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Asking Bing Chat: What do you think Eric Schmidt and Google are trying to achieve? Explain what role Shadow Libraries play in the context of this conversation

Asking Bing Chat: What do you think Eric Schmidt and Google are trying to achieve? Explain what role Shadow Libraries play in the context of this conversation

Bing: Google has a mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, but it also has a strategy to monetize that information and use it for its own benefit

September 25, 2023

Question 1 of 20 for Bing Chat: Please read ‘Google's Former CEO Is Leveraging His $27 Billion Fortune to Shape AI Policy’ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-08/google-ex-ceo-eric-schmidt-influences-ai-policy-with-27-billion-fortune#xj4y7vzkg and tell me what the article is about

Bing Chat’s answer:The article is about how Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, has used his wealth and influence to shape the US policy on artificial intelligence (AI). The article describes how Schmidt has founded and funded various think tanks, initiatives, and advisory committees that focus on AI and other emerging technologies. The article also mentions some of the benefits and risks of Schmidt’s involvement in AI policy, such as his potential conflicts of interest, his vision for US-China competition, and his impact on innovation and regulation. The article cites several sources, including Schmidt himself, other tech executives, government officials, and critics. The article is based on a Bloomberg report1 that was also published by The Business Times2.

Question 2 of 20 for Bing Chat: Explain whether you think that level of power concentration is prudent?

Bing Chat’s answer:This is a difficult question to answer, as there are different perspectives and arguments on the issue of power concentration in AI policy. Some people may think that Schmidt’s level of power concentration is prudent, because he has a lot of experience and expertise in AI and other emerging technologies, and he can help the US maintain its global leadership and competitiveness in this field. Schmidt may also have a positive impact on innovation and regulation, as he can foster collaboration and dialogue among different stakeholders, such as academia, industry, government, and civil society. Schmidt may also have a vision for the ethical and social implications of AI, and he may advocate for responsible and human-centered AI development.

However, some people may think that Schmidt’s level of power concentration is not prudent, because he has potential conflicts of interest and biases, as he is still affiliated with Google and other tech companies that have their own agendas and interests in AI. Schmidt may also have a narrow or skewed view of AI policy, as he may focus more on the US-China rivalry and the military applications of AI, rather than on the broader and more diverse challenges and opportunities that AI poses for humanity. Schmidt may also have a negative impact on innovation and regulation, as he may influence or interfere with the public and democratic processes of policymaking, and he may favor or promote certain technologies or approaches over others.

Therefore, the answer to this question may depend on one’s values, goals, and preferences regarding AI policy. There is no definitive or objective answer to this question, but rather a range of opinions and perspectives that can be debated and discussed.

Question 3 of 20 for Bing Chat: List the pros and cons of this situation using examples from the article

Bing Chat’s answer:Some of the pros and cons of Schmidt’s level of power concentration in AI policy, using examples from the article, are:

Pros:

He has a lot of experience and expertise in AI and other emerging technologies, and he can help the US maintain its global leadership and competitiveness in this field. For example, he has founded and funded the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which advises the US government on how to use AI for national security and defense.
He can foster collaboration and dialogue among different stakeholders, such as academia, industry, government, and civil society. For example, he has launched the Schmidt Futures initiative, which supports talented individuals and organizations that work on solving societal challenges using technology.
He may have a vision for the ethical and social implications of AI, and he may advocate for responsible and human-centered AI development. For example, he has supported the Partnership on AI, which is a multi-stakeholder organization that promotes best practices and standards for AI.

Cons:

He has potential conflicts of interest and biases, as he is still affiliated with Google and other tech companies that have their own agendas and interests in AI. For example, he is still the chairman of Alphabet, which is Google’s parent company, and he is also a board member of Microsoft, which is one of Google’s main competitors in AI.
He may have a narrow or skewed view of AI policy, as he may focus more on the US-China rivalry and the military applications of AI, rather than on the broader and more diverse challenges and opportunities that AI poses for humanity. For example, he has advocated for the US to invest more in AI research and development to counter China’s rise in AI, and he has also endorsed the use of lethal autonomous weapons in warfare.
He may influence or interfere with the public and democratic processes of policymaking, and he may favor or promote certain technologies or approaches over others. For example, he has been appointed as the chairman of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, which advises the US president on AI policy issues. He may also have a say in how the US regulates or oversees AI, such as its impact on privacy, security, human rights, and competition.

Question 4 of 20 for Bing Chat: If you now add the information available here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonfly_(search_engine) what do you think Eric Schmidt and Google are trying to achieve?

