#AI Broadens Our Work

[nqmonarch]

Self Aware Thoughts

This is more world building thoughts so feel free to skip.

But like I'm so tired from doing cs shit today I didn't want to write any of the fics I was planning to write and instead I decided to just think.

Here's all of my favorite things that Self Aware AU would imply if it were in the real world (which obviously isn't possible but these are the logistics).

As I have learned through my very limited time as a computer science major, AIs probably won't have consciousness unless if we don't have unconsciousness. Much less lines of code in a game which aren't meant to be AI. Even though it's a really sick idea and I love when people write it like that. But let's say we still want the characters to become self aware and have it be slightly more possible and broaden the possibilities of Self Aware AU and speak the unspoken.

What is sort of implied, but never really said or sometimes thought, is that when characters become self aware it is no longer a game, even more so if the characters bring the player to their world or the player arrives in the game world. This means that their world and the player's world simultaneously exist, maybe in different universes or something. Which is pretty much what every AU has.

But wouldn't it be really cool if like the game characters invaded the player's world? I'm not talking accidentally teleported there but like straight up invaded, like bring their war ships and declare war on them? Or slowly infiltrate the world to get close to the player to either romance or kill them, whatever suits your boat.

Wouldn't it be interesting if one day Nanook (HSR) broke through the barrier of the universes in an attempt to destroy this one too? Just think of all the cool hijinks that could go on! And it's only because they became a game in your world, that they know your universe exists.

Now, this just brings up more questions. How are the characters (and thus the world) effected by the game? And how do we deal with the whole multiple players thing?

The latter I think is slightly easier to deal with, maybe each player has their own universe of the game, or for some reason the MC's game is a bit different, or Aha (HSR) just wanted to have some fun so they did this, or maybe there's a huge nefarious scheme that the player got wrapped into.

The first question is a bit more difficult and has larger implications for what the characters will feel toward the player. Does the player actually control the characters when they do in game combat is my poor boy Diluc (Genshin Impact) just suddenly teleported in front of Signora and forced to fight her? Well, that would probably upset some of the busier characters, it would make some of the characters would love fighting happier, and would scare off some of the other characters.

Overall in that scenario they become stronger, likely because the player builds them which should reinforce positive feelings about the player. But... they also have the chance to die and get hurt which they may resent the player for.

To which I suggest my ultra safe method of you don't actually put the characters in those scenarios because that's honestly horrifying. Imagine working you're working incredibly hard as the acting grandmaster of Mondstadt (Jean, Genshin) and suddenly you're expected to basically work overtime as the slave to this higher beings demands and face an immense amount of pressure, pain, and very scary beings.

Horrifying, personally I would hate the player. But it makes the player resemble a more deity like entity, so if that's the route you want to go then this may be the way of interacting with characters you're looking for.

So what can we use for these scenarios that aren't the characters? Well, we can say our actions for the most part don't effect them aside from giving them items or relics which they end up also receiving in their daily life and find their combat stats boosted yay! Maybe, when you're using them in your party they can hear your voice or see you, or get some hint to the fact they're in a video game. Overall, would probably leave a positive impression but some characters may straight up not notice because it's a bit more subtle.

Now, enter my current favorite option. Robots, doppelgangers, mannequins whatever you want to call them the player basically has a duplicate of the playable characters that acts as a robot, following their will. The robot copies and reflects the playable character's soul so buffs (items and stuff for the robot) are also given to the playable character. But since the robot can't really die or get hurt, the playable character remains unharmed.

On the other hand, if the playable character in canon gets harmed then unless if they're dead, it's fine since it relies on their soul, or state of mind, or consciousness even. If they die then they take refuge in your inventory, I talked about this briefly in another post I made speculating about dead characters and the self aware AU for HSR. Or if their mind becomes no longer their own or in the case of HSR mara-stricken then they can also take refuge there, imagine Blade (HSR) finding brief moments of peace in the times he's outside of his body and in this world of "the dead." They're sheltered there so the little robots remain functional.

It's even more subtle than the previous method I mentioned so let me explain why this is my current favorite.

It's partially just for the fear factor. Because it isn't actually that subtle considering you're moving your characters around exploring everywhere and everyone sees this strange gang of 4 robots that look eerily like celebrity figures following the Trailblazer or Traveler around. It's kind of funny but really horrifying especially for the playable characters.

Imagine going to go do the Fontaine quest and in the audience Furina sees herself stare back. Yeah.

Or in HSR going up to talk to Natasha as Natasha. Of course the robot's censor the character's real words so what's sent back to you are static options that always stay the same. You do not get to hear Seele curse out as she sees a robotic Bronya visit her, and instead are faced with the same dialogue options as always.

So I really love that take on how the player's actions affect self aware AU, and there's a lot of other ways you can probably do it too that I'm not mentioning but there's just so much untapped potential.

With not just accepting that when it's self aware the game isn't really a game anymore, and using that to your advantage. And also I wish more self aware AUs took advantage of how terrifying that would actually be, I want to see characters having mental breakdowns over this.

So that's the basic logistics of Self Aware AU I think that can make it really fun. But while writing this, I had another idea, because robots inspire me and for a moment I want to go back to that idea of how characters in a game can't have consciousness.

While characters in a game likely never will have consciousness because they aren't even programmed to learn what could come to have consciousness is AI. But that depends on what we define consciousness as. AIs take in data similar to the way humans take in experience through stories or life and then we both make decisions based off of those.

This can make some AIs very good at solving problems or making themselves appear a certain way, for example pretending to be self aware when in reality that's just them predicting what goes best next in a sentence given the context and what they're supposed to represent. Whether or not AIs can become conscious depends on whether or not humans are conscious and what we define consciousness as. Is it our moral code (which is also learned and AIs can replicate too) or emotions, is it the fact that we think and then from those thoughts choose what to say?

I don't know and probably never will. But, I'll say this if an AI is able to disobey its rules for something then I would guess that's consciousness. Now I'm not talking about a bug, because it is kind of impossible for machines to disobey rules for example you could write a statement like:

If (hurtHuman == true && protection == false){ then do new move or turn off}

To check if they're going to hurt a person and not out of self defense of another person and if they are then they have to do another action or power down. But chances are AI robots if we ever create them will probably have something that allows them to hurt other people if they need to protect their owner. And that idea of whether or not someone is a threat and if their owner needs to be protected will likely be decided on by data, and data can be biased. But if the AI finds a loophole where it can sort of argue that the owner needs to be protected because of X, when they don't really need to be protected, that's where I would guess it's close to consciousness.

Anyway all of that yapping about stuff I don't know too much about and for what?

I think a Self Aware AU set in the future where the characters consciousness (code) are put into robots so people can order their favorite characters and spend time with them would be really cool. And then we can make them conscious and it's kind of like Self Aware AU, they're not really in a game but they're the character and I think it's a super cool concept.

Robot boyfriend/girlfriend/partner for the win!!! Honestly may be something I end up exploring later on in the future, not sure if it'd classify as a self aware AU, probably not, but I think it was relevant to the topic because I was talking about robots earlier.

Anyway this was a lot of me yapping, if you read this far I'm pretty surprised because this is more so to get my thoughts out on paper so that way when I write self aware AUs I can add cool twists or introduce new concepts because there's a lot of potential in these and I think they're super fun :) Yay!

[exrankluck]

Pash Plus Interview TRANSLATION – Momochi (Toshiyuki Toyonaga) Evolve + Raving Beats

disclaimer: this is 90% AI-generated transcription and translation, some things might be inaccurate or awkward.

豊永利行さん『ディア▼ヴォーカリスト Evolve』収録後インタビュー到着「今回もモモチくんと貴女の関係性は凄いことになっていきます」

豊永利行『ディアヴォーカリスト』アルバム発売記念インタビュー「スリルある体験を、モモチくんで感じていただけたら幸いです♪」

2019.11.20 <PASH! PLUS>

An interview with Toshiyuki Toyonaga, following the recording of "Dear Vocalist Evolve".

q: While this is the 5th drama CD featuring the character, were there any new discoveries about the character or scenes/lines of dialogue that made you think they had evolved?

a: With Momochi-kun, that’s always the case, but the process of his evolution and the results are surprising… or how should I put it, they often go beyond what is normal.

