So IT support leaders and Silicon Valley billionaires aren’t the only ones that have their eye on artificial intelligence. Global political leaders do as well. In fact, Russian President Vladimir Putin said whoever controls AI controls the world. Well, US President Trump takes on artificial intelligence.
So today, they expect President Trump to sign an executive order that promotes AI. This is years in the making. Because many in IT service put pressure on him to do this. Trump calls this the ‘American A.I. Initiative’. One focus is education. This doesn’t just mean in the schools, but especially in the workforce. This includes improving services like cloud computing. It also includes improving data to build A.I. systems. Furthermore, it even includes worldwide partnerships about AI.
These are great starts. However, there are a couple of worries. First of all, they didn’t set up a budget of this AI initiative. It’s not going to be cheap. Also, many complain it’s still pretty vague. Maybe we will learn more about it after this signing. But it is a start. And it needs to start now. Because in 2017, China pledged $150 billion to become the greatest A.I. power in the world. Keep in mind the trade war between the US and China right now. Governments like Canada, United Kingdom, Russia and Singapore are also in a hurry be A.I. greats.
There are other reasons President Trump takes on artificial intelligence. It’s not just the race for jobs, education, and technology. Because AI could determine weapons and warfare and could be a threat to our national security. Our potential enemies know it. But here is one thing I wish this initiative addresses: the moral questions of AI. This is why I’m so weary of AI. It’s a threat to our jobs. It’s also a threat to our privacy (or what little of it still exists). But now, they can also lead to outright war, maybe even outright human annihilation. What do you think of the American A.I. Initiative?
So I’m still thinking about that SimpliSafe Super Bowl 53 commercial. You know, the one that scares us to death, then says our only hope is more surveillance IT service. Then I read an article that asks a good question. Are smart devices too smart?
So did you know there is a smart garden? We can thank NASA’s technology for this. It pretty much grows your vegetables, fruits and flowers for you, and you have to do very little work. The smart garden gives you the perfect amount of water, and nutrients for the perfect garden. This garden also includes LED lights that makes sure your plants get the perfect amount of light to grow. So basically, it gives you the tools and does much of the work for you.
Or how would you like a smart frame TV? It looks just like a piece of modern artwork…because it is a large piece of modern artwork. Then you turn on the Sumsung Smart Frame TV. It offers 4K Utlra HD, and great WiFi connection. That’s perfect because less people are watching conventional TV these days. Instead, more watch TV through their apps, like Netflix and Hulu. Also, more people watch through their smart devices. I must admit…it’s a great joke to play on people, when you turn that artwork into a big screen TV. It’s an expensive practical joke, but a great one nonetheless.
Those are just two devices this article talks about. However, there is a part of me that kind of admire the smart garden. Look at the crisis of food and how much food has been recalled just over the last several months. Many want to grow their own food, and rightfully so. So I do kinda support this one. But I do have some reservations about this Samsung Smart Frame TV. But what do you think? Are smart devices too smart?
So back in the day, we waited until the Super Bowl to watch Super Bowl ads. But social media changes that. Because now, we can see the whole commercial before the intended debut. However, one gets to me. Microsoft’s Super Bowl ad: Who’s cutting onions in here?
So in this one, Microsoft promotes their Xbox Adaptive Controller?(no, this link is NOT the Super Bowl commercial). But they’re not using celebrities for this one. The stars of this commercial are children with disabilities. Most of them have physical disabilities, like either no hands or deformed hands. But one child is a 9-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. They talk about their love for video games, and how it connects them with friends.
However, there is one problem. The controllers they use often don’t fit their needs. It usually slows them down and messes up their video game play.? This is where the Xbox Adaptive Controller comes in. Because these controllers are more roundly shaped, and they don’t have to grab at joysticks and push at buttons. Therefore, everyone can play at an equal level now. This improved these kids’ play sharply! One kid said she doesn’t even have to look at the new controller, just at the screen now.
So you say it’s just a video game, right? Don’t tell those kids or their parents that. Because this moved one father to tears. He asks, “How will Owen (the kid will cerebral palsy) be viewed by other kids?”. Choking up, he answers his own question, “He’s not different when he plays.”. That’s the point. These adaptive controllers gives a more equal playing field, so everyone can fit in, regardless of disability. And it shows Owen playing video games with other kids, enjoying each other’s company. This controller will cost you $100, but what comes with it is priceless. How can anybody not feel some kind of touch or emotion when watching this commercial? Microsoft’s Super Bowl ad: Who’s cutting onions in here?