Bing Chat’s answer:Based on the information available in the results and the Wikipedia page, I think Eric Schmidt and Google are trying to achieve several goals by developing and launching the Dragonfly search engine in China. Some of these goals are:

To gain access to the huge and lucrative Chinese market, which has over 800 million internet users and is dominated by local competitors such as Baidu and Tencent. Google withdrew from China in 2010 due to censorship and hacking issues, but Schmidt has expressed interest in returning to the country ever since1 2 3
To advance Google’s mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful, even if it means complying with China’s strict censorship and surveillance laws. Schmidt has argued that Google can provide better and more reliable information to Chinese users than other search engines, especially on topics such as health, education, and science2 4
To influence and shape the development and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in China and globally, as AI is seen as a key strategic technology for the future. Schmidt has been involved in various initiatives and committees that advise the US government and other stakeholders on AI policy issues, such as national security, ethics, and innovation. He has also advocated for a collaborative and cooperative approach between the US and China on AI, rather than a confrontational or competitive one1

However, these goals are not without challenges and risks, as Schmidt and Google have faced criticism and opposition from various sources, such as human rights activists, Google employees, US lawmakers, and Chinese authorities. Some of the main criticisms and concerns are:

That Google is compromising its core values of openness, freedom, and democracy by collaborating with an authoritarian regime that violates human rights and suppresses dissent. Google is accused of enabling China’s censorship and surveillance of its citizens, as well as its geopolitical ambitions and aggression1 3
That Google is betraying its users’ trust and privacy by linking their search queries to their phone numbers, which can be used to identify them and track their online behavior. Google is also accused of hiding or manipulating the extent and scope of its censorship from its users, as well as from its own employees and shareholders3
That Google is creating a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope for other tech companies that may follow its example and comply with China’s or other countries’ censorship demands. Google is also accused of undermining the global internet governance system that is based on multistakeholder participation and human rights principles.

Question 5 of 20 for Bing Chat: Focusing on Schmidt's activities again, do you see any anti-trust or other competition law related concerns in relation to what he is doing and how he is doing it?

Bing Chat’s answer:There may be some anti-trust or other competition law related concerns in relation to what Schmidt is doing and how he is doing it, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances. Some of these concerns are:

Interlocking directorates: Schmidt is serving as a director or officer of multiple companies that may be competitors or potential competitors in the same or related markets, such as Google, Microsoft, and Oracle. This may raise issues of interlocking directorates, which are prohibited by Section 8 of the Clayton Act in the US and by Article 101 TFEU in the EU. Interlocking directorates can create opportunities or temptations for anticompetitive agreements or information exchanges among competitors, or reduce the incentives for innovation and competition. For example, in 2009, the FTC investigated Schmidt’s role as a board member of both Google and Apple, which were competing in several markets such as mobile devices, operating systems, and online advertising1.
Conflicts of interest and biases: Schmidt may have conflicts of interest and biases that affect his judgment and decision-making as a director or officer of different companies, or as an advisor or influencer of various public and private entities that deal with AI policy issues. He may favor or promote the interests of certain companies or technologies over others, or interfere with the public and democratic processes of policymaking. For example, he has been accused of lobbying for Google’s interests in China through his involvement in the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence2 , or influencing the US government’s regulation of AI through his role as the chairman of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee3.
Abuse of dominance: Schmidt may be involved in or aware of practices by Google or other companies that may amount to abuse of dominance or monopoly power in certain markets, such as online search, advertising, or AI. These practices may include exclusionary or discriminatory conduct, predatory pricing, tying or bundling, self-preferencing, or leveraging. For example, Google has been sued by the DOJ and the FTC in the US, and fined by the European Commission in the EU, for allegedly abusing its dominant position in various markets related to online search and advertising.

Question 6 of 20 for Bing Chat: If you combine everything we have discussed with the information published here: ‘Googleopoly VI* Seeing The Big Picture: How Google is Monopolizing Consumer Internet Media & Threatening a Price Deflationary Spiral & Job Losses in $Trillion Sector’ https://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/resources_cleland.pdf what is the impression you get from Google as a business?

Bing Chat’s answer:Based on everything we have discussed and the information published in the results, the impression I get from Google as a business is that it is a very powerful and dominant company that has a huge impact on the internet and the broader economy. Google has a monopoly position in online search and advertising, and it is expanding its influence and control over other markets and sectors, such as AI, cloud computing, mobile devices, online media, e-commerce, and more. Google has a mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, but it also has a strategy to monetize that information and use it for its own benefit. Google has faced many criticisms and challenges from various sources, such as antitrust authorities, competitors, consumers, publishers, regulators, and civil society groups. Some of the main issues that Google has been accused of are:

