You are viewing a single comment's thread from:

RE: LeoThread 2024-08-31 09:20

in LeoFinance5 months ago

Here is the daily technology #threadcast for 8/31/24. We aim to educate people about this crucial area along with providing information of what is taking place.

Drop all question, comments, and articles relating to #technology and the future. The goal is make it a technology center.

Sort:  

I've been reading a lot on Data Science lately. It's my latest topic of interest. It's a vast field and there is a lot more to learn than I anticipated

Without a doubt. Even the basics are a big help.

Keep in mind, many who are knowledgeable fail because they become experts and get too close. Always keep stepping back to see how the concentrated applies to the whole.

CNBC Television -- U.S. tech companies are recognizing that operating in China isn't good for business: Michelle Giuda

threadSo thoughtful of you to continually keep up updated ,thanks for all you do I personally have been following up the things you do I must really say they are commendable

Don't you like the new cover picture I made for the threadcast? 🤓

Left a bit to be desired.

What‘s missing? 👀

I found a book about AI prompt designing for Project Managers. I'll try to apply that knowledge on my daily prompts and check if it improves my results

That is great. You need to start sharing some of that wisdom here.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Cleared for Flight Following FAA Investigation as Starlink Missions Continue

I have seen many home-made technologies for opening walnuts and getting a whole nut kernel, but not one automatic process, only manual labor. :) !BEER

A very interesting aspect of Data Science is using historical data to make predictions. You need to create complex models that will take input data and use it to make an accurate prediction.

That makes sense. It is also why getting historical data onto blockchains is important. Right now, it is all on closed servers.

We need to get that out there.

Of course. In the West Russia is behind everything. That is what they use to justify whatever they are doing.

Maybe they just are behind a lot of shit? 👀

But there is a catch to create good prediction models: the more complex they are, the more acurate. However, there is a point where complexity gets too high and the model actually starts to become less acurate so you need to find a balance


Technology is a great rescue to life's improvement. This is a transformer supplying light to a community. #technology. #communitytransformer

@tokenizedsociety

A little later I will do a prediction model chat with Claude3 and see what I come up with.

Nice! Will be interesting to see what it creates

Investors are already valuing OpenAI at over $100B on the secondaries market

Rainmaker Securities has seen investors bid on OpenAI shares at prices that value the company at up to $143 billion.

OpenAI is in talks to raise a new round of funding at an eye-popping $100 billion-plus valuation, sources told The Wall Street Journal this week.

It turns out investors have already proven they are willing to value the company that high to get on OpenAI’s coveted cap table. Multiple companies that track or facilitate secondaries deals — where investors buy shares from existing investors, not directly from the company — have seen investors pay prices that indicate an over $100 billion valuation.

#newsonleo #openai #technology #ai

The primary deal that OpenAI is negotiating would reportedly be led by Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, which would put in $1 billion, according to Journal reporting, with Microsoft, Nvidia and Apple, being rumored as investors as well. This would be quite the step up for the AI leader. The company was most recently valued at $86 billion in a secondary sale involving existing stakes in September, Bloomberg reported.

Still, securities trader Rainmaker Securities has seen investors bidding on OpenAI stock at prices that value the company up to $143 billion. Caplight, a secondary data tracking platform, estimates that the company is currently worth more than $111 billion based on both secondaries activity and past traditional financing rounds.

“There are a lot of investors that really want to be part of this story and want to be an investor in this company,” Glen Anderson, co-founder and managing partner at Rainmaker Securities, told TechCrunch. “So a $100 billion valuation, is it rich? Maybe. But, I mean, if OpenAI can live up to [its] potential, it may be a steal.”

Greg Martin, a co-founder and managing director at Rainmaker Securities, added that while the company valuation has risen quickly, so has its revenue. While OpenAI still reportedly burns a ton of cash, he said it’s worth noting that the company went from having $0 in revenue just a few years ago to having billions today. The company is tracking to hit $2 billion in ARR by the end of the year, according to The Information.

“Obviously it is hard to put a proper valuation on OpenAI, but we are seeing a lot of demand,” Martin said. “There is a fear of missing out on the premium the company is getting. There is certainly a cogent argument that the company could be worth a trillion dollars some day.”

Amazon checkout process hits technical snag during Labor Day sale

Amazon customers posted complaints on social media about not being able to complete purchases ahead of the Labor Day weekend on Friday.

A worker prepares packages at an Amazon same-day delivery fulfillment center on Prime Day in the Bronx borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Amazon.com Inc.'s Prime Day sales rose about 13% in the first six hours of the event compared with the same period last year, according to Momentum Commerce, which manages 50 brands in a variety of product categories.

#technology #amazon #grocery #newsonleo

Amazon's checkout function encountered technical issues on Friday, keeping customers from completing purchases. The e-commerce site displayed error messages with photos of dogs during the outage as people posted about it on social media.

To run its website, Amazon relies on its own data center infrastructure. But the company's Amazon Web Services division was not reporting any technical issues while the checkout feature wasn't working. AWS downtime can lead to problems across the internet because so many companies rely on the market-leading public cloud.

An Amazon spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the run-up to the long weekend in the U.S., Amazon has started promoting discounts on products as part of a Labor Day sale. But people weren't able to purchase discounted products because of the glitch, as some people pointed out on the X social network.

The Amazon Help account on X replied with a recommendation to contact the company.

California’s legislature just passed AI bill SB 1047; here’s why some hope the governor won’t sign it

SB 1047 has drawn the ire of Silicon Valley players large and small, including venture capitalists, big tech trade groups, researchers and startup founders.

Outside of sci-fi films, there’s no precedent for AI systems killing people or being used in massive cyberattacks. However, some lawmakers want to implement safeguards before bad actors make that dystopian future a reality. A California bill, known as SB 1047, tries to stop real-world disasters caused by AI systems before they happen. It passed the state’s senate in August, and now awaits an approval or veto from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

#ai #technology #regulation #newsonleo

While this seems like a goal we can all agree on, SB 1047 has drawn the ire of Silicon Valley players large and small, including venture capitalists, big tech trade groups, researchers and startup founders. A lot of AI bills are flying around the country right now, but California’s Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act has become one of the most controversial. Here’s why.

What would SB 1047 do?

SB 1047 tries to prevent large AI models from being used to cause “critical harms” against humanity.

The bill gives examples of “critical harms” as a bad actor using an AI model to create a weapon that results in mass casualties, or instructing one to orchestrate a cyberattack causing more than $500 million in damages (for comparison, the CrowdStrike outage is estimated to have caused upwards of $5 billion). The bill makes developers — that is, the companies that develop the models — liable for implementing sufficient safety protocols to prevent outcomes like these.

What models and companies are subject to these rules?

SB 1047’s rules would only apply to the world’s largest AI models: ones that cost at least $100 million and use 10^26 FLOPS (floating point operations, a way of measuring computation) during training. That’s a huge amount of compute, though OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said GPT-4 cost about this much to train. These thresholds could be raised as needed.

Very few companies today have developed public AI products large enough to meet those requirements, but tech giants such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are likely to very soon. AI models — essentially, massive statistical engines that identify and predict patterns in data — have generally become more accurate as they’ve grown larger, a trend many expect to continue. Mark Zuckerberg recently said the next generation of Meta’s Llama will require 10x more compute, which would put it under the authority of SB 1047.

Carta’s ill-fated secondaries business finally found a buyer

Stock-trading startup Public has acquired the brokerage accounts of Carta’s secondaries business, TechCrunch has confirmed.

Stock-trading startup Public has acquired the brokerage accounts of Carta’s secondaries business, TechCrunch has confirmed.

Carta, best known for its cap table management software, sits on a stockpile of data. It tried to expand into the bubbling hot secondary marketplace brokerage business, but in January, a startup customer publicly accused Carta of using the startup’s private cap table data to approach its shareholders in order to broker a sale without the startup’s knowledge. That allegation went viral and scared many of Carta’s customers, who threatened to leave.

