Token Wisdom ? 32nd Edition

Can-AI-dian Mafia, Quant-Hum, Bad Big Tech, Mimicking AI, Digital Pandora's Box, DeFi Hivemind, Algorithmic Uncertainty, Imploding Consulting, Houston Has A Quantum Problem, VR Risks and Exploits, Laser Letters, RIP Open Internet, Seeing is Hearing, Racing to Exploit Grief, BYO-Fireplace, SORDI AI, and Why Patterns in Your Life Aren't a Coincidence.

"The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion."

— Paulo Coehlo

?? Curated of consumed knowledge - November 19th thru 25th, 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 // ??

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Welcome to the latest edition of our thought-provoking newsletter, where we dive deep into the realms of technology, innovation, and the digital landscapes that shape our world. Today, we're embarking on a journey through a multitude of fascinating topics that promise to ignite your imagination and challenge your perspectives.

We begin our voyage in the great white north, exploring how Canada has become a beacon of artificial intelligence, transforming from a quiet contributor to a global powerhouse in AI innovation. We'll uncover the stories of the visionaries like Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, who, like superheroes, have assembled to thrust Canada into the AI spotlight.

From the AI metropolis, we transition to the quantum realm, where we'll demystify the approaching milestone of quantum computing. Imagine an orchestra where each instrument plays a chorus of notes simultaneously, a harmonious symphony of possibilities that classical computers could never achieve. This is the quantum leap that could redefine our computational universe.

Next, we navigate the intricate labyrinth of Big Tech, where AI serves as both the ingenious contraptions and the ethical puzzles that we must solve. We'll discuss how the power of AI, while neutral in itself, is shaped by the intentions of the tech giants that wield it, raising questions about privacy and the control of personal data.

We also delve into the latest advancements in AI that mimic the human brain, exploring how these developments reflect humanity's own cognitive processes, and ponder the implications of AI's potential to threaten the very fabric of scientific integrity.

As we ponder the decentralization of the real world, we'll draw parallels to the music industry's evolution, where power is being remixed and redistributed, much like the blockchain revolution promises to do for various aspects of our lives.

Our exploration doesn't stop there; we'll also unravel the mysteries of online algorithms, the consulting industry's challenges, the shutdown of a quantum computer at NASA, and the risks and wonders of virtual reality for the younger generation.

We'll even receive a message from afar, discussing the laser-beamed communication from millions of kilometers away, and debate the contentious issue of AI regulation and its potential impact on the open internet.

In a softer tone, we'll understand how blind people recognize faces through sound, akin to the superhero Daredevil's heightened senses, and touch upon the sensitive topic of grief tech, which offers digital comfort in the face of loss.

Lastly, we'll cozy up to the story of the perfect fire streamed on TV screens worldwide, a modern twist on an age-old source of comfort and gathering.

Join us as we unravel these threads of innovation, ethics, and the human experience in the tapestry of our digital age. Whether you're looking to understand the future of AI, the mysteries of quantum computing, or the ethical dilemmas posed by technology, this edition promises insights and discussions that are not to be missed.

So, strap in and strap on, ready your sails and steady your course, for we are about to embark on a journey through the digital seas, exploring the intersection of technology, creativity, and the human experience. Where knowledge isn't just power, it's worth a fortune ?

?? The Goods

How Canada Opened the Door to Modern AI

AI products like ChatGPT that are now supercharging the technology began with a cluster of Canadian-based computer scientists working on an out-of-vogue idea. Now it’s everywhere.

thelogic.co — 18 mins (4,975 words)

A Scientist Explains an Approaching Milestone Marking the Arrival of Quantum Computers

Quantum advantage is the milestone the field of quantum computing is fervently working toward, where a quantum computer can solve problems that are beyond the reach of the most powerful non-quantum, or classical, computers.

phys.org — 5 mins (1,086 words)

AI Isn’t the Problem, Big Tech Is

Is Artificial Intelligence as scary as we have been led to believe, or is it just the big tech giants that have a track record of unethical data use?

hackernoon.com — 7 mins (1,829 words)

New AI Can Mimic Human Brain, Use the Same Tricks As We Do

This discovery not only offers new avenues for AI development, but may also offer insights into the inner workings of our own brains.

newsweek.com — 4 mins (996 words)

Scientists Warn That AI Threatens Science Itself

In a new essay, Oxford researchers argue that scientists should abstain from using text-generating AI tools as research aids.

futurism.com — 3 mins (717 words)

The Decentralization of the Real World: An Unruly Thesis

Unruly invests in founders that leverage industrial decentralization to create abundance, resilience and freedom to bring about a more decarbonized, decentralized and developed world.

mirror.xyz — 14 mins (3,620 words)

Researchers Refute a Widespread Belief About Online Algorithms

Three computer scientists have disproved a long-standing conjecture about a fundamental problem involving imperfect information.

quantamagazine.org — 6 mins (1,428 words)

McKinsey and Its Peers Are Facing the Wildest Headwinds in Years

The $860 billion consulting sector is battling global economic uncertainty and the fallout from a spree of ethics scandals.

bloomberg.com — 8 mins (2,208 words)

NASA Just Shut Down Quantum Computer After Something Insane Happened!