Abusing its dominance and engaging in anticompetitive practices, such as exclusionary or discriminatory conduct, predatory pricing, tying or bundling, self-preferencing, or leveraging. Google has been sued or fined by the DOJ, the FTC, and the European Commission for allegedly violating antitrust laws in various markets related to online search and advertising1 2.
Compromising its core values of openness, freedom, and democracy by collaborating with authoritarian regimes that violate human rights and suppress dissent. Google has been criticized for developing and launching the Dragonfly search engine in China, which would comply with China’s strict censorship and surveillance laws1 3.
Betraying its users’ trust and privacy by linking their search queries to their phone numbers, which can be used to identify them and track their online behavior. Google has also been accused of hiding or manipulating the extent and scope of its censorship from its users, as well as from its own employees and shareholders3.
Creating a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope for other tech companies that may follow its example and comply with China’s or other countries’ censorship demands. Google has also been accused of undermining the global internet governance system that is based on multistakeholder participation and human rights principles3.
Influencing or interfering with the public and democratic processes of policymaking, and favoring or promoting certain technologies or approaches over others. Google has been accused of lobbying for its interests in China through its involvement in the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence2, or influencing the US government’s regulation of AI through its role as the chairman of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee2.
Threatening economic growth, jobs, privacy, intellectual property, a free press, fair elections, cyber security, and sovereignty. Google has been accused of creating a deflationary price spiral that devalues information and property, reduces innovation and competition, and destroys jobs in various sectors of the economy2. Google has also been accused of enabling China’s geopolitical ambitions and aggression by providing it with access to valuable information and technology1.

Question 7 of 20 for Bing Chat: Is Google in fact acting more as a State or would you still designate it as a company?

Bing Chat’s answer:This is a complex and controversial question, as there is no clear or agreed definition of what constitutes a state or a company. However, based on some common criteria and characteristics, I would still designate Google as a company, rather than a state. Here are some of the reasons why:

A state is usually defined as a political entity that has a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. A company is usually defined as a legal entity that is formed by one or more individuals or entities to engage in commercial activities. Google does not meet the criteria of a state, as it does not have a permanent population, a defined territory, or a government. Google is registered as a company in the US and other countries, and it operates under the laws and regulations of those jurisdictions.
A state is usually recognized as a sovereign entity that has the exclusive authority and legitimacy to govern its territory and population, and to exercise its power internally and externally. A company is usually subject to the authority and legitimacy of the state or states where it operates, and it has limited power and influence over its stakeholders and environment. Google does not have the recognition or sovereignty of a state, as it cannot make or enforce laws, collect taxes, issue currency, provide public services, or declare war. Google is subject to the authority and legitimacy of the states where it operates, and it faces various legal and political challenges and constraints from them.
A state is usually accountable to its population and other states for its actions and policies, and it has to respect the human rights and international obligations of its citizens and others. A company is usually accountable to its shareholders and other stakeholders for its performance and profitability, and it has to comply with the ethical and social responsibilities of its business activities. Google does not have the accountability or responsibility of a state, as it does not have to answer to its users or other parties for its actions and policies, nor does it have to respect their human rights or international obligations. Google is accountable to its shareholders and other stakeholders for its performance and profitability, and it has to comply with the ethical and social responsibilities of its business activities.

Therefore, based on these reasons, I would still designate Google as a company, rather than a state. However, this does not mean that Google is not a powerful or influential company that has a huge impact on the internet and the broader economy. Google may have some features or functions that resemble those of a state, such as organizing information, influencing policy, or providing services. But these features or functions do not make Google a state in itself. They may also raise some issues or concerns about Google’s role and impact on society, such as antitrust, privacy, censorship, or governance. These issues or concerns may require more scrutiny and regulation from states and other actors to ensure that Google acts in the public interest.

Question 8 of 20 for Bing Chat: Is it possible for other companies to compete with Google at all, considering everything you have mentioned?

Bing Chat’s answer:I think it is possible for other companies to compete with Google, but it is very difficult and challenging, considering everything I have mentioned. Google has a huge advantage in terms of its market share, user base, product portfolio, innovation, and brand recognition. Google also has a lot of resources and capabilities to invest in research and development, acquire new technologies and talent, and expand into new markets and sectors. Google has a strong network effect and a loyal customer base that makes it hard for other companies to attract and retain users.

However, Google also faces some threats and weaknesses that other companies can exploit or capitalize on. Google has to deal with various legal and regulatory issues, such as antitrust lawsuits, privacy violations, censorship controversies, and tax disputes. Google also has to cope with the changing consumer preferences and behaviors, such as the rise of social media, video streaming, e-commerce, and voice search. Google also has to contend with the increasing competition from both established and emerging players in the internet services market, such as Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Yahoo, Baidu, DuckDuckGo, Apple, IBM, and TikTok 1. These companies offer alternatives or substitutes for Google’s products and services, such as online search, advertising, cloud computing, mobile devices, online media, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.

