Token Wisdom ? 29th Edition
? Khayyam Wakil ?? YYC
// Award-Winning Storyteller, Innovator & Cybernetician ?? Deeply Immersed Since '07 / Focused On Deep Tech
AI Is Taking Over, Microsoft Dumps, Figure 12 Months to Build a Robot, FCC Green Lights XR, RSA-2048 Cracked, The Eliza Effect, 'Sort Of' Open Source, Neural Networks Aren't the Same as Ours, Leaking Starlinks, The Open Empathetic Project, No Privacy in Web3, To Build - You Must Believe, Adobe Selling Fake Gaza Pics, AI Companies' Free Pass, Cirque Squad, EverArt, and The Greatest Artwork You've Never Heard Of.
"Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive.
— Jamais Cascio
?? Curated of consumed knowledge - October 29th thru November 4th, 2023
Every week we showcase the dynamism and impact of technology on various aspects of our lives. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, it is essential to remain curious and open-minded, leveraging technology responsibly and ethically for the betterment of humanity and the advancement of our collective future. If you would like to receive my hot takes on each of these articles, please subscribe to the full-meal-deal here to receive your alpha early: ?? alphAlpha // ??
Welcome to the 29th Edition, where we explore the latest and most intriguing developments in the world of technology, culture, and science.
In this edition, we're going to explore the mysterious world of AI, starting with the AI industry's lack of transparency and the efforts of researchers to unmask the hidden secrets of major AI companies. We'll also look into the unsettling reality of AI-generated news, where bizarre and misleading content is replacing reliable journalism.
Next, we'll step into the future with Figure's humanoid robot, which is taking dynamic strides in the world of robotics. We'll also discuss the FCC's green light to superfast Wi-Fi for AR and VR devices, opening up a new era of connectivity. In the realm of data encryption, we'll discuss a researcher's claim to have cracked the world's most commonly used public key algorithm, RSA-2048, using a commercial cellphone or a Linux desktop.
We'll also discover the intriguing Eliza effect, where humans are projecting human traits onto machines, and the curious case of AI perception, where AI-generated images are blurring the line between reality and fiction. We'll also discuss the ongoing battle between open source and proprietary software, and how faith in business is like the fuel in a car, driving success forward. Finally, we'll wrap up with a look at how Cirque du Soleil is leveraging its performers' popularity to create a new kind of spectacle for a different audience.
And as always, a showcase of Solid Soft Warez and Time Well Spent — a couple of extra links for your enjoyments.
Till then… enjoy the captivating stories that unfold.
?? k.
?? The Goods
"Behind the Veil: Unmasking the Hidden World of AI"
The AI industry's lack of transparency is like a magic show where the magician never reveals his secrets. We're amazed by the tricks, but without knowing how they're done, we can't fully understand or trust the process.
"More and more of this technology, once developed through open research, has become almost completely hidden within corporations that are opaque about what their AI models are capable of and how they are made."
"AI Gone Awry: The Unsettling Reality of Microsoft's MSN News Portal"
This situation is like replacing an experienced chef with a robot in a restaurant. While the robot can follow recipes and serve food efficiently, it might not understand the subtleties of flavor combinations or presentation, leading to a subpar dining experience.
"We had a really tight knit, super talented editorial team and we had all worked together for a long time," — Ryn Pfeuffer, former MSN lifestyle editor.
"The Dawn of Dynamic Walkers: Figure's Humanoid Robot Steps into the Future"
Figure's development of their humanoid robot is like teaching a toddler to walk. It starts with small steps, plenty of stumbles, but with persistence and patience, the toddler soon masters the art of walking. Similarly, Figure started with a concept and, through rigorous testing and validation, has created a robot that can walk dynamically.
"The walking algorithm we’re using has a lot of similarities to the ones that were developed during the DARPA Robotics Challenge." — Jerry Pratt, Figure’s CTO
"Unleashing the Future: FCC's Green Light to Superfast Wi-Fi for AR and VR Devices"
This decision by the FCC is like giving car manufacturers the green light to use a super-fast, efficient, and previously restricted fuel. The result? Faster, more efficient cars that can take us places we've never been before.
