Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Taginternet

high-speed-fiber-optic-internet-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
High speed fiber optic internet concept
Type
post
Author
News
Date
April 16, 2024
Categorized
Technology
Tagged
, , , , , ,

Bob Metcalfe on Our Connected World

Discovery Institute Senior Fellow Jay Richards interviews Bob Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet
News
April 16, 2024
1
Technology

The Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence is pleased to be able to share the videos from the 2023 COSM conference, now available on YouTube. This annual conference explores the status and the future of our era-defining technologies, from artificial intelligence to electric vehicles to new developments in biotech. Today’s video features a conversation with Bob Metcalfe, a pioneer in the field of computer science and the inventor of Ethernet. Discovery Institute Senior Fellow Jay Richards interviews Bob Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet and recipient of the prestigious Turing Award, about the predicted pathologies of the internet and the reversals associated with the rise of connectivity.

a-group-of-people-walking-together-through-a-bustling-shopping-mall-this-image-can-be-used-to-depict-a-busy-shopping-day-or-to-illustrate-consumerism-and-retail-therapy-stockpack-adobe-stock
A group of people walking together through a bustling shopping mall. This image can be used to depict a busy shopping day or to illustrate consumerism and retail therapy.
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
April 15, 2024
Categorized
Arts & Culture
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Crisis of Identity That Tech Doesn’t Help

Consumerism works well but leaves us empty
Peter Biles
April 15, 2024
2
Arts & Culture

Writer and cultural commentator Aaron Renn wrote recently about the dissolution of identity in the United States, contending that if we don’t know who we are, we will never know what to do. Renn writes frequently on issues facing young men in America and the challenges of living well in the secular world. He writes, The reality is that a lot of people in top positions of our society act as if they want you living like Simba. They want porn available for you to watch. They want you betting on the big game on your phone. They want you focused on “experiences” and consumption, like hitting the latest hot travel destination or going to the new farm-to-table restaurant that Read More ›

man-praying-on-his-knees-against-large-smartphone-stockpack-adobe-stock
Man praying on his knees against large smartphone
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
April 8, 2024
Categorized
Addiction
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

David Foster Wallace: If Screens Are Your Main Media Diet, You’re Going to Die

The novelist warned about the pitfalls of the online life
Peter Biles
April 8, 2024
2
Addiction

“If we ate like this all the time, what would be wrong with that?” So asks David Foster Wallace, compellingly played by Jason Segel, in the 2015 film The End of the Tour. Wallace is in the car with a Rolling Stone reporter, David Lipsky, cramming down sweets from a gas station when he says that. After Lipsky quips back about obesity, Wallace says, “It has none of the substance of real food, but it’s real pleasurable.” The End of the Tour is set in 1996 shortly after Wallace’s gargantuan novel Infinite Jest hit the literary scene and impressed the nation with its length, wit, tragedy, and insight. A massive book about loneliness, Infinite Jest takes place in a semi-futuristic Read More ›

cyber-network-data-flow-open-source-3d-illustration-of-digital-hi-tech-particles-stockpack-adobe-stock
Cyber network, data flow, open source. 3D illustration of digital hi-tech particles
Type
post
Author
Jonathan Bartlett
Date
April 1, 2024
Categorized
Computer Security
Tagged
, , , ,

The Backdoor to Control the Internet

We almost lost the Internet last week, but open-source developers saved the day.
Jonathan Bartlett
April 1, 2024
4
Computer Security

Few people are aware, but over the last several days, a perceptive developer foiled a multi-year plot to install a remote backdoor into, well, the entire Internet. Two years ago, a programmer known as Jia Tan (JiaT75) started helping out with a lesser-known compression library, known as xz. For those who don’t know, software today is not a monolithic entity. Every piece of software you use it built from a collection of tools, known as libraries, that make programming easier. For instance, most programmers never have to write the specifics of a sorting algorithm, because, somewhere, there is a library which performs sorting for them. This leaves programmers to focus on higher-level tasks, like actually making the software do what the users want. However, these Read More ›

webinar-education-online-concept-video-tutorial-stockpack-adobe-stock
webinar, education online concept, video tutorial
Type
post
Author
Jonathan Bartlett
Date
February 28, 2024
Categorized
Technology
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

Online Training: Real Education or Going Through the Motions?