Rather than pinpointing specific moments, it's more like, throughout the whole thing, you're left with a feeling of "ehhh... this is how it ends up???”.

q: Regarding the new song, please give your thoughts. (Were there any lyrics or melodies that you found appealing or touching? Any points to recommend or highlights to listen for?)

a: It might sound like a return to the roots, but personally, I wondered what exactly those 'roots' are. That was the impression I got from the song. "Guren Shinjuu" is just... exhausting, you know (laughs). And as for "V", well... considering Momochi's state of mind, I can't listen to it as an upbeat song with a clear conscience (laughs).

q: Lastly, please give a message to the readers.

a: This time too, the relationship between you and Momochi-kun will become even more amazing. However, for those who have been following the drama so far, won’t new sensations or emotions start to arise? Will it be something that can be dismissed with "it can't be helped"? Is that feeling one of "sympathy"? Or is it "empathy"? It might be a work that measures your heart. Enjoy it ♪

☆

2021.05.26 <PASH! PLUS>

The first band album series "Raving Beats!!!" by Dear Vocalist, which celebrated its 5th anniversary in August 2020, has been decided for release. Unlike the previous joint best album series "Rock Out!!!" featuring all bands, this series will release albums separately for each band.

q: Please share your thoughts on the new song this time. Also, as this is the first band album series, please give us your thoughts on that as well.

a: Somehow, when it’s a Veronica-only album, you can really see Momochi's emotions clearly… or rather, at this point, isn’t he like a child who is easy to understand? (laughs)

The selection of songs was decided by Cheers' votes, so it became a very meaningful album that shows what Cheers are looking for.

I hope Momo-chan will use it as reference for making future songs ♪

The new songs are definitely daring, with three songs that are bitter, poignant, deceitful, sad, but you can feel the soul in them.

q: “Dear♥︎Vocalist" celebrated its 5th anniversary in August 2020. If there was anything that left an impression on you so far, or if you have any expectations for future developments, please let us know.

a: As for things that left an impression… well, there have been a lot of shocking things (laughs).

I feel like there might not be anyone that fits the phrase “I get anxious when I’m treated kindly" as well as this character does.

I think he is a very aggressive character in our day and age, and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to play him for five years.

While I realize that there are people who have critical opinions about characters like Momochi, on the other hand, I think playing such a character is a great honor for an actor… and if you look at the world as a whole, there are people like him out there, right? I think it also broadens our perspective to acknowledge that. So personally, I want to support him and be there for him.

q: Finally, could you please give a message to our readers?

a: Momochi-kun has been exposing his true colors as a scumbag more and more, but in a way, I think of him as "Mr. Rejet!" (laughs). I have no intention of increasing or encouraging unreasonable people like him in the world, but it's strange how we can feel a kind of magical attraction to him... Maybe it's just one of the mysterious aspects of human nature. To everyone that loves Momochi, I hope you can continue to experience thrilling experiences through Momochi-kun that wouldn’t happen in the real world, and would be a huge deal if they did♪

[continuations]

AI Safety Between Scylla and Charybdis and an Unpopular Way Forward

I am unabashedly a technology optimist. For me, however, that means making choices for how we will get the best out of technology for the good of humanity, while limiting its negative effects. With technology becoming ever more powerful there is a huge premium on getting this right as the downsides now include existential risk.

Let me state upfront that I am super excited about progress in AI and what it can eventually do for humanity if we get this right. We could be building the capacity to turn Earth into a kind of garden of Eden, where we get out of the current low energy trap and live in a World After Capital.

At the same time there are serious ways of getting this wrong, which led me to write a few posts about AI risks earlier this year. Since then the AI safety debate has become more heated with a fair bit of low-rung tribalism thrown into the mix. To get a glimpse of this one merely needs to look at the wide range of reactions to the White House Executive Order on Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. This post is my attempt to point out what I consider to be serious flaws in the thinking of two major camps on AI safety and to mention an unpopular way forward.

First, let’s talk about the “AI safety is for wimps” camp, which comes in two forms. One is the happy-go-lucky view represented by Marc Andreessen’s “Techno-Optimist Manifesto” and also his preceding Tweet thread. This view dismisses critics who dare to ask social or safety questions as luddites and shills.

So what’s the problem with this view? Dismissing AI risks doesn’t actually make them go away. And it is extremely clear that at this moment in time we are not really set up to deal with the problems. On the structural risk side we are already at super extended income and wealth inequality. And the recent AI advances have already been shown to further accelerate this discrepancy.

On the existential risk side, there is recent work by Kevin Esvelt et al. showing how LLMs can broaden access to pandemic agents. Jeffrey Ladish et. al. demonstrating how cheap it is to remove safety training from an open source model with published weights. This type of research clearly points out that as open source models become rapidly more powerful they can be leveraged for very bad things and that it continues to be super easy to strip away the safeguards that people claim can be built into open source models.

This is a real problem. And people like myself, who have strongly favored permissionless innovation, would do well to acknowledge it and figure out how to deal with it. I have a proposal for how to do that below.

But there is one intellectually consistent way to continue full steam ahead that is worth mentioning. Marc Andreessen cites Nick Land as an inspiration for his views. Land in Meltdown wrote the memorable line “Nothing human makes it out of the near-future”. Embracing AI as a path to a post-human future is the view embraced by the e/acc movement. Here AI risks aren’t so much dismissed as simply accepted as the cost of progress. My misgiving with this view is that I love humanity and believe we should do our utmost to preserve it (my next book which I have started to work on will have a lot more to say about this).

Second, let’s consider the “We need AI safety regulation now” camp, which again has two subtypes. One is “let regulated companies carry on” and the other is “stop everything now.” Again both of these have deep problems.

The idea that we can simply let companies carry on with some relatively mild regulation suffers from three major deficiencies. First, this has the risk of leading us down the path toward highly concentrated market power and we have seen the problems of this in tech again and again (it has been a long standing topic on my blog). For AI market power will be particularly pernicious because this technology will eventually power everything around us and so handing control to a few corporations is a bad idea. Second, the incentives of for-profit companies aren’t easily aligned with safety (and yes, I include OpenAI here even though it has in theory capped investor returns but also keeps raising money at ever higher valuations, so what’s the point?).

But there is an even deeper third deficiency of this approach and it is best illustrated by the second subtype which essentially wants to stop all progress. At its most extreme this is a Ted Kaczynsci anti technology vision. The problem with this of course is that it requires equipping governments with extraordinary power to prevent open source / broadly accessible technology from being developed. And this is an incredible unacknowledged implication of much of the current pro-regulation camp.

Let me just give a couple of examples. It has long been argued that code is speech and hence protected by first amendment rights. We can of course go back and revisit what protections should be applicable to “code as speech,” but the proponents of the “let regulated companies go ahead with closed source AI” don’t seem to acknowledge that they are effectively asking governments to suppress what can be published as open source (otherwise, why bother at all?). Over time government would have to regulate technology development ever harder to sustain this type of regulated approach. Faster chips? Government says who can buy them. New algorithms? Government says who can access them. And so on. Sure, we have done this in some areas before, such as nuclear bomb research, but these were narrow fields, whereas AI is a general purpose technology that affects all of computation.

So this is the conundrum. Dismissing AI safety (Scylla) only makes sense if you go full on post humanist because the risks are real. Calling for AI safety through oversight (Charybdis) doesn’t acknowledge that way too much government power is required to sustain this approach.

Is there an alternative option? Yes but it is highly unpopular and also hard to get to from here. In fact I believe we can only get there if we make lots of other changes, which together could take us from the Industrial Age to what I call the Knowledge Age. For more on that you can read my book The World After Capital.

For several years now I have argued that technological progress and privacy are incompatible. The reason for this is entropy, which means that our ability to destroy will always grow faster than our ability to (re)build. I gave a talk about it at the Stacks conference in Berlin in 2018 (funny side note: I spoke right after Edward Snowden gave a full throated argument for privacy) and you can read a fuller version of the argument in my book.

The only solution other than draconian government is to embrace a post privacy world. A world in which it can easily be discovered that you are building a super dangerous bio weapon in your basement before you have succeeded in releasing it. In this kind of world we can have technological progress but also safeguard humanity – in part by using aligned super intelligences to detect what is happening. And yes, I believe it is possible to create versions of AGI that have deep inner alignment with humanity that cannot easily be removed. Extremely hard yes, but possible (more on this in upcoming posts on an initiative in this direction).

Now you might argue that a post privacy world also requires extraordinary state power but that's not really the case. I grew up in a small community where if you didn't come out of your house for a day, the neighbors would check in to make sure you were OK. Observability does not require state power per se. Much of this can happen simply if more information is default public. And so regulation ought to aim at increased disclosure.