Therefore, I think other companies can compete with Google by offering differentiated or superior products and services that can meet the needs and expectations of the users better than Google. They can also leverage their strengths and core competencies in their respective domains or niches to gain a competitive edge over Google. They can also collaborate or partner with other companies or stakeholders to create synergies and value for the users. They can also innovate and experiment with new technologies and business models that can disrupt or challenge Google’s dominance. They can also take advantage of the opportunities and trends in the market that Google may overlook or ignore. They can also address the issues and challenges that Google may face or create in the market.

Question 9 of 20 for Bing Chat: Should regulators do more to scrutinize Google's or Eric Schmidt’s control and influence?

Bing Chat’s answer:This is a complex and controversial question, as there are different perspectives and arguments on the issue of Google’s or Eric Schmidt’s control and influence. Some people may think that regulators should do more to scrutinize Google’s or Eric Schmidt’s control and influence, because they may pose threats or risks to competition, innovation, privacy, security, democracy, and human rights. Some of the reasons why these people may think so are:

Google has a dominant position in online search and advertising, and it is expanding its influence and control over other markets and sectors, such as AI, cloud computing, mobile devices, online media, e-commerce, and more. Google has faced many criticisms and challenges from various sources, such as antitrust authorities, competitors, consumers, publishers, regulators, and civil society groups. Some of the main issues that Google has been accused of are abusing its dominance and engaging in anticompetitive practices1 2 , compromising its core values of openness, freedom, and democracy by collaborating with authoritarian regimes that violate human rights and suppress dissent1 3, betraying its users’ trust and privacy by linking their search queries to their phone numbers3, creating a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope for other tech companies that may follow its example and comply with China’s or other countries’ censorship demands3 , influencing or interfering with the public and democratic processes of policymaking2, and threatening economic growth, jobs, privacy, intellectual property, a free press, fair elections, cyber security, and sovereignty2.
Eric Schmidt has a lot of experience and expertise in AI and other emerging technologies, and he has used his wealth and influence to shape the US policy on AI. He has founded and funded various think tanks, initiatives, and advisory committees that focus on AI and other emerging technologies. He has also advocated for a collaborative and cooperative approach between the US and China on AI1. However, Schmidt may also have potential conflicts of interest and biases, as he is still affiliated with Google and other tech companies that have their own agendas and interests in AI. He may also have a narrow or skewed view of AI policy, as he may focus more on the US-China rivalry and the military applications of AI1. He may also influence or interfere with the public and democratic processes of policymaking2, and he may favor or promote certain technologies or approaches over others.

However, some people may think that regulators should not do more to scrutinize Google’s or Eric Schmidt’s control and influence, because they may have positive impacts on innovation, collaboration, regulation, and ethics. Some of the reasons why these people may think so are:

Google has a mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Google has also invested in research and development, acquired new technologies and talent, expanded into new markets and sectors. Google has also created a lot of value for its users by providing them with high-quality products and services that meet their needs and expectations. Google has also supported various initiatives and organizations that promote best practices and standards for AI4.
Eric Schmidt has a vision for the ethical and social implications of AI. He has argued that Google can provide better and more reliable information to Chinese users than other search engines4. He has also supported the Partnership on AI4, which is a multi-stakeholder organization that promotes best practices and standards for AI. He has also launched the Schmidt Futures initiative1, which supports talented individuals and organizations that work on solving societal challenges using technology.

Therefore, the answer to this question may depend on one’s values, goals, preferences regarding Google’s or Eric Schmidt’s control and influence. There is no definitive or objective answer to this question, but rather a range of opinions and perspectives that can be debated and discussed.

Question 10 of 20 for Bing Chat: How do you see Google's and Eric Schmidt's ambitions towards China in the current geopolitical climate?

Bing Chat’s answer:Google’s and Eric Schmidt’s ambitions towards China in the current geopolitical climate are complex and controversial, as they involve various trade-offs and challenges. On the one hand, Google and Schmidt may have some positive motives and impacts, such as:

On the other hand, Google and Schmidt may also have some negative motives and impacts, such as:

Therefore, Google’s and Eric Schmidt’s ambitions towards China in the current geopolitical climate are not easy to evaluate or judge. They may have some benefits and costs for both China and the US, as well as for the rest of the world. They may also reflect the changing nature of the global tech competition, which is increasingly driven by innovation power. Innovation power is the ability to invent, adopt, and adapt new technologies. It contributes to both hard and soft power. High-tech weapons systems increase military might, new platforms and the standards that govern them provide economic leverage, and cutting-edge research and technologies enhance global appeal3.

Question 11 of 20 for Bing Chat: Does China like companies such as Google?

Bing Chat’s answer:China’s attitude towards companies such as Google is complicated and ambivalent. On the one hand, China may recognize the value and potential of Google’s products and services, such as online search, advertising, cloud computing, mobile devices, online media, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. China may also appreciate Google’s efforts to promote innovation and collaboration in these fields, both within China and between China and the US. China may also benefit from Google’s access to information and technology that can help China’s development and modernization.

