Eliza

Eliza is a rather linear visual novel that puts you in the shoes of Evelyn, a young woman who acts as a human link between an artificial intelligence and patients in need of psychological support.

As the rise of AI is one of the most topical issues of our time, the game offers an interesting analysis of our technological evolution and whether or not it can really help humanity.

❤ Beautiful art direction, with a hand-painted look for the characters and fairly detailed sceneries. ❤ The dubbing was very convincing, especially for the patients, where emotions flow naturally without exaggeration. ❤ A good portrayal of mental illness, whether depression, anxiety, mood disorders, etc., without caricature. ❤ The phone game, Kabufuda Solitaire, kept me busy for a good hour to reach the expert level ;) and the pixel art relaxation application is pretty cool as well <3

+/- The game has several replayable endings, but the whole thing remains fairly linear, with choices having little impact on the storyline. Only the ending is really different. I regret that there aren't more interactions during the consultations, as I would have liked to see more confrontations between human and technological relationships (and the consequences of each). +/- The game is not intended to be Manichean, but rather to lead us into a personal reflection on the use of AI (in psychology in this case), its strengths but also its potential drift…. however, one of the characters at the head of Eliza's company is portrayed a little too negatively compared to the rest, which would tend to influence our opinion.

✖ Music and ambient sounds are too discreet or absent. ✖ While the game succeeds in questioning us on that subject, it forgets a little about the main character, who evolves almost too quickly (the game being quite short) and could have been developed further. By the end of the game, I didn't feel I knew her all that well. ✖ The interactions with the scenery don't add much, and I had the impression that they were there just to stretch the game a little bit more.

Eliza is clearly a game in tune with the times, encouraging us to make up our own minds about the implications of AI for different branches of our society, without being overly moralistic. However, it still managed to make me uncomfortable with the AI's overly cold and mechanical exchanges, so it reinforces my belief that human relationships remain irreplaceable.

➡ My personal VN ranking (in french) ➡ My Steam page

AI Art Programs Are Taking Over The Industry. We Should Embrace It.

The Philosophical and Artistic Implications of AI Art and Future Recourse

“Théâtre D’opéra Spatial”: Photo generated through Midjourney by James M. Allen

Written by Jakob Morgan

The 21st century has ushered in technological wonders beyond our dreams. From this, the DIY art scene has grown tremendously and fluidly where more expansive and connective networks have formed which has furthered the scene as a whole. However, within the last year, the art community has been hit with its biggest technological and ethical challenge yet. AI Generated Art.

AI Generated Art is a type of computer program that has jumped into the spotlight recently. Some of these programs include DALL-E, Midjourney, StableDiffusion, and NightCafe Studio. Essentially what it does is an AI will take a user generated prompt, scour the internet looking for images that fit within the reference, then compile set images from the inputted results. With this program, anyone with a computer and a creative mind can utilize the program to create pieces of art or media that would otherwise take weeks, months, or even years to create. While this is a massive advancement in AI technology, it is making many DIY artists worried.

However, the concept and practice of AI art generators aren’t new at all. In fact, one of the earliest programs called AARON was developed in 1973 by Harold Cohen. This program was more oriented towards “performing tasks as directed by the artist.” as opposed to being a full on art generator. Since then, many programs have been refined and developed to utilize machine learning technology, algebraic formulas, and different coding practices that integrate data analysis.

The DIY art scenes foundations are built upon physical interaction and creation with their artistic mediums without the artist conforming to industry standards or the status quo. However, with the introduction of this type of technology, it seemingly puts in jeopardy the scene itself and everything it stands for. What will happen to these communities when more people access AI Art Generated programs? Will DIY artists be replaced completely by a seemingly almost sentient program? Will DIY artists be able to maintain their culture while also adapting to the ever changing environment?

The primary concerns of AI Generated Art is the capability of the program to create something no one else has created and its qualifications for art. For starters, the program itself is absolutely fascinating when it comes to creating a piece of never before seen art based on a user generated prompt. While it is impressive it is at the same time terrifying. Through this, it has the potential to saturate fields of art with quantity over quality to the point where innovative and creative pieces no longer stand out. Unique, inspirative ideas are no longer original but rather they blend into the potential amalgamation of generated art. Artists with standout qualities and skills no longer are seen or heard but rather fade into the abyss of mediocre rendering of bears riding unicycles in a pit of chocolate. 

Due to this oversaturation, it also begs the age old question of what even is considered art. Does art need to come from a sentient being in order for it to be considered? Or perhaps developed skill and talent along with unfettered creativity and passion behind the artist's medium? In this case, it seems that anything not created by an AI can be considered art. Therefore, when AI generated art becomes indistinguishable from human made pieces, the dilemma arises.

It is also worth mentioning the financial and art industry implications of utilizing AI art programs. In August of 2022 a man named James M. Allen entered an AI generated art piece by the title of “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial” into the digital art/digitally manipulated photography division under the Fine Arts competition at the Colorado State Fair. He won first place and $300 for his piece. This sparked outrage in the art community as he seemingly duped the judges and other competitors. However, in the process of submitting, he made sure through various different communicative avenues, from saying in the subtext of the piece that it was developed by an AI art generator to getting approval from Olga Robak who oversees the Colorado State Fair, that he was allowed to utilize his AI art piece. This instance of AI art winning over other human competitors, especially with a financial prize involved, may seem to some as theft or fraud. Furthermore, if this type of engagement with AI art spreads to larger competition and perhaps even galleries it may have the potential to diminish the qualifications and entries of human competitors. However, I don’t think that this falls on the individual artists but rather the industry as a whole. A simple mitigation to this controversial issue would be to designate a specific digital AI division within competitions or galleries. Therefore, if someone were to submit an AI piece, they still can be featured and express themselves without confusing audiences and sparking outrage. But this shouldn’t be the main solution. The main solution comes in the form of equitable integration, where the program isn’t necessarily the finished piece itself but rather a brushstroke on a larger canvas.

While all this may seem scary and quite frankly terrifying, it shouldn’t be. Many of the arguments towards AI created art are very reactionary in nature. The chief of them being the aforementioned question of whether it is considered art or not. AI Generated Art programs aren’t as easy as many may think. There are many programs that have extreme depth and nuance to them. If someone wants to utilize the program to create something provocative and profound, it takes hours upon hours of editing and revising topics, constraints, sizes, references, etc. The amount of time it takes to craft something of genuine quality could be equated to someone who is physically taking the time with materials to produce something.  Furthermore, artists have been using advanced technological programs in order to create art for quite some time. Take DAWs for example. Digital Audio Workstations are programmed with various intricate editing techniques and instrumental packs that musicians can use. A musician can make a music pack from this program, use their MIDI, and create beautiful music from it. So what’s the difference? In both instances artists are just inputting data, refining their work, and producing a product that is both consumable and of quality. The difference is the AI part. And to that I pose the question, aren’t we all just computers? We all have a CPU (brain) that processes data and outputs it in the form of multiple reactions and expressions and feelings. I think we’re just too afraid and scared to admit that we’re becoming gods in our own little world.

So what do we do with this? How should the DIY art scene proceed? In my opinion, we should embrace it. These AI art programs can help grow our community and foster innovation. By excluding and fearing them, we ruin the chance at making our community more accessible and inviting. Many people want to participate in artistic practices but don’t have the materials, time, or refined physical skill to do so. Therefore by embracing these programs instead of discrediting them, we can welcome multitudes of new artists who have a fiery fervor to produce but lack the skills to do so. 

Due to the simple yet nuanced qualities of AI art programs, it can foster creativity and inspiration while also acting as a doorway into different art mediums for new artists. Look guys, art materials are extremely expensive and in order to hone in on your skills and creativity, you’ll have to buy in at some point. For many people, that just isn’t an option. So by destigmatizing the use of AI generated art programs we won’t be as exclusionary and gatekeeping to our communities. Furthermore, by integrating AI art programs into our mediums, we can find new sources of inspiration and ways to hone in our skills than we would be able to before. Many of us run into brick walls when it comes to creating. However, because of the expansive nature of the program, we have an unending bag of inspiration to reach into and pull from.

Despite hearing all of this, I’m sure you’re still scared and apprehensive of the idea. I get it. I am too. However I encourage you to not be as reactionary. Take time to use some of the programs and see what you can do. Deliberate upon it and come to a conclusion. If you still feel the same at least you tried. However, if you’ve been swayed, I encourage you to try and use it for some of your work. Play your part in destigmatizing the practice so that other artists are more encouraged and less intimate to take part.

What Is Chat GPT and What Can It Do

Chat GPT, short for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a state-of-the-art language processing AI developed by OpenAI. It's designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the input it receives. This innovative technology has transformed the way we interact with machines, offering a wide range of applications from customer service automation to creative writing assistance. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the essence of Chat GPT, its functionalities, benefits, and how it can be a game-changer for individuals and businesses alike.

Understanding Chat GPT

Chat GPT is built on the transformer architecture, which allows it to efficiently process large amounts of data and learn from it. This learning process involves analyzing vast datasets of human language, enabling the model to understand syntax, context, and nuances. As a result, Chat GPT can generate text that is remarkably coherent, contextually relevant, and often indistinguishable from text written by humans.

The model operates on a simple principle: it predicts the next word in a sentence based on the words that precede it. However, the sophistication of its underlying mechanisms allows for far more complex interactions. Chat GPT can answer questions, write essays, compose poems, generate code, and even engage in conversation on a wide range of topics.

Capabilities of Chat GPT

Customer Service Automation: Chat GPT can power chatbots and virtual assistants, providing users with instant, accurate responses to inquiries. This application reduces waiting times and improves customer satisfaction, while also reducing the workload on human staff.

Content Creation: From writing articles and reports to generating creative fiction, Chat GPT can assist or automate content creation. This not only speeds up the writing process but also provides a starting point for ideas and outlines.

Education and Learning: Chat GPT can serve as a tutoring aid, offering explanations on complex topics, assisting with homework, and providing practice exercises. Its ability to adjust explanations based on the user's level of understanding makes it an invaluable educational tool.

Programming Assistance: With its ability to understand and generate code, Chat GPT can assist programmers by suggesting code snippets, debugging, or even writing entire sections of code, thereby enhancing productivity.

Language Translation and Localization: Chat GPT's understanding of multiple languages allows it to translate text accurately, considering cultural nuances and context, which is essential for global communication and business.

Benefits of Using Chat GPT

Efficiency and Productivity: Automating repetitive tasks with Chat GPT allows individuals and businesses to focus on more complex and creative work, thereby increasing productivity.

Accessibility of Information: Chat GPT can digest and summarize large volumes of text, making information more accessible and understandable, which is particularly beneficial in research and study.

Cost Reduction: By automating customer service and content creation, Chat GPT can significantly reduce labor costs and operational expenses for businesses.

Enhanced Creativity: For writers, marketers, and creators, Chat GPT can be a source of inspiration, offering new ideas, perspectives, and writing styles to explore.

Customization and Personalization: Chat GPT models can be fine-tuned for specific tasks, industries, or even individual preferences, offering personalized interactions and services.