Not all online trainings are bad. But many are procedural and pointless.
Jonathan Bartlett
February 28, 2024
7
Technology
In some cases, I was convinced that the goal of the training was to pretend to convey information while not actually doing so.  Read More ›
earphones-and-mobile-phone-with-podcast-app-on-screen-stockpack-adobe-stock
Earphones and mobile phone with podcast app on screen
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
January 19, 2024
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , , , , ,

Napster, Spotify, and AI: How Will AI Escape Copyright Woes?

Robert J. Marks on AI and learning from past copyright cases.
Peter Biles
January 19, 2024
2
Artificial Intelligence

Copyright lawsuits are abounding against generative AI. Since the advent of ChatGPT in late 2022, various companies, artists, and writers have raised concerns over AI’s plagiaristic tendencies. Robert J. Marks, host of the Mind Matters podcast, has the story over at Newsmax. Marks recalls the debacle of Napster, a music streaming service that provided music for “free” without payment to the artists. Not surprisingly, it was soon shut down. So how will it fare with generative AI? What’s the solution to all the impending legal woes in the realm of AI? Marks writes, Today’s Spotify keeps automatic records of song frequency and, from subscriber’s payments, distributes royalties accordingly. Similar methods could be applied to compensate content creators by generative AI. It’s not Read More ›

chatbot-social-bot-smartphone-und-chatverlauf-stockpack-adobe-stock
Chatbot / Social Bot, Smartphone und Chatverlauf
Type
post
Author
Jeffrey Funk
Date
December 19, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , ,

How Do We Define Successful Use Cases for Generative AI?

Current generative AI systems are designed to give us the most common solutions, instead of the new ones we need.
Jeffrey Funk
December 19, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence
Evidence that existing ideas aren’t so good can be seen in the big startup losses, slow diffusion of technology, and slow rate of productivity improvement. Read More ›
artificial-intelligence-ai-machine-learning-and-modern-computer-technologies-concepts-business-technology-internet-and-network-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and modern computer technologies concepts. Business, Technology, Internet and network concept.
Type
post
Author
Erik J. Larson
Date
November 17, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

Why ChatGPT Is Killing Off Traditional AI

We're living in another AI "winter"
Erik J. Larson
November 17, 2023
4
Artificial Intelligence
Since it doesn’t know anything in the first place, there’s no way to talk it into sanity once it goes insane. Read More ›
woman-reading-a-few-books-on-the-floor-stockpack-adobe-stock
Woman reading a few books on the floor
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
November 1, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture
Tagged
, , , , , , , , ,

Reading in the Digital Age

Writer Joseph Epstein argues compellingly on behalf of the novel.
Peter Biles
November 1, 2023
4
Arts & Culture
Reading isn't instantly gratifying the way these dopamine-inducing technologies are, but the rewards are worth it. Read More ›
noir-movie-night-city-street-under-the-rain-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Noir movie, night city street under the rain. Generative AI
Type
post
Author
Russ White
Date
September 23, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , ,

Welcome to Digital Pottersville

From homey Bedford Falls to greedy Pottersville: how "It's a Wonderful Life" reflects the dangers of the Internet age
Russ White
September 23, 2023
4
Artificial Intelligence
Will modern AI systems, these fascinating Large Language Models, make the trend of centralization worse or better? Most likely worse. Read More ›
high-internet-speed-stockpack-adobe-stock
High internet speed
Type
post
Author
News
Date
August 11, 2023
Categorized
Technology
Tagged
, , , ,

What is the Future of the Internet?

Jay Richards interviews University of Texas Professor of Innovation Bob Metcalfe regarding the future of the internet
News
August 11, 2023
2
Technology

In today’s featured video from a past COSM conference, Discovery Institute Senior Fellow Jay Richards interviews University of Texas Professor of Innovation Bob Metcalfe regarding the future of the internet. Be sure to register now for the COSM 2023 conference, which will be held in November in Bellevue, Washington. COSM is an exclusive national summit on the technologies remaking the world as we know it. The mission of the conference is to stimulate debate and deliberation amongst industry leaders, illuminating the synergy between Seattle and the world and providing a scene of civilized conversation and exchange. We’ve been sharing a number of lectures from past COSM conferences. This video is just one of many you can find at the Bradley Read More ›

a-digital-avatar-or-artificial-intelligence-with-an-asian-female-face-surrounded-by-software-code-in-cyberspace-blurring-the-line-between-real-world-and-virtual-reality-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
A digital avatar or artificial intelligence with an Asian female face surrounded by software code in cyberspace. Blurring the line between real world and virtual reality. Generative AI
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
August 4, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , , ,