#newsonleo #carta #technology

Days later, Carta announced that it was abandoning this business. Now it found a willing buyer in Public, Axios previously reported.

In an emailed statement to TC, Public said the customers of Carta Capital Markets who it acquired have a right to opt out. Meanwhile, Carta says it isn’t out of the secondaries business altogether. It will continue to serve with “company-led secondary offerings, such as tender offers,” through its SEC-registered transfer agent, it says.

Redfin is already trying to defend against a new flat-fee real estate startup

Redfin is responding to a new startup that is hoping to upend the way people search for and buy homes by offering a flat-fee service.

Redfin is responding to a new startup that is hoping to upend the way people search for and buy homes by offering a flat-fee service.

On August 29, TechCrunch reported that a startup called Landian had emerged from stealth to offer homebuyers a way to tour and make offers on homes through a flat-fee service, rather than paying commissions.

#newsonleo #redfin #realestate #technology #startup #landian

That company was co-founded by Josh Sitzer, who sued the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in a landmark case over agent commissions. Under the resulting settlement, the NAR agreed to pay $418 million in damages and to abolish the Participation Rule, which required sell-side agents to make an offer of compensation to buyer brokers. That and other rule changes are expected to transform the real estate market.

Redfin is skeptical about the flat-fee model, although it described Landian as “a brother in arms, eager like us to give consumers a better deal.” The 18-year-old company once tried a similar model, and explains why it didn’t work:

“When we tried this before in a fiercely competitive housing market, we struggled to win on behalf of customers the offer-writing agent hadn’t met, for listings that agent hadn’t seen,” a spokesperson said. “We also learned that when customers want to call on the expertise of one person, morning, noon, and night, you have to pay that person very, very well. For now, we believe we can offer homebuyers the best value by using Redfin.com to eliminate the single largest cost of being an agent, which is finding customers, and by pairing the industry’s best agents with lending and title services.”

Redfin points out that it charges commissions as low as 1% to home sellers and as low as 2% to homebuyers, and claims to have saved its customers $1.6 billion in fees.

“Unlike Landian, we don’t charge for tours or require customers to hire an agent sight unseen,” a spokesperson said.

Redfin went on to say that it “may experiment again” with a flat-fee itemized service. But it’s wary.

The org behind the dataset used to train Stable Diffusion claims it has removed CSAM

LAION, the German nonprofit group behind the data set used to train Stable Diffusion, among other generative AI models, claims it's removed suspected CSAM from its training data sets.

LAION, the German research org that created the data used to train Stable Diffusion, among other generative AI models, has released a new dataset that it claims has been “thoroughly cleaned of known links to suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM).”

#newsonleo #stablediffusion #ai #technology

The new dataset, Re-LAION-5B, is actually a re-release of an old dataset, LAION-5B — but with “fixes” implemented with recommendations from the nonprofit Internet Watch Foundation, Human Rights Watch, the Canadian Center for Child Protection and the now-defunct Stanford Internet Observatory. It’s available for download in two versions, Re-LAION-5B Research and Re-LAION-5B Research-Safe (which also removes additional NSFW content), both of which were filtered for thousands of links to known — and “likely” — CSAM, LAION says.

“LAION has been committed to removing illegal content from its datasets from the very beginning and has implemented appropriate measures to achieve this from the outset,” LAION wrote in a blog post. “LAION strictly adheres to the principle that illegal content is removed ASAP after it becomes known.”

Important to note is that LAION’s datasets don’t — and never did — contain images. Rather, they’re indexes of links to images and image alt text that LAION curated, all of which came from a different dataset — the Common Crawl — of scraped sites and web pages.

The release of Re-LAION-5B comes after an investigation in December 2023 by the Stanford Internet Observatory that found that LAION-5B — specifically a subset called LAION-5B 400M — included at least 1,679 links to illegal images scraped from social media posts and popular adult websites. According to the report, 400M also contained links to “a wide range of inappropriate content including pornographic imagery, racist slurs, and harmful social stereotypes.”

The sneaky way Big Tech is acquiring AI unicorns without buying the companies

Google, Microsoft, Amazon and others have been quietly poaching coveted talent from AI startups, without actually acquiring the companies.

Microsoft, Google and Amazon along with other tech companies have been getting creative in how they're poaching talent from top artificial intelligence startups.

Earlier this month, Google signed an unusual deal with Character.ai to hire away its prominent founder and more than one-fifth of its workforce while also licensing its technology. It looked like an acquisition, but the deal was structured so that it wasn't. Google wasn't the first to take this approach.

#ai #technology #bigtech #newsonleo #startups

Microsoft laid the groundwork in its deal with Inflection, closely followed by Amazon's faux acquisition of Adept.

It's a playbook that skirts regulators and their crackdown on Big Tech dominance, provides an exit for AI startups struggling to make money and allows megacaps to pick up the talent needed in the AI arms race.

But while tech giants might think they're outsmarting antitrust enforcers, they could be playing with fire.

From QTUM:

Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur and business magnate who is known for co-founding and leading several high-profile technology companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, Inc., Neuralink, and The Boring Company. He is also known for his visionary ideas and ambitious projects, particularly in the fields of space exploration, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. Musk is often considered one of the most influential and innovative figures in modern technology and has been a prominent figure in the public eye due to his various ventures and controversial statements.

Elon Musk is a prominent entrepreneur and business magnate who has been involved with several high-profile companies, either by founding them, leading them, or investing in them. Here are some of the companies that Elon Musk has been associated with:

  • SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation): Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company. Elon Musk is the founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX. The company's goal is to reduce the cost of space travel and eventually establish a human colony on Mars.

  • Tesla, Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors): Founded in 2003, Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company. Elon Musk joined Tesla as a chairman in 2004 and became its CEO in 2008. Tesla is known for producing electric cars, solar panels, and energy storage devices.

  • The Boring Company: Founded in 2016, The Boring Company is a tunnel construction company that aims to reduce traffic by building underground transportation systems. Elon Musk is the founder and CEO of The Boring Company.

  • Neuralink: Founded in 2016, Neuralink is a neurotechnology company that aims to develop brain-computer interfaces to help people with brain injuries and diseases and, eventually, enhance human cognitive abilities. Elon Musk is a co-founder and serves as the chairman of Neuralink.

  • OpenAI: While not founded by Elon Musk, he was one of the original co-founders and served as the chairman of the board until 2018. OpenAI is a research company that aims to promote and develop friendly AI in a way that benefits humanity as a whole.

  • SolarCity: Founded in 2006 by Peter and Lyndon Rive (cousins of Elon Musk), SolarCity was a provider of solar energy services. Elon Musk was the chairman of the board and the largest shareholder of SolarCity before it was acquired by Tesla in 2016.

Elon Musk's involvement with these companies has varied from being a founder and CEO to a significant investor and advisor. His entrepreneurial ventures have made him one of the most recognized and influential figures in technology and space exploration.

Elon Musk's philosophy and approach to business can be described as innovative, visionary, and risk-taking. He seeks out unfulfilled technical challenges that benefit humanity and the planet, often making bold predictions and setting ambitious goals for his companies . His leadership style is unique, combining innovation, audacity, and vision . Musk's approach to problem-solving is physics-based, focusing on practical solutions to real-world problems . He has been known to adopt a "pump and dump" strategy, talking up the share price of a company he invests in before selling it to a legitimate player in the industry . Despite his unconventional methods, Musk's companies have made significant impacts in various industries, from electric vehicles to space exploration . His leadership style has been described as polarized, with people viewing him as either a genius or a troll due to his spontaneous and sometimes controversial statements .

Overall, Elon Musk's philosophy and approach to business revolve around pushing boundaries, taking risks, and striving for innovation that benefits society.

