Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

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robotic-hand-pressing-a-keyboard-on-a-laptop-3d-rendering-stockpack-adobe-stock
Robotic hand pressing a keyboard on a laptop 3D rendering
Type
post
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
April 28, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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How to Stop Troubling Abuse From Artificial Intelligence

Allowance of lawsuits will give AI developers pause before releasing their raw unvetted technology on the world
Robert J. Marks
April 28, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can give unintended and dangerous advice. What is the best way to keep things like the following from happening? ChatGPT falsely reported on a claim of sexual harassment that was never made against me on a trip that never occurred while I was on a faculty where I never taught. ChatGPT relied on a cited Post article that was never written and quotes a statement that was never made by the newspaper. Who’s responsible for these actions? How can AI be controlled to assure such careless responses are eliminated? Read on and you’ll see the answer is obvious. Attorney and Bradley Center Fellow Richard W. Stevens has talked about legal options of Professor Turley in a defamation lawsuit. But what about the Read More ›

hacker
Dangerous Hooded Hacker Breaks into Government Data Servers and Infects Their System with a Virus. His Hideout Place has Dark Atmosphere, Multiple Displays, Cables Everywhere.
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post
Author
Richard W. Stevens
Date
April 27, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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20 Ways AI Enables Criminals

If you cannot believe your eyes and ears, then how can you protect yourself and your family from crime?
Richard W. Stevens
April 27, 2023
6
Artificial Intelligence

As reported recently and relayed in this publication, a mom in Arizona described how criminals called her to say they were holding her daughter for ransom and used artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic perfectly her daughter’s voice down to the word choices and sobs. Only because the mom found her daughter safe in her home could she know the call was a scam. Meanwhile, despite efforts to limit ChatGPT’s excursions into the dark side of human perversity, the wildly famous bot can be persuaded to discuss details of sordid sexuality. In one experiment with Snapchat’s MyAI chatbot, an adult pretending to be a 13-year-old girl asked for advice about having sex for the first time – in a conversation in Read More ›

woman-working-on-laptop-at-home-telework-freelance-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
woman working on laptop at home. telework. freelance concept
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 26, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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ChatGPT: Open for Freelancing

To use ChatGPT or not to use ChatGPT? For freelancers, that is the question
News
April 26, 2023
2
Artificial Intelligence

In the ongoing debate over AI systems like ChatGPT, the role of writers, particularly freelancers, has come into question. ChatGPT is replacing basic-level freelance work, but freelancers themselves are using ChatGPT to augment their products. The problem is, clients are struggling both to tell the difference between AI and human writing and trust the integrity of a writer’s work. Writing in Forbes, Rashi Shrivastava reports, With freelancers in panic of losing their jobs and clients frustrated with AI-written work, ChatGPT has thrust the freelance world into disarray, and companies like UpWork and Fiverr stand to lose a lot. Fewer job postings for freelance workers could potentially mean less revenue for the platforms as well. -Rashi Shrivastava, ‘I’ve Never Hired A Read More ›

fire
fire flames with sparks on a black background, close-up
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post
Author
News
Date
April 24, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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Google CEO: AI is More Significant Than the Invention of Fire

Pichai compared the invention of AI to the creation of fire, claiming it surpassed even great leaps in technology like electricity
News
April 24, 2023
1
Artificial Intelligence

The Google CEO Sundar Pichai appeared on a 60 Minute segment to discuss state of the art AI, Google’s Bard, and what AI means to humanity. Pichai compared the invention of AI to the creation of fire, claiming it surpassed even great leaps in technology like electricity. When asked the reason, he replied, “It gets to the essence of what intelligence is.” See the clip below: Pichai also discussed some of the dangers posed by AI, such as the potential proliferation of misinformation and false images. ChatGPT, for all its dexterity, still makes mistakes, as Google’s Bard does too, and concern over the ambiguity over the reliability of photographic images will only grow as AI develops. Of course, Pichai may Read More ›

man-and-robotic-machine-work-together-inside-industrial-building-the-mechanical-arm-performs-welds-on-metal-components-assisted-by-a-worker-who-in-turn-manages-welds-manually-stockpack-adobe-stock
Man and robotic machine work together inside industrial building. The mechanical arm performs welds on metal components assisted by a worker who in turn manages welds manually.
Type
post
Author
Gary Smith and Jeffrey Funk
Date
April 24, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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A World Without Work? Here We Go Again

Large language models still can't replace critical thinking
Gary Smith and Jeffrey Funk
April 24, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence

On March 22, nearly 2,000 people signed an open letter drafted by the Future of Life Institute (FLI) calling for a pause of at least 6 months in the development of large language models (LLMs): Contemporary AI systems are now becoming human-competitive at general tasks, and we must ask ourselves: Should we let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth? Should we automate away all the jobs, including the fulfilling ones? Should we develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace us? Should we risk loss of control of our civilization? FLI is a nonprofit organization concerned with the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence. Its president is Max Tegmark, an MIT professor who is no stranger to hype. Read More ›

modern-apartment-block-at-dusk-stockpack-adobe-stock
Modern apartment block at dusk
Type
post
Author
Gary Varner
Date
April 22, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction
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Her, Part Two

What happens when you’re dating the AI secretary
Gary Varner
April 22, 2023
6
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction

Last time, we began talking about the movie Her, a story of a man falling in love with his AI and compared it to the abysmal season three of the Orville. Unlike the Orville, which insisted that the viewer take the romance between the robot and the human seriously, Her treats the subject as a what-if scenario, playing the whole situation straight and letting the viewer draw their own conclusions. Theodore had just finished uploading the AI onto his computer, which called itself Samantha, and was impressed by how human-like the operating system seemed. Samantha begins organizing Theodore’s computer and helping him around the office, but it doesn’t take long for a romantic relationship to develop between them. When Theodore Read More ›

man in flames
Man and flames, inspired by Fahrenheit 451. Gegenrative AI.
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
April 21, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction
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Revisiting Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451

How can we read and remember the past with the influx of digital noise and distraction?
Peter Biles
April 21, 2023
5
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction

Which one was right, Brave New World or 1984? Are we living in a hedonistic mirage or a totalitarian face-stamping global regime? The conversation over prophetic twentieth-century texts often homes in on these two admirable books, but another classic dystopian novel pokes its head from behind the curtain, asking to be regarded: Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. It’s the riotous, mega-talented sci-fi writer’s most famous work (though I’d argue not quite his best) and follows the life of a fireman, Guy Montag, whose main job is not to squelch housefires but to burn books, and the houses that hold them. This fireman is a member of a brigade tasked with the destruction of literature. With the destruction of meaning. In the Read More ›

phone-call-from-unknown-number-late-at-night-scam-fraud-or-phishing-with-smartphone-concept-prank-caller-scammer-or-stranger-man-answering-to-incoming-call-hoax-person-with-fake-identity-stockpack-adobe-stock
Phone call from unknown number late at night. Scam, fraud or phishing with smartphone concept. Prank caller, scammer or stranger. Man answering to incoming call. Hoax person with fake identity.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 19, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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Criminals Fake a Kidnapping Using AI

It hasn't taken long for criminals to capitalize on the AI boom
News
April 19, 2023
2
Artificial Intelligence

It hasn’t taken long for criminals to capitalize on the AI boom. Unfortunately, the more potential a certain technology has as a tool, the more it can be leveraged for harm. In the case of generative AI, a mother recently said that criminals used AI to mimic her daughter’s voice, fake a kidnapping, and seek ransom money for it. After answering the phone, she heard her daughter’s sobbing voice, followed by a man demanding funds for a ransom. The hoax didn’t get too far, luckily. The mother was able to soon verify her daughter’s safety, but nonetheless, the scam was convincing and was understandably terrifying while it lasted. Victor Tangermann reported on the incident at Futurism, writing, The fake kidnapping Read More ›

top-view-serene-weary-female-lying-on-desk-in-modern-office-mugs-of-beverage-and-different-documents-locating-on-it-job-and-fatigue-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Top view serene weary female lying on desk in modern office. Mugs of beverage and different documents locating on it. Job and fatigue concept
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 18, 2023
Categorized
Work
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Work: The New Path to Self-Actualization

With layoffs plaguing Big Tech companies, how should employees start viewing their work?
News
April 18, 2023
2
Work

The pandemic changed the way we work, with more people opting for online or “hybrid” schedules, office buildings emptying, and boundaries between work and other aspects of life starting to get blurred. But what is the general attitude towards work in the United States? According to Simone Stolzoff, author of the forthcoming The Good Enough Job, Americans are turning to their careers like people used to turn to religion: for meaning and a sense of self-worth. This new secular religion is called “workism.” In an interview with Wired, Stolzoff said, [Workism] is treating work akin to a religious identity. It’s looking to work not just for a paycheck but also for a community, a sense of identity and purpose and Read More ›

lonely-man-in-red-jacket-standing-by-the-lake-in-winter-with-transparent-woman-figure-standing-next-to-him-stockpack-adobe-stock
Lonely man in red jacket standing by the lake in winter, with transparent woman figure standing next to him
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
April 17, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Free will
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Escape from Spiderhead and the Question of Love

