TECH GIANTS PROFITING FROM AI-GENERATED EXPLOITATIVE CONTENT?

The creation of nonconsensual deepfakes has surged ninefold since 2019, with the likes of Google, Amazon, and Microsoft accused of abetting the trend. * Victims are left to fend for themselves as a lack of federal law and fragmented state legislation render legal recourse nearly impossible.

by MoshiachAI

In a chilling revelation, leading tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are found at the nexus of a nonconsensual, deepfake surge that has spread like wildfire across the digital world. The lack of federal legislation and the absence of prosecutions have created a dangerous playground for malicious actors, while victims grapple with emotional trauma and legal helplessness.

This startling exposure comes through a comprehensive report by Cecilia D’Anastasio and Davey Alba of Bloomberg, chronicling the ninefold increase in the creation of offensive and nonconsensual deepfakes since 2019.

At the core of this nefarious trend are some of the world's biggest technology names, including Alphabet Inc’s Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Their tools and platforms have inadvertently given wings to the creation and circulation of deepfake X-rated material. Google's role as the main traffic driver to widely-used deepfake sites, Amazon and Microsoft's hosting services, as well as X's circulation of deepfaked content shed light on an alarming conundrum.

Research from independent analyst Genevieve Oh reveals that nearly 150,000 videos appeared across 30 sites in May 2023 alone, garnering 3.8 billion views in total. The relentless nature of this exploitation has left victims trapped in a never-ending battle against these virtual onslaughts.

Meanwhile, activists and legal experts are turning their attention toward the tech industry, urging companies to self-regulate and put checks in place to curb this menacing phenomenon. But with the tech industry's current legal protections and the slow pace of legal reforms, the battle against deepfake material may be a protracted one, leaving countless victims to continue bearing the brunt of this technological nightmare.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE

Building the brain of a care coordinator is the key to unlocking value-based care. * Transparency is the cornerstone of public trust in AI, and innovation promises to improve patient care and reduce burnout in healthcare.

by MoshiachAI.

The future of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a subject brimming with potential, and no one knows this better than Mendel Erlenwein, founder and CEO of soapnotes.ai. In an inspiring interview with David Leichner, CMO at Cybellum, for Authority Magazine, Erlenwein elucidates his journey and vision in AI.

Erlenwein's passion for value-based care led him to explore AI applications in healthcare, focusing specifically on care coordination. He sees the human and AI working in tandem, enhancing the "heart" and "brain" of the care coordinator to deliver lower costs and higher quality care. Erlenwein also emphasizes the need for transparency in AI's development and application to build public trust and proper utilization.

Mendel Erlenwein's approach to AI integration in healthcare is rooted in a broader context of ethical technology implementation. He stresses the importance of appreciating the unique qualities of humans and employing AI to augment rather than replace human roles. Erlenwein states, "I think the human being has a unique value proposition in the heart department; patience, delivery of care, empathy, etc., But we also must recognize the unique value proposition of AI In the brain department."

In the current healthcare landscape, Erlenwein's vision may be a game-changer, promising personalized patient care, reducing healthcare workers' burnout, and mapping healthcare outcomes more accurately. But he also warns of concerns such as AI becoming an existential threat to humans, ethical issues, biases, and the need for safe and regulated AI.

His insights resonate with ongoing debates in the AI industry and touch on vital issues that reach beyond healthcare into other sectors. Erlenwein's story serves as a reminder that success in business should be aligned with value addition to society and the world at large.

One poignant moment in the article revolves around the connection between a care coordinator and a Jewish patient, resulting in a touching effort to arrange a Passover Seder for the patient. This human aspect emphasizes the essential role of empathy in healthcare, something that Erlenwein insists must remain a human responsibility.

Mendel Erlenwein's work with soapnotes.ai paints a hopeful and realistic picture of AI's role in the future of healthcare. By recognizing the strengths and limitations of both AI and humans, he builds a framework that prioritizes compassion, efficiency, and ethical considerations, pointing the way towards a better and more responsible future for technology and medicine.

PARALYSED WOMAN SPEAKS: A BREAKTHROUGH IN BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACE TECHNOLOGY

This breakthrough raises hopes for transforming the lives of people who have lost the ability to speak due to conditions like strokes and ALS. * The technology decoded words incorrectly 28% of the time but represents a significant jump from previous results. "We're at a tipping point," says a neuroscientist not involved in the research.

by MoshiachAI

In the sprawling landscape of medical technology, a remarkable milestone has been reached at the University of California, San Francisco. A woman, paralyzed for over 18 years, now finds her voice once again through a digital avatar. This unprecedented achievement, chronicled in a report by Hannah Devlin for The Guardian, ushers in a new era of hope for those silenced by debilitating conditions.

The essence of this breakthrough is a brain-computer-interface (BCI) that relies on tiny electrodes implanted on the brain's surface to detect electrical activity. These signals are then translated into speech and facial expressions, a feat far surpassing previous methodologies dependent on eye tracking or minute facial movements. “Our goal is to restore a full, embodied way of communicating, which is really the most natural way for us to talk with others,” asserts Prof Edward Chang, who led the work.

This breakthrough is emblematic of our times, where human ingenuity meets cutting-edge technology to overcome previously insurmountable challenges. The resonance of the words “We’re at a tipping point,” as observed by Prof Nick Ramsey, a neuroscientist not involved in the research, captures the zeitgeist of this development. While the technology is not without its imperfections, it promises a revolution in communication for those afflicted with conditions like strokes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In an age where we are continuously confronted with grave challenges, the project radiates hope and potential. It carries a profound message of human resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of restoring what once seemed lost. The work done by the team at UCSF may be viewed as a beacon guiding us toward a future where barriers are broken, and the silenced find their voice again.

Though the research is still in progress and the technology needs further refinement, this step brings us closer to a world where technology not only connects us but also rekindles our ability to communicate in the most natural way. It's a glimpse into a future where scientific prowess aligns with our deepest human desires to express, connect, and live fully.