Daily Tech News Show Highlights: AI, CES, and the Future

Stay ahead of the curve with the Daily Tech News Show (DTNS)! This episode dives into AI-powered interactions with historical figures, provides updates on the all-virtual CES 2021, and discusses the evolving landscape of web app development. We'll explore the impact of face masks on facial recognition, and delve into the fascinating world of nuclear fusion.

CES 2021: Going All-Digital

CES, the world's largest consumer technology show, has announced that its 2021 event will be entirely digital. This is due to growing concerns about health and safety. The all-digital format is intended to allow exhibitors, attendees, and members of the press to engage effectively through online Talks and meetings. Tom Merritt and Sarah Lane discuss the implications of CES going virtual. While it's a disappointment to miss the in-person experience, the move prioritizes the well-being of everyone involved. The physical CES, taking place in Las Vegas, normally draws around 180,000 people. The Consumer Technology Association or CTA did survey the attendees, and found that most didn’t want to have a physical attendance due to health concerns about the ongoing worldwide virus.

AI Writer: Conversing with Historical Figures

Andrew Mayne, author and tech enthusiast, discusses his project AI Writer, which utilizes OpenAI's GPT-3 model to create simulated conversations with deceased or fictional characters, AI Writer aims to make a best guess response based upon what is generally known. This AI-driven approach allows users to interact with figures like Ada Lovelace and others. You can ask simple and complex questions with an upper limit of around 300 words to what the AI will respond to. This is an experiment to see how people interact with virtual characters and how to use AI safely. You can find this at AIWriter.App.

Face Masks and Facial Recognition

A recent study from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reveals that face masks are significantly impacting facial recognition algorithms. Black masks cause more errors than blue masks. The error rates between facial recognition has gone up 5-50%. NIST only tested one-to-one matching. The study didn't examine mass surveillance or algorithms to recongize mask-wearers.

The PWA Battle: Google vs Apple

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer a way to deliver app-like experiences through the web browser. Google's "Fugu" project aims to add PWA capabilities to Chromium, benefiting browsers like Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, and Chrome. However, Apple's Safari browser is notably resistant to PWA features due to security concerns. PWAs can offer book recommendations from your favorite author. Apple's safari remains somewhat resistant to the use of PWAs which creates a clash of ecosystems.

Nuclear Fusion Milestone

The world's largest nuclear fusion project, ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), has entered its five-year assembly phase in Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, Southern France. ITER is a collaborative effort among 35 partner countries, including Switzerland, the UK, and the European Union (providing 45% of the funding), and China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. ITER will confine hot plasma in a structure called a tokamak to control Fusion reactions. The aim is to provide an abundant source of clean energy.

Other Technology Headlines

Spotify has updated its group Sessions feature to allow up to five premium subscribers to listen to Music and podcasts together. All party members can control playback and add items to the queue. Google will be building an undersea cable that will connect the UK, Spain, and the United States. Intel's hardware chief, Dr. Venkata (Murthy) Renduchintala, is leaving the company on August 3rd. Netflix received the most Emmy nominations of any Studio. Folding@home and Rosetta@home now support ARM64 devices for COVID-19 research data crunching.

Understanding the Transformative Potential of AI

AI is going to make all those tasks we knew how to to but didn’t feel like paying another human to perform, we're probably going to pay the AI or another human managing the AI. I think that the opportunity is to get someone to do the job that we want that will do a consistently better job than a human. By utilizing the AI writer model, it is easy to send an email to an AI Character and get a response in the same tone as the original person or character.

Step 1: Visit the Folding@Home Website

Navigate to the official Folding@Home website using your preferred web browser.

The website serves as your portal to joining this global effort.

Step 2: Download the Folding@Home Software

Download the Folding@home software Package that aligns with your specific operating system and hardware architecture. The website should automatically detect your system, but you can also manually select the appropriate version.

Step 3: Install the Software

Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen prompts to install Folding@home on your computer. Be sure to read and accept the license agreement during the installation process.

Step 4: Configure Folding@Home

Once installed, launch the Folding@home client. Here, you can configure your participation settings. You can choose to fold anonymously or as part of a team (such as the Good Day Internet Team). You can also specify your level of participation.

Step 5: Start Folding and Contribute

With everything configured, simply click the 'Fold' button to start contributing your computer's processing power to COVID-19 research. The software will run in the background, performing calculations while you use your computer for other tasks.

DTNS Patreon Membership Levels

Join the community at patreon.com/DTNS. If you want to get that wider conversation become a member. For access to wider conversations about specific stories you can become a patreon member. For wider conversations become a member at Patreon.

Spotify Updated Group Session Feature

Spotify has updated their Group session to let up to 5 premium subscribers to listen to music. The host and the listeners can add to the queue as well as control the playback.

Google's New Transatlantic Data Cable

Google has started the building of their 4th underwater network cable between the US, the UK, and Spain. One industry insider told DTNS that the average user wont see anything from this. However the Oman to Perth underwater cable will be completed in December 2021.

Intel's Hardware Chief Leaves The Company

Dr. Venkata (Murthy) Renduchintala, Chief Engineering Officer, will be leaving the company on August 3rd. His architecture will be split up into five teams who will all report to Bob Swan.

Netflix's Emmy Nominations

Netflix got more nominations than HBO by earning 160 Emmy nominations. However, HBO's 'Watchmen' still has the most for any single show. Quibi earned 10 nominations with Apple+ earning 20 and Amazon with 31.

Generating Custom Content

Utilize AI Writer to draft personalized emails, letters, or social media posts in the style of any historical figure or fictional character you choose. This can be valuable for creating unique marketing materials, engaging social media content, or even personalized fan mail.

Personalized Customer Service

Integrate AI Writer into your Customer Service platform to provide a more engaging and personalized experience. Create a chatbot that responds in the style of a well-known expert or personality, adding a unique touch to your customer interactions.

Educational Tools

Employ AI Writer to generate educational content, such as explanations of complex topics in the style of renowned scientists or historical figures. This can make learning more engaging and accessible for students of all ages.