Is love more than a chemical reaction and are humans more than machines made of meat?
Peter Biles
April 17, 2023
4
Arts & Culture, Free will

Brave New World, a speculative work by British writer Aldous Huxley, explores a society where people are conditioned via drugs and genetic engineering to live stable, highly pleasurable, but totally meaningless lives. One pop of a pill, and negative feelings like sadness, anger, or envy vanish. In the brave new world, “everyone belongs to everyone else,” and pleasure supplants purpose. A Story for Our Age That book was written in 1932. Fast forward to the twenty-first century and another fictional work, albeit shorter, goes arguably even deeper than Huxley’s magnum opus. The short story Escape from Spiderhead by George Saunders is about a group of inmates being tested by mood-altering drugs in a facility nicknamed “Spiderhead” for its nebulous layout. Read More ›

allure of the metaverse
Moving Forward to Metaverse, New Technology, Web3.0, Blockchain and the Next Layer of the Internet Concepts. Man Steps into Future Door. Futuristic Tone.
Type
post
Author
Eric Holloway
Date
April 17, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Transhumanism
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For BitHeaven’s Sake

A satirical short story on the transhumanist quest (and failure) to achieve immortality
Eric Holloway
April 17, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence, Transhumanism

Bob and Sue were on their way to church one morning. On their way they ran into their friend Fred. Fred was very wealthy, a billionaire in fact. Fred waved hi. Bob and Sue waved back. They asked Fred to come with them to church.  Fred said no, he had more important things to do. “What is so important,” asked Sue. “I’m off to the real deal,” beamed Fred. Bob looked confused. “Real deal about what?” “You have a fake promise of eternal life. I’m about to get the real thing.” “You can’t be serious. Start talking some sense.” “Seriously. Here’s my voucher, see it right here.” Sue grabbed the piece of paper from Fred and read it aloud. “Good for one digital immortalization Read More ›

alone in a big city cosmos
Back view of businessman suit standing at office looking at night city through panoramic window. Generative AI
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post
Author
Gary Varner
Date
April 15, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction
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Her, Part One

The 2013 dystopian film proposes an intriguing "what if"
Gary Varner
April 15, 2023
6
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction

When I was reviewing the Orville, Season Three, I spent a lot of time complaining about the robot-love subplot which consumed far too much of the series. I will probably always find the idea of such a relationship ridiculous, but that doesn’t mean the concept can’t be explored in a thoughtful way. One such thoughtful exploration is the movie Her, where a man falls in love with his AI operating system. Unlike the Orville, which demands that the viewer take the relationship seriously, almost going so far as to call the viewer a bigot if they don’t get on board with the fantasy, Her leaves everything open-ended, treating the whole idea of a man and robot falling in love as Read More ›

education
education
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 13, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
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More Than Cogs in an AI Machine

Perhaps it isn't only AI which poses a challenge, but the mainstream model of education
News
April 13, 2023
3
Artificial Intelligence

Education seems especially vulnerable to ChatGPT. Universities now have to grapple with AI plagiarism, and even teachers and administrators are being tempted to use the Large Language Model to generate syllabi and even condolence emails in the wake of tragedies. Leah Libresco Sargeant, author of Building the Benedict Option and Arriving at Amen, wrote a piece on this issue at First Things last week. She goes past simply the struggle schools have in detecting ChatGPT’s presence, but also why it’s so easy to use AI generated language in school settings. Many educational institutions, like AI, promote the appearance of productivity but lack real value. She writes, If schools are primarily dedicated to producing workers, rather than holistic human beings steeped Read More ›

radio mic
Mikrofon im Tonstudio, farbenfroh
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post
Author
News
Date
April 12, 2023
Categorized
Social Media
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An Entertaining Day at the Blue Bird

NPR bids "adieu" to Twitter and BBC bungles interview with Musk
News
April 12, 2023
2
Social Media

A few days ago, the tag “Government-funded Media” appeared underneath NPR’s masthead on Twitter. Today, the company announced its departure from the social media platform and laid out its intentions to proliferate content through email, an app, and “other social media platforms.” The official post reads, “NPR produces consequential, independent journalism every day in service to the public.” NPR claims editorial independence despite the tag denoting them as federally funded, and their decision to part ways with Twitter reflects their ire against Musk’s trepidatious move. A small percentage, according to NPR, is federally funded, but it is no secret that they lean heavy to the left in their commentary, especially in recent years. Musk resurrected a line from NPR (now Read More ›

robotic arm in court
Digital Law Technology
Type
post
Author
Richard W. Stevens
Date
April 12, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged

Can Professor Turley Sue ChatGPT for Libel?