Explain the first principles approach Elon Musk utilizes.

Elon Musk's first principles approach involves breaking down complex problems into their fundamental components, understanding the underlying truths and principles that govern them, and then using that knowledge to create innovative solutions. This method allows him to disregard existing assumptions, paradigms, and conventional wisdom, focusing instead on the basic laws of physics, engineering, and economics to find new paths forward.

Musk's first principles thinking is influenced by his background in physics and his admiration for thinkers like Richard Feynman, who emphasized the importance of understanding the fundamentals. By approaching problems from a "physics perspective," Musk simplifies complex systems, questioning accepted norms and seeking novel solutions that might otherwise be overlooked due to conventional constraints.

Some key aspects of Elon Musk's first principles approach include:

  1. Simplification: Breaking down complex issues into their constituent parts, focusing on the core elements that drive them.
  2. Reasoning from first principles: Starting with fundamental concepts like physics or mathematics and working up to more complex scenarios.
  3. Questioning assumptions: Challenging prevailing beliefs and paradigms to identify potential flaws and uncover new opportunities.
  4. Experimentation: Testing hypotheses through prototyping, experimentation, and iterative refinement.

By employing this approach, Elon Musk has been able to drive innovation in various industries, from electric vehicles to renewable energy and space exploration. His first principles thinking allows him to navigate the complexities of large-scale projects with multiple variables, enabling him to make bold predictions and set ambitious goals for his companies.


BEERHey @taskmaster4450le, here is a little bit of from @barski for you. Enjoy it!

Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your BEER.

Open AI's NEW Physical ROBOT Shocks The Entire INDUSTRY (GPT -5 WITH BODY!) (FINALLY HERE!)

#robotics #technology #ai

From Claude3:

What is required to create a prediction model?

To create a prediction model, several key elements are required:

  1. Data:

    • High-quality, relevant data is essential
    • Should be representative of the problem you're trying to solve
    • May need preprocessing and cleaning
  2. Problem definition:

    • Clear understanding of what you're trying to predict
    • Specific, measurable output variable(s)
  3. Feature selection:

    • Identify input variables that are most likely to influence the prediction
    • May involve domain expertise and statistical analysis
  1. Model selection:

    • Choose an appropriate algorithm (e.g., linear regression, decision trees, neural networks)
    • Consider factors like data type, size, and complexity of the problem
  2. Training process:

    • Split data into training and testing sets
    • Use training data to teach the model patterns and relationships
  3. Evaluation metrics:

    • Define how you'll measure the model's performance (e.g., accuracy, precision, recall)
  1. Validation:

    • Test the model on unseen data to assess its generalization ability
  2. Iteration and optimization:

    • Refine the model based on performance results
    • May involve tuning hyperparameters or trying different algorithms
  3. Deployment infrastructure:

    • System to apply the model to new data in real-world scenarios
  4. Monitoring and maintenance:

    • Ongoing assessment of model performance
    • Plan for retraining or updating as needed

What historical data is required to create an accurate prediction model?

The historical data required for an accurate prediction model depends on the specific problem you're trying to solve. However, there are some general characteristics and types of data that are typically important:

  1. Relevance:

    • Data should be directly related to the problem and prediction target
    • Should include variables that are likely to influence the outcome
  2. Sufficient quantity:

    • Generally, more data leads to better models
    • The amount needed varies based on the complexity of the problem and model
  3. Quality and accuracy:

    • Data should be reliable and free from significant errors or biases
    • Consistent collection and measurement methods are important
  1. Time span:

    • Should cover a meaningful period to capture trends and patterns
    • Long enough to account for seasonal variations if applicable
  2. Variety:

    • Representative of different scenarios and conditions
    • Includes both typical and edge cases
  3. Feature richness:

    • Multiple relevant attributes or variables
    • Allows for exploration of different factors affecting the prediction
  4. Target variable:

    • Clear, well-defined outcome that you're trying to predict
    • Consistent measurement across the dataset
  1. Temporal aspects:

    • Timestamps or ordered sequences if time is a factor
    • Allows for time-series analysis if needed
  2. Contextual information:

    • Data on surrounding conditions or circumstances
    • Helps in understanding external factors affecting the prediction
  3. Balanced representation:

    • If dealing with categories, all relevant categories should be well-represented
  4. Up-to-date information:

    • Recent enough to reflect current trends and relationships

What factors could make a prediction model less accurate?

Several factors can contribute to reduced accuracy in a prediction model. Here are some key issues to consider:

  1. Insufficient or poor-quality data:

    • Too little data to capture patterns effectively
    • Inaccurate, inconsistent, or biased data
  2. Overfitting:

    • Model learns noise in training data too precisely
    • Performs well on training data but poorly on new, unseen data
  3. Underfitting:

    • Model is too simple to capture the underlying patterns
    • Fails to learn important relationships in the data
  1. Feature selection issues:

    • Including irrelevant features that introduce noise
    • Omitting important features that significantly impact the outcome
  2. Data leakage:

    • Inadvertently including information in training that wouldn't be available in real-world predictions
  3. Concept drift:

    • Changes in the underlying patterns or relationships over time
    • Model becomes less accurate as conditions evolve
  4. Sampling bias:

    • Training data not representative of the full population or real-world scenarios
  1. Imbalanced datasets:

    • Uneven representation of different classes or outcomes
    • Can lead to poor performance on underrepresented classes
  2. Inappropriate model selection:

    • Choosing a model type that doesn't suit the problem or data characteristics
  3. Inadequate preprocessing:

    • Failing to handle outliers, missing data, or scale features appropriately
  4. Overly complex models:

    • Using unnecessarily sophisticated models that capture noise rather than true patterns
  1. Ignoring domain knowledge:

    • Failing to incorporate important context or known relationships in the field
  2. Inadequate validation:

    • Not properly testing the model on unseen data or using inappropriate evaluation metrics
  3. Data inconsistency:

    • Changes in data collection methods or definitions over time
  4. External factors:

    • Unpredictable events or changes in the environment not captured in the historical data

Can synthetic data help in the accuracy of prediction models?

Yes, synthetic data can indeed help improve the accuracy of prediction models in certain situations. Here's an overview of how synthetic data can be beneficial:

  1. Augmenting limited datasets:

    • When real-world data is scarce, synthetic data can increase the training set size
    • Helps models learn more robust patterns and generalize better
  2. Balancing imbalanced datasets:

    • Generate additional examples for underrepresented classes
    • Improves model performance across all categories
  3. Privacy preservation:

    • Allows training on sensitive data without exposing real individuals' information
    • Useful in healthcare, finance, and other fields with strict privacy regulations
  1. Exploring edge cases:

    • Create scenarios that are rare or difficult to capture in real data
    • Improves model robustness and handling of unusual situations
  2. Reducing bias:

    • Carefully generated synthetic data can help mitigate biases present in real-world data
    • Allows for more diverse and representative training sets
  3. Cost-effective data acquisition:

    • Generating synthetic data can be cheaper and faster than collecting real-world data
    • Enables rapid prototyping and testing of models
  4. Handling concept drift:

    • Simulate future scenarios or changing conditions
    • Helps prepare models for evolving environments
  5. Improving model generalization:

    • Exposing models to a wider range of scenarios than available in real data
    • Can lead to better performance on unseen data
  1. Testing model limitations:
    • Create controlled test sets to evaluate specific aspects of model performance
    • Helps identify weaknesses and areas for improvement

However, it's important to note some potential drawbacks:

  1. Quality concerns:

    • Synthetic data must accurately reflect real-world patterns and relationships
    • Poor-quality synthetic data can introduce new biases or errors
  2. Validation challenges:

    • Models trained on synthetic data still need thorough validation on real data
    • Ensuring synthetic data truly represents real-world complexity can be difficult
  3. Overreliance risks:

    • Exclusive use of synthetic data may lead to models that don't fully capture real-world nuances
    • Best used in combination with real data when possible
  4. Generation complexity:

    • Creating high-quality synthetic data can be a complex task requiring expertise
    • May need sophisticated algorithms or domain knowledge to generate realistic data

New AI model crushes GPT, realtime video games, AI detects cancer, mushroom powered robots

#ai #technology

I asked Claude3:

What is the history of pornography?

