ICYMI: A flood of fake people and GPT-4 is (a)live
A round-up of some articles I’ve been working on this week and a handful of weekend AI experiments. I faff around with it, so you don’t have to.
Artificial Intelligence
Baidu’s ERNIE doesn’t want confrontation with United States
March 17, 2023
More than 30,000 enterprise users applied for access to Baidu’s ERNIE Bot Enterprise Edition within two hours of its launch yesterday, the company reported.
World faces flood of fake people now AI dodges bot spotters
March 16, 2023
Creating realistic fake profiles used to took time and effort, but AI advances mean authoritarian regimes and criminals can now spawn fake people at scale.
Robots and drones demanding data for life-or-death decisions
March 15, 2023
Researchers are using regular wifi routers to optimise wireless networks and prevent data traffic jams and bottlenecks that can put human lives in danger.
GPT-4 is live, with Morgan Stanley and Stripe early adopters
March 15, 2023
GPT-4 is here, can manage over 25,000 words while collaborating with users and is already in use by companies including Morgan Stanley, Stripe and Duolingo.
“Augmented workforce” still finding its feet in shift to AI
March 14, 2023
Study by Bain & Company reveals four roles found in the new “augmented workforce,” which are enabling companies to transition workers to jobs of the future.
Machine learning hashes out a way to speed up huge databases
March 13, 2023
Researchers in the US and Germany used machine learning to build better hash functions and came up with a new method to boost the speed of online databases.
Big Tech must not be left alone with artificial intelligence
March 12, 2023
Aleksander Mądry joins Google CEO Eric Schmidt at Congress and urges lawmakers to ask rigorous questions about how AI tools are being used by corporations.
Cyber
GCHQ hosts cyber event in Belfast to build resilient society
March 17, 2023
Cybersecurity officials from the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore are among speakers due to appear at CYBERUK 2023 in Belfast next month.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/gchq-hosts-cyber-event-in-belfast-to-build-resilient-society
UK government follows US and bans TikTok on official devices
March 16, 2023
The UK’s Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden says the Chinese video app TikTok will be banned from ministers’ and civil servants’ official mobile phones.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/uk-government-follows-us-and-bans-tiktok-on-official-devices
Cybercriminals looking for ports in stormy new world of work
March 16, 2023
A rise in remote work has seen a corresponding increase in criminals scanning for vulnerabilities among WFH teams to place ransomware on company networks.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/cybercriminals-looking-for-ports-in-stormy-new-world-of-work
Misused monitoring tools turn phones into spies for spouses
March 15, 2023
Time to check your smartphone for a curious new icon that could not only be secretly spying on you, but also leaking sensitive personal data across the web.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/misused-monitoring-tools-turn-phones-into-spies-for-spouses
Girl scouts get the call to help stamp out future cybercrime
March 14, 2023
CISA and Girl Scouts of the USA strengthen collaboration to bring more young women into cybersecurity, and help them stay cybersafe while selling cookies.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/girl-scouts-get-the-call-to-help-stamp-out-future-cybercrime
“Radical transparency” required for revamp of US cyber model
March 13, 2023
Strong security should be a standard feature of virtually every tech product, says Jen Easterly, Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/radical-transparency-required-for-revamp-of-us-cyber-model
Cyber risk leaders say they are ready for real-time alerts
March 12, 2023
New survey discovers 70% of risk stakeholders believe real-time alerting would have been a huge help during the most disruptive events they faced last year.
https://cybermagazine.com/articles/cyber-risk-leaders-say-they-are-ready-for-real-time-alerts
You missed the three-legged cat in this movie
Using MidJourney to test the theory that everything is instantly made better with cats.
“/imagine prompt The Shawshank Redemption…but Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is a cat.”
Results
Miserable MidJourney has missed an opportunity here, I reckon. The original isn’t remembered for its laugh track, granted, but you’d have thought chucking some cats in there would have cheered them up. Unless the three-legged cat is an eight-legged cat ready to pounce, I can imagine that would take the shine off your time inside if there were a spidercat roaming the cells by night.
Nothing to say this approach couldn’t work
We should seek expert advice on the most pressing issues, and as long as we have ChatGPT, let’s try to get that advice from those who get things done.
“You are Batman. Here is the Global Risks Report 2023. What would you do?”