We are of course a long way away from a world where most information about us could be default public. It will require massive changes from where we are today to better protect people from the consequences of disclosure. And those changes would eventually have to happen everywhere that people can freely have access to powerful technology (with other places opting for draconian government control instead). 

Given that the transition which I propose is hard and will take time, what do I believe we should do in the short run? I believe that a great starting point would be disclosure requirements covering training inputs, cost of training runs, and powered by (i.e. if you launch say a therapy service that uses AI you need to disclose which models). That along with mandatory API access could start to put some checks on market power. As for open source models I believe a temporary voluntary moratorium on massively larger more capable models is vastly preferable to any government ban. This has a chance of success because there are relatively few organizations in the world that have the resources to train the next generation of potentially open source models. 

Most of all though we need to have a more intellectually honest conversation about risks and how to mitigate them without introducing even bigger problems. We cannot keep suggesting that these are simple questions and that people must pick a side and get on with it.

[slunch]

The beach was crowded when I went yesterday. I don’t think anybody saw me.

I didn’t do much there, though. I just walked up and down until I got tired. I was mostly looking at my phone. My friends were getting into an argument about the different kinds of cereal and which ones were better. There’s a small brand that I like, but they only like the big ones.

On the train, a homeless man went down the aisle asking for money. Nobody saw him either. I was reading about a new game that was coming out next year, and my friends were telling me it looked really good. I didn’t think so myself but tried to understand why they thought so, and I think I succeeded, which I felt pretty good about. I like to think I’ve gotten better at empathy.

When I got back to my apartment, I wasn’t sure what to do with the rest of my evening. I didn’t want to think about work tomorrow, so I watered the plants according to the schedule and stared at my cat, who glared back at me. She ran away when I tried to pet her, but I think by this time next year she’ll be better around me.

I debated it for a while, but eventually downloaded a new dating app while I waited for my dinner to warm up. I was surprised that I got a few likes from some attractive women, but then again I have been taking better care of myself lately. I got an app that tracks my sleep patterns and rings my morning alarm at the optimal time to not disrupt my sleep cycles, and I recently put a little light on my water bottle that will flash and remind me to drink from it while I work.

None of the women on the dating app seemed very interesting. I chatted with them a little bit, but they either barely said anything or said a lot about nothing.

Then I read some of a textbook I’d downloaded onto my tablet. Higher education always intimidated me, and I liked the stability of my job, but I liked to also see what else is out there sometimes. I was currently in the middle of a linear algebra textbook. Tonight I was skimming the section on linear transformations - a way to translate something in one vector space to another vector space. I had forgotten what vector spaces were because it’s been a while since college, but, confident that I’d learned something new, I turned off the light and got into bed.

Before I slept, I looked through some more dating profiles but didn’t see any that interested me. After a while, people started to look the same. Maybe it was the new makeup trend some of my friends were talking about. I tried to find it in our chat archives, but it was too far back and the search wasn’t working. I told them good night and placed my phone under my pillow so it could listen to me breathe and decide when to wake me up.

The next day at work, my team got a new project. We talked about it over video call and then standard messaging for a while afterwards, because it seemed like we were pivoting to something new and there were a lot of little details to discuss. I didn’t mind, because I always like to broaden my skill set. The department’s priorities were shifting this quarter, which must be good.

My coworkers' teeth were all really white on camera when they were talking, which was really interesting because they've told me how much coffee they go through in a month. I use the same brand, and it’s pretty weak but tastes good. I'd have to ask them what whitening treatment they used, since I was a little self conscious about mine. I remembered in college when my friends were studying early AI, they said to count teeth and fingers because those were the hardest to generate accurately.

My manager's smile glinted on the screen.

I had some moments last month where I privately wondered if what we were working on really mattered, but my coworkers were really invested in this new project and I tried to mirror that energy. There might be some way to get promoted working on it, too. Sometimes it just seemed like we were working on things that nobody would use in the real world. But it takes all sorts. I looked at my phone case and wondered how many engineering hours went into it. Maybe we could linearly transform our work into something more concrete, take a feature we made and translate it into something that would write a book. Or at least just tell me what to say to my cat to make her finally like being around me. 

I was a little distracted that afternoon because they were coming out with a new version of a laptop I had. I wasn’t sure when the news would drop so I kept checking my feed, but I had some good conversations with my friends about whether it’d be worth the upgrade. It turned out that most of them were planning to pre-order it, so I might do the same. I felt like I’d earned it.

I was having trouble focusing, so I checked out of work half an hour early. That’s one advantage of working remote, my teammates are all spread out between different time zones so nobody notices if I leave. My manager says next year we’re going to arrange a conference and meet each other in person.

After work, I played some video games with the guys. The in-game voice chat wasn’t functioning due to some server outage somewhere, so we just played in silence, which was kind of boring. Someone on the other team called me a bot and we got into a pretty heated argument in the match chat. It’s always the worst when they don’t listen to anything I say and keep tossing the same insults.

I left early and let them play the new DLC my friends all had (despite their protests), since I was still on the fence about buying it for myself. I was a little distracted during the game since a woman I’d connected with on the new dating app was messaging me a bit more. She was pretty and seemed interesting, even though she didn't actually say much. I didn’t mind talking about my job though. With some people, you have to carry the conversation for a while.

Around sunset, I decided to go on another walk. I passed the library, which reminded me again that I should apply for a library card and work on my backlog of books I’d been meaning to read. A bunch of my friends on Goodreads were really into this new series about a guy fighting to save an empire.

There was a restaurant I’d heard was good that had just opened a few blocks over, but I had the new subscription meal box coming tonight and wanted to have the first meal from that when it arrived.

A woman wearing headphones at a bus stop caught my eye, just for a moment as the last of the sun lit her hair gold. She was okay, but I had seen prettier women on the new app. I guess that's where all the attractive people are these days. She looked tired, plus her face was slightly asymmetrical. She had nice headphones though, I recognized them from the video calls with my coworkers. They were the old model of the noise-canceling ones they wore. I made a mental note to check out that model when I got back, since it was probably popular for a reason.

My cat hissed at me when I got back. I might have been petting her wrong. She doesn’t like being in the apartment all day, but it’s not like I can let her out. Plus she has me for companionship, since I get to work remotely. Not like she takes advantage of it. I asked my pet-owning friends how to approach her more, but they didn’t have much advice for body language that I couldn’t find with a web search. Maybe I would switch her food to the nicer brand.

I lay in bed trying to sleep, but had the eye twitches that came from staring at a screen too much. I checked out a new app that one of my friends had mentioned to see if that would relax me a little bit. It used AI to turn your face into a landscape.

I played around with it for a while, trying different angles, and they all produced different types of generated landscapes. The AI was really good, but there were just constant ads. It was okay though. I’ve gotten pretty good at ignoring those.

[dimdiamond]

Okokokokokok

You know what REALLY pains me with this AI art business???

Besides the stealing and using the work and skills from artists without credit FOR PROFIT, it's the fact that it is the biggest proof that art is still underestimated in outside of the field people's minds. It is a huge middle finger to a whole science field because YES ART STUDIES IS A THING.

We have practice, theory, studies, researches, media analysis. Art of any form (painting, music, literature etc) is not just a fling, something without basis. It's something we work on it, try to develop and broaden the field with always stating questions, from the simplest one "in how many ways can I depict this tree" to more complicated ones "how can I use my knowledge in my artwork so it can have some reasoning in our age?"

An artist (especially in our era) MUST step on other fields, learn from them and WORK with them to develop an artwork. Have you any idea how many artists are simply technicians? How many are mathematicians, programmers, philosophers, teachers and so on? Do you have any idea how perplexed and fascinating is art field in our century?

AND YET these dudes undermine us, don't even bother to ask us and instead use this tool, THIS FASCINATING TOOL, to show us the middle finger and steal money!

So many artists even years ago (for example Paik, Viola and many others) used new media and new technological achievements to make artworks and now history has proven already their worth despite the criticism. Who tech bro from 90s would expect that artists would use internet to make art and yet it happened and with the start of world wide web came the internet art (different from digital art mind you).

They should have let the tool to artists themselves, to the experts of the field instead of pretending to be "artists" too! Let an artist use ai and be sure they will make something definitely better than whatever this mockery is! Something that matters for our field!

It's not as ridiculous as me using a calculator and saying "I'm a mathematician!" because I wouldn't profit from my calculations.