Considerations and Ethical Implications

While Chat GPT offers numerous advantages, it's important to address potential concerns and ethical implications. The accuracy of information provided by Chat GPT can vary, and reliance on it for critical decisions without verification may lead to misinformation. Additionally, the potential for misuse in generating deceptive or harmful content raises ethical questions.

To mitigate these issues, continuous monitoring, ethical guidelines, and human oversight are crucial. OpenAI and other stakeholders are actively working on improving the model's reliability and establishing ethical frameworks for its use.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Chat GPT

The future of Chat GPT is promising, with ongoing advancements in AI and machine learning expected to enhance its capabilities further. Future iterations will likely exhibit improved understanding of context, emotion, and subtleties in human language, enabling even more nuanced and effective communication.

As technology evolves, we can anticipate broader applications of Chat GPT, from enhancing virtual reality experiences to revolutionizing personalized education and healthcare. The integration of Chat GPT with other technologies, such as augmented reality and the Internet of Things (IoT), opens up new possibilities for smart environments and interactive experiences.

In conclusion, Chat GPT represents a significant leap forward in natural language processing, offering a wide range of applications that can benefit individuals and businesses alike. Its ability to understand and generate human-like text has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology, making it more intuitive, helpful, and accessible. As we continue to explore and expand the capabilities of Chat GPT, it is essential to navigate the ethical considerations and ensure that its development and use contribute positively to society.

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Unveiling the Wonders: Exploring Dubai’s Mesmerizing Museum of the Future

Dubai, the metropolis regarded for its futuristic skyline and formidable endeavors, has over again captured the arena's interest with the inauguration of its stunning Museum of the Future. Nestled inside the coronary heart of the bustling metropolis, this architectural wonder stands as a testimony to Dubai's unwavering commitment to innovation and development. Let's take a journey thru the corridors of this spell binding museum and uncover the wonders that lie within.

As you approach the Museum of the Future, you are immediately struck via its awe-inspiring design. Resembling a gleaming silver torus, the structure stands tall a midst the encompassing skyscrapers, commanding interest from all who pass via. Designed to be each visually hanging and environmentally sustainable, the museum is embellished with elaborate geometric styles that replicate the wealthy cultural historical past of the place at the same time as also harnessing the power of renewable strength assets.

Stepping internal, visitors are transported into a world wherein creativeness knows no bounds. The museum's well-known shows seamlessly combo modern-day generation with artwork, technological know-how, and layout to offer a glimpse into the possibilities of tomorrow. From interactive installations to immersive digital reality experiences, every corner of the museum invitations exploration and discovery.

One of the highlights of the Museum of the Future is its dedication to showcasing the cutting-edge improvements in fields including synthetic intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. Visitors can surprise at humanoid robots appearing complicated obligations with precision and charm or interact in idea-scary discussions with specialists on the ethical implications of AI-driven decision-making.

But the museum is not just about showcasing the state-of-the-art gadgets and gizmos – it is also a space for talk and collaboration. Throughout the year, the museum hosts workshops, seminars, and meetings that bring collectively thought leaders, innovators, and visionaries from around the sector to discuss pressing global demanding situations and explore modern solutions.

As you wander thru the museum's galleries, you'll stumble upon thought-provoking well-known shows that undertaking your perceptions and ignite your imagination. From futuristic cityscape envisioning sustainable urban residing to mind-bending artistic endeavors that blur the line between reality and fantasy, each exhibit offers a completely unique angle on the sector of tomorrow.

But possibly the most inspiring aspect of the Museum of the Future is its unwavering optimism and belief in the power of human ingenuity to shape a higher future. As you depart the museum and step returned out into the bustling streets of Dubai, you can not assist but sense a experience of pleasure and opportunity for what lies in advance.

In a international this is continuously changing and evolving, the Museum of the Future serves as a beacon of desire and suggestion for generations to come. Whether you are a pro innovator or without a doubt curious approximately the world round you, this captivating museum invites you to dream big and imagine the endless opportunities that lie on the horizon.

As Dubai continues to push the bounds of what is viable, the Museum of the Future stands as a shining example of the town's commitment to shaping a brighter the following day. So, the following time you discover your self on this vibrant city, make sure to pay a visit to this enthralling institution – who knows what wonders you may discover within its partitions.

Essay on AI Ethics (written and illustrated by ChatGPT):

In the realm of AI development, a paradox lurks within the shadows of dataset assembly and algorithmic training—a nuanced challenge echoing Steven Kerr's seminal insights on misaligned incentives. Imagine a world where AI, the beacon of progress, is steered not by the starlight of ethical imperatives but by the undercurrents of expedient data harvesting. Here, the pursuit of efficiency inadvertently sows the seeds of bias and amplification of societal fractures.

The image has been generated, keeping in line with the abstract and metaphorical style discussed. It aims to convey the gravity and danger of unethical content in AI datasets while maintaining a PG rating.

Consider, for a moment, the vast digital expanse from which AI draws its knowledge. Within this boundless ocean, currents of racial, gender, and socio-economic biases swirl, often invisible to the untrained eye. Yet, these undercurrents are potent, capable of subtly steering the course of AI's understanding and interaction with the human world. The challenge then becomes not just a technical hurdle but a philosophical quandary: how to navigate these waters with both speed and moral compass intact.

Here is a new image created with the intention of symbolizing the concept of proactive ethics in AI development. This abstract representation focuses on the importance of addressing ethical considerations early on, featuring elements that suggest growth, technological advancement, and ethical decision-making.

The scale of the endeavor adds layers of complexity. With billions of web pages, each a potential drop in the AI training bucket, the task of manual review transforms into a Herculean labor—not just impractical but Sisyphean. This digital Babel, with its cacophony of voices and perspectives, demands not just curation but discernment—a discernment that is both technically astute and ethically grounded.

This image serves as a visual encapsulation of the themes and concepts discussed in the essay. It visually portrays the ethical challenges and transformative potential of artificial intelligence, representing the dichotomy between unethical data practices and the harmonious integration of AI with human values.

Herein lies the potential for a new vocation, a cadre of experts whose compasses are tuned not just to the magnetic north of data integrity but to the true north of ethical AI. Their task is monumental, akin to cartographers charting the unmapped territories of human knowledge and bias, ensuring that AI's journey is both informed and just.

As we delve deeper into the interplay of AI training and societal impact, let us ponder the implications of these navigational challenges. How do we ensure that AI, our modern Prometheus, illuminates the human condition without igniting the flames of discord and disparity? The journey ahead is as much about the paths we choose as the waypoints we set, guiding AI through the tumultuous seas of human knowledge and experience.

The advancement of AI technology brings with it a labyrinth of ethical challenges, not least of which is the integrity of the data upon which these systems are trained. The revelation of illegal content within the LAION-5B dataset casts a stark light on the sheer scale of the task at hand. This case study underscores not just the technical hurdles but also the moral imperative for rigorous data curation.

In a world increasingly mirrored by the digital, the adage "life imitates art imitates life" takes on new dimensions. AI, as a mirror, has the potential to reflect, but also distort, the societal fabric. The inadvertent amplification of biases—racial, gender, or socio-economic—through AI systems can entrench systemic inequities in ways that are both subtle and insidiously pervasive.

This potential for AI to act as both a mirror and a magnifier of societal ills necessitates a reevaluation of the role of data in training algorithms. The complexity of the human experience, with its myriad nuances and shades of meaning, is reduced to datasets—datasets that may inadvertently encode the very biases we seek to overcome. The task of ensuring these datasets are both representative and ethically sourced is Herculean, demanding not just technical expertise but a deep understanding of the ethical landscape in which AI operates.

The implications of unethical data extend beyond the immediate outputs of AI systems. As AI becomes more embedded in the fabric of daily life, the risk of perpetuating and even amplifying existing societal ills increases. From facial recognition systems plagued by racial bias to AI-driven decision-making in healthcare, finance, and law enforcement, the stakes could not be higher. The feedback loop between AI and society—a loop wherein each influences and shapes the other—demands a proactive and ethically grounded approach to AI development.

In this context, the role of dataset curation emerges as a critical frontier in the quest for ethical AI. The creation of a new vocation—expert dataset curators—offers a pathway to navigate the ethical quagmires of AI training. These individuals, armed with both technical acumen and an ethical compass, stand as the gatekeepers of AI's moral integrity. Their task is not just to sift through the vast digital expanse but to chart a course that aligns AI's potential with humanity's highest aspirations.

The image has been generated. It symbolizes the scale of the newness of AI law and ethics and the rich untapped potential of its applications, styled to complement the set you've provided and evoking a sense of virgin snow and the dawn of exploration.

The quest for ethical AI is akin to charting a course through uncharted waters. It demands not only a keen eye for potential pitfalls but also the wisdom to navigate through them with integrity. Transparency emerges as the beacon, illuminating the origins and makeup of the vast data oceans from which AI learns. It's a call for open seas, where the currents of information are clear for all to navigate, ensuring that the journey of AI development is inclusive and reflective of the diverse spectrum of human experience.

Yet, the voyage does not end with transparency. It is but the first step towards cultivating a realm where accountability reigns. Imagine a world where AI systems and their underlying datasets undergo regular scrutiny, audited for biases and errors as if they were navigators’ tools being checked for accuracy before setting sail. Here, ethical guidelines serve as the compasses, guiding AI practices towards horizons that align with our collective moral and societal values. These guidelines, however, are not static; they evolve, much like the maps of old, expanding and adapting as new territories of understanding are discovered.

As we delve deeper into the fabric of AI ethics, we encounter various ethical frameworks, from the EU’s Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI to IEEE’s Ethically Aligned Design. These frameworks, like constellations in the night sky, offer guidance and principles to steer by. Yet, they are but part of the celestial tapestry, and gaps remain—voids that no single star can fill. It beckons for a collective effort, a gathering of minds from across disciplines—technologists, ethicists, sociologists—to forge new constellations that provide more comprehensive navigation aids for ethical AI development.

This collaborative endeavor seeks not just to draft principles but to instill them into the very fabric of AI, creating actionable standards that breathe life into the ideals of justice, equity, and respect for human rights. Such a multi-stakeholder approach ensures that the development and deployment of AI systems are not merely exercises in technological prowess but are imbued with a deep sense of ethical responsibility and societal well-being.

The journey towards ethical AI is a complex odyssey, fraught with challenges but also rich with the potential for discovery and growth. It calls for a shared vision, one that embraces the full spectrum of human values and ethics, guiding the development of AI technologies in a way that enriches humanity rather than diminishes it. As we chart this course together, let us remain vigilant, ensuring that our modern Prometheus serves to illuminate our world, bringing forth enlightenment and progress that is anchored in our highest ethical aspirations.

As we navigate towards a future enriched by artificial intelligence, the landscape of work, creativity, and ethical engagement is poised for profound transformation. Envision a world where interdisciplinary teams—comprising technologists, ethicists, artists, and community activists—collaborate to design AI systems that not only advance technological prowess but also cultivate societal well-being and justice. Within this ecosystem, new professions emerge, dedicated to curating ethically sourced datasets, developing AI that mirrors the diversity of human experience, and ensuring that AI applications serve the public good.