Houston, We Have a Problem!

:: SOMETHING TO PONDER :: ??

What if every computer was like a trusty old VHS player, methodically playing out scenes in a linear fashion, one frame after another? Now, enter the quantum computer: it's like the Holodeck from Star Trek, where entire worlds are rendered in an instant, and you're not just watching a story—you're living it.

In this new reality, you can be in the middle of a lightsaber duel, feel the Force around you, and in the blink of an eye, you're navigating the Kessel Run alongside Han Solo. Quantum computing isn't just another episode in the saga; it's an entirely new spin-off where the narrative twists and turns in dimensions we're just beginning to explore.

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medium.com/@pareto_investor — 2 mins (616 words)

VR Risks for Kids and Teens

VR risks are significant enough the child health experts we spoke to recommend parents steer clear for now.

pirg.org — 22 mins (5,783 words)

Earth Just Received A Laser-Beamed Message From 16 Million Kilometers Away

This could change the future of spacecraft communication.

iflscience.com — 3 mins (692 words)

Regulating AI Won’t Save Us?—?It May Just Kill the Open Internet

The major problem with the direction taken by governments and regulators right now is that they want to regulate AI as a set of methods and tools rather than targeting specific domains and…

tbeltramelli.medium.com — 7 mins (1,702 words)

How Blind People Recognize Faces via Sound

A new study reveals that people who are blind can recognize faces using auditory patterns processed by the fusiform face area, a brain region crucial for face processing in sighted individuals.

neurosciencenews.com — 5 mins (1,136 words)

The Race to Optimize Grief

Startups are selling grief tech, ghostbots, and the end of mourning as we know it.

vox.com — 7 mins (1,833 words)

Meet the Man Who Built the Perfect Fire — So You Can Stream It On Your TV

The creator behind Fireplace For Your Home on Netflix lives in Washington state, and says he learned how to build what he considers the perfect fire while growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

cbc.ca — 4 mins (835 words)

?? Solid Soft Warez

SORDI.ai - Synthetic Object Recognition Dataset for Industries

Looking to get ahead in the world of industrial AI and synthetic data? Then you need SORDI. Developed by BMW, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, SORDI is the key to unlocking the potential of industrial AI. SORDI.ai is the world's largest industrial dataset.

What if Andy's room in "Toy Story" was a bustling factory floor, and instead of Woody and Buzz Lightyear trying to navigate their way through the maze of toys, it was robots learning to recognize and sort objects?

SORDI is like the claw machine, meticulously picking up each toy, but instead of relying on the whims of chance, it uses a dataset with over a million images to ensure it knows every possible toy it might encounter. It's as if each toy had a barcode that told the claw exactly how to grab it. This isn't a game of luck; it's a symphony of precision, with each robot learning from the synthetic world of SORDI to perform flawlessly in the real world.

??-?? sordi.ai

?? Time Well Spent

"Echoes of Destiny: The Unseen Melody of Our Lives"

• Intro to Synchronicities | Why Patterns in Your Life Aren’t a Coincidence

Picture the universe as the ultimate season of your favorite TV show, where every episode is meticulously crafted with easter eggs and foreshadowing that only the most attentive fans can spot. It's like in 'The Truman Show,' where Truman starts to see the patterns and repetitions in his seemingly random daily life, hinting at the grand design of his world.

Our lives are like that, filled with synchronicities - those meaningful coincidences that seem too perfect to be mere chance, just like when you rewatch 'Back to the Future' and catch all the clever hints about what's going to happen that you missed the first time. These moments are like hidden tracks on a classic vinyl record; they've always been there, but only when we truly listen do we discover the deeper melodies at play.

• Running time: 11min 59s

?? Token Wisdom

As we wrap up today's exploration of the digital frontier, it's clear that we stand at the precipice of a new era. The Canadian AI revolution reminds us that even the most unassuming players can rise to global prominence, reshaping industries and inspiring a generation of innovators. It's a testament to the power of perseverance and the spirit of collaboration.

Quantum computing, meanwhile, challenges us to expand our understanding of what's computationally possible, inviting us to consider a future where the answers to today's unsolvable problems are just a qubit away. Yet, this power comes with a cautionary note: as we unlock the mysteries of the quantum realm, we must also safeguard the integrity of our scientific pursuits.