So WordPress, the popular blogging forum, has a plugin. A plugin is something you can add to any IT support system to make it better. But one plugin suffers a severe setback. This is a security alert: Word Press plugin leaks access tokens.
So the name of the plugin is Social Network Tabs. Like most websites nowadays, they use access tokens. Access tokens securely holds your login and password info to your and only your device. This is good for those of us who can’t remember every password of every sit. So I’m assuming that’s the majority of us. However, French security expert Elliot Alderson found a venerable spot.
Alerson tested 539 websites with the troubling plugin by using code search engines. Then, he wrote a script that let him access 400 Twitter accounts. Then he used those accounts to ‘favor’ a tweet literally a hundred times over. Sounds complicated? Well, this test proved that with this manipulations, a hacker can take over these Twitter accounts. Some of his tests include a sheriff’s office in Florida and an Oklahoma casino, among others. Twitter responded. They advised Twitter users to stop using Social Network Tabs and change their passwords ASAP. They also removed this plugin from their IT service system.
Yes, Word Press? plugin leaks access tokens. But let me be clear. As far as I know, nobody has reported any major theft, hacking, or any other damage because of this. However, in this day and age, we need to be informed of any threats that may come through. So take Twitter’s advice. Leave Social Network Tabs, change your passwords, and if you can, memorize your passwords so you don’t even have to use access tokens. It’s also good to change your password once in a while. I know it’s a chore and quiescence, but what’s the alternative?
So, one of IT service and tech’s biggest stars is Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO’s submarine helped save a Thailand soccer team in 2018. He also wants to build colonies on Mars and the moon. But he wants to do more. Will Elon Musk build a flying car?
So according to Musk’s own Twitter feed, he’s proposing a flying car be out by 2022. It’s similar to the Delorean. Some of you might remember that flying car from Back to the Future 2. To quote Musk himself, “The new Roadstar will actually do something like this”. Then he shows the GIF of the Delorean.
However, many think this is a joke. Again, according to his Twitter feed, he really wants to build this flying car. In fact, he even gives details. It will use a Space X cold gas system. Then, the system will have high pressure air in a vessel. This vessel will be in the back seats of this car. So sorry, this flying car won’t be a 4, 5 or 6 person venture. It will be two at the most. For now, that’s all much of the IT support community and the public know. But the fact he’s using Space X technology, which literally sends things out of space, should tell us something about this potential flying car.
However, Musk talks about potential new projects often. Some of them happen. But some of them don’t. The Cave 3 submarine happen. And it saved the lives of children. However, he talks about an electric pick-up truck. On the surface, that sounds a lot easier to build than a flying car. Yet, he said it will have big progress in 2018. But we hear nothing else about it. But look at what he did with space exploration and travel just over the last few years. He deserves a Nobel Prize for his work in space. But will Elon Musk Build A flying car?
So Neofect is a company that helps people going through physical rehab. They come out with products, many of them tech based, that helps people dealing with crippling injuries and illnesses. But one product could be a huge game changer for many. Neofect releases IT support glove.
So they call the name of this glove NeoMano. It’s a smart device that people can wear on their hand just like a glove. It helps give people dealing with paralysis in their hands and arms feeling in their arms again. This includes people fighting brain and muscular diseases like ALS and MS. It also helps people recovering from strokes and car accidents, among other health crises. Some of the things it helps patients do include feeding themselves and turning on lights and appliances.
So how does it work? Imagine a pulley that depends on AAA batteries. Then imagine that pulley controlling the glove. Yes, the glove runs on this pulley that is run on a AAA battery. I’m guessing they’re not going to include the battery, but you can get one at any store. However, it does come with a Bluetooth controller. This patient holds the controller with the other hand just for that purpose. They say the NeoMano will be out this June. They also say it will cost patients around $2,000.
But it’s already getting great support. They showed it off at the CES last year and it got rave reviews. It also raised more venture capital than Neofect planned for. Neofect releases IT support glove, and it sounds like it’s in the right direction, except for the price. Yes, I know Neofect has to cover their costs and make a profit. However, I feel most people who really needs NeoMano will probably not be able to afford it out of pocket. So I’m hoping Neofect can negotiate with doctors and insurance companies. Together, they can come up with a way to get this in the hands of the patients that really need it. If they can do this, then everyone can come out winners: Neofect, the health care providers, and the patients. Is that too much to ask?
