^Taginternet

Noir movie, night city street under the rain. Generative AI

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post

Author
Russ White
Date
September 23, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, Bedford falls, George Bailey, internet, It's a wonderful life (movie)}

Welcome to Digital Pottersville

_{From homey Bedford Falls to greedy Pottersville: how "It's a Wonderful Life" reflects the dangers of the Internet age} _{Russ White

September 23, 2023

4

Artificial Intelligence}

Anyone who has watched It’s a Wonderful Life remembers this: George Bailey is an unlikely hero. He does not go to war. He is not wealthy. He runs a little savings and loan that always seems to be just on the brink of disaster — losing a single envelope of money containing a single day’s takings threatens to destroy the entire enterprise. So why is this single life of such importance? We find out when we see the world without George. Bedford Falls, once named for a local landmark, is now Pottersville, named for the man who owns the town. The bartender no longer owns the bar on the outskirts of town, it is owned by some shady character in Read More ›

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post

Author
News
Date
August 11, 2023

Categorized
Technology

Tagged
COSM, Discovery Institute, internet, Jay Richards, Tech}

What is the Future of the Internet?

_{Jay Richards interviews University of Texas Professor of Innovation Bob Metcalfe regarding the future of the internet} _{News

August 11, 2023

2

Technology}

In today’s featured video from a past COSM conference, Discovery Institute Senior Fellow Jay Richards interviews University of Texas Professor of Innovation Bob Metcalfe regarding the future of the internet. Be sure to register now for the COSM 2023 conference, which will be held in November in Bellevue, Washington. COSM is an exclusive national summit on the technologies remaking the world as we know it. The mission of the conference is to stimulate debate and deliberation amongst industry leaders, illuminating the synergy between Seattle and the world and providing a scene of civilized conversation and exchange. We’ve been sharing a number of lectures from past COSM conferences. This video is just one of many you can find at the Bradley Read More ›

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post

Author
Peter Biles
Date
August 4, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, ChatGPT, Futurism, Influencers, Instagram, internet, social media, Victor Tangermann}

AI Influencers Are Starting to Explode

_{Seeing how artificial and impersonal the influencer lifestyle already is, maybe it was inevitable.} _{Peter Biles

August 4, 2023

2

Artificial Intelligence}

AI avatars are starting to flood the social media “influencing” sphere. Seeing how artificial and impersonal the influencer lifestyle already is, maybe it was inevitable. The “Instagram influencer” is a relatively new phenom: an attractive, usually young, person flaunts certain brands on social media for revenue. The phrase “digital creator” is a common tag on bios, and countless young women have made a living off of selling their looks on Instagram. So how might AI play into all this? Well, there are now hundreds of AI internet personalities flooding social media. And they look pretty convincing. Victor Tangermann reports, Thanks to the advent of AI-powered image generators like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, some are now fabricating entire feeds of internet Read More ›

Bitcoin golden coin on computer circuit board

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post

Author
News
Date
July 25, 2023

Categorized
Cryptocurrency

Tagged
AI, bitcoin, cryptocurrency, Information Theory, internet, Robert J. Marks, William Dembski}

Is an Information-Based Currency Possible?

_{Two philosophers talk about the potential of digital, decentralized forms of money and exchange} _{News

July 25, 2023

1

Cryptocurrency}

In today’s featured video, enjoy an older but essential interview on the topic of alternative forms of money like cryptocurrency. Philosopher Jay Richards interviews mathematician, entrepreneur, and philosopher Dr. Bill Dembski about his unique thought experiment regarding how one could create a decentralized, DIY, information-based currency. Richards also explores with Dembski the concepts of natural and artificial intelligence. We’ve been sharing a number of lectures from past COSM conferences. This video is just one of many you can find at the Bradley Center’s YouTube page. There you’ll find several lectures, interviews, and panels dealing with issues that range from economics, Big Tech, and artificial intelligence. Notable speakers include 2022 Kyoto Prize winner Carver Mead, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, and George Gilder, co-founder of Discovery Institute Read More ›

Side view of a humanoid head with blue and yellow eyes and vibrant neon neural network, representing futuristic technology and artificial intelligence. Generative AI

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post

Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
June 30, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, Alpha Go, Artificial Intelligence, Cellphones, Dallas Cowboys, Google, IBM, internet, Microsoft, mind matters, Robert J. Marks}

