Tech & IT

AI’s Dark Side: Consequences of Human Greed

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a subject of concern regarding its potential negative consequences. However, it is important to acknowledge that if AI leads to our downfall, it will be due to human greed and stupidity rather than the technology itself.

Generative AI requires vast amounts of training data, which is typically created by humans who receive no compensation for their contributions. Moreover, many business models in the AI space directly compete with human creators, exacerbating the problem.

The training data used for generative AI is often sourced from the internet without proper authorization or compensation. This has resulted in several class action lawsuits against companies in the AI industry, with allegations of copyright infringement. Instances of stolen human work have also come to light, such as an AI writing assistant using a fanfiction sex trope without proper attribution.

One of the prominent concerns surrounding generative AI is its potential to replace human creators. Media outlets like Buzzfeed and Men’s Journal have already begun utilizing AI-generated articles, indicating a shift toward automation in content creation. The monetization of writing and creative work relies on various factors like book sales, subscriptions, advertising, and more. However, the business perspective often sees writing as mere content units, while writers value their craft. This disconnect has led to a writers strike as a response to the increasing threat of AI replacing human writers.

The content units mindset prevalent in business circles drives the inevitability of AI taking over human roles. When the focus is solely on generating more content units at a lower cost, all creatives become susceptible to being replaced by AI. This results in a self-defeating cycle, where the very work of writers and creators is used to forge the sword that will eliminate their jobs.

While the concerns of human writers on strike have gained attention, the human cost of building AI often goes unnoticed. Data labeling teams, like the one highlighted in a Big Technology article, play a crucial role in training AI systems. However, they are often underpaid, such as the case of Richard Mathenge and his colleagues who were paid only $1 per hour for their work on ChatGPT.

Predatory practices have also emerged in the AI space. Grief Tech, which claims to help people cope with the loss of a loved one, exploits emotionally vulnerable individuals, akin to traditional frauds like séances. AI-powered impersonation scams have also become more sophisticated, with scammers using AI-generated voices or voice changers to deceive victims. These scams have resulted in substantial financial losses and emotional distress for many individuals.

Impersonating celebrities or public figures through AI-generated content has also become disturbingly easy. Scammers exploit digital ads featuring celebrities, impersonate public figures for fraudulent purposes, and even create deepfake content without authorization.

The technology behind AI is already in use and has unleashed a Pandora’s box of potential consequences. Calls for AI regulation, while necessary, cannot undo the impact already felt. It is crucial to address human greed and ignorance to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI technology.

Source: MasonPelt.com

Tech & IT

NFC Forum Bundles Age Verification in Tap-to-Pay

The NFC Forum, a non-profit organization supported by major tech companies, envisions a future where one tap can accomplish multiple actions simultaneously. With a single tap, users could pay for purchases, earn rewards points, and receive digital receipts on their phones. The Forum has released a document outlining the potential uses of this multi-purpose tap technology.

The new multi-purpose tap technology allows NFC devices to read and write data simultaneously. For example, when buying age-restricted items like alcohol, a single tap can verify the buyer’s age, complete the purchase, and send a digital receipt to the buyer’s phone. This eliminates the need for separate age checks and speeds up the transaction process.

The technology also has applications in public transit, where it can ensure correct fares and issue e-tickets automatically. However, the focus remains on integrating age verification to make it more convenient and secure.

Despite its promise, the capability raises privacy concerns. Automating age verification and other processes might lead to increased data collection and targeted marketing. The NFC Forum, which includes tech giants like Apple, Google, and Huawei, is currently in the early stages of development. They are seeking contributions and conducting tests to ensure the technology functions correctly and adheres to privacy standards.

The goal is to define standards that will enable the mass-market delivery of this innovative technology while addressing any potential privacy issues.

Tech & IT

WhatsApp to Implement Age Verification in the US

Revealing one’s birth year can be a sensitive matter, and many prefer to keep such personal details private. However, WhatsApp will soon require US users to provide their birth year to comply with new age verification laws.

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has not officially confirmed this change, but multiple reports indicate that certain US states have passed laws mandating age verification. These laws aim to restrict minors’ access to explicit material and ensure that children cannot access such content without parental consent.

The new regulations are being implemented more rapidly than expected, primarily in Republican-led states. Various bills are currently under development in different states.

To comply, WhatsApp plans to integrate a feature in its newest beta version that requires users to input their birth year. According to WABetaInfo, this will become a mandatory part of the setup process. The app will also warn users that they cannot change this information later.

Although the exact timeline for this change is unclear, leaked information suggests that Meta will not announce the specific date in advance. This update is necessary for users to comply with state age laws.

Experts believe that only residents of states with these laws or those visiting such states will need to comply immediately. This situation is similar to how certain sites like Pornhub have responded to age verification requirements.

Currently, the states enforcing these laws include Alabama, Idaho, Nebraska, South Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Kansas, Tennessee, Indiana, and Georgia.

Tech & IT

Mastercard Pilots Crypto Credential Network

Mastercard has started testing its Crypto Credential network, aiming to simplify and secure cross-border digital asset transactions between Latin America and Europe.

Launched last year, Mastercard Crypto Credential ensures verified interactions among consumers and businesses using blockchain networks.

During these pilots, users from various countries on the Bit2Me, Lirium, and Mercado Bitcoin exchanges can send both cross-border and domestic transfers across multiple currencies and blockchains.

Instead of using the typically long and complex blockchain addresses, users can now send and receive crypto using their Mastercard Crypto Credential aliases.

For payments, exchanges will first verify users according to Mastercard Crypto Credential standards. Once verified, users receive an alias to facilitate sending and receiving funds across all supported exchanges.

When a user initiates a transfer, Mastercard Crypto Credential checks that the recipient’s alias is valid and that their wallet supports the digital asset and associated blockchain. If the receiving wallet doesn’t support the asset or blockchain, the sender is notified, and the transaction is halted to prevent potential loss of funds.

Mastercard believes this system could greatly benefit the remittance market and plans to extend support to NFTs, ticketing, and other payment options.

Walter Pimenta, EVP, product and engineering, Latin America and the Caribbean, Mastercard, states, “As interest in blockchain and digital assets continues to surge in Latin America and around the world, it is essential to keep delivering trusted and verifiable interactions across public blockchain networks.”

Source: finextra.com