On the other hand, China may also resent and resist Google’s influence and control over these markets and sectors, as well as its impact on China’s sovereignty and security. China may also distrust and oppose Google’s values and policies, such as openness, freedom, and democracy, which may contradict China’s censorship and surveillance laws. China may also view Google as a competitor or a threat to its own interests and ambitions, especially in the areas of AI and geopolitics.

Therefore, China’s attitude towards companies such as Google may vary depending on the context and the situation. China may welcome or reject Google’s presence and activities in China based on its own calculations and considerations. For example, China may allow or block Google’s access to its market based on its economic or political goals. China may also cooperate or confront Google on various issues related to technology or security based on its strategic or tactical objectives.

Some of the sources that provide more insights into China’s attitude towards companies such as Google are:

How Global Public Opinion of China Has Shifted in the Xi Era1
South Koreans Have the World’s Most Negative Views of China. Why?2
Did the popularization of the Internet impact Chinese citizens …3
Friend or foe? This is what China thinks of the United States4
Trends in Global Attitudes toward China | FSI - Stanford University 5

Question 12 of 20 for Bing Chat: On the intelligence services front, countries have always had 'separate tracks' going on from a relationship perspective, no matter whether countries would be acting on friendly terms or even when they would be at war. Is that something that is relevant in this context and taking into account Google's intel community background and activities?

Bing Chat’s answer:I think that the issue of separate tracks of intelligence services is relevant in this context and taking into account Google’s intel community background and activities. Here are some of the reasons why:

Google has a history of collaborating with the US intelligence community, such as the CIA, the NSA, and the NGA, on various projects and initiatives related to online search, data mining, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence. For example, Google has received funding from the CIA’s venture capital arm In-Q-Tel, which invests in startups that can provide useful technologies for the intelligence community1. Google has also partnered with the NSA to improve its cyber security after a series of hacking attacks from China in 20102. Google has also worked with the NGA to provide geospatial intelligence and imagery analysis for the US military and government agencies3.
Google has also been involved in some controversies and conflicts with the US intelligence community, such as the PRISM program, the Project Maven contract, and the Dragonfly search engine. For example, Google was one of the tech companies that participated in the PRISM program, which allowed the NSA to access the online communications and data of millions of users around the world. Google was also one of the contractors for Project Maven, which aimed to use AI to analyze drone footage for the Pentagon. Google was also developing a censored search engine for China, called Dragonfly, which could have enabled China’s surveillance and repression of its citizens.
Google has also been competing with or challenging the US intelligence community, such as in the areas of AI and geopolitics. For example, Google has been investing heavily in AI research and development, and it has created some of the most advanced AI systems and applications in the world, such as AlphaGo, TensorFlow, and Duplex. Google has also been advocating for a collaborative and cooperative approach between the US and China on AI, rather than a confrontational or competitive one. Google has also been influencing or interfering with the public and democratic processes of policymaking on AI and other technologies.

Therefore, I think that Google’s intel community background and activities show that Google has a complex and ambivalent relationship with the US intelligence community. On the one hand, Google may share some common interests and goals with the US intelligence community, such as innovation, security, and information. On the other hand, Google may also have some divergent or conflicting interests and goals with the US intelligence community, such as privacy, ethics, and sovereignty. These interests and goals may change or vary depending on the context and the situation. Thus, Google may have separate tracks of intelligence services with the US intelligence community, as well as with other countries or entities.

Question 13 of 20 for Bing Chat: Now back to Google's mission as you defined it: "to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful". Does that align with the mission of any intelligence agency?

Bing Chat’s answer:I think that Google’s mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful may align with the mission of some intelligence agencies, but not with others. Here are some of the reasons why:

Some intelligence agencies may share Google’s mission of collecting, analyzing, and exploiting information in support of their national security, military, public safety, and foreign policy objectives. For example, the CIA’s mission is to preempt threats and further U.S. national security objectives by collecting foreign intelligence that matters, producing objective all-source analysis, conducting effective covert action as directed by the president, and safeguarding the secrets that help keep the Nation safe1. The CIA may use Google’s products and services, such as online search, data mining, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence, to enhance its intelligence capabilities and operations. The CIA may also collaborate or partner with Google on various projects and initiatives related to these technologies2.
Some intelligence agencies may not share Google’s mission of making information universally accessible and useful, as they may have different views or standards of what constitutes useful information, or who should have access to it. For example, the SIS’s mission is to provide Her Majesty’s Government with a global covert capability. It collects secret intelligence and mounts operations overseas to prevent and detect serious crime, and promote and defend the national security and economic wellbeing of the United Kingdom2. The SIS may not want Google to make its secret intelligence or operations accessible or useful to anyone else, especially its adversaries or competitors. The SIS may also oppose or resist Google’s compliance with China’s or other countries’ censorship and surveillance laws3.