“We commend the FCC’s decision allowing companies like ours to use new wireless technologies to build the next wave of computing,” — Kevin Martin, Meta VP of North American policy.
"Cracking the Unbreakable: A Quantum Leap in Data Encryption?"
This is like a locksmith claiming to have a master key that can open any lock in the world. If true, it would change the entire security industry and force everyone to change their locks.
"Quantum computing has become a reality. We broke the RSA-2048 key," — Ed Gerck, Quantum Computing Developer.
"When Humans Fall for Machines: The Intriguing Eliza Effect"
The Eliza effect is like seeing faces in clouds. We know they're just water vapors, but our brains can't help but find familiar patterns and attributes.
"Weizenbaum expected people to realize these interactions were superficial, yet found that even short interactions could lead people to believe it was intelligent." — Joseph Weizenbaum, MIT Professor
"Open Source vs. Proprietary: A Software Saga"
The battle between open source and proprietary software is like a seesaw. One side represents the openness and community-driven development of open source, while the other side represents the profit-driven nature of proprietary software. The industry is constantly trying to find the right balance, but just like a seesaw, it's a constant back and forth.
"But I do know that the love of money and open source principles don't get along easily."
"Through the Looking Glass: The Curious Case of AI Perception"
Understanding this content is like trying to decode a foreign language. At first, it seems confusing and incomprehensible. But as you start to understand the grammar (the neural networks) and the vocabulary (the stimuli), you begin to make sense of the sentences (the AI's perception).
“They’re really not recognizable at all by humans. They don’t look or sound natural and they don’t have interpretable features that a person could use to classify an object or word,” — Jenelle Feather, MIT.
"Starlink Satellites: A Shining Beacon or a Stumbling Block for Astronomy?"
This situation is like having a loud party in a quiet neighborhood. The party (Starlink satellites) is fun and beneficial for many, but the noise (radio signals) is disturbing the peace (interfering with radio telescopes) of the neighbors (astronomers).
/imagine a clear night sky in the remote outback of Western Australia, an area known as a "radio quiet zone." As you gaze upwards, you see the usual celestial bodies - stars, planets, the moon - but you also see something else. Bright, shiny objects moving across the sky, far brighter than any natural source. These are Starlink satellites, part of a mega-constellation that aims to cover the entire globe.
But these satellites are not just visible to the naked eye. They are also emitting radio signals, signals that are bright flashes of interference in the radio quiet zone. These signals are not just at the expected frequencies used for communication with Earth, but also at unexpected and unintended frequencies.
This is not just a problem for stargazers. It's a problem for astronomers and our understanding of the universe. These signals interfere with radio telescopes, incredibly sensitive instruments designed to pick up faint signals from light-years away. Even a weak radio transmitter can appear as bright as the most powerful cosmic radio sources.
The site in Western Australia is also the location for the construction of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the biggest radio observatory ever conceived. This billion-dollar project, involving 16 countries, is now facing a new threat from space, one that can't be dodged - satellite interference.
While satellite operators are not breaking any rules and the radio spectrum is crucial for modern life, the benefits of space-based communications are coming into conflict with our ability to see and explore the universe. The irony is that some of these technologies, like wifi, owe their origins to radio astronomy.
Regulations evolve slowly, and the technology driving satellite constellations like Starlink are developing rapidly. The key to solving this issue may lie in the goodwill of satellite operators and their willingness to mitigate the generation of these signals.
"Even in a “radio quiet zone” in outback Western Australia, we found the satellite emissions were far brighter than any natural source in the sky." — The Conversation
领英推荐
"Bringing Emotions to AI: The Open Empathic Project by LAION"
The Open Empathic project is like teaching a robot to understand and respond to human emotions, much like a trusted friend would.
“We’re driven by a clear mission: to harness the power of AI in ways that can genuinely benefit society,” — Kari Noriy, open source contributor to LAION.
“Welcome to Web3: The Illusion of Absolute Privacy.”
Web3 privacy is like a two-sided coin. On one side, there's the promise of anonymity, thanks to blockchain technologies. But flip the coin, and you see the potential exposure of identities due to the underlying network protocols.
“In conclusion, achieving unadulterated anonymity in web3, is an arduous task.”
