Industry
PewDiePie’s $50K ADL Donation Prompts Mixed Reactions
Published
1 year agoon

- PewDiePie announced Tuesday that he was donating $50,000 to the Anti-Defamation League, a group that fights anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hate.
- However, some of his fans associate the group with YouTube’s initiative to remove content involving hate speech. Many also pointed out that the ADL was supportive of Disney’s choice to cut ties with PewDiePie in 2017.
- This led fans to believe that PewDiePie was being blackmailed into making this donation.
- PewDiePie eventually addressed these theories by saying he did this to show he was moving on from his past.
PewDiePie Donates to ADL
YouTuber PewDiePie has explained why he chose to donate to the Anti-Defamation League after his fans spread conspiracy theories suggesting he was blackmailed into doing so.
Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, posted a video on Tuesday in celebration of reaching 100 million YouTube subscribers, which makes him the most followed solo-creator on the platform. In the video, he reminisced on his online journey, unboxed his award from YouTube, and announced a donation to the ADL.
“As an additional celebration, I’m donating $50,000 to the Anti-Defamation League, which is an organization that fights bigotry and prejudice in all its forms,” Kjellberg said.
Conspiracy Theories Spread
The ADL was founded in 1913 with the goal of fighting anti-Semitism and other forms of hate. Many of Kjellberg’s fans, however, associate the group with YouTube’s initiative to remove content involving hate speech, as the platform has cited it as one of the many organizations it was working with the fight extremism. His fans believe the content removal to be a form of censorship.
Other fans also cited that the ADL was supportive of Disney’s decision to cut ties with Kjellberg back in 2017. Because of this, many fans were surprised that Kjellberg donated to the group.
“Wow, did the king of youtube just cave to those who wish to destroy him?” asked one user in the comments.
Other users believed that Kjellberg was blackmailed into giving the donation. Many commented messages like “Anti-Defamation League blackmailing PewDiePie,” using emojis in place of letters because they believed comments directly mentioning the ADL were being taken down.
Users on the PewDiePie subreddit believed comments about the ADL donation were being taken down on that platform as well. Many even claimed the ADL was responsible for this.
Users Don’t Believe Conspiracy Theories
These, however, were just fan-based conspiracy theories. Other users online did not believe them and thought the donation meant something else to Kjellberg.
Many saw it has his way of responding to recent tragedies, like the shooting in Christchurch, where the alleged attacker said “Subscribe to PewDiePie” before committing the act. YouTuber Roberto Blake said it was Kjellberg’s “way of setting the record straight.”
This is going to be an unpopular opinion but @pewdiepie has been attacked constantly by the media, and has had horrible ppl try to take advantage of his fame to further their agenda.
— Roberto Blake #INBOUND19 (@robertoblake) September 11, 2019
His donation to the ADL isn’t about selling out… it’s his way of setting the record straight.
Others saw the donation as a way for him to “rehabilitate his image.”
It’s pretty clear that Felix was just trying to rehabilitate his image via the ADL donation. It’s sort of funny how the dumber reactionaries can’t see that.
— Sonya Sable (@sable_sonya) September 11, 2019
Some were very critical of the fact that fans jumped so quickly to conspiracy theories, and even accused them of hypocrisy.
Pewdiepie says gamer words. Free speech warriors jump to his defense.
— The Serfs (@theserfstv) September 11, 2019
Mass shooter says subscribe to Pewdiepie. Free speech warriors jump to his defense.
Pewdiepie donates $50k to ADL. Disowned.
Others sent messages to Kjellberg to thank him for making a donation, believing it was a sign of maturity.
@pewdiepie I really, really appreciate your donation to ADL and I am so happy you've matured. I don't usually tweet but I'm only seeing negative responses to your donation and I want to show love 💕 congrats on 100 mil, you deserve it!
— 𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓪 𝓷𝓪𝓸𝓶𝓲 (@lindaxnaomi) September 10, 2019
PewDiePie Responds
These varied reactions and conspiracy theories did not go unnoticed. Kjellberg’s editor, Sive Morten, tweeted a meme about the theories and asked followers to “seriously, stop lol.”
Seriously, stop lol. pic.twitter.com/v8izgwjNRo
— Sive 1 (@sivemorten) September 11, 2019
Kjellberg addressed the situation himself on Twitter Wednesday morning. He claimed that mainstream media coverage of him did not bother him in the past, but in recent months, this has changed.
“After the Christ Church travesty a few months ago, my own clash with MSM was manipulated as a tool for destruction,” he wrote. “I’m not okay with this situation any longer and I’ve felt responsibility to make changes.”
— ƿ૯ωძɿ૯ƿɿ૯ (@pewdiepie) September 11, 2019
“Making a donation to ADL doesn’t make sense to everyone, especially since they’ve outright spoken against me,” he added. “I wanted to show publicly that I can move past it and move on.”
While some fans still responded with criticism and skepticism to his statement, others were pleased Kjellberg wanted to take this step.
