So some of you followed me for years. Then you know how cynical I am about the AI (artificial intelligence) boom. If you don’t then look at this TED talk. However, Google CEO Sundar Pichai insists his company can run AI with integrity. Ethical artificial intelligence: Is this even possible?
First of all, he promised Google AI benefits society. He says the benefits will outweigh the disadvantages. I wish he said how and gave further detail. Furthermore, he assured Google AI’s safety to and for the public. They boast about how their AI doesn’t break stuff. They also boast on their organizations that continue to research AI ethics.
We all have this image of robots running a muck and destroying the entire human race. Google says that won’t happen on their watch. Because Google’s AI will have human control and direction. And if the AI goes crazy, then a qualified human will correct the problem. Speaking of humans, Pichai insists all Google AI scientists have met the highest of Google standards. And you have to give Google credit for this one. They’re more transparent than other IT service companies. For example, they have AI research places on universities in the US and Canada. They even formed alliances with other IT support companies to ensure ethical artificial intelligence.
All of this sounds good on paper, especially coming from one of the most powerful tech leaders around today. But I’m still skeptical. Even today, we see AI take our jobs. We also see the disturbing trend of people marrying and having sexual relationships with robots. Pichai talked about AI benefits. But he never explained the benefits in detail. But most of us know the disadvantages. In fact, we already see it. They even want AI to solve our social, political, racial, cultural and generational divide. I will believe it when I see it. Ethical artificial intelligence: Is this even possible?
So before there was Playstation, Sega Genesis, even Nintendo, there was Intellivision. It was a popular home video game console in the early 1980s. But by the late ’80s, competition from Nintendo, Atari and Sega took it’s toll. The company disbanded. However, it seems like now, Intellivision video games make a comeback.
So the new Intellivision is coming up with a retro style gaming system. But so far, we know little about it. They don’t even have a name for it yet. However, they say it will be for all ages. They also say this new system will be easy for non-gamers and beginning gamers to enjoy.
Don’t expect a Nintendo like revival, either. You have to remember. Intellivision has been in the ecomomic dog house for the last 30 years. So it’s going to take a long time to get out of there. Intellivision is calling a press conference on Facebook on May 31. What will they say and how much will they reveal? Experts and IT support journalist don’t expect much. In fact, they don’t expect to hear much until their big conference on October 1. And there is literally no telling when they’re coming out when this new Intellivision. It could be past 2020.
But for their sake, I hope it doesn’t take that long before Intellivision video games make a comeback. Because other retro video games are making a comeback. The old school Nintendo consoles are selling like hotcakes. Even in our Boston computer service shop, some of us, like me, prefer Pac-Man and Legend of Zelda to Destiny 2 and Call of Duty. Many of my younger readers may not even know what Intellivsion is. Well, between 1980-1984, they sold over three million consoles. Back in the day, they were almost as big as Atari and ColecoVision. Intellivision gave us games like Dungeons and Dragons (that was a great cartoon by the way) and Astrosmash. I hope it works. Will Intellivision video games make a comeback?
So in Paris, there is a tech conference they call Viva Tech. One of the top speakers was the President of France. Let’s see how French President Emmanuel Macron talks technology.
So Marcon talked about about European regulations regarding the IT support and tech industry. He also talked about other issues facing tech. This included things like taxes, privacy, and cyber bullying and trolling. However, a big part of Marcon’s speech was about startups. He said IT service is critical to today’s France. Furthermore, he said tech startups alone brought almost $3 billion to his country. As recently as 2015, it was barely one billion.
But not all the news was good. Because France wants to create a European tax and impose it on major tech companies. They’re also urging other EU nations to do the same. This would create lots of revenue not just for France, but for every EU nation. Some are on board. But some others are not. He believes tech is key to creating jobs and a robust economy. Then he addressed the Tech for Good initiative. Here, he challenges tech companies to do good in the community. But he didn’t stop there. Marcon vowed to have the government check with these companies, to see if they really are doing good. He even wants there to be a Tech for Good Summit every year.
This is how French President Emmanuel Macron talks technology. Tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Obviously, he wants France, and Europe to do well in technology. Plus, from what I’m reading, Europe is falling a little behind other tech savvy nations, like the US, China and Israel. However, something else strikes me here. Marcon seems to fight for tech privacy. Yet, he’s willing to follow tech companies around just to make sure they’re doing good. Does that make any sense?
So in Boston, there is a restaurant they call Spyce. But this isn’t an ordinary diner. Because at this place, just a mile from our Boston computer repair shop, humans don’t make your food. Robots do. Robots cook at Boston restaurant.