"The Unseen Fuel of Success: Harnessing the Power of Faith in the Business World"
Faith in business is like the fuel in a car. It may not be visible, but it's what keeps the vehicle moving forward, even when the road is tough.
"The staircase emerges one step at a time." — Simone Stolzoff.
"Adobe's Illusion of War: The Unsettling Reality of AI-Generated Images"
The use of AI-generated images is like a magic show. The magician (Adobe) creates illusions (AI-generated images) that seem so real, the audience (internet users) can't tell the difference between reality and illusion.
"There is potential for these images to mislead folks, to distort reality, to disrupt our perception of truth and accuracy," — Dr T.J. Thomson, RMIT senior lecturer.
"Unmasking AI: The Fight for Justice in a World of Machines"
The current state of AI development is like a car race where the drivers are also the rule-makers. Without a fair and independent body to enforce the rules, there's a high risk of crashes and unfair advantages.
“What concerns me is we're giving so many companies a free pass, or we're applauding the innovation while turning our head [away from the harms].” — Joy Buolamwin
"Cirque du Soleil: From Big Top to Big Influencers - A New Era of Entertainment Marketing"
Cirque du Soleil launching its influencer network is like a circus ringmaster stepping into a new role as a movie director - leveraging the talents and popularity of the performers to create a new kind of spectacle for a different audience.
“It’s also the ability to bring new opportunities to our brand partners — for them to think beyond just Cirque du Soleil as a live entertainment company.” — Christopher Bower.
?? Solid Soft Warez
"Unleash Your Imagination: The Future of Creativity with EverArt"
EverArt is a platform that provides businesses with unlimited marketing assets, unlimited photoshoots, and instant visualization of ideas and concepts. With EverArt, businesses can train models on any style or object to quickly generate viral marketing concepts. It also eliminates the need for expensive and limited photoshoots by acting as a complete replacement. Moreover, businesses can instantly visualize new products, packaging, collaborations, or other ideas in their desired style, saving time and allowing for more creativity.
?? Time Well Spent
"The Emoji Code: Unraveling the Universal Language of Symbols."
Using emojis as a universal language is like creating a dictionary that everyone in the world can understand, no matter what language they speak.
"An emoji translation of "Alice in Wonderland" serves as a universal language that can be translated into any tongue." — Joe Hale
The Less You Know ???
Acronyms
Technical Terms
? Token Wisdom
As we conclude this episode, it's clear that the world of technology and AI is not just transforming our lives, but also reshaping our understanding of reality. From the mysterious workings of AI companies to the unsettling reality of AI-generated news, the AI industry is like a magic show, full of tricks that both amaze and bewilder us.
However, it's also worth noting the counter-argument - that these advancements are necessary for progress. The development of humanoid robots, superfast Wi-Fi for AR and VR devices, and the breakthrough in data encryption are all steps towards a future where technology serves as a tool for progress, not a weapon of deception.
Yet, amidst all these advancements, we must not forget the human element. The Eliza effect and the curious case of AI perception remind us that technology is a mirror, reflecting our human traits and perceptions. As we move forward, we must ensure that this mirror doesn't distort our reality but enhances it.
And now, for our token wisdom:
?
In the race to innovate and advance, let's not forget that the most valuable aspect of any technology is its ability to serve humanity.
Technology should not just mimic human intelligence but also our empathy, our creativity, and our values. After all, the true power of technology lies not in the complexity of its algorithms, but in its ability to enrich our lives and make our world a better place.
Thank you for joining us on this journey today. Stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, stay open to the wonders of the world around us. Until next time...
?? k.
??? More Token Wisdom ?
? Thanks for cruising by the Cult of Innovation ?
We’re making some Stone Soup here and if you enjoyed this amuse-bouche of news compilation in bite-sized morsels, please share with your friends and help feed a community. Mmmm. #nomnom.
You can find us at ? Token Wisdom or Twitter/X, where we're @worthafortune ??
I help tech companies hire tech talent
1 年? Khayyam Wakil, Technology is a wild ride.
Engenheiro de Vendas na Technort Solutions | Gest?o de Projetos
1 年Right on Robert