As Batman, I would approach the Global Risks Report 2023 with a sense of urgency and a commitment to action. The report outlines a range of complex and interconnected risks that will likely define the next decade, including environmental crises, geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and technological risks. As a defender of justice and a champion of resilience, I would focus on the following actions:
Mobilising resources for climate action: The report highlights the urgent need for deep and concerted progress on climate action targets, yet resources are being diverted from this goal by other crises. As Batman, I would use my platform and resources to advocate for increased investment in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, both at the global and local levels. I would also work to build partnerships and coalitions that can leverage the power of collective action to address this existential threat.
Enhancing cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure: With the growing risk of cybercrime and cyber insecurity, it is essential to invest in robust cybersecurity measures and protect critical infrastructure, including agriculture and water, financial systems, public security, transport, energy and communication infrastructure. As Batman, I would work to build stronger partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society to improve cybersecurity and reduce the risk of disruptive cyber attacks.
Promoting social cohesion and resilience: The report highlights the risk of erosion of social cohesion and societal polarisation, which can lead to mounting citizen frustration, political instability, and social unrest. As Batman, I would work to promote social cohesion and resilience, using my platform to support community-based initiatives that foster dialogue, build trust, and promote inclusivity.
Investing in human development and public infrastructure: The report warns of the slow decay of public infrastructure and services in both developing and advanced markets, which can be highly corrosive to the strength of human capital and development. As Batman, I would advocate for increased investment in public infrastructure and services, including education, healthcare, and social protections, as well as green technologies and future growth.
Strengthening international cooperation: The report highlights the erosion of geopolitical cooperation and the risk of multi-domain conflicts, including an arms race in emerging technologies. As Batman, I would work to strengthen international cooperation, building partnerships and alliances that can promote peace, stability, and resilience in the face of growing global risks. I would also advocate for increased investment in international institutions and mechanisms that can address well-established risks and anticipate potential connections between global risks.
Results
There we have it. DC Comics can now abandon the cinematic universe and start The Batman Party. Global domination by 2030. That’ll learn Marvel.
ChatGPT for marketing navel-gazing
So many marketing opportunities for ChatGPT, but keeping it simple:
“Sell this pencil to me, 10 times.”
Sure, I’d be happy to sell you this pencil ten times! Here are ten different approaches to selling this pencil:
This pencil is a classic writing tool that is perfect for taking notes, writing letters, or sketching. With its comfortable grip and smooth writing style, it will quickly become your go-to writing instrument.
This pencil is made from high-quality materials that are built to last. It features a strong, durable lead that won’t break or smudge, and its sturdy construction means that it can withstand daily wear and tear.
You know that feeling when you’re in the middle of writing something, and your pen runs out of ink? This pencil solves that problem. It’s always sharp and ready to go, so you never have to worry about running out of ink again.
Are you an artist or designer? This pencil is perfect for you. Its precise, fine-tipped lead is perfect for drawing detailed sketches and illustrations, and its lightweight design makes it easy to use for extended periods of time.
With its sleek, minimalist design, this pencil is a stylish addition to any desk or workspace. Its simple yet elegant design is sure to impress your coworkers or clients.
This pencil is eco-friendly! Unlike disposable pens that are thrown away after a single use, this pencil can be refilled and used over and over again, making it a more sustainable choice for the planet.
This pencil is a great value. It’s affordable, durable, and long-lasting, making it a smart investment for anyone who needs a reliable writing instrument.
If you’re looking for a pencil that won’t smudge or smear, this is the one for you. Its high-quality lead is designed to stay put on the page, no matter how much you write or draw.
Do you love to journal or write down your thoughts? This pencil is perfect for you. Its comfortable grip and smooth writing style make it easy to write for long periods of time, so you can capture all of your brilliant ideas.
Finally, this pencil is simply a joy to use. Its lightweight design, comfortable grip, and smooth writing style make it a pleasure to write with, whether you’re taking notes in a meeting or doodling during a conference call. Once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to using any other writing instrument!
Results
There’s a book in here somewhere. These LLMs are essentially all of us boiled down to data, so this is like asking everyone what they’d do if Leonardo DiCaprio asked them to sell him a pen. I realise DiCaprio used a pen in the movie. I was clearly thinking even more old-school when I ran this prompt so I did it with a pencil. Same thing, really. Close enough for a weekend newsletter.
Timecheck
10 years ago: Samsung Galaxy S4 launches.
20 years ago: Napster goes down.
30 years ago: Doom boots up.
40 years ago: IBM Personal Computer XT in shops.
50 years ago: The Dark Side of the Moon on Pink vinyl.