So we can thank a team of MIT engineers and Chef Daniel Boulud for this one. In fact, these bots can prepare your meal in about three minutes. After you place your order, they send it to a refrigerator that delivers your order and portion. Then, at 450F, they cook the food and put in a? bowl. And there you go. Dinner is served.
They also seem to be going for environmental and health friendly meals as well. Using touch screens, you create your own bowls. It comes in a compost bowl. You can choose international cuisines like Thai, Mediterranean, and a couple of others. The meals come with a lot of fresh vegetables and whole grains, and less on meats. But wait…the robots clean up after you too. They wash and rinse the pots and pans they cook in. Then they use those utensils for the next customers. So not only does Spyce not have human cooks, but they don’t have human waiters or cleaners either.
This isn’t the first robotic restaurant. In Washington DC, they have a restaurant where there are no waiters. It’s just IT service taking your orders and having your food. Now, robots cook at Boston restaurant. I saw what these robots are cooking. And it doesn’t look that attractive. So why are they doing this? Because eventually, robot technology will be cheaper than human labor. We may be already be crossing that point. I even hear customers say things like, “Well, at least robots don’t get my order wrong and don’t give me attitude!”. Sorry, but you won’t find me at Spyce. Yes, I’m a carnivore and the menu has too many non-carnivorous items. But more to the point, are we ready to put this much trust in robotic and AI cuisine?
So here’s a digital/tech few talk about: the coming cashless society. Do you think it’s a conspiracy theory? Then why is Japan working so hard to create cashless banks? But they’re not the only ones. Is Australia trying to go cashless?
Effective in 2019, the Australian government will bans cash transactions of more than $10,000. That means you won’t be able to buy anything more than $10,000 with cash. You’ll need a check, credit/debit card, or other for of payment. Basically, you’ll need a form of payment in which they can track you. Australian government leaders say this will combat tax evasion. They also say fight crime like drug dealing, terrorism and cyber robberies and attacks. We’ll see.
So most of us don’t walk around with $10,000 in cash buying stuff. But many businesses, even IT service ones, hate this decision. One man, who runs a security business, says 95% of his business is cash transactions bigger than $10,000. There are other businesses that claim they do millions of cash actions a month. So as you can imagine, they’re not happy about this either. However, on the other side, IT support leaders want this, and not just an Australia. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey himself wants a day where Bitcoin is the global currency period.
But why am I talking about Australian technology in a Boston computer service shop? Because the cashless society movement isn’t just Australia’s, or Japan’s. In Australia, 32% of all transactions are done through cash. Here in the USA, that number is 37%. This includes little thing, like cups of coffee. India is so bent on digital currency that they’re banning 500 and 1,000 Rupee bills (that equals to $7 and $14 USD). The money scene is changing globally. Computer technology plays a huge role in that. Is Australia trying to go cashless? Maybe I’m asking the wrong question. Is the world trying to go cashless?
So most of us in IT support know what Google Assistant is. To make a long story short, it’s software that does much of your daily planning for you. But they’re taking it even further, coming up with Google Duplex. What is it? Should we embrace it?
Google Duplex makes phone calls to people at your request. However, it uses WaveNet technology?to do so. That’s a speech program that joined sound stogether to create speech. Furthermore, keep in mind you don’t have to type in anything for WaveNet to speak. But it’s really hard to understand when WaveNet speaks. But Duplex adds to Wavenet, and you can actually understand what the robotic voice is saying.
In other words, the Duplex sounds just like a human voice. In fact, I saw some examples where they used Duplex to book hair salon appointments and restaurants. The Duplex voice sounds just like a human voice, even down to the accent. They’re training Duplex strictly for bookings and inquiries. They can’t have conversations like humans can…yet. But their AI is still trying to learn the mystery of human voice and conversation. It realizes each person talks differently. Then there are the languages, dialects, and accents that differ just about everywhere.
Then there are the ethical and moral concerns, like the ones I have. Yesterday in our Boston computer service shop, I debated with a colleague about this. I found the fact that a robot can sound just like a human to take information creepy. There are others that feel the same way. That’s why Google assures they will let people know it’s an AI robot they’re talking to. I hope they can keep that promise because I don’t know how they’re going to do that. Think of all the businesses in the world and customers in the world. Good luck with that one. Because I believe there will come a day where you can and will have full conversations with Google Duplex. It could be an intricate part of our lives. Should we embrace it?
