But this is only the start of our surveillance dystopia, according to Larry Ellison, the billionaire cofounder of Oracle. He said AI will usher in a new era of surveillance that he gleefully said will ensure "citizens will be on their best behavior."
Ellison made the comments as he spoke to investors earlier this week during an Oracle financial analysts meeting, where he shared his thoughts on the future of AI-powered surveillance tools.
Ellison said AI would be used in the future to constantly watch and analyze vast surveillance systems, like security cameras, police body cameras, doorbell cameras, and vehicle dashboard cameras.
"We're going to have supervision," Ellison said. "Every police officer is going to be supervised at all times, and if there's a problem, AI will report that problem and report it to the appropriate person. Citizens will be on their best behavior because we are constantly recording and reporting everything that's going on."
Ellison also expects AI drones to replace police cars in high-speed chases. "You just have a drone follow the car," Ellison said. "It's very simple in the age of autonomous drones." He did not say if those drones would broadcast the chases on network news.
Ellison's company, Oracle, like almost every company these days, is aggressively pursuing opportunities in the AI industry. It already has several projects in the works, including one in partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Ellison is the world's sixth-richest man with a net worth of $157 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Ellison's children have made names for themselves in the film industry. His daughter Megan Ellison founded her production company Annapurna Pictures in 2011, and his son David Ellison is set to become CEO of Paramount after it completes its merger with Skydance Media.
Whoopi Goldberg showed some support to Carrie Underwood on “The View” (via Entertainment Weekly) amid backlash against the “American Idol” winner and country music star for her decision to perform “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. The EGOT winner has been outspoken against Trump for years but said she stands behind Underwood, although Goldberg will not be watching the performance or the inauguration.
“People do what they do for whatever reason,” Goldberg said, noting that public figures have every right to navigate politics however they see fit. Such was the case when MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski met with Trump after he won the presidential election in November, Goldberg observed.
“I stand behind her,” Goldberg added of Underwood. “If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform some place, I believe [she has] the same right. I have to support. It doesn’t mean I’m particularly interested. I won’t be watching, but that’s just me.”
“I think art is art and you have a right to perform where you want to perform,” Goldberg’s “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin said, echoing Goldberg by adding that she has no plans to watch Underwood or the inauguration and has “scheduled a spa day” instead.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, who previously worked under Trump at the White House but voted for Kamala Harris in the election, chimed in by slamming society’s knack to “cancel people’s livelihood because we don’t like their politics…If you have a problem, you register your complaint by not downloading her songs and not going to her shows. But, I also think from a business standpoint, it’s not a bad decision for Carrie Underwood.”
Griffin added that Underwood is “overnight going to become an icon of MAGA and the American right and is likely “going to make a lot of money off of” her decision to perform at the inauguration.
Underwood’s performance was announced Jan. 13 and she issued the following statement: “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Classical crossover singer Christopher D. Macchio is also on the schedule to perform an unnamed “musical selection” just before JD Vance is sworn in as vice president.
With just days to go before taking office, President-elect Donald Trump spent the wee hours of Tuesday complaining about late night host Seth Meyers.
“How bad is Seth Meyers on NBC, a ‘network’ run by a truly bad group of people,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website shortly before 1:30 a.m. ET. “I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers the other night, the first time in months, and every time I watch this moron I feel an obligation to say how dumb and untalented he is, merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast.”
As he has before, Trump complained that late night talk shows are “contributions” to the Democratic Party. He also appeared to threaten Comcast, the parent company of NBC, which airs Meyers’ show.
“These are not shows or entertainment, they are simply political hits, 100% of the time, to me and the Republican Party,” Trump griped. “Comcast should pay a BIG price for this!”
Trump seems to especially dislike Kimmel, whom he attacks more frequently than others. During his previous term in office, Trump reportedly tried to have Kimmel censored.
A photograph of Jessica Chastain from her 2008 film Jolene has recently gained significant attention on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). The image, shared by the fan account, showcases Chastain in her role as Jolene, a character navigating a decade-long journey across the United States.
The post has garnered numerous reactions from fans, highlighting Chastain’s enduring appeal and the impact of her early work. One user expressed admiration, stating, “damn, i love her so much.” Another commented on her career trajectory: “she’s my fav example of successful ‘late bloomer’ in the industry.” A third user humorously referenced Dolly Parton’s iconic song, noting, “ok I get why Dolly was so worried now.”
Jolene marked Chastain’s feature film debut, where she portrayed a teenage orphan embarking on a ten-year journey across America, experiencing various facets of life, love, and heartbreak. The film is based on a short story by E.L. Doctorow, itself inspired by Dolly Parton’s song “Jolene.”
Chastain’s performance in Jolene was met with critical acclaim, setting the stage for a prolific career in Hollywood. She has since received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, and is recognized for her versatility and dedication to her craft.
The resurgence of interest in Jolene underscores the lasting impression of Chastain’s early work and the film’s continued relevance. As discussions about the movie circulate online, both longtime fans and new audiences are revisiting her compelling performance, reflecting on the film’s themes and Chastain’s portrayal of a resilient and complex character.
For those interested in exploring more of Chastain’s work, her official Instagram account provides updates and insights into her projects and advocacy.
Jolene can stream on various platforms, allowing viewers to witness the early performance that contributed to Jessica Chastain’s rise as one of Hollywood’s most esteemed actresses.
Donald Trump Gets This A-List Country Star To Perform at His Upcoming Inauguration
Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president happens on Monday, Jan. 20 and it looks like the official program leaked to the press. DC Reporter Matthew Foldi shared an image on X of the printed material with an A-list country name that might be surprising to some fans.