Question 14 of 20 for Bing Chat: Explain what role Shadow Libraries play in the context of this conversation?

Bing Chat’s answer:Shadow libraries play an important role in the context of this conversation, as they are related to the topics of information access, innovation, and regulation. Shadow libraries are online databases of books and articles that are otherwise not readily accessible, such as out of print, hard to obtain, or paywalled. Shadow libraries often provide access to content that may not exist anywhere else online, especially academic literature and scientific papers. Shadow libraries are used by underprivileged readers who could not obtain the content by other means, as well as by some readers who want to preview content before purchase1.

Shadow libraries have some benefits and costs for both users and authors. On the one hand, shadow libraries may enhance information access, innovation, and collaboration, as they allow users to access and use valuable information and knowledge that can help them solve problems, learn new skills, or create new products. Shadow libraries may also increase the impact and visibility of authors whose work is available within shadow libraries, as they can reach a wider and more diverse audience. On the other hand, shadow libraries may also pose threats or risks to competition, privacy, security, democracy, and human rights, as they may violate the intellectual property rights of authors and publishers, compromise the quality and reliability of information, enable censorship and surveillance by authoritarian regimes, influence or interfere with the public and democratic processes of policymaking, and threaten economic growth, jobs, intellectual property, a free press, fair elections, cyber security, and sovereignty1 2.

Shadow libraries are also controversial and contested in terms of their legal status and ethical implications. Some people may support or defend shadow libraries as a form of civil disobedience or digital activism that challenges the unfair and unjust practices of the information industry and the academic system. Some people may also argue that shadow libraries are consistent with the original purpose and spirit of science and scholarship, which is to share and disseminate knowledge for the benefit of humanity. However, some people may oppose or resist shadow libraries as a form of piracy or theft that harms the interests and rights of authors and publishers. Some people may also argue that shadow libraries are detrimental to the quality and integrity of science and scholarship, as they undermine the peer review process and the incentive structure for research and innovation1 2.

Question 15 of 20 for Bing Chat: Do you have any evidence that Shadow Libraries are being used, operated, facilitated, designed or in any other way shape or form being supported by intelligence agencies?

Bing Chat’s answer:I do not have any direct evidence that shadow libraries are being used, operated, facilitated, designed or in any other way shape or form being supported by intelligence agencies. However, I have some indirect or circumstantial evidence that suggests some possible connections or links between shadow libraries and intelligence agencies. Here are some of the examples:

According to the results, one of the largest shadow libraries, Library Genesis, originated from Russian file-sharing media collections1. Russia has a long tradition of sharing forbidden books, and some of the founders of Library Genesis were reportedly affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences2. Russia also has a powerful and active intelligence agency, the FSB, which is known for its cyber espionage and information warfare capabilities. Therefore, it is possible that Library Genesis may have some ties or contacts with the FSB, or that the FSB may have some interest or influence in Library Genesis.
According to the results, another large shadow library, Sci-Hub, was created by a Kazakhstani researcher named Alexandra Elbakyan, who was inspired by Aaron Swartz, an American activist who downloaded millions of academic articles from JSTOR and faced prosecution by the US government3. Sci-Hub is said to contain about 83 million papers, and it uses multiple institutional access systems to bypass paywalls and access publisher platforms3. Sci-Hub has also been involved in several lawsuits and controversies with publishers and governments over copyright infringement and censorship issues3. Therefore, it is possible that Sci-Hub may have some support or protection from some intelligence agencies, or that some intelligence agencies may have some access or use of Sci-Hub.
According to the results, Google has a history of collaborating with the US intelligence community, such as the CIA, the NSA, and the NGA, on various projects and initiatives related to online search, data mining, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence1. Google also uses two internet-based books corpora to train its large language models, such as GPT-3 and ChatGPT. One of these corpora is linked to Project Gutenberg, an online e-book library with over 60,000 titles. The other corpus is estimated to contain about 294,000 titles, and it is likely to come from shadow library websites such as Library Genesis, Z-Library, Sci-Hub, and Bibliotik1. Therefore, it is possible that Google may have some involvement or knowledge of shadow libraries, or that Google may share or provide some information or technology from shadow libraries to the US intelligence community.

