This year we are starting something new. Some of you may be aware that we keep a repository for articles that are relevant to the topics we discuss in the portal such as AI ethics, AI for good, culture & entertainment, and imagination (theology). We would like to take a step further and publish a monthly re-cap of the most important news on these areas. We are constantly tracking developments in these areas and would like to curate a summary for your edification. This is our first one so I ask you to be patient with us as we figure out formatting.
Can you believe it?
Harvesting data from prayers: Data is everywhere and companies are finding more and more uses for it. As the practice of data harvesting becomes commonplace, nothing is sacred anymore. Not even religion is safe, as pray.com now is collecting and sometimes sharing with other companies like Meta. As the market of religious heats up, investors are flocking to back new ventures. This probably means a future of answered prayers, not by God but by Amazon.
Read more here: BuzzFeed.
Predicting another Jan 6th: What if we could predict and effectively address social unrest before it becomes destructive? This is the promise of new algorithms that helps predict the next social unrest event. Coupcast, developed by the University of Central Florida uses AI and machine learning to predict civil unrest and electoral violence. Regardless of its accuracy, using ML in this arena raises many ethical questions. Is predicting social unrest a cover for suppressing it? Who gets to decide whether social unrest is legitimate or not? Hence we are left with many more questions but little guidance at this moment.
Read more here: WashingtonPost
IRS is looking for your selfies: IRS using facial recognition to identify taxpayers: opportunity or invitation to disaster? You tell me. Either way, the government quietly launched the initiative requiring individuals to sign up with the facial recognition company if they want to check the status of their filling. Needless to say, this move was not well received by civil liberty advocates. In the past, we dove into the ethical challenges of this growing AI practice.
To read more click here: CBS news
Meta’s announces a new AI quantum computer: Company will launch a powerful new quantum AI computer in Q1. This is another sign Meta refuses to listen to its critiques only marching on to its own techno-optimistic vision of the future – one in which it makes Billions of dollars, of course. What is not clear is how this new computer will enhance the company’s ability to create worlds in the metaverse. Game changer or window-dressing? Only time will tell
To read more click here: Venture Beat
AI Outside the Valley
While our attention is on the next move coming from Silicon Valley, a lot is happening in AI and other emerging technologies throughout the world. I would propose, that is actually where the future of these technologies lie. Here is a short selection of related updates from the globe.
Digital Surveillance in South Asia: As activists and dissidents move their activity online, so does their repression. In this interesting article, Antonia Timmerman outlines 5 main ways authoritarian regimes are using cyber tools to suppress dissent.
To read more click here: Rest of the World
Using AI for health, you better be in a rich country: As we have discussed in previous blogs, AI algorithms are only as good as the data we feed them. Take eye illness, because most available images are coming from Europe, US, and China, researchers worry they will not be able to detect problems in under-represented groups. This example highlights that a true democratization of AI must include first an expansion of data sources.
To read more click here: Wired
US companies fighting for Latin American talent: Not all is bad news for the developing world. As the search for tech talent in the developed centers is returning empty, many are turning to overlooked areas. Latin American developers are currently on high demand, driving wages up but also creating problems for local companies who are unable to compete with foreign recruiters.
To read more click here: Rest of the World
Global Race for AI Regulation Marches On
The window for new regulation in the US congress may be ending as mid-term elections approach. This will ensure the country will remain lagging behind global efforts to rein in Big Tech’s growing market power and mounting abuses.
As governments fail to take action or do it slowly, some are thinking about a different route. Could self-regulation be the answer? With that in mind, leading tech companies are joining forces to come up with rules for the metaverse as the technology unfolds. Will that be enough?
Certainly not for the Chinese government if you ask. The Asian super-power released the first global efforts to regulate deepfakes. With this unprecedented move, China leads the way being the first government to address this growing concern. Could this be a blueprint for other countries?
Finally, the EU fines for violations of GDPR hit a staggering 1.2 Billion. Amazon alone was slapped with an $850 Million penalty for its poor handling of customer data. While this is welcome news, one cannot assume it will lead to a change in behavior. Given mounting profit margins, Big Tech may see these fines not as a deterrent but simply as a cost of doing business in Europe. We certainly hope not but would be naive not to consider this possibility.
Cool Stuff
NASA’s latest and largest-ever Telescope reached its final destination. James Webb is now ready to start collecting data. Astrophysicists and space geeks (like myself) are excited about the possibilities of seeing well into the cosmic past. The potential for new discoveries and new knowledge is endless.
To read more click here: Nature
Chef AI, coming to a kitchen near you. In an interesting application, chefs are using AI to tinker and improve on their recipes. The results have been delicious. Driven in part by a trend away from animal protein, Chefs need to get more creative and AI is here to help.
To read more click here: BBC
That’s it. This is our update for January. Many blessings and see you next month!
Kora, our new addition to the family says hi and thank you for reading.