Businesses, from startups to multinational corporations, might pioneer new models of operation that prioritize ethical AI development, integrating community feedback loops to align product development with societal values. Job opportunities could expand into fields of ethical oversight, AI transparency auditing, and cultural sensitivity analysis, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that respects and enhances human rights and dignity.

Community involvement becomes crucial, with local and global forums facilitating conversations between AI developers and the public, fostering a shared understanding and co-creation of AI technologies that embody our collective aspirations. This collaborative approach not only mitigates the risks associated with AI but also amplifies its potential to address pressing global challenges, from climate change to social inequality, through innovative solutions rooted in ethical consideration and human-centric values.

In this envisioned future, the journey of AI development is a shared odyssey, marked by a commitment to ethical exploration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. It's a future where AI serves as a bridge connecting diverse perspectives, fostering a world where technology and humanity advance together, guided by the stars of ethical imperatives and illuminated by the light of collective wisdom and compassion.

The image has been created as per your request. It symbolizes the concept of AI as both an author and a reviewer, contributing to the creation and analysis of content. The style aligns with the vibrant contrasts between technology and organic elements, embodying the fusion of AI's logical nature with the creative and ethical aspects of human input. This image, alongside the others, can serve as a visual metaphor for the various themes explored in the essay.

The essay presents a comprehensive and ethically focused discussion on the challenges of AI development, particularly the alignment of incentives, ethical dataset curation, and the societal implications of AI technology. It successfully echoes Steven Kerr's insights on misaligned incentives, applying these to AI's ethical landscape. The essay's strengths lie in its exploration of the complexity of dataset integrity, the amplification of societal biases by AI, and the call for a multifaceted approach involving transparency, accountability, and ethical frameworks. However, a critical analysis might highlight potential areas for improvement, such as the need for practical examples of successful ethical AI implementations and a deeper examination of how existing ethical frameworks can be operationalized. Furthermore, while the essay advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement, it could further detail how these collaborations could be structured and the mechanisms for integrating diverse perspectives into AI development. Overall, the essay serves as a thoughtful reflection on the ethical dimensions of AI, encouraging a proactive and informed approach to navigating AI's societal impacts.

Here is the portrait created based on the description provided.

The author of the essay is an individual deeply invested in the ethical considerations of artificial intelligence. His contemplative nature and profound thoughts are reflected in his writings that explore the complex interplay between AI development and societal impact. With a character that suggests depth, he shows a passion for navigating the ethical landscapes of technology, advocating for a world where AI aligns with the highest human values. His wisdom and connection to both nature and technology position him as a thoughtful voice in the discourse on AI ethics.

Exploring the Power of ChatGPT: Revolutionizing Conversations through Artificial

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT stands as a testament to the remarkable advancements in natural language processing. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art language model based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, designed to understand and generate human-like text. This groundbreaking technology has not only captivated the AI community but has also found widespread applications in various industries.

Understanding ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a sibling of the renowned GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) family, known for its ability to predict and generate coherent text based on the input it receives. Trained on diverse and extensive datasets, ChatGPT has honed its language skills to engage in dynamic and contextually relevant conversations.

How ChatGPT Works

At its core, ChatGPT relies on a transformer architecture that processes information in parallel, making it highly efficient in understanding context and generating meaningful responses. Its pre-training involves exposure to vast amounts of internet text, enabling the model to grasp the intricacies of language, including grammar, syntax, and semantics.

OpenAI's Approach to Ethical AI

OpenAI has been at the forefront of emphasizing the responsible use of AI technologies. With ChatGPT, efforts have been made to address concerns related to biased outputs and misuse. The model includes a Moderation API that helps filter content, making it a safer tool for various applications.

Applications Across Industries

ChatGPT has proven to be a versatile tool with applications spanning multiple industries. In customer service, it can handle inquiries, provide information, and troubleshoot issues with human-like responses. Educational institutions leverage ChatGPT for tutoring and language learning, offering personalized assistance to students. The healthcare sector benefits from its ability to assist in information retrieval and answer queries, streamlining communication.

Innovation in Conversational Interfaces

One of the key contributions of ChatGPT is its role in advancing conversational interfaces. By understanding and generating text in a manner that closely resembles human conversation, it has paved the way for more natural and interactive interactions between humans and machines. This has implications for the development of virtual assistants, chatbots, and other interactive AI systems.

Challenges and Future Developments

Despite its success, ChatGPT is not without challenges. Fine-tuning the model to handle highly specific and technical domains remains an ongoing effort. OpenAI continues to refine and expand its capabilities, exploring ways to enhance performance and address limitations.

Conclusion: ChatGPT

ChatGPT represents a significant milestone in the field of natural language processing, demonstrating the potential of AI to understand and generate human-like text. Its applications across various sectors highlight the transformative impact of this technology on how we interact with machines. As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI research, the future holds promise for even more sophisticated and capable conversational AI systems.

Unlocking Innovation: Exploring the Advancements of Claude AI Pro

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In the fast-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, innovative solutions are continuously reshaping how we approach various challenges. Among the emerging players is Claude AI Pro, a cutting-edge AI platform that is making waves in the field. In this article, we delve into the features, applications, and potential impact of Claude AI Pro on industries and everyday life.

Understanding Claude AI Pro:

Claude AI Pro is an advanced artificial intelligence platform designed to offer a wide array of functionalities across different domains. Developed with state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms and a user-friendly interface, Claude AI Pro stands out for its versatility and adaptability.

Key Features:

Natural Language Processing (NLP):

Claude AI Pro boasts powerful natural language processing capabilities, allowing it to understand and interpret human language with remarkable accuracy. This feature enables more intuitive interactions, making it a valuable tool for chatbots, virtual assistants, and customer support systems.

Deep Learning Capabilities:

Leveraging deep learning algorithms, Claude AI Pro excels in handling complex tasks and recognizing intricate patterns. This makes it suitable for applications ranging from image and speech recognition to predictive analytics in various industries.

Customization and Integration:

One of Claude AI Pro's standout features is its adaptability to diverse business needs. Users can customize the platform to meet specific requirements, and it seamlessly integrates with existing systems, enhancing efficiency without disrupting established workflows.

Applications Across Industries:

Customer Service and Support:

With its robust NLP capabilities, Claude AI Pro is well-suited for enhancing customer service operations. It can efficiently handle customer queries, provide relevant information, and streamline issue resolution processes through virtual assistants.

Healthcare Diagnostics:

In the healthcare sector, Claude AI Pro's deep learning capabilities prove invaluable for diagnostics. It can analyze medical images, identify patterns, and assist healthcare professionals in making more accurate and timely diagnoses.

Financial Predictive Analytics:

Financial institutions benefit from Claude AI Pro's predictive analytics features. The platform can analyze vast datasets, identify market trends, and offer insights that assist in making informed investment decisions.

E-commerce Personalization:

E-commerce platforms leverage Claude AI Pro to enhance user experience through personalized recommendations. By understanding user preferences and behavior, the platform suggests products, improving customer satisfaction and boosting sales.

Educational Assistance:

In the education sector, Claude AI Pro can be used for personalized learning experiences. By adapting to individual learning styles, it can provide tailored educational content and support, fostering better understanding and retention.

Future Implications:

As Claude AI Pro continues to evolve, its impact on various industries is likely to expand. The platform's adaptability and multifaceted capabilities position it as a versatile solution for addressing the complex challenges of the digital age.

Conclusion:

Claude AI Pro represents a significant stride forward in the realm of artificial intelligence. Its blend of natural language processing, deep learning capabilities, and customization options make it a standout choice for businesses and industries seeking innovative AI solutions. As the platform continues to evolve, it is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping how we approach tasks and challenges across diverse sectors, heralding a new era of AI-driven innovation.

Stealing from AI 

BOLD all that applies to your character I ITALIC all that somewhat applies to your character I STRIKE out what does not apply to your character

4th Wall Awareness: Some Cartoons have the ability to acknowledge that there is an audience or some type of people watching them, and they're working for a cartoon company.

4th Wall Interaction: Cartoons and users of this power can actually communicate and interact with the audience or people watching them, or the people animating them.

Accelerated Metabolism: Cartoons and users of this power can eat vast qualities of food but never seem to gain permanent weight as they lose it in later/certain events or shortly afterwards.

Acme Arsenal: Cartoons and users of this power are able to be creative and use anything and everything as a weapon.

Anatomic Construct: Caricature without any life-threatening effects.

Anatomical Liberation: Users may be able to detach their body parts.

Animation: Create soldiers, escape Portals, traps, weapons, etc. with art materials, like ink.

Antagonal Impairment: Violent rearrangements are impermanent.

Cartoon Constructs: Constructs out of cartoons.

Cartoon Creature Creation: The ability to create creatures out of cartoons.

Cartoon Materialization: The ability to bring cartoons to life either by creating them with the mind, or using an already created cartoon as a base.

Cyclone Spinning: The power to spin in a tornado-like manner.

Deflation/Inflation: Cartoon characters can be inflated, like a balloon, and then deflated as a result (possibly too much).

Destruction: In setting off an explosive, user can destroy a larger area than planned, possibly annihilating an entire planet. This often leaves only a piece of rock and a character hanging from a root.

Digital Form: User's may acquire this ability while going into the cartoon dimension.

Direct Anvil: Anvil will fall directly on a caricature whether they are still or in motion.

Dream Walking: Can see and jump straight into the dreams of other characters.

Dynamite Action: Dynamite (ACME) and possibly other explosives cannot cause any fatal injuries, while only causing the victim to be covered in black soot and surrounded by smoke.

Empathic Weather Manipulation: Manipulate the weather with your emotions, when your angry you make storms etc.

Elasticity: Stretch limbs or any other part of ones body to absurd lengths.

Extreme Inertia: Any subject/object falls at higher speeds than terminal velocity.

Fantastic Travel: User may freely travel between the lines of variant world faculties (i.e. picture frames, drawings, television, cyberspace, storybooks, reality, painted black dots).

Fat Expansion: User may become much fatter by eating lots of food.

Flat Body: May actually become two-dimensional, like a cartoon character.

Gravity Manipulation: Body suspended in space (i.e. air) will remain suspended until made aware of the pertaining situation of gravity. Also, sometimes gravity still works in space.

Hammered!: This is where a character is slammed by a heavy object (such as a giant POW hammer, or fat people) where they will then be slammed deep into the ground. This usually results in the character making a crater in the ground shaped just like the character and the object combined.

Helicopter Propulsion: The characters can use any part of their body to fly like a helicopter.

Information Viewing and Editing: To bring up and edit a person's information, such as removing powers, adding powers, or doing other wacky stuff with it, even edit their own.

Injury Immunity: User's do not die and are not truly affected by injuries that would otherwise be fatal, but will at least be annoyed or experience some pain from it.