Pornography has existed in various forms throughout human history. Early examples can be found in ancient art and literature from civilizations like Greece, Rome, and India. The invention of photography and film in the 19th-20th centuries allowed for new mediums of pornographic content. The spread of the internet in recent decades has dramatically increased access to and production of pornography.

Throughout its history, pornography has often been controversial, facing censorship and legal restrictions in many societies. There have been ongoing debates about its social effects, artistic merit, and relationship to broader cultural attitudes about sex and nudity.

The pornography industry has evolved into a multi-billion dollar global business, especially with the rise of online distribution. However, it continues to raise complex legal and ethical questions around issues like exploitation, addiction, and impacts on relationships.

This is a brief overview of a complex topic with many societal and cultural dimensions. Let me know if you would like me to elaborate on any particular aspect.

Then I asked Venice.ai the same question:

Pornography has a long and complex history, dating back to ancient times. The oldest known erotic artifacts were discovered in Germany and are estimated to be at least 35,000 years old . Throughout history, various cultures have created and consumed sexually explicit materials for entertainment, education, and other purposes.

During the Middle Ages, religious authorities frequently attempted to suppress pornography, considering it immoral and blasphemous. However, erotic texts like Margaret of Angoulême’s Heptameron continued to circulate in private .

The modern history of Western pornography began during the Enlightenment (18th century) when printing technology made it easier to mass-produce and distribute sexually explicit materials . Laws regulating pornography were established, but attempts to suppress it remained ongoing.

Pornography has also been a subject of cultural debate, with some societies condemning it as immoral or degrading, while others view it as a form of artistic expression . As technology advanced, so did the forms and accessibility of pornography, from cave paintings to books, movies, and now online content .

In conclusion, the history of pornography is deeply intertwined with human culture, art, and sexuality, evolving over time in response to social norms, technological advancements, and legal frameworks.

When asked to elaborate, Venice.ai did this:

Certainly. Here's a more detailed overview of the history of pornography:

Ancient Civilizations (35,000 BCE - 500 CE):
Erotic artifacts have been found in various ancient cultures, including cave paintings and sculptures from prehistoric times. The oldest known erotic artifact is believed to be the Venus of Willendorf, a small statue estimated to be around 25,000-30,000 years old.

Classical Antiquity (500 BCE - 476 CE):
Greece and Rome produced numerous works that dealt with sexuality, including explicit depictions in art and literature. Notable examples include Aristophanes' Lysistrata and Ovid's Ars Amatoria.

Middle Ages (476 CE - 1453 CE):
During this period, religious authorities tried to suppress pornography, considering it immoral and blasphemous. However, erotic texts like Margaret of Angoulême’s Heptameron continued to circulate in private circles.

Renaissance and Enlightenment (14th-18th centuries):
The invention of the printing press made it easier to mass-produce and distribute sexually explicit materials. Books like Ovid's Metamorphoses and Aristotle's Problems were translated, edited, and illustrated with erotic images. Pornography became more accessible and widespread during this time.

Modern Era (19th-20th centuries):
As photography and film emerged as new mediums, pornography transitioned from print to visual formats. The invention of the camera enabled the production of explicit photographs, which later evolved into motion pictures. In the early 1900s, stag films became popular in the United States, while European countries like France and Germany produced their own erotic cinema.

The Internet Age (late 20th century - present):
With the advent of the internet, pornography became easily accessible to a global audience. Adult websites, chat rooms, and video-sharing platforms proliferated, offering a diverse range of content. The rise of streaming services and virtual reality technology has further expanded the possibilities for erotic entertainment.

Throughout history, legal frameworks have attempted to regulate or ban pornography, often with varying degrees of success. In recent years, debates around online censorship, privacy, and free speech have intensified, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of pornography in contemporary society.

I went back to Claude3 and asked:

How has technology affected pornography?

Technology has significantly impacted pornography in several ways:

  1. Accessibility: The internet has made pornographic content much more easily accessible to a wider audience, often anonymously and for free.

  2. Production: Digital cameras, smartphones, and editing software have lowered the barriers to producing pornographic content, leading to an explosion of amateur and user-generated material.

  3. Distribution: Streaming platforms, tube sites, and peer-to-peer networks have revolutionized how pornography is distributed and consumed.

  1. Virtual Reality (VR): VR technology is creating more immersive pornographic experiences.

  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is being used to create deepfakes and generate synthetic pornographic content.

  3. Interactive content: Webcams and interactive sex toys have enabled new forms of real-time, interactive pornographic experiences.

  4. Cryptocurrency: Digital currencies have provided new, more anonymous payment methods for pornographic content.

  1. Data collection: Tech has enabled more sophisticated tracking of user preferences and behaviors, allowing for personalized content recommendations.

  2. Content moderation: AI and machine learning are being used to detect and filter out illegal content more efficiently.

  3. Social media: Platforms like OnlyFans have created new models for content creators to monetize their work directly.

These technological advances have raised new ethical, legal, and social questions about privacy, consent, addiction, and the impact on human relationships and sexuality. The industry continues to evolve rapidly with new technological developments.

Asking Venice.ai the same question got me this result:

Technology has had a profound impact on the production, distribution, and consumption of pornography. Here are some key ways technology has influenced the industry:

  1. Film to Video (late 19th - mid 20th century):
    The transition from film to video allowed for easier recording, editing, and duplication of pornographic content. This shift enabled the creation of longer, more complex scenes with better quality visuals.

  2. VHS and Betamax (1970s-1980s):
    Videocassette recorders (VCRs) revolutionized pornography distribution by allowing consumers to rent or purchase adult films in their homes. This democratization of access led to a boom in the industry's popularity and profitability.

  1. Internet and Online Pornography (late 1990s - present):
    The widespread adoption of the internet has made pornography more accessible than ever before. Adult websites, chat rooms, and video-sharing platforms have proliferated, offering a diverse range of content catering to various tastes and interests. The ease of access has contributed to increased consumption, with some estimates suggesting that over 30% of men and 16% of women visit adult websites regularly.

  2. Streaming Services (2000s - present):
    The rise of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime has further transformed the pornography landscape. These platforms have made it possible for consumers to access a vast library of erotic content on demand, often with personalized recommendations based on viewing history.

  1. Virtual Reality (VR) Technology (2010s - present):
    Virtual reality headsets have enabled the creation of immersive, interactive pornographic experiences. VR technology allows users to feel like they're participating in the action, enhancing their sense of presence and engagement.

  2. Social Media and Influencers (2000s - present):
    Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have given adult performers a new way to connect with fans, promote their work, and monetize their popularity. Many performers have built significant followings by sharing explicit content or engaging in risqué behaviors.

  3. 3D Printing and Haptic Technology (2010s - present):
    Advances in 3D printing technology have enabled the creation of custom sex toys and prosthetics that can simulate specific sexual experiences. Haptic devices, which provide tactile feedback to users, are also being developed for use with virtual reality pornography.

  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (2010s - present):
    The integration of AI and machine learning into adult content production has led to the development of more sophisticated algorithms that can analyze viewer preferences and generate personalized recommendations. This technology is also being used to create more realistic and convincing CGI characters for use in pornography.

Overall, technology has played a significant role in shaping the modern pornography industry, enabling new forms of content creation, distribution, and consumption while continuously pushing boundaries in terms of innovation and creativity.

Claude3:

How has artificial intelligence affected pornography?

