Tuesday it has taken steps to stop a cyberattack targeting high-profile accounts, including one belonging to CNN.

“Our security team was recently alerted to malicious actors targeting CNN’s TikTok account,” TikTok spokesperson Jason Grosse said in a prepared statement. TikTok has been working with CNN to restore its access to the account and add “enhanced security measures” to safeguard it, Grosse said.

“We are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the platform and will continue to monitor for any further inauthentic activity,” Grosse added.

CNN did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Poll: Many Americans still shying away from EVs

WASHINGTON | Many Americans still aren’t sold on going electric for their next car purchase. A poll shows high prices and a lack of easy-to-find charging stations are major sticking points.

The poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago shows about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they would be at least somewhat likely to buy an EV the next time they buy a car, while about half aren’t ready to give up on gas-powered vehicles. The results indicate President Joe Biden’s plan to dramatically raise EV sales is running into resistance from drivers.

—From AP reports