Instant Momentum: Can instantly reposition their body in any location without moving, allowing something similar to teleportation.

Invulnerability: User's can survive situations that can be dangerous, like falling from a certain height or hitting hard surfaces.

Knowledge Manipulation: User can use events to manipulate the knowledge of other characters, leading one of them to take the fall.

Letter Generation: Just like in a comic book, in terms of using swearwords, symbols like @# or ! may appear above the caricature. This may also happen in surprising situations. Words like "BLAP!" or "BOOM" can also show, just like in a comic book.

Luck/Jinxed: Cartoon characters can either be infinitely lucky or infinitely unlucky, to the point that impossible outcomes happen to them either way.

Fictional Mimicry: Cartoon characters are often seen mimicking others from different forms of media.

Omnipresence: If the following someone, the user may happen to be anywhere the follower goes, possibly learning to fly for a moment.

Opening Fanfare: Appearance may cause music to be played.

Pain Suppression: Users can suppress pain until they notice it or until they need to let out a scream.

Parasol Flight: Using a mere umbrella to fly, glide, and hover to various destinations.

Pencil Warping: The user can grab a #2 pencil (Or another tool(s) that can write and erase) and play God.... within comical limits. (IE, Draw Tunnels, Holes, Erase such, mess with attacks, draw attacks, ECT.)

Physics Infringement: In the cartoon world, physics is messed within a lot of ways.

Pocket Dimension: Ability to draw out large objects from seemingly nowhere, usually behind their back or in a pocket.

Possibility Inducement: User can make impossible and illogical events happen.

Randomness Inducement: User can make very random and improbable events happen for seemingly no reason.

Regenerative Healing Factor: Recover from damage and regenerate lost limbs, organs, and other body parts. Some almost instantly. For animal cartoons, this is mostly seen only applying to tails.

Reversed Vocifery: When saying things like, "Nothing can go wrong," something wrong can happen. The character ultimately says "I could be wrong" just to prove it.

Ricochet Inducement: Users can cause people or object to ricochet in a cartoonish fashion. Enemies may also cause them to bounce instead.

Semi-Immortality: Cartoon characters never age. They stay exactly the same age over the years.

Sharp Jab: Slightest perforation implicates caricature to shoot skyward, screaming.

Shapeshifting: If the character is interacting with the animator, the animator can erase the body of the character and replace it with a new one - for example, Screwball Daffy.

Smoke Generation: When a fight is beginning, a gray cloud appears and covers the involved caricatures, with hands, feet and/or heads sticking out.

Spontaneous Musical Number: Users can break out into song and dance or cause one. As with some musicals, this can temporarily create a different world suited for the song, and have a variety of physics-defying effects.

Supernatural Condition: Be physically/mentally superior to humans.

Synchronized Movement: Cause another character to move in a way that is synchronized with that of the user, until someone secretly breaks the chain.

Targeting: When discharging a firearm, user can still cut through its target, even if it looks like that they missed by a long way (but not too far).

Tasks: Some cartoon characters are willing to go through a lot of trouble to pull off their personal missions. If they ever put these missions aside for any reason, they come back to them at some point.

Technology Manipulation: User can cause technology to do bizarre things. For example, the cherries on a fruit machine can turn out to be bombs.

Teleportation: Can go inside one tunnel or door and come out of another one. This usually results in two characters ending in different places, despite going through the same door.

Zip!: User may run away at very high speeds. Some cartoon characters, like Road Runner or Speedy Gonzales, have this as a natural ability.

Nature Manipulation: This can also apply to every aspect of nature, possibly causing volcanic eruptions, earthquakes or meteor showers when angry.

Flattened: In some cases the character will be made paper-thin. However, this can also be caused by being hit by large objects, like a train.

Wing Manifestation: In some cases, they can use two things or body parts as wings.

Energy Solidification: Sometimes, this applies to kinetic or emotional energy, making it appear outside of an impact area or a sudden change in emotion for a split second.

Magic: An idea that messes more with physics, and is believed to be magic, can be part of the cartoon's storyline.

Metaphoric Shapeshifting: The character will turn into something depending on the metaphorical situation like a lollipop emblazoned with the word "Sucker" (the character has just been tricked) or a donkey with optional braying (the character is stupid or being a (jack)ass).

Tagged by: NO ONE

Tagging: DO IT

Halo 4

The game-player in me is thrilled with the very pretty levels, new weapons, flashy enemies and more creative, less linear methods of level progression/interaction. Lovely soundtrack as always, though the random peppy upbeat music overlaid on a race-to-save earth battle is still hilarious. This game was fun and enjoyable to play, a great few evenings' worth of distraction and some nice catharsis for a little current-events-related attitude. The last quarter felt like a meat-grinder slog, but then, it's endgame of an FPS. What else is it going to be?

The writer in me is rolling their eyes.

(there’s an whole essay under the cut) ((I really hope these cuts work on all platforms, if not I am sincerely sorry; it’s like a thousand words long))

Ok, so the first three games were a fairly standard blank-slate FPS protagonist. Play as an armored super-soldier fighting to save Humanity from the Monsters, with a Sexy AI Sidekick and some Battle Buddies. Not what I'd call high art in gaming, but I can understand its popularity and the enduring appeal of a simple, straight-forward "if it moves shoot it" style of play. No escort missions, no puzzles, really no boss battles requiring tricks and analysis. Just "if that didn't kill it, keep shooting or use a bigger gun."

Writing-wise, there's not a lot of characterization but overall Indications that MC is well-recognized, well-liked, has a sense of humor and a camaraderie with his co-workers, is pals with his Sexy AI and is a generally level-headed person-shaped brick. It's an early 2000's Military FPS, it's not about the characters, it's about role-playing as an indestructible military hero who always saves the girl. It's the game equivalent of John Carter of Mars-genre action hero stories (books, not movie.) This does not absolve it of the crime of woman-as-sexy-or-dead, but it is par for the course.

So on to game #4. 

This game was released in late 2012, in a post-Mass Effect gaming market. #4 has a ME2/3 feel to it, which makes sense. They're both very popular flashy scifi action games with similar graphics/design feel (and with Sexy AIs but that's another conversation about the literally unreal 'idealization' of womanhood in a male-dominated creator/created space!)

It opens with the storyline revelation that MC is a brainwashed and conditioned child-soldier, alleges he's got some issues with performing basic human functions and clarifies that Cortana's existence is the "band-aid" applied to that problem. On the MC side, Cortana's expiration date has passed and she's fragging out, giving MC a personal reason to want to get home. This combines to give the player a sense of urgency- if Cortana dies, it's not just "sad," it's "MC will lose his band-aid and all his humanity will bleed out." This is also I think the first time the POV is, narratively-speaking, third-person (we know things MC doesn't or couldn't know) instead of solely first-person (I'm not counting Arbiter’s story as breaking first-person, as it's still limited to player character POV.)

As a Writer, here's my issues: 

- MC is given a traumatic backstory as a brainwashed child-soldier to what? Justify a damaged emotional state, as if emotional wounding and isolation isn't a very common, very human point to reach after having experienced and participated in war at any age? Justify being unable to function without Cortana’s hand-holding? And then the game never goes back and addresses that opening cut-scene. 

- Cortana's existence had a built-in, known expiration, but she was still (retconned?) created to provide MC his primary band-aid. Either this was extremely short-sighted of the Spartan R&D team, or MC likewise was expected to expire on the same timeline. There's no talk of planning ahead for this problem that would render an extremely expensive asset fundamentally useless. (ok there’s Cortana’s “they’ll pair you with someone else but it won’t be me” line, but that isn’t exactly smoothing the transition any.)

- We the audience/player now know Cortana's death will have personal, negative repercussions on the MC's health outside of grief and trauma over loss of a friend and partner. She exists solely for his benefit, and must continue existing for his benefit, and the plot's urgency driven forward by his need to continue benefiting. It's not about saving Cortana, it's about saving MC. This would be fine if her character existence was framed as "computer service program," but it isn't. Prior to this game, narrative and gameplay repeatedly tells the audience she's a character and not just MC's security blanket.

- The above, coupled with her "stock naked lady sexy" design, has Implications of how the writing team figured they could fit a female character into their narrative. So far we have A) woman who fails to complete a heroic sacrifice and is shot in the back and dies pointlessly, B) woman whose visual and intellectual existence is tailored solely to benefit the MC and has no autonomy outside of that existence and C) woman as 'fallen mother/evil crone' who perpetrated the brainwashing on the MC. (Female Spartan in the mammoth got a whole three lines; female scientist with a bag of nukes? She… died pointlessly.)

(I swear I did not intend this to be an analysis of female roles in the Halo main game franchise but hey, my first memorable introduction to the FPS genre was Mysteries of the Sith where, playing as female jedi Mara Jade, you save the guy by making him acknowledge the value of a non-romantic peer relationship! That game was made in 1997.)

For Cortana, in 1 I got the impression she was a shipboard AI like EDI in Mass Effect, not an AI specific to MC. Her characterization feels like it's been shifted each game from a warship AI capable of coordinating fleet-wide maneuvers and going toe-to-toe with Guilty Spark to a cowering captive of Gravemind needing physical rescue to a Pocket Pal for MC to cover for his emotional shortcomings and inability to interact with technology more complex than "a button."

Having an AI programmed to be essentially a therapy dog or social caretaker, and exploring the complexities of that role related to the invisible and unquantifiable damage violence visits on the human body and brain would be a very interesting story. An AI designed for coordinating war on a massive scale who despite "winning" each battle finds its platform systematically reduced until the only "ship and crew" left are just one person would also be an interesting story! Why are we left with "my girlfriend's dying and I'm going to starve because she's the only one who knows how to cook."

tl;dr: the opening cutscene was detrimental to the plot, characterization and world-building. The game would have been fine as a story about a soldier coming to terms with his best friend’s inevitable death while trying to save the planet, and would have preserved Cortana’s game 1 identity as an autonomous AI who lost her ship and partnered up with MC of her own free will. The ending of “we saved each other, if just for a little while, and will grieve but will continue on” would have been stronger IMO than “I’m going to save you-I’m going to save you-NOPE.”

