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Stripped Bare by Silicon: How AI is Turning Us All into Digital Pin-ups

AI and the art of digital undressing. You heard me right. Apparently, a whole bunch of websites have popped up, and they're basically digital tailors.  You feed them a picture of your favorite politician, your annoying neighbor, or even your own unsuspecting grandma, and poof! – they're magically naked. Stripped Bare by Silicon: How AI is Turning Us All into Digital Pin-ups Now, I'm not one to judge. A little bit of digital nudity here and there, who am I to say? But this... this is getting out of hand. India, they say, is the second-biggest user of these "virtual strip clubs."   Second only to the US. The land of yoga and meditation, now the land of… well, you get the picture. And let's not forget Japan. Those poor souls, always pushing the boundaries. Apparently, they're obsessed with this stuff.  I can just imagine them: "Konichiwa, AI-san! Please, make this picture of Mr. Tanaka look like he's auditioning for the next 'Magic Mike' ...

The AI Overlord of E-Commerce: Amazon's New "Helpful" Assistant

So, Amazon's done it again. They've taken their relentless pursuit of world domination to a whole new level, this time with an AI-powered shopping assistant named Rufus . Yes, you read that right. Rufus. Like the lovable mutt from "The Secret Life of Pets." Only this Rufus is a soulless, digital entity that knows more about your shopping habits than your own mother. Imagine this: You're minding your own business, scrolling through your phone, when suddenly, a little chat bubble pops up on your Amazon app. "Hi there! I'm Rufus, your friendly neighborhood shopping assistant. How can I help you today?" Friendly neighborhood shopping assistant ? More like the Terminator in a cardigan, ready to analyze your every purchase and exploit your deepest desires.   Now, let's break down what this AI overlord can do: Product Guru: Ask Rufus anything about anything, from the best running shoes to the perfect gift for your weird uncle. It'll spew out...

Apple's AI Revolution - A Silicon Valley Sideshow

So, Apple, the company that once prided itself on its minimalist design and user-friendly interface, has decided to dive headfirst into the murky waters of artificial intelligence. It's like a vegan butcher, a sober bartender, or a quiet kid suddenly becoming the life of the party. They've unveiled their latest marvel, Apple Intelligence. It's a digital assistant that promises to revolutionize our lives. It's like having a personal assistant, except instead of a real person who might complain about the coffee, you get a soulless machine that can't even fetch you a beer. Apple Intelligence is supposed to be a game-changer. It's going to write your emails, proofread your essays, and even help you write poetry. I mean, who needs actual writers when you've got a machine that can string together a few words? Siri, the once-beloved voice assistant, is getting a makeover. She's shedding her old, robotic voice for a more natural, human-like tone. It's lik...

The Metaverse, Where Reality is Optional

Mark Zuckerberg, the man who brought us the social media platform where your aunt shares questionable conspiracy theories and your cousin posts endless cat videos, has done it again.  He's unveiled his latest vision for the future: the Metaverse. Think of it as a digital world where everything is better than real life, except for the fact that you're still wearing those goofy VR goggles. Zuckerberg, with his signature intensity, has painted a picture of a future where we're all living in a constant state of augmented reality, interacting with holograms, and having deep conversations with AI assistants that are way too eager to share their opinions on everything from politics to the best brand of toilet paper. It's like a sci-fi movie, but without the cool special effects or the ability to actually escape the plot. The Metaverse, Where Reality is Optional The Orion Holographic Glasses: Because Why Not? Let's start with the pièce de résistance: the Orion Hologr...

Unplugging: A Guide to Breaking Up Big Tech Companies

Have you ever felt like your phone is listening to you? Or that the internet knows more about you than your best friend? Well, you're not alone. Welcome to the wonderful world of Big Tech, where a handful of companies control almost every aspect of our digital lives. It's like living in a world where the only grocery store is Amazon, and the only search engine is Google. And let's face it, who wants to live in a world where you can't find anything online without first seeing an ad for the same thing you were just thinking about?   Unplugging: A Guide to Breaking Up Big Tech Companies A 36-page background paper (PDF) begins by stating: "The current model of the global digital economy is broken and dysfunctional, in part due to the stranglehold of a handful of powerful technology companies that are reaping enormous profits while inflicting increasing harm on people, society, the economy and the environment."     The Plot Against the Machines: A brave ban...