Revisiting the Mission of Mind Matters

_{Robert J. Marks on why Mind Matters (still) matters} _{Robert J. Marks

June 30, 2023

7

Artificial Intelligence}

Originally posted in 2018. Mind Matters is a podcast and a news and commentary site where “artificial and natural intelligence meet head-on.” That’s a great slogan, but what does it mean? As your host for the podcast part of the site, I thought I’d take advantage of my role to talk you about some of our exciting plans for both the podcast and the online journal (the latter to be edited by science journalist Denyse O’Leary). Here’s a quick run-down: Topics Mind Matters will track the latest developments in applied AI and technology. How will AI continue to augment human performance and abilities? What are the latest innovations of AI? And how does AI affect you? How is AI applied in pricing Read More ›

Big data analytics visualization technology with scientist analyzing information structure on screen with machine learning to extract strategical prediction for business, finance, internet of things

^{Type
podcast

Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
June 29, 2023

Tagged
Adam Goad, Big Tech, Blockchain, cryptocurrency, data, decentralization, internet, Robert J. Marks, Web 3.0}

What is the Future of the Internet?

_{Robert J. Marks

June 29, 2023

1}

In the age of data harvesting and Big Tech monopolies, what will the Internet look like in a decade? In today’s episode, Robert J. Marks speaks with computer engineer Adam Goad about “Web 3.0,” decentralization, cryptocurrency, and the future of the blockchain. Additional Resources

Forest in fog with mist. Fairy spooky looking woods in a misty day. Cold foggy morning in horror forest with trees

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post

Author
Peter Biles
Date
June 17, 2023

Categorized
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism

Tagged
AI, C.S. Lewis, ChatGPT, Creativity, Dystopian, internet, J.R.R. Tolkien, mind matters, Oxford, Paul Kingsnorth, Science fiction, Technology, That Hideous Strength}

That Hideous Strength, A.K.A. Transhumanism

_{C.S. Lewis's classic science fiction tale is about the temptation to reject being human} _{Peter Biles

June 17, 2023

7

Arts & Culture, Transhumanism}

C.S. Lewis’s 1946 science fiction novel That Hideous Strength is almost eighty years old now. Written during the throes of World War II, the novel is the culmination of Lewis’s cosmic trilogy, preluded by Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra. There are hosts of other articles attending to the prescience of Lewis’s terrifying novel, and for good reason; That Hideous Strength is a warning against using technology to dehumanize people and ultimately cripple the world into submission. It’s a great book as a novel, but it seems especially appropriate to revisit in lieu of the growing interest in transhumanism and the rapid acceleration of AI development. It feels like much of the talk on AI in recent months involves Read More ›

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post

Author
Jeffrey Funk
Date
June 14, 2023

Categorized
Technology

Tagged
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Conspiracy theories, COVID-19 and trust in science, data, Data-Torturing, Disinformation, Gary Smith, Google, Hillary Clinton, internet, Jeffrey Funk, LinkedIn, Mainstream Media, Moon landing, Oxford University Press, Pizzagate, QAnon, Russia}

Review of Distrust: Big Data, Data-Torturing, and the Assault on Science

_{Tech expert Jeffrey Funk reviews Gary Smith's enlightening new book on data, disinformation, and the "assault on science"} _{Jeffrey Funk

June 14, 2023

9

Technology}

The pandemic proved a lot of things, one of them being that science is under assault. In this enlightening and entertaining new book, Professor Gary Smith shows us how much of the assault has its roots in what scientists do. The easiest impact to understand is the Internet, which was originally created by scientists in the 1970s to exchange scientific information. Now it has become a great way to spread disinformation on almost every subject. A former chief historian of NASA noted that: “The reality is, the internet has made it possible for people to say whatever the hell they like to a broader number of people than ever before.” Smith recounts endless examples of this disinformation, much of which Read More ›

the variety of different types of chips and electronic components on the printed circuit board

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post

Author
News
Date
June 1, 2023

Categorized
Technology

Tagged
Computers, COSM 2022, Frederico Faggin, Intel, internet, Maria Teresa Cometto, Technology}

Celebrating an Internet Pioneer: Frederico Faggin

_{Faggin discussed his background and how he came to design the first commercial microprocessor at Intel} _{News

June 1, 2023

1

Technology}

For today’s featured video from the COSM 2022, check out this interview between journalist Maria Teresa Cometto and Frederico Faggin. Faggin discussed his background and how he came to design the first commercial microprocessor at Intel. For more similar material, visit the Center’s YouTube page to enjoy more lectures and videos from past COSM conferences.

Deepfake deep learning fake news generator modern internet technology concept.