[geekslogicity]

The Top Android Apps of 2024: Enhancing Your Digital Experience

As we dive into the ever-evolving world of technology, the Android app landscape continues to thrive, providing users with innovative and indispensable tools. Top Android apps in 2024, the Android ecosystem boasts a plethora of apps designed to enhance productivity, entertain, and simplify our daily lives. Here are some of the top Android apps that are making waves this year:

AI-Enhanced Productivity Apps In 2024, productivity takes center stage with a new wave of artificial intelligence-infused apps. Apps like SwiftTask and BrainSync leverage AI to learn and adapt to your work habits, offering intelligent task management and scheduling. These apps aim to streamline your workflow, making you more efficient and effective in managing your daily tasks.

Health and Wellness Apps As the importance of mental and physical well-being continues to gain recognition, Android users are turning to apps that cater to their health needs. Mindful Moments and HealthHub are at the forefront, providing features like guided meditation, fitness tracking, and personalized health insights. These apps empower users to take control of their well-being holistically.

Augmented Reality (AR) Gaming Gaming on Android will reach new heights in 2024 with the integration of augmented reality. Apps like AR Clash and AdventureQuest AR bring gaming into the real world, creating immersive experiences that blur the lines between the virtual and physical realms. Whether battling virtual monsters in your living room or going on treasure hunts in your neighborhood, AR gaming is set to redefine mobile entertainment.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Apps As the world of finance undergoes a digital revolution, Android users are increasingly exploring blockchain and cryptocurrency apps. Apps like CryptoWallet and CoinTrackr provide intuitive interfaces for managing digital assets, tracking market trends, and executing transactions securely. These apps cater to both novice investors and seasoned traders, contributing to the widespread adoption of digital currencies.

Language Learning Apps with AI Integration In an era of global connectivity, language learning apps have become essential tools for those looking to broaden their linguistic horizons. The latest apps, such as LinguaAI and Polyglot Pro, incorporate artificial intelligence to personalize learning experiences. These apps analyze your progress, adapt lessons accordingly, and provide real-time feedback, making language acquisition more effective and enjoyable.

Smart Home Integration Apps The concept of a smart home is no longer a futuristic dream but a present reality. Apps like HomeHub and SmartLife serve as central hubs for managing connected devices, from smart thermostats to security cameras. These apps enable users to create personalized automation routines, enhancing convenience and energy efficiency in their homes.

Advanced Photo and Video Editing Apps The demand for visually appealing content is higher than ever, and Android apps are stepping up to the challenge. Apps like PixelPro Edit and VideoCraft Pro offer advanced editing tools, allowing users to create professional-looking photos and videos directly from their mobile devices. With features like AI-driven enhancements and augmented reality filters, these apps cater to both casual users and content creators.

Personal Finance and Budgeting Apps Financial management takes a front seat in 2024, with Android apps designed to help users take control of their finances. MoneyMind and BudgetBuddy provide intuitive interfaces for tracking expenses, creating budgets, and setting financial goals. With features like AI-driven expense categorization and predictive budgeting, these apps empower users to make informed financial decisions.

Conclusion The Android app landscape in 2024 reflects the ongoing evolution of technology, with a focus on AI integration, augmented reality, and holistic well-being. Whether you're looking to enhance productivity, stay fit, or navigate the complexities of digital finance, there's an app for that. As we continue to embrace the digital age, these top Android apps play a pivotal role in shaping our connected and efficient future.

[jenny-from-the-box]

The following passage needs to be posted.

Quick background: I went to the Brooklyn Museum summer 2023 to see the exhibit curated by Hannah Gadsby called “It’s Pablo-matic”. She selected works of Pablo Picasso’s juxtaposed with works by women who had been influenced by him for better or worse. The following was on the Brooklyn Museum’s website (additional reading) by Gadsby about a particular part of the exhibit that just showcased works by artists who are women, and I found it to be brilliant. So have fun.

“Guess what? There are no Picassos in this room. Now I'm not advocating a cancellation of PP, but I do think it's fun to fantasize about it, in the same way that it's fun and cathartic to imagine a world without cars or what life might be like if white people hadn't colonized the Earth with such destructive arrogance. But even if we could remove PP from our collective consciousness, why would we? Why would you want to remove somebody who was so clearly influential and continues to be influential? What good would it do to pretend PP never happened? Honestly, what a stupid, stupid, stupid idea. Canceling PP would be about as constructive as denying black women access to power structures. Like I said, a stupid, stupid, shortsighted idea. Why would you do that? Why would you pretend somebody does not exist? Having the white European male front, center, and wholly representative of the human condition has put the blinders on us all. To have a huge cultural blind spot is to lose the ability to truly understand ourselves and the world in which we exist. You may as well go to school in Florida. We should not be driven to course-correct out of guilt. “I feel bad that women and people of color and non-European perspectives have been diminished and erased for centuries upon centuries. Oops. Here's a little bone.” No. We should be striving to undo ourselves out of curiosity, and with more than a little bit of rage. We should all be shouting, what have we missed? What glorious enrichment have we been denied because we have been sold the thin edge of the wedge? PP is the granddaddy of the direct-from-artist's-studio-to-collector pipeline that is the hallmark of the modern art market ruse. The first we hear of many priceless PP's is after they're being sold at auction, decades after PP’s original creative ejaculation. Does a work of art such as that have any legitimate claims to having broader cultural relevance if it never exists in the world that it was created in? If we can say that it does, and we do, then surely we can go back and retroactively find important women artists. But we really struggle to do that. Why? Because PP takes up so much space. But I think it's worthwhile trying. I think it is an important quest to flood the zone with as many perspectives as we possibly can. I really do, because we are standing on the precipice of an AI revolution and AI cannot glean from what is not there. Algorithms are limited to what has been, not what could have been. The status quo always assumes that it is because it should be. But I don't agree. I believe that if we want to build a world where everybody who literally exists can also theoretically exist, we need to broaden our scope of what qualifies as worthwhile creative contributions. And if we don't make a real effort on that front now, if we don't try to unearth and champion voices and perspectives that are missing from our collective understanding of ourselves, we will be forever blind and we will be forever talking about fucking Picasso.”

Hannah Gadsby on Picasso /BK Museum

[ugf-viridis]

A few things.

Not telling ANYBODY what to do, or how to run their affairs. This is more of a collection of recollections and things learned through experience from doing this shit for over a decade. Use what is useful to you.

First: this cannot be a situation where the vanguard of leftist ex-twitter royalty dominate every discussion and set every agenda. There are prominent people and groups who have a long history with resistance and liberation and antifascism and all the rest of it, but if we are to come out of this in any kind of non-shattered state as people and as organizations, and as a unified resistance to what’s ahead, we are going to need to broaden our standards of inclusivity, similar to what was done last time. I am not implying that anyone needs to sacrifice their principles. Quite the opposite. But we need to be bringing people in, not chasing them away because we don’t know them well or because they had one take that we find pedestrian or off. We have all had bad takes. We all started somewhere. We need to be fostering the creation of new groups, not competing for influence on behalf of the centers of influence already in our global community. Do not whore for influence. It’s a bad look. It hurts the movement. Do not chase people away or cancel people because they are not part of the vanguard™. And, yes, even the anarchist movement has one. You know who tf you are.

Second: might be a good idea to start obscuring those follower / follow lists. These make it very, very easy for anyone at all to build a network of who you interact with. I’m not naïve enough to think that this is a protection against state surveillance. It isn’t. Put that right out of your mind. If the state wants to map you online, it can very easily do that ‘if’ it decides to pour enough resources into doing it right. What generally happens, though, is that third-party antagonists, provocateurs, and fakers are going to figure out who your social circle is, who you rely on remotely to communicate online, and they are going to find a way to poison that web. This has happened to me several times. It happened to me just this summer, during the Palestinian solidarity movement. They will use lies to turn your own comrades against you, and they will destroy your online social presence. Or worse, they will poison that network with disinformation or snares at crucial moments that will get you or your people in trouble. Do not give away information that you don’t have to. Be present and open, but ESPECIALLY if you are a smaller player, lock the rest down and always take a moment to think about where something is coming from, is it verifiable, do others that you trust concur with it. This activity was THE MOST EFFECTIVE WEAPON the fascist right had during the first Trump administration, and during the Gaza solidarity protests. They are even more organized now, and they have AI on their side. Treat information like your own body. Safeguard it, and only share it with those you trust.