Carrie Underwood was listed on the program as the performer for “America the Beautiful” along with the Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. The song is expected to be performed right before Donald Trump takes the presidential oath of office. The New York Post also confirmed that the “Before He Cheats” singer will take to the stage for the incoming president.
Carrie Underwood at the Academy of Country Music Awards held at Allegiant Stadium on March 7, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
That’s a pretty impressive get for Donald Trump when it comes to Hollywood where he often receives a mixed reaction from celebrities. Underwood has never revealed her political affiliations with her fans though. She explained her reasoning to The Guardian in 2019, “I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins. It’s crazy. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”
The decision to sing for Donald Trump may closely align her with his policies and the Republican Party as fans chimed in with their opinions. One social media account wrote, “Well that’s disappointing.” Another added, “@carrieunderwood you should be ashamed.” Not everyone was mad about Underwood on the program though. “I remember watching her win on American Idol many years ago and look at her now!! She is beautiful inside and out,” they gushed.
Garth Brooks sang “Amazing Grace” at Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021 because Jill Biden had asked him to perform. He told Good Morning America ahead of the inauguration that he considered it as a chance “to serve” the U.S. and that it was “not a political statement,” it was “a statement of unity.” He added, “I might be the only Republican at this place, but it’s about reaching across and loving one another.”
The country music community traditionally leans right, but some artists will reach across the aisle because they consider it an honor to perform for any President of the United States. Underwood hasn’t made a statement yet about her decision to perform, but her performance might be sending a message to all of her fans.
Before you go, click here to see the biggest presidential scandals in US History.
As the world waits as James Gunn builds up his new DC Universe, one of the biggest questions on people’s minds concerning this new franchise is the actors. Specifically, fans are anxious to see who will play the Joker in the DCU, especially since Gunn plans to unveil a new version of Batman and Gotham City in The Brave and the Bold.
Being the most popular villain in DC Comics, the Joker is very much a necessity when it comes to presenting the Dark Knight and his stomping grounds on the big screen. It seems like neither Jared Leto nor Joaquin Phoenix will return to play the Joker anytime soon, so chances are that DC will bring in a fresh face to put on the clown makeup. It’s unknown how or when the Joker will make his debut in the DCU, but these five actors should be the top candidates to portray Batman’s greatest adversary.
Owen Teague
CBS
Though he broke out as a leading actor in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Owen Teague first showed his skills playing villains such as bully Patrick Hockstetter in 2017’s popular horror film It. He later stole the show in the divisive 2020 miniseries The Stand, in which he gave an unsettling and well-rounded performance as the sinister Harold Lauder.
Both characters were very much glimpses of a young Joker before he grew up to be Gotham’s greatest villain. Now, the 26-year-old Teague seems ready to don the moniker of the Clown Prince of Crime in the DCU, having displayed the acting skills necessary to bring this agent of chaos to the big screen.
Jack Quaid
Amazon Prime Video / Amazon Prime Video
Jack Quaid has shown his diversity as an actor by playing both heroes and villains in many popular films and shows. He is best known for playing Hughie Campbell in The Boys, as well as Superman in My Adventures with Superman and Brad Boimler in Star Trek: Lower Decks. However, he has also played villainous roles in horror movies like 2022’s Scream and the upcoming 2025 film Companion.
His character in Scream rings closest to the Joker, being a manipulative murderer who jokingly mocks his targets once he shows his true colors. All in all, Quaid has established himself as a talented actor, and a character like Joker certainly wouldn’t be too far out of his acting range.
Jamie Campbell Bower
Netflix / Netflix
Jamie Campbell Bower wowed audiences worldwide with his haunting performance as Vecna in the fourth season ofStranger Things. The menacing aura Bower summons as the cold and calculating Vecna harkens back to another evil mastermind: Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight.
Both characters project an unsettling and profound evil with no trace of empathy that audiences can’t look away from, making them highlights of their respective stories. Since Stranger Things is coming to an end in 2025, this should free up Bower to portray another iconic villain in cinemas as the Joker.
David Howard Thornton
Cineverse / Cineverse
David Howard Thornton has established himself as a horror icon playing Art the Clown in Damien Leone’s Terrifier film franchise. Though Art never had any dialogue in those movies, this silent character spoke volumes thanks to Thornton’s theatrical and expressive performance. The actor himself expressed to GamesRadar his desire to play the Joker in James Gunn’s DCU.
One can easily see Thornton playing the villain on film, and technically, he already has. Thornton delivered a noteworthy performance as the Clown Prince of Crime in the fan-produced TV series Nightwing: Escalation, invoking memories of both Mark Hamill and Cesar Romero’s Jokers. Such an interpretation already shows how DC can return to its roots and portray a new but traditional version of the Joker that fits in Gunn’s cinematic universe.
Bill Skarsgård
20th Century Studios / Image via 20th Century Studios
Bill Skarsgård established himself as top-tier by playing a variety of villains in film and television. Skarsgård became a household name by portraying the ferociously evil clown Pennywise in 2017’s It. More recently, the actor terrified audiences with another shocking and chilling performance as Count Orlok in director Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu.
Based solely on his performance as Pennywise, Skarsgård can surely focus such menacing energy into bringing the Clown Prince of Crime to life. He’s displayed great range with the different kinds of villains he played on screen, showing that he can bring something unique in his interpretation of the Joker. Skarsgård himself expressed his interest in portraying the Joker in the DCU in an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, which has all but put him at the forefront as a likely candidate to play the iconic villain.
