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Written by Jane Gerster Copy Editor, Digital News
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Good morning. Canadian goaltender Carter Hart's NHL playoff run is bringing attention back to the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial that ended in acquittal in July. A Nova Scotia woman is speaking out — and filing for divorce — after her husband was swept up in an AI deepfake probe. Plus, why the term "hyperscalers" may soon enter your vocabulary (whether or not you wish it to).
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FEATURED STORIES
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(Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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A year after acquittal in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, goalie Carter Hart could win Stanley Cup
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The Canadian goaltender's on-ice success has been tempered by off-ice controversy.
What's happening: Alberta's Carter Hart and four other members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team were found not guilty of sexual assault last summer. He was the only accused to testify. A few months later, Hart signed a two-year, $4-million US deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Now in the Stanley Cup final against Carolina, Vegas's playoff run has renewed criticism — with crowds chanting "no means no."
Why it matters: Advocates say the case illustrates a double standard in which those who make sexual assault accusations are told they "ruin lives and careers," while elite athletes continue to be celebrated (Hart is considered a favourite for the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP in the NHL playoffs).
Legal experts say the case also merits closer scrutiny, despite the fact the Crown decided not to appeal. A special edition of the Criminal Law Quarterly is intended to do exactly that this fall.
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Her husband is accused in an AI deepfake investigation. She's filing for divorce
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Gwen Frankton's husband, Stephen Lowe, faces 79 charges, including harassment, uttering threats, possessing and publishing obscene material, and child sexual abuse material.
What's happening: The news that her husband of 21 years is allegedly involved in generating AI nude deepfakes came as a shock, Frankton told CBC News from the home they shared in Nova Scotia. The multi-jurisdiction investigation has identified up to 25 victims, though police believe the number of impacted women is likely double that.
Why it matters: Since Frankton hasn't been identified as a victim, she doesn't get any updates — just one of many issues she says should be addressed. She's also pushing for the quick passing of Bill C-16, a federal bill that would criminalize the sharing of deepfakes.
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Supersized data centres are coming to Canada
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Not familiar with data centres? The artificial intelligence boom may change that.
What's happening: Most cities have data centres with about five megawatts of capacity, but more advanced ones — known as "hyperscalers" — can use substantially more energy: around 100 megawatts. Right now, there are two in B.C., and one each in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. But new research from York University shows 96 more, most in Alberta, are either under construction or in planning.
Why it matters: More energy can mean more problems. So far, proposals have been met with concerns about noise levels, water use, energy consumption, and impacts to traffic and property values. At the same time, new polling suggests Canadians are not on board with having the centres close to their own homes, and concerns are growing about the safety of AI.
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