Understanding AI, and the Internet

If you are interested in learning about the evolution of Artificial Intelligence, check out this 4 part podcast, “Good Robot”, by Julia Longoria, on Vox’s Unexplainable podcast.

The podcast highlights the tug of war ongoing between 2 factions of AI enthusiasts – on the one hand, the “AI safety” group comprising futurists, visionaries and entrepreneurs hyping up the power of the technology and its possible negative ramifications on humanity in the future.

On the other hand, are the AI ethicists – scientists and researchers who argue for ethical management of the models due to its impact on society today. They stand for the regulation of the technology and for transparency of AI models.

Other themes that the podcast examines stand at the intersection of technology, rationality, ethics & morality.

The host notes the cult-like nature of many of the groups involved in influencing this nascent technology.

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This 4 part series, reminded me of a similar 4 part video series that chronicles the rise of the internet.

Download : The True Story of the Internet

Media of the Future – Will Video Replace Text?

Text and text based communication has been the default for human communication? Why? Because it is economical to produce and distribute.

In the digital world, video is ubiquitous. A rising consumption of video directly, and negatively, impacts readership of books. 77% of people today prefer learning via video. So, will videos replace books like how the MP3 and the internet wiped out CD stores?

Yes, says Danish entrepreneur, Victor Riparbelli. He argues that today, the cost to create and scale high quality video has sharply plunged thanks to the internet and AI.

His company helps convert hard to read texts like Standard Operating Procedures, or manuals, into video, besides creating AI powered clones / avatars for human beings. The line between the clone and the real is blurring fast.

Not just this, the intersection of AI and video technology is going to result in an explosion of creativity, led by a decentralised cluster of creators, and not by incumbent Hollywood. A media disruption in the making.

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