AI February: Venturing Into the "Happy Dystopia" of technology.
February 14, 2024
Spanish
Greetings, AI enthusiasts! Wishing you all a delightful Valentine's Day filled with love and innovation. It's time to catch up on the latest buzz in the AI realm since our previous edition.
To kick things off, I'm thrilled to extend an invitation for you to explore our newest piece, offering a keen critique on a recent work.
Currently, the AI landscape is abuzz with talk about Agents. Let's delve into this fascinating topic:
?? Agents is all you need
The "Mixture of Experts" (MOE) methodology has transformed Large Language Models (LLMs), prioritizing a blend of specialists over the conventional dense network architectures. Recent scholarly works echo a powerful message: "in unity, there's strength." The shift from merely scaling up a singular model for improved performance to a paradigm of cooperation marks a pivotal moment. The idea is to distribute tasks and metaphorically "cast votes and engage in dialogue" — essentially, to forge a symphony of agent-based frameworks. This collaborative approach has consistently surpassed traditional LLM benchmarks, underscoring the notion that teamwork, even among algorithms, paves the path to unmatched achievements.
?? AI Through the Generational Lens:
Emerging studies reveal that Generation Z, or 'Zoomers,' is at the forefront of adopting artificial intelligence, setting them apart from the more reserved Baby Boomers and Generation X. This tech-savvy cohort doesn't just welcome automation; they see it as an essential ladder to career progression.
??The Neo-Luddite Unrest in San Francisco
In a surprising turn of events, a group in San Francisco, whose generational affiliation remains a mystery, expressed their dissent in a rather dramatic fashion. A Waymo autonomous taxi became the target of their discontent, as around twenty individuals launched an attack on the vehicle amidst celebrations of the Chinese New Year. This incident not only highlights the growing tension over automation and job replacement but also marks a significant moment of pushback against Google's taxi service.
??? Emerging OpenSource Giants
??? Innovations in Proprietary Models
?? Exclusive Updates from OpenAI
?? Spotlight on Autonomous Agents by Sam Altman. OpenAI's vision extends to the development of autonomous agents, as shared by Sam Altman with The Information. Aimed at streamlining productivity, one agent will manage device and app tasks, like data transfer and report completion, while another will focus on web-based tasks, including data gathering and travel arrangements. These advancements, coupled with the ability to summon GPTs in chats and an enhanced memory beta, aspire to convert ChatGPT into a comprehensive personal work assistant. The practical application of these agents is eagerly anticipated.
??Humanities and AI's Leap into the Past
In an unprecedented feat blending technology and history, Youssef Nader from Germany, Luke Farritor from the US, and Julian Schilliger from Switzerland have been awarded a $700,000 prize. Their groundbreaking work involved using AI to decipher 5% of a Greek scroll, previously thought lost to the ashes of Vesuvius's eruption 20,000 years ago. This achievement not only opens new doors for archaeological discovery but also demonstrates the potential of AI in unlocking the secrets of ancient civilizations.
?????? Introducing Sciencemogulism (Cienciomogulismo)
The concept of "Sciencemogulism" emerges as a provocative critique of the traditional scientific paradigm, proposing a new category of science that thrives on autonomy, eschewing established scientific methodologies. This term encapsulates the spirit of innovation free from conventional constraints, challenging the status quo of scientific exploration. For further insight into this revolutionary approach, reference the detailed exposition on the PropheticAI project provided at the conclusion of this entry.
领英推荐
[more information about the PropheticAI project in the annex, you will find at the end of this entry]
??? The Dark Side of Technological Advancements: Deepfakes and Fraud
??Taylor Swift's Deepfake Controversy
TTaylor Swift recently became the target of a deeply concerning misuse of technology, with a deepfake pornography video rapidly disseminating on X (formerly known as Twitter). One of the fabricated images astonishingly amassed 47 million views before its removal. Fans rallied in mass reports and voiced criticisms over the platform's delayed response. Originating from 4chan communities, this incident may serve as a pivotal moment, potentially ushering in new legislation aimed at curbing the creation and spread of deepfake content.