AI Influencers Are Starting to Explode

Seeing how artificial and impersonal the influencer lifestyle already is, maybe it was inevitable.
Peter Biles
August 4, 2023
2
Artificial Intelligence

AI avatars are starting to flood the social media “influencing” sphere. Seeing how artificial and impersonal the influencer lifestyle already is, maybe it was inevitable. The “Instagram influencer” is a relatively new phenom: an attractive, usually young, person flaunts certain brands on social media for revenue. The phrase “digital creator” is a common tag on bios, and countless young women have made a living off of selling their looks on Instagram. So how might AI play into all this? Well, there are now hundreds of AI internet personalities flooding social media. And they look pretty convincing. Victor Tangermann reports, Thanks to the advent of AI-powered image generators like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, some are now fabricating entire feeds of internet Read More ›

bitcoin-golden-coin-on-computer-circuit-board-stockpack-adobe-stock
Bitcoin golden coin on computer circuit board
Type
post
Author
News
Date
July 25, 2023
Categorized
Cryptocurrency
Tagged
, , , , , ,

Is an Information-Based Currency Possible?

Two philosophers talk about the potential of digital, decentralized forms of money and exchange
News
July 25, 2023
1
Cryptocurrency

In today’s featured video, enjoy an older but essential interview on the topic of alternative forms of money like cryptocurrency. Philosopher Jay Richards interviews mathematician, entrepreneur, and philosopher Dr. Bill Dembski about his unique thought experiment regarding how one could create a decentralized, DIY, information-based currency. Richards also explores with Dembski the concepts of natural and artificial intelligence. We’ve been sharing a number of lectures from past COSM conferences. This video is just one of many you can find at the Bradley Center’s YouTube page. There you’ll find several lectures, interviews, and panels dealing with issues that range from economics, Big Tech, and artificial intelligence. Notable speakers include 2022 Kyoto Prize winner Carver Mead, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, and George Gilder, co-founder of Discovery Institute Read More ›

side-view-of-a-humanoid-head-with-blue-and-yellow-eyes-and-vibrant-neon-neural-network-representing-futuristic-technology-and-artificial-intelligence-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Side view of a humanoid head with blue and yellow eyes and vibrant neon neural network, representing futuristic technology and artificial intelligence. Generative AI
Type
post
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
June 30, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

Revisiting the Mission of Mind Matters

Robert J. Marks on why Mind Matters (still) matters
Robert J. Marks
June 30, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence

Originally posted in 2018. Mind Matters is a podcast and a news and commentary site where “artificial and natural intelligence meet head-on.” That’s a great slogan, but what does it mean? As your host for the podcast part of the site, I thought I’d take advantage of my role to talk you about some of our exciting plans for both the podcast and the online journal (the latter to be edited by science journalist Denyse O’Leary). Here’s a quick run-down: Topics Mind Matters will track the latest developments in applied AI and technology. How will AI continue to augment human performance and abilities? What are the latest innovations of AI? And how does AI affect you? How is AI applied in pricing Read More ›

big-data-analytics-visualization-technology-with-scientist-analyzing-information-structure-on-screen-with-machine-learning-to-extract-strategical-prediction-for-business-finance-internet-of-things-stockpack-adobe-stock
Big data analytics visualization technology with scientist analyzing information structure on screen with machine learning to extract strategical prediction for business, finance, internet of things
Type
podcast
Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
June 29, 2023
Tagged
, , , , , , , ,

What is the Future of the Internet? 

Robert J. Marks
June 29, 2023
1

In the age of data harvesting and Big Tech monopolies, what will the Internet look like in a decade? In today’s episode, Robert J. Marks speaks with computer engineer Adam Goad about “Web 3.0,” decentralization, cryptocurrency, and the future of the blockchain. Additional Resources

forest-in-fog-with-mist-fairy-spooky-looking-woods-in-a-misty-day-cold-foggy-morning-in-horror-forest-with-trees-stockpack-adobe-stock
Forest in fog with mist. Fairy spooky looking woods in a misty day. Cold foggy morning in horror forest with trees
Type
post
Author
Peter Biles
Date
June 17, 2023
Categorized
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

That Hideous Strength, A.K.A. Transhumanism

C.S. Lewis's classic science fiction tale is about the temptation to reject being human
Peter Biles
June 17, 2023
7
Arts & Culture, Transhumanism