The AI ​​revolution in miniature: Why local models are the future

Artificial intelligence models are typically used online, but a variety of freely available tools are changing that. local AIs are trending. AI - Why local models are the future The website histo.fyi is a database of structures of immune system proteins called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. It contains images, data tables, and amino acid sequences, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools called large language models (LLMs) to transform these assets into readable summaries. But he doesn't use ChatGPT or any other web-based LLM. Instead, he runs the AI on his laptop.   In recent years, chatbots based on LLMs have been praised for their ability to write poetry or hold conversations. Some LLMs have hundreds of billions of parameters—the more parameters, the more complex—and are only accessible online. But two recent trends have emerged. First, organizations are creating “open weights” versions of LLMs, where the weights and biases used to train ...

California Leads the Nation in AI Regulation

California lawmakers have passed a sweeping set of bills aimed at regulating the artificial intelligence industry, combating deepfakes, and protecting workers from exploitation as the technology rapidly evolves. California leads the nation in AI regulation The Democrat-controlled California legislature, in its final week of the session, approved hundreds of bills that will now head to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. The deadline for the governor to act is Saturday. Newsom, a Democrat, has until September 30 to sign the proposals into law, veto them, or let them take effect without his signature. While he indicated in July that he would sign a bill to combat deepfakes in elections, he has not commented on the other measures. Earlier this summer, he cautioned that overregulating the industry at home could harm it. In recent years, he has often cited the state's budget woes as a reason for rejecting legislation he might otherwise support. Here's a look at some of the AI bills ...

Humanoid Robots: More Than Just a Technological Toy?

In recent years, the field of robotics has witnessed remarkable advancements, particularly in the development of humanoid robots. These machines, designed to resemble humans in appearance and movement, have captured the public imagination and sparked intense debate about their potential impact on society. From the early, clunky prototypes to the sophisticated models of today, humanoid robots have come a long way. However, as their capabilities continue to expand, the question remains:  (toc) #title=(content list) What is the true purpose of these technological marvels?  Are they merely entertaining gadgets, or do they hold the key to revolutionizing various industries and aspects of our daily lives? Humanoid Robots - More Than Just a Technological Toy? This article aims to explore the world of humanoid robots and delve into their potential applications. We will examine the latest developments in the field, discuss the challenges and opportunities they present, and co...

Artificial intelligence regulations versus innovation

As the European Union (EU) takes strides to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), concerns arise about stifling innovation and the potential for government misuse. While the EU's AI Act gains traction, across the Atlantic, the US Congress also aims to join the regulatory bandwagon, showcasing their own unique approach to control the uncontrollable. Inspired by the EU's endeavors, the US Congress, known for its ability to grapple with complex issues, contemplates its own AI regulation strategy. The prospect of bipartisan collaboration in crafting legislation is both awe-inspiring and mildly amusing. After all, what better way to address the complexities of AI than through the harmonious voices of political rivals?   The EU's risk-based approach has sparked interest among US lawmakers who are eager to embark on a similar path. They believe that by prioritizing areas of potential harm, such as critical infrastructure and public services, they can safeguard the futu...

Jeff Bezos' Latest Venture: Selling AI for $9.99

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, it seems like every week brings a new breakthrough in artificial intelligence. The latest addition to the AI landscape is Amazon's new "Jeff Bezos" AI, which promises to revolutionize the way we shop, work, and live our lives. Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk According to Amazon, the "Jeff Bezos" AI is designed to be the ultimate personal assistant. It can do everything from ordering your groceries to managing your calendar to predicting what you'll want to buy before you even know you want it. But the real magic of the "Jeff Bezos" AI lies in its ability to anticipate your every need and desire, and to make recommendations that are perfectly tailored to your unique tastes and preferences. Launches AI-Powered Personal Assistant Service for the Masses at an Unbeatable Price $9.99 At its core, the "Jeff Bezos" AI is powered by a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes everything...

The Value of Humanity in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to revolutionize various industries, it's crucial to remember the importance of valuing human beings. While AI and ML can automate many processes and make them more efficient, they can never replace the creativity, intuition, and empathy that come naturally to humans. The Value of Humanity in the Age of AI (toc) #title=(content list) As we move towards a future where AI and ML are increasingly integrated into our lives, it's important to recognize the unique qualities that make us human. Our ability to connect with others, to empathize, and to adapt to changing situations is what sets us apart from machines. Furthermore, as we create more advanced AI systems, we need to ensure that they align with human values and ethics. The development and deployment of AI should always be guided by the goal of promoting the well-being of humans and society as a whole. In this age of AI, we must strive to strike a balance be...