See what others are saying: (The Verge) (Dexerto) (Reclaim the Net)
Industry
Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People
Published
16 hours agoon
January 22, 2021By
Cory Ray
- Microsoft has been granted a patent that would allow it to create artificial intelligence chatbots of dead people using “voice data, social media posts, electronic messages, written letters, etc.”
- As Microsoft noted in its patent proposal, chatbots could also be created to imitate living people — opening the door for users to train a digital version of themselves to be used after they die.
- In the patent filing, Microsoft also suggested creating 2D or 3D models of chatbot subjects by studying images and videos of them.
- Online, many noted the similarities between Microsoft’s patent and a 2013 episode of Black Mirror in which a woman creates an AI version of her deceased boyfriend.
Microsoft Granted Controversial Patent
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted Microsoft a patent for technology that would allow it digitally revive dead people.
If implemented, Microsoft would use information like “voice data, social media posts, electronic messages, written letters, etc.,” to create artificial intelligence chatbots meant to replicate the person.
In its filing, Microsoft noted that the person could be “a friend, a relative, an acquaintance, a celebrity, a fictional character, a historical figure, a random entity, etc.”
Microsoft also noted, “the specific person may also correspond to oneself (e.g., the user creating/training the chat bot), or a version of oneself (e.g., oneself at a particular age or stage of life).”
As The Independent pointed out, that opens up the door for living users to be able to “train a digital replacement in the event of their death.”
But it doesn’t stop there. Microsoft has also suggested creating 2D or even 3D models of the person by studying images and videos of them.
Has Life Finally Become an Episode of Black Mirror?
Online, many noted the similarities between Microsoft’s patent and a 2013 episode of Black Mirror in which a character, played by Hayley Atwell, revives her recently-deceased boyfriend through an AI chatbot. As the episode progresses, that AI — played by Domhnall Gleeson — eventually becomes an exact replica android of her boyfriend.
Slowly but surely the world is turning Black Mirror episodes into reality. https://t.co/ralPVUpK8m
— Phil Venables (@philvenables) January 15, 2021
When Black Mirror trends, but it's just Microsoft being all: pic.twitter.com/WBjGiqpAk0
— iain (@Keroffin) January 22, 2021
“More people that need to remember Black Mirror is a warning sign, not a product manual,” said Tama Leaver, an internet studies professor at Curtin University in Australia.
More people that need to remember Black Mirror is a warning sign, not a product manual … #digitaldeath https://t.co/QWqKxpipYe
— Tama Leaver (@tamaleaver) January 18, 2021
Microsoft granted patent to make chatbot using personal info of deceased people – based on “images, voice data, social media posts, electronic messages”.
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) January 22, 2021
1) Ew.
2) Eerily like fiction. Voicetree in LifeAfter; or Black Mirror Be Right Back.
3) Ew. https://t.co/3cedk8VGPg pic.twitter.com/Gh9u02QjtH
Indeed, many critics have interpreted the episode, which focuses on the grief felt by Atwell’s character because of her loss, as an examination of “our own mortality and our desire to play God.”
“It shines a spotlight on our desperate need to reverse a natural and necessary part of life without considering the consequences on our emotional well-being,” Roxanne Sancto said in a review for Paste Magazine.
In fact, series creator Charlie Brooker said part of his direct inspiration for writing the episode was based on Twitter and the question: “What if these people were dead and it was software emulating their thoughts?”
See what others are saying: (The Independent) (IGN) (Indie Wire)
Industry
JoJo Siwa Fans Caution Against Labeling the Star’s Sexuality
Published
2 days agoon
January 21, 2021
- JoJo Siwa was featured in two TikTok videos Wednesday that many felt signaled her as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
- One showed her dancing and lip-syncing to Paramore’s “Aint It Fun,” along with members of the TikTok group Pride House LA. Siwa specifically mouthed the lyric “Now you’re one of us,” which is also the caption of the post.
- The second video showed her lip-syncing to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” a song that has long been heralded as an LGBTQ+ anthem.
- The 17-year-old entertainer has not directly addressed speculations about her sexuality, prompting many to caution against labeling her.
JoJo Siwa TikToks Trigger Sexuality Speculations
JoJo Siwa fans are urging the public not to label the 17-year-old entertainer’s sexuality, especially when she has not explicitly done so herself.
The request came after Siwa became a trending topic Wednesday when many speculated that she had come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
The speculations stem from two TikTok videos she was featured in. The first was posted on choreographer Kent Boyd’s account. It features him and other members of the TikTok group Pride House LA, which includes several stars from Disney Channel’s “Teen Beach Movie.”
It showed them all lip-syncing and dancing along to Paramore’s hit song “Ain’t It Fun.” Siaw specifically mouthed the lyric “Now you’re one of us.” That lyric was also the caption of the post.