Artificial intelligence has impacted pornography in several significant ways:

  1. Deepfakes: AI can create highly realistic fake videos, often superimposing faces onto existing pornographic content without consent. This raises serious ethical and legal concerns.

  2. Content generation: AI models can generate synthetic pornographic images and videos, potentially reducing the need for human actors.

  3. Personalization: AI algorithms analyze user behavior to recommend content, potentially increasing engagement but also raising privacy concerns.

  1. Content moderation: AI helps detect and filter illegal or non-consensual content more efficiently, though accuracy remains a challenge.

  2. Virtual performers: AI-powered virtual models or "camgirls" are emerging, blurring lines between real and artificial performers.

  3. Voice synthesis: AI can generate realistic voice content, potentially used in audio pornography or to impersonate individuals.

  4. Enhanced interactivity: AI powers more sophisticated interactive experiences in virtual reality or with smart sex toys.

  1. Data analysis: AI analyzes vast amounts of user data to identify trends and preferences, informing content production and marketing strategies.

  2. Automatic categorization and tagging: AI can efficiently categorize and tag large volumes of content, improving searchability.

  3. Age verification: AI-powered systems are being developed to verify users' ages, though their effectiveness is debated.

These AI applications in pornography raise complex ethical questions about consent, privacy, and the potential for exploitation. They also blur the lines between reality and artificial content, potentially affecting perceptions of sex and relationships. As AI technology continues to advance, its impact on the pornography industry is likely to grow, necessitating ongoing discussions about regulation and ethical use.

Venice.ai with the same question:

Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a significant impact on the pornography industry, transforming various aspects of content creation, distribution, and consumption. Here are some key ways AI has affected pornography:

  1. Personalization:
    AI algorithms can analyze viewer preferences and generate personalized recommendations for adult content based on their past viewing habits, search history, and other data points. This allows users to discover new material that caters to their specific interests.

  2. Content Generation:
    AI-powered tools have enabled the creation of more realistic and convincing CGI characters for use in pornography. These digital actors can be customized to resemble real people or feature fantastical elements like multiple limbs or supernatural abilities.

  1. Deepfake Technology:
    Deep learning, a subset of AI, has led to the development of deepfake technology that allows creators to generate fake videos, images, and audio that appear authentic but are actually fabricated. This technology has been used for both artistic and nefarious purposes in the adult entertainment industry.

  2. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants:
    AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants have become increasingly popular in adult entertainment, offering customers personalized interaction and guidance in finding suitable content. These bots can help users navigate complex websites or recommend specific scenes based on their preferences.

  3. Autonomous Content Curation:
    AI-driven curation systems can automatically categorize and tag adult content, making it easier for users to find what they're looking for. This technology also helps adult websites maintain compliance with legal guidelines related to age verification and content classification.

  1. Enhanced Viewing Experience:
    AI-powered video processing techniques can improve the quality of adult videos by optimizing resolution, color balance, and sound quality in real-time. These enhancements can enhance viewer engagement and enjoyment.

  2. Detection of Child Abuse Material:
    AI systems have been developed to help identify and report instances of child abuse material within adult content databases. These tools are designed to flag potentially problematic images or videos for further review by human moderators.

  3. Cybersecurity and Fraud Prevention:
    AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can protect users' personal data from being stolen or misused in the adult entertainment industry, which is often targeted by hackers and cybercriminals. AI-driven fraud detection systems can also help prevent fraudulent activities like credit card scams.

Overall, artificial intelligence has transformed various aspects of the pornography industry, enabling more personalized experiences for consumers, new forms of content creation, and improved viewer engagement. While there are concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology in this context, responsible development and regulation can help mitigate these risks.

Venice.ai

Who was Kay Parker

Kay Parker was a British pornographic film actress, writer, and spiritual counselor. Born on August 28, 1944, in Birmingham, England, she began her career as an adult film actor in the late 1970s.

Parker's early life and career are often shrouded in controversy due to her involvement in the adult entertainment industry. However, she later transitioned into writing and spiritual guidance, becoming a respected metaphysical counselor and teacher.

Her autobiography, "Taboo: Sacred Don't Touch," chronicles her life, including her experiences as an adult film actress and her subsequent exploration of spirituality and alternative belief systems. The book has received both praise and criticism for its candid portrayal of her life and the adult industry.

Parker passed away on October 14, 2022, at the age of 78, leaving behind a complex and fascinating legacy that spans multiple fields, including entertainment, literature, and metaphysics.

Claude:

Kay Parker was an English-American actress and pornographic film performer who was active in the adult film industry primarily during the 1970s and 1980s. She is considered one of the more prominent figures in the "Golden Age of Porn."

Here are some key points about Kay Parker:

  1. Early life: She was born on August 28, 1944, in Birmingham, England.

  2. Career in adult films: Parker entered the adult film industry in her mid-30s, which was considered relatively late at the time.

  3. Notable works: She is perhaps best known for her role in the 1980 film "Taboo," which became one of the most successful adult films of its era.

  4. Mainstream appearances: Parker had small roles in a few mainstream films and television shows.

  1. Later career: After leaving the adult film industry, Parker became involved in metaphysics and worked as a New Age counselor.

  2. Impact: She is often cited as one of the influential performers of her era in the adult film industry.

  3. Passing: Kay Parker passed away on October 14, 2022, at the age of 78.

As with many topics related to individuals in the adult entertainment industry, information can sometimes be incomplete or conflicting. While I've tried to provide accurate information, I encourage you to verify any crucial details from reliable sources.

Claude.AI

Kay Parker was an English-American actress and pornographic film performer who was active in the adult film industry primarily during the 1970s and 1980s. She is considered one of the more prominent figures in the "Golden Age of Porn."

Here are some key points about Kay Parker:

  1. Early life: She was born on August 28, 1944, in Birmingham, England.

  2. Career in adult films: Parker entered the adult film industry in her mid-30s, which was considered relatively late at the time.

  3. Notable works: She is perhaps best known for her role in the 1980 film "Taboo," which became one of the most successful adult films of its era.

  1. Mainstream appearances: Parker had small roles in a few mainstream films and television shows.

  2. Later career: After leaving the adult film industry, Parker became involved in metaphysics and worked as a New Age counselor.

  3. Impact: She is often cited as one of the influential performers of her era in the adult film industry.

  4. Passing: Kay Parker passed away on October 14, 2022, at the age of 78.

As with many topics related to individuals in the adult entertainment industry, information can sometimes be incomplete or conflicting. While I've tried to provide accurate information, I encourage you to verify any crucial details from reliable sources.

Venice.ai

What was The Heptameron? What is its place in history?

The Heptameron, also known as Margaret of Angoulême's Tales, is a collection of 72 short stories written by Margaret of Angoulême, Duchess of Berry and Countess of Laval. The book was published in 1558.

Margaret of Angoulême, the mother-in-law of Catherine de' Medici, was a patron of writers and artists during the French Renaissance. She wrote The Heptameron as a response to the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, which tells 100 tales from the point of view of seven young women who take refuge in a country villa to escape the plague.

The Heptameron is notable for several reasons:

  1. One of the first erotic works written by a woman:
    Margaret of Angoulême's The Heptameron is one of the earliest known erotic stories authored by a female writer, making it an important work in the history of women's literature.

  2. Influence on French literature:
    The Heptameron had a significant impact on French literature during the Renaissance and beyond. It influenced other writers, such as François Rabelais and Pierre de Bourdeilles, who were inspired by Margaret's storytelling style and themes.

  3. Exploration of morality and sexuality:
    The tales in The Heptameron explore various moral and sexual themes, including adultery, lust, revenge, and forgiveness. Margaret's stories often feature complex characters and intricate plots, demonstrating her skill as a storyteller.