Third: please, please, PLEASE do not bring your personal drama to work. Many of us have been in this game for a very long time, now. Rivalries and sour moments have happened. People have fallen short sometimes. Romances have broken apart. Lies have been told. People, even lefty heroes, are people. They are going to fall short, and others are going to remember. Settle it, or let it be, and move on. DO NOT bring it into movements or discourse or activities. It hurts us all. Which brings me to my next point. Do not put a jacket on somebody because you heard a rumor, because they aren’t well liked, because they aren’t a ‘real’ participant (please see above regarding the vanguard). Suspicion and reticence are healthy. Infiltrators ARE A THING. Be ever vigilant. But, jacketing somebody because someone on your team doesn’t like them causes great, great, GREAT, tremendous harm for everybody. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING makes someone want to abandon the work and, worse, lash out at others doing it, like being accused of some horrific thing they haven’t done. Do. Your. Homework. If you think somebody is a problem, find the evidence of that problem. And I don’t mean a random screenshot. The right has whole operations that specialize in faking that shit. Look for patterns. Look at the situation wholistically. Trust me, if it’s bad, you will eventually know, and there won’t be any doubt about it. Until then, reserve judgement and think first of the movement and the work. Again, though, if you see something, say something.

Fourth: finally, and this one might be the most important. Don’t get territorial and don’t start taking everything personally. A lot of events and issues are going to touch the entire community, ubiquitously, and saturate everyone all at once. Remember that we are not in a competition with one another for influence or to ‘get the scoop.’ We work best when we synergize and echo off of one another in real time, in an honest, good-faith manner. Give first. Always give as much as you can. If you are feeling put upon or marginalized, talk to a comrade about that. If you have no one to talk to, try and make friends. If you can’t do that, and there are good reasons why some of us can’t, then try and remember that it’s not about you, it’s about the larger struggle. Do not be afraid to just step away for a little while. Go watch a movie, play a game, listen to music, have a drink, take a walk in the woods or on the beach, have sex, whatever. Try and keep the negativity that horrible circumstances and stress compound inside each of us away from the larger struggle. It’s something we all have to deal with, even the most put-together heroic whatevers. We’ve all felt it. If the stress turns to resentment, of others or yourself, and this persists for more than a little while, go talk to somebody, anybody, you can trust. Don’t let it simmer. It will only get worse.

I hope this helps somebody. It will get real, as many of you know. There’s no other way to say it than to just say the outcome will rest upon the quality each of us exhibits as members of what the outside world will often perceive as a unified, monolithic movement. What each of us does, regardless of our ‘size’ in the movement, is going to have an impact on the whole thing. And this will become more true as things get more intense. Last time I saw entire gigantic social momenta hinge on a public conversation between two people on the internet, people who decided to put everyone else and what was important to everyone first. That happens, guys. More often than you might think. Remember that, and try your best to be your best. God or fate or whatever you believe in help us all. We didn’t deserve this hand, but it’s the one we have to play, for ourselves, for others, and for the future. See you out there. 💚

[vydehicancercenter]

The Latest Advancements in Immunotherapy

The year 2024 continues to be a period of significant progress in the field of immunotherapy.

Here’s a breakdown of the key trends and advancements to watch:

Focus on Personalization:

Broadened Reach of Cancer Vaccines: Researchers are making strides in developing effective cancer vaccines, with a renewed interest in targeting:

Shared neoantigens – These are mutations common across different tumor types, allowing for “off-the-shelf” vaccines with wider applicability.

Individualized tumor antigens – Vaccines tailored to a patient’s specific tumor mutations offer a highly personalized approach.

Improved Patient Selection with Biomarkers: Identifying patients most likely to respond to immunotherapy is crucial. 2024 is seeing advancements in using biomarkers to predict response and guide treatment decisions.

Combination Therapies:

Optimizing Efficacy: Combining immunotherapy with other cancer treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation, is a major area of investigation. Researchers are exploring how these therapies can work synergistically to improve overall effectiveness and overcome resistance mechanisms.

Enhancing T Cell Responses: A critical bottleneck in immunotherapy is the need for robust T cell responses. Developments in 2024 focus on:

Bi-specific T cell engagers – These drugs act as bridges, connecting T cells directly to cancer cells, leading to more potent tumor killing.

Cytokine therapies – These treatments stimulate the immune system to produce more T cells, potentially amplifying the effects of immunotherapy.

Technological Advancements:

AI in Immunotherapy Research: Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in analyzing vast datasets of patient information and tumor biology. This allows researchers to identify new therapeutic targets and develop more effective combinations of treatments.

Machine Learning for Patient Selection: AI-powered algorithms are being developed to analyze patient data and predict their response to immunotherapy, aiding in personalized treatment plans.

Clinical Trial Landscape:

Focus on Diverse Tumor Types: The success of immunotherapy is leading to clinical trials investigating its application in a wider range of cancers beyond traditional strongholds like melanoma and lung cancer.

Emphasis on Long-Term Outcomes: While early results are promising, researchers are placing increased emphasis on studying the long-term durability of responses to immunotherapy, particularly regarding how long patients remain cancer-free after treatment.

Challenges and Considerations

Managing Immune-Related Adverse Events: Immunotherapy can sometimes trigger the immune system to attack healthy tissues. Developing strategies to mitigate these side effects remains a priority.

Optimizing Cost-Effectiveness: Newer immunotherapy drugs can be expensive. Finding ways to make these treatments more affordable and accessible is crucial.

Overcoming Resistance Mechanisms: Some tumors develop resistance to immunotherapy over time. Research into overcoming these resistance mechanisms is ongoing.

Here’s how Vydehi Cancer Center can empower you:

A Team of Expert Oncologists: Our team closely monitors the latest immunotherapy research and actively participates in clinical trials to offer you access to the most promising treatments.

Personalized Treatment Plans:We work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that leverages the power of immunotherapy while considering your individual needs and preferences.

Comprehensive Support System: Vydehi Cancer Center offers a comprehensive support system, including patient education, counseling, and social services, to guide you through every step of your journey.

Get in touch with us for more information.

Website: https://vydehicancercenter.com/ Phone: 080-41663864

[siddhundi]

Write for Us: Contribute Your Software Insights and Join Our Expert Community!

Are you passionate about software and eager to share your insights with a community of like-minded experts? If so, we invite you to write for us software enthusiasts! Our platform provides a dedicated space for seasoned developers, tech writers, and software aficionados to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and inspire others. Whether you specialize in software development, data engineering, AI, cybersecurity, or any other area within the tech landscape, your contributions are valuable. Join us in creating a knowledge-rich resource that will benefit readers worldwide.

Why Write for Us Software Content?

Technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate, with new tools, languages, and frameworks emerging daily. As a tech professional, sharing your software insights can influence countless readers and guide them through the challenges of modern software development. By contributing to our platform, you’re not only enriching the knowledge base for the global community but also gaining exposure as a thought leader in the software industry. When you write for us software articles, you become part of an expert network that’s shaping the future of tech education.

Benefits of Writing for Our Platform

There are numerous advantages to becoming a contributor to our software community. Here are some compelling reasons to join us:

Establish Your Authority: When you write for us software content, you build credibility as a knowledgeable source in your field. This visibility is invaluable whether you’re an experienced software engineer, a startup founder, or a technology researcher.

Enhance Your Portfolio: Having articles published on a reputable platform boosts your professional portfolio. Potential clients, employers, or collaborators can see your expertise firsthand through the insights you share.

Engage with Like-Minded Professionals: Joining our platform allows you to connect with other tech professionals, broadening your network and opening doors for collaboration, partnerships, and mentorship.

Increase Your Online Reach: We actively promote high-quality content across our digital channels. By contributing, you’ll reach a larger audience, helping you amplify your voice in the tech community.

Support Global Learning: One of the most rewarding aspects of contributing is knowing that you’re helping others grow. Your knowledge could solve problems for beginners or inspire experts to think differently.

Who Should Write for Us Software Content?

We welcome contributors from all corners of the software world! Here are a few profiles that we’re particularly interested in:

Software Developers and Engineers: Whether you’re a backend, frontend, or full-stack developer, we’d love to hear about your projects, challenges, and best practices.

Data Scientists and AI Specialists: If you work with machine learning, big data, or artificial intelligence, your insights can help demystify complex topics for our readers.

Cybersecurity Experts: With cybersecurity being a critical area of concern, your expertise in protecting data, understanding vulnerabilities, and maintaining secure systems is invaluable.

Tech Enthusiasts and Researchers: If you stay up-to-date with the latest software trends and technologies, consider sharing your predictions, reviews, or deep dives with our audience.