I am an antivirus program (2020)

> CHAPTER 2 The new human type cannot be properly understood without an awareness of what he is continuously exposed to from the world - Theodor Adorno. Minima Moralia, 1951 We can not change the medium as the medium is predicated on the message (use my square space code for a 10% discount)- we are fixed in this web 2.0 and the control of knowledge will be met with the streamlining of UI and UX design. Design tools like the adobe programs will continue to increase their premium and their monopoly hold on the design space - to be a designer is to be implicated with this process, regardless if you pirate software or notThis is where I raise flags against the tepid conglomeration of blog sites and web in general, the astroturfing of the internet has only amplified the feedback of Graphic Design. You’d typically call this commercial design. Commercial design fits the criteria of an evolving media world, “It is important to note that this ultimate stage of pictorialization was a reversal of pattern. The world of body and mind...was not photographical at all, but anonvisual set of relations”1. Commercial Design started to drive an efficiency science behind it’s aesthetic - you make the access mode immediate and your engagement success is far higher, and you do this through the pictogram, and when photography came about, that too was made into a design appendage. “To understand the medium of the photograph is quite impossible, then, without grasping its relations to other media, both old and new. For media, as extensions of our physical and nervous systems, constitute a world of biochemical interactions that must ever seek new equilibrium as new extensions occur.”1 This is potentially a valuable understanding of media, and thus design, presented by media theorist Marshall Mcluhan, commercial design (and all art and design in a sense) are schizophrenic presentations of the world, they accumulate meanings outside the presented scope of an advertisement, or typography - they link the relational experience of the mass media consumer, as Mcluhan states. However, this is not all, he states an ‘equilibrium as new extensions occur’ - in my context now this weighs with a great importance, we know the new extensions already, something that Mcluhan unfortunately didn’t get to experience fully, and that’s the web, the modern computer, the pocket mobile device. These are in their own rights mediums, your OS (operating system) is a computer language medium that dictates other program mediums, the access mode to the rest of the systems of design, websites contain live feeds and streams to distant realities, it’s all so lucid but at the same time it feels like an astral projection. At times this can feel nauseating, that collapsing feeling of ‘space’ and ‘time’. This presents a wider problem with modern design, technology has embedded itself into the core of the practice since the dawn of paper and pen, stone and chisel etc. The problem being that while technology has stopped gapped connectivity, it refuses to go further - refuses to return the creativity of a design practice unless commandeered. This has led to the necessity for the designer to code, and script, to kit bend and utilise AI - once again “fragmenting” the work role. “Under conditions of electric circuitry, all the fragmented job patterns tend to blend once more into involving and demanding roles or forms of work that more and more resemble teaching, learning, and “human” service, in the older sense of dedicated loyalty.” Graphic design namely has done well to adapt and reshape, showing its versatility in the age of digital design. Not only that, it hybridizes aesthetic models much like a fashion season generates new styles, which keeps design itself fresh and alive, while sometimes slipping into the contrived and over-saturated. But is the “human” service really what Graphic Design is becoming? It certainly hints to this with the proactive design studio model. Interaction and Bureaucracy, it’s an efficiency tactic. All design requires hierarchy even if that hierarchy is to not have one. I see the office space, I remember the spider plant, I see the shore line, I see the whitecaps. The workers space is a micro-territorial space of capital politics and a grab for faux socialism in most cases, in some, it is an honest attempt to form comradery - the cafeteria is an effective grounds to reinforce or detourne this thinking. People like artist Olafur Eliasson effectively install a commons space for the studio team to interact and communicate, job roles are made equal in that space. “The studio, as much as we don’t like it, means working in your own little departments, compartmentalised. And there are hierarchies even though everyone’s a part of the democracy. The kitchen is a nice leveller.” It’s a universal ideology that falls into a majority of Eliasson’s work that provides an effective future-proof for how the operations of studio practice should be carried out (see the Auteur myth). My cynicism is only symptomatic of the consumerist prerequisite that allows design to exist in the first place - a degree in the topic definitely is met with a careerist sentiment, to be financially viable within a milieu of art and design subjects. Graphic Design should not try to divorce itself from this grouping, it stands stronger with the complex wovings and multitudes that allow it to bloom as an individual practice that arranges the practice of others. The efforts here are a concern with the design practice no less, and how ethics and politics are sequestered by a shifting responsibility of effects, how and why Graphic design mutated into the corporate virus that it is now. ”All media work us over completely.”8 This is Mcluhan’s sentiment from his writings in the 60’s, and It stands up true to this day, more so than ever. Algoration (the use of data algorithms to curate a web feed) are notorious and globally implemented into most ‘social media’, but outside social media, it’s used as predictive data. This is the “reversal pattern”, Graphic Design puts a face to this slippery coded underbelly. The automation of design media has become an efficient business strategy to overmine its user base data, and subsequently requires illustration. To be concise, the study of the Graphic Designer is in part the study of Media, the study of media is the lens of relational activities and connectivity. And this is the permitted virus. Adversely, the antivirus program is a research protocol invested in studying the autonomy available to a Graphic Designer, and an extended hand to all fragmented sectors that require a similar reclamation. Language dictates media – media manufactures consent, therefore language manufactures consent. A small quibble no less, that the Graphic Designer goes to bed with media every day. And in the morning they arise with vast spawns of editorials, emailing lists, content posts - lots of fucking content posts by content creatures. The homogeneous sprawl of media is a compounded expository of new design conditions. “Today, the mass audience can be used as a creative, participating force. It is, instead, merely given packages of passive entertainment.”8 The passive entertainment is reflexive of its audience, an audience that is content on not being challenged when engaging and consuming media, not being challenged when creating and releasing it - the language logic is a false preposition - things don’t have to occur in the forefront of our percepts, media can be a stealth operation for critical theory or a dog whistle for nazis. Even a glass of milk is steeped in meaning. “The photograph is just as useful for collective, as for individual, postures and gestures, whereas written and printed language is biased toward the private and individual(s) posture.”1 Mcluhan and designer Rapheal Roake seem to fit perfectly in collusion with one another here, “All design is a political act”, this fits Mcluhan’s collective principle for the photograph precisely, as this explicitly gives backing to the relational dynamics of media itself, it sits in the collective sphere - the global village. It all begins to feel like a fever dream, the spectres of Helvetica, Comic sans and Papyrus jumping on your chest as you’re paralysed in a waking dream. Blink and you’ll miss the horses head 144hz refresh rate. The grid settings of your life are closing in tighter and tighter as you cant kern in a moment for peace, please adobe I’m plugged in to your creative cloud let me use my kettle already, yes dear, they’re wacom tablet plates, we threw out the cutlery and replaced them for tote bags and ironic panel hats. The decoherence of the 21st century is here and it’s got anthropocene smeared all over its lips. Everyone wants to fuck their OLED displays, the screen is constantly flirting with me, it bulges and writhes along with it’s circuitry like an obscene Cronenburg slide show, and with a tilt of the hinge, it rips my hands straight off the bone. It’s simultaneously psychosexual and completely meaningless, but there doesn’t seem to be any Big Other alternative, can you see the demons wearing the guise of post-modernity, and where they emit a solar flare? Just tryna game the system can’t you see, if I shake it at just the right moment, at the right angle, I’ll get an additional diet coke. You don’t understand how fucking much I like diet coke. A man who finds himself among others drinking diet coke is irritated because he does not know why he is not one of the others drinking diet coke. I have graphic design Stockholm syndrome, what do you mean you don’t know who Gerrit Noordzij is? At this point going outside will trigger my flight or fight response, I’m afraid of being swooped by seagulls while I’m bound on a rock, I sleep in a bed with a faraday blanket, I’m absolutely glowing, washed in sunlight. “As for the anticipation of reality by images, the precession of images and media in relation to events, such that the connection between cause and effect becomes scrambled and it becomes impossible to tell which is the effect of the other” These collective postures translate into all modern media and are littered with effects. One is singular and rhizomatic in any given instance of engagement towards media and the invisible hand of the ‘designer’. And on the contrary the medium is an assemblage of arborescence and is later politicised in the factory line assembly - a by-product of ‘essential’ capital labor. The capital fiction is overwritten by the post-market mythos of a company and it’s figureheads, it’s in-house publishing team use individual members to feature in nice magazines. Effects, we are overcome by so many different effects daily, to the extent that we become desensitized to the potential the subsequent causes and effects, modern reality makes sure to compound these consequences of media to a sensory overload of hysteria, the neurotic ones take to pinterest to organise themselves. We like to order things, It gives clarity and comfort within the dysphoria and entropy of our lives, pinterest, tumblr, are.na, instagram are all negentropical solutions in an overstimulated digital environment. “Instant communication insures that all factors of the environment and of experience coexist in a state of active interplay.”8 To understand this I need to clarify that the medium, the message, the photograph and all subsets of visual and nonvisual information are communication - it goes without saying - but this establishes the politicised and astroturfed space of Graphic Design, a designer is expected to make commercially viable work to thrive, and usually this is achieved by co-opting styles to any degree appropriate to a brief. This results is the parody, the hyperstition and hyperobject - an overly ironic and self aware ventilation apparatus that keeps the gimmicks of Graphic Design alive. The overtures of a design piece can appear stark placid and regurgitated. It’s very much easy to default to a ctrl-c, ctrl-v automation process. Reinforced no less by an autodidact push of some educational institutions - more concerned with juggling design briefs than focusing their teachings on a core design system (despite their ever love for the Bauhaus - yes huni the library is open). Of course, with the new emphasis on a technology dominated world we are expected to rely and reinforce the techno-dependent designer (work smart not hard). And we are yet to catch up to this mutation in design, where design was once a phylogeny of different features that collected to assume a physical medium, centrered on type, constrained by fibres and ink and oil - these components have congealed onto the Macbook, the ergonomics of physical/digital unbound the Designer from the difficulties of a physical medium. So why do we remain in the realm of rehashing typefaces and conventional media, why are we tied down to the revolving doors of design trends - surely now than ever we have all the components, all the tools to produce new design movements, this can’t keep up “When the circuit learns your job, what are you going to do?”8

Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work in Social Enterprises

Today in London, our Ogunte #ImpactWomen #GoodBreakfast audience wanted to know more about Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the truth, the misconceptions, and how we can use them in our social enterprises, and shape the future of work. Here’s the summary of our session, packed with resources!

This session was hosted and animated by:

Karen Rivoire, Chief People Officer at Purpose in Action, (Sony, Microsoft Reactor, Unilever, WPP), passionate about human interaction, organisational health and the future of work, focused on Augmenting human capability with intelligent systems,

Be Kaler, Founder and Director of Futureheads Recruitment Ltd, Founder and Director of The User Centred Design Society  and a Trustee to Hope For Children

Servane Mouazan, Founder and Director of Ogunte CIC, specialised in Women in Social Enterprises, and Lead Partner at Conscious Innovation.

1. First a bit of myth debunking

It’s important to explore what Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are really about, and what they can and can’t do.

“Artificial intelligence is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals. In computer science AI research is defined as the study of "intelligent agents": any device that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of successfully achieving its goals”

Read about the fascinating history of Artificial Intelligence starting in Antiquity.

Then have a look at this A to Z cheat sheet about the terms that are frequently used and misused on the topic.

2. There is Weak AI and Strong Ai

AI is not limited to a story of robots. That would be a pretty simplistic way to describe what it is…

So let’s distinguish Weak AI (very narrow, what Artificial Intelligence is today), Artificial intelligence which is specifically programmed and focused to execute a narrow task effectively.  Fos instance: only facial recognition or only internet searches or only driving a car

We are far from taking over the world!

There might be some AI applications coming together and solve big problems, however we are not there yet …

The Future of Life Institute (a volunteer-run research and outreach organization in the Boston area that works to mitigate existential risks facing humanity, particularly existential risk from advanced artificial intelligence) say that to have a realistic time line about the developments in AI, you need to at least double your time expectations to see any substantial developments.