  1. Cultural commentary:
    Many of the tales in The Heptameron offer commentary on contemporary French society, politics, and culture. Margaret uses the narrative to critique social norms, religious practices, and the roles of men and women during this period.

The Heptameron remains an important work in the history of erotic literature and women's writing, showcasing Margaret of Angoulême's literary talent, her exploration of morality and sexuality, and her unique perspective on the society of her time.

According to Claude3:

What does it take to make a successful film?

Making a successful film involves many factors, but here are some key elements:

  1. Compelling story: A well-crafted, engaging narrative that resonates with audiences.

  2. Strong screenplay: A script that effectively translates the story into a visual medium.

  3. Skilled direction: A director with a clear vision who can guide the creative process.

  4. Quality acting: Talented performers who bring characters to life convincingly.

  5. Production value: Appropriate budget, sets, costumes, and special effects.

  6. Cinematography: Visually appealing and effective camerawork.

  7. Sound design and music: Audio elements that enhance the viewing experience.

  1. Editing: Skillful assembly of footage to maintain pacing and coherence.

  2. Marketing: Effective promotion to reach the target audience.

  3. Timing: Releasing the film at an opportune moment in the market.

  4. Cultural relevance: Addressing themes or topics that resonate with current audiences.

Then Venice.ai, the same question:

Making a successful film requires a combination of several key elements, including:

  1. Compelling Story:
    A strong, engaging story with well-developed characters and a clear narrative arc is essential for capturing audiences' attention and holding their interest.

  2. Talented Crew:
    Having a skilled and experienced crew, including a director, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and production designer, can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life.

  3. Quality Production Values:
    Investing in high-quality equipment, locations, costumes, makeup, and special effects can elevate the overall aesthetic of your film and immerse viewers in the story.

  1. Effective Marketing and Distribution:
    Creating a marketing plan that targets your target audience and securing distribution through theaters, streaming platforms, or other channels can help ensure that your film reaches its intended audience.

  2. Budget Management:
    Successfully managing your budget is crucial to avoiding financial pitfalls and ensuring that you have enough resources to complete your project as planned.

  3. Strong Cast:
    Casting talented actors who can bring depth and nuance to their roles is critical for creating a believable and engaging story.

  4. Post-Production Finishing Touches:
    Careful attention to detail in post-production, including sound design, music scoring, visual effects, and color grading, can help elevate your film's overall quality and impact.

  1. Timing and Release Strategy:
    Choosing the right time to release your film and selecting a release strategy that maximizes its visibility and reach are important factors in its success.

  2. Networking and Collaborations:
    Building relationships with other filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals can lead to valuable collaborations, mentorship, and support throughout your career.

  3. Persistence and Adaptability:
    Navigating the challenges of filmmaking requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from setbacks and failures. Successful filmmakers often have an ability to pivot when necessary and maintain a positive attitude despite obstacles.

By focusing on these key elements and continually honing your craft, you can increase your chances of creating a successful film that resonates with audiences.

After doing some testing, in just some basic questions, i.e. information search, Venice.ai is right there with Claude.

Harmful 'Nudify' Websites Used Google, Apple, and Discord Sign-On Systems

Single sign-on systems from several Big Tech companies are being incorporated into deepfake generators, WIRED found. Discord and Apple have started to terminate some developers’ accounts.

Major technology companies, including Google, Apple, and Discord, have been enabling people to quickly sign up to harmful “undress” websites, which use AI to remove clothes from real photos to make victims appear to be “nude” without their consent. More than a dozen of these deepfake websites have been using login buttons from the tech companies for months.

#technology #ai #google #apple #discord

A WIRED analysis found 16 of the biggest so-called undress and “nudify” websites using the sign-in infrastructure from Google, Apple, Discord, Twitter, Patreon, and Line. This approach allows people to easily create accounts on the deepfake websites—offering them a veneer of credibility—before they pay for credits and generate images.

While bots and websites that create nonconsensual intimate images of women and girls have existed for years, the number has increased with the introduction of generative AI. This kind of “undress” abuse is alarmingly widespread, with teenage boys allegedly creating images of their classmates. Tech companies have been slow to deal with the scale of the issues, critics say, with the websites appearing highly in search results, paid advertisements promoting them on social media, and apps showing up in app stores.

Signal Is More Than Encrypted Messaging. Under Meredith Whittaker, It’s Out to Prove Surveillance Capitalism Wrong

On its 10th anniversary, Signal’s president wants to remind you that the world’s most secure communications platform is a nonprofit.

#technology #signal #whatsapp

Ten years ago, WIRED published a news story about how two little-known, slightly ramshackle encryption apps called RedPhone and TextSecure were merging to form something called Signal. Since that July in 2014, Signal has transformed from a cypherpunk curiosity—created by an anarchist coder, run by a scrappy team working in a single room in San Francisco, spread word-of-mouth by hackers competing for paranoia points—into a full-blown, mainstream, encrypted communications phenomenon. Hundreds of millions of people have now downloaded Signal. (Including Drake: “Cuban girl, her family grind coffee,” he rapped in his 2022 song “Major Distribution.” “Text me on the Signal, don’t call me.”) Billions more use Signal’s encryption protocols integrated into platforms like WhatsApp.

That origin story is, perhaps, a startup cliché. But Signal is, in many ways, the exact opposite of the Silicon Valley model. It’s a nonprofit funded by donations. It has never taken investment, makes its product available for free, has no advertisements, and collects virtually no information on its users—while competing with tech giants and winning. In a world where Elon Musk seems to have proven that practically no privately owned communication forum is immune from a single rich person’s whims, Signal stands as a counterfactual: evidence that venture capitalism and surveillance capitalism—hell, capitalism, period—are not the only paths forward for the future of technology.

Over its past decade, no leader of Signal has embodied that iconoclasm as visibly as Meredith Whittaker. Signal’s president since 2022 is one of the world’s most prominent tech critics: When she worked at Google, she led walkouts to protest its discriminatory practices and spoke out against its military contracts. She cofounded the AI Now Institute to address ethical implications of artificial intelligence and has become a leading voice for the notion that AI and surveillance are inherently intertwined. Since she took on the presidency at the Signal Foundation, she has come to see her central task as working to find a long-term taproot of funding to keep Signal alive for decades to come—with zero compromises or corporate entanglements—so it can serve as a model for an entirely new kind of tech ecosystem.

Whittaker has been based in Paris for the summer, but I met up with her during a quick visit to her home city of New York. In a Brooklyn café, we ended up delving deepest into a subject that, as outspoken as the privacy exec may be, she rarely speaks about: herself, and her strange path from Google manager to Silicon Valley gadfly.

Major Sites Are Saying No to Apple’s AI Scraping

This summer, Apple gave websites more control over whether the company could train its AI models on their data.

In a separate analysis conducted this week, data journalist Ben Welsh found that just over a quarter of the news websites he surveyed (294 of 1,167 primarily English-language, US-based publications) are blocking Applebot-Extended. In comparison, Welsh found that 53 percent of the news websites in his sample block OpenAI’s bot. Google introduced its own AI-specific bot, Google-Extended, last September; it’s blocked by nearly 43 percent of those sites, a sign that Applebot-Extended may still be under the radar. As Welsh tells WIRED, though, the number has been “gradually moving” upward since he started looking.

#apple #technology #ai #data

Welsh has an ongoing project monitoring how news outlets approach major AI agents. “A bit of a divide has emerged among news publishers about whether or not they want to block these bots,” he says. “I don't have the answer to why every news organization made its decision. Obviously, we can read about many of them making licensing deals, where they're being paid in exchange for letting the bots in—maybe that's a factor.”

Last year, The New York Times reported that Apple was attempting to strike AI deals with publishers. Since then, competitors like OpenAI and Perplexity have announced partnerships with a variety of news outlets, social platforms, and other popular websites. “A lot of the largest publishers in the world are clearly taking a strategic approach,” says Originality AI founder Jon Gillham. “I think in some cases, there's a business strategy involved—like, withholding the data until a partnership agreement is in place.”