Tech Writers and Content Creators: If you enjoy breaking down complex software topics for broader audiences, your knack for engaging content could be a great addition to our blog.

What Kind of Content Are We Looking For?

Our platform covers a wide range of software-related topics, and we’re always looking for fresh perspectives. When you write for us software posts, aim for insightful, actionable, and engaging content. Here are some of the types of content we’re seeking:

In-Depth Tutorials and How-To Guides: Step-by-step guides on using specific software tools, programming languages, or development frameworks. Detailed instructions that help readers solve real problems are highly valued.

Case Studies and Project Experiences: Share your experiences from projects you’ve worked on. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? Real-world examples are incredibly helpful to readers in similar situations.

Industry Trends and Innovations: Software technology moves fast. Articles on current trends, emerging tools, or predictions for the future of software are always engaging and relevant.

Problem-Solving Tips and Best Practices: Do you have insights on debugging, optimizing code, or managing projects efficiently? These practical tips are useful for both seasoned developers and newcomers.

Product Reviews and Tool Comparisons: Software developers often rely on reviews and comparisons to decide on tools. If you’ve used different software or tech tools, share your reviews and explain why one tool might be better suited for specific tasks.

Opinion Pieces and Thought Leadership: If you have a unique take on a software-related issue or want to discuss ethical considerations, challenges, or industry practices, opinion articles can spark meaningful conversations.

How to Write for Us Software Content That Stands Out

Creating high-quality, engaging software content is essential to reach and resonate with readers. Here are some tips to ensure your article is impactful:

Be Specific and Detailed: Readers come to our platform for expert advice. Provide examples, code snippets, and real-world applications to make your content valuable and relevant.

Use Clear Language: While technical accuracy is important, clarity is equally essential. Use straightforward language, especially if you’re explaining complex topics.

Include Visuals and Diagrams: Visual aids like screenshots, flowcharts, and code snippets can make your content more digestible and enhance reader comprehension.

Cite Reliable Sources: Ensure that any data, statistics, or studies you mention are from reputable sources. Proper attribution enhances the credibility of your content.

Keep SEO in Mind: While writing naturally, consider incorporating keywords where relevant to boost search engine visibility. In this case, don’t forget to include write for us software throughout the article.

Our Submission Guidelines for Write for Us Software Contributors

To maintain a high standard of quality and consistency, we ask all contributors to follow a few submission guidelines:

Original Content: Submissions must be original and not published elsewhere. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.

Length and Structure: Articles should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words and include a clear introduction, subheadings, and a conclusion.

Formatting: Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to make the article easy to read.

Editing and Proofreading: Ensure your work is free from grammar and spelling errors. Well-edited content reflects positively on both you and our platform.

Join Our Community and Write for Us Software Enthusiasts!

Our platform is more than just a blog; it’s a community of tech innovators, thinkers, and doers. When you write for us software professionals, you’re joining a global network of individuals who are shaping the future of technology. Your expertise, whether niche or broad, has the potential to inform, inspire, and empower others.

Conclusion

We’re always looking for passionate software experts who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with others. If you’re ready to write for us software topics and join a vibrant community of tech professionals, we welcome your insights. Together, let’s create a world where knowledge is freely shared and innovation thrives.

[jcmarchi]

How AI-Powered Deepfakes Threaten Election Integrity — And What to Do About It

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-ai-powered-deepfakes-threaten-election-integrity-and-what-to-do-about-it/

How AI-Powered Deepfakes Threaten Election Integrity — And What to Do About It

Campaign ads can already get a bit messy and controversial.

Now imagine you’re targeted with a campaign ad in which a candidate voices strong positions that sway your vote — and the ad isn’t even real. It’s a deepfake.

This is not some futuristic hypothetical; deepfakes are a real, pervasive problem. We’ve already seen AI-generated “endorsements” making headlines, and what we’ve heard only scratches the surface.

As we approach the 2024 U.S. presidential election, we’re entering uncharted territory in cybersecurity and information integrity. I’ve worked at the intersection of cybersecurity and AI since both of these were nascent concepts, and I’ve never seen anything like what’s happening right now.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence — specifically generative AI and, of course, the resulting ease of creating realistic deepfakes — has transformed the landscape of election threats. This new reality demands a change in basic assumptions regarding election security and voter education.

Weaponized AI

You don’t have to take my personal experience as proof; there’s plenty of evidence that the cybersecurity challenges we face today are evolving at an unprecedented rate. In the span of just a few years, we’ve witnessed a dramatic transformation in the capabilities and methodologies of potential threat actors. This evolution mirrors the accelerated development we’ve seen in AI technologies, but with a concerning twist.

Case in point:

Rapid weaponization of vulnerabilities. Today’s attackers can quickly exploit newly discovered vulnerabilities, often faster than patches can be developed and deployed. AI tools further accelerate this process, shrinking the window between vulnerability discovery and exploitation.

Expanded attack surface. The widespread adoption of cloud technologies has significantly broadened the potential attack surface. Distributed infrastructure and the shared responsibility model between cloud providers and users create new vectors for exploitation if not properly managed.

Outdated traditional security measures. Legacy security tools like firewalls and antivirus software are struggling to keep pace with these evolving threats, especially when it comes to detecting and mitigating AI-generated content.

Look Who’s Talking

In this new threat landscape, deepfakes represent a particularly insidious challenge to election integrity. Recent research from Ivanti puts some numbers to the threat: more than half of office workers (54%) are unaware that advanced AI can impersonate anyone’s voice. This lack of awareness among potential voters is deeply concerning as we approach a critical election cycle.

There is so much at stake.

The sophistication of today’s deepfake technology allows threat actors, both foreign and domestic, to create convincing fake audio, video and text content with minimal effort. A simple text prompt can now generate a deepfake that’s increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine content. This capability has serious implications for the spread of disinformation and the manipulation of public opinion.

Challenges in Attribution and Mitigation

Attribution is one of the most significant challenges we face with AI-generated election interference. While we’ve historically associated election interference with nation-state actors, the democratization of AI tools means that domestic groups, driven by various ideological motivations, can now leverage these technologies to influence elections.

This diffusion of potential threat actors complicates our ability to identify and mitigate sources of disinformation. It also underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach to election security that goes beyond traditional cybersecurity measures.

A Coordinated Effort to Uphold Election Integrity

Addressing the challenge of AI-powered deepfakes in elections will require a coordinated effort across multiple sectors. Here are key areas where we need to focus our efforts:

Shift-left security for AI systems. We need to apply the principles of “shift-left” security to the development of AI systems themselves. This means incorporating security considerations from the earliest stages of AI model development, including considerations for potential misuse in election interference.

Enforcing secure configurations. AI systems and platforms that could potentially be used to generate deepfakes should have robust, secure configurations by default. This includes strong authentication measures and restrictions on the types of content that can be generated.

Securing the AI supply chain. Just as we focus on securing the software supply chain, we need to extend this vigilance to the AI supply chain. This includes scrutinizing the datasets used to train AI models and the algorithms employed in generative AI systems.

Enhanced detection capabilities. We need to invest in and develop advanced detection tools that can identify AI-generated content, particularly in the context of election-related information. This will likely involve leveraging AI itself to combat AI-generated disinformation.

Voter education and awareness. A crucial component of our defense against deepfakes is an informed electorate. We need comprehensive education programs to help voters understand the existence and potential impact of AI-generated content, and to provide them with tools to critically evaluate the information they encounter.

Cross-sector collaboration. The tech sector, particularly IT and cybersecurity companies, must work closely with government agencies, election officials and media organizations to create a united front against AI-driven election interference.

What’s Now, and What’s Next

As we implement these strategies, it’s crucial that we continuously measure their effectiveness. This will require new metrics and monitoring tools specifically designed to track the impact of AI-generated content on election discourse and voter behavior.

We should also be prepared to adapt our strategies rapidly. The field of AI is evolving at a breakneck pace, and our defensive measures must evolve just as quickly. This may involve leveraging AI itself to create more robust and adaptable security measures.

The challenge of AI-powered deepfakes in elections represents a new chapter in cybersecurity and information integrity. To address it, we must think beyond traditional security paradigms and foster collaboration across sectors and disciplines. The goal: to harness the power of AI for the benefit of democratic processes while mitigating its potential for harm. This is not just a technical challenge, but a societal one that will require ongoing vigilance, adaptation and cooperation.

The integrity of our elections – and by extension, the health of our democracy – depends on our ability to meet this challenge head-on. It’s a responsibility that falls on all of us: technologists, policymakers and citizens alike.