And then there is “Strong AI”

The main vision is to develop artificial intelligence to the point where the machine's intellectual capability is functionally equal to a human's.

We can see efforts in applications wishing to mimic humans. Yet we are not talking about mimicking the way humans think and do.

“Humans are not necessarily a superior species. It’s our ability to deal with complexity that is interesting and using tech to augment this, is useful. However we need to be very mindful to the decisions we make,” says our guest Karen Rivoire.

An algorithm is a list of rules to follow in order to solve a problem. Algorithms need to have their steps in the right order to work properly.

They also depend on the information input. If it is biased, the output will be biased too.

We have handed over decisions to algorithms we wouldn’t have let go off  in the past.

As technology develops, our host Karen insisted there is still time to influence the development of the technology, but we need to get involved now. Our knowledge of communities, our proximity, our connections, are of key importance.

At the moment some organisations are using technology to research and solve issues in health, science, energy consumptions and more, such as Deep Mind (acquired by Google in 2014).

One of Deep Mind’s approaches is to use AI to deliver better care for conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.

3. So what do I do first?

Remember that an algorithm is a programme. We can not programme human brains into 1 and 0s. THE PROGRAMMING doesn’t solve the problem.

Start with understanding your own data. Does it fit your purpose?

Audit your organizational processes, what needs to be more mindful, where you need more evidence, more automation, more learning. Look at your values, your identity, your emotional intelligence (how you develop it how you use it) and how inclusive you are in your operations and impact.

Remember that your expertise in social innovation, and your purpose-led work is as important as technology.

Your input and actions need to be personalised and fair but only with great customer insight and coherence.

Finally, technology (good data and analytics) can reinforce value-driven leadership.

Karen advocates using the P.A.I.R. methodology

Purposeful

Adaptive

Intersectional/Inclusive,

Resilient

and to encourage staff and stakeholders to immerse themselves into a life-long learning mindset.

Questions samples:

How am I protective of my own data?

How much do I know about the data I have in house?

What do I want to learn?

How can I best use data to serve the participants in my purpose-led organization?

How does it help me to work towards a positive and intersectional social impact?

4. Explore the AI protocol.

Robbie Stamp, Chief Executive of Bioss International (working around judgment and decision making), gives an overview of the Bioss AI Protocol in this video.

Think about your Artificial Intelligence systems...

- Is the work they are doing Advisory? Does it inform your judgement? Is the decision eventually made by humans.

- Has the AI been granted Authority over any human being?

- Have you granted the AI Agency? Can it commit resources without human intervention? (Like in the Stock Exchange, or agency to machines to write code or repair their own code...)

- Application: are we clear when we abdicate responsibility to a machine... (eg a driverless car making decisions whilst you are doing something else and not paying attention to the core task as you’ve abdicated responsibility)

- Accountability: all humans have some sense of responsibility (albeit imperfect!) An AI cannot be accountable in the way humans currently are. Can it ever be?

5. Immerse yourself in AI world through powerful connections and reading

Hoover on the names to open links

Inspirational Women (What would we do without them... )

Cathy O’Neil : Mathbabe.org Weapons of Math Destruction.

Catherine Helen O'Neil is an American mathematician and the author of the blog mathbabe.org and several books on data science, including Weapons of Math Destruction. Some AI stuff has been created without basic Math foundations nor statistical ground. Cathy challenges this.

Kate Crawford – ate Crawford is a leading researcher, academic and author who has spent the last decade studying the social implications of data systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

We programme codes with huge bias in. Kate challenges that.

Joanna Bryson Polymath psychologist and computer scientist.  Associate Professor in the Department of Computing at the University of Bath, Joanna works on Artificial Intelligence, ethics and collaborative cognition. She asks: How to use tech to become even more human?

Tabitha Goldstaub Co Founder of CognitionX, a Market Intelligence Platform for All Things Artificial Intelligence enabling people and companies to educate themselves and get community led recommendations on how to deploy AI.

Martine Rothblatt The founder of Sirius XM satellite radio, Martine Rothblatt now heads up a drug company that makes life-saving medicines for rare diseases (including one drug that saved her own daughter's life). Meanwhile she is working to preserve the consciousness of the woman she loves in a digital file ... and a companion robot.

Networks:

TechSheCan: a diverse range of organisations who believe that together we will make a much greater impact to address the root cause of the problem. (Video and video transcript)

AiforGood Artificial Intelligence for Global Sustainable Development

TeensinAI exists to increase diversity and inclusion in artificial intelligence

Reading

Exponential View newsletter: Azeem Azhar's wondermissive on technology, the future & society.

Tim o’Reilly: What’s the future and Why it’s up to us

The Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence

Pete Trainor:  An author, applied Artificial Intelligence designer, technologist, accidental polymath, mental health campaigner and co-founder of Us Ai. He talks all over the world on creative & social technologies, data, Ai and the physiological & psychological effects on their audiences.

Read Futureheads’ Be Kaler’s write up on the hype / trust issues around AI.

Read OECD’s white papers on the Future of Work, and the list breakdown of routine and non routine jobs that will stay or go in the near future.

Events to attend

·  Internet Freedom Festival- Valencia, Spain- Yearly event every March.

·  RightsCon  Tunis 2019.

·  Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and  DeepMind on The role of Citizens in Developing Ethical AI

·  Get a nano degree at General Assembly and explore learning at Udacity’s School of AI

There are many ways we can help you grow your social venture or impact on women and girls, check out @Ogunte services here.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly driving crucial developments in technology and businesses. It is being employed across a wide range of industries with an impact on almost every aspect of the creation. The availability of large amounts of training data and the advances in affordable high computing power is fueling AI’s growth.

Today, the tasks that AI can perform were unimaginable a few years ago. Whether it is creating music, original artwork, literature, or even new technology, AI has achieved it all. However, a vital question that arises is. “Who owns the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in the works created by AI?” Is it the person, who bought/put the AI to use to create the particular result, or is it the inventor of the AI, or better yet, is the AI in itself the owner of such creations? Before our current legal questions can find definite answers to these questions, it is imperative to understand the various possibilities, their complexities, and implications.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

AI is generally considered to be a discipline of computer science aimed at developing machines and systems that can carry out tasks considered to require human intelligence. Machine learning and deep learning are two subsets of AI. In recent years, with the development of new neural network techniques and hardware, AI is usually perceived as a synonym for “deep supervised machine learning.”

Machine learning uses examples of input and expected output (so-called ‘structured data’ or ‘training data’) to continually improve and make decisions without being programmed how to do so in a step-by-step sequence of instructions. This approach mimics the actual biological cognition: a child learns to recognize objects (such as cups) from examples of the same objects (such as various kinds of cups). Today, the applications of machine learning are widespread, including email spam filtering, machine translation, voice, text, and image recognition.

AI-Created Works

Earlier, computer-generated works used to rely heavily on the inputs of the programmer, and the machine was, at the most, an instrument or tool. Over time, the technological revolution has led to the rapid development of machine learning software, a subset of AI that produces autonomous systems capable of learning without being programmed specifically by a human.

A computer program developed for machine learning purposes has a built-in algorithm that allows it to learn from data input and to evolve and make future decisions, which may be either directed or independent. When applied to art, music, and literary works, machine learning algorithms are learning from input provided by programmers. They learn from these data to generate a new piece of work, making independent decisions throughout the process to determine what the new work looks like exactly. A vital feature for this type of AI is that while programmers can set parameters, the work is generated by the computer program itself – referred to as a neural network – in a process akin to the thought process of humans.

Copyright for AI Created Works

In 2016, a group of museums and researchers in the Netherlands unveiled a portrait titled ‘The Next Rembrandt,’ a new artwork generated by a computer that had analyzed thousands of works by the 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. A short novel written by a Japanese computer program in 2016 reached the second round of a national literary prize. In another instance, the Google-owned AI Company Deep Mind has created software that can generate music by listening to recordings. Other projects have seen computers write poems, edit photographs, and even compose a musical.

For determining what constitutes a creative work eligible for Copyright Protection, most national copyright regimes rely on the concepts of authorship and originality, among others.

For a work to be protected by copyright – there needs to be creative involvement on the part of an ‘author.’ In the European Union, there is no exact definition of an ‘author,’ but case-law in civil law nations, such as France, Germany, and Spain have established that only human creations are protected. The same essentially means that works reflect the author’s personality. In common-law nations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, to name a few, the Copyright Law follows the utilitarian theory, according to which incentives and rewards for the creation of works are provided in exchange for access by the public, as a matter of social welfare. Under this theory, personality is not as central to the notion of authorship, suggesting that a door might be left open for non-human authors. In 2016, there was a selfie taken by a monkey (popularly known as the ‘monkey selfie case’) where it was held that there could be no copyright in pictures taken by a monkey, precisely because the pictures were taken without any human intervention. The main issue is that copyright can only be granted to a human.

The UK’s Copyright Designs and Patents Act, 1988 somewhat provides a solution to this problem. Section 9(3) states that “the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken.”

This provision assumes some form of creative intervention by a human and not autonomous generation by a computer program alone. It creates legal fiction.

When we talk of originality, it is widely understood under copyright law that a work is original if it reflects the “author’s intellectual creation,” i.e., the expression of the author’s personal touch and the result of free creative choices. When we talk in the context of the originality of AI-generated works, the question, which then arises, is – Does the AI make free and creative choices? Since an AI is implemented by computational means, some argue that the AI is not making a free choice but rather building upon what has already been programmed into it by the programmer. On the other hand, some strongly advocate that AI indeed makes its own creative choices. These areas are still exceedingly new and grey to reach a definite conclusion.

Patents on AI made Inventions

Invention by AI is the future of innovation. Inventing computers are routinely used to create new technologies, such as BMW’s recent design of self-driving automobiles. Few people believe that it is only a matter of time before AI is responsible for the majority of inventions in the world. The same raises the issue of how the Patent System should treat the technologies created solely by AI with insufficient human engagement to recognize a human inventor. The question of whether, and to whom, patents can be granted for AI inventions is yet to be addressed by the legislature and courts.

A primary requirement for inventorship is making a significant contribution to the invention. In the case of TS Holdings, Inc. vs. Schwab, Mr. Barry Schwab was hired to create a video product to be used in automobile marketing. Schwab had obtained a patent on the subsequent invention, and his employer later alleged that he should be included as an inventor. The court disagreed, rejecting arguments that Schwab’s employer was an inventor because he “financed the reduction to practice” and was the initial reason why Schwab began work on the invention. Because providing monetary support and instructing others to create new technology – are not sufficient to constitute an invention, Schwab’s employer was not an inventor.

The case mentioned above establishes that a human using inventing AI is not an inventor for purposes of Patent Law. To initiate AI invention, a person may input seed information, including existing technologies – for instance, for neural networks or relevant parameters to be optimized. Such acts are seen as merely providing AI with access to existing knowledge in the field. Furthermore, the fact that a person – finances, owns, or operates the AI is insufficient to qualify that person as an inventor. In such situations, a person may be responsible for an invention, but they have not invented a new technology. A primary goal of the patent system is the dissemination of technological advances. If AI patents are refused, it will lead to software creators not disclosing their AI inventions themselves and rather keeping them a trade secret. The same will certainly go against the primary goal of the patent regime. Unfortunately, most legal systems are not yet equipped to answer these questions in black and white.