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post

Author
News
Date
May 19, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, Crime, Deepfakes, internet, metaverse, Midjourney, OpenAI, Reality, Scam artists, Technology, Videos}

“Suddenly There’s No More Reality”

_{The deepfakes and AI scams abound} _{News

May 19, 2023

2

Artificial Intelligence}

With the proliferation of AI text and images, the issue of deepfakes is of deepening concern. The better AI gets at refashioning reality, will the already murky waters of the Internet become too surreal to navigate? Even real videos, when divorced from their proper context, can be deeply misleading. When entire clips are artificially contrived, then, it seems like the line between fact and fiction dissolves entirely. Some folks are already worried. Victor Tangermann writes at Futurism, [Given] recent developments, the situation is likely to get worse before it can get better. AI tools are making it easier to generate deepfakes every year. These days, an AI can be trained on a relatively small stockpile of audiovisual data to convincingly Read More ›

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post

Author
Tom Gilson
Date
May 14, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Deepfakes, Humanity, Images, intelligence, internet, Surveillance, Swarm intelligence (bullies vs. dweebs)}

The Incoming Tidal Wave of AI Deceit

_{Every technological advance brings painful disruptions with it} _{Tom Gilson

May 14, 2023

7

Artificial Intelligence}

Leaders in business and science have called for a moratorium on developing artificial intelligence. They’re putting human wisdom up against humans’ quest for power, and we know who always wins those battles. Pardon the cynicism, but honestly, I don’t think we’ve begun to realize what a horrific mess we’re creating for ourselves here. AI developers will promise you great good from it. In reality it looms over us as a huge yet mostly unrecognized threat, especially for the damage it will do to human trust. AI itself won’t care, though. On one level it feels nothing, knows nothing, understands nothing. On another level it’s really quite insane. It’s innocent enough when confined in proper limits. AI-assisted braking in your car is Read More ›

woman working on laptop at home. telework. freelance concept

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post

Author
News
Date
April 26, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Bloggins, ChatGPT, Content Creators, Fiverr, Forbes, Freelancing, Google, internet, SEO}

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 ›

Aerial Australian Beach Landscape, Great Ocean Road

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post

Author
Peter Biles
Date
February 8, 2023

Categorized
Language

Tagged
Amusing Ourselves to Death, ChatGPT, Distraction, Facebook, internet, Kit Wilson, Language, Neil Postman, Netflix, Novel, social media, The New Atlantis, TikTok, War and Peace, Word, Writing}

Awash in a Sea of Digital Information

_{In the age of infinite online text, maybe less is more} _{Peter Biles

February 8, 2023

4

Language}

Some days after I close my laptop, I’d like to pick up a novel and read or work on a short story project, but then feel like I just need to empty my mind of all the snippets and clips of textual information I’ve consumed that day. News blurbs, thought pieces, emails, provocative tweets, more emails, more news blurbs… Frequently I’ll turn to a TV show or a social media binge in place of the novel. My brain can’t take any more text. It’s burnt out. It’s no secret contemporary Americans live in a sea of images and videos. YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook all vie for human attention through images and color schemes designed to catch the distracted eye. Read More ›

Hand click searching data information networking. Concept for network web and technology

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post

Author
Jonathan Bartlett
Date
February 6, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, Articles, ChatGPT, Fake, Google, internet, Links, NPR, Online, Psychology Today, Search engine, Sources}

Whatever You Do, Don’t Ask GPT for Sources

_{The chatbot will give you a lot of links that don't necessarily direct you where you want to go} _{Jonathan Bartlett

February 6, 2023

4

Artificial Intelligence}

One of the more amusing things I’ve found from OpenAI’s GPT-3 and ChatGPT is the fact that it will very confidently provide you with sources on anything you ask—and they will often be completely made up. It will even provide fake (but real-looking) URLs for you! I stumbled across this feature when researching a previous GPT-3 article about how well it could write blog posts compared to real authors. I initially tried asking GPT-3 to include sources, and it generated complete nonsense for the sources. I decided that, for that article, sources were not the main question, so I left it out of the final queries. However, in response to my latest article about ChatGPT not being a Google replacement, someone commented Read More ›

Bangkok, Thailand 25 AUG 2020. Men hand using digital tablet for search information on Google. Wireless Smartphone technology with intelligence search engine.