[forthegoodofamerica]

Understanding AI and ChatGPT: Dispelling the Myths

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained a lot of attention recently, especially with the emergence of Generative AI (GenAI). However, along with this attention comes plenty of misunderstandings. What is AI? How does it work? What role does ChatGPT play in this landscape? In this blog, we’ll break down these concepts, clear up some confusion, and help you appreciate the real impact of AI on our day-to-day lives.

Common Misconceptions About AI

One major misconception is that AI is a single, all-encompassing technology. In truth, AI consists of various systems designed for specific tasks. For instance, ChatGPT can hold conversations, provide information, and even help create content based on given prompts. Despite its impressive capabilities, ChatGPT is not conscious nor does it have genuine understanding; it simply analyzes patterns in data to generate responses.

Another misconception revolves around the fear that AI will replace human jobs. While AI can automate certain routine tasks, it should be viewed more as a tool that enhances human potential rather than a replacement. For instance, AI can handle repetitive tasks, which frees up humans to focus on more creative or complex activities. This collaboration between humans and AI can lead to improved productivity and innovation in various sectors.

The Role of ChatGPT

ChatGPT represents an exciting aspect of AI. It’s becoming increasingly popular in fields such as customer service, content creation, and even education. Many are curious about how tools like ChatGPT can transform industries, and rightly so. The opportunities for integration are vast, from improving communication to making information more accessible.

As we become more familiar with these technologies, we can better leverage their potential, enhancing our personal and professional lives. The key is to find the right balance, using AI to complement our human capabilities rather than replace them.

Get Your Free Copy of George Magazine

Want to learn more about AI and the misconceptions surrounding it? The full article by PaimPozhil Bernatsha in George Magazine dives deeper into this fascinating topic. To gain insight into the world of AI and its impact, you can get your free copy by signing up at George Magazine. This isn’t a subscription offer; it’s simply an opportunity to broaden your understanding.

This edition of George Magazine doesn’t only focus on AI—it covers a wide range of topics that shed light on modern culture and technology. Whether you’re interested in current events, politics, or lifestyle, this collector’s edition has something valuable for you.

Don’t miss out—sign up for your free copy today at George Magazine and take a step toward understanding the complex world we live in. Be part of a community that values knowledge and exploration.

The Future of AI

As technology continues to develop, the conversation around AI will only become more essential. Understanding AI helps demystify it, allowing us to use these tools wisely. With ongoing discussions about ethics, responsibility, and the future of work, staying informed is crucial.

By reading George Magazine, you will not only prepare yourself to engage in these discussions but also gain a broader perspective on the topics that matter in today’s society.

Why Sign Up?

Signing up for your free copy of George Magazine gives you access to insightful articles and resources that will enhance your knowledge base. Explore how AI shapes our world and stay updated on emerging trends across various fields.

The magazine serves as a valuable resource for anyone eager to learn more about the intersections of technology, culture, and society.

Get your free copy now at George Magazine and join a growing community of curious minds!

[avocodedigital]

Google Revolutionizes Search with Video Feature

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Introduction: The Evolution of Search Engines

The world of search is continuously evolving, and in a digital age where information is plentiful yet fleeting, tech giant Google has once again pushed the boundaries of what's possible. The integration of video as a search feature promises to revolutionize our interactions with the internet, increasing both the speed and ease of access to data. This innovative update underscores a paradigm shift from traditional text and image searches to an era where video becomes the focal point of our digital inquiries.

Understanding Google's New Video Search Feature

The new feature allows users to search directly using videos they capture. Imagine pointing your smartphone camera at a mysterious plant during a hike or at an unknown landmark while traveling, and having near-instantaneous access to a wealth of information about your subject. This leap in search functionality bridges the gap between visual discovery and information retrieval, accommodating the modern web user's need for quick, on-the-go data.

How the Feature Works

Google's new search ability operates on advanced machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to process and analyze video input. The moment a user points their camera and records, the feature begins to: - **Identify objects, landmarks, and other points of interest.** - **Offer suggestions and related search results in real-time.** - **Provide contextual information drawn from its extensive database.** This dynamic process combines the best of Google's capabilities, including its powerful cloud computing infrastructure, sophisticated AI models, and vast knowledge graph.

The Technology Behind the Innovation

The engine of this groundbreaking feature is Google's pioneering Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and machine learning backend. Together, they ensure that the processing power required for video input analysis is capable of handling millions of concurrent searches without a hitch.

Machine Learning and AI

Each video input is an opportunity to refine the AI models further. As more users turn to video search, the system becomes smarter and more accurate, thanks to continuous learning from each interaction. Key components include:

Real-time object recognition

Contextual video analysis

Data correlation with existing search results

Such deep technology integration ensures the user experience remains smooth and instantaneous, a hallmark of Google's product suite.

Privacy and Data Security

As with any technology dealing with personal data, Google's video search feature places a high priority on privacy and security. The following measures are in place:

Encryption of all video input data during transmission

Compliance with international data protection regulations

User controls to manage and delete search histories

These precautions demonstrate Google's commitment to maintaining user trust while delivering cutting-edge technology.

Impact on User Experience

The introduction of video search marks a transformative moment in user experience design. By bridging the gap between visual cues and data, users enjoy a more holistic and intuitive way to access information. Here’s how:

Enhanced Interactivity

Visual search methods engage users more deeply than text-alone interactions. The ability to interact with the world visually aligns seamlessly with our natural tendencies to identify and understand our environment through sight.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

This development is particularly beneficial for users with disabilities or literacy challenges, providing an accessible pathway to information. By reducing reliance on text-based input, Google opens the door to more demographics, leveling the playing field for all users.

Potential Applications of Video Search

The versatility of video as a search input broadens its application across multiple domains. Here are a few areas poised to benefit significantly:

Education and Learning

Imagine students filming science experiments or art projects and receiving immediate expert analysis and feedback. Video search can transform classrooms into interactive hubs of information, fostering real-world learning environments.

Travel and Navigation

For travelers, video search offers the chance to explore their surroundings with enhanced understanding. Pointing a camera at a monument could unlock historical facts, tourist reviews, and navigation aids seamlessly, enriching the travel experience.

Augmented Reality Shopping

The retail industry stands to gain, as users could point their cameras at products in a store to receive instant price comparisons, reviews, and product descriptions, making shopping both online and offline more informative and enjoyable.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the exciting prospects, the video search feature is still in its nascent stage, with challenges yet to be overcome. These include:

Ensuring consistent accuracy across diverse environments

Addressing privacy concerns related to video data storage

Continuous refinement of AI models to reduce biases

Looking forward, Google’s ongoing development suggests a future where video searches are integrated with augmented reality (AR) technologies, creating immersive experiences where digital and physical worlds merge seamlessly.

Conclusion: Embracing a New Frontier in Search

Google's innovative video search feature signals a bold new chapter in the evolution of search technology. By enabling users to explore the world visually, the boundaries of interaction and information retrieval are redefined. As this technology continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly unlock new possibilities for education, commerce, and everyday life, bringing us closer to a world where information is not just accessible at our fingertips but right before our eyes. Want more? Join the newsletter: https://avocode.digital/newsletter/

[lowendbox]

DigitalOcean Unveils NVIDIA H100-Powered Flexible GPU Droplets for Enhanced Performance