The Bottom Line

The current position of AI under IP is problematic, wherein recognition of works generated by AI is a step towards the future, but its implementation is the real problem. As AI digs deeper and deeper into more of our interactions, we want to reflect deeply on what sets human creativity and ingenuity apart from the work of the machines we are setting forth into the world. IP law was created to reward the creation of novel ideas and to pass them into the public domain after a limited period. So, to what extent do we want to reward machine creation of ideas or discredit them, particularly in comparison with traditional human creations? Views on this stay starkly divided. Some believe that IPRs should be granted to the owner of the IP, at whose behest the work is generated. On the other hand, some argue that this would go against the very core of the IP system and provide a possible solution that AI-generated works should remain in the public domain and be treated as a separate class. However, then again, the question arises as to the liability in case of infringement by AI. Who would we hold accountable if AI infringes upon an invention or copyright? Is it the creator, the user, or the AI itself? Moreover, how would we ‘punish’ AI?  It is not possible to pin the entire blame on the inventor since AI is the self-learning machine, and the inventor may never have envisaged the infringing situation. Few have even suggested treating AI as ‘minors’ under law, with the owner or inventor as the legal guardian being responsible for any illegal act by AI. All of these arguments, on the one hand, make sense in the context of AI but, on the other hand, have several loopholes and unanswered questions. The world will only have to wait and see how jurisdictions integrate AI-generated works into their legal systems with time. ✅ For more visit: https://www.kashishipr.com/

ARS Electronica 2019 – Understanding AI - Part 1

Earlier in the autumn the basement of Ars Electronica Center had been reopened with two totally new exhibition, both relevant for the Machine Vision Project: Understanding AI and Global Shift. We visited these exhibitions both for the festival pre-opening  program and late for a deeper dive into the very information rich and detailed exhibitions. All together we probably spent 5 hours there without really able to cover everything in depth. 

Understanding AI What is artificial intelligence? And what do we actually know about human intelligence? How intelligent can artificial intelligence be in comparison? And more importantly: what effects will the advances in this field have on our society? https://ars.electronica.art/center/en/exhibitions/ai/

Understanding AI combines artworks, research, visualizations and interactive experiences trying to explain what AI is now as in Machine Learning. The exhibition emphasizes on the positives of AI, however, between the lines also issues of privacy, biases and other “highly questionable” use of AI is brought forth. Whereas the Uncanny Values exhibition in Vienna was bringing fort social, economical, ethical and democratic issues from a discourse around ethical/fair use of AI the Ars Electronica exhibition was very didactic and aimed to explain the technology in a very detailed way.

Following some highlights from the perspective of my research:

When entering the exhibition the first thing one faces is facial recognition. Later one realizes being part of the WHAT A GHOST DREAMS OF (2019) artwork by artist collective H.O. According to the artist the artwork questions: What do we humans project into the digital counterpart we are creating with AI? It is getting to know our world without prior knowledge and generating data that never existed. What are the effects of using AI to produce works of art? Who holds the copyright? And what is AI, the “ghost,” dreaming about, and what does that mean for us as human beings?

Getting down the stairs to the basement we naturally continue to explore questions about facial and emotion recognition. Mixed on a wall are research papers, websites, industry apps, viral deep fake videos and (artistic) research such as Adam Harvey’s Mega Pixels  or Gender Shades by Joy Buolamwini team.The mix brings applications of facial and emotion detection both showing how advanced the technology however questioning the ethical aspects of it as well as. Research shows how “fake” faces produced and getting more realistic bringing also forth problematic uses of deep fakes.

On the long wall one can try Affectiva’s emotion detection app. One can also watch Lucas Zanottos film in which he used very simple everyday objects to express feelings, together with the emotion detection app these works raises questions of how emotions are mapped to our facial expressions.

Further the visitor can read how neural networks were trained to recognize criminal faces in a Chinese study, and how e.g. Amazon Face recognition failed to mach lawmakers faces.

One section of the wall questions what can be read in a face followed by examples such as face2gene and faception the first an app to recognize genetic syndrome from a child’s picture and the second profiling faces into categories such as High IQ, Poker face, Terrorist or Pedophile. Even if info layers refer to Physiognomy here a sharper tone on condemning such applications and revealing their dangers would have been beneficial. Also the the highly alerting study on training AI to recognizes sexual orientation from facial images is only paired with a question if AI understands what it sees, rather than implications of making such an study or application in the first place. How ever a section of the wall is dedicated to problematic use of facial recognition in predictive policing and oppressive use in a surveillance state such as China. The anecdote on the wall referring to public shaming of jail walkers.

One section on the wall is turning our attention to the generation of faces using neural networks. The “Obama Deep Fake” by Researchers at the University of Washington and AI generated news anchors are paired with artist Matthias Nießner face2face in which he plays the puppet master with Trumps face. In addition a research on generating very realistic fake faces by a company called NVIDIA shows how fast such fakes are getting harder to recognize. Here I would like to seen a segment on how spoofing fakes is also very important as described e.g. by artist Kyle McDonald

Just watched a bunch of first episodes of the new anime season and most promising?

Youjo Senki (Saga of Tanya the Evil)

The premise caught me, a salaryman reincarnated into a kill-crazy magical girl in AU Germany at war, but I didn’t realise that the characters, art and music would hook me as much as it did. Episode two was definitely better than episode one and I’m excited about where this is going.

Thoughts on first episodes and what I’d rate them are below (except Youjo Senki which I recommend 100% and have already watched more than one episode of)

Minami Kamakura Koukou Joshi Jitensha-bu (6/10)

--> a rather generic sports anime. After yuri on ice I’m really craving another sports anime where the main character actually knows how to do the sport (seriously, who forgets that bike pedals make a bike move??). Think Kuroko without the powers and crazy long match lengths, that’s what I want. On a plus side, it was nice to see a sports anime about women (even though I’d have loved if they were adults), and I think the development between the (so far) two main characters could be interesting.

Spiritpact (9/10)

--> a shounen ai that doesn’t feel like one, in a good way. I didn’t read much about this before watching so a certain event in the first episode was a big shock. I wasn’t expecting this anime to surprise me or make me laugh but it managed both. Right now it’s my second most anticipated anime.

ēlDLIVE (3/10)

--> I know a lot of people were anticipating this but I had no expectations as I knew nothing about it. I’ve got to say I was underwhelmed. It was another little boy can’t do much but randomly has powers bestowed on him so is seen as special and becomes the hero series. I would have been excited to watch the series if it was about the three women and their boss man from the first few minutes of the episode (and if that happens please let me know), but after the 20 following minutes I just couldn’t bring myself to care. Also the boobs -_-

Demi-chan wa Kataritai (2 or 7/10, depending on later episodes)

--> I have mixed feelings about this. Mostly it’s positive, but it feels like there could be paedophilic implications in the future. I’ve got the same feelings that I had about Shounen Maid and that anime proved me wrong, so I’m hoping this does the same. This anime has the possibility to either become really creepy with the teacher/schoolgirl stuff or really cute with their interactions. I can accept a schoolgirl crushing on a teacher, it’s how the teacher ends up responding to the situation that will really make or break this series for me. I loved the headless girl getting so excited when someone actually asked about how she lives having to carry her head around :3 adorable!

Kemono Friends (2/10)

--> oh god. I was actually hopeful for an adorable series interspersed with animal facts. I should have done more research on the game (which flopped before the anime even came out) before watching. The main character ‘Bag-chan’ was annoying, the animation was clunky, and the ‘monsters’ felt completely out of place. Does anyone have animal related anime recommendations that a zoologist could enjoy? Because I thought this might be the series for me but I was wrong

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon (8/10)

--> This wasn’t originally on my to-watch list but a youtuber was more excited for this than any other anime this season so I decided to check it out. It wasn’t perfect (*cough* boob sound effect *cough*) but it was adorable. Plus they actually animated the dragon, which looked pretty badass. Also the dragon still acts like a dragon when in human form. I’m actually curious what the backstory is here, what happened when the main character got drunk and what is the dragon’s past? Because both points look to be really interesting

Marginal#4: Kiss kara Tsukuru Big Bang (6/10)

--> hahaha omg another idol boys anime? After not feeling the ones last year, I wasn’t gonna watch this one. However I was interested in the songs so decided to try the first episode. It was pretty amusing in the shooting style in parts, and the animation was fairly good. There were a few slight comedy moments and it wasn’t bad. I’ll probably watch some of it because the boys are very pretty but I doubt there’s much there plot wise

If anyone has recommendations for this season let me know, especially for stuff with bad summaries that I would have skipped.

  Genre : Supernatural, drama, school, action, fantasy

Episodes: 12

Studio: MADHOUSE

  15 years ago, God abandoned his creation. Admitting failure, he left humanity to its fate and moved on. 15 years ago, with nowhere else to go, the dead got stuck in the living plane and had to go on as if nothing happened. 15 years ago, with nowhere to come from, babies stopped being born. The world goes on but it’s slowly grinding to a halt. In order to regulate itself, supernatural beings known as gravediggers started to appear. In this godless world, they are the only ones that can lay souls to rest by giving them a true and proper burial. Is there any way to stop the slow and investable decay that is bound to take over everything? And how is it that Ai is only 12 years old?

Sunday Without God is a flawed but pretty exploration of our relationship with life itself. It’s a disjointed cautionary tale of the dangers of holding onto wishes too tightly. It ferrets out hope in the oddest places. I have no clue how Sunday Without God ended up on my watch list and that’s quite fitting. It’s the sort of series that comes out of nowhere.

such a colourful nowhere

Visually, it’s quite beautiful. I do encourage you to take a look at the imgur gallery I put together as it’s the best way to truly appreciate the art through the series. It’s not so much original as it is luxurious. Rich in detail and lush with colours. The animation isn’t quite as impressive, but it holds its own. I was surprised to have never even heard of such a good-looking series. It’s a show that often exists on the borders of the day. Early morning and sunrise scenes get followed by dying sunsets or still twilight. As such, you often get the chance to see environments bathed in unusual colours and ever-changing shadows.

 The soundtrack is actually quite good as well. Not in the sense that you’re likely to listen to it on your way to work but it was very fitting and often added to the scenes. I think it’s important for me to mention the voice acting. It was good, very good. Clearly above average for just about every character. However, the standout for me was Toyosaki, Aki as Ai (the main character). I’m not the biggest fan of overly cute slightly squeaky voices but she managed to make it sound not only pleasant but oddly powerful. It was a great performance that brought what could have been a very bland, even annoying character to a whole other level.

the style is quite shoujo

I will do my best to avoid spoilers, certainly all the major ones but if you truly want to go in without any details, you may want to skip this part. I will give my general impressions in the last paragraph.