The labyrinth of Big Tech, with its AI-driven corridors, offers untold opportunities but also poses ethical quandaries that we must navigate with care. It's not the technology itself but the hands that control it which will determine whether we walk a path of benefit or detriment.

In the face of such rapid advancement, it's crucial to remember that innovation does not occur in a vacuum. It affects real people, real data, and real lives. The stories of virtual realities, grief tech, and interplanetary communication are not just tales of progress; they are narratives about the human condition, our endless quest for connection, and our innate desire to understand the unknown.

Yet, as we ponder the future, we must also remain grounded. The tale of the perfect fire streamed into homes worldwide serves as a reminder that amidst our technological pursuits, we seek the comfort of the familiar, the simple pleasures that connect us to our shared human experience.

And so, as we conclude, let us offer a token of wisdom:

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"In the orchestra of innovation, every instrument has its role, and every note its significance. But the most beautiful symphonies are those that harmonize the new with the old, the bold with the cautious, and the individual with the collective."

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the wonders and challenges of our time. Until next time, may your thoughts be as limitless as the stars and your actions as wise as the ages.

?? This concludes this week's knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

The Less You Know ???

Latest Technologies:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Canada: The emergence of Canada as a leader in AI research and development, thanks in part to pioneers like Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, who have contributed significantly to the field of deep learning and neural networks.
• Quantum Computing: The approaching milestone in quantum computing represents a significant leap in computational power, with the potential to solve complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computers.
• Ethics and Regulation in Big Tech: The discussion around the ethical use of AI and the control of personal data by large technology companies, as well as the impact of potential regulation on the open internet.
• AI Mimicking the Human Brain: The development of AI systems that can replicate human cognitive processes, offering insights into how our brains operate and potentially transforming various sectors, including neuroscience and healthcare.
• Decentralization and Blockchain: The decentralization of systems, paralleled by the evolution of the music industry, with blockchain technology enabling a redistribution of power and the potential for greater individual autonomy.

The Potential of the Rest

Each of these topics represents a facet of the rapidly evolving technological landscape, offering both opportunities for advancement and challenges that need careful consideration.

• Virtual Reality (VR) Risks for Kids and Teens: The implications of VR on the developing minds of young users, highlighting the importance of understanding and mitigating potential risks associated with immersive digital experiences.
• Interplanetary Communication: The advancements in optical communication, such as laser-beamed messages from spacecraft, which could revolutionize how we transmit data across vast distances in space.
• Grief Tech: The development of technologies that allow individuals to interact with digital simulations of lost loved ones, posing questions about the ethics of such technologies and their impact on the grieving process.
• Algorithmic Challenges: The ongoing research to improve online algorithms and their ability to make decisions in real-time, which is crucial for applications ranging from internet search to autonomous vehicles.
• Consulting Industry Dynamics: The changing landscape of the consulting industry, with firms facing new challenges and opportunities as they navigate economic uncertainties and technological disruptions.
• Quantum Computer Shutdown at NASA: The incident involving the shutdown of a quantum computer at NASA, which underscores the experimental and unpredictable nature of this cutting-edge technology.
• Recognition of Faces by Blind People: The exploration of how blind individuals can recognize faces through sound, which could lead to innovative assistive technologies and a deeper understanding of sensory perception.
• Optimization of Grief: The use of technology to address and potentially optimize the human experience of grief, which illustrates the intersection of technology and our most personal emotions.
• Streaming the Perfect Fire: The creation of digital content that replicates real-world experiences, such as a perfectly crafted fire, which speaks to our desire for ambiance and comfort in the digital age.
• Synthetic Object Recognition: The use of synthetic datasets, like those from SORDI.ai, to train AI in object recognition, which is vital for industrial automation and robotics.

Most Important Topics:

• The ethical use and regulation of AI, particularly in the context of Big Tech companies.
• The potential risks and challenges associated with the rapid development of AI and quantum computing.
• The societal and psychological implications of emerging technologies such as VR and grief tech.
• The impact of technological advancements on traditional industries, like the consulting industry facing economic uncertainties and disruptions.
• The exploration of how blind individuals recognize faces through sound, which could lead to new assistive technologies.

Acronyms:

• AI: Artificial Intelligence - the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.
• VR: Virtual Reality - a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world.

Technical Terms:

• SORDI.ai: A synthetic dataset platform for AI training in object recognition.
• Neural Networks: Computing systems inspired by the biological neural networks that constitute animal brains, used for pattern recognition and decision making.
• Quantum Superposition: A fundamental principle of quantum mechanics where a physical system exists in multiple states at the same time.
• Quantum Entanglement: A quantum mechanical phenomenon in which the quantum states of two or more objects are interconnected, even when the objects are separated by a large distance.
• Blockchain: A system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system; a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain.

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