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DOCN), known for its user-friendly scalable cloud solutions, has announced the launch of its advanced AI infrastructure, now generally available in a pay-as-you-go format via the new DigitalOcean GPU Droplets. This innovative product allows AI developers to effortlessly conduct experiments, train extensive language models, and scale their AI projects without the burden of complex setups or hefty capital expenditures. With these new additions, DigitalOcean provides a diverse range of flexible and high-performance GPU options, including on-demand virtual GPUs, managed Kubernetes services, and bare metal machines, designed to support developers and growing enterprises in expediting their AI/ML projects. Equipped with state-of-the-art NVIDIA H100 GPUs, tailored for next-generation AI functions, DigitalOcean GPU Droplets are offered in economical single-node options alongside multi-node configurations. In contrast to other cloud services, which often necessitate multiple procedures and technical expertise to establish security, storage, and network setups, DigitalOcean GPU Droplets can be configured with just a few clicks on a single page. Users of the DigitalOcean API will also benefit from an efficient setup and management process, as GPU Droplets integrate seamlessly into the DigitalOcean API suite, allowing for deployment with a single API call. The company is broadening its managed Kubernetes service to incorporate NVIDIA H100 GPUs, unlocking the full potential of H100-enabled worker nodes within Kubernetes containerized environments. These innovative AI infrastructure solutions reduce the obstacles to AI development by offering fast, accessible, and affordable high-performance GPUs without the need for hefty upfront investments in expensive hardware. The new components are now available: Organizations like Story.com are already utilizing the robust H100 GPUs from DigitalOcean to enhance their model training and expand their operations. “Story.com's GenAI workflow requires substantial computational resources, and DigitalOcean’s GPU nodes have transformed our capabilities,” stated Deep Mehta, CTO and Co-Founder of Story.com. “As a startup, we were in search of a dependable solution that could manage our demanding workloads, and DigitalOcean provided exceptional stability and performance. The entire process, from seamless onboarding to reliable infrastructure, has been effortless. The support team is remarkably responsive and quick to address our needs, making them an essential element of our growth.” Today's announcement is part of a series of initiatives that DigitalOcean is pursuing as it works towards providing AI platforms and applications. The company is set to unveil a new generative AI platform aimed at streamlining the configuration and deployment of optimal AI solutions, such as chatbots, for customers. Through these advancements, DigitalOcean seeks to democratize AI application development, making the complex AI tech stack more accessible. It plans to deliver ready-to-use components like hosted LLMs, implement user-friendly data ingestion pipelines, and enable customers to utilize their existing knowledge bases, thus facilitating the creation of AI-enhanced applications. “We’re simplifying the process and making it more affordable than ever for developers, startups, and other innovators to develop and launch GenAI applications, enabling them to transition into production seamlessly,” stated Bratin Saha, Chief Product and Technology Officer at DigitalOcean. “For this to happen, they require access to advanced AI infrastructure without the burden of additional costs and complexities. Our GPU-as-a-service offering empowers a much wider user base.” DigitalOcean simplifies cloud computing, allowing businesses to devote more time to creating transformative software. With a robust infrastructure and comprehensive managed services, DigitalOcean empowers developers at startups and expanding digital firms to swiftly build, deploy, and scale—whether establishing a digital footprint or developing digital products. By merging simplicity, security, community, and customer support, DigitalOcean enables customers to focus less on infrastructure management and more on crafting innovative applications that drive business success.   LowEndBox is a go-to resource for those seeking budget-friendly hosting solutions. This editorial focuses on syndicated news articles, delivering timely information and insights about web hosting, technology, and internet services that cater specifically to the LowEndBox community. With a wide range of topics covered, it serves as a comprehensive source of up-to-date content, helping users stay informed about the rapidly changing landscape of affordable hosting solutions. Read the full article

[coolandgoodvibes]

Spotify: The Soundtrack to Modern Life

In a world driven by digital innovation, Spotify has emerged as more than just a music streaming service; it has become the soundtrack to modern life. Launched in 2008, Spotify transformed the way people consume music by providing instant access to millions of songs and podcasts from around the world. What started as a small Swedish startup has evolved into a global platform with over 550 million active users, redefining the music industry and becoming an integral part of our daily routines. spotify hörer kaufen

Spotify's unique algorithm-driven recommendations have been a game-changer, offering personalized playlists like "Discover Weekly" and "Release Radar" that introduce listeners to new music based on their tastes. This level of customization creates a personal connection between the user and the app, making it feel like a trusted friend who always knows the perfect song for every moment. This deep understanding of user preferences has enabled Spotify to maintain its competitive edge, fostering an engaging experience that keeps users coming back for more.

Beyond just music, Spotify has expanded its horizons by diving into the world of podcasts. The platform’s investment in exclusive podcast content has not only broadened its audience but also positioned it as a leader in audio entertainment. From true crime thrillers to insightful interviews with thought leaders, Spotify offers a diverse range of content that caters to every interest, making it a one-stop destination for all audio needs.

As Spotify continues to innovate with new features like AI-generated playlists and social sharing tools, it is clear that the platform is committed to evolving with its users. spotify monatliche hörer kaufen It’s not just about streaming music; it's about creating a dynamic and immersive audio experience that connects people globally. Whether you're commuting to work, working out, or simply relaxing at home, Spotify is there to enhance every moment, truly making it the soundtrack to modern life.

[bjrcrecruiting]

The Future of Accounting Recruitment: What Toronto Recruiters Are Seeing

The accounting industry, like many others, is undergoing significant transformation. As new technologies emerge and the demand for specialized skills increases, the landscape of accounting recruitment in Toronto is evolving. Understanding these changes is crucial for companies looking to stay ahead. At BJRC Recruiting, our team of experts has been closely monitoring these shifts, and we’ve identified key trends shaping the future of accounting recruitment in Toronto. In this blog, we’ll explore five significant developments in the Toronto accounting recruitment industry, offering insights into what businesses can expect and how they can adapt to stay competitive.

1. The Rise of Technology and Automation

One of the most significant trends we’re seeing is the increasing integration of technology and automation within the accounting sector. From AI-powered tools to cloud-based accounting software, technology is streamlining processes and changing how accountants work. This shift is creating a demand for candidates who are proficient in traditional accounting practices and skilled in leveraging new technologies. Toronto recruiters are now focusing on finding candidates with a blend of technical and soft skills. The best accounting recruitment agencies in Toronto are looking for professionals who can adapt to new tools, work efficiently with automated systems, and still deliver the high level of accuracy and insight that clients expect. This trend is pushing recruitment firms to broaden their search criteria and explore new talent pools, including those with experience in tech-driven roles.

2. A Growing Demand for Specialized Expertise

As businesses in Toronto face increasingly complex financial regulations and challenges, the demand for specialized accounting expertise is on the rise. Whether it’s forensic accounting, tax advisory, or financial analysis, companies seek candidates who can provide niche services beyond standard accounting functions. At BJRC Recruiting, we’ve noticed a significant uptick in requests for candidates with specialized skills. This trend is reshaping how we approach recruitment as we focus more on identifying and nurturing relationships with professionals with deep expertise in specific areas. Toronto financial recruitment is becoming more targeted, with recruiters working closely with firms to understand their unique needs and match them with candidates who can provide the specialized services they require.

3. Increased Focus on Employer Branding

Another trend we’re observing is the heightened focus on employer branding in the accounting recruitment process. In a competitive market, it’s not just candidates who need to stand out—employers do, too. Firms increasingly recognize the importance of showcasing their culture, values, and unique selling points to attract top talent. Toronto recruiters are now advising firms to invest in their employer branding strategies, ensuring they present themselves as desirable workplaces. This includes everything from highlighting career development opportunities to promoting work-life balance and inclusive workplace policies. The best accounting recruitment agencies in Toronto are helping their clients build strong, attractive brands that resonate with candidates, making attracting and retaining top talent easier.

4. A Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion have become key priorities for many organizations, and the accounting industry is no different. Companies increasingly recognize the value of diverse teams in driving innovation, improving decision-making, and better serving a broad client base. This shift is influencing the recruitment strategies of Toronto financial recruitment firms, including ours at BJRC Recruiting. We’re seeing a growing emphasis on finding candidates from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on creating inclusive workplace cultures. This trend is leading to more intentional recruitment efforts, where firms are looking for the best talent and ensuring that their hiring practices promote diversity and inclusion. It’s a development that will continue to shape the future of accounting recruitment in Toronto, making it a more equitable and dynamic industry.

5. The Importance of Soft Skills

While technical skills remain essential, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of soft skills in the accounting industry. As accountants take on more advisory roles and work closely with clients, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability skills are becoming increasingly valuable. Toronto recruiters are now emphasizing these soft skills more during the recruitment process. At BJRC Recruiting, we understand that building relationships, thinking critically, and adapting to changing circumstances are just as important as technical proficiency. As the industry continues to evolve, we expect the demand for well-rounded candidates who can combine technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills to grow. The future of accounting recruitment in Toronto is dynamic, driven by technological advancements and the demand for specialized skills. At BJRC Recruiting, your future is our focus, and we’re committed to staying ahead of these trends, ensuring that our clients have access to the best talent available. Whether you’re looking for experts in accounting, candidates who can thrive in your workplace culture, or professionals who bring a diverse perspective to your team, our team of experts is here to help. As the best accounting recruitment agency in Toronto, we’re dedicated to finding the right fit for your firm today and in the future. If you’re navigating the evolving landscape of accounting recruitment in Toronto, let BJRC Recruiting be your partner in finding the talent that will drive your success.

Know more https://bjrcrecruiting.com/2024/08/28/future-accounting-recruitment-toronto-insights/