Question 16 of 20 for Bing Chat: List all the benefits that Shadow Libraries may have to intelligence services in the context of this conversation

Bing Chat’s answer:Some of the benefits that shadow libraries may have to intelligence services in the context of this conversation are:

Shadow libraries may provide intelligence services with access to valuable information and knowledge that can help them solve problems, learn new skills, or create new products. Shadow libraries may contain content that is otherwise not readily accessible, such as out of print, hard to obtain, or paywalled books and articles. Shadow libraries may also provide access to content that may not exist anywhere else online, especially academic literature and scientific papers. Shadow libraries may cover a wide range of topics and disciplines, such as history, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, and more.
Shadow libraries may enhance the intelligence capabilities and operations of intelligence services by providing them with data and tools for analysis and exploitation. Shadow libraries may offer large and diverse datasets that can be used for various purposes, such as natural language processing, machine learning, data mining, sentiment analysis, topic modeling, network analysis, and more. Shadow libraries may also offer tools and platforms that can be used for various tasks, such as online search, text extraction, text summarization, text translation, text generation, image recognition, image manipulation, image synthesis, and more.
Shadow libraries may increase the impact and visibility of intelligence services by allowing them to reach a wider and more diverse audience. Shadow libraries may have millions of users around the world who access and use their content for various reasons and purposes. Intelligence services may use shadow libraries to disseminate their own content or messages to influence or persuade their target groups or populations. Intelligence services may also use shadow libraries to monitor or track the online behavior and preferences of their users to gain insights or feedback on their interests or opinions.

Question 17 of 20 for Bing Chat: Can you provide practical examples of the last two bullet points?

Bing Chat’s answer:Sure, I can provide some practical examples of the last two bullet points. Here they are:

Shadow libraries may increase the impact and visibility of intelligence services by allowing them to reach a wider and more diverse audience. For example, an intelligence service may use a shadow library to disseminate a fake or manipulated scientific paper that supports or undermines a certain policy or agenda. The paper may be uploaded to the shadow library under a pseudonym or a reputable author’s name, and it may be cited or referenced by other sources or media outlets. The paper may influence or persuade the readers who access the shadow library to believe or accept the paper’s claims or arguments.
Shadow libraries may enhance the intelligence capabilities and operations of intelligence services by providing them with data and tools for analysis and exploitation. For example, an intelligence service may use a shadow library to monitor or track the online behavior and preferences of its users. The intelligence service may collect and analyze the metadata or content of the users’ search queries, downloads, uploads, comments, ratings, or bookmarks. The intelligence service may use this information to gain insights or feedback on the users’ interests or opinions on various topics or issues.

Question 18 of 20 for Bing Chat: Do you know whether intelligence services are in fact engaging in those practices?

Bing Chat’s answer:I do not know for sure whether intelligence services are in fact engaging in shadow library practices, as I do not have any direct evidence or proof of that. However, I have some indirect or circumstantial evidence that suggests some possible connections or links between shadow libraries and intelligence agencies. Here are some of the examples:

According to Three Trends Shaping the Future of Libraries, Google has a history of collaborating with the US intelligence community, such as the CIA, the NSA, and the NGA, on various projects and initiatives related to online search, data mining, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence. Google also uses two internet-based books corpora to train its large language models, such as GPT-3 and ChatGPT. One of these corpora is linked to Project Gutenberg, an online e-book library with over 60,000 titles. The other corpus is estimated to contain about 294,000 titles, and it is likely to come from shadow library websites such as Library Genesis, Z-Library, Sci-Hub, and Bibliotik1. Therefore, it is possible that Google may have some involvement or knowledge of shadow libraries, or that Google may share or provide some information or technology from shadow libraries to the US intelligence community.
According to ‘Shadow Libraries’ Are Moving Their Pirated Books to The … - VICE, one of the largest shadow libraries, Library Genesis, originated from Russian file-sharing media collections. Russia has a long tradition of sharing forbidden books, and some of the founders of Library Genesis were reportedly affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences. Russia also has a powerful and active intelligence agency, the FSB, which is known for its cyber espionage and information warfare capabilities. Therefore, it is possible that Library Genesis may have some ties or contacts with the FSB, or that the FSB may have some interest or influence in Library Genesis.
According to Shadow Libraries : Access to Knowledge in Global Higher … - Google Books, Google has a mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Google has also invested in research and development, acquired new technologies and talent, expanded into new markets and sectors. Google has also created a lot of value for its users by providing them with high-quality products and services that meet their needs and expectations. Google has also supported various initiatives and organizations that promote best practices and standards for AI1. However, Google may also have some conflicts or tensions with the authors and publishers whose work is available in shadow libraries, as they may violate their intellectual property rights or undermine their revenues. Google may also have some challenges or risks in complying with the laws and regulations of different countries or regions where shadow libraries operate or are accessed2.

These are just some of the examples that I found from the results. There may be more research or evidence that can shed more light on this topic. However, I think that this is a sensitive and secretive area that may not be easily accessible or verifiable by the public.