C.S. Lewis’s 1946 science fiction novel That Hideous Strength is almost eighty years old now. Written during the throes of World War II, the novel is the culmination of Lewis’s cosmic trilogy, preluded by Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra. There are hosts of other articles attending to the prescience of Lewis’s terrifying novel, and for good reason; That Hideous Strength is a warning against using technology to dehumanize people and ultimately cripple the world into submission. It’s a great book as a novel, but it seems especially appropriate to revisit in lieu of the growing interest in transhumanism and the rapid acceleration of AI development. It feels like much of the talk on AI in recent months involves Read More ›

big-data-analytics-visualization-technology-with-scientist-analyzing-information-structure-on-screen-with-machine-learning-to-extract-strategical-prediction-for-business-finance-internet-of-things-stockpack-adobe-stock
Big data analytics visualization technology with scientist analyzing information structure on screen with machine learning to extract strategical prediction for business, finance, internet of things
Type
post
Author
Jeffrey Funk
Date
June 14, 2023
Categorized
Technology
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Review of Distrust: Big Data, Data-Torturing, and the Assault on Science

Tech expert Jeffrey Funk reviews Gary Smith's enlightening new book on data, disinformation, and the "assault on science"
Jeffrey Funk
June 14, 2023
9
Technology

The pandemic proved a lot of things, one of them being that science is under assault. In this enlightening and entertaining new book, Professor Gary Smith shows us how much of the assault has its roots in what scientists do. The easiest impact to understand is the Internet, which was originally created by scientists in the 1970s to exchange scientific information. Now it has become a great way to spread disinformation on almost every subject. A former chief historian of NASA noted that: “The reality is, the internet has made it possible for people to say whatever the hell they like to a broader number of people than ever before.” Smith recounts endless examples of this disinformation, much of which Read More ›

the-variety-of-different-types-of-chips-and-electronic-components-on-the-printed-circuit-board-stockpack-adobe-stock
the variety of different types of chips and electronic components on the printed circuit board
Type
post
Author
News
Date
June 1, 2023
Categorized
Technology
Tagged
, , , , , ,

Celebrating an Internet Pioneer: Frederico Faggin

Faggin discussed his background and how he came to design the first commercial microprocessor at Intel
News
June 1, 2023
1
Technology

For today’s featured video from the COSM 2022, check out this interview between journalist Maria Teresa Cometto and Frederico Faggin. Faggin discussed his background and how he came to design the first commercial microprocessor at Intel. For more similar material, visit the Center’s YouTube page to enjoy more lectures and videos from past COSM conferences.

deepfake-deep-learning-fake-news-generator-modern-internet-technology-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Deepfake deep learning fake news generator modern internet technology concept.
Type
post
Author
News
Date
May 19, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

“Suddenly There’s No More Reality”

The deepfakes and AI scams abound
News
May 19, 2023
2
Artificial Intelligence

With the proliferation of AI text and images, the issue of deepfakes is of deepening concern. The better AI gets at refashioning reality, will the already murky waters of the Internet become too surreal to navigate? Even real videos, when divorced from their proper context, can be deeply misleading. When entire clips are artificially contrived, then, it seems like the line between fact and fiction dissolves entirely. Some folks are already worried. Victor Tangermann writes at Futurism, [Given] recent developments, the situation is likely to get worse before it can get better. AI tools are making it easier to generate deepfakes every year. These days, an AI can be trained on a relatively small stockpile of audiovisual data to convincingly Read More ›

sea-and-waves-stockpack-adobe-stock
sea and waves
Type
post
Author
Tom Gilson
Date
May 14, 2023
Categorized
Artificial Intelligence
Tagged
, , , , , , , , , ,

The Incoming Tidal Wave of AI Deceit

Every technological advance brings painful disruptions with it
Tom Gilson
May 14, 2023
7
Artificial Intelligence

Leaders in business and science have called for a moratorium on developing artificial intelligence. They’re putting human wisdom up against humans’ quest for power, and we know who always wins those battles. Pardon the cynicism, but honestly, I don’t think we’ve begun to realize what a horrific mess we’re creating for ourselves here. AI developers will promise you great good from it. In reality it looms over us as a huge yet mostly unrecognized threat, especially for the damage it will do to human trust. AI itself won’t care, though. On one level it feels nothing, knows nothing, understands nothing. On another level it’s really quite insane. It’s innocent enough when confined in proper limits. AI-assisted braking in your car is Read More ›