There is some evidence supporting Gillham’s theory. For example, Condé Nast websites used to block OpenAI’s web crawlers. After the company announced a partnership with OpenAI last week, it unblocked the company’s bots. (Condé Nast declined to comment on the record for this story.) Meanwhile, Buzzfeed spokesperson Juliana Clifton told WIRED that the company, which currently blocks Applebot-Extended, puts every AI web-crawling bot it can identify on its block list unless its owner has entered into a partnership—typically paid—with the company, which also owns the Huffington Post.

Because robots.txt needs to be edited manually, and there are so many new AI agents debuting, it can be difficult to keep an up-to-date block list. “People just don’t know what to block,” says Dark Visitors founder Gavin King. Dark Visitors offers a freemium service that automatically updates a client site’s robots.txt, and King says publishers make up a big portion of his clients because of copyright concerns.

Robots.txt might seem like the arcane territory of webmasters—but given its outsize importance to digital publishers in the AI age, it is now the domain of media executives. WIRED has learned that two CEOs from major media companies directly decide which bots to block.

Some outlets have explicitly noted that they block AI scraping tools because they do not currently have partnerships with their owners. “We’re blocking Applebot-Extended across all of Vox Media’s properties, as we have done with many other AI scraping tools when we don’t have a commercial agreement with the other party,” says Lauren Starke, Vox Media’s senior vice president of communications. “We believe in protecting the value of our published work.”

The Plaud NotePin Is an AI Notetaker That Will Transcribe Your Meetings—and Your Entire Life

Plaud’s AI-powered NotePin records and transcribes all the conversations around you. The company envisions using that data in the future to construct your digital twin.

“In that case, if you’re not taking precautions and you lose the device, that could be accessible,” Hsu says. “But that’s very extreme.”

Ultimately, Hsu has greater ambitions for his company than work-focused devices, though he’s careful to point out that this is what they’re concentrating on now, and he’s cognizant of the uneasiness it might cause.

#technology #ai #digitaltwin

“We have this grand vision, where what happens if users could just record all of the conversations in their daily lives, maybe even after decades,” Hsu says. “If it always listens to you, it learns you, and over time it gets to know your personality, your preferences, your interactions. Someday, you’re going to be able to utilize AI to reproduce yourself—create this real digital twin. That’s kind of this grand mission, where we think if we’re able to help users connect to so many memories, it’s going to be grand.”

It’s clear that AI has the potential to upend much of how humans operate. But some advocates and experts express concern about what happens when these capabilities are entrusted to AI devices—especially ones that are designed to be worn all the time.

“We have this grand vision, where what happens if users could just record all of the conversations in their daily lives, maybe even after decades,” Hsu says. “If it always listens to you, it learns you, and over time it gets to know your personality, your preferences, your interactions. Someday, you’re going to be able to utilize AI to reproduce yourself—create this real digital twin. That’s kind of this grand mission, where we think if we’re able to help users connect to so many memories, it’s going to be grand.”

It’s clear that AI has the potential to upend much of how humans operate. But some advocates and experts express concern about what happens when these capabilities are entrusted to AI devices—especially ones that are designed to be worn all the time.

All that philosophical grandiosity aside, it still isn’t clear whether people are actually willingly to invest in these kinds of devices in the first place. Plaud has a compelling use case, but it is entering a crowded field where it has to compete with other devices and, well, thousands of apps on smartphones—the devices people already carry around all day.

And users may find that the boring old tools they’re already using are more mature and more effective than any of these splashy inventions.

“Everything that ChatGPT does, it does worse than something else that was designed to do that thing,” Ghosh says. “I think people being gaslit into thinking these systems are more accurate than they are is the main problem.”

From Vencie.ai

What is streaming and how has it changed entertainment?

Streaming is the delivery of digital content over the Internet, allowing users to access and watch movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, and other media in real-time without downloading or storing files on their devices. This technology has revolutionized the entertainment industry by providing consumers with unprecedented flexibility and convenience.

One significant change brought about by streaming is the decline of traditional physical media, such as DVDs and CDs. Today, it's common for people to consume content through streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+, Spotify, and many others.

Streaming has also transformed the way creators produce and distribute content. It has:

  1. Enabled niche markets: Streaming platforms have given rise to numerous smaller channels and artists who might not have had a chance to reach audiences through traditional means.
  2. Shifted power dynamics: Content producers can nOW directly connect with their target audience, reducing reliance on middlemen like movie studios or record labels.
  1. Altered distribution models: Streaming services often produce original content, making them major players in the entertainment industry alongside established studios and networks.
  2. Changed consumer habits: Viewers have come to expect instant access to a vast library of content whenever they want it.

While streaming has undeniably disrupted traditional media, it's also opened up new opportunities for creators, artists, and consumers alike. It has democratized the entertainment industry, allowing for greater creativity, innovation, and accessibility in the digital age.

From Claude:

What is the future of streaming services?

The future of streaming services is likely to involve several key trends and developments:

  1. Consolidation: We may see mergers and acquisitions among streaming platforms as companies aim to expand their content libraries and user bases.

  2. Original content focus: Streaming services will likely continue investing heavily in exclusive, original content to differentiate themselves and attract subscribers.

  1. Personalization: Advanced AI and machine learning algorithms will improve content recommendations and user experiences.

  2. Interactive content: There may be more interactive shows and movies, allowing viewers to influence storylines or explore additional content.

  3. Niche services: Specialized streaming platforms catering to specific interests or demographics could emerge.

  4. Bundling: More partnerships between streaming services and other industries (e.g., telecom, retail) to offer bundled subscriptions.

  1. Improved technology: Advancements in streaming quality, such as higher resolutions and reduced latency.

  2. Global expansion: Major streaming services will likely continue to expand into new international markets.

  3. Ad-supported tiers: More services may offer lower-cost or free tiers supported by advertisements.

  4. Virtual and augmented reality: Integration of VR/AR technologies could create more immersive viewing experiences.

These predictions are based on current trends and industry analyses. The actual future may vary depending on technological advancements, consumer preferences, and market dynamics. Would you like me to elaborate on any of these points?

What consolidation can we expect between media companies as a basis for streaming? How is going to merge together?

Based on current industry trends and market dynamics, we can expect several potential consolidations in the media and streaming landscape. However, it's important to note that mergers and acquisitions are complex processes influenced by various factors, including regulatory approval.

Here are some possibilities:

  1. Traditional media and tech giants:
    We might see more mergers between traditional media companies and tech giants. For example:
  • Amazon has already acquired MGM Studios, and they could potentially look to acquire other content producers.
  • Apple or Google might consider purchasing a major studio or network to bolster their streaming offerings.
  1. Streaming-focused mergers:
    Smaller streaming services might combine to compete with larger players:
  • Discovery and WarnerMedia have already merged to form Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes HBO Max and Discovery+.
  • We could potentially see mergers between mid-sized players like Paramount+ and AMC networks, or between niche services to create more comprehensive offerings.
  1. International consolidation:
    As streaming becomes increasingly global, we might see cross-border mergers:
  • A major US streaming service might acquire or merge with a significant player in another market, such as Disney partnering with or acquiring a Bollywood studio.
  1. Vertical integration:
    Content producers might merge with distribution platforms:
  • A major studio could potentially acquire or merge with a streaming technology company to improve their direct-to-consumer offerings.
  1. Telecom and media convergence:
    We might see more telecom companies acquiring media assets:
  • Following the model of Comcast (which owns NBCUniversal) or AT&T (which previously owned WarnerMedia), other telecom giants might look to acquire content producers or streaming platforms.