@kentboyd_ Now your one of us!! @itsjojosiwa @molleegray @garrettclayton91 @jekajane #pridehousela
♬ now ur one of us – Mia Mugavero
Later in the day, Siwa posted a video on her personal TikTok account that featured her lip-syncing to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” a song that has long been heralded as an LGBTQ+ anthem.
Part of the lyrics she sang along to were: “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian transgender life / I’m on the right track baby, I was born to survive.”
Reactions
These posts really started all the rumors online, and things picked up when influencers like James Charles, Bretman Rock, and others expressed their support.



Many fans also left comments on the videos saying they were proud of her, and journalist Yashar Ali tweeted, “This feels like a big deal if it is what I think it is…JoJo Siwa is hugely popular with kids.”
“And as someone just pointed out, if it is what I think it is, she’s doing it at the height of her fame when she’s selling out arenas,” he continued.
This feels like a big deal if it is what I think it is…JoJo Siwa is hugely popular with kids.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 21, 2021
And as someone just pointed out, if it is what I think it is, she's doing it at the height of her fame when she's selling out arenas. pic.twitter.com/oD2YehbZwu
Despite the wave of praise, other fans feel that it’s inappropriate and harmful to make speculations about anyone’s sexuality.
Many have even shared their own experiences coming out, reminding people not to label Siwa as anything until she explicitly chooses to share that information herself.
not even a jojo fan, but this just goes for all people. you should never assume someone's sexuality or label someone as something when they havent said it themselves 🙂 but if she were to come out, she should still be loved and supported https://t.co/Pg5ixZtIcf
— 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺✨🦋🦕 (@unusavery) January 21, 2021
hey guys, let's not label Jojo siwa or force her to come out (as straight or not) personally, I hated when people would ask my sexuality when I was unsure about what I was or if I even used labels.
— apple?? (@moisttrashcan) January 21, 2021
While Siwa hasn’t directly addressed any of the responses as of yet, she has retweeted a post that features her video, the pride flag emoji, and the caption, “@itsjojosiwa is on the right track, she was born this way.”
Still, others also noted that she has publicly asked Lady Gaga to collaborate with her in the past, so perhaps this is a signal about that happening soon.
@ladygaga I wanna film a YouTube video with you!!!⚡️💓 Message me!!
— JoJo Siwa!🌈💎🎀 (@itsjojosiwa) August 23, 2020
Others believe it could also be Siwa’s way of signaling that she is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
See what others are saying: (Insider) (Metro) (Teen Vogue)
Industry
Google Investigates Top AI Researcher Who Was Looking Into a Previous Firing
Published
3 days agoon
January 20, 2021By
Cory Ray
- Google is investigating the co-leader of its Ethical AI team, Margaret Mitchell.
- While Mitchell has not been fired, her account has been locked because Google said she “exfiltrated thousands of files” and shared them with people outside of the company.
- In a tweet, Mitchell indicated that she had been “documenting current critical issues” related to the firing of another Google AI Ethicist in December.
- Sources reportedly told Axios that Mitchell had been specifically looking for messages that showed discriminatory treatment of that fired researcher.
Google Investigates Margaret Mitchell
On Tuesday, Google stated that it is now investigating the co-leader of its Ethical Al team, Margaret Mitchell.
Mitchell has reportedly not been fired, but her company email account has been locked.
According to Google, its security systems automatically lock employee accounts “when they detect that the account is at risk of compromise due to credential problems or when an automated rule involving the handling of sensitive data has been triggered.”
In this case, Google said Mitchell “exfiltrated thousands of files” and then shared them with people outside of the company.
Why Did Mitchell Begin Looking Through Files?
Mitchell’s investigation is related to the ousting of another top AI ethicist at Google, Timnit Gebru, who was fired at the beginning of December.
Before Gebru was fired, managers reportedly instructed her to withdraw an unpublished research paper upon her return from vacation. In an email to the internal listserv Google Brain Women and Allies, Gebru then voiced frustration at managers for allegedly making the decision without her input.
“You are not worth having any conversations about this, since you are not someone whose humanity (let alone expertise recognized by journalists, governments, scientists, civic organizations such as the electronic frontiers foundation etc) is acknowledged or valued in this company,” Gebru said in a critique of the decision.
Gebru’s firing led to such a massive outcry from Google employees that Google CEO Sundar Pichai pledged to investigate the situation.
On Friday, Mitchell indicated in a tweet that she was also looking into Gebru’s firing, saying that she was “documenting current critical issues from [Gebru’s] firing, point by point, inside and outside work.”
Just after midnight. Hit 10 pages documenting current critical issues from @timnitGebru 's firing, point by point , inside and outside work. For Jeff Dean and whoever might actually read it (no one?). Wistfully remembering when I used to do research.
— MMitchell (@mmitchell_ai) January 15, 2021
According to Axios, sources have said that Mitchell used automated scripts to siphon through messages that potentially document discriminatory treatment against Gebru.
See what others are saying: (Axios) (The Verge) (Bloomberg)

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