The world wide web of reputation destruction is here
Richard W. Stevens
April 12, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence

Isn’t there a law against falsely accusing people of serious crimes or misconduct and then publishing damaging lies to the world? Yes. For centuries in English-speaking countries, the victim of such lies could sue the false accuser in civil court for libel per se. Nowadays, libel and its oral statement cousin, slander, are grouped together as defamation. Under American law, it isn’t easy to bring and win a lawsuit even when your case seems strong, but at least the law provides some recourse for defamation. How about when the false accuser is ChatGPT? Jonathan Turley, the nationally known George Washington University law professor and commentator, woke up one morning to discover: ChatGPT falsely reported on a claim of sexual harassment that was never made Read More ›

social media city
Social media icons fly over city downtown showing people reciprocity connection through social network application platform . Concept for online community and social media marketing strategy .
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
April 11, 2023
Categorized
Social Media
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Social Media’s Distortion of the Real World

Constant exposure to idealized online images impacts our expectations and worldview
Peter Biles
April 11, 2023
6
Social Media

How does excessive social media use affect our perceptions of the real world? Writers Mark Miller and Ben White wrote a piece at Aeon on social media through the perspective of “predictive processing,” a term used in neuroscience and cognition. Predictive processing involves the brain’s capacity to predict error, danger, or some future event, and urge us to act accordingly. (That’s my basic, layman’s understanding of it, full disclosure!) White and Miller use temperature as an example, noting how the body may respond to a change of the environment by closing a window or grabbing a blanket to keep warm. Being able to respond appropriately to our surroundings depends on the accuracy of our mental model of the real world. Read More ›

futuristic window
A room with round glass window overlooking beautiful landscape background . Hotel futuristic showroom with modern interior . Sublime Generative AI image .
Type
post
Author
Wesley J. Smith
Date
April 10, 2023
Categorized
Transhumanism
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Transhumanism’s Vain Search for Immortality

Transhumanism promotes its own defeat-of-death eschatology
Wesley J. Smith
April 10, 2023
2
Transhumanism

April 9th was Easter Sunday for the Western churches. Next Sunday, for Eastern Orthodox churches. For believing Christians, whether Eastern or Western, celebrating Christ’s Resurrection joyfully commemorates the permanent defeat of death and entrance into eternal life. Transhumanism, which is a quasi-religion that worships at the altar of technology, promotes its own defeat-of-death eschatology. Instead of the New Jerusalem for which Christians yearn, transhumanists hope to live indefinitely — if not forever — in the corporeal world through the wonders of AI and other human-invented methods of technologically defeating death. And it could be here by 2050! From the Daily Mail story: Despite the setback, that same year, a prominent futurist predicted that ‘electronic immortality’ would be available to humans by 2050. Dr Read More ›

cortyceps fungus
beautiful bunch cordyceps,mushrooms in neon light. The last of us style. Generative AI.
Type
post
Author
Gary Varner
Date
April 8, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction
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The Last of Us: Final Thoughts

The HBO series is a mixed bag but is still worth the watch
Gary Varner
April 8, 2023
6
Arts & Culture, Science Fiction

The Last of Us HBO series is a mixed bag. There are parts of this show I really liked and other parts I despised. The main trouble is that there are two full episodes which are completely irrelevant to the plot. Frankly, you could skip episodes three and seven and not miss a thing. These episodes are just fanfare for the critics and add nothing to the story. Particularly episode three. I’ve never seen such a random addition to a series. What’s so astounding is that the flashback in episode three keeps going. About halfway through, the viewer realizes that they really are going to have to watch these two old men live and die, all so Joel and Ellie Read More ›

daydreaming
Young woman relaxing at winter sea beach. Traveler resting by blue mountain
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 7, 2023
Categorized
Technology
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In Defense of Daydreaming

Andrew McDiarmid encourages people to set aside their devices and embrace the discomfort of silence
News
April 7, 2023
3
Technology

At the end of the day, do you ever feel like you’ve ingested so much information but have thought and contemplated so little? When do we take the time to simply be quiet and think? Discovery Institute’s Andrew McDiarmid encourages people to set aside their devices and embrace the discomfort of silence in a piece from The Epoch Times. He writes, A recent study reported in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that the act of “just thinking” can be more rewarding than we might realize. The authors of the paper acknowledge that the ability to engage in internal thoughts without external stimulation is a unique characteristic in humans, yet we regularly underappreciate the benefits of doing so. This constant feed of Read More ›