It's worth noting that some previously anticipated mergers haven't materialized or have been reversed. For instance:

  • AT&T spun off WarnerMedia, which then merged with Discovery.
  • Amazon's acquisition of MGM was a significant move, but further major acquisitions by tech giants might face regulatory scrutiny.

The streaming landscape is still evolving, and while consolidation is likely, the exact shape it will take remains uncertain. Regulatory bodies, especially in the US and EU, will play a crucial role in determining which mergers are allowed to proceed.

What are the chances that Hollywood Studios remain independent? Will they all be swallowed up by technology companies?

The chances of Hollywood studios remaining fully independent in the long term are uncertain, but it's unlikely that all of them will be absorbed by technology companies.

Here's a nuanced look at the situation:

  1. Factors favoring independence:
  • Antitrust concerns: regulators may block large-scale acquisitions to prevent market monopolization.
  • Cultural differences: Traditional studios and tech companies often have very different corporate cultures and operational models.
  • Studio resistance: Some studios may actively resist takeovers to maintain their legacy and creative control.
  • Financial strength: Larger studios with diverse revenue streams may be able to remain independent.
  1. Factors favoring acquisition:
  • Financial pressures: Smaller studios struggling with high production costs and changing distribution models may seek buyers.
  • Tech companies' deep pockets: Tech giants have significant financial resources to make attractive offers.
  • Vertical integration benefits: Combining content creation and distribution can be financially advantageous.
  • Competition for content: Tech companies may see studio acquisition as a way to secure exclusive content.
  1. Current landscape:
  • Some studios have already been acquired (e.g., 21st Century Fox by Disney, MGM by Amazon).
  • Others remain independent but have strong partnerships with tech companies (e.g., Sony Pictures with Netflix).
  • Some are part of larger media conglomerates (e.g., Warner Bros. as part of Warner Bros. Discovery).
  1. Likely scenarios:
  • Mixed ecosystem: It's probable we'll see a mix of independent studios, tech-owned studios, and hybrid models.
  • Selective acquisitions: Tech companies might acquire smaller or struggling studios rather than major ones.
  • Strategic partnerships: Instead of full acquisitions, we may see more strategic partnerships and content deals.
  1. Studio-specific outlook:
  • Larger studios like Disney, Universal (Comcast), and Warner Bros. Discovery are more likely to remain independent or part of media conglomerates.
  • Smaller or mid-sized studios might be more vulnerable to acquisition.

What role is generative AI going to play with Hollywood and how it affects these studios?

Generative AI is poised to have a significant impact on Hollywood and film studios in various ways.

  • Content Creation

Script Generation: AI could assist in generating initial drafts, plot outlines, or dialogue.
Visual Effects: AI can streamline VFX creation, reducing time and costs.
animation: AI tools could automate certain aspects of animation production.
Deepfakes: Could be used for de-aging actors or creating synthetic performances.

  • Pre-production

Storyboarding: AI could generate initial storyboards based on scripts.
Location Scouting: AI might help identify suitable filming locations from image databases.
Casting: AI could assist in initial casting suggestions based on script analysis.

  • Post-production

Editing: AI could suggest initial cuts or assist in assembling rough cuts.
Color Grading: AI tools might automate parts of the color correction process.
Sound Design: AI could generate initial sound effects or ambient noise.

Marketing and Distribution

Trailer Creation: AI could assist in selecting key scenes and assembling initial trailer cuts.
Personalized Marketing: AI could tailor marketing materials to individual viewer preferences.
audience Prediction: AI models could help predict audience reception and box office performance.

Challenges and Concerns

Job Displacement: Concerns about AI replacing human roles in the industry.
Creative Control: Questions about authorship and creative integrity when using AI-generated content.
Quality Control: Ensuring AI-generated content meets industry standards.
Legal and Ethical Issues: Copyright concerns and ethical use of deepfake technology.

Potential Benefits

Cost Reduction: Streamlining certain processes could lower production costs.
Increased Efficiency: AI could speed up various aspects of production.
Creative Augmentation: AI as a tool to enhance human creativity rather than replace it.

Key points to consider:

  1. AI as a tool: Generative AI is likely to be integrated as a tool to augment human creativity rather than replace it entirely. It could streamline processes and potentially reduce costs in various stages of production.
  1. Democratization: AI tools could lower barriers to entry for independent filmmakers, potentially disrupting the traditional studio system.
  1. Creative and Ethical Concerns: The use of AI, especially in areas like deepfakes or script generation, raises questions about creative control, authorship, and ethical use of technology.
  1. Job market Impact: While AI could create new roles (like AI supervisors or prompt engineers), there are concerns about potential job displacement in certain areas.
  1. Quality and Authenticity: Ensuring the quality and authenticity of AI-generated content will be a crucial challenge for studios.
  1. Legal Landscape: The use of AI in content creation will likely lead to new legal challenges around copyright and intellectual property.

It's important to note that while AI will certainly have an impact, it's unlikely to completely replace human creativity and decision-making in the film industry. Instead, it's more likely to become an additional tool in the filmmaker's toolkit, potentially changing workflows and opening up new creative possibilities.

What is the Signal Instant Messenger?

Signal is a popular instant messaging application known for its strong focus on privacy and security. Here are some key points about Signal:

  1. Encryption: Signal uses end-to-end encryption for all communications, including text messages, voice calls, and video calls. This means that only the sender and recipient can read the messages or participate in the calls.
  1. Open source: The application's code is open source, allowing independent security experts to verify its security claims and implementation.

  2. Non-profit organization: Signal is developed by the Signal Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing open source privacy technology.

  3. Features: Besides basic messaging, Signal offers features like disappearing messages, voice and video calls, group chats, and the ability to send files and media.

  1. Cross-platform: Signal is available on iOS, Android, and desktop operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux).

  2. Metadata minimization: Signal is designed to collect and store as little user data as possible, enhancing user privacy.

  3. Recommended by privacy advocates: Due to its strong security features, Signal is often recommended by privacy experts and organizations.

  4. User verification: Signal allows users to verify the identity of their contacts through security numbers or QR codes, adding an extra layer of security.

What pushback has there been from regulators or government agencies?

There has been some pushback against Signal from regulators and government agencies, primarily due to its strong encryption and privacy features. Here's an overview of some key issues:

  1. Law enforcement concerns:
    • Many law enforcement agencies argue that Signal's end-to-end encryption hinders their ability to investigate crimes and terrorism.
    • They claim it creates a "going dark" problem, where criminals can communicate without fear of surveillance.
  1. Government attempts to weaken encryption:
    • Some governments have proposed or attempted to pass laws requiring "backdoors" in encrypted messaging apps.
    • These efforts aim to allow law enforcement access to encrypted communications with proper authorization.
  1. Subpoenas and legal challenges:
    • Signal has received subpoenas from law enforcement agencies requesting user data.
    • The company has consistently maintained that it has little to no data to provide due to its privacy-focused design.
  1. Blocking in some countries:
    • Some countries with strict Internet controls, such as China and Iran, have blocked access to Signal.
    • This is often part of broader efforts to control information flow and monitor communications.
  1. Debates over content moderation:
    • There are concerns that strong encryption can facilitate the spread of harmful content or misinformation without accountability.
    • This has led to debates about balancing privacy with content moderation and public safety.
  1. Funding scrutiny:
    • Signal has faced questions about its funding sources, particularly its ties to the U.S. government in its early stages.
    • This has led to debates about potential conflicts between privacy goals and government interests.
  1. Pressure on app stores:
    • Some governments have pressured app stores to remove Signal and similar apps, citing national security concerns.
  1. Criticism of metadata collection:
    • While Signal collects minimal metadata, some privacy advocates argue that even this limited data could be vulnerable to subpoenas or hacks.

Despite these challenges, Signal has generally maintained its stance on strong encryption and minimal data collection. The company continues to advocate for user privacy, often engaging in public debates and legal battles to defend its position.