Plus, can AI cook the perfect steak?
Can AI predict, and try to prevent homelessness?
Los Angeles County has launched a pilot program that uses AI to predict individuals at risk of becoming homeless and offers them support before they end up on the streets. The initiative aims to curb the rising homelessness crisis in the region, as hundreds of Angelenos fall into homelessness daily.
The program collects data from multiple county agencies to identify the most vulnerable individuals by analyzing emergency room visits, mental health crisis care, substance abuse disorders, arrests, and sign-ups for public benefits. Case managers then reach out to those individuals and offer them assistance through the prevention program. The project has so far proved successful, but it remains to be seen whether it can help keep individuals housed long-term.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon: AI will lead to 3.5-day workweek
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon believes that AI will vastly improve businesses and work-life balance for employees, potentially leading to shorter working weeks and longer lifespans. Dimon predicts that future generations could work three and a half days a week and live to be 100 years old. JPMorgan is already using AI in various areas, which has sparked fears of job loss among human workers.
Goldman Sachs predicts that approximately 300 million jobs could be lost due to AI. However, Dimon argues that technology has always replaced jobs and that there are opportunities to improve living standards with AI. McKinsey also found that AI has the potential to automate tasks that currently take up a significant portion of employees’ time, adding trillions of dollars to the global economy. Dimon acknowledges the downside of AI, such as the potential for misuse and cyber warfare, but hopes to see guardrails and job redeployment for displaced workers.
Generative AI Fuels Global Spread of Disinformation and Censorship, Reports Show
A new report by Freedom House, a human rights advocacy group, reveals how governments worldwide are utilizing generative AI to manipulate public opinion and silence critical online content. The report, titled “Freedom on the Net,” indicates that global internet freedom has declined for the 13th consecutive year, partly due to the proliferation of artificial intelligence.
According to researchers, the accessibility and affordability of generative AI have lowered the barrier to deploying disinformation campaigns, enabling governments to conduct sophisticated online censorship. Political actors are using AI tools to amplify disinformation, producing deepfake videos and images to spread false narratives. Additionally, governments combine human and bot campaigns to manipulate online discussions, with at least 47 governments using commentators for propaganda purposes.
One concerning consequence of the widespread accessibility of generative AI is the erosion of trust in reliable information. As AI-generated content becomes normalized, people become more skeptical of true facts, thereby enabling political actors to cast doubt and fuel misinformation during times of crisis or political conflict.
Furthermore, authoritarian regimes employ AI to bolster censorship efforts. Around 22 countries have passed laws that require or incentivize internet platforms to use machine learning to remove unfavorable online speech. Through AI-based moderation tools, tech companies are being pressured to filter content, limiting free expression. Last year, a record number of 41 governments blocked websites for political, social, and religious speech, indicating a deepening of censorship globally.
The report emphasizes that generative AI technologies pose significant challenges to internet freedom, with countries like China, Iran, and Myanmar having the most restrictive internet censorship. The report calls for increased awareness and vigilance to counter the negative impact of AI on democracy and information integrity.
Quantum AI Image Generator Shows Potential on Small Scale
AI running on a quantum computer has demonstrated the ability to generate recognizable images of items such as shoes and T-shirts. While the generated images may not be visually stunning, this breakthrough in AI methodology holds promise for producing higher-resolution pictures on more powerful quantum machines.
The AI technology, known as generative adversarial networks, utilized similar methods to popular text-to-image tools like Dall-E or Midjourney. The images produced by this quantum AI image generator closely resembled the items in the initial data and showcased better results compared to other quantum methods.
Although the current outcomes on a small quantum computer leave room for improvement, the scalability of this approach offers future potential for enhancing the resolution and quality of generated images. Quantum AI’s capability to mimic real-world objects through image generation signifies advancements in the field of artificial intelligence.
AI copilot enhances human precision for safer aviation
MIT researchers have developed a system called Air-Guardian that enhances aviation safety by combining human intuition with machine precision. Acting as a proactive copilot, Air-Guardian uses both eye-tracking for humans and “saliency maps” for the AI to determine where attention is directed.
By identifying early signs of potential risks, the system can intervene before safety breaches occur. The technology has broader implications beyond aviation, as it could potentially be applied to cars, drones, and other types of robotics. The system has been tested in field tests and has demonstrated a reduction in risk levels and an increase in the success rate of reaching target points. Air-Guardian represents a new era in safer skies by providing a reliable safety net for moments when human attention wavers.
PARMESAN: An AI-based Tool for Finding New Treatments for Genetic Disorders
Scientists at the Jan and Duncan Neurological Research Institute have developed a natural language processing (NLP) tool called PARsing ModifiErS via Article aNnotations (PARMESAN) to help researchers discover new treatments for genetic disorders. The tool uses AI algorithms to search through biomedical literature databases and identify gene-gene and drug-gene regulatory relationships.
PARMESAN can also leverage curated information to predict undiscovered relationships and assign an evidence-based score to each prediction. The highest-scoring predictions from PARMESAN have been found to be over 95% accurate. This tool allows researchers to speed up their research and accelerate drug discovery and development. By pinpointing the most promising gene and drug interactions, PARMESAN helps researchers identify the most promising drugs more quickly and accurately.
Perfecta Grill Utilizes AI to Cook Steaks in Less Than Three Minutes
The Perfecta Grill, developed by Suraj Sudera of Seergrills, introduces an AI system called NeuralFire to revolutionize the way meat is cooked. This innovative grill aims to cater to those who desire perfectly cooked meat without the risk of burning or undercooking. The process begins with users placing their meat of choice into the grill selecting their desired level of doneness and searing through a touchscreen interface.
Equipped with integrated sensors, the NeuralFire AI system measures the size, surface area, and fat content of the meat to determine the optimal cooking process. The Perfecta’s two vertical infrared burners quickly cook the meat on both sides simultaneously, reaching temperatures as high as 1,652 ºF (900 ºC). In just three minutes or less, the grill produces a perfectly cooked result. Additionally, the Perfecta can be used to cook over 50 types of food using various cooking modes. The grill will soon be available for pre-order with the option of a discounted price.