As I was watching Sunday without God, I started comparing it to a Victorian play. There’s a stage quality to the writing. In my head, I dubbed it: Sunday Without God – A Tragedy in Four Parts:

great hair!

Part un: The Tragedy of the Man-Eating Toy

In which Ai is told a million sweet lies and one bitter truth

The first arc establishes the universe of the series in a dynamic and interactive way. This is crucial as the lore is fairly complex, if not downright convoluted and it’s absolutely crucial for the audience to understand the details if we are to follow along or form any bond with the characters. It was impressive and a very strong start. Despite being somewhat generic, Ai is very easy to get attached to and the series has a gift for quickly developing characters. I found myself caring rather deeply about the faith of people that had been introduced only an episode prior. In this, we see the faith of Ai’s hometown and hear ominous about the world beyond.

each arc has its own palette as well

Part deux: The Tragedy of the Necropolis

In which Ai meets and looses her very first friend

The fact that people are no longer dying isn’t a twist, it’s spelled out clearly in the first few minutes of the show. The implications of it, however, are staggering and explored in most detail in the second arc. Basically, when people die in Sunday Without God, nothing happens. The get back up, maybe they need to heal some wounds, and go back to their business. On a social/economical level, this is huge.

As the changes happened 15 years ago, humanity is basically right in the middle of trying to figure out what to do. The great city of Ortus is a reaction to the changes in the world and the mysteries it holds kept me binging episodes to get at the truth. Ultimately, the reveal was not as great as it could be, somewhat predictable, but still satisfying.

sounds like highschool

Part trois: The Tragedy of Highschool

In which Ai learns that adults are not to be trusted and neither are children

To me, this was the weakest arc. So far, the series had been mostly a suspenseful action mystery with a heavy supernatural aspect. Although all these elements remain present here, in structure, this arc is almost like a school-based comedy slice of life, complete with wacky bathhouse shenanigans.

That’s not actually a bad thing. The heavy ominous tone of the series was getting a bit oppressive and a lighthearted interlude was welcomed. And even though I call it the weakest arc, I didn’t dislike it. It was more underdeveloped than anything else.

We meet an assortment of wacky students we never get the chance to know well enough to care about and the purpose and existence of the school are just laid out in flat exposition making it seem like an afterthought. Compared to every other arc, this one was the shallowest but that’s probably because it was mostly a vehicle to introduce us to Alis/Alice (the subtitles spell his name out as Alis but in the series we see his name written as Alice several times so that’s what I’m going to go with).

s’okay

Part quatre: The Tragedy of the Comfortable Cage

In which a girl who has lost everything is asked to lose it again

By far the most emotional arc, this goes back to that thriller mystery vibe and the show is that much more interesting for it. The arc heavily depends on Alice and thankfully he is a very good character. Well balanced and flawed, he brings the viewer along in his own personal pleasant nightmare and I was right there with Ai desperately trying to save him.

That final episode was a roller coaster and may have been the strongest in the series.

Overall there are three general themes that resonate throughout the entire series. The importance of family and friendships, what life means for sentient creatures and continuous warnings of “be careful what you wish for”. At times it reminded me of Battle Angel Alita, a coming of age story of a remarkable young girl under very difficult circumstances, at others, it reminded me of Pandora Hearts, with all the symbolism and goth sensibilities.

It’s hardly perfect, there are plot holes and some slightly tedious melodrama at times. Scar’s character is great, but the narrative doesn’t know what to do with her and eventually saddles her in a dead-end b plot. It definitely a flawed series but it has some great moments. It also resonated with me and I’m very glad I randomly decided to watch it.

Also, for some reason the Sunday Without God universe is French. As in all the in-show writing is in french and generally pretty accurate. I’m not sure why though. It’s never mentioned or anything and everything gets translated but there you go. The end of the world is French… somehow I always knew that.

indeed

Favourite character: Scar before the parenthood bit (I guess that says something about me

What this anime taught me: be careful what you wish for – honestly if I hadn’t learned that by the end, there would be a problem with me.

The drunk mind speaks the sober heart

Suggested drink: Deathwish

Every time Ai mentions her father – take a sip

Every time anyone says “gravekeeper” – take a sip

Every time Ai calls anyone pretty – awww

Every time we hear about “15 years ago” – take a sip

Every time someone doesn’t age as they should – take a sip

Every time there’s an eye close up – get some water

Every time anyone’s wish comes true – uh hoh

Every time a male character has a traditionally female name – take a sip

Every time there’s a massacre (yes that happens a lot) – take a sip

Every time we see graves – stretch 

I’m going to try to give you an idea of the visuals, as usual, Imgur and Pinterest have more!

  Sunday Without God – Reinventing the Zombie Genre Genre : Supernatural, drama, school, action, fantasy Episodes: 12 Studio: MADHOUSE   15 years ago, God abandoned his creation.

Free Markets and the Future of Blockchain

J. Christopher Giancarlo is Chairman at U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the agency of the US government that regulates futures and options markets.

This will be the last time I speak to you from the CFTC.

Nevertheless, before I go, I wanted to share some thoughts, which I have been saving. My five years at the Commission have been an immense privilege. In the time that I have served, I have learned a lot about the issues facing America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, energy firms and other users of commodity futures who depend on the CFTC-regulated markets for their risk management needs.

It has also been my honor to work on so many issues close to the hearts and minds of the crypto community, not least of which are: virtual currencies, distributed ledger technology (DLT) and fintech broadly. I am appreciative for the time I had to serve as chairman and especially humbled by the moniker of “Crypto Dad” that I was given by this fantastic community of vibrant, bright, ambitious people.

I look back on my time at the Commission since first being sworn in back in 2014, and I marvel at the swift pace of change in issues facing the agency. When I first joined as a Commissioner, the CFTC was just coming off five intense years of feverishly writing Dodd-Frank rules to reform Wall Street in the wake of the biggest financial crisis in America in more than 70 years.

I could not have predicted at the time that virtual currencies, DLT and fintech would become such a major part of the conversation for our agency. I feel fortunate to have been at the helm during this time to be a voice in government to quiet some of the fears and calls to dismiss or squash this new technology.

I recently identified several factors that are challenging the work of regulators: the extraordinary pace of exponential technological change, the disintermediation of traditional actors and business models, and the need for technological literacy and big data capability.

I said that the CFTC’s response to rapidly changing markets and technological developments, including blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, is built upon the following four cornerstones:

Adopting an “exponential growth mindset” that anticipates the rapid pace of technological innovation and the need for an appropriate regulatory response

Becoming a “quantitative regulator” able to conduct independent market data analysis across different data sources, including decentralized blockchains and networks, without being reliant on self-regulatory organizations and market intermediaries

Embracing “market-based solutions” to determine the value of technological innovations, as we witnessed with the launch of crypto-asset-based futures products

Establishing an internal fintech Stakeholder to address the opportunities and challenges that fintech presents and manage the ever-present tension between innovation and regulation.

Pace of change

With this audience, I never needed to make the argument that the 21st-century digital transformation is well underway – you already knew that, because you are the leaders of this change.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise to this audience that, just as our lives are being transformed, so the world’s trading markets are going through the same digital revolution from analog to digital, from human to algorithmic trading and from stand-alone centers to interconnected trading webs. Emerging digital technologies are impacting trading markets and the entire financial landscape with far-ranging implications for capital formation and risk transfer.

It has been a core belief during my tenure as Chairman that in order for the CFTC to remain an effective regulator, it must keep pace with these changes, or our regulations will become outdated and ineffective. I am pleased to say that over the last two years, the CFTC has been no bystander to the digitization of modern markets.

Many of you have already met with LabCFTC, the initiative we launched to put our agency at the forefront of the digital transformation so that we could be more accessible to market innovators, as well as more proactive in our understanding new technologies. Since it was launched two years ago, LabCFTC has had over 250 separate interactions with innovators big and small. It conducts “lab hours” in places where innovators work:  from Silicon Valley, California to Silicon Hills, Texas and from the South Bank of London to Singapore Center.

LabCFTC is not a “sandbox.” It does not try to pick winners from losers.  Instead, LabCFTC provides us both an internal and external technological focus. Internally, it means explaining technology innovation to agency staff and other regulators and advocating for technology adoption. Externally, that means reaching out and learning about technological change and market evolution, while providing a dedicated liaison to innovators.

I am proud to say that LabCFTC has become a category leader. Every U.S. federal financial regulator has either created or is creating a program similar to it.

In a few more weeks the world will mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo Da Vinci.

One of the powerful lasting figures of the Renaissance his cross-disciplinary genius gave us art, architecture and invention. Da Vinci was uniquely gifted and positioned in history to be present at a time when people’s thinking around life moved from something that had to be short and brutish toward something that could be enjoyable.

The Renaissance was a time of education and study when people attempted to improve the world through the power of ideas. I do not think I am being too bold when I say that we are in such a time again. A boldness to innovate is at the center of the technology revolutions of big data, DLT and AI.

The combination of these technologies and others still yet unimagined will standardize and distribute data to market participants and regulators while bringing tremendous efficiencies. These technologies will also bring amazing advances to other areas of our world as well, such as international trade, charitable endeavors, health care, social services and more.

Protecting Free Markets

I believe we are at a tipping point, where innovation will help us rise to meet our greatest challenges.

As we consider potential solutions to these great challenges, I think it’s important to view them through the prism of an enduring ideal, which is the value proposition of free market capitalism.

The proposition is that broad and sustained prosperity generally occurs wherever in the world there are open and competitive markets, free of political interference, combined with free enterprise, personal choice, voluntary exchange and legal protection of person and property. Free markets and innovation are natural partners in this respect.

Under free market capitalism, well-regulated and well-ordered trading activity is considered a forum of human self-expression and economic advancement. Freedom to act in the marketplace is a part of freedom itself. Billions of consumers, following their own self-interests and individual needs, make the decisions that direct the future, not have it directed for them.

For an emerging generation fascinated by crowdsourcing, free capital markets are the ultimate in crowd-sourced decision making. Free market capitalism is not a source of misery and oppression; free market capitalism is the antidote. It is unmatched in alleviating global poverty and unlocking human potential.

We must disabuse ourselves, our peers, and future generations of the notion that there is anything attractive or aspirational about political control of markets and human enterprise. Everywhere it has been tried, it has been a fraud and a failure. It crushes human liberty and society. It steals power from individuals and families and gives it to government and government elites. It enables abuse by a select few who exercise unbridled power over many.

For innovators, controlled economies are dream destroyers. Free markets should be the natural choice of today’s innovators, who today are striving to build bright and better futures.

I personally hope that we can renew faith in free markets for ourselves and our children. We must not be intimidated, but be confident. With the proper balance of sound policy, regulatory oversight, private sector innovation and a little bit of courage, new technologies and global trading methodologies will lead our markets to evolve in responsible ways, and continue to grow the economy and create a future of untethered aspiration, a future where creativity and economic expression is a social good in its own right, a source of human growth and advancement.

Washington DC image via Shutterstock

This news post is collected from CoinDesk

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