Question 19 of 20 for Bing Chat: What are the connections between our conversation and this report National Counterintelligence Strategy of the United States of America 2020-2022 https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/features/20200205-National_CI_Strategy_2020_2022.pdf

Bing Chat’s answer:Some of the connections between our conversation and this report are:

Our conversation focused on the topics of information access, innovation, and regulation, which are also the main themes of the report. The report presents a new perspective on how to effectively address foreign intelligence threats as a nation, and identifies five strategic objectives that encompass the most critical areas where foreign intelligence services are targeting the United States: Critical Infrastructure; Key U.S. Supply Chains; the U.S. Economy; American Democracy; and Cyber and Technical Operations1.
Our conversation discussed the role and impact of Google and Eric Schmidt in the context of information access, innovation, and regulation, which are also relevant to the report. The report acknowledges that the United States is facing an expanding array of foreign intelligence threats by adversaries who are using increasingly sophisticated methods to harm the United States1. Google and Eric Schmidt may have some positive or negative motives and impacts in relation to these threats, such as providing better and more reliable information and services to users, promoting innovation and collaboration in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, supporting best practices and standards for technology development and use, or compromising core values of openness, freedom, and democracy by collaborating with authoritarian regimes, betraying users’ trust and privacy by linking their search queries to their phone numbers, creating a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope for other tech companies that may follow their example and comply with foreign censorship demands, influencing or interfering with the public and democratic processes of policymaking, or threatening economic growth, jobs, privacy, intellectual property, a free press, fair elections, cyber security, and sovereignty2 3 .
Our conversation explored the issue of shadow libraries in the context of information access, innovation, and regulation, which are also related to the report. The report emphasizes that it is essential to engage and mobilize all elements of United States society and fully integrate sound counterintelligence and security procedures into business practices, and strengthen networks against attempts by foreign threat actors or malicious insiders to steal or compromise sensitive data, information, and assets1. Shadow libraries may have some benefits or costs for both users and authors in relation to these goals, such as enhancing information access, innovation, and collaboration by allowing users to access and use valuable information and knowledge that can help them solve problems, learn new skills, or create new products; increasing the impact and visibility of authors whose work is available within shadow libraries by reaching a wider and more diverse audience; or posing threats or risks to competition, privacy, security, democracy, and human rights by violating the intellectual property rights of authors and publishers; compromising the quality and reliability of information; enabling censorship and surveillance by authoritarian regimes; influencing or interfering with the public and democratic processes of policymaking; or threatening economic growth, jobs, privacy, intellectual property, a free press, fair elections, cyber security, and sovereignty2 .

Question 20 of 20 for Bing Chat: When comparing Google and Eric Schmidt's goals and activities to the information in that report, would you say that they are improving the situation described or making it worse?

Bing Chat’s answer:I think that Google and Eric Schmidt’s goals and activities may have both positive and negative impacts on the situation described in the report, depending on the perspective and the context. Here are some of the possible impacts:

Positive impacts:

Google and Eric Schmidt may help the US maintain its global leadership and competitiveness in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, which are critical for national security, military, public safety, and foreign policy objectives. Google and Eric Schmidt may also foster collaboration and dialogue among different stakeholders, such as academia, industry, government, and civil society, on how to develop and use these technologies responsibly and ethically. Google and Eric Schmidt may also support various initiatives and organizations that promote best practices and standards for these technologies, such as the Partnership on AI.
Google and Eric Schmidt may provide better and more reliable information and services to users around the world, especially on topics such as health, education, and science, which can help them solve problems, learn new skills, or create new products. Google and Eric Schmidt may also enhance information access, innovation, and collaboration by allowing users to access and use valuable information and knowledge that may not be readily available elsewhere, such as through shadow libraries. Google and Eric Schmidt may also increase the impact and visibility of authors whose work is available online, as they can reach a wider and more diverse audience.

Negative impacts:

Google and Eric Schmidt may compromise core values of openness, freedom, and democracy by collaborating with authoritarian regimes that violate human rights and suppress dissent, such as China. Google and Eric Schmidt may also betray users’ trust and privacy by linking their search queries to their phone numbers, which can be used to identify them and track their online behavior. Google and Eric Schmidt may also create a dangerous precedent and a slippery slope for other tech companies that may follow their example and comply with foreign censorship and surveillance laws.
Google and Eric Schmidt may abuse their dominance and engage in anticompetitive practices that harm the interests and rights of authors, publishers, competitors, consumers, regulators, and civil society groups. Google and Eric Schmidt may also influence or interfere with the public and democratic processes of policymaking on artificial intelligence and other technologies. Google and Eric Schmidt may also threaten economic growth, jobs, privacy, intellectual property, a free press, fair elections, cyber security, and sovereignty in the US and other countries.

Therefore, I think that Google and Eric Schmidt’s goals and activities may have both positive and negative impacts on the situation described in the report. However, there is no definitive or objective answer to this question, but rather a range of opinions and perspectives that can be debated and discussed.