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post

Author
News
Date
January 25, 2023

Categorized
Law, Media

Tagged
Advertising, capitalism, Competition, Department of Justice, Digital media, Google, internet, Lawsuit, Monopoly, Technology}

U.S. Department of Justice Sues Google (Again)

_{The DOJ claims the tech giant is unlawfully monopolizing the digital advertising market} _{News

January 25, 2023

2

Law, Media}

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing Google, claiming the technology company has monopolized the digital advertising market. This marks the second federal anti-trust suit against Google. Google has led the digital advertising market for years, although companies like TikTok and Amazon are becoming more viable competitors. Despite the competition, Google still raked in $209B in advertising in 2021, per a briefing from 1440 News, and its 2022 financial report is expected to disclose similar numbers. The official complaint notes the benefit and importance of a “vibrant internet” in American life but emphasizes the centrality of economic diversity and competition. Section 4 of the complaint claims “the ad tech space is broken,” further explaining, One industry behemoth, Google, Read More ›

Error page template for website. Retro robot with monitor computer head. Warning message on blue screen. macro view copy space

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post

Author
Jeffrey Funk and Gary Smith
Date
January 16, 2023

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence

Tagged
AI, AI research, Chatbot failings, ChatGPT, computer, Databases, economics, internet, Large Language Models (LLMs), Robots}

Large Language Models Can Entertain but Are They Useful?

_{Humans who value correct responses will need to fact-check everything LLMs generate} _{Jeffrey Funk and Gary Smith

January 16, 2023

7

Artificial Intelligence}

In 1987 economics Nobel Laureate Robert Solow said that the computer age was everywhere—except in productivity data. A similar thing could be said about AI today: It dominates tech news but does not seem to have boosted productivity a whit. In fact, productivity growth has been declining since Solow’s observation. Productivity increased by an average of 2.7% a year from 1948 to 1986, by less than 2% a year from 1987 to 2022. Labor productivity is the amount of goods and services we produce in a given amount of time—output per hour. More productive workers can build more cars, construct more houses, and educate more children. More productive workers can also enjoy more free time. If workers can do in four Read More ›

China flag and praying patriot man with crossed hands. Holding cross, hoping and wishing.

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post

Author
Heather Zeiger
Date
October 18, 2020

Categorized
Artificial Intelligence, Religion, Social Media, Surveillance, Technocracy

Tagged
___longform, Atheism, Bitter Winter (online magazine), Chinese Communist Party (CCP), COVID-19, Falun Gong, Featured, internet, Online church services, Religion in China, Religious persecution (China), WeChat, Xi Lian}

How China’s Technocracy Uses the Pandemic to Suppress Religion

_{The pandemic provided a pretext to install surveillance equipment in churches and surveil believers online} _{Heather Zeiger

October 18, 2020

9

Artificial Intelligence, Religion, Social Media, Surveillance, Technocracy}

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the ways that technology can lead either to greater accessibility or greater oppression. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is now using the same technologies that have given many people around the world access to religious materials and church services during the pandemic to forcibly stop religious gatherings and restrict the distribution of religious materials within China. Although the CCP is officially atheist, over 60% of the population adheres to a recognized religion; 30.8% practice Chinese folk religions, 16.6% Buddhism, 7.4% Christianity, 4.2% ethnic religion, and 1.8% Islam. Authentic numbers may be higher, given the risk of punishment for practicing certain religions in China. The Chinese government has persecuted, tortured, and imprisoned Falun Gong members Read More ›

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post

Author
Denyse O'Leary
Date
October 24, 2019

Categorized
Data Privacy, Global Technology

Tagged
5G, Andre Feutsch, AT&T, COSM, data, Data Security, Geofencing, Health, internet, Privacy, Smartphone, Smartphones}

Your smartphone will disappear, says AT&T CTO

_{New 5G computing will introduce an era of ever smarter wearable devices, according to Andre Fuetsch} _{Denyse O'Leary

October 24, 2019

4

Data Privacy, Global Technology}

Fuetsch asks us to think of 3G (2001) and 4G (2010) internet as the difference between a junior high school rock band and a high school rock band: “The high school band is a lot louder and a lot faster.” And 5G? “It is a 40-piece orchestra. A wide spectrum of abilities but tight structure and control.”

How the Internet Turns Coffee Klatches into Mobs

_{A philosopher sheds light on how the Covington high school kids became America's Most Hated} _{Michael Egnor

February 1, 2019

8

Philosophy of Mind, Social Factors}

The chaos and violence rising in our own country and around the world get much of their fuel from the obscurity and contagion of the internet, which is kerosene sprayed on the sparks tossed up by civilization. If we are to survive this conflagration, we must understand how these fires grow. Read More ›