?? US Elections: The Deepfake Dilemma
The threat of deepfakes has reached the highest levels of government, causing alarm within the White House. Officials are actively investigating methods to authenticate the origin of published videos, with cryptography emerging as a viable solution for verifying official content. This proactive stance highlights the growing concerns over the impact of deepfakes on public trust and the integrity of information.
??Efforts to Combat Deepfakes
?? Apple Vision Pro: A Glimpse into the Future or A Step Too Far?
Apple's latest innovation, the Vision Pro, has sparked a flurry of headlines proclaiming it as a device poised to "change humanity forever." Priced at 3500 euros, it's not just another gadget—it's a peek into what could be the new normal in human-technology interaction.
The AI Layers of Vision Pro
The Ethical Considerations
As we inch closer to the full implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act in 2026, with its stringent regulations on biometric data use and collection, devices like Vision Pro bring to light a dream of technological advancement. But they also raise questions about privacy and the ethical implications of such deep integration of technology into our personal spaces.
... bring us a dream
Finally, as we reflect, debate and counter-argue, the melody of 'Mr. Sandman' seems to resonate with a nostalgic echo, transporting us to an era where everything seemed to tell us that this tomorrow, the one we live in today, would be more innocent, more joyful.... easier...
but the interweaving that is woven second by second between the tangible and the intangible, gives us a glimpse of the imagined future that has neither just hatched, nor just vanished completely. Between the dreams of yesterday and the realities of tomorrow... in the middle... us, today"
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Annex: ?? The Intriguing Case of PropheticAI
This month's spotlight in the realm of Sciencemogulism shines on PropheticAI, a startup that's pushing the boundaries of technology and dreams. PropheticAI has recently opened its doors, inviting volunteers to participate in groundbreaking tests set to begin in the spring. Their device, dubbed Morpheus-1 and affectionately referred to as a "halo," aims to harness the power of ultrasound to stimulate the brain into achieving lucid dreaming states.
Lucid dreaming, the phenomenon where one becomes aware they are dreaming, represents the most sustainable form of virtual reality imaginable. PropheticAI ambitiously promises to "steal the sleep of the prophets," weaving together the fringes of our understanding into something that seems almost too good to be true. With a significant backing of 1 million euros, they're set to explore these uncharted territories.
However, skepticism looms large in this era of misinformation. After a closer examination of the CEO, S. Wollberg's presentation, doubts arise. What is marketed as an advanced analysis of EEG and rfMI waveforms appears, upon scrutiny, to be mere image processing. The diagrams presented, reminiscent of eternal transformer schematics, suggest a simplistic approach to complex signals like EEG and fMRI data.
The demonstration video further reveals potential oversimplifications in their methodology. The process involves converting EEG signals into pixelated images for analysis, a technique that seems to oversimplify the nuanced and complex nature of brain activity. Moreover, the fixed focus on the prefrontal cortex and the model's subpar accuracy—falling below the threshold of chance—raises critical questions about the efficacy and reliability of their approach.
This venture into the intersection of technology and neuroscience serves as a reminder of the fine line between innovation and overreach. While the concept of non-invasive technology is appealing, especially when contrasted with more invasive methods like those proposed by Elon Musk, the term "non-invasive" should not be confused with "harmless." The long-term effects of using ultrasound to stimulate the brain during REM sleep remain uncertain, and the lack of clarity on the frequencies used only adds to the concern.
As we venture further into the exploration of cognitive and biological processes through technology, it's crucial to tread carefully, ensuring that our pursuit of innovation does not compromise ethical standards or the well-being of individuals. The case of PropheticAI, with its ambitious goals and questionable methodology, underscores the importance of critical scrutiny and the